Chapter 62

Bulldozers rumbled as they leveled houses, bricks and tiles shattering in large swathes, eaves and beams snapping and collapsing, kicking up rolling clouds of dust.

Such commotion drew many onlookers from the neighborhood — old men and women carrying cloth bags of groceries, office workers gnawing on fried cakes and chive boxes — gathering in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

"How come Old Zhang's house got demolished before the shantytown renovation intent letters were even sent down?"

"Seems his son's rushing to get married, couldn't scrape together the bride price the girl's family demanded, so he sold the house."

"What a waste, in a little while they'd have been able to move into new apartments."

"Hah, who can say for sure, old city renovation's been brought up year after year……"

Qin Shi was slightly stunned; the topic of Old Factory Street's demolition had been discussed more and more heatedly lately, but he hadn't expected bulldozers to drive right in today.

He stood at the edge of the crowd, listening to the snatches of conversation drifting from all sides.

"The small hotels and massage parlors on Xinghua Road, a lot of the shops have already been bought up."

"Tenants on Wei Gong Street wouldn't move, and thugs even showed up at their doors splashing paint."

"No renovation's even started, why are these people making such a big move?"

"New city development, commercial properties are worth far more than residences……"

Lin Yunqing frowned:

"Old city shantytown renovation, old building demolition — the documents haven't come down yet, so how come people have already started circling the land?"

She'd heard Elder Brother Lin Xiaohan mention before that the urban planning had deliberately avoided Dangyang East Suburbs because of historical legacy issues.

For instance the military factory explosion, and also the old city's large area, complex resident composition, involving military industry, veteran families, even martyrs' descendants.

Plus these years Hengzhou had maintained a conservative attitude of external blockade, causing this major project, this great engineering work, to never be able to land properly.

But recently the wind direction seems to have shifted; rumors came from somewhere in the Urban Circle that Hengzhou was going to open the blockade.

Word has it the Imperial Capital is preparing to activate the "Revitalize the Borderlands" strategic plan.

And it's to be pushed forward comprehensively, from all aspects and all directions.

Lin Yunqing wasn't clear on the truth of it either, and asked Elder Brother Lin Xiaohan.

The latter was vague and evasive, brushing it off.

Qin Shi shrugged, not finding it surprising at all:

"Information flows top-down, while wealth flows in exactly the opposite direction.

Circling land early, converting residences into storefronts, then getting more demolition compensation later — it's a very common operation."

He suddenly thought of Cheng Ze, that Beiguan Street boss, the so-called big job he took on — maybe it was this?

Beep beep, a piercing horn squeezed through the crowd, a sedan driving into the chaotic street.

A tall thin man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, letting the driver open the car door for him.

Shiny leather shoes stepping on the ground, then he emerged from the back seat covering his nose.

He pointed at the surrounding shops as if no one else existed:

"This block, and that one, get them as soon as possible. A Biao, Hao Ge appreciates you, that's why he let you take over the Yi Quan Society — you need to know gratitude."

The baby-faced youth who'd appeared at the Midnight Palace before followed behind, expression troubled:

"Brother Ji, the people living here are all factory workers' families, they're not willing to sell."

The gold-rimmed glasses man's face darkened:

"That's why I'm telling you to find a way! Cut water, cut electricity, release snakes, set fires…… use all the debt-collection methods your Brother Ze used before! We're not refusing to pay!

That unlucky bastard who mortgaged his property deed the other day — wasn't that how it was done? Dragged him in to play a few rounds, rolling interest drove him to bankruptcy!"

A Biao lowered his head, pleaded:

"Brother Ji, I grew up in this area, lots of neighbors know my parents……"

The gold-rimmed glasses man was very impatient:

"That's even better, explain it clearly to them, take the money and leave early, don't dream of getting rich from demolition!

Some money, even if it falls on the ground, isn't for them to pick up! Understand?"

A Biao's lips moved, still wanting to say something, but a slap from the gold-rimmed glasses man, whose patience was exhausted, landed on his face.

"Let you work, just work properly! What's with all the nonsense! Want to be like your boss? Hao Ge gave him face, handed the construction company's big job to him! Result — he dragged his feet, still unwilling! Can't even seize a chance to get rich, deserves to eat shit all his life…… A Ze, when did you get here?"

The gold-rimmed glasses man adjusted his frames, turned and saw Cheng Ze approaching with a few little brothers.

He subconsciously stepped back two paces, quickly switching to a smiling face:

"A Ze, long time no see! Heard Hao Ge had you buying land and collecting shops, a fat assignment! The one Hao Ge values most is you!"

Cheng Ze glanced at the baby-faced youth with swollen cheek and reddened eyes, then looked back at the gold-rimmed glasses man:

"Luo Ge, the young subordinate isn't quick-witted, why get such a big fire, it hurts the liver."

This Beiguan Street boss seemed not to hear the gold-rimmed glasses man's contemptuous cursing, still perfectly amiable.

"A Ze, not that I'm saying it, but you used to be too gentle with your subordinates, made them all not know how to do things.

The boss speaks, the little brothers just obey — isn't that how it works?"

