Hole-in-the-Wall Eatery 11

"Hold on a little longer. We still need him," Su Man said, patting his shoulder.

Sun Li pulled a long face and let out a heavy, frustrated sigh.

Meanwhile, the pig-headed man had already opened the door. Having missed their conversation, he still greeted them with a cheerful smile and ushered them inside.

Once they were in the office, the pig-headed man eagerly invited Sun Li to sit in the chair next to him, while Su Man took the seat opposite them.

"Let’s talk about that VIP," Su Man said, noticing that if she didn't speak up, Sun Li might actually beat the pig-headed man to death.

"Right, right, the VIP!" The pig-headed man slapped his forehead and let out a loud laugh, but then he clamped his mouth shut, gave Su Man a cowering grin, and rubbed his fingers together expectantly.

Su Man tapped her fingers on the table, then pulled out a money bag filled with horror coins and tossed it to him.

Beside her, Sun Li’s fists clenched even tighter; his eyes were practically bulging as he glared at the pig-headed man. But for Su Man’s sake, he held back.

The pig-headed man caught the bag, weighed it in his hand, and beamed. "That VIP? He’s a big boss from one of the major districts." He gestured to indicate a towering skyscraper. "A hotel that tall, right in the center of the Horror District, with so many horror coins coming in every day..."

He went on and on about the VIP’s great achievements, most of which boiled down to how incredibly wealthy he was and how powerful his business empire was.

Su Man caught the gist of it and interrupted his rambling. "Then why would a person like that come here?"

It wasn't meant as an insult, but rather the truth. The place was far from prosperous. Even the factory itself—she had taken a few looks when she walked in—was filled with meat of unknown origin that gave off a rancid smell. It wasn't particularly large or impressive either.

"Why come here? Oh, I actually happened to overhear that the other day!" The pig-headed man started to answer, then remembered something and rubbed his hands together at Su Man with a sheepish look.

Su Man nodded and, still maintaining her composure, threw another bag of money at him.

His grin widened. "I heard it by accident. That big boss came here for a little-known fast-food joint!" He grew more excited as he spoke. "You wouldn't know it, but that place is tiny, and it’s currently ownerless. It’s nothing special, really. That big boss just has peculiar tastes, I suppose."

Su Man frowned. "The 'Delicious Fast Food' shop?"

"Yes, yes! You know that shop too? That’s the one!" The pig-headed man said excitedly. "I heard that shop is tucked away in some run-down alley, and the only people who eat there are beggars. How do you know about that place?"

Su Man took out the acting manager’s badge and slapped it onto the table, staring at him expressionlessly. "Do you still need to ask how I know?"

"Oh... oh my... this..." The pig-headed man stammered, unable to find a way to smooth things over. He could only offer an awkward laugh. "So it was all a misunderstanding. To think you're the manager! Our factory actually has a partnership with your shop..."

He tried to cozy up to her, but Su Man watched his performance with cold indifference. After the pig-headed man rambled on to silence, he finally stopped.

The air grew suffocatingly awkward.

Su Man was the one to break the silence. "So, you stopped providing us with low-cost ingredients because of this so-called VIP?"

The pig-headed man shrank his neck and glanced at her. Just as he was about to rub his fingers together to ask for more money, Su Man pulled out a dagger and slammed it onto the table.

The pig-headed man withered. "That’s... that’s part of the reason, I suppose. I don't know the full details; it was something discussed between the boss and the VIP. You’d have to ask the boss, but he certainly wouldn't want to see you."

Su Man didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

Sure enough, dropping his pathetic act, he glanced at Sun Li and decided to make one last grab for profit. "If you’re willing to leave him behind with me, I’ll find a way to help you meet the boss." He whispered, "Your shop is about to go under, isn't it? Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here. You’d better think this through... Ah!"

Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his ear—Su Man had lunged with her dagger and sliced it off!

"You... you!!" He collapsed into his chair, staring at Su Man with eyes full of terror.

Su Man didn't look at him again. She leaned back in her chair, relaxed, and gestured to Sun Li, who was already livid. "Finish it quickly."

"I thought he might know some secrets, but it turns out I still have to see that boss. What a waste of time." She pointed to the pig-headed man’s bulging pockets. "Take my money back. Don't let it get contaminated."

Several bags of money were tossed aside by Sun Li, who then clamped a hand over the pig-headed man’s mouth and unleashed his frustration with heavy, crushing blows.

Su Man didn't stay idle. After sitting for a moment, she stood up and searched the room, finding several hidden compartments where money was stashed. She knew this pig wasn't an honest man. She took every bit of it without hesitation.

As the pig-headed man took the beating, he watched Su Man empty out the savings he had accumulated over months, suffering both physical and mental agony.

After taking the money, Su Man found a map of the factory in a drawer, covered in notes and markings—clearly the pig-headed man's handiwork. She tucked that into her inventory as well; it might come in handy.

By now, Sun Li had finished venting his rage. The pig-headed man was bruised beyond recognition, his face swollen to the point where even his own mother wouldn't know him, and he lay on the floor, gasping his last breaths.

Even in this state, catching a glimpse of Su Man, he couldn't help but issue a final threat. "Put my things back, or I swear you won't make it out of this factory!"

"I won't make it out of this factory?" Su Man asked, staring down at him.

The pig-headed man shrieked, "As soon as I call out, you won't make it out alive! Scared now? Give my things back!" He thought venomously that even if she returned them, he would still have the factory workers grab them and beat them to death.

"Scared? I suppose I am," Su Man said, though her face remained void of any emotion. "You’ve reminded me of something, though: I can't leave you alive."

The pig-headed man’s eyes widened. "You can't do this! I’m the third uncle’s son of the factory owner. I’m his cousin!"

"Oh, thank you for revealing your background. With that connection, I definitely can't leave you alive." With that, Su Man’s hand moved, and the blade fell, severing the stubborn head from its shoulders.

She hadn't intended to cause trouble in the factory, as her goal was to negotiate, and burning bridges wasn't ideal. But after hearing what the pig-headed man said, she realized that polite negotiation was no longer an option. The boss was clearly in league with the mysterious wealthy merchant, and the price hike was proof enough.

Compared to maintaining this partnership, she was far more interested in learning about the merchant targeting her. Nobody wanted to be constantly hunted by a thief in the shadows.

She would have to meet the boss after all. But how?

*Bang.* The door was suddenly shoved open from the outside. Another pig-headed man walked in. "Team leader, there’s a document here..."

The rest of his words died in his throat. After taking in the scene and processing it for two seconds, he let out a blood-curdling scream. "Murder!"