Rebirth of Bloody Romance

Amid the noisy crowd, a fierce conflict was taking place. Li Erhu kicked the curled-up figure on the ground with a fierce momentum, and shouted, "Let you go? If I let you go, will you try to steal from me again? I will break your hand today, and you will never be able to steal again." Before he finished speaking, another heavy blow was delivered, and the air was filled with tension and gunpowder.

However, just as everyone was holding their breath, a figure suddenly emerged from the crowd. It was Zhong Yuemin. When Li Erhu looked up and saw Zhong Yuemin, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he put on a smile.

Li Erhu, who was originally aggressive, became docile in front of Zhong Yuemin. This sudden change was jaw-dropping.

The fierce expression on Li Erhu's face disappeared instantly, just like the clear sky after a summer rainstorm, which suddenly became sunny. His wide-open eyes narrowed into a line immediately after seeing Zhong Yuemin, revealing a bit of flattery. He forced a smile, and that smile was like a blooming sunflower, bright and warm.

"Brother Zhong, why are you here without telling me?" Li Erhu's tone became more intimate, as if he had met a long-lost relative. He walked forward quickly, as if he wanted to get closer to Zhong Yuemin, but he was afraid that his rude behavior would offend the big boss in his heart.

Zhong Yuemin stood in the crowd. He glanced at Li Erhu calmly. His deep eyes seemed to be able to see through all the hypocrisy and lies. He did not speak, but just nodded slightly, as a response to Li Erhu's greeting.

Li Erhu was uneasy when he saw this. He knew that although he had some power in this area, he was just a small figure in front of Zhong Yuemin. He was afraid that his actions would anger this big man, so he quickly put away the smile on his face and became respectful.

"Brother Zhong, what are you doing here? Do you need my help?" Li Erhu asked cautiously, fearing that there might be something wrong with his words.

Zhong Yuemin shook his head slightly and turned his gaze to the man who had just been beaten and scolded by Li Erhu. The man curled up on the ground, his face full of pain and fear.

"Come out for a walk, what's the matter?" Zhong Yuemin frowned. Li Erhu is the "local boss" in this area. Although he is a bit overbearing, he is not the kind of person who makes trouble without reason.

Li Erhu smiled when he saw Zhong Yuemin coming over, but he didn't relax his grip. He turned his head to look at the young man in his hand, slapped him hard, and then turned to Zhong Yuemin and said, "Brother Zhong, this grandson is blind and has stretched his claws into my territory."

Zhong Yuemin nodded. He didn't want to meddle in other people's business, but he also didn't want to see things get out of hand. He whispered, "That's enough. Don't go too far. This is the embassy area. If the armed police are attracted here, it will be a big deal."

Li Erhu heard this, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes, but he refused to give in. "I understand. Brother, don't worry, it's okay. I'm just doing what's right. It's bad luck for this guy if the armed police come."

After saying that, he turned to look at the young man again, his eyes full of ferocity. "Today you are sensible, and my kindness to you has not been in vain. Open your eyes and see clearly in the future. Do you hear me?"

The young man was frightened by Li Erhu and nodded repeatedly. Seeing this, Li Erhu increased the strength in his hand and threw him out directly.

Zhong Yuemin watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He knew Li Erhu's character. Although he looked rough on the surface, he was actually not a bad person in his heart. It's just that in this complex land, if you want to survive, you must have some means.

He patted Li Erhu on the shoulder, signaling him not to go too far. Li Erhu nodded in understanding and let go of the young man's collar. The young man took the opportunity to get up and crawl away.

Zhong Yuemin's visit was rare, and Li Erhu was very excited. He took two steps at a time and came forward with a warm smile on his face. "Brother Zhong, you have come here with great difficulty, so I must show my hospitality and treat you to a meal."

Zhong Yuemin didn't care. He shook his head gently, pointed to the sky and said with a smile, "Erhu, don't give me that. What time is it? What's the time to eat? I just come here to stroll around and feel the atmosphere here. You can do whatever you need to do."

