Chapter 3, It was not my intention to mistakenly act as a wandering minstrel.

Dingling, dingling... countless bicycles surged out from various alleys and street corners, converging into a torrent of steel on the street in front of the market, as the bright red gate seemed to act like a giant magnet, attracting all the bicycles towards it

Hao Yun did not dare to move at all, clearly having dealt with Lei Xiaotian before and knowing his formidable abilities

"Brother Lei, indeed, indeed. I just met Brother San, and the name Jun Songjiang truly lives up to its reputation. Today, as I stepped out, I heard the magpies calling; it turns out they were meant to be here. I have long heard of Brother San's great name, and today I am fortunate to meet such a prominent figure as Brother San; I, Haozi, am truly blessed in this lifetime..." Hao Yun came forward and spoke in a flurry, not even realizing he had misused the first idiom, and he did not feel embarrassed at all for complimenting Xue Xiang, who was two or three years younger than him. Today, as I stepped out, I heard the magpies calling; it turns out they were meant to be here. I have long heard of Brother San's great name, and today I am fortunate to meet such a prominent figure as Brother San; I, Haozi, am truly blessed in this lifetime..." Hao Yun came forward and spoke in a flurry, not even realizing he had misused the first idiom, and he did not feel embarrassed at all for complimenting Xue Xiang, who was two or three years younger than him. The hidden cigarettes were confiscated, yet he could still call it a joyous occasion; he is indeed a person who can adapt and navigate through circumstances.

Upon seeing Xue Xiang reveal his background, the burly man immediately became timid, as he was inherently a blustering yet cowardly individual. The tactic of revealing one's background was something he had learned from observing top troublemakers during their exchanges. He had witnessed many instances where both parties disclosed their backgrounds, leading to a swift resolution of conflict. He had also seen cases where one party revealed their background, causing the other to immediately back down, admitting defeat and apologizing.

Haha, Malazi, Old Pig, Xiaokang, Red Army, Aid to Korea, Forward, the few of us have come together quite well. Xue Xiang called out their names one by one, laughing happily. The familiar and warm figures suddenly made him feel that the world had become vibrant and warm. Xue Xiang took out a cigarette case from his pocket and tossed it over. Lei Xiaotian caught it in one hand, opened the cigarette case, and was about to throw it back when Xue Xiang waved his hand to indicate it was unnecessary. He was not being polite either and casually stuffed it into his pocket.

At this time, most of those arriving were rascals dressed in military uniforms and carrying military satchels, sent out by their fathers at home to work as porters. Each of them had a gaze filled with provocation and disdain, and they rode their bicycles at a rapid pace. Occasionally, someone would greet Xue Xiang from a distance, calling out and saluting with their hands. Xue Xiang would sometimes nod, and at other times, he would bring his right hand's two fingers together to the brim of his cap, returning an American-style salute. As more and more people greeted him, Xue Xiang found it a bit overwhelming, so he clasped his fists in return, acknowledging them with a general gesture of respect.

Liu Ying'er noticed that the two individuals who had just been glaring at each other were now chatting and laughing, and she frowned slightly. Indeed, they were the leaders of the ruffians; such fierce and intimidating people could actually get along. Liu Ying'er chose to ignore them and turned around to join the queue.

Third Brother

Xue Xiangzheng was socializing when he heard a few familiar voices calling for him. Xue Xiang's uncle had a son and a daughter, both older than Xue Xiang. In the family, Xue Xiang was the third in line. Due to his generosity, bravery, strong sense of loyalty, and impressive skills, he had gained considerable fame in the circle of rascals. Regardless of whether they were older or younger than him, everyone referred to him as "Third Brother." Xue Xiang had an extensive network and significant influence, often being the go-to person for mediation when conflicts arose between two groups of rascals, and he never turned anyone away. His reputation in the rascal community was well-established, and he was affectionately nicknamed "Timely Rain of East City, Protector of the North Sea," also known as the handsome Song Jiang, a moniker that quickly spread throughout the rascal circle.

"Alright, the brothers have dispersed. Third Brother, I will come to your house at noon to drink. I just managed to get a bottle of thirty-year-old Chen Mao from the old man's wine cabinet. This is a real treat." The speaker is Li Hongjun, whose father is the chief of staff to Uncle Xue. He is cold in demeanor, taciturn, and has managed to escape a calamity during the Great Movement due to his cautious nature. He has also provided considerable care to the four siblings of Xue.

"Malaizi, don't be in a hurry, there is still a friend here." Xue said as he patted Hao Yun.

Xue Xiang noticed the situation and interrupted the lively conversation among the group: "You guys should disperse now, each return to your own homes and find your own mothers. Hurry up and go help the aunts carry the vegetables; if you go late, be careful of your skins."

