Since The Red Moon Appeared

Chapter 15: Business as usual

Amidst the hushed stillness, Lu Xin’s unwavering grip kept his gun trained on the middle-aged woman, yet her surprising demeanor betrayed no trace of fear.
With a poise that belied the tension, she commanded the others to retreat, and boldly stepped into the heart of the crowd, her icy gaze fixed upon Lu Xin’s.

“We, too, are armed,” she declared calmly, “but unfortunately, we couldn’t have foreseen this encounter.
Hence, for now, we yield this round to you.
Whether the Security Office apprehends you later is of no consequence to us.
Nevertheless, if they should prove unsuccessful, our paths will inevitably converge again under different circumstances.”

A heavy silence draped the atmosphere, suffusing Princess Xiao Qing and Lv Cheng’s hearts with trepidation, while their once-flushed faces drained of color, leaving them with a pallid hue.

Within the well-guarded confines of the City’s imposing walls, firearms remained a forbidden concept, shrouded in danger for its denizens.
Observing Lu Xin brandishing a gun sent shivers down their spines, instilling them with an overwhelming sense of despair.

The woman’s words seemed meticulously chosen, leaving no room for exploitable loopholes.
Should Lu Xin decide to pull the trigger, the resolute intervention of the Security Office loomed inevitably, subjecting him to dire consequences—either imprisonment or merciless exile to the countryside.
However, she unambiguously conveyed that if the Security Office faltered in apprehending him, they would take matters into their own hands.

Reluctantly, the gangsters released their grip on Princess Xiao Qing and Lv Cheng as they proceeded towards the exit, leaving an air of foreboding in their wake.
Their cold gazes hinted at the grim anticipation of witnessing a tragedy unfold.

In the face of this ominous atmosphere, Lu Xin remained undeterred, his resolution evident as he declared, “I’m not leaving; there’s unfinished business here.”

Genuine surprise etched across her face, the woman seemed taken aback by his determination.
“After all this,” she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief, “you still want to discuss business, considering all you’ve done?”

“Yes,” Lu Xin affirmed.
“However, the terms must be fair, not solely dictated by your demands.”

Pausing briefly, he continued, “We require a level playing field.”

The woman’s countenance wove an intricate tapestry of emotions, mirroring the bewilderment of the surrounding onlookers who endeavored to decipher Lu Xin’s true intentions.

“I’ve held guns to the heads of countless businessmen, and I’ve negotiated high-stake deals with lives hanging in precarious balance above a pond teeming with ferocious beasts.
Yet, in all my encounters, never have I come across someone who pointed a gun at me, unyielding, and demanded a discussion about business,” she remarked, her intrigue and touch of admiration resonating unmistakably in her tone.

In the seclusion of a distant office, a figure emerged, exuding an aura of formidable authority.
Towering and rugged, a cigarette lazily dangled from his lips, while his weathered yet resolute camouflage uniform, accentuated by a striking red beret, bespoke a history of valor.
The very essence of this msn seemed to captivate all who beheld him, leaving them entranced by the veil of mystery that shrouded his origins.

An instinctive hush settled over the room as he appeared, each person succumbing to the weight of his presence.
Even the woman who had once stared down the barrel of a gun bowed her head in deference.

“Boss, this man…” the woman started to explain, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, the man silenced her, his unwavering gaze now fixated on Lu Xin.
“Lower your weapon.
Today, you find yourself in a favorable position, so we shall spare you, for now.”

“Oh,” Lu Xin complied, his hand calmly placing the gun back into his bag.

Princess Xiao Qing and Lv Cheng exchanged perplexed glances, unable to fathom the rapidly unfolding situation.

“Business will proceed as usual.
Go ahead and discuss your terms!” the man instructed the woman with an authoritative air before turning his attention to Lu Xin.
“Brother, come with me.”

The course of events remained shrouded in uncertainty, leaving everyone in a state of bewilderment.
Princess Xiao Qing and Lv Cheng were swiftly ushered into the office, while Lu Xin flanked the man from behind, led to an elegant bungalow nearby.
The interior exuded elegance with polished wooden floors, exquisite chandeliers casting a soft, enchanting glow, a plush sofa to the left, and a glass coffee table adorned with an array of delectable delicacies.
Plates of dumplings, steamed buns, and fiery red pickled peppers tantalized the senses, evoking a gastronomic delight.

The man seated himself gracefully and began his meal—savoring each bite with a slow yet voracious appetite, as if propelled by an insatiable hunger that transcended mere sustenance.
Though the fare was not overtly lavish, he devoured it with a primal determination, akin to a man who had endured long fasting.

Lu Xin’s curiosity was piqued, and he observed the table laden with food and several empty plates scattered to the side, remnants of a hearty feast.
Just how much had this man consumed?

…

After enduring the harsh wilderness for an extended period, Qin Ran discovered that once he entered the city, he could never fully satiate his appetite.

Taking a bite of the steamed bun and popping a dumpling into his mouth, he appraised Lu Xin with a discerning gaze.
“Care for some?” he offered, his passion for the culinary arts evident.

Lu Xin politely declined, “I’m not hungry.”

He understood Qin Ran’s peculiar obsession with food.
Life inside and outside the high walls existed as distinct realms.
Qinggang City, in particular, had been among the first to address food scarcity, owing some of its agricultural advancements to the distinctive vegetation that inhabited the area.
Within this bastion,thriving livestock industries, extensive farms, and mechanized operations facilitated bountiful food production.
In contrast, life beyond the city’s confines was unimaginably harsh.

Amidst the desolate wasteland, where toxic and perilous creatures roam, countless factions faced an enduring battle in their pursuit of sustenance.
Hunger relentlessly clung to them like a shadow, casting a constant pall over their harsh existence.

The only way to appease this relentless hunger was to relinquish their weapons and seek refuge within the city.

Despite Qinggang City’s abundance of commodities, including rice, oil, salt, and meat, available for purchase, strict regulations prohibited the export of food beyond the city’s borders.

Within the city’s high walls, two crimes were deemed especially severe:

First, importing weapons.

Second, exporting food.

…

“I’ve grown accustomed to the wilderness’s hardships.
Hence, I emphasize having enough food, ensuring proper rest, and establishing relationships without fear of a woman tossing a grenade at me.
Inside this compound, I refrain from causing trouble.
Everyone adheres to the rules and seeks compromises, fostering a safe and peaceful existence, isn’t that right?” Qin Ran paused, then resumed eating before regarding Lu Xin intently.

“So, brother, why have you sought me out?”

A lazy yet dangerous aura emanated from his eyes, as if he could discern Lu Xin’s thoughts.
His tone turned cold as he continued, “I’ve encountered countless armed man conducting business.
Yet, you don’t seem to be from outside.
Speak the truth.
Who sent you, and what’s your intention?”

Lu Xin scrutinized him, carefully comparing the man before him to the information he possessed, before responding, “You must be Qin Ran.”

The man regarded him with a knowing smirk, refraining from offering a direct answer.
“Are you here to kill me?” he questioned, revealing a hint of wariness.

With chopsticks in hand, he subtly reached under the wooden coffee table, prepared for any potential threat.

“No,” Lu Xin firmly replied.
“I’m here to inquire if you’ve encountered anything unusual.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ran’s expression swiftly changed, seemingly startled.
He spoke in a low voice, “Is this some kind of setup?”

As he spoke, he discreetly retrieved a gun from under the table, ready to defend himself at a moment’s notice.