The gold-rimmed glasses man named "Luo Ji" smiled without warmth:

"Hao Ge hates the disobedient type most, likes self-willed wild dogs. House-raised ones, give them a bone and they still know to bark; wild dogs can't be tamed, won't even move when you tell them to bite."

The baby-faced youth with head bowed suddenly raised it — he'd swallowed the slap just now, but now unconsciously clenched his fists.

Cheng Ze's little brothers behind him also glared angrily, staring at Luo Ji who was in charge of the Yi Quan Society.

This kind of face-to-face yin-yang sarcasm was more insulting than a slap.

"A Ze, you've been a boss too, you say — am I right?"

Luo Ji watched Cheng Ze leisurely, as if full of confidence.

But truthfully, he was also uneasy inside.

Hao Ge hadn't taken over Yu Hai Construction yet; back when the Old Master was in charge.

Cheng Ze, known as the "Tiger General," excels at killing and seizing territory; with just two hunting rifles he could hold down a sand-dredging boat.

If things truly turn ugly, it's hard to say who would come off worse.

"Luo Ge's words are not without reason."

Cheng Ze fished out his cigarette case, shook one loose, and clamped it between his lips.

"The underlings do need teaching, but A Biao followed me after all, so Luo Ge, give me some face."

Tsk, the tiger has turned into a sick cat.

Still has a bit of brains.

Luo Ji smiled, pushed his glasses up again, and tilted his chin:

"I'm just anxious; Brother A Ze, you don't know that Hao Ge's business hasn't been going smoothly lately — a while back the Inspection Team set its sights on Yu Hai Pharmaceutical and sealed off several warehouses at the dock.

On the City Construction side, the Education Bureau is launching some rectification and reform campaign, wearing us out plenty.

The documents look set to come down soon; if progress can't catch up, it'll delay the company's development."

Cheng Ze held the cigarette in his mouth, expression calm:

"I'll speed up the land purchase……"

Luo Ji shook his head:

"No need. Let A Biao handle it. As for that batch of goods in the warehouse, trouble Brother A Ze to keep an eye on it; once Hao Ge works his connections, get it out fast."

"Fine."

Cheng Ze raised no objection at all; after agreeing, he left with his little brothers in tow.

Qin Shi, in the crowd, watched Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng trailing behind Brother Ze, and saw disappointment and dejection on their faces.

With twin fists he beat down Beiguan Street; a Cheng Ze who staked his life for wealth and rank — in Brother Yuan and Brother Cheng's world, he was the concrete embodiment of "making something of oneself."

Yet today Brother Ze's retreat shattered the two men's "big-shot dream" completely.

So the Beiguan Street big brother who watches the scene and backs his little brothers is nothing more than the Big Boss's dog, without a shred of dignity.

"What do they do?"

Lin Yunqing gazed at the two groups, puzzlement in her eyes.

The Eldest Miss has never seen the bottom-layer gangs; she thinks it's just some foremen meeting there.

"People who scrape a living on this turf."

Qin Shi answered flatly.

"The difference is, one is happy to drink blood, the other can't let go of face."

The onlookers whispered, feeling that Brother Ze of Beiguan Street was rather too cowardly.

Let someone point at his nose and curse, and he doesn't dare make a sound.

"He's already the boss, lives in a big house and drives a luxury car — how can he go around chopping people at the drop of a hat!"

"Right; if you ask me, Brother Ze still cares about neighborhood ties — not like Brother Ji, who acts without mercy!"

"Let's go, let's go; thank goodness my place wasn't targeted by them, or they'd splash paint and release rats, and life would be unbearable……"

Qin Shi frowned, wondering if these people would stir up trouble for him.

He thought to warn his youngest, Qin Lan, lest something unexpected blow up.

"We really should move out early; once the redevelopment documents come down, things here are sure to get chaotic."

"Assistant Teacher Qin, I heard the chicken frames on Old Factory Street are good — can you take me there?"

Lin Yunqing withdrew her gaze and said eagerly.

"They only set up stall in the afternoon; I'll treat you to a steamer of beef shumai instead."

Considering he'd still need to freeload off Teacher Lin's Virtual Combat Room and High-Energy Food Cans later, Qin Shi swallowed the pain and invested ten yuan, brushing up the dog woman's favorability.

"Heh, a man, can't hold back! Actively treating me to food — ironclad secret crush!"

Lin Yunqing recalled the teaching content of the "High Charm Cultivation Guide" again,

The opposite sex taking the initiative to show goodwill means favorability exists.

Qin Shi had no idea his behavior had given Lin Yunqing a misunderstanding; otherwise he would surely have cursed inwardly, "Confident woman, really a turn-off."

Right now it was the morning market, lively and bustling.

Qin Shi, merging into the crowd with Lin Yunqing, suddenly recalled the fleeting breath he had just captured.

Under Inner Vision State + Super-sensory Perception, that Brother Ze's killing intent and malice were like a thick, indissolvable red, mixed with a bone-chilling black.

"Sick cat? I wouldn't be so sure."

(Chapter End)