Chapter 104

Xiao Feng also kept me company while I zoned out for a bit.

Literal: Xiao Feng also accompanied me in being dazed for a while.

We need natural English: Xiao Feng also kept me company while I spaced out for a bit.

But must be faithful: "Xiao Feng also accompanied me in being dazed for a while." That's okay.

We'll output: 【1】 Xiao Feng also accompanied me in being dazed for a while.

Xiao Feng comforted him, saying, "Jianqiang, I know you're heartbroken; this Da Heng Group is something you built with your blood, sweat, and tears."

Translation: Xiao Feng comforted, saying: "Jianqiang, I know you're heartbroken; this Da Heng Group is something you built with painstaking effort."

We need to keep quotes? Probably keep as part of translation. We'll translate the spoken content.

Thus: 【2】 Xiao Feng comforted, saying: "Jianqiang, I know you're heartbroken; this Da Heng Group is something you built with painstaking effort."

But the reality is just this cruel.

But the reality is just this cruel.

We can only accept it.

【4】 We can only accept it.

And it must be unconditional acceptance.

【5】 And it's an unconditional acceptance.

Jianqiang, I advise you today to go along with this trend, just as I once advised you not to overexpand and not to take all of Zaocheng's good resources, or else people will envy you.

Let's craft: 【6】 Jianqiang, I advise you today to just go with this trend—just as I once advised you not to over-expand and not to snap up all of Zaocheng's good resources, or else people will envy you.

Such wealth is the result of countless people's struggles; once you have it, you could never spend it in several lifetimes.

【7】 Such wealth is the result of countless people's struggles; once you get it, you could spend several lifetimes and still not exhaust it.

"Who could have no ideas?"

"Who could have no ideas?"

After hearing Xiao Feng's words,

【9】 After hearing Xiao Feng's words,

I slowly said, "Yes, that's right; Zhou Wei also told me that others would envy my wealth, because I am no longer a penniless Zhaoerhai but a multimillionaire."

【10】 I slowly said: "Yeah, that's right; Zhou Wei also told me before that others would envy my wealth, because I'm no longer a penniless Zhaoerhai but a multimillionaire."

Note: Zhaoerhai is the name for Zhaoerhai.

I have been too naive at times.

【11】 I have been too naive at times,

I trusted them, but they were scheming against me.

【12】 I trusted them, but they were scheming against me.

Alright, then I will face it calmly.

【13】 Alright, since that's the case, I'll face it openly.

Xiao Feng, do as you said,

【14】 Xiao Feng, do as you said,

First, get the Qihe mine into my hands; only then do I have a chance to break even.

【15】 First get the Qi He Kuang mine into my hands; only then do I have a chance to break even.

I cannot let myself end up with nothing.

【16】 I cannot let myself end up with nothing.

As Zhaoerhai, I have experienced too much in my life; I fear nothing.

【17】 As Zhaoerhai, I've been through too much in this life; I fear nothing.

"Hmph, they can't knock me down."

【18】 "Hmph, they can't knock me down."

"That's right, Jianqiang; if you can say that, I feel reassured. Actually, verifying the company's materials is no longer important; even if we confirm they did this, what can we do?"

【19】 "That's right, Jianqiang; if you can say that, I feel reassured. Actually, verifying the company's documents is no longer important; even if we confirm they did this, what can we do?"

"You told me that Zhu Sheng has had an accident. Without Zhu Sheng's support, who can we sue?" Xiao Feng said.

【20】 You told me that Zhu Sheng has run into trouble. Without Zhu Sheng's support, who can we sue?" Xiao Feng said.

"They're too ruthless; for money they won't even spare Zhu Sheng. Xiao Feng, stay here for now; I'm going to handle the Qihe mine."

【21】 "They're ruthless—for money they won't even spare Zhu Sheng. Xiao Feng, stay here for now; I'm going to handle the Qi He Kuang mine."

"I still have to keep acting with them; it's really fucking painful."

【22】 I still have to keep acting along with them; damn, it's painful."

After saying that, I stood up.

【23】 After saying that, I stood up.

Xiao Feng quickly came over to support me.

【24】 Xiao Feng hurried over to help me.