Indeed, the burly man immediately put on a smile and said, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, my brother has offended you, my apologies." His words came out rapidly, with saliva spraying from between his yellowed teeth. While apologizing, the burly man took out a pack of "Gongnong" cigarettes from his jacket pocket, took a few steps forward, intending to offer a cigarette to Xue Xiang. Just as he pulled out the cigarette box, he realized something was amiss and hurriedly stuffed the box back into his original pocket, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from under his military uniform, which was exactly the "Jade" brand that Xue Xiang smoked.

The half-dark, half-light banter of the underworld, combined with his awkward movements and the ill-fitting yellow military uniform he wore, was truly amusing. With a chuckle, Liu Ying'er couldn't help but laugh out loud, quickly covering her mouth, only to remember that the burly man in front was not a kind-hearted individual.

Seeing that his signature move had no effect, the burly man decided to stop acting tough. He smoothed out his rolled-up sleeves, clasped his fists, and inquired, "May I ask which part of the body this brother is referring to?"

They were chatting happily, and Xue Xiang had already moved forward a bit, revealing a large open space. Xue Xiang remained still, and seeing a group of burly men standing there, no one dared to urge Xue Xiang to move forward, let alone cut in front of him.

What kind of person is this, who never forgets to show off at any time? The favor of "saving color" just now has long been cast aside by Liu Ying'er, and she has begun to slander her "benefactor" again

... ...

Xue Xiang found it somewhat amusing and said, "You were asked to bring him a cigarette, and instead, you took out his entire stock."

"Do you guys feel that Third Brother is acting strangely today? I just have a feeling that something is off," Zhu Shijun exclaimed, tugging at Sun Qianjin's arm.

When Lei Xiaotian and the others just called him Third Brother, Hao Yun already knew who the person in front of him was. He had just thought about challenging him, which was truly reckless; now that he thought about it, he felt a bit uneasy.

The cries of the rotund man had already startled Liu Ying'er. Xue Xiang remained unfazed, with a cigarette held at an angle between his lips. He took a deep drag and exhaled a large smoke ring. Before the large smoke ring could dissipate, he immediately blew out a smaller smoke ring that passed straight through the center of the larger one.

"I belong to the 229th Division, which one are you from?" Xue rubbed his hands together, flicking off the ash left on his nails, and asked with a serious expression. When it comes to discussing their roots, the children of cadres rarely joke around; it is the honor of their fathers and the source of their pride. During the Anti-Japanese War, a united front against Japan was established. The Red Army was reorganized into the Eighth Route Army of the National Revolutionary Army. The allocation from Chiang Kai-shek was limited, and at that time, only three divisions were formed: the 215th, 220th, and 229th Divisions. These three divisions, along with the foundation of the New Fifth Army, constituted the main force of the later four major field armies. When two groups of people are discussing matters and they happen to be from the same division, unless there is a deep-seated grudge, they absolutely cannot come to blows; soldiers have always been the most united, and this has been passed down to their descendants. If they are not from the same division, minor conflicts can generally be resolved through mediation, and things can still proceed smoothly. When two groups of people are discussing matters and they happen to be from the same division, unless there is a deep-seated grudge, they absolutely cannot come to blows; soldiers have always been the most united, and this has been passed down to their descendants. If they are not from the same division, minor conflicts can generally be resolved through mediation, and things can still proceed smoothly.

"If there is smoke, everyone should smoke, right, Mouse?" Lei Xiaotian looked at Hao Yun with a malicious smile.

Aren't all livestock like this? Those from the 1970s are the same; no one is willing to sever ties with beautiful women.

... ...

The half-hearted banter of the burly man sounds amusing, yet it carries a deeper significance. Xue Xiang understands that he is engaging in a form of "panda". At that time, the youth of the entire Four Nine City loved to wear military uniforms, making it nearly impossible to distinguish whether someone was a "veteran" or a "troublemaker" based solely on appearance. Therefore, it was necessary to engage in panda to ascertain each other's backgrounds. Although the term "veteran" has since faded, the practice of panda has endured.

I, um, that..." Hao Yun touched his forehead, feeling a bit embarrassed, not knowing how to express himself

Just as Liu Qing'er finished her moment of relief and was bending down to pick up a red string that had been handed to her, Xue Xiang's wheel met her beautiful rear end

Xue Xiang felt the tension in the vehicle increase. Turning his head to look back, he saw Liu Ying'er with a look of panic on her face, her eyes filled with pleading. Glancing further behind Liu Ying'er, he quickly understood the situation. Xue Xiang gestured with his chin towards the front, indicating for her to move ahead of him. Liu Ying'er, as if granted a reprieve, quickly ran with her basket of vegetables and slipped to the front wheel of Xue Xiang's vehicle. Xue Xiang spread his legs and slid the vehicle back a step, then held it steady.

