Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

The river wind, carrying a biting chill, scraped against my face like a sharp knife, its damp coldness seeping into my collar and freezing me to the bone.

Qin Hao pulled Zhao Hailong up from the ground, and seeing him soaking wet and shivering, he was furious.

"Let's go to Dingqing Tower to change our clothes and warm up," Qin Hao said. "The wind by the river can be deadly if it blows for too long."

Zhao Hailong forced a very awkward smile, his teeth still chattering: "Just now... just now I thought you really weren't going to care about me anymore."

"Look at the pathetic state you were in just now!" Qin Hao laughed and scolded, "If it weren't for your son, I really wouldn't have bothered with you! A grown man jumping into the river for a woman, it's shameful to even talk about it!"

Zhao Hailong lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound.

The two walked one after the other along the wet stone path by the river towards Dingqing Tower.

The streets were deserted, the streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow on the snow. Zhao Hailong shivered after every few steps; his lips were turning purple from the cold.

When they arrived at the entrance of Dingqinglou, Huo Dongfeng was smoking at the door. He was startled to see the two of them like this. He quickly asked Sister Zhou to bring two sets of clean clothes and then led them to the kitchen to warm up by the stove.

"You two went down to the river to catch turtles?" Huo Dongfeng teased as he handed them drinks. It was a small bottle of Erguotou, which he always kept on hand to ward off the cold.

Qin Hao rolled his eyes at Zhao Hailong, annoyed, and said nothing.

Zhao Hailong lowered his head guiltily, remained silent, took the bottle and took a big gulp, choking and coughing.

Seeing this, Huo Dongfeng understood. Qin Hao must have already persuaded Zhao Hailong. He stepped forward, patted Zhao Hailong on the shoulder, and said sincerely:
"Brother, listen to my advice. You still have a son. When I was in there, life was incredibly dark. I only had one thought: if I could get out, I would raise Erpang well and make it up to him. Nothing is more important than my son!"

If anyone else had said this, Zhao Hailong would have thought they were just talking without understanding the situation. Only Huo Dongfeng's words resonated with him. After all, Huo Dongfeng had also come from there, experienced the loss of his wife and children, and understood the feeling of despair mixed with hope.

Zhao Hailong looked up at Huo Dongfeng, his eyes reddening.

"Yes." He nodded, his voice choked with emotion. "I have no other thoughts now, I just want to live a good life with my son."

Qin Hao added from the side, "Not only should we live well, but we should live a meaningful life. We should make money, raise our son to be healthy and strong, send him to school, and help him succeed. Then, let everyone see that Zhang Xiaomei abandoned her husband and child; she was blind to have missed out on a good life. Let her regret it!"

Zhao Hailong paused for a moment, then gave a bitter smile: "But now I've lost my job too... I've already completed the resignation procedures at the machinery factory. How am I supposed to make a living now?"

"That lousy class is better off not going to." Qin Hao waved his hand: "Before Cui Guomin's processing plant went bankrupt, didn't you learn how to repair machine tools and electrical appliances from him?"

Zhao Hailong nodded: "I did learn a little, but that's all about machines, it's not like repairing home appliances..."

"No matter how things change, the principle remains the same," Qin Hao said. "I'll rent you a shop to specialize in repairing all kinds of electrical appliances. You can practice first, and once you've honed your skills enough, you can collect some old and discarded appliances, refurbish them, and sell them secondhand. I guarantee you'll earn more than you are now."

Zhao Hailong's eyes immediately reddened. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by Qin Hao.

"Alright, enough of this, what are you pissing about, you grown man!" Qin Hao glared at him. "Let's get this straight. I'll set up the shop for you, but I'll take a cut. Once the shop makes money, we'll split it 60/40, me 60 and you 40."

With snot and tears streaming down his face, Zhao Hailong nodded vigorously: "Brother Qiang, from now on you're my brother! If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west!"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Qin Hao quickly pushed him away: "I finally got a clean set of clothes, and you're wiping my snot on me again!"

Zhao Hailong scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.

Huo Dongfeng smiled as he watched this scene. After Zhao Hailong changed his clothes and left, he gave Qin Hao a thumbs up: "Cheerful."

Qin Hao waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, and took a sip of his drink: "I'm the kind of person who can't stand seeing kids suffer. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother with whether this guy lives or dies."

"You're all bark and no bite," Huo Dongfeng said, sitting down next to him and pouring himself a drink. "But then again, Hailong is a nice guy. He's just too soft-hearted, completely under Zhang Xiaomei's thumb."

“So we have to help him,” Qin Hao said. “Otherwise, his son will suffer too.”

The two were drinking and chatting when they suddenly heard the roar of a car engine outside.

