Chapter 371: Wishful thinking

Mai Hangyu was unconvinced: "What era is this? It's not about gangster life—winning over so many people is pointless."

A Qing shook his head: "You don't get it."

Mai Hangyu really didn't understand; he was basically a city kid, and he's only in town because summer vacation brought him back to keep Lao Mai company.

He didn't know the situation in the village.

In the village.

To make a name for oneself, you really need a lot of people.

Without help, you're nothing.

Of course.

Making a name outside and returning with money isn't the same as returning in glory.

Wu An hadn't thought much about it, but after A Qing said that, he really took it to heart.

Probably A Qing was right after all.

Shen Nan helping Lin Hu wasn't just about winning hearts; his help wasn't pure assistance—he also wanted to step on Lin Hu to rise, letting everyone in the village see how much face Shen Nan had.

Even Wu An had to give him some face.

Wishful thinking.

Wu An couldn't help but laugh.

You, Shen Nan, trying to win hearts—why pick Lin Hu and Lin Bin, two like‑minded folks? This is a big landmine, and he's been holding it without setting it off.

Result.

If it were set off, it'd probably blow him sky‑high.

……

Elsewhere.

Shen Nan strode forward with a dark face.

Lin Bin hurried over and said, "A Nan, I'm telling you, that kid Wu An isn't refusing you face—he's just really angry right now."

Shen Nan asked, "What do you mean?"

Lin Bin gave a hehe laugh and said, "He's run into big trouble."

Shen Nan slowed his steps: "What trouble?"

Lin Bin lowered his voice: "His crab pot left at sea was stolen. You know, that kid doesn't even know what dumb luck he had—his sea‑gathering and fishing luck has always been great, and he's made a lot of money."

"He lost the crab pot, a loss of tens of thousands."

Shen Nan glared: "That much money?"

Others listening also chimed in with their opinions.

If they'd lost that much money, they'd really feel heartbroken, so Wu An's bad attitude is understandable.

Shen Nan zeroed in: "How do you know?"

Such good news, he doesn't even know—where did Lin Bin get this info?

Unless…

Lin Bin's eyes flashed: "I heard it from someone too."

"Not many in our village know this, but plenty at the town dock are aware—Wu An even went with the police to investigate."

"Hehe, of course they'll find nothing."

Shen Nan suddenly understood, looked at Lin Bin, smiled, and said, "Your info is pretty well‑connected."

Lin Bin said, "A Nan, feeling better?"

Shen Nan nodded: "Much better."

The two shared a knowing smile.

Shen Nan thought his painstaking recruitment was right—look, Lin Bin just brought him a surprise; if it weren't so sensitive, he'd really want to praise Lin Bin for doing well.

No matter what others think, but from Lin Bin mentioning this, he knows Wu An's stolen crab pot definitely involves Lin Bin.

Why?

Gut feeling!

Or maybe Lin Bin and he are just alike.

He felt his grandfather's worries were unnecessary; since returning to the village, everything's gone smoothly—working with Chen Gui, winning over Lin Bin and others—proving he's done everything right.

The only setback was with Wu An.

Last time messing with that kid almost backfired—he almost lifted a stone only to drop it on his own foot; this time, Wu An again denied him face in front of everyone.

He didn't say anything harsh.

That doesn't mean he wasn't thinking it.

While waiting for the bus, he gulped down milk tea, constantly pondering how to deal with Wu An.

Not long after.

The bus arrived.

Everyone boarded.

Shen Nan planned to buy a car.

Since he's going into business, he definitely needs to look like a boss.

Buying a car is definitely necessary.

Thinking he could soon drive back to the village, Shen Nan's mood improved even more.

……

Leaving the milk tea shop, Mai Hangyu rode off on his bike; Wu An and A Qing didn't follow, already on the street, the two could walk to market on foot.

Wu An asked, "A Qing, we can't go out to sea these next few days; do you have anything?"

A Qing pondered, then said, "Nothing."

Wu An leaned in and whispered a few words to him.

A Qing's eyes lit up: "Brother, are you going to do it?"

Wu An said, "Have you been tailing anyone lately?"

A Qing nodded: "If I can't go out to sea, I'll go tailing."

"Damn, Lin Bin is a piece of shit; as long as Lin Hu isn't home, he climbs over the wall. I swear, if Lin Hu were never home, Lin Bin could move in."

"Today he's still hanging all over Lin Hu, really fucking disgusting."

Wu An looked at his angry face and said, "Where are the photos?"

A Qing chuckled: "They're all saved, plus I have videos, with the dates all marked."

Wu An said: "Good, well done."

A Qing wore a lecherous grin: "Brother, I've also been secretly feeding Lin Hu's dog; we're on good terms now, and when he sees me he doesn't bark randomly."

Wu An heard this and glared: "What are you planning?"

"Also want to learn from Lin Bin's bastard how to climb over the wall?"

A Qing scratched his head: "Is that not allowed?"

"I don't mean anything else; I just want to take some close-up photos."

Wu An snorted: "Lin Hu's wife is pretty, huh?"

A Qing nodded vigorously: "Yeah, yeah, she's beautiful, here, and here, big."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands at his chest and buttocks, utterly lecherous, saying: "She's so slutty, she definitely moans louder than the women in those porn videos."

Wu An kicked him: "Cut that out."

"I'm telling you, don't even think about it."

"Some women, you can't get involved with."

A Qing rubbed his buttocks and said, "Oh," "Got it."

Wu An said: "Send me the photos."

"Let me think how to give the photos to Chen Gui."

A Qing asked: "What do we give Chen Gui for?"

Wu An said: "Make Lin Bin think Chen Gui did it, this matter..."

The two brothers talked as they headed back to the market.

Not long after Wu An left, Boss Fang kicked up his feet, humming a tune, in high spirits—the biggest headache just got resolved.

The glass door suddenly opened.

He looked up and greeted: "You're here."

Gu Anran nodded and said: "Boss, I've rented this storefront."

"As we discussed, it's 9600 per year."

"Take a look..."

Boss Fang felt a bit embarrassed and said: "Beautiful lady, I'm really sorry, but I can't rent this storefront—I've already sold it."

"The other party wants to run their own business."

"So..."

He still felt embarrassed; he had said the rent was 9600 per year, but after they agreed, he backed out—this was underhanded of him.

Boss Fang saw Gu Anran's gloomy expression and said: "Sorry for making you come for nothing; let me buy you a bubble tea."

Gu Anran shook her head: "No thanks."

After saying that.

Then she turned and walked out of the milk tea shop.

She was a bit upset; the milk tea shop isn't large, but the location is suitable, and she liked it.

As it turned out, someone swooped in halfway.

Truly hateful!

Gu Anran didn't dwell on it too long and soon composed herself.

There are plenty of storefronts in town; just look again.