Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

"It's only natural," the ox and horse said.

"Now I know why it dislikes you. You deserve it, boss."

Liu Zheng gave it a disdainful look and walked towards the sports car.

Chapter 349 Liu Zheng: My ability to create trouble is officially certified.

Inside the "authentic" massage parlor, the owner, Lin Zhengzong, looked worried.

Business has been slow lately, with daily customer traffic less than half of what it used to be, and customers are unwilling to do small services like cupping or scraping.

If things continue like this, forget about growing bigger and stronger; we won't even be able to pay our mortgage and salaries.

"Master, Brother Ma said he has something to do and won't be coming today."

The apprentice, Yinghu, came over and said.

The "authentic" massage parlor operates on a master-apprentice system, and all the massage therapists are Lin Zhengzong's apprentices.

Yinghu was his eldest disciple and also his favorite disciple.

To better serve its guests, Yinghu would regularly remove its claws, a ruthlessness that even impressed Lin Zhengzong, who had seen it all before.

Therefore, Lin Zhengzong entrusted it with the task of contacting clients, which was also to prepare it for taking over the massage parlor in the future, and Brother Ma was one of the regular customers of the massage parlor.

"He's not coming again."

Lin Zhengzong sighed.

The store's business now relies on these regular customers, but if they don't come often, they'll eventually become strangers.

"Master, how about we do some advertising?"

Yinghu suggested.

"What's the point of advertising? We can't afford TV and radio ads, we don't have the manpower to hand out flyers, and we'll get caught by the sanitation department if we put up ads on the street. What's the point of advertising!"

Lin Zhengzong said angrily.

Yinghu wiped the saliva off his face with his claws, unconcerned about his attitude.

It was bought by Lin Zhengzong from a breeding farm, and its citizenship was also registered under Lin Zhengzong's household registration.

Although they were called master and disciple, they were practically father and son.

"We have to think of something. If not, I'll wait until the museum closes before handing out flyers."

"Yinghu said."

It's basically confirmed that the massage parlor will be inherited by them. Whether it's for profit or sentiment, working overtime is nothing.

"It'll be late at night by the time the museum closes. Even if you dare to go, I wouldn't let you."

Lin Zhengzong said irritably.

Even gangsters have to be careful when wandering the streets of a metropolis late at night.

"How about we ask the GaGaShuang Bathhouse for help?"

Yinghu asked.

The owner of Ga Ga Shuang Bathhouse had some connection with Lin Zhengzong's father; when they were short of staff at the beginning of the business, they even borrowed people from Lin Zhengzong.

Lin Zhengzong was quite righteous, and personally led Yinghu and several apprentices to support them for a few days.

This kind of feeling is something you have to understand at the Gaga Shuang Bathhouse.

"Um"

Lin Zhengzong was both tempted and hesitant.

In a metropolis, human relationships are a very precious thing.

Nobody wants to owe favors, and everyone wants to repay favors at the lowest possible cost.

He went to the Gaga Shuang Bathhouse for help, and they would definitely help him.

But once you've helped, the favor is done.

The massage parlor hasn't reached the point of being unable to continue operating yet. But once it faces a real crisis of closure, it will lose one of its trump cards.

"and you."

Lin Zhengzong's expression changed, and just as he was about to speak, he heard the receptionist shout.

"welcome."

"A new customer!"

Lin Zhengzong and Yinghu's faces lit up with joy.

If it's a regular customer, the front desk will definitely add a title or nickname.

"Let's go, let's go greet them."

Lin Zhengzong said.

In the past, we certainly wouldn't have needed to be so formal.

But business is bad now, so we have to try our best to retain new customers.

Since the boss himself is personally receiving them, the other party should at least get a head massage before leaving, right?

Lin Zhengzong and Yinghu arrived at the front hall with smiles on their faces, but froze on the spot when they saw who it was.

As citizens of a metropolis, how could they not recognize each other's bloodstained restaurant delivery uniforms?

For many people, this yellow vest is more terrifying than the black-clad police officers of the Public Security Bureau.

"Master, you go first, I'll take care of these two."

A flicker of fear and ruthlessness flashed in Yinghu's eyes, but in the end, it turned into a resolute determination.

People who come out of farms, if they don't turn into complete beasts, will be more human than people in big cities.

"Okay. If you die, I'll choose the best burial plot for you."

After struggling with his expression for a moment, Lin Zhengzong said.

"Don't be nervous, we're not here to deliver food."

