Chapter 210

"Who do you want to see?" Shangguan Zhuren asked.

"That's Ding Li." I said.

"Why?" Shangguan Zhuren continued to ask.

I think this guy's appearance is quite upright; I don't know why he got mixed up in society. Daring to come rescue Lao Wai in the middle of the night shows he values loyalty.

Later, if we're short-handed, we might be able to use him. Besides, I've already agreed to drink with him tonight, so I'll see if he shows up." I said.

"They won't call the police, will they? Don't ruin our big plan." Shangguan Zhuren worried a little.

"They won't, because what they do is also something that can't see the light of day. This Lao Wai has never walked the right path." I said.

"Alright then, we'll only wait for him one day. If he doesn't come, we'll leave quickly." Shangguan Zhuren took a puff of cigarette.

"Okay, I'll first help Lao Wai into the house. Anyway, I've got the bewildering incense in hand. After seeing Ding Li, we'll leave." I said.

After saying that, I carried the sleeping Lao Wai who had collapsed on the ground into the house and let him sleep well.

The next day, Shangguan Zhuren arranged for Xiao Fang to go to the bank to withdraw fifty thousand yuan.

I said to Shangguan Zhuren, "You really intend to give Lao Wai money."

"That's only natural; we must keep our word. Besides, we can use this money to buy Lao Wai's silence, just in case he talks." Shangguan Zhuren said.

"Alright, anyway Lao Wai has no other income; this amount is enough for him to spend for a while." I glanced at Lao Wai, still in a stupor inside the house.

This bewildering incense has a characteristic: if not detoxified with water, its toxic effect spreads very slowly.

Some people can sleep for a whole day without waking.

Time quickly came to evening; Shangguan Zhuren had already let Xiao Fang start packing luggage. We need to prepare to leave here.

Lao Wai had already woken up,

He looked at us without speaking.

He looks uncomfortable; I guess his head hurts a lot now.

I poured him a cup of water and had him drink it down.

After a while,

Lao Wai shed tears,

"Big brother, don't silence me. I can ask for less money."

Seeing Lao Wai crying,

I just wanted to laugh in my heart; if he knew I was Zhao Jianqiang right now, what would he think?

I said, "The money is already prepared—fifty thousand yuan, not a cent less. We'll release you after Ding Li arrives."

"I can call Ding Li and urge him to hurry over." Lao Wai broke into a smile through tears.

This Lao Wai switches between crying and laughing really fast.

Just then, someone knocked on the gate outside the courtyard.

I walked out of the house to open the door,

Just before stepping out, I said to Lao Wai, "If the person coming is Ding Li, you'll be fine; if it's not Ding Li, you're done for."

After hearing me finish, Lao Wai collapsed onto the chair and began to pray.

I opened the door—it really was Ding Li.

Ding Li saw me and clasped his fist.

"Since you're a friend of Brother Yong, you're also my friend, Ding Li. I came today especially to meet you, big brother, which is also an honor for me, Ding Li."

I said, "Ding Li brother, please have a seat inside."

Shangguan Zhuren had already prepared the dishes in the kitchen.

At this moment I shouted toward the house,

"Lao Wai, don't worry, it's Ding Li who's come."

Lao Wai rushed out of the house in three quick steps,

and threw his arms around Ding Li,

"Brother, you've finally come."

Ding Li said to Lao Wai, "Everything between you two has been settled."

I said, "Everything's settled; let's sit down and drink."

We four sat at the dining table,

Ding Li opened the liquor,

"Big brother, may I ask how to address you?"

I said, "My surname is Zhou; you can call me Big Brother Zhou. This is Big Brother Shangguan. We're a few years older than you. I'm very happy to meet a new friend in Zaocheng's old city district."

Ding Li hurriedly poured us drinks,

Then he said, "I'll drink first as a toast. May I ask what business you're in, Big Brother Zhou?"

I laughed heartily and said, "Real estate agency, renting out houses. A small-scale business."

Upon hearing that,

Ding Li sighed, "Big Brother Zhou, to be frank, I've been in the wholesale clothing business these years, but it's been poor in winter. I came today to discuss with you two big brothers whether there are other options. Since you know Brother Yong, I don't treat you as outsiders."

Lao Wai also sighed from the side, "What Ding Li brother says is true,

"Clothing is really tough these days; you also saw me set up a street stall all night without making a sale. That bewildering incense of yours—..."

I quickly covered Lao Wai's mouth,

"You're talking too much; if you want that fifty thousand yuan, speak less, got it?"

Lao Wai immediately fell silent.

Ding Li laughed,

Zhou big brother, I understand, some things cannot be inquired about; this Lao Wai brother came out of prison, has no other income, and just follows me to set up a street stall. He can just support himself. Now I still have more than ten people behind me; thinking about them makes me worried.

I'm afraid these people won't get enough to eat, and if they come up with bad ideas again, it will be troublesome.

Ding Li brother, I see you as an upright person; how did you get onto this path of mixing in society?" I asked, not understanding.

Shangguan Zhuren at the side also said: "Right, I see your hands don't look like they do heavy work, and they're slender, like they hold a pen. How did you end up mixing in society?"

Ding Li let out a long sigh.

"Two big brothers, some things are hard to put into words; I originally had a proper job, but I quit because of an accident. Shangguan big brother, you judged truly accurately; I have been practicing calligraphy all along, wanting to make a way in calligraphy, but after a long time I haven't achieved anything. In the past two years, I helped people imitate writing to forge documents, got into trouble, was sued, and ended up having to pay so much that I was left penniless."

"Anyway, I'm a person who can't accomplish anything; I can only mix in society, what else can I do?"

Upon hearing Ding Li's sigh,

I laughed.

"Brother, haven't you heard? When the flood dragon hasn't appeared, one hides among fish and turtles; when a gentleman misses his opportunity, he bows to petty people. You're just lacking luck; when your luck arrives, you'll have smooth prosperity."

After hearing my words,

Ding Li lifted his cup.

"I hope that after knowing the two big brothers, I can truly have smooth prosperity."

Mixing at the bottom is too hard. People bully me all day. Damn it. Living like this is meaningless.

Lao Wai said: "When the time comes, bring me along; I, Lao Wai, also understand strategy, I can plan and control everything under heaven."

After listening to Lao Wai finish speaking,

Haha, I laughed: "Lao Wai, later take the fifty thousand dollars and enjoy your life well. Don't get involved in our business; it's a matter of life and death."

"If you want to participate, you must not take that fifty thousand dollars."

As soon as I said that, Lao Wai just drank alcohol and didn't speak.

We and Ding Li drank a lot of alcohol.

Everyone happily dispersed.

As they were about to leave, Shangguan Zhuren gave the fifty thousand dollars to Lao Wai.

Lao Wai happily took the money.

I and Ding Li left contact information.

"Why do I need to know Ding Li? I currently need to know new people, to use new people to help me with work."

"He knows Shi Yong; with this connection, I also feel relieved."

Everyone has their own strengths; maybe sometime they can be used. People like Lao Wai have their own strengths; both he and I can use them, and Ding Li will definitely be able to use them in the future.

I guess I've made another friend.

After Ding Li and Lao Wai left,

Shangguan Zhuren said to me: "Let's hurry and pack our luggage and leave; we can't stay here another minute, it's too dangerous."