Chen Lishu frowned slightly as she looked at the group, but quickly put on a smile and greeted them, "Feel free to look around. Our bell-bottom pants and shirts are all fifteen yuan each. There's also a fitting room if you find anything you like."
Now that she was running a business, it was different from selling privately. It was best not to offend these people if possible.
Would someone who knew leaders from the Municipal Bureau work as a private business owner? Thinking about how she had been tricked by this woman back then, Er Biao's expression wasn't very pleasant.
"Who did I think it was? What's that saying again?"
Er Biao raised an eyebrow and looked at his companions, and someone immediately flattered him by saying, "Destiny brings us together from a thousand miles away."
Er Biao unceremoniously smacked the back of the other person's head. "Can you speak properly? Is that phrase meant to be used here?"
"Brother Biao, this woman was very arrogant back then. She even slapped you twice."
"I remember, you don't need to remind me." Er Biao glared at another person who spoke up and then turned to Chen Lishu, looking disdainful and asking condescendingly, "Why aren't you as arrogant today as you were then?"
Seeing their unfriendly expressions, Chen Lishu didn't reply.
"What's wrong, sister?" Wang Aixiang had just found a pair of pants for Zhang Xue. When she saw Er Biao and his group, her expression changed. "What are you doing?"
Li Zhiwei, Feng Pangzi, and Zhang Xue also came over when they saw the situation was not right.
"Is someone causing trouble?" Li Zhiwei said, about to step forward, but Chen Lishu stopped him, shaking her head with a smile. "It's fine. It's just a customer I met before saying hello. You guys continue picking what you like. I can handle this."
This was her own business, and it wouldn't be good if she implicated Li Zhiwei and the others.
Even though she said that, Li Zhiwei and the others didn't leave. They kept a watchful eye on the group's actions.
Er Biao: "I won't waste words. From now on, this area is under my protection. Starting today, all you merchants have to pay protection fees."
Chen Lishu frowned. "I don't know how you collect this protection fee?"
"Five yuan." Thinking that Sun Ling said this shop was doing good business, Er Biao's companion, a thin monkey, directly asked for a sky-high price. Other shops paid one yuan, but this one had history with Brother Biao, so not asking for ten yuan was already being polite.
Hearing five yuan, Chen Lishu's brow almost furrowed into a knot. "What does this protection fee protect? How long does five yuan cover?"
The group was stunned by her question. They hadn't really considered this. The few shops they had passed earlier had heard they were collecting protection fees, and without daring to say a word, they had paid up.
"Protection fee. Naturally, it's to protect peace. If anyone comes to cause trouble, you can mention my name, Er Biao, and no one will dare disrespect me."
Er Biao said, "As for how long it covers, it depends on the severity of the trouble you encounter. My brothers will come to collect the fee every ten days from now on."
Five yuan every ten days, which meant fifteen yuan a month. Wang Aixiang couldn't stand it and said indignantly, "What kind of trouble can we encounter? Our shop was doing fine before you guys. Talking about protection fees, it sounds nice, but what's the difference between that and directly asking for money? You ask for five yuan right off the bat. Why don't you go rob someone? What good could you young strong guys do instead of this? You've already disgraced your parents!"
Upon hearing her words, anger flashed across their faces, and their gazes turned unfriendly.
"Our shop is a small business. We really can't afford this five yuan. Perhaps you should try other places." Chen Lishu gestured for them to leave.
Er Biao and his group had no credibility whatsoever. If she paid the five yuan today, they would taste the benefits and might demand ten yuan tomorrow, and twenty the day after. People are inherently greedy, and her shop would never have peace.
"Brother Biao, these two women are refusing a toast and are insistent on a showdown. Let's not waste our breath. I think if we don't show them some color, they won't know our strength."
After saying that, the person walked straight to the shelves, kicked one, and with a bang, clothes and pants scattered all over the floor.
Chen Lishu's face instantly turned so dark it looked like water could drip from it.
"What exactly do you want to do!" Wang Aixiang was heartbroken and immediately pounced to pick up the scattered clothes from the ground.
Zhang Xue had never seen such a scene before. Even though she usually had a tomboyish personality and was quite brave, she was still startled by Er Biao's actions. After a moment, she quickly went to help Wang Aixiang.
"See? You're still being stubborn and refusing to pay? Then let's wait and see. If you want to continue doing business, just obediently hand over the money."
Looking at Chen Lishu, who hadn't spoken a word, Er Biao said triumphantly.
"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Li Zhiwei couldn't take it anymore and kicked Er Biao's leg. Caught off guard, Er Biao knelt to the ground with a thud.
This kick became the fuse. Er Biao's accomplices, seeing him being bullied, didn't say a word and surrounded Li Zhiwei. Feng Pangzi quickly went to help when he saw the situation was not good.
"Stop fighting! Quickly stop!"
Chen Lishu was frantic watching them fight so fiercely. But they were fighting too fiercely, and when she tried to break them up, she was roughly pushed by someone. Fortunately, Zhang Xue reacted quickly and held her back, otherwise, she would have fallen to the ground.
As their movements intensified, the shelves, fitting room mirrors, and other items in the shop were all damaged, with clothes and pants scattered everywhere.
Chen Lishu anxiously said, "Auntie Aixiang, hurry and call the police."
"Yes, yes, I'm going right now!" Wang Aixiang reacted and quickly ran out.
Li Zhiwei and Feng Pangzi were only two people, while Er Biao and his group numbered five. Soon, the two began to lose ground.
However, Li Zhiwei fought with a reckless fierceness. He didn't even grunt when others hit him, and he only focused on striking Er Biao whenever he got a chance.
...
Sun Ling had been waiting not far from the shop entrance. After waiting for a long time and seeing no one come out, she curiously looked inside. To her surprise, Li Zhiwei and Zhang Xue were also there. She instinctively wanted to find a place to hide quickly, but before she could move, she saw that inside the shop, Li Zhiwei and Er Biao's group said something, followed by a kick, and soon they were fighting. A short while later, Wang Aixiang ran out of the shop, and the two almost collided due to the rush.
It was one thing for Er Biao and his group to fight with others, but now they were fighting Li Zhiwei. Sun Ling couldn't bear it, gritted her teeth, and pushed open the door.
"Quick, stop fighting," Sun Ling shouted anxiously at the group fighting. Seeing that no one intended to stop, she didn't hesitate and went to pull people. "Wang Er Biao, can't you understand me?"
All of them were red-eyed from fighting and had no regard for anything. As soon as Sun Ling got close, she was punched in the arm, staggered back two steps, and her back slammed hard against a fallen shelf. The pain made her eyes turn red, and she almost cried.