1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 131 Tupac Calls (4/5)

"Amaru?"

"yep."

""

"How have you been lately? I heard you've been killing like crazy on the West Coast."

"Haha, that's pretty cool."

Listen, bro, I heard about what happened to you. That bitch Richard Gere was giving you trouble, and I didn't stand up for you because I knew it wouldn't make much difference. Reed said that's the main battleground, and if we got involved, it would only hurt you—you won't blame me, will you?

16

It is 2Pac.

To be honest, Xu Shengjie was quite surprised when he called.

After all, the two had no contact since he returned to Los Angeles in June.

But this is normal, there's nothing wrong with it.

It's enough that we all know each other is well!

However, Xu Shengjie was very moved when Xu apologized for the verbal sparring between Xu Shengjie and Richard Gere.

Indeed, while hip-hop and rap swept across North America after the millennium, even influencing universities across the ocean, they were considered lowbrow in the 1990s. Even the so-called East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry, aside from those within the rap community, didn't garner much attention from the general public. Furthermore, rap had an inherent gangster undertone, making it somewhat unsavory.

Black singers of this era were either jazz, soul, or funk and pop.

Even someone as powerful as Puff, Dr. Red, or 2Pac is just a star or big name within a specific group.

This specific group refers to lower-class Black people, rhythm enthusiasts, DJs, or dancers. Even elite Black people may not be prejudiced, but they would never publicly declare themselves to be hip-hop fans, mainly because of their poor image.

Xu Shengjie laughed and said, "Amaru, what are you saying? You already said we're brothers."

By the way, I haven't thanked you yet for speaking up for me a while ago. My two books saw a significant increase in sales last week.

"Haha, that's the power of nigger."

2Pac was very happy, feeling that he had helped Xu Shengjie.

"Let's get down to business. I'm going to New York on the 24th. How about we have dinner together for Thanksgiving?"

"Aren't you going to stay home with your mom for Thanksgiving?"

"I'm on a business trip, I have no choice—and Afani said you must be lonely by yourself, so she asked me to keep you company."

Afenny is 2Pac's mother.

She was a very tough woman who was a member of the Black Panther Gang in her early years and almost went to jail.

The Black Panther Party, needless to say, was a violent Black gang. In the 1960s and 70s, the FBI even had to resort to espionage to suppress them. In the 1980s, Afani maintained contact with the remnants of the Black Panther Party.

This led to a falling out between 2Pac and her.

I ran away from home when I was a child for the same reason.

Later, the family moved to Baltimore. After that, Afenny suddenly realized her mistake and regretted it, taking 2Pac with her.

The brother left Baltimore and settled in Los Angeles. It was only then that the relationship between the mother and son was repaired.

One of 2Pac's debut works, "DearMama," chronicles Afenny's struggles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

"Please thank Afenny for me."

"Haha, she'll be so happy."

Also, did you break up with that redhead? I've said it before, that girl is hot, but not a docile woman.

"I'm bringing you some hot girls when I go to New York this time. They'll absolutely blow you away."

Xu Shengjie was silent for a moment, then said, "Amaru, guess where this call you made to me is from?"

'

"where?"

"At my girl's house."

"You two got back together?"

"New one, a blonde bombshell—and don't introduce me to anyone who's not at Vanessa's level."

"Fuck you, go to hell!"

2Pac couldn't help but yell into the phone, "Vanessa, I want to too!"

I told Afenny, "You're a yellow-skinned playboy. Lots of white girls would like your face."

"Haha, I'll take that as a compliment!"

2Pac hung up the phone, cursing under his breath.

Xu Shengjie suddenly remembered something: this year is 1994, and it is November 14th now.

In the original timeline, Tupac was shot at the end of the month, which led to a complete breakdown in his relationship with the East Coast and a falling out with BIG. This resulted in his imprisonment for sexual assault and his subsequent shooting death in 96.

We can't let him come over!

However, Xu Shengjie also knew that he could not stop 2Pac.

If you tell him that there will be danger in coming to New York, he will not only not be afraid, but will come without hesitation.

He called this courage.

I will never be intimidated by any threat!

Xu Shengjie thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and dialed Zhang Ping'an.

"Justin, do me a favor."

"you say!"

"Amaru is coming over at the end of the month, and I'm a little uneasy. I'm afraid something might happen to him."

"When the time comes, please increase the defenses around him, and also have someone keep an eye on Puff's group. I suspect that if anyone acts against Amaru, it's inextricably linked to Puff and his gang."

On the phone, Zhang Ping'an was completely confused.

"Wait, wait, wait, who is Puff?"

I know Amaru, but Puff—I'm in a Chinese gang, I have connections with the black guys, but we're not close.

You need to talk to Roger about this.

This guy's more connected to the Brooklyn area; he seems to have ties to both the Tumor and Blood gangs.

"Is this guy really that unconventional?"

"His nickname 'Black Panther' was given to him by those damn black guys."

Where is he right now?

"I think he's near Eighth Avenue. He's been helping out there recently. There's been a conflict between Old Fuzhou and Little Poland from Green Point, and Old Fuzhou called him over to help."