Immediately afterwards, three black Crown sedans pulled up in front of the store.

Huo Dongfeng paused for a moment when he saw the familiar license plate. It was Er Mei.

Since his all-night talk with Ermei, she hadn't come to see him again. They tacitly kept their distance, each going their own way. Why did she suddenly come today?

The car door opened, and Ermei got out of the car.

He had clearly drunk quite a bit; he was staggering as he walked. He was wearing that mink coat, his hair was a mess, and his eyes were red, as if he hadn't slept all night.

"Big Brother!" Er Mei saw Huo Dongfeng, staggered over, and gave him a bear hug.

Huo Dongfeng gestured for Sister Zhou and the others to leave work first. Sister Zhou understood and quietly left with several waitresses.

"What brings you here today?" Huo Dongfeng helped Ermei to a chair and poured her a cup of hot tea.

Er Mei picked up the teacup, his hands trembling. He took a sip, looked up at Huo Dongfeng, and his eyes reddened even more.

"Brother, didn't you tell me not to come to Dingqing Tower last time? I've been holding back." Ermei's voice was a little choked up. "I was thinking... if I don't come now, I might never have another chance..."

Huo Dongfeng frowned, his heart skipped a beat, and a bad premonition welled up in his heart. He quickly asked, "What do you mean by 'no chance'? Tell your brother what's wrong, and your brother will help you solve it. Don't overthink it. You can come anytime you want; your brother will always welcome you. Just don't bring so many people; it's not a good look."

As he spoke, he led Er Mei into a private room. Er Mei's henchmen tried to follow, but Er Mei stopped them at the door with a single glance.

Seeing this, Qin Hao stood up and said, "Old Huo, I've had enough wine, let's take it. You can drink slowly."

He couldn't be bothered to deal with a thug like Er Mei, so he got up to leave.

Huo Dongfeng was about to see him off when Qin Hao waved him off. As they reached the door, Qin Hao turned back and whispered, "Old Huo, you didn't get to where you are today easily. Before making any decisions, think about Erpang."

Huo Dongfeng nodded solemnly: "Okay, I understand. Let's have a good drink another day."

Qin Hao nodded, pushed open the door, and left.

Only Huo Dongfeng and Er Mei remained in the private room.

Ermei looked at Huo Dongfeng and suddenly smiled, a smile full of bitterness: "Brother, you're still the best off. You have a legitimate business, a son, and hope. I've spent half my life in this mess, and besides a few brothers, I have nothing."

Huo Dongfeng remained silent as he poured him a drink.

Er Mei picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. Then he put down his glass, looked at Huo Dongfeng, and said with a complicated expression, "Brother, I might be in trouble."

Huo Dongfeng's heart tightened: "What is it?"

Ermei shook her head: "I can't say. If I do, you'll get involved. I just... I just wanted to see you. We're like brothers, and we might not see each other again."

Huo Dongfeng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a word.

The two sat there, drinking one glass after another. The night outside the window grew deeper, and the streetlights went out one by one. The occasional bark of a dog in the distance added to the desolation.

It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that Ermei finally stood up unsteadily. He hugged Huo Dongfeng, then left without looking back.

Huo Dongfeng stood at the door, watching the three black Crown cars gradually disappear into the night, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

……

The next day, just as Qin Hao was looking for a shop for Zhao Hailong, he suddenly heard some news.

Ermei is dead.

He was shot and killed.

As the biggest gang leader in Donglin City, Ermei wielded considerable influence in the city, and was known to almost everyone. His death caused a huge uproar.

Some applauded, saying he was a menace and deserved to die. Others felt sorry for him, admitting that Er Mei was at least a relatively ethical thug. The newly emerging gangsters, however, only cared about money and were capable of anything.

The reason Er Mei was killed was largely because he blocked someone else's path to wealth.

Huo Dongfeng attended Ermei's funeral.

It was snowing lightly that day, and the funeral home was deserted. Not many people came; besides a few of Ermei's close associates, there were some familiar faces from the underworld. Everyone's expressions were somber, and no one spoke much.

Huo Dongfeng stood in the mourning hall, looking at Er Mei's portrait. It was a black and white photo; Er Mei was wearing a suit and tie, smiling brightly. He was so young, only in his thirties, and now he was gone.

In front of outsiders, Huo Dongfeng could still keep his composure. But once he got in the car and held Ermei's urn, he couldn't hold back anymore and cried like a child.

The brothers who were with Ermei stood outside the car, looking at Huo Dongfeng with complicated expressions.

"Big brother, second brother is gone. We must avenge him!"

"Yes! We can't just let this go!"

"Big brother, come back! Lead us! Avenge second brother!"

Huo Dongfeng looked up at these young faces.

