Chapter 312: Chief Liu's Dinner

Even after hanging up the phone, Ye Cheng still had a bewildered expression.

A police station chief invited me to a meal, seeming to have something he needed my help with; I couldn't figure it out.

He carefully went over his own attributes, and it seemed that besides being able to go out to sea to gather, there was nothing else people would value.

Could it be that he wants to rent a boat to go out to sea?

Or maybe he plans to have me help fish for things?

After thinking for a long time, Ye Cheng still couldn't figure it out, so he might as well go along—if there's food, he'll eat.

Since Chief Liu was treating him to a meal, Ye Cheng didn't feel comfortable bringing Xiao Hu along, so he could only bring a few packs of good cigarettes as backup.

Ye Cheng rode his motorcycle and arrived at Lao Zheng Restaurant at 5:30 p. m.; Liu Jin didn't show up until nearly 6:00.

However, he didn't come alone; he brought along a big-headed, big-eared guy with an arrogant look.

He walked into the private room, gave a slightly disdainful glance, then said to Liu Jin,

"Chief Liu, the restaurants in your town are so shabby."

Liu Jin laughed embarrassedly, "Boss Gao, nothing in our town can compare to yours—we're just a small place."

Boss Gao shook his head, sat down arrogantly in the seat of honor, and didn't even regard Liu Jin.

Ye Cheng watched silently, saying nothing.

Today's meal was a bit strange; I originally thought Liu Jin was the host and would ask me to help with something.

Now it seems Boss Gao is the main character today.

"Let's order first—do you have any game here?" Boss Gao said to Liu Jin.

From the moment Boss Gao entered, he basically just glanced at Ye Cheng once, making Ye Cheng feel like he might have walked into the wrong meal.

"Boss Gao, shall I introduce Ye Cheng to you first?" Liu Jin said, bowing slightly.

Boss Gao gave Ye Cheng a sideways glance; Ye Cheng was wearing coarse cloth clothes, clearly a fisherman or villager, and Boss Gao said with a hint of disdain,

"Let's talk later—first order the dishes."

"All right, I'll have the waiter bring the dishes." Liu Jin gave Ye Cheng an embarrassed glance, then showed an apologetic expression.

Looking at this, Liu Jin also seemed to be forced to come; to make a police station chief act so obsequiously, Boss Gao must have a very strong background.

As soon as the cold dishes arrived, Ye Cheng started eating by himself.

Your arrogance is your own; it's none of my business.

Boss Gao looked at Ye Cheng with great dissatisfaction, having no manners at all.

Seeing this, Liu Jin hurriedly began to speak.

"Boss Gao, this is Ye Cheng from Baiyun Village; the crayfish are sold by his village."

"Ye Cheng, this is Boss Gao of Fuyue Lou in the city; he wants to talk to you about the crayfish."

Crayfish?

After all that talk, today is actually about the crayfish.

"Our village's crayfish already have a buyer; I don't know what Boss Gao wants to discuss." Out of respect for Liu Jin's face, Ye Cheng not immediately losing his temper was already quite decent.

Boss Gao took out a pack of Soft Hua Zi cigarettes from his bag, gave one to Liu Jin, didn't give any to Ye Cheng, and then said matter-of-factly,

"Like this, our restaurant has taken a liking to your crayfish; from now on you just sell your crayfish to us, and the price can be negotiated."

Ye Cheng narrowed his eyes, glanced at the fat man, and said calmly,

"Boss Gao, our crayfish output is limited; we're currently supplying another buyer. If you want some, we can send over the surplus, but it's not much—maybe only about twenty kilograms a day."

This is the current crayfish output of Ye Cheng and his group—not due to lack of manpower, but because gathering crayfish is difficult.

Boss Qian needs about a hundred kilograms a day on his end; if we work hard, we might be able to free up about twenty kilograms.

With a businesslike attitude, Ye Cheng had barely managed to keep his temper in check just now.

Hearing Ye Cheng say that, Boss Gao was obviously displeased; he glanced at Liu Jin.

Liu Jin understood—it was now his turn to speak.

He really didn't want to say such things, but since the other party had come pulling strings, he could only force himself to say it.

"Ye Cheng, look, couldn't you spare a bit more? Boss Gao also genuinely wants it."

Ye Cheng shook his head straightforwardly,

"The output is just this much now; it's impossible to have a lot left over, and I can't guarantee how much we'll have each day."

"Then it's simple—just give me Lao Qian's goods directly." Boss Gao said in an overbearing way.

Ye Cheng heard that and frowned,

"Boss Gao, do you know Boss Qian?"

"Hmph, I deal in high-end business; he takes the civilian route, so we're acquainted, I guess."

After saying that, Boss Gao seemed unsatisfied and continued,

"Let me tell you, you in the countryside don't understand city matters; if you sold your crayfish at my place, it would definitely boost your fame. To put it bluntly, only a few customers in our shop ask for it; otherwise, your crayfish wouldn't even get into our store."

Seeing his arrogant attitude, Ye Cheng became a bit unwilling to talk.

CNMD, I've been to plenty of high-end restaurants; I don't need your little worldliness.

Seeing Ye Cheng's unpleasant expression, Liu Jin knew things were going to go bad.

Ye Cheng isn't some ignorant villager; he's strong and capable, currently the most prominent figure in Baiyun Village—how could he tolerate such talk?

"Ye Cheng, Boss Gao means you could sell at a higher price at his place." Liu Jin hurriedly tried to smooth things over, his attitude poor—who would complain about making more money?

"Right, I can buy your crayfish at twenty percent more than Boss Qian; you'd make quite a bit more—how about that?" Boss Gao looked at Ye Cheng with a condescending expression.

"Sorry, I'm not short on money, so I value honesty in business. Since I promised Boss Qian, I will definitely prioritize his supply." Ye Cheng said coldly, not even mentioning giving the extra to Boss Gao.

Hearing Ye Cheng say that, Boss Gao's face darkened,

"Is it Ye Cheng? You have money but don't intend to make any?"

"I care more about face." Ye Cheng shot back bluntly.

"You!" Boss Gao instantly flared up upon hearing it, slammed the table and stood up,

"Let me tell you, don't think only you can handle crayfish; yours is just a spicy crayfish, we can make it ourselves too—by then you won't even be able to cry."

"Besides, with that little money of yours, wanting to compete with our restaurant? I can buy up all the crayfish in the surrounding villages in a split second—then you'll know what suffering is."

Want to play the self-harm-to-hurt-others trick, huh? Interesting.

Ye Cheng couldn't care less; besides, he was planning to open a farm anyway—someone driving up the market price is exactly what he wants.

"Then I'll thank Boss Gao on behalf of the villagers."

Having said that, Ye Cheng rose directly and said to Liu Jin,

"Chief Liu, I sense a whiff of money around here—I'm heading out first."

Liu Jin looked speechless; just go if you're going, and yet you say the place smells a bit— isn't that just insulting Boss Gao?