Don’t be fooled by Gao Yixiong’s burly appearance; he’s actually sowhat tactful when he speaks.
"Lord Lin, as the saying goes, ’no fight, no acquaintance.’ After what happened at the port, I have already scolded my subordinates harshly." Gao Yixiong stood up, holding a wine jug in hand and poured wine for Lin Fan, "I offer you a toast."
What is this?
So he invited him here for a al just to say these aningless things?
And now with this invitation and wine pouring, there’s definitely so sche brewing in this seemingly bright yet undeniably shady private room.
"No need, I won’t drink this wine," Lin Fan raised his hand to refuse, "I’m worried you might have poisoned it."
Gao Yixiong froze, his hand holding the wine cup trembling slightly, "Lord Lin, I’ll drink so too, later on. If the wine were poisoned, wouldn’t I also be poisoned to death?"
"Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. You could’ve taken an antidote beforehand, couldn’t you?" Lin Fan replied.
For Gao Yixiong, this was completely unexpected; Lin Fan wasn’t the type to beat around the bush, instead opting to express himself with blunt, piercing honesty.
Now, Gao Yixiong had no words to respond.
He didn’t even know what to say.
"Lord Lin speaks with refreshing candor, I have to respect that, truly," Gao Yixiong raised his wine cup, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp. He then placed the cup aside and noticed Lin Fan staring at the dishes but not reaching for his chopsticks. Laughing, he said, "Lord Lin, don’t tell you think I poisoned the food as well."
Lin Fan is a straight-shooter, never bothering with pretense or mind gas. He’ll say what he thinks and spare people the guessing. Why make life more complicated?
"Well, yes, I do worry that Master Gao might’ve poisoned the food," Lin Fan replied.
Gao Yixiong said, "Lord Lin, I may not be a good person, but I would never stoop to such lowly, contemptible acts. If Lord Lin truly doesn’t trust , I can have the Shopkeeper of Drunken Immortal Tower co and test each dish."
Having said so much...
The average person would imdiately respond with, "No need, no need, I trust Master Gao’s character, there’s no need for such asures."
"Very well, that’s the only way you’ll get to try the food. I’ll trouble you to arrange it, Master Gao." Lin Fan smiled, the kind of smile that made Gao Yixiong completely dumbfounded—hitting him where it hurt.
Brother, can you act like a human being for once?
Gao Yixiong looked up at Lin Fan. Lin Fan maintained the sa smile, though its undercurrent seed vaguely off—as if he were saying, "Your suggestion was quite thoughtful and absolutely necessary. Hurry up and make it happen."
"Then I’ll ask Lord Lin to wait a mont," Gao Yixiong had no choice but to actually go call for the Shopkeeper.
Not long after, the Shopkeeper arrived.
When he heard the request, he, too, was dumbfounded. Having been a Shopkeeper for so many years, he had never encountered such a demand.
But who was issuing the order?
The Hall Master of the Tiger Hall under the Serpent Gang—how could he disobey?
As a result, he tasted each dish one by one.
"Lord Lin, can you rest assured now?" Gao Yixiong asked.
Lin Fan replied, "I truly appreciate your trouble, Master Gao."
He then finally picked up his chopsticks to eat. And to his surprise, the dishes at Drunken Immortal Tower were truly delightful, worthy of a chef’s craftsmanship—delicious and irresistible, whetting his appetite.
Gao Yixiong watched Lin Fan, the seemingly bald-headed man, eat ravenously. He had plenty to say, but all those words stuck in his throat, and he didn’t know where to begin.
He’d invited plenty of people to dine before but had never encountered an experience like this.
Was it rely ignorance of etiquette, or had Lin Fan never been to Drunken Immortal Tower?
Lin Fan understood that Master Gao had invited him here for dinner, using the pretext of apologizing, but it was obvious he had sothing to discuss. Regardless of the topic, Lin Fan focused on eating and drinking.
You speak, I listen. That’s enough.
