He's even more resolute than he was in the original plot." Huang Wen watched Tony Stark declare himself Iron Man on TV, a thought flashing through his mind, "Perhaps it's because he personally killed Obadiah?"
"Cough, cough, cough!" Just then, a series of coughs came from outside the hotpot restaurant. When everyone turned their heads, they saw a middle-aged man in a kung fu uniform, looking a bit disheveled. He clutched a crumpled five-dollar bill in his hand, and swallowed hard as he watched Huang Wen and the others eating Teochew porridge. He had followed the scent.
"Does Bayu Hotpot also sell Teochew porridge? How much is a bowl?" The middle-aged man glanced at the sign, then at the interior of the restaurant. Not seeing a menu on the wall, he was a bit hesitant to enter.
"Oh, this is for our own people. If you want to eat, come join us, it won't cost much." Uncle Zhong stood up and said with a smile.
"How can I impose?" The middle-aged man swallowed again, somewhat embarrassed, and smoothed out the crumpled five-dollar bill in his hand. "I only have five dollars. If it's not enough…"
"Perfect, five dollars for one person, all you can eat." Uncle Zhong looked at the five dollars in the middle-aged man's hand and smiled again, "Come, sit down and eat. I'll get you some porridge…"
"I'll just sit over here." The middle-aged man gave Uncle Zhong a grateful look, then glanced at his own clothes, and sat at a nearby table, looking a bit reserved.
"Where are you from, little brother? How did you end up in such a state?" Uncle Zhong sat next to the middle-aged man and asked in a low voice.
"Little brother…" A hint of embarrassment flashed across the middle-aged man's face. After taking a sip of porridge to warm his stomach, he said, "I'm from Teochew. My name is Ying Faming, and I'm only thirty-one this year…"
"Thirty-one?" Not only was Uncle Zhong surprised as he looked at Ying Faming, but even Huang Wen and the others looked over in astonishment. Ying Faming's weathered appearance didn't look like thirty-one at all; people would believe him if he said he was fifty-one. Otherwise, Uncle Zhong wouldn't have called him "little brother."
"Perhaps I just look older than my age…" Ying Faming gave a bitter smile, then lowered his head and began to drink his porridge.
"I feel that little brother… uh, Xiao Ying, you're also a man with a story!" Uncle Zhong scrutinized Ying Faming. "Xiao Ying, where are you making a living now?"
"I'm just feeding myself, no family to worry about, so where do I need to make a living?" Ying Faming sighed softly and shook his head. "Brother, you don't need to bother with me. It's best if you don't know about my affairs…"
"Oh?" Zhong Qiang's eyes suddenly lit up. He also sat next to Ying Faming, looking at him with shining eyes. "Brother, if you've encountered any trouble, you can tell me. I have the strength to help you solve it!"
Although what happened last night had put Zhong Qiang on the brink of death, the immense power he gained after eating the Blood Bodhi made him feel a bit restless. He wanted to find an opportunity to show off his strength.
"You?" Ying Faming's lips curved into a helpless smile, then he shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous. Can you block a knife or a gun?"
"Are you being hunted by a gang?" Zhong Qiang wasn't angry at the remark. Instead, he looked at Liz Fisk. Seriously, was there any gang bigger than the Kingpin's organization in all of New York now?
"They're not just any ordinary gang…" Ying Faming shook his head, not wanting to say more.
"Oh? I know people from the Kingpin's gang. If they're after you, I can help you resolve it." Liz Fisk also sat next to Ying Faming and said with a smile.
"The Kingpin's gang?" A hint of surprise flashed in Ying Faming's eyes. He fell silent for a moment, then shook his head again. "If it were the Kingpin's gang, I wouldn't still be in New York. They are a large gang that spans the globe…"
"The Ten Rings?" Hearing this, Huang Wen subconsciously thought of the Mandarin and the Ten Rings gang who kidnapped Tony Stark.
"You!" Ying Faming's pupils suddenly constricted. He hadn't expected that, having relaxed his guard due to Uncle Zhong's kindness, the seemingly insignificant clue he casually mentioned would lead to the truth being guessed. Subconsciously, Ying Faming even thought Huang Wen was part of the Ten Rings and stood up, wanting to escape, while secretly cursing himself for letting his guard down.
"Don't worry, we have no connection with the Ten Rings." Huang Wen smiled and shook his head. "If the Ten Rings are bothering you, you don't need to worry too much. That Mandarin from the Ten Rings was injured by me and ran away a while ago…"
"Really? Who are you?" Ying Faming stood hesitantly, looking at Huang Wen warily.
"Wing Chun Martial Arts School, Huang Wen." Huang Wen cupped his hands at Ying Faming and said with a smile.
"Tai Chi, Ying Faming." Ying Faming also instinctively cupped his hands at Huang Wen and said.
"See, aren't we closer now?" Huang Wen spread his hands, a smile on his face. The Ten Rings and the Mandarin were already enemies to Huang Wen, and since Ying Faming was being hunted by the Ten Rings, he was a friend. Perhaps Huang Wen could find clues about the Ten Rings from Ying Faming, and then find the Mandarin.
"Boom!" Just as Huang Wen was about to ask Ying Faming for clues, an explosion sounded outside. The sound seemed distant, but its power was immense.
"Boss, suspected black technology caused an explosion. The location detected is one of Tony Stark's mansions. Tony Stark wasn't home earlier, but he's flying there now…" Silly Girl's detection quickly provided the results.
"Iron Man 3? It's all messed up. How did the plot get so chaotic? Who did this? Obadiah's unrevealed contingency?" A thought flashed through Huang Wen's mind. After all, the Mandarin had already been injured by him, and with the Ten Rings not getting their final payment, it should have been difficult for them to have subsequent conflicts with Tony Stark. Yet, the plot that shouldn't have happened now, indeed happened.
"Xiao Qiang, take good care of Uncle Zhong. If anything happens, contact me immediately!" Huang Wen looked at Zhong Qiang and Belle with a serious expression. "Belle, they're in your hands. I'm going to check it out. If there's nothing, I'll come back first…"
"Don't worry, Brother Wen, I will definitely protect them!" Zhong Qiang thumped his chest.
"I won't let anything happen to them." Belle nodded earnestly.
"Mm." Huang Wen responded, his figure instantly transforming into a blur of light and disappearing from the spot. He wanted to know what kind of changes had occurred in the plot.
Meanwhile, above Tony Stark's villa, a spaceship hovered in mid-air. Inside, the Mandarin said with an annoyed expression, "If it weren't for the news of you escaping, how would I have found that kid? So, me getting into trouble with that kid is all because of you. I can't find that kid, but can't I find you?!"