Liu Ying'er was in a great hurry, quickly taking two steps forward, grasping the iron ring on the back seat of the car with her hand, as if it were a lifeline. The original "gang leader" seemed not so detestable anymore; it appeared that the merits and demerits among rogues were also subject to comparison, Liu Ying'er thought to herself. Clearly, Xue Xiang emerged victorious in this comparison, earning the honorable title of a high-quality rogue.

Xue Xiang, this name sounds somewhat familiar. Hao Yun could not recall where he had heard it before.

Xue Xiang saw the burly man soften and did not wish to linger too long on the matter, after all, the desire for beauty is inherent in everyone. Xue Xiang's personality underwent a significant transformation after his rebirth; the former young man's flamboyance and generosity blended with Xue Xiang's reclusive and shy nature, resulting in a character that was both magnanimous and composed. Xue Xiang took the cigarette from the burly man, placed it between his lips, and was about to light it when the burly man ignited the flame first, helping him to light it.

He does not think that such behavior is particularly heinous. In this day and age, there are hardly any entertainment activities available. Aside from going to the Beihai Ice Rink to skate, even a film screening can be packed to capacity. This truly has led this group of adolescents to a state of utter boredom, reaching a legendary realm known in later generations as the "Egg Pain Realm"

"Third Brother, why did you come by yourself today? Usually, isn't it Xiaowan who buys it and the brothers take it home?" The speaker was Kang Tong, a young man with a simple appearance and dark skin.

The stout man discovered a charming lady and fled in a panic, his heart racing as he tried to keep up. Xue, however, would not let him have his way; he planted his left leg firmly on the ground, raised his right leg straight up, twisted the handlebars with both hands, and instantly turned the bicycle sideways. He then sat back down with a thud, his right leg still draped over the crossbar, looking at the stout man with a half-smile.

Hao Yun nodded excitedly and turned to leave. Xue Xiang stepped on the bicycle pedal with his left foot, pushed off the ground with his right leg, and hopped onto the seat, causing the bicycle to glide forward briskly. The people behind had been waiting anxiously and quickly followed suit. Just as the front wheel was about to touch the beautiful bottom of Liu Ying'er ahead, Xue Xiang gently squeezed the brake, bringing the bicycle to a steady stop. Unexpectedly, the people behind were too eager; as soon as Xue Xiang released the brake, he felt a strong force coming from behind. In a moment of distraction, the wheel surged forward a step, lightly bumping into Liu Ying'er's lovely bottom, creating a small dent on her elastic round rear. Xue Xiang quickly turned the front wheel to disengage, and the shape of her bottom quickly returned to normal. This thrilling scene inevitably provoked speculation about which had more elasticity, the tire or her round bottom.

"Oh, aren't you going to buy groceries?" Xue asked in surprise

I feel the same way. Usually, San Ge speaks like firecrackers, but today he is slow and overly refined, which sounds awkward. Li Hongjun agreed.

Third Brother

The burly man appears rough and tough, yet he is actually quite astute. He would not be foolish enough to deceive Xue into believing that he is someone of importance. This is a taboo within the circle of the children of officials; if the rascals among them were to discover any false claims about one's background, they would not let it go easily. In their pursuit of maintaining the honor of their group, they would unite to retaliate. This has also become an unspoken rule within the circle of rascals, one that few dare to violate. With these two strategies, combined with his quick wit, the burly man has thrived in the Xicheng area.

Hao Yun immediately felt a deep respect; what kind of person could this be

Xue Xiang turned his head and saw Lei Xiaotian, Zhu Shijun, Kang Tong, Li Hongjun, Liu Yuanchao, and Sun Qianjin approaching him with smiles. These six youths, aged around sixteen or seventeen, were dressed in various styles of military uniforms, each exuding vitality and possessing tall statures, creating a formidable presence when gathered together

Xue Xiang has seen many such blustering tricks. The barking dog never bites; the louder it barks, the more cowardly it is.

In the circle of the children of officials, it is very important to know which faction one's family elder belongs to, as it relates to one's background. For instance, when two previously unacquainted children of officials meet for the first time, they typically engage in a process of "inquiry" where they ask each other which faction they are from. This usually refers to which military unit their parents belonged to during the War of Resistance against Japan. It is reasonable for the children of officials to set the temporal reference point at the time of the Anti-Japanese War, as there were few survivors from the Red Army period. By 1955, those who survived were mostly high-ranking generals. Although these individuals held high ranks, their numbers were limited, and as they were dispersed across the country, their influence in the circle of children of officials in the capital was not as significant as that of the group from the Anti-Japanese War. During the Anti-Japanese War, there were not many military numbers, but the number of personnel was substantial. Those who survived from this group are now mostly mid- to high-ranking officials, thus wielding considerable influence in the circle of children of officials. However, the number of survivors from the Liberation War period is not worth mentioning, as by that time, the ruling party had already passed its most difficult period, and its scale had become established, with the military reaching over one million personnel.