Green Point is a Polish neighborhood in Brooklyn.

It's a bit strange, though. The University of Tokyo and Poland have virtually no interaction, but for some reason, the Polish people are quite hostile towards the University of Tokyo.

"Don't let that guy get carried away and rush ahead again. No, I'll give him a call. Give me his number."

Roger was one of Xu Shengjie's closest people, and he certainly didn't want anything to happen to Roger.

If something really goes wrong, the old Fuzhou locals won't really stand up for him. Kenny isn't interested in expansion right now, and Mr. Yin is busy with the Sheepshead Bay business, so he's willing but unable to help. After all, the situation in Brooklyn is much more chaotic than in Manhattan.

Around Chinatown, there's Little Italy, Little Australia, and Koreatown.

Life in the East Village is quite lively—although there aren't many gangs, they have money and can borrow troops from the local area.

It's already quite an achievement that Chinatown has been able to maintain its current stability!

Zhang Pingan gave the phone number to Xu Shengjie, who immediately dialed it.

On the phone, he warned Luo Jin in the harshest tone, "Don't fucking rush into battle on a whim. Those old Fuzhou guys, to put it bluntly, are just a bunch of businessmen. You've helped them so many times, have they ever given you any money?"

Go back to Manhattan and leave their business alone.

I'll stay in the internet cafe and wait until next year, when I'll have ten thousand dollars a month, and buy a house on Mott Street.

"Just eat and drink, and help Uncle Kenny guard Mott Street—if Old Fuzhou asks you to go help again later, tell them to contact Uncle Kenny. Damn it, they only make the ox work without feeding it. You're a shareholder in the internet cafe now, understand?"

Roger still respected Xu Shengjie.

Previously, he was a close brother who had risked his life for the original owner of the body. Now, Xu Shengjie is writing books and making movies, which makes Roger have great respect for him.

"But I promised the old Fuzhou folks—"

"You're from the Ghost Shadow Gang, not the fucking Fuzhou Gang."

I called Uncle Kenny and asked him to talk to Old Fuzhou. Don't say anything more. Just go with the flow and tell them Uncle Kenny is very firm and you have to leave. If Old Fuzhou and the others try to use personal connections to persuade you again, tell them to talk to Uncle Kenny.

"I see!"

Hearing that Roger was no longer insisting, Xu Shengjie finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Also, do you know Puff?"

"Which Puff? The rapper?"

"Do you know him?"

"I don't know him, but I've heard of him. That guy is backed by 421. You should know what that is."

I tried to search my memory.

"421 54th Street, Hell's Kitchen?"

That's it!

This Hell's Kitchen is not the same as the Hell's Kitchen in Marvel.

However, it is located on 54th Street in Manhattan and was once an Irish slum with numerous gangs and constant bloodshed.

However, nowadays, due to its location on the edge of the Midtown business district, it has been developed into a prime area, and property prices are rising every day.

However, although the gangs here have disappeared on the surface, they still exist.

For example, 421 54th Street is a dilapidated six-story red-walled building.

The area was inhabited by many holdouts who refused to relocate, so the real estate developer handed over the demolition rights to a gang. After the gang evicted the residents, the developer changed his mind, and the area became a gathering place for gangsters.

Backed by a powerful patron and surrounded by henchmen.

Committing all kinds of evil —

"Is Puff very familiar with them?"

"We have some connections—tell me, what is it?"

"Remember 2Pac? He's coming over at the end of the month. I think Puff will cause trouble for him, so keep an eye on things for me."

"That's easy, I'll talk to BigJ."

That guy's a rapper too, he knows Puff and the others, and he's a small-time boss in 421. He's desperately short of money, constantly being chased by creditors. For just a little money, he'll tell us everything, even how many women his mother has.

"But keep it a secret, don't let the news leak out."

"Don't worry, I won't show up. I'll have the people from the Sick Gang contact BigJ."

That guy is my brother.

Sometimes Xu Shengjie felt that Roger was just a black man in yellow skin.

Friends are everywhere, white and black —

It seems that he can make friends in any area except for his daily life.

"Tell me if you need money."

"Don't worry, I won't be polite."

Roger hung up the phone.

Xu Shengjie glanced at the alarm clock; it was almost eleven o'clock.

Logically speaking, he shouldn't be bothering Kenny Zhang at this time.

But he felt it wasn't safe for Roger to stay on Eighth Avenue, so in the end, he picked up the phone and called Kenny.

The conversation with Kenny was simple and uncomplicated.

Xu Shengjie simply told Kenny that the old Fuzhou gang always made Roger work for free and always made him the one charging into battle, which wasn't good.

Kenny is a very smart man; he immediately understood what Xu Shengjie meant.

"Don't worry about this. I'll call the old Fuzhou branch right now."

After saying that, he slammed down the phone.

He was very impolite, but Xu Shengjie didn't seem to mind.

He yawned, sat on the sofa, and his gaze inadvertently swept over the calendar hanging on the wall.

Today is the 14th —

In a few days, it will be November 18th!