196 In Trouble
The alleyways and Hutong culture of City B had a distinct regional characteristic. When the three of them walked to the intersection of a nearby alley, they saw various vendors selling their wares. Some were selling an assortment of curious toys, others were selling handmade delicacies and so on.
These items, which were similar to the intangible cultural heritage, were hard to come by in a modern city. In terms of architecture, they had a history of several hundred years.
M City did not have as deep a cultural heritage and economic strength as B City. Chu Ning and the others were amazed and impressed by the scene in the center of such a highly-developed city.
This was the charm of B City as the nation’s capital.
“I feel that the people living in these alleyway courtyard residences are very relaxed. Don’t they have to work?”
Luo Yu said with a smile while eating the candied haws in her hand.
“After the reform and opening-up, the local residents of B City have gained the dividends brought about by the development of the times. They have been passed down to the second or third generation of the rich. During this process, the price they have paid can be ignored.”
Yan Shen explained.
“You seem to be familiar with these things?” Chu Ning asked in surprise.
“Yes, my family has a close business partner who is a local of B City. I have often heard him talk about the situation here.”
Yan Shen nodded and did not deny it.
Chu Ning also knew very well that some of the richest people in B City were not on the same level as those in M City. B City had a more international market!
This was still very far away for the current Chu Ning. Even if she was very tempted, she knew that it would be an extremely slow process to expand a business, so she had to be patient.
“These houses that look quite old are many times more expensive than those high-rise buildings. A complete courtyard-styled residence starts at a price of over 100 million yuan.”
Chu Ning kept walking deeper into the alley. She paid attention to the mottled walls and potholed green brick roads, constantly imagining what life would have been like hundreds of years ago.
The three of them chatted along the way, but they tacitly did not discuss the results of that morning’s national physics competition. There was no need to carry the burden of thinking about this when they went out for some fun.
Yan Shen became cheerful and enthusiastic. What he had said to Chu Ning today was even more than what the words the two of them had exchanged since they had first known each other.
However, just as the atmosphere was very harmonious, two strangers walked in front of them and interrupted Chu Ning and the others’ enjoyment.
The person who most attracted Chu Ning’s attention was a fashionable young man with colorful hair. He was dressed in hip-hop fashion. He did not look very old, but the frivolity and disdain in his eyes were undisguised.
As for the other person, he was very low-key. He had neatly trimmed hair and his eyes were calm.
However, Chu Ning knew that the one who was really not to be trifled with was this nondescript man.
Compared to the fashionable young man beside him, this black-clothed man walked very steadily and soundlessly. While Chu Ning was sizing him up, the other party had clearly observed the environment around him quietly.
“Pretty boy, you’re quite good-looking. The two beauties beside you are even more attractive to me. Especially that tall one. Although I don’t know your name now, it doesn’t matter. I’ll know soon enough. I have known quite a few beauties over the years, but I’ve really never met anyone like you who looks stunning without any makeup.”
The trendy young man had directed the first few words to Yan Shen, but when he reached the end, he was looking at Chu Ning with unconcealed greed and desire in his eyes.
The smile on Yan Shen’s face gradually disappeared. In fact, after he glanced at the trendy young man, his attention had been focused on the black-clothed man beside him.
He felt the same way as Chu Ning. The one who was truly a threat was still this black-clothed man.
“What… do you want?” Luo Yu said nervously, looking at the two people who had appeared out of nowhere.
There was nothing they could do. Yan Shen and Chu Ning did not speak, but someone had to come forward and communicate with the other party.
“What do I want? What do you think I want? My name is Zhao Feng, and my nickname is Zhao Xiaosi. In B City, I think you should have heard of my reputation.”
The trendy young man named Zhao Feng almost had the word ‘smug’ written on his face. He did not exaggerate anything. He was indeed quite famous among the younger generation in B City.
However, it was not in a good way.