Chapter 87: Even Though I Paid the Operating Fees, You Still Want to Generate Extra Revenue

Lu Chen nodded slightly, a flash of curiosity appearing in his eyes.

This must be the place where Xiao Huangmao works, right?

"Big Boss, why have you come here?"

Xiao Huangmao, his face dirty, carried a crate on his thin shoulders, set it down by his feet, and walked quickly to Lu Chen.

He looked left and right before speaking in a low voice.

"Wait a moment, I'm going to ask the foreman for leave after I finish moving this crate; things haven't been peaceful around here lately."

"Alright."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and looked toward the busy pier, making no other moves.

Calling it a pier is a bit of a stretch; it is actually just a Tianran Gang, completely incomparable to Victoria Harbour, yet it appeared exceptionally lively right now.

Wooden sailboats, small motorboats, and even some rowboats.

It isn't large, and you can see from one end to the other at a glance; it is a decent Tianran Gang, and if it were tidied up a bit and dredged further, it might just become another high-quality deep-water port for Xianggang.

"Old Wang, check who owns this land, and buy it regardless of the price."

Lu Chen glanced at Steward Wang and spoke softly.

"Understood."

Steward Wang nodded slightly and replied in a low voice, though the look of vigilance on his face did not diminish.

Like Chen Mo, he scanned the surroundings from time to time.

Before long, Xiao Huangmao came running over, panting.

"Big Boss, would you like to come sit at my place? It's not far from here."

Xiao Huangmao looked around before pointing in a direction.

"Let's go."

Lu Chen nodded with a smile and tossed a 555 cigarette to Xiao Huangmao.

Xiao Huangmao caught it happily, sniffed it under his nose, and then lit it.

"Big Boss, it's been very chaotic lately; there are fights every night."

Xiao Huangmao walked beside Lu Chen with a light step; although he was still a bit out of breath, he was doing much better than before.

"By the way, there's something strange—we're being relocated here. They calculate it based on the house, at least 20,000 Hong Kong dollars per household, and more for larger ones. Do you think I should sign the contract?"

As Xiao Huangmao spoke, he looked at Lu Chen, his eyes shining.

It was as if he carried a glimmer of hope.

"Tell me specifically, how did they advertise it to you all?"

Lu Chen spoke softly with a smile on his face.

He took a puff of his cigarette and kept his pace in sync with Xiao Huangmao's.

"They said they'd give 20,000 Hong Kong dollars in compensation for tearing down the house, and after the new building is finished, we'd get a unit of the same size—in an apartment building! They pay all the rent for the years we're moved out, and they also guarantee that no matter which gang it is, they've got it covered."

Xiao Huangmao counted on his fingers as he spoke, then looked up and continued,

"The gangs do acknowledge this, but it seems they still collect a certain protection fee privately after we get the money."

"Fine, I understand."

Lu Chen frowned, then spoke to Chen Mo.

"Notify Feizai; I want an explanation for this matter."

Lu Chen paused, then looked at Steward Wang.

"Notify Manager Zhao and see if he is aware of this situation and how it is being handled."

Steward Wang nodded slightly without speaking.

Xiao Huangmao was stunned, looked back all around, then let out a long breath and started walking again into the alley.

"Big Boss, this is my home. It's a bit run-down, so please don't mind."

It was a small courtyard enclosed by corrugated iron, with windows patched with newspaper and some tin patches on the roof.

Although it looked dilapidated, it was generally quite clean.

Lu Chen nodded, stepped into the courtyard, and sat on a small stool.

"Big Boss, is it your company doing the relocation?"

Xiao Huangmao asked cautiously, a look of doubt on his face.

Lu Chen nodded and tossed another pack of 555 to Xiao Huangmao.

"If you have any questions, just ask; we're all on the same side."

"Then I'll say it—I heard that those who were charged protection fees all received a bit of extra compensation."

Xiao Huangmao glanced cautiously at the door and spoke in a low voice.

"It's not that your company doesn't know those thugs are collecting protection fees, it's just not said openly. I heard that they either paid a few extra months of rent or gave a sum of money larger than the protection fee. I don't know if your company can handle that."

"The company doesn't care about such small change, but what's this about the gangs charging a second fee?"

Lu Chen frowned and asked directly.

He then paused for a moment and immediately waved his hand with a smile.

"Xiao Huangmao, I'm not asking you. If you encounter this situation, just do as you've been doing."

Lu Chen turned back, nodded to Steward Wang, and then stood up.

"Alright, since you've taken the day off, get some good rest and go back to work tomorrow. I have some things to attend to, so I'll be going now."

Steward Wang stepped forward and slipped a kraft paper envelope to Xiao Huangmao.

Lu Chen then navigated the winding alleys back to the main street.

Nitan remained deathly still, yet carried a hint of vitality.

After returning to the Zhuangyuan, Chen Mo and Butler Wang immediately went to get busy.

Lu Chen sat alone on the sofa in the reception hall, silently smoking a Cigar.

After a long while, President Zhao returned to the Zhuangyuan.

"BOSS."

President Zhao called out and stood beside the sofa, not continuing to speak, just silently watching Lu Chen.

"Chenhui, sit."

Lu Chen pointed to the sofa beside him and tossed a Cigar to Zhao Chenhui.

Zhao Chenhui caught the Cigar and sat on the sofa beside Lu Chen.

He silently began to warm it up.

It was only after taking a puff that he spoke.

"BOSS, I know you are not satisfied with this proposal."

His tone was slightly bitter, but mostly calm.

"Protecting the company's interests at the lowest cost is your specialty, and there is no problem with this proposal."

Lu Chen sighed, took a puff of his Cigar, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

He glanced at Zhao Chenhui and patted the armrest of the sofa.

He signaled for Zhao Chenhui to relax a bit.

"The problem is that this proposal will only make those gangs' appetites grow larger and larger; a little money can satisfy them now, but what about later?"

"We are established in Nitan and will still have to deal with these gangs in the future; it is understandable to give these gangs an operating fee, but for them to generate revenue, that is not right."

Lu Chen paused, and after seeing that Zhao Chenhui understood his meaning, he continued to speak.

"We can compromise, but not without a bottom line; when the company encounters things it cannot handle, why not contact Chen Mo?"

Zhao Chenhui glanced at Lu Chen and silently took two puffs of his Cigar.

"Didn't you ground President Chen? Besides, the turmoil caused by that matter was indeed too great..."

Lu Chen patted his forehead, and after several seconds, he spoke.

"Just let Chen Mo send people to go; there is no need for Chen Mo to show up himself."

Lu Chen glanced at Zhao Chenhui, noticed the stiffness on his face, and immediately understood.

"You don't need to worry about Chen Mo; the previous matter was just a coincidence where various situations collided. He still has a sense of proportion when handling things; for small matters like this, he won't do that."

Zhao Chenhui nodded, his expression improving slightly; he took two quick puffs of his Cigar and exhaled the smoke.

"I was just afraid that Chen Mo would be impulsive again and cause you trouble; I'm afraid the work in Nitan will have to stop."

"I have already handed it over to Chen Mo to handle; rest assured, he will handle it well."

Lu Chen patted Zhao Chenhui on the shoulder with a gentle smile on his face.

Butler Wang stood at the entrance of the reception hall and knocked lightly on the door.

"Sir, Feizai would like to meet with you tomorrow morning at Zhonghuan Chashi."