Liu Zheng offered some words of comfort, sounding somewhat helpless.

At times like these, he couldn't help but lament that the Bloody Restaurant's infamy was a bit too much.

Being an employee of this kind of company is both a bit shameful and strangely satisfying.

"Ahem, please excuse the poor gentlemen. What kind of services would you like to receive? Our shop specializes in massage and bone setting, and our acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and scraping are also highly regarded."

Lin Zhengzong breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward somewhat awkwardly.

"We're here to discuss business. Which one of you is the boss?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Yes, that is me. May I ask what business you two wish to discuss with me?"

Lin Zhengzong originally intended to point to Yinghu, but ultimately admitted that it was himself.

After all, I raised it myself, so it's normal to screw it over once, but I feel a bit guilty if I screw it over twice.

"What do you call the boss?"

"My surname is Lin, you can just call me Xiao Lin."

Lin Zhengzong adopted a very humble attitude.

Even if they weren't there to deliver food, the Bloody Restaurant was not something they could afford to mess with.

Especially recently, he heard from familiar merchants that the new deliveryman at Bloody Restaurant liked to speed through the streets.

"Mr. Lin, there's no need to be so nervous. We have no ill intentions in coming here, and we're here to discuss some good things."

Liu Zheng said with a smile.

However, the gleaming teeth in his open mouth made Boss Lin even more terrified.

"Does Mr. Lin know about the GaGaShuang Bathhouse?"

Seeing that there was no way to communicate properly, Liu Zheng had no choice but to bring up a topic first.

"I've heard of this before."

Lin Zhengzong replied cautiously.

“We heard about the Gaga Shuang Bathhouse from Red Pig. He said that the Gaga Shuang Bathhouse had borrowed staff from your massage parlor before. If you want to get involved with the Gaga Shuang Bathhouse, you are the most suitable person to act as an intermediary. So, we have taken the liberty of coming to visit.”

He said.

"Oh, so it was Mr. Red Pig who introduced us."

Lin Zhengzong's tense nerves relaxed a little.

Red Pig was once a regular at the "authentic" massage parlor. Because of its distinctive appearance and generous spending, Lin Zhengzong still remembered it even though he hadn't been there for a long time.

"Mr. Porco Rosso hasn't been here for years."

"It has been dead for many years."

Liu Zheng replied.

"Oh, so she's buried in the cemetery?"

Lin Zhengzong asked.

"Yes."

"I don't know what Mr. Red Pig's tombstone number is. He took good care of the shop's business back then. Even if we can't attend his funeral, we should still pay our respects."

Lin Zhengzong said, half-probing and half-seriously.

"I advise you not to go. It's not quite right in the head right now. My boss and I got a really bad beating from it."

He pointed to the bruises on the faces of the cattle and horses.

As for himself, his superficial injuries have all healed.

"Bullshit, you got a good beating, I went back and forth with it, and I had a slight advantage."

"The ox and horse retorted."

"Yes, yes, yes, you're awesome, boss. Mr. Lin, how about we find a quiet place to talk this over?"

Liu Zheng offered a perfunctory reassurance, then spoke to Lin Zhengzong.

"Ah, okay, okay, then let's go to my office. Please, both of you."

Lin Zhengzong quickly said, and then led the way.

The massage parlor wasn't very big, and they wanted to convert as many of the spaces as possible into massage rooms, so his office space was also small, only big enough to fit a table, two sofas, and a row of cabinets; there wasn't even room for a bed.

As soon as the cattle and horses came in, they filled half of the office.

"Ahem, my humble abode is simple and unassuming; I hope you two distinguished guests will find it amusing."

Lin Zhengzong said embarrassedly.

"How could that be? Mr. Lin's office is well-arranged, simple and elegant. It's clear that you have a great taste in life. Especially this calligraphy, the characters are strong and vigorous yet lively. You couldn't have mastered it without decades of hard work."

Liu Zheng glanced around the room and then praised it.

The words he was referring to were the banner hanging behind his desk, which read "Sincerity and Striving for Excellence" in eight large characters.

"Haha, it's just my humble work, you flatter me too much, sir."

Upon hearing Liu Zheng praise his calligraphy, Lin Zhengzong was immediately delighted, but he humbly replied...

"Does Mr. Lin perhaps not trust my judgment?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"How could that be? I certainly trust your judgment, sir."

Lin Zhengzong quickly said.

"Since I say that Mr. Lin's calligraphy is good, then it must be good calligraphy."