He was involved in both illegal gambling and drugs. Consequently, he was unsurprisingly dealt with harshly by the authorities, losing not only all his assets but also ending up in prison.
Chen Feng had heard about this incident back then, considering they were middle school classmates, and he was quite a prominent figure of their cohort.
"How long was his sentence?" Chen Feng asked curiously.
Xie Xiaohua, who was the most well-inford, answered, "I think it was eight years. He had a good attitude towards repentance at the ti, and also hired a good lawyer, so he was given a lighter sentence."
"Considering that, he should be released in another two or three years. If he behaves well in prison, his sentence might even be reduced."
Xie Xiaohua thought for a mont and nodded, "That’s about right. He and I are the sa age; he went in at twenty-five and has already served almost five years. When he gets out, do you think we, as old classmates, should go pick him up?"
To be honest, back then, Liao Xiaokai didn’t have a good relationship with classmates because he was an arrogant straight-A student who often ignored others.
Chen Feng rembered when he asked Liao Xiaokai for help with difficult problems, he would receive sarcastic comnts from him in a condescending manner, leading him to avoid asking for help in the future.
In fact, Chen Feng was sowhat similar in that respect. He also wasn’t very sociable, generally keeping to himself, though he was less cold than Liao Xiaokai.
"I’m not going." Class President Zhong Mingjie rejected the idea outright.
Everyone understood because throughout their three middle school years, Zhong Mingjie was always the class president, while Liao Xiaokai was always the class monitor.
It wasn’t that Liao Xiaokai didn’t want to be the class president; he simply didn’t want the job, and the class monitor role was forced on him by the head teacher.
Therefore, Liao Xiaokai always disdained Zhong Mingjie or didn’t sufficiently respect him, and naturally, Zhong Mingjie had issues with him. Yet, Liao Xiaokai consistently perford excellently, frequently ranking first in the grade, leaving Zhong Mingjie helpless. He certainly had to endure quite a bit.
The resentnt of those three years persisted, and even after all these years, Zhong Mingjie couldn’t fully let it go.
"Fine, if you’re not going, I’m definitely going. How should I put it, Xiaokai might be arrogant, but he’s also cold on the outside and warm on the inside. At least he treated , as an old classmate, quite well. Back then, I encountered financial difficulties in my business, borrowing from friends and classmates without much expectation of getting help from him.
But guess what, he turned out to be the one among all my friends and classmates who lent the most — a full million. Although I soon paid him back, I’ve never forgotten that kindness. So, when he gets out, if I can make it, I’ll definitely be there to pick him up."
"Indeed, never forget gratitude." Chen Feng chuckled and gave him a thumbs-up.
Xie Xiaohua asked, "Will you join us to pick him up then?"
Chen Feng shook his head, "I’ll pass. I haven’t contacted him in over a decade. And we didn’t have a good relationship back then. But since he’s a classmate, let him know when you pick him up that he can reach out to if he needs help — I’ll assist however I can."
Xie Xiaohua teased with a laugh, "Oh, sounds like you’ve really made it. My parents ntioned that you and your brother now run car beauty shops in both our town and Yuelou Town, and have monopolized the business. Must’ve made quite a bit, huh?"
Chen Feng laughed, shaking his head, "I’ve indeed made so money, but like you said, it’s a partnership with my brother; he’s the boss. Split between the two of us, it’s not that much. As for monopoly, it’s not accurate; our town is small, and one car beauty shop and car wash are enough. Over in Yuelou Town though, there are two shops, not a monopoly."
Indeed, Yuelou Town now has two car wash shops; aside from Chen Feng’s, there’s also the one previously sealed off belonging to Ai Ba, which reopened but no longer solely owned by Ai Ba.
"Tsk! Do you think I don’t know? That shop belonging to Ai Ba you’re talking about? Everyone knows now that you and your uncle have stakes in it, taking the bigger share, while Ai Ba as the forr boss has a smaller share. People in Yuelou Town say you’re skilled and well-connected, having solid ties in the county. Is that true?"
Xie Xiaohua was sowhat skeptical of those rumors, as he perceived Chen Feng as a bookworm devoid of social skills, so he asked directly.
"Not true at all." Chen Feng imdiately shook his head in denial, "Just hearsay. I’m not really familiar with Ai Ba’s shop; it’s probably my uncle’s connections. My uncle is from Yuelou Town and has a dozen sworn brothers."
Upon hearing Chen Feng’s explanation, Xie Xiaohua suddenly felt much relieved and laughed, "I thought so too. You don’t seem like the kind of person who’s smooth-talking or exploits guanxi."
To this assessnt, Chen Feng could only chuckle.
"Alright, it’s about ti for to head back." At this point, Chen Feng turned to Tan Xiaoyu, "Xiaoyu, besides visiting you this ti, I also intended to offer so financial help. Let know whether to transfer it via Alipay or WeChat."
Tan Xiaoyu was both moved and embarrassed hearing Chen Feng’s words, struggling to find the right words of politeness.
"Xiaoyu, don’t just stand there. Open your phone." Xie Xiaohua urged, "Chen Feng surely isn’t short on money now."
"Then... well, thank you." Tan Xiaoyu said, full of gratitude yet feeling awkward.
Chen Feng comforted him with a smile, "Alright, we’re all classmates, I’ll help you where I can. Xie Xiaohua is right, I do have so money now, so don’t feel bad. It might not be too much, but I can certainly spare so."
So, Tan Xiaoyu opened WeChat on his phone, scanned Chen Feng to add him as a friend, and Zhong Mingjie and Xie Xiaohua also followed suit, taking out their phones to add Chen Feng.
Chen Feng operated his phone, directly transferring a sum to Tan Xiaoyu.
Upon hearing the notification sound of the transfer, Tan Xiaoyu glanced at it and imdiately widened his eyes, staring at Chen Feng in shock, his voice hoarse and stamring: "Chen Feng, isn’t this too much?"
"It’s alright." Chen Feng stood up and gently patted Tan Xiaoyu’s shoulder, "This is sothing I can afford; just take it with ease. Don’t overthink it, just focus on recovery and treatnt. I’ll head off now. Class President, Xiaohua, I’ll be leaving first."
After speaking, Chen Feng briskly walked away, while at this mont, Tan Xiaoyu was already moved to tears.
Curious, Xie Xiaohua imdiately leaned over to take a look, and once he did, his eyes widened and he clicked his tongue.
Zhong Mingjie couldn’t help but peek as well, equally showing a look of shock.
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