"Lord Lin, the Serpent Gang is often described as a den of unimaginable evils, but that characterization is quite unfair. The gang actually complents the governnt’s operations. Over the years, controlling the port has allowed us to provide stability for the residents of Jiangdu City—offering them work, ensuring they can feed their families."
"As for the occasional unfortunate incidents, they are rely individual cases."
Gao Yixiong spoke slowly.
Lin Fan, munching on his food, glanced up and smiled, "Master Gao, that’s information I truly didn’t know. But as for the Serpent Gang’s true nature, you know it better than I do, as do the common folk."
"You’re absolutely right, Lord Lin," Gao Yixiong nodded, then pulled out a silver note from his sleeve, pressing it gently on the table and slightly rising to push it toward Lin Fan. "Lord Lin..."
Lin Fan glanced at it casually, ready to avert his gaze, but paused briefly, drawn by the note’s denomination—it was enough to make him lose focus.
He reached out, his expression calm, wearing a faint smile, and slowly folded the note before tucking it into his chest. "Master Gao is too kind. Your subordinates injuring my brothers was long in the past, yet you still consider compensating them—you’re being far too considerate."
Gao Yixiong’s expression subtly shifted.
Who behaves like this?
"Haha," Gao Yixiong laughed, though his smile ca off strained. Lin Fan’s unconventional behavior had left him at a loss. He then gently asked, "Lord Lin, as I understand it, so ti ago, Sun Tao was discovered in that dried-up well. What connections within the Serpent Gang does this incident involve?"
"And as for the murders of Ten-Mile Caravan, there’s talk of collaboration with Demons—do you know if there’s any truth behind this?"
Lin Fan paused mid-motion, looking up at Gao Yixiong, clearly surprised at the abruptness of the query—it caught him off guard.
"Master Gao, what are you asking for? You’re the Hall Master of the Tiger Hall under the Serpent Gang. You’d be better off asking around yourself; you might know more than I do," Lin Fan said with a smile.
"Wait, that doesn’t make sense. You called out here just to inquire about these matters. Are you trying to gather evidence of the Serpent Gang’s alleged collaboration with Demons?"
"But why would a mber of the Serpent Gang collect evidence against their own organization?"
Lin Fan feigned confusion while discreetly observing Gao Yixiong’s expression.
He noted that Gao Yixiong was likely an experienced veteran.
His deanor hadn’t shifted in the slightest, as though nothing were amiss.
But Lin Fan understood too many sches to miss the obvious: the more soone feigns calmness, the more likely sothing is up.
"Hahaha, Lord Lin, you’re a joker. I was rely asking casually," Gao Yixiong laughed, diverting the conversation with a nonchalant attitude.
Both Lin Fan and Gao Yixiong harbored their own thoughts. When their eyes happened to et, both forced smiles that emanated awkwardness.
It almost felt as if they were long-ti friends.
But whether that was true or not, their smiles betrayed it all.
The al ca to an end.
Lin Fan stood up and cupped his fists in farewell, "Master Gao, thank you for the hospitality. I’ve eaten, I’ve accepted the compensation. I, Lin Fan, am not unreasonable, so allow to leave you one piece of advice."
"The Serpent Gang has existed in Jiangdu City for so long—there’s certainly a reason for its survival."
"But as a constable, it’s my duty to protect every citizen in Jiangdu City. I won’t tolerate any evil force oppressing innocent civilians. If I catch Serpent Gang mbers committing such acts, I won’t show rcy."
"Farewell."
"No need to see out. Please stay here."
Lin Fan left swiftly, reaching the main hall where his subordinates had already finished eating, smiles of satisfaction on their faces.
Seeing Lin Fan co down, they quickly gathered around him.
"Boss, all done?"
"Boss, the food here is amazing! It’s the best I’ve ever eaten!"
Lin Fan chuckled, "Glad you enjoyed it. Let’s go."
As they passed the Shopkeeper, Lin Fan whispered.
"Put the tab on Master Gao."
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