Chapter 96: A Piece of Advice

TL: Etude

“Settle what score?” Chen Jianghai asked calmly.

Brother Hu raised two fingers and said, “Last time, you injured my brother. Now you have two choices: either pay 1,000 yuan as compensation and apologize, or we give you a beating and then you pay 1,000 yuan. Choose.”

“And what if I choose neither?” Chen Jianghai replied coldly.

“Heh, then I’ll see if you’re really as tough as you think you are!” As Brother Hu finished his sentence, his followers started pulling out various weapons from their bags.

Zhao Changgui tightened his grip on his stick, ready to fight, and Fang Aiguo, though looking slightly unnerved, stood his ground.

“Isn’t this Wang Hu? What are you up to, acting all tough here?” A voice suddenly rang out.

Brother Hu’s previously fearless demeanor changed instantly upon hearing this voice, and his face turned pale.

Then, Brother Ma walked out of the warehouse.

“Brother Ma, what are you doing here?” Brother Hu quickly put on a smile and approached him.

His followers also hastily hid their weapons, not daring to make any further moves. Brother Ma was a man of influence, respected in both legal and illegal circles.

“Why are you bringing so many people and weapons? What, you don’t want to live a peaceful life anymore?” Brother Ma asked pointedly.

“Brother Ma, he injured my brother, so…” Wang Hu stammered, pointing at Chen Jianghai.

“Master Chen is my friend. You mess with him, you mess with me. What, you think you’re too big now to care about me?” Brother Ma said sternly.

Wang Hu felt a chill in his heart. How did Chen Jianghai end up being connected to Brother Ma?

Wang Hu immediately slapped himself on the forehead and laughed awkwardly, “Ah, Brother Ma, it’s a misunderstanding. Had I known he was your friend, I wouldn’t have dared to come here!”

Chen Jianghai glanced at Brother Ma, realizing his significant influence.

“Bro, I’m sorry. Let’s consider this a case of ‘no fight, no acquaintance’. Are we good?” Wang Hu offered a cigarette to Chen Jianghai as a peace offering.

Seeing Wang Hu’s submissive attitude, Chen Jianghai accepted the cigarette, nodding to indicate the matter was settled.

“Brother Ma, can I go now?” Wang Hu asked, bowing his head.

“Here’s a piece of advice, Old Hu: Times have changed. Don’t get involved in shady business; it’ll land you in trouble someday!” Brother Ma warned.

“Absolutely, Brother Ma, you’re absolutely right!” Wang Hu quickly agreed.

After Wang Hu and his group left, he breathed a sigh of relief, grateful he hadn’t acted hastily. Provoking Brother Ma could have ended badly.

Just then, Feng Renjie arrived on a bicycle, hurrying over.

“Brother Hu, how did it go? Is that guy here?”

Seeing Feng Renjie, Brother Hu was infuriated and slapped him, scolding, “Do you even know who you’ve messed with?”

Feng Renjie was stunned, asking cluelessly, “Brother Hu, who did I mess with?”

“That Chen Jianghai is Brother Ma’s friend. You dared to provoke him without knowing the details, almost getting me in deep trouble!” Brother Hu scolded, pointing behind him.

“I really didn’t know, Brother Hu!” Feng Renjie protested innocently.

“Listen, from now on, don’t mess with Chen Jianghai. We can’t afford to provoke him!” Brother Hu warned before storming off, leaving a bewildered Feng Renjie behind.

With Brother Ma defusing the situation effortlessly, Chen Jianghai gained a new level of respect for him. This made their upcoming business cooperation even smoother.

At that moment, Lin Jianguo and Xue Chunli casually approached the warehouse. Seeing Fang Aiguo and others standing outside, Xue Chunli curiously asked, “Why are you all standing outside?”

“Auntie, Brother Hai is inside discussing business,” Fang Aiguo replied with a smile.

Lin Jianguo’s curiosity was piqued, “What business? It seems quite formal.”

Fang Aiguo proudly informed him, “Uncle, it’s a big deal! The customer wants twenty TVs at once!”

“Twenty?” Lin Jianguo was astonished, quickly calculating in his head, “That must be… several thousand yuan!”

Fang Aiguo affirmed, “Exactly, six thousand yuan!”

However, he added with a shake of his head, “But… Brother Hai seems reluctant to take the deal.”

“Not take it? Why turn down the chance to make money?” Lin Jianguo asked, perplexed.

Fang Aiguo quietly explained, “Uncle, Jianghai is worried about the customer’s background.”

Hearing this, Lin Jianguo exchanged a glance with Xue Chunli, opening his mouth to speak but then remaining silent.

Fang Aiguo also expressed his agreement, “Uncle, Brother Hai is right to be cautious in business.”

As they discussed, Chen Jianghai and Brother Ma emerged from the warehouse.

“Master Chen, once you have enough stock, just let Aiguo know. I’ll come over with the cash immediately. We’ll do a cash-and-carry deal,” Brother Ma said, shaking Chen Jianghai’s hand.

Chen Jianghai nodded in agreement, “Sure, Brother Ma. You can count on me. There won’t be any delay.”

Brother Ma was satisfied with Chen Jianghai’s assurance. He knew that conducting legitimate business was more reliable and safe than getting involved in risky, violent affairs. As the saying goes, “If you always walk by the river, you’re bound to get your feet wet eventually.”

“I’ll be waiting for your message, Master Chen,” Brother Ma said, waving goodbye.

“Take care,” Chen Jianghai replied, watching Brother Ma leave. He couldn’t help but think to himself that Brother Ma was no simple character.

Fang Aiguo approached excitedly, “Brother Hai, is the deal settled?”

“Yes, it’s settled,” Chen Jianghai confirmed. “I’ve checked out his background, and there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

Fang Aiguo was overjoyed, hardly containing his excitement. This deal meant a significant commission for him.

Xue Chunli looked at Chen Jianghai thoughtfully. She had been concerned and skeptical about him, but seeing how carefully he conducted business, her doubts seemed unfounded. Maybe what Wanqiu said was true, and Chen Jianghai had indeed changed, no longer the irresponsible man he used to be.

Lin Jianguo could tell what his wife was thinking and silently shook his head. She was too stubborn, holding onto her beliefs even in the face of contrary evidence. But perhaps her views were slowly changing, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

“Jianghai, have you eaten yet?” Lin Jianguo asked, trying to ease the tension for his wife.

“No, Dad, we were just about to head back and cook,” Chen Jianghai replied.

Lin Jianguo quickly suggested, “Chunli, why don’t you go home and prepare something? Jianghai has been working hard; we can’t let him go hungry.”

Xue Chunli glanced at Lin Jianguo and then turned to leave.

“Mom, you can rest. I’ll go cook,” Chen Jianghai offered, but Lin Jianguo stopped him.

“Why the hurry? Let’s chat for a bit,” Lin Jianguo said, smiling as he walked into the warehouse.

Chen Jianghai followed, puzzled by his father-in-law’s intentions.

Once inside, Lin Jianguo sat down and gestured for Chen Jianghai to sit beside him. After lighting a cigarette for his father-in-law, Chen Jianghai waited for him to speak.

“You’ve changed a lot, Jianghai,” Lin Jianguo said earnestly after taking a deep drag on his cigarette.

“Father, it’s all for giving Wanqiu a better life,” Chen Jianghai earnestly replied.

Lin Jianguo’s face lit up with satisfaction. “As long as you treat our daughter well, that’s all we ask. But Wanqiu’s mother has been worried about something.”

…

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