Later, this tactic, along with the earlier gesture of rolling up his sleeves, was skillfully learned and greatly developed by him, becoming his two signature techniques. The first technique, feigning strength, was quite effective; his imposing demeanor combined with exaggerated gestures often intimidated many timid children. The second technique, probing for connections, was particularly useful when the first technique failed. He would always take the initiative to inquire about the other party's background, making it seem as though he was a prominent figure in the elite circle of troublemakers. If the other party had no connections, they would usually refrain from questioning him and choose to back down. If the other party revealed their connections, he would immediately soften his stance and seek an opportunity for reconciliation, and the other party would often not press too hard.

Xue Xiang took a deep puff of smoke, burning the last column of smoke until only the filter remained. He exhaled, sending the filter flying forward, while his right hand formed an orchid shape as he hurried after the filter. His finger moved like lightning, and with precision, the tip of his middle finger flicked the filter, sending it straight towards the nearby trash can. As it soared above the trash can, it suddenly plummeted, crashing against the wall of the can and sinking to the bottom. This display was exceptionally impressive, leaving the onlookers around him dumbfounded. He exhaled, sending the filter flying forward, while his right hand formed an orchid shape as he hurried after the filter. His finger moved like lightning, and with precision, the tip of his middle finger flicked the filter, sending it straight towards the nearby trash can. As it soared above the trash can, it suddenly plummeted, crashing against the wall of the can and sinking to the bottom. This display was exceptionally impressive, leaving the onlookers around him dumbfounded.

Oh, isn't this the oil rat from Xicheng? When did you become friends with our Third Brother?" Lei Xiaotian walked straight to Hao Yunlai's side, unbuttoned his outer coat, and effortlessly stripped away the "Jade." It was clear he was quite familiar with this process, suggesting he had known this person's habits for some time.

From now on, I will be the one to buy it. Xiao Wan is still young, and insufficient sleep is not acceptable

Third Brother

The crowd around, noticing the commotion here, instantly exhibited a certain negative trait inherent in the Chinese people; those who were in line no longer pressed forward, but instead formed a semicircular space, leisurely watching the excitement unfold

Xue Xiang took his hand and shook it, saying: "Xue Xiang, it's nothing, no pain, no gain." He did not explain that he was not familiar with Liu Ying'er.

Hehe, that girl just now was really beautiful, you are quite lucky, brother. Let me introduce myself, my name is Hao Yunlai, you can just call me Mouse. What is your esteemed name, brother?

"Stop it, stop it, you young man should really be performing stand-up comedy on the overpass, it would be a waste of your talent not to." Xue Xiang waved his hand to stop Hao Yunlai's flattery.

The sky gradually brightened, and the number of people at the entrance of the market increased, creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere, with the four lines of people becoming increasingly crowded.

"Alright, you go ahead. If there's anything, just speak up. From now on, we are friends." Xue Xiang has already understood that this guy's pretense of buying groceries is false, while taking advantage of the situation is genuine. He is simply an upgraded version of the public transport wolf.

The burly man blocked the way, his eyes gleaming with menace as he fixed a fierce gaze on Xue Xiang. He rolled up his sleeves, adopting a posture that suggested he was ready to fight at the slightest provocation, and shouted, "You dare to ruin a good man's business? You’re asking for a beating!" With that, he raised his thick, meaty hand, the long black hairs on the back of it clearly visible.

These rascals are indeed of the same character

As the six of them, including Lei Xiaotian, dispersed, Xue Xiang pushed the cart and was about to move forward. Hao Yunlai stepped forward a couple of paces and called out to Xue Xiang: "Third Brother, I am heading back now as well. Next time, I will treat you to a meal. I am truly glad to have met you." Hao Yunlai's face was filled with sincerity; he genuinely admired Xue Xiang, the leader who commanded respect in the circle of troublemakers.

Liu Ying'er felt that today was truly unfortunate, with everything going wrong. First, she encountered a petty thug, and then a bigger one. Just when she thought she was clever and resourceful, pitting the two thugs against each other, who would have thought that the two thugs would end up getting along? Fortunately, neither of the thugs bothered to create trouble for her, and they maintained a sufficient distance from her. Finally safe, Liu Ying'er let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, neither of the thugs bothered to create trouble for her, and they maintained a sufficient distance from her. Finally safe, Liu Ying'er let out a sigh of relief