Li Erhu smiled after hearing this, and his enthusiasm grew. He scratched his head and said a little embarrassedly, "Hehe... Brother Zhong, you know I'm idle all day and don't have anything to do. Besides, I'm very familiar with this place. If you want, I can accompany you for a walk and tell you about the new things here. I guarantee that you will be amazed."

Zhong Yuemin was moved when he heard this. He originally just wanted to walk around quietly by himself, but seeing Li Erhu's enthusiasm, he couldn't bear to reject his kindness. So he nodded and said with a smile, "Well, since you are so interested, let's go and have a look together."

"Okay, Brother Zhong." So the two of them strolled around one after the other.

In the heart of Beijing, at the intersection of Chang'an Avenue and Jianguomenwai Avenue, there is a mysterious alley called Xiushui Street. Open the map of Beijing, go east along Chang'an Avenue, then to Jianguomenwai Avenue, the south of the street is Yong'an West Village, and the north of the street is Xiushui South Street.

Although this place is still on the outskirts of the capital, it is the fire escape in the embassy district, and it has a unique vitality and vigor.

People who often visit Xiushui Street should remember that it was a sunny afternoon. No one knew which industrious stall owner first set up a fruit stall near Xiushui Street and roasted fragrant sweet potatoes. As the faint aroma of fruit and sweet potatoes filled the air, Xiushui Street began to become lively.

Soon after, stall owners selling clothes and handicrafts also came here to smell the fragrance, as if attracted by some mysterious power. Today, there are no less than dozens of stalls on Xiushui Street. From morning to night, it is bustling with all kinds of hawking, bargaining and laughter, forming a vivid picture of the market.

All of this is thanks to one person, Zhong Yuemin. It was he who suggested to his good friend Li Kuiyong that this originally obscure alley be turned into the prosperous Xiushui Street.

After listening to Zhong Yuemin's words, Li Kuiyong encouraged a group of people to come and set up stalls. Most of the stall owners here are Li Kuiyong's friends, classmates, educated youth who went to the countryside to work, and his younger brothers who came later. Now they are all under the management of Li Erhu.

Li Kuiyong is now the largest second-hand dealer in North China. He has expanded from electronic watches and calculators to clothing, shoes and bags, and has become a well-known big money sponsor in Beijing. However, due to his popularity, he has no choice but to hide behind the scenes, and the clothing, shoes and socks business has been handed over to Li Erhu. Most of the goods here in Xiushui Street are sold by Li Erhu.

Zhong Yuemin stood on the bustling streets of Beijing, scanning everything around him with sharp eyes. He seemed to have an aura that should not be underestimated. He turned around, smiled at Li Erhu behind him, and asked. "Erhu."

Li Erhu quickly stepped forward and responded respectfully, "Brother Zhong, just call me Xiao Li." Li Erhu has a sturdy build and a strong face.

Zhong Yuemin nodded, frowning slightly, as if thinking about something important. He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful. "Xiao Li! Are there any competitors in Beijing now?"

When Li Erhu heard this, he immediately became energetic, with a confident light in his eyes. He responded respectfully, "Brother Zhong, don't worry! Now in the whole capital, as long as it is related to shoes and clothing, we can't be avoided. The source of goods from all over the country must first pass through me before flowing to other places. Our position can be said to be as stable as Mount Tai!"

Zhong Yuemin smiled and nodded in agreement. He knew that this was the magic of the region. The advantage of locals often lies in their understanding of the land and their deep connections. If an outsider rushed here, no matter whether he was right or not, he would inevitably encounter many obstacles and find it difficult to gain a foothold. This rule, like an invisible net, enveloped this land, making every outsider feel pressured.

Zhong Yuemin asked Li Erhu again, "Do you manage the people who set up stalls on the street now?"

"Hehe... Brother Zhong, they are not stupid. If the people from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau come, just run away! Come back after they leave."

On the bustling street, Zhong Yuemin listened quietly to Li Erhu's narration, and gradually understood the truth about Xiushui Street. It turned out that this prosperous place in the future had not yet been included in the government's grand blueprint, and was still in a subtle and fierce game between vendors and business.

