Wang Shujing's face turned scarlet, and she quickly fastened the buttons on her cheongsam, silently cursing her brother a thousand times over.
She had no idea what had come over her. Perhaps it was the charm of this Mr.Dentis, the way he carried himself, the way he spoke Chinese so fluently, or maybe it was just the sight of all those shining Galleons on the table. Either way, she had done something utterly shameful.
"Wang Wenhui! What nonsense are you spewing!" she snapped, her voice laced with embarrassment. "Mr. Dentis is here for information about Hawkin's past! I was just feeling a little warm! Don't let your imagination run wild!"
Wang Wenhui smirked as he glanced between his sister and Dana.
"Oh, so you were just feeling warm."
His gaze drifted toward the pile of gold on the table, and his smirk widened. Clearly, this gentleman was indeed here for business. Even if his sister was considering selling herself, she wouldn't be worth that much.
A heap of Galleons like that could easily buy the company of six or seven lovely witches for a night at the Hot Witch Late Night Club.
Still, his sister's flustered reaction wasn't lost on him. Perhaps this was an opportunity…
With a shrug, he turned and strode toward the kitchen.
"Hey, Dentis! You speak Chinese, you don't seem like a bad guy, and I like you. So, stay for a meal! Let me tell you, British food is awful! If you want real food, you have to eat with us!"
Wang Shujing turned back to Dana, her face still slightly red.
"Sir, would you like to join us for a bite?"
Dana considered for a moment, then nodded.
He hadn't spoken Chinese in so long. Seeing these two, hearing their accents, he couldn't help but feel an urge to stay a little longer. It was a strange, nostalgic pull, even if they didn't see him as one of their own.
Wang Shujing guided him to the dining room.
The kitchen was in plain view, and Dana immediately noticed something odd—how did they cook here when there weren't any proper cooking utensils?
His curiosity was soon answered.
The Wang siblings pulled out their wands and pointed them at the wall.
The solid bricks shimmered and turned transparent, revealing an entire back kitchen bustling with activity. Chefs in white coats moved quickly, chopping, frying, and plating food in an almost mechanical rhythm.
Wang Shujing flicked her wand, and a few pieces of braised beef floated out from a massive pot, landing neatly on a dish. Meanwhile, Wang Wenhui was casually sampling bits of food, plucking mouthfuls with his wand from various dishes like a picky diner.
Within minutes, a plate of braised beef and a bowl of mixed stew were placed before Dana.
With a swift motion, Wang Wenhui waved his wand.
"Diffindo!"
The beef was immediately sliced into neat, bite-sized pieces.
"Mr. Dentis," Wang Shujing said politely, "I'm sorry we don't have more to offer, but please enjoy."
Dana raised an eyebrow.
"You two just… take food from Muggle restaurants like this?"
He had chosen his words carefully, avoiding the word steal, but it seemed he had still struck a nerve.
Wang Wenhui slammed his hand on the table.
"Are you looking down on us?! What's wrong with taking food from Muggles? Back in the day, when the Ashwinder Gang ruled the streets, Muggles begged to give us tribute!"
Dana's eyes narrowed slightly.
Ashwinder Gang… That name sounded familiar.
After a brief recollection, it clicked.
The Ashwinder Gang was a criminal organization tied to Victor Rookwood in the game Hogwarts Legacy. If he remembered correctly, the leader had been Selwyn.
Didn't the Ashwinder Gang get wiped out by the game's protagonist?
That strange symbol he had seen upstairs—now he understood. That was an Ashwinder insignia, viewed from the front.
So, these people were remnants of the once-feared Ashwinder Gang?
Wang Shujing quickly cut in, glaring at her brother.
"We don't eat for free! We cast Confundus Charms on random Muggles and lure them into the restaurant. That's our way of 'paying' for the food!"
Dana considered this for a moment before asking,
"You can cast the Confundus Charm… which means you're competent at magic. Why not get proper jobs in the wizarding world?"
This time, Wang Wenhui really exploded.
"Proper jobs?! Proper jobs my ass!"
He pinched his throat mockingly, imitating the voices of others.
"Mr. Wang, we've learned that your grandfather was a criminal, so we dare not hire you."
"Mr. Wang, you are qualified for the job, but unfortunately, there's only one position available, and I must give it to someone of my own kind instead."
Dana immediately understood.
Prejudice. Racial discrimination.
Even in the wizarding world, some things never changed.
Wang Shujing sighed.
"Mr. Dentis, we want to work, but society doesn't give us the chance."
"Have you thought about returning to China?"
"We can't. The Chinese Ministry of Magic bans the return of foreign immigrants."
"Then America? Or another European country?"
Wang Wenhui scoffed.
"Would it really be any different?"
Dana fell silent.
He had been observing them closely.
Wang Wenhui seemed like a hothead, but Wang Shujing was different.
She had principles.
She never abandoned Hawkin Ricketts. She even made an effort to compensate the Muggle restaurant, despite their limited means. She wasn't the kind of person who lived purely for crime.
Dana made a decision.
He turned to Wang Wenhui and asked,
"How many people are in your Ashwinder Gang? And who's your leader?"
Wang Wenhui gave him a wary look.
"Why do you want to know?"
Dana replied calmly,
"I need people to help me with some things."
At this, Wang Wenhui's eyes lit up.
"There are seven of us left… and I'm the boss!"
Dana almost laughed.
The leader of a fallen gang, so broke that he had to steal food.
But Dana didn't need powerhouses. He needed loyal manpower.
"I'll pay each of you fifty Galleons per month. In exchange, the Ashwinder Gang works for me. What do you say?"
Wang Wenhui's mouth fell open.
"Y-You're serious?"
"Of course."
He immediately slammed the table.
"DEAL!"
Then, after a pause, he asked,
"What do you want us to do?"
"For now? Nothing. Just stay out of trouble. When I need you, I'll contact you."
"Got it, Boss! No trouble! None at all! We're civilized folk now!"
Dana smirked.
"Good."
He stood up. He had spent enough time here. And frankly, instead of eating stewed leftovers, he could just go next door and have a proper meal at the restaurant.
But before he could leave, Wang Shujing suddenly spoke up.
"Brother! I've decided—I'm joining the Ashwinder Gang too!"
Wang Wenhui looked startled.
"You want to join?"
She folded her arms.
"Yes. I need money. If you're getting paid, then I want in too."
Wang Wenhui turned to Dana hesitantly.
"Boss… uh… is that okay?"
Dana shrugged.
"Fine by me. Just grow the gang and stay in line. Money isn't an issue."
Wang Wenhui grinned.
"Don't worry, Boss! I promise—we'll make the Ashwinder Gang bigger and stronger!"
End of the Chapter.
patreon.com/AntonioStark 60+Chapters
Update Schedule: 7 Chapter/week.
Every 300 Power Stones+1 (5 ⭐ Review)
= 1 Chapter+1Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters