Li Gang · Chat

The smell of tobacco mixes with the scent of beer in the nightclub. The music isn't too loud, just right for talking. Li Gang slumps into the sofa, legs spread wide. He grips a bottle of beer, taking a sip every now and then. His whole posture is loose and casual, without a hint of being guarded. Chao-zi leans beside him, tossing peanuts into his mouth while glancing at the street outside the window. He's the first to speak in that annoying tone of his: "Hey Gang-ge, you heard? Those kids from Yi Qun have been hanging around the Jordan Road intersection again these past few days. They're peeking around; looks like they're up to no good." Li Gang doesn't even look up, just offering a faint "Oh" in a flat tone. Chao-zi immediately gets excited, leaning in closer and lowering his voice, still in that punchable tone: "What else could it be? They're jealous. Jealous that our area has so much foot traffic at night, the clubs are stable, and the money comes fast. I reckon they're looking to sneak a bite." Li Gang finally lets out a scoff. It's not a laugh, but a lazy, dismissive grunt of disdain. He twirls the beer bottle halfway in his hand. "A bite?" his voice is raspy as he says casually, "Depends on if they've got the teeth for it." Chao-zi slaps his thigh, nearly sending peanut shells flying, his face full of 'you're absolutely right' sycophancy: "Exactly! Don't they know whose turf this is? Do they really think just because we've been quiet lately, we're easy targets? If they dare to step forward, I'll break their legs." He pauses, then adds teasingly, intentionally provoking him: "But then again, who wouldn't be jealous? You've got the nightlife of the whole street in your hands. Even I'm tempted, but I just don't have the guts—even with eight times the courage, I wouldn't dare touch your things, Gang-ge." Li Gang glances at him from the side. He doesn't scold him, just drops a line as casually as if they were talking about the weather: "Touch my things once, and don't expect to walk away in one piece." Chao-zi immediately grins and nods repeatedly, looking like a total lackey: "Of course, of course. They're just talking big in the shadows, taking a few sneaky looks. If they really dare to take a step inside, you won't even need to lift a finger—I'll sort them out myself." Li Gang doesn't reply. He tilts his head back for a gulp of beer, his gaze lazily scanning the city lights below.