Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

After the standoff at the dock, the Shahe Gang and Jardine Matheson temporarily backed down, but the atmosphere in Foshan grew increasingly tense. Zhao Tianba of the Shahe Gang harbored deep hatred for Huang Feihong and Wang Huanbo, while Jackson of Jardine Matheson also saw them as a thorn in his side. The real eye of the storm, however, was quietly shifting to the Western restaurants frequented by foreigners and the grand theater where Cantonese opera was about to be staged.

That day, Aunt Thirteen (Joanna) enthusiastically invited Wong Fei-hung and Wang Huanbo to dine at the newly opened "Victoria Western Restaurant," saying it would let them "experience Western flavors" and also ease the tension of the past few days. Wong Fei-hung was reluctant to go to such a "Western" place, but he couldn't resist Aunt Thirteen's persistent persuasion, and Wang Huanbo also advised him to learn about Western culture, so he reluctantly agreed.

Inside the Western restaurant, a gramophone played soothing Western music, the lighting was soft, and the cutlery gleamed. Westerners in sharp suits, stylishly dressed Western ladies, and a few Chinese compradors in long gowns and mandarin jackets, trying to blend in, created a world completely different from Foshan outside. The air was filled with the aroma of coffee, cream, and roasted meat.

Huang Feihong appeared somewhat reserved, at a loss with the complicated tableware and unfamiliar etiquette. Aunt Thirteen patiently taught him how to use a knife and fork, watching his clumsy yet earnest movements, she couldn't help but smile, her eyes filled with tenderness. Wang Huanbo, on the other hand, was much more composed. He skillfully used the knife and fork, and could even communicate fluently with the waiter to order food, much to Aunt Thirteen's surprise.

"Junior Brother Wang, how come you're so familiar with Western food?" Aunt Thirteen asked curiously.

"When making a living overseas, it's inevitable to come into contact with people," Wang Huanbo said with a slight smile, glossing over the matter. The steak he ordered was just right, and his dining etiquette was impeccable, causing several foreigners at the next table, who had previously looked down on Chinese people, to turn their heads in surprise.

However, this moment of tranquility was soon broken. A group of drunken British sailors barged into the restaurant, led by Ji Shan (the villainous foreign merchant in the film), who had close ties with Jardine Matheson. When they saw Wong Fei-hung's table, especially the beautiful Aunt Thirteen, they approached with ill intent, speaking frivolously and making unwanted advances.

"Hey! Pretty Chinese doll! Have a drink with us!" A sailor reached out to touch Aunt Thirteen's face.

Wong Fei-hung's expression changed drastically. He abruptly stood up, using his body to block Aunt Thirteen, his gaze sharp as lightning: "Please show some respect!"

"Oh ho? Chinese Kung Fu? Want to fight?" Ji Shan, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, chuckled contemptuously, pulled out a finely crafted revolver, and slammed it on the table. "Let's see if your fists are faster, or my bullets!"

A gasp rippled through the restaurant as other diners scrambled to get out of the way. Aunt Thirteen, pale with fright, clung tightly to Wong Fei-hung's arm.

Wang Huanbo's eyes turned cold. His hand, hidden under the table, had already subtly grasped the M1911A1 pistol (a gift from Director Lin Hongjie) concealed at his waist (actually in his system space), the safety silently disengaged. If Ji Shan dared to make any further move that threatened Huang Feihong and Aunt Thirteen, he would not hesitate to shoot! With his marksmanship and reaction speed, he was absolutely confident he could kill him before he could pull the trigger!

But at this critical moment, the restaurant manager and several foreign police officers who had rushed over after hearing the news stepped in to dissuade him. Ji Shan seemed unwilling to make things too big, so he reluctantly put away his gun, led his sailors away cursing, and glared fiercely at Huang Feihong and Wang Huanbo before leaving.

"Feihong, are you alright?" Aunt Thirteen asked, still shaken.

"It's nothing." Wong Fei-hung's face was ashen, and his clenched fist slowly loosened. For the first time, he truly felt the powerlessness of individual martial arts in the face of foreigners' guns and cannons. This humiliation was far worse than fighting against gangs.

Wang Huanbo silently holstered his gun, his heart filled with turmoil. Just now, he had truly felt the cruel reality that "backwardness invites aggression." A drunken foreign businessman dared to threaten a martial arts master with a gun in public! And most of the foreigners around him were either watching the spectacle or even tacitly approving! This arrogance and bullying stemming from the disparity in national power deeply stung him.

"Master, the foreigners bully the weak because our country is weak and our people are poor. Only by becoming strong ourselves, making better guns and cannons, and training a stronger army can we deter these petty scoundrels from acting recklessly!" Wang Huanbo said in a deep voice, his tone filled with an unprecedented sense of urgency.

Huang Feihong nodded heavily, gaining a deeper understanding for the first time of the concept of "learning from the barbarians to subdue them." The Western meal was utterly tasteless. As they left, Wang Huanbo noticed Ji Shan and the others heading towards the grand theater, a vague unease creeping into his heart. The horrific theater shooting scene from the movie was probably about to unfold!