Xiushui Street, a seemingly ordinary name, hides an unknown story behind it. It is not only a paradise for vendors to make a living, but also a headache for the industrial and commercial departments. In this era, vendors are like guerrillas, flexibly shuttling through the cracks in the city, looking for a living space; while the industrial and commercial departments are like regular troops on high alert, ready to expel these "guerrillas" at any time.

Zhong Yuemin knows that this situation will not last long. With the development of the city, Xiushui Street will eventually change. But before that, every corner of this land is full of the breath of life and traces of struggle. The cries of vendors and the bargaining of customers interweave into a vivid picture of the market.

Because this is the embassy area, there is no shortage of foreigners in Xiushui Street. When the afternoon sun shines, Xiushui Street becomes lively. The vendors on the street, some holding calculators, some speaking simple foreign languages, bargain with the foreigners passing by. The voices of "How much", "Yes", and "No" echo in the streets and alleys like a unique symphony.

Although the environment here is ordinary, Xiushui Street has an indescribable charm. Many foreigners would rather give up the high-end Friendship Store and come here to find the fun of the market. They may enjoy the pleasure of bargaining, or they may want to take a peek at the life of ordinary Chinese people.

Interestingly, once the goods on Xiushui Street are labeled "exclusively for foreigners", the prices will rise. Although sometimes people feel that they are being ripped off, many foreigners do not care about it. In their eyes, the goods here are still good quality and cheap. Of course, there are also some "smart" foreigners who work hard to learn bargaining skills and enjoy competing with vendors.

Li Erhu took Zhong Yuemin for a walk and looked around. When Zhong Yuemin saw a foreigner buying something, he stopped and started to observe.

James, a blond foreigner, was standing in front of a stall selling silk scarves. He pointed to a scarf embroidered with delicate peony flowers and said to the vendor, "How much?"

The vendor smiled and held up five fingers. James frowned. “That’s too expensive. A little cheaper. How about 25?.”

Unfortunately, the vendor had no idea what he was talking about. But you have to admire that there are talented people everywhere. It doesn't matter if he doesn't understand. The vendor picked up the calculator and pressed 45 on it.

James pressed 25, and the vendor shouted "No, No." Then he pressed 40. In the end, the deal was settled for 30 yuan, and both of them were in a good relationship.

After reading it, Zhong Yuemin laughed and sighed: The wisdom of the people is truly infinite!

Not far away, a fashionable young girl named Amy was standing in front of a small shop selling handicrafts. She picked up a beautifully carved wooden figurine and asked the owner in fluent Chinese, "How much is this?"

The vendor smiled, but was thinking, "I finally got a pretty girl, but how come she knows Chinese?" He reluctantly quoted a price.

"It's too expensive, can you make it cheaper?"

The vendor thought to himself that he had met someone who knew what he was doing, so he wouldn't make much money. Then he named a price.

Amy nodded, paid promptly, and carefully placed the figurine into her backpack.

Zhong Yuemin saw all of this and said to Li Erhu, "Little Li!"

"Brother Zhong, go ahead."

"You can sell at a high price, that's your ability, but you must not force the sale. You must not tolerate such things. Do you hear me?"

"Brother Zhong, don't worry, I understand this principle. Whoever dares to do this, I will make him unable to set up a stall again."

Zhong Yuemin walked forward and saw another person selling porcelain. He was a blond, blue-eyed foreigner who was standing in front of a stall. He pointed at a piece of porcelain on the stall, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. The vendor was a middle-aged woman. She took out the porcelain with a smile and introduced it in stiff English. "This is Chinese porcelain, very old, very valuable."

The foreigner was obviously attracted by the exquisite porcelain. He stroked the patterns on the porcelain and exclaimed in admiration. However, when the vendor quoted the price, he was obviously a little surprised, frowned, and began to bargain with the vendor.

"How much?" the foreigner asked tentatively.

The vendor smiled and said, "Sir, this is a Chinese antique, very beautiful, now only 800 yuan."

The foreigner shook his head and made a bargaining gesture: "That's too expensive. How about 500?"

The foreigner thought the vendor would bargain with him, but he was disappointed. The vendor just said, "OK."

The foreigner seemed very surprised. He might be wondering if he had paid too high a price. But he didn't regret it and paid anyway.