I had just reached the door, opened it, and saw that Xiao Long hadn't left; he was waiting for me at the doorway.

【25】 I had just reached the door, opened it, and saw Xiao Long still waiting there; he hadn't left.

I said to Xiao Long, "Xiao Long, let's go back."

【26】 I said to Xiao Long: "Xiao Long, let's go back."

Xiao Long took my arm from Xiao Feng's hand,

【27】 Xiao Long took my arm from Xiao Feng's hand,

Xiao Long said to Xiao Feng, "Aunt Feng, we're leaving."

【28】 Xiao Long said to Aunt Feng: "We're leaving, Aunt Feng."

Xiao Feng nodded and waved at us.

【29】 Xiao Feng nodded and waved at us.

Once we were in the car,

【30】 Once we were in the car,

I said to Xiao Long, "Xiao Long, I want to go to the Qihe mine as soon as possible; tell your dad, mom, and grandma."

【31】 I said to Xiao Long: "Xiao Long, I want to go to Qi He Kuang mine as soon as possible. Tell your dad, mom, and grandma."

Xiao Long replied, "Okay, boss, no need to say; they already know. Are we going today?"

【32】 Xiao Long said: "Okay, Grandpa, no need to say—they already know. Are we going today?"

I nodded.

【33】 I nodded.

The journey from Zaocheng Xin Cheng to Qihe Mine takes about an hour.

【34】 From Zaocheng Xin Cheng to Qi He Kuang mine is about an hour's drive.

The newly repaired road quickly links the urban and rural areas.

【35】 The newly built road quickly links the urban and rural areas.

We soon arrived at Qihe Mine; Xiao Long didn't go to the police station to report, but accompanied me to the mine.

【36】 We soon arrived at Qi He Kuang mine; Xiao Long didn't go to the police station to check in, but accompanied me to the mine.

At the gate of Qihe Mine, a notice was posted,

【37】 At the gate of Qi He Kuang mine, a notice was posted,

After Xiao Long and I got out of the car and read the notice, we found it was a holiday announcement from Qihe Mine.

【38】 After Xiao Long and I got out of the car and read the notice, it turned out to be a holiday notice from Qi He Kuang mine.

Qihe Mine has ceased production.

【39】 Qi He Kuang mine has ceased production.

I don't know when production stopped, and Zhao Xiaoguo didn't report it either; I'm furious.

【40】 I don't know when it stopped production at all, and Zhao Xiaoguo didn't report it either; I'm furious.

Once prosperous, Qihe Mine has declined sharply due to the shutdown.

【41】 Once prosperous Qi He Kuang mine has declined sharply due to the shutdown.

Xiao Long pounded hard on the mine's main gate,

【42】 Xiao Long pounded hard on the mine's main gate,

Only after a long while did a security guard come out.

【43】 Only after a long while did a security guard come out.

That guard wore his hat askew,

【44】 The guard wore his hat askew,

He shouted at us, "Damn, who are you? What are you pounding the gate for? What do you want? Can't you see we're on holiday?"

【45】 and shouted at us: "Damn, who are you, banging on what door, what do you want, can't you see we're on holiday?"

Xiao Long said, "You're blind, you dog; this is our group's chairman—call the mine manager quickly."

【46】 Xiao Long said: "You're blind, dog-eyed—this is our group's chairman; quickly call your mine director."

"'What chairman? We don't have a chairman, and the mine manager isn't here—get lost,' the guard yelled."

【47】 "What chairman? We don't have a chairman, and the mine director isn't at the mine—you guys should leave," the guard yelled.

Xiao Long wanted to say more, but I signaled him not to argue with the guard.

【48】 Xiao Long still wanted to say something, but I signaled him not to argue with the guard.

At that moment I took out a pack of cigarettes from my pocket and handed it to the guard via the automatic door,

【49】 At that moment I took out a pack of cigarettes from my pocket and handed it to the guard via the automatic door,

The guard looked at it,

【50】 The guard glanced at it,

Then he smiled and said, "It's you, big brother, you're perceptive. What do you want with our Zhao mine manager?"

【51】 then smiled: "Still this big brother, you're savvy. What do you want with our Mine Director Zhao?"

