Chapter Forty-Eight: Brother Nan

Usually, those in this business are either big and fat or small and plump, but this owner was different. Though he was broad-shouldered and burly, he simply looked strong and solid rather than overweight. It was the heat of summer, and most people wore little; the owner simply donned a tank top, making his solid muscles all the more conspicuous.

“Yes, I was out for a walk and found myself here, so I thought I’d grab a bite. Boss, what’s your specialty?” Fang Yuan asked.

He’d noticed that when the owner took orders from other patrons, he never used a menu. Fang Yuan wondered about the prices—his impression was that food stalls like this weren’t cheap. If they didn’t cater to tourists, the prices tended to be more reasonable.

The owner casually listed a few dishes, but before Fang Yuan had made up his mind, Chong Chong couldn’t help but urge him to order grilled fish. Since he was dining alone, Fang Yuan settled on the grilled fish, a small side dish, and a draft beer.

The owner was quick; in no time, everything Fang Yuan ordered was brought out. The owner, a straightforward fellow, even gifted Fang Yuan a plate of seafood snacks on the house.

Many of the people dining here seemed to know each other. Fang Yuan sat there eating, half-listening to their conversations.

“Hey, brother, got anything good on hand lately?” a bald man asked in a low voice.

Fang Yuan’s hearing had improved a lot lately; even though the man spoke quietly, so that others nearby couldn’t hear, Fang Yuan caught every word.

Their discreet, almost secretive conversation piqued Fang Yuan’s curiosity.

“Brother Nan’s recently found a big buyer and took everything to him. I haven’t got anything left from before, but in a few days, after the big buyers have picked through everything, Brother Nan will let us have what’s left. When something good comes, I’ll save it for you,” a young man replied.

Fang Yuan wasn’t sitting particularly close, so they weren’t worried about him overhearing.

“We’re just the ones who get whatever nobody else wants from Brother Nan. The real good stuff never comes our way,” the bald man grumbled, clearly dissatisfied with this Brother Nan.

“Hey, watch what you say. You can complain to me, but don’t let anyone else hear. Otherwise, you’ll be in trouble. You know what kind of person Brother Nan is as well as I do,” the young man cautioned prudently, appearing more composed than the bald one.

Realizing he’d spoken out of turn, the bald man quickly changed the topic.

“Did you hear? That crazy old man went out to sea again yesterday, alone. Do you think he’s got a screw loose? Maybe because he survived the last time, he thinks he’s invincible now. It’s a pity about his daughter, though—she’s stunning, with a figure most girls can’t match. If the old man doesn’t come back, she’ll be heartbroken, won’t she?” The bald man was quite the talker, the most garrulous among the diners.

“That old man is no ordinary person. Don’t underestimate him. Besides, even if something did happen to him, there’d be no shortage of people waiting to look after his daughter. Why are you worrying on her behalf?” the young man replied.

Out to sea? Alone?

Fang Yuan was startled, wondering if they were talking about Pei Xi’s father, Old Master Pei. Yesterday, when Pei Xi left, she’d mentioned that her father had gone out to sea. Considering that Old Master Pei once ventured with only an assistant into uninhabited lands and among indigenous tribes for a whole month, it was entirely in character for him to head out to sea alone.

Reasoning that they must indeed be talking about Old Master Pei, Fang Yuan listened all the more intently. But they spoke in fragments, starting a story and never finishing it, which left Fang Yuan rather frustrated.

Just then, the bald man raised his voice and called out, “Brother Nan!”

“Brother Nan!”

“Brother Nan’s here!”

At the sound of his voice, nearly every patron stood up, each one greeting “Brother Nan.” The owner quickly emerged from the back, a smile plastered on his face. “Brother Nan, it’s been so long since you visited! I just got some fresh wild sea cucumber today. Please, have a seat inside—I’ll prepare it right away.” Earlier, the owner had been friendly with the other patrons, but in a casual, familiar way. Now, speaking with Brother Nan, even his eyes showed deference.

Fang Yuan, who had been quietly eating, couldn’t help but look in Brother Nan’s direction.

He saw a young man, soberly dressed, standing alone—no henchmen trailing behind. With Brother Nan’s arrival, all the diners stood up and remained so until he spoke. Only Fang Yuan stayed seated, eating with relish.

Brother Nan glanced briefly at Fang Yuan but seemed unconcerned.

“Please, everyone, sit down. Carry on.” At last, Brother Nan spoke, and the others took their seats.

Once Brother Nan followed the owner inside, the murmurs began anew. Where earlier only the bald man had been chattering, now everyone joined in hushed discussion.

“Master, that man they call Brother Nan seems to be quite a figure,” Chong Chong commented, having listened to their conversations and sensing that Brother Nan was no ordinary man.

Fang Yuan had merely been curious and didn’t think someone like Brother Nan would ever cross his path. He’d simply learned of a local bigwig, and knowing that could do no harm.

After finishing his meal, Fang Yuan paid the bill—the owner charged just over a hundred yuan, a fair price for the food and quality.

He’d recently developed the habit of taking a walk after dinner. Since the beach wasn’t far, Fang Yuan decided to stroll in that direction.

Though he’d snatched a car from Zheng Hao some days back, the fellow hadn’t made a move since. Still, the car’s origins were dubious, and it had no license plate.