Without even thinking, he refused.

“If you’re planning to go down the right path, Dingqinglou’s kitchen is short a few apprentices,” Huo Dongfeng said. “Learning these skills will at least give you a trade, and you can make a living from it in the future. But if you want to do something else… I can’t help you.”

The thugs looked at each other, bewildered. Should they walk the straight path? If they were willing to walk the straight path, they wouldn't be thugs.

Soon, the group scattered like birds and beasts.

Huo Dongfeng watched their departing figures and breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that these people would agree to stay and corrupt the atmosphere of Dingqing Tower.

But Qin Hao felt that this matter wouldn't be so easily resolved.

"Er Mei is dead, and her position is vacant." Qin Hao said to Huo Dongfeng, "A newcomer who wants to rise to the top definitely needs to establish authority. You are Er Mei's older brother, so she might come after you directly."

Huo Dongfeng didn't take it seriously and waved his hand: "How long have I been out of the martial world? Even if someone wants to establish their authority, it's not my turn."

"Your opinion doesn't mean others think the same way." Qin Hao shook his head. "What wouldn't those newcomers do? You'd better be careful."

Seeing that Qin Hao didn't seem to be joking, Huo Dongfeng also became serious: "Don't worry, if you really run into someone trying to use me to establish their authority, I guarantee I won't fight back or talk back. What's that old saying again? 'Let someone spit on you, and let it dry on its own.'"

Qin Hao laughed: "That's called 'turning the other cheek.' Not bad, they're even using idioms now."

"If I hang out with you intellectuals, I'll have to learn something," Huo Dongfeng laughed.

"However," Qin Hao changed the subject, "if you really run into those who take advantage of you, you still have to teach them a lesson. These bastards aren't like your generation who follow the rules. The more you back down, the more they'll think you're easy to bully."

Huo Dongfeng hesitated upon hearing this. He had finally reunited with his son, and everything was moving in a positive direction. He had no intention of going back inside.

Qin Hao knew Huo Dongfeng's concerns. As he left Dingqing Tower, he specifically reminded Sister Zhou, "Sister Zhou, if anyone comes to cause trouble, notify me immediately."

Sister Zhou nodded: "Mm."

……

For the first two weeks, things were relatively calm.

Dingqinglou Restaurant was as popular as ever, with long queues forming every day at mealtimes. Huo Dongfeng greeted and saw off customers daily with a smile, living a fulfilling and peaceful life.

Until one day, close to the Spring Festival.

A gang leader named Taozi arrived at Dingqing Tower with more than a dozen men.

They chose the largest private room and ordered several hundred yuan worth of food and drinks. They ordered everything expensive – things that fly, run, and swim. The waiter looked at the menu, his heart pounding, but he didn't dare offend these people.

After the meal, the waiter came in with the bill: "Sir, the total is eight hundred and fifty yuan."

Taozi wiped his mouth and winked at his underling. The underling stood up, patted his stomach, and said, "I was in a rush today and forgot my money. Put it on my tab and I'll bring it back another day."

The waitress was stunned. Eight hundred and fifty yuan was no small sum. She didn't dare make the decision herself and quickly went to call Huo Dongfeng.

Upon hearing this, Huo Dongfeng immediately understood. This group of people had come to cause trouble.

But he held back. He walked into the private room, put on a smile, and said, "Brothers, since you didn't bring any money, this meal is on me. Take care, and come again next time."

Taozi squinted at him, then suddenly laughed: "Boss Huo is generous! Okay, let's go!"

A large group of people left in a grand procession. Huo Dongfeng stood at the door, watching their retreating figures, his face grim.

The next day, Taozi and his group came again.

"Boss Huo!" Taozi shouted as he walked in, "The brothers are here to support you again today! Same private room as yesterday, same menu as yesterday! Let's serve the food!"

The waiter looked at Huo Dongfeng. Huo Dongfeng clenched his fist, then relaxed it.

He thought of Erpang, and of the peaceful life he had finally achieved. Just bear with it, and it will pass.

He was about to say "free meal" when he was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"If they offer free meals every day, how can this restaurant stay in business?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Taozi slammed his fist on the table and stood up. His henchmen swarmed around him, pointing their fingers at Qin Hao and yelling.

"Kid, where did you come from? You want to die?"

Qin Hao glanced coldly at the group, ignoring the underlings, and said directly to Taozi, the leader, "Take these disgraceful bastards away. Don't come back again, and I'll pretend this never happened."

"Oh ho?" Taozi perked up. He had come here to pick a fight and establish his authority, and he was just looking for an excuse to take action. Now that someone had delivered themselves to his doorstep, he couldn't have been happier.

