Chapter 274: then translation of chapter title

On the afternoon of the third day, Ding Li called me,

He said on the phone, "Zhao Ge, we've located a mysterious place; there are dedicated guards here, all in uniform, and nobody is allowed to approach."

It was Lao Wai who discovered it today.

Lao Wai pretended to be a scrap collector, wandering around the old city district,

He passed an intersection, discovered a mysterious place, and cautiously lay at the entrance to look,

He said there were over a dozen men in black, all pacing around a villa in the courtyard.

Lao Wai tried to go in to pick up scrap, but the black‑clad men quickly drove him away.

He suspected that an important person was being held inside."

Hearing Ding Li say that, I was overjoyed,

I said to Ding Li, "Ding Li, bring Lao Wai over now; we'll question him in detail about the situation."

Ding Li said, "Okay."

Ding Li brought Lao Wai over in the evening.

As soon as Lao Wai entered the courtyard, he shouted, "Damn, what's up? I ran out of incense and came to buy more—this time I'm not selling it for five thousand yuan."

Hearing Lao Wai's voice, I laughed and came out of the house,

After seeing me, Lao Wai tilted his head to look at me,

I said, "Lao Wai, what's wrong? Don't you recognize me?"

Ding Li said from the side, "Lao Wai, this is Zhao Ge; hurry up and greet him."

"Zhao Ge, aren't you surnamed Zhou?" Lao Wai asked.

I laughed and said, "Lao Wai, I can't go through life without you; I first met you in Qi He, then again in Lanling. Our feelings grew warmer in prison

"More than ten years have passed—who would have thought we'd meet again in the old city district."

After I finished speaking, Lao Wai jumped back, pointed at me, and shouted, "You're really Zhao Jianqiang!"

I said, "Don't get so worked up—we're old friends; come inside and sit."

"'Ah, if you're Zhao Jianqiang, I wouldn't even acknowledge you, you brat—you've ruined me,"

"'Ever since I saw you, my luck has been terrible."

"'You don't see me as your sworn brother at all. Zhao Jianqiang, humph, I know you too well.' Lao Wai shouted.

Then Shi Yong said from the side, "Lao Wai bro, enough—my older brother thinks of you every few days; you forgot, when you were in prison he specially arranged for me to visit you. Hurry inside."

Lao Wai straightened his head,

Looking at me, he said, "Let's be clear, Zhao Jianqiang—we're old acquaintances; stop scheming and plotting against me."

At this point I told Ding Li, "Ding Li, quickly bring Lao Wai inside; we still have important questions for him."

Ding Li then took Lao Wai's hand,

"'Lao Wai, come on, go inside and tell us what you saw today.'

Our group then entered the house,

Xiao Fang and Shen Honghong were watching TV.

As soon as Lao Wai entered and saw the two women, his gaze changed,

He laughed happily and said, "Oh, there are women in the house—why didn't you say so? Zhao Jianqiang, I knew you'd like this."

This Lao Wai started spouting nonsense again.

Shangguan Zhuren immediately had Xiao Fang and Shen Honghong go to the inner room.

Making space, he let Lao Wai sit down.

I took out a cigarette and tossed one to Lao Wai,

"'Quickly tell us what you saw today.'

Lao Wai took the cigarette,

"'Zhao Jianqiang, let's be clear: if I'm to help, I must be paid. Over the years I've done so much for you and gotten nothing in return; thinking about it makes me feel cheated. You've let me down badly.'

"'Back in Qi He, without me you couldn't have gotten a foothold.'

"'In Lanling, without me you couldn't have accomplished anything big.'

"'In prison, without me you couldn't have gotten out easily.'

"'Today, without me you couldn't get anything done.'

Give Lao Wai a little face and he thinks he's heaven,

I suddenly shouted at Lao Wai, "Enough, Lao Wai—who uses whom, we all know it; you bring up the past, but without me you'd have been beaten to death by Zhou Hailong in Qi He long ago."

"'In Lanling, you stole how much money from me when you left.'

"'In prison, without me you could work in the kitchen.'

"'Today I'm still saying that line: without me, you'd better not expect a good second half of your life—believe it or not.'

Hearing me say that, Lao Wai fell silent at once.

As for the past, I haven't let Lao Wai down.

That's why I dare to face him.

Lao Wai was silent for a moment, then laughed and said, "Jianqiang, old brother, the way you put it brings back a lot of memories. Since we can't be separated, let's stick together—anyway I'm already like this, and in old age I'll need someone to support me."

"'I truly count on you for the rest of my life—after all, you're my sworn brother.'

This Lao Wai's talent for going along to get along is truly great.

"'Fine, let me support you—it's not hard. As long as you listen to me and do as we say, you'll have a worry‑free second half of life.' I said to Lao Wai.

"'Really, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.' Lao Wai said happily.

"'Looks like this Lao Wai doesn't do unprofitable business.' Shangguan Zhuren laughed.

"Older brother, I see you are a few years older than me, but I have more experience; I never suffer a loss."

I trust Zhao Jianqiang's words, because he has some reputation.

"Okay, if we cooperate, there will be no distinction between us. I am your sworn elder brother; from now on, you, Zhao Jianqiang, must call me brother. Between us, things should be proper and justified." Lao Wai said proudly.

Hearing Lao Wai say that, my nose almost twisted with anger.

I angrily said: "Calling you brother, so what? Lao Wai brother, tell me what's going on today."

"'Like this? It's more fun to talk while eating and drinking.'" Lao Wai became even more pleased.

"'Xiao Long, go to the restaurant to get wine and dishes; we need to give Lao Wai brother a welcome feast to wash away the dust.'" I said.

Xiao Long went outside and quickly summoned the wine and dishes.

Lao Wai happily drank his wine,

"'Today this wine makes me happy; I've also reunited with my brothers. Sigh, back when I first came out, I thought I'd never see my brothers again, never expecting we would meet in the old city.'"

Brother, older brother, I toast you a cup.

"Let's drink a cup to celebrate our reunion today. Come, everyone drink together. From now on, we are one family. Being a few years older, I'll be your brother; everyone, drink up."

This Lao Wai really isn't an outsider; as soon as he arrived, he called us brother. I really want to kick him out.

We all raised our cups together and drank with Lao Wai. After finishing the wine,

I directly asked: "Lao Wai, quickly tell us what happened today."

Lao Wai said: "Don't rush, have a couple bites of vegetables. Besides, this dish is stir-fried nicely, quite salty; everyone, don't stand on ceremony, hurry and eat while it's hot."

After Lao Wai finished speaking, he picked at the meat back and forth in the dishes and ate.

This Lao Wai really is getting ahead of himself; I'm somewhat angry.

Just as I was about to erupt, Shangguan Zhuren saw that my complexion looked bad,

He stepped on my foot in the dark,

Then he laughed and said: "Everyone, hurry and eat while it's hot; only when we're full and drunk can we have the mood to discuss important matters."

"'Exactly, this older brother is right; the biggest matter is just eating and drinking. Once we're full and drunk, we have time to chat.'" Lao Wai happily raised his wine cup.

I could only also raise my wine cup and drink with Lao Wai.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of dishes.

Lao Wai had eaten about the same amount; at this point, Lao Wai finally spoke about the important situation.