"'Oh, just a small matter; we're friends of Zhao Mine Manager, coming to have a drink with him. I wanted to give him a surprise,' I said with a laugh."

【52】 "Oh, just a small matter—we're friends of Mine Director Zhao, came over to have a drink with him. Want to give him a little surprise," I said with a smile.

"'Ah, I see; since you're friends of Zhao Mine Manager, that's easy.' The guard glanced at the clock on the wall."

【53】 "Oh, that's it—since you're friends of Mine Director Zhao, no problem." The guard glanced at the clock hanging inside the room.

Then he added, "At this time, Zhao Mine Manager should be playing cards at the town's entertainment center."

【54】 Then he added: "At this time, Mine Director Zhao should be playing cards at the town's entertainment center."

I asked, "Which entertainment center?"

【55】 I asked: "Which entertainment center?"

The guard whispered, "Kuaile Lin; it's the only entertainment center in town, run by a Northeastern woman, and it has hostesses. It's quite fun."

【56】 The guard whispered: "Huailin—it's the only entertainment center in town, run by a Northeastern woman, with hostesses. It's quite fun."

After hearing that, I thanked the guard,

【57】 After hearing that, I thanked the guard,

Then I took Xiao Long and left.

【58】 then took Xiao Long and left.

We quickly found that entertainment center called Kuaile Lin in town,

【59】 We quickly found that entertainment center called Huailin in town,

I recognized the place at once; it was Jianjun's transportation company.

After Jianjun got out of prison, he followed me for a few years doing transport, earned some money, then sold the vehicle and retired to enjoy a comfortable life in Qi He.

I never expected that he would turn his transport company into an entertainment city.

I walked to the doorway and thought to myself, this place is truly wondrous; it was originally a warehouse that Zhou Hailong used to steal coal, then became Jianjun's transport company.

Now it has become the dazzling, wine‑filled center of the entertainment city.

None of it is legitimate business.

Xiao Long supported me as we entered the entertainment center,

Since it was only early afternoon, there weren't many customers inside.

I went straight to the front desk and asked,

"Zhao Mine Director is in that room playing; I'm his friend, I came to find him and play."

The front desk immediately replied, "It's in the Supreme Hall on the second floor. I'll take you there."

I shook my head, said "no need," and let Xiao Long support me up to the second floor.

We soon arrived at the doorway of the Supreme Hall,

I hadn't even entered yet when I heard the Mahjong machines clattering inside; no need to ask, they were playing Mahjong.

The room's door was open,

Zhao Xiaoguo sat at the back of the doorway, and a woman dressed rather lightly sat beside him, watching him play cards.

They were all watching the Mahjong intently.

I entered the room and went unnoticed.

I walked to the back of Zhao Xiaoguo,

At that moment, Zhao Xiaoguo lifted a tile,

"Red Dragon, damn it, my luck is terrible today, all I drew are useless tiles."

I then raised my arm,

and swung it straight at Zhao Xiaoguo's head,

"Zhao Xiaoguo, the coal mine has shut down, and you still have the nerve to play cards here. I'm going to make you play."

Zhao Xiaoguo's head took a slap, and he immediately turned around, cursing, "Damn... brother, why did you come?"

He turned, and I slapped his face again; the woman was startled and jumped away.

I was already furious,

seeing my own younger brother so unambitious,

all I could do was vent my anger with my fists.

After beating Zhao Xiaoguo, I grabbed the Mahjong tiles from the table and tossed them everywhere,

"I let you play, I let you hit."

The other few people quickly stood up,

pointing at me, they said, "Who are you, daring to smash the Happy Forest venue? You must be looking for death."

One of the men even tried to punch me.

Xiao Long immediately blocked with his hand,

then his fist flew straight and struck the man's neck,

and the man fell to the ground.

So the other two men shouted and ran out of the room,

"Quick, call someone, shout the boss, someone's smashing the Happy Forest venue!"

I ignored them.

Zhao Xiaoguo stared at me, too scared to speak,

The woman beside him hurried to Zhao Xiaoguo's side, rubbed his reddened swollen face, and asked concernedly, "Dear, does it hurt?"