Stronger with More Jobs

Chapter 794: Chapter 318: Overly Enthusiastic Terrifying Fairy Tales!~

The crystal chandelier in the hotel lobby cast a warm glow.

The polished marble floor reflected the silhouettes of people coming and going.

Lei Meng, with his group, had just passed through the revolving door when Liu San leaned close to his ear, frowning, and said in a very low voice, "Brother Meng, Han Li and his crew... something feels off about them."

Lei Meng did not stop walking, but the hearty smile on his face faded slightly, and his brows furrowed.

Of course, he knew something was off with Han Li and his men.

"They’re a bit crazy," he replied equally low, "Currently, there are minor skirmishes in the border areas, but to openly rip off the mask today is really not like Han Li’s sly style."

"With our current strength, which of those old gangs in the Gray Rock District dares to claim they can eat us stably? Even if we were to make a move, we’d leave some room for maneuver."

He furrowed his brow into a tight knot, then relaxed it again, patting Liu San on the shoulder: "I’ll have Scar Wolf look into this closely; he’s more familiar with the Tie Liu sect. For now, let’s focus on the match, keep our eyes sharp. If we can spot a few promising recruits, that’ll strengthen our Cyan Dragon Gang’s foundation."

As they spoke, the group had already reached the reception desk.

Lei Meng straightened his back and spoke in a booming voice to the receptionist in uniform, "Rooms! The best ones, enough for us all!"

The receptionist smiled professionally and quickly operated the computer: "Yes, sir. We currently have fifteen luxury suites available, each at a daily service fee of two hundred sixty Gray Crystals. How about that..."

"Fifteen rooms?"

Lei Meng’s eyelid twitched a bit imperceptibly.

Standing behind him were the current core of the Cyan Dragon edition, plus the Dawn members, totaling more than forty people.

He instinctively glanced at the group of precious members behind him and gritted his teeth: "Book them! Fifteen rooms it is! They need to be adjoining!"

"Alright, sir. Fifteen luxury suites, with a deposit plus three days’ advance payment, total 11,700 Gray Crystals." The receptionist wore a sweet smile, but the number she reported felt like a stab to Lei Meng’s heart.

Behind him, Liu San’s eyelids twitched even harder.

"Ahem..." Lei Meng pretended to be calm, pulling out a thick stack of brand-new Gray Crystal Cards from his pocket.

These were part of the spoils freshly counted from the Blood Wolf Gang’s treasury.

He slapped them onto the counter with a painful yet bold gesture: "Swipe the card."

The forced generosity, matched with the subtle twitch at the corner of his mouth, seemed rather comical in Fang Qingyu’s eyes.

"Brother Meng, you’re generous!"

Chu Kuanglan was the first to cheer, his voice so loud that it made the lobby buzz, drawing glances from the surrounding guests.

Only then did a smile return to Lei Meng’s face.

Yet no matter how one looked, the smile appeared a bit strained.

With room cards in hand, everyone dispersed.

Chu Kuanglan slung an arm around Liu San’s neck: "Old Liu, come on, come on, to your room. Let’s figure out what scheme the Tie Liu sect scoundrels are brewing!"

He had to keep Qingzi’s attention on gang affairs to prevent them from mulling over the peculiar occurrences of their own people frequently visiting the restroom.

Fang Qingyu exchanged a glance with Jiang Wei and they walked towards the elevator with tacit understanding.

Their rooms were next to each other.

Fang Qingyu stopped at Jiang Wei’s door and lightly knocked.

The door silently slid open, and Jiang Wei had already changed into an unremarkable plain casual outfit, her fiery red hair pinned up with a simple wooden hairpin and hidden under her hood.

She nodded, and the two walked out of the hotel side by side.

...

The area of the Celestial Punishment Association in the city center was starkly different from the bustling opulence of other parts of City of Injustice.

Dark stone buildings loomed like crouching beasts, casting deep shadows in the twilight.

They exuded an imposing solemnity and oppression.

Even the ordinary streets surrounding this core restricted area seemed bathed in a gloomy shade, few pedestrians around, and the shop lights appeared weak and weary.

Fang Qingyu and Jiang Wei got off the taxi a block away from the eerie cluster of buildings.

The two did not approach the Celestial Punishment Association area directly.

Instead, they strolled leisurely along the peripheral streets.

Their gazes casually swept over the shops on either side.

A small shop with a wooden sign saying "Old Brand Beef Shop" caught Fang Qingyu’s attention.

The dim light from inside exuded a slight warmth of human life.

In this cold street block, it seemed particularly out of place.

The shop door was open, and the rich aroma of beef wafted out, carrying the familiar scent of spices.

"Want to sit inside?"

Fang Qingyu tilted his head towards Jiang Wei.

Jiang Wei cast her clear red eyes over the shop, nodding gently: "Mm."

The interior was modest, with only four or five wooden tables, neatly and cleanly kept.

A woman in her forties, with a kind face and wearing a floral apron, was wiping down the stove. Upon seeing customers coming in, she immediately flashed a warm smile: "Please, come in! What would you like to eat?"

"Two beef steak set meals."

Fang Qingyu naturally pulled out a chair and sat down.

Jiang Wei quietly seated herself opposite him.

"Beef steak set meals?"

The woman’s eyes lit up, pausing her hand movement, and she scrutinized Fang Qingyu with a touch of surprise in her local accent, "Handsome, are you from Qingjian side?"

Fang Qingyu smiled gently and nodded: "Yes, I’m originally from Qingjian. Saw the sign and thought to try it."

"Oh! You really are from back home!"

The woman’s smile became more genuine, with a close-knit fondness for meeting a fellow townsman, "It’s rare to see! Wait, I’ll cook it for you right away, just like the taste from home!"

She turned quickly into the kitchen.

Soon enough, she returned with two large trays, adeptly setting everything on the table.

In two rough pottery bowls were steaming, soft, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs with rich sauce.