"Trying to challenge the brothers?" Taozi sized Qin Hao up and down: "Kid, who are you?"

Qin Hao said coldly, "I'm the one who started this business. I'm the major shareholder. If you have any problems, come at me."

Taozi clapped his hands, his eyes lighting up: "Hey! So you're the one who's really in charge all this time! Okay, since you've been so frank, I won't hold back anymore."

He stepped forward, leaned close to Qin Hao, and lowered his voice, saying, "I've got my eye on this deal. From now on, half the profits will go to the brothers every month, and I guarantee you'll be safe and sound. How about that? Pretty good, right?"

Qin Hao looked at him and suddenly smiled. It was a cold smile.

"What if I don't?"

Taozi's expression changed, and he said sternly, "You're asking for it! Then don't blame the brothers!"

He waved his hand and shouted, "Smash it!"

The moment the word "smash" was uttered, his underlings were about to make their move.

However, it was Qin Hao who made the first move.

He took half a step forward, his fist moving with his waist, his whole body like a fully drawn bow. With a "bang," the henchman closest to him was sent flying!

The person flew two or three meters, crashed into the table, and then slid down softly, motionless.

"Half-step Bengquan! Impressive skill!" Huo Dongfeng's heart skipped a beat. He knew Qin Hao had studied Xingyi Quan, but he had never seen him fight. He never expected his skill to be so profound!
Taozi and his gang were furious when they saw that Qin Hao dared to make the first move. They grabbed chairs and smashed them at Qin Hao.

Upon seeing this, Huo Dongfeng immediately joined the fray.

However, before Huo Dongfeng could even warm up, Qin Hao swept through the crowd like a tiger among sheep, his fists and feet flying. The thugs looked fierce, but they were no match for Qin Hao. One punch, one kick; in no time at all, seven or eight strong young men were on the ground, groaning in pain.

Taozi only felt a blur before his eyes, and Qin Hao was already in front of him. Almost instinctively, he swung his fist at Qin Hao.

The next second, he was sent flying!
With a "bang," he was pressed against the wall, and like a painting hanging on the wall, he slowly fell down.

"Hitting someone is like hanging a painting..." Huo Dongfeng secretly praised, "It's actually true?"

He had only heard about it from his master: that when Xingyi Quan was practiced to an extremely high level, one could beat a person so hard that they would stick to the wall and then slide down.

But then he became worried. Qin Hao had hit them so hard; wouldn't he have seriously injured them?

Just then, two police officers rushed in.

Who called the police?

Qin Hao stepped forward, his expression calm: "I was the one who called the police."

He pointed to the groaning thugs on the ground: "These people came to our restaurant and caused trouble. They ate without paying and even tried to extort money from us, demanding half of our profits every month. When we refused, they started smashing up the place. We were acting in self-defense."

Upon hearing this, the thugs immediately began to argue their way out of it.

"Officer, we didn't!" one of the thugs shouted, clutching his stomach. "It's clearly their food that's the problem! When we confronted them, they beat us up! Look what they've done to us!"

“Yes, yes, yes!” another chimed in, “Look at the injuries on my face! They attacked me first!”

The police officer glanced suspiciously at the scene, then at the thugs, and then at Qin Hao and Huo Dongfeng.

"Did you beat up all these people?" the police officer asked.

Qin Hao nodded: "I did it. But I acted in self-defense. Officer, Dingqing Restaurant is a state-owned enterprise. Although we're currently contracting it out, it's still essentially a state-owned enterprise. Their actions should be considered robbery of a state-owned enterprise, right?"

Upon hearing this, Taozi's expression changed drastically.

His henchmen were also panicked. Robbery and extortion are completely different things! Extortion might only get you a few years in prison, but robbery is a serious crime, especially robbing a state-owned enterprise, which carries a much harsher sentence!

Taozi struggled to his feet, his arrogance completely gone. He walked up to Qin Hao, lowered his voice, and almost pleaded, "Brother, I give up. I promise I'll never cause trouble again. Please let me go."

Qin Hao completely ignored him and turned to the police officer: "Officer, did you hear that? He admitted that he came to cause trouble."

The police officers, seeing Taozi and his gang's thuggish appearance, had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on. They'd seen plenty of people like that.

"Take them all away!" the policeman waved his hand.

Several henchmen came up, handcuffed the thugs one by one, and put them in the police car.

As Taozi was being led away, he glanced back at Qin Hao. His eyes held hatred, fear, and resentment.

Qin Hao didn't even glance at him.

"You'll come with me too, to make a statement," the police officer said to Qin Hao.

Qin Hao nodded: "I will definitely cooperate fully."

He turned back and winked at Huo Dongfeng, signaling him to relax, then got into the car with the police. (End of Chapter)