"No need to trouble you anymore. Those outsiders have already been caught."
Zhao Guozhong pretended not to notice Three Fingers’ acting and replied with a smile, "These people were bullying and monopolizing businesses in Yuelou Town; they’re essentially a gray society organization. They even oppressed an honest man like , injuring to the point of hospitalization. This is a serious matter, and they will definitely face severe legal punishnt."
Zhao Guozhong’s earnest tone made Three Fingers uncomfortable. He forced a smile and said, "That’s good to hear. Those outsiders are indeed no good. Back then, they ganged up and bullied Ai Ba. Originally, car washes were just 15 yuan here, but under their coercion, the price was raised to 20 yuan. Right, Ai Ba?"
"Yes, yes, that’s how it was," Ai Ba nodded repeatedly. "Back in those days, I was forced at knifepoint to raise the price. If you need to testify against them, I can co forward to identify them."
"Alright. I’ll call you if we need your help."
Zhao Guozhong agreed imdiately, making Ai Ba feel slightly trapped. If he could, he definitely wouldn’t want to go to the J Bureau.
But since he had already spoken, it wouldn’t be good to back out. However, considering his deep-seated resentnt towards those outsiders, he felt quite pleased to see them in trouble now.
Zhao Guozhong continued to engage in so superficial small talk with Three Fingers before Ai Ba approached to flatter him, then proposed partnering in a new car detailing shop, suggesting they split the investnt, with him taking only a forty percent share.
Zhao Guozhong was tempted. Ai Ba’s proposal was clearly a way of submitting to him and paying for peace through cooperation.
However, he didn’t have much money at the mont, and this definitely needed Chen Feng’s approval.
Therefore, Zhao Guozhong was very honest, saying that he couldn’t make this decision and needed his nephew’s consent.
Three Fingers took the opportunity to say, "Zhong, I’ve heard you ntion your nephew several tis, but I’ve never t him. How about arranging a eting with our old brothers when you get out of the hospital?"
Zhao Guozhong chuckled, "What a coincidence. He left just as you ca. And besides, my nephew is very busy. He might be heading back to Xiu Zhou tomorrow."
"Ah, is he going back to Xiu Zhou already?" Three Fingers felt quite disappointed. Honestly, he really wanted to et Chen Feng, who seed to be quite resourceful. In his eyes, Chen Feng undoubtedly possessed extraordinary connections, sothing he always lacked.
Despite being a well-known entrepreneur and having so money, his background as a forr thug and ex-convict made it really hard to connect with influential people. Because of his reformation background, he didn’t have any official standing, making it hard for him to have a public presence.
He could only rely on his past reputation for being tough and the connections with those who also operated in the shadows to avoid being looked down upon.
People in his position often feel awkward, neither here nor there. Ordinary people envy him, but he envies those fellow entrepreneurs who have an official standing, appearing dignified on TV and giving speeches.
From a societal and status perspective, his fellow entrepreneurs are evidently on a higher level than him.
Three Fingers knew his own tainted history made it impossible for him to move forward. Thus, he hoped to et soone with strong white-collar connections to guide or support him.
This was an instinctual survival rule for private entrepreneurs, seeking to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.
Chen Feng seed to be exactly the kind of target he desired.
Zhao Guozhong didn’t understand Three Fingers’ thoughts, but he didn’t want to introduce his nephew to soone like Three Fingers either.
He only said with a slightly smug smile, "There will be opportunities in the future."
Three Fingers had to temporarily abandon the idea of eting Chen Feng. However, confirming Chen Feng’s capabilities, he knew he had to maintain a good relationship with Zhao Guozhong.
So Three Fingers started speaking about topics Zhao Guozhong liked. After all, they’ve known each other for decades and are sworn brothers, understanding each other well. Three Fingers, with his eloquence, quickly closed their distance, appearing to laugh and chat like close brothers.
But their brotherly bond hadn’t ward up much before other sworn brothers started arriving, making the hospital room lively.
It was clear they had also heard the news, rushing over to flatter Zhao Guozhong together.
As it happened, apart from Zhao Guozhong, there were no other patients in the three-bed hospital room today.
So, despite a dozen people squeezing in, it wasn’t too crowded. With the door closed, they didn’t disturb other patients.
Undoubtedly, Zhao Guozhong beca the target of their flattering efforts. Previously, they might have maintained so reserve, but recent major official actions had truly shown them the might of Zhao Guozhong’s nephew.
Their behavior beca more blatant, with a few almost fighting over who would go to the hot water room to fetch him hot water.
Most volunteered to stay the night to accompany him.
Knowing Zhao Guozhong had such a capable nephew, it was natural they all wanted to curry favor. This way, if they or their close ones encountered difficulties in the future, they could have the face to seek Zhao Guozhong’s assistance, letting him ask his nephew for help.
This was human nature and the way of the world.
In fact, Zhao Guozhong thoroughly enjoyed the flattery and attention from all these old brothers at this mont.
Chen Feng was unaware of how lively his uncle’s hospital room beca after he left.
He was supposed to stay the night to accompany his uncle, as per his mother’s request, but Zhao Guozhong tactfully declined his elder sister’s arrangent.
Chen Feng smoothly returned ho from the hospital.
These past few days had indeed been busy, with long-distance travel, buying a shop, and dealing with his uncle’s matters.
Upon returning ho, it was just in ti for dinner. While eating and chatting with the family, he roughly explained his uncle’s situation.
Of course, to avoid unnecessary trouble and worry, Chen Feng didn’t ntion seeking outside help, only saying that the outsiders who attacked were caught and that two other car wash shops had been shut down.
Chen Rui, knowing so of Chen Feng’s capabilities, smiled and asked, "So our newly opened car wash can now monopolize the business in Yuelou Town?"
That seed to be the case.
Chen Feng suddenly felt a bit like a local tyrant.
"Is that so?" his mother asked, concerned.
Chen Feng nodded sowhat awkwardly, "It seems like it, for now."
"Haha, then our new shop has beco the reigning king. Little Uncle’s beating wasn’t in vain," Chen Rui said, looking pleased.
User Comments
0 comments from readers