Chapter 647: The Well Crane Returns?

Wu An ate until he was about full, licking the meat off his fingers every day, still feeling a lingering aftertaste.

He cleaned a whole plate of buns clean.

But they weren't that tasty.

Mainly because it's the local style, with a hometown flavor.

He couldn't get enough; it was never enough.

Gu Anran went into the room to fetch his phone for him, saw him licking his fingers, and brought a wet towel.

Handed it back to Lao Fang.

The call connected quickly.

"Hello, Lao Fang."

"A An, sorry to bother you."

"No need to be sorry; you didn't bother me. Making so many calls early in the morning, huh? What's the matter?"

"It's not really a big deal."

"Lao Fang, we're friends; you can speak plainly, no need to beat around the bush."

If there's nothing important, why call so many early in the morning?

"Alright, I won't beat around the bush. Here's the thing: Chen Lao Da approached me, saying he wants to sell two trawlers and asked if you'd be interested in taking them over."

"He came to you, asking me?"

Wu An double‑checked, fearing he had misheard.

Given the grudges between them, how could Chen Lao Da possibly think of him?

To put it bluntly, even if the trawlers were rotten at sea, he wouldn't expect him to take them over.

"Yes, he knows we have some rapport, so he asked me to act as the intermediary."

"I think Chen Lao Da's two trawlers are decent; if you're willing to take them, that's a good thing."

"Are you interested?"

Wu An didn't answer right away; saying he wasn't interested would surely be a lie.

Chen Lao Da's two trawlers are ready-made; you can use them immediately after taking over.

Moreover, this way the crew from Chen Lao Da's fishing vessels can basically be taken on as well.

As long as they form a fleet, the other two can operate together, yielding some benefit; the returns shouldn't be too bad.

The bottom line is you can definitely make money.

Securing the trawlers is a sure‑profit, no‑loss deal.

But the premise is that Chen Lao Da actually agrees to let him take over; he feels there might be a trap.

"Lao Fang, do you think this is reliable?"

"I can't really say; Chen Lao Da, I can only say, he's definitely not a good person."

"He came to me venting, saying the Chen family is falling apart, he's tired, and doesn't want to keep struggling."

"We drank a lot yesterday; I got drunk and took the chance to ask if there was any trick, but he said nothing."

After Lao Fang finished, Wu An said, "Then let me think it over."

"I'll think it through and give you an answer."

Lao Fang replied.

After hanging up, Gu Anran, who was beside him, heard clearly and said, "A An, are you worried Chen Lao Da might be pulling a trick?"

Wu An nodded, "It's not worry."

"I can be sure there's definitely something going on."

Gu Anran said, "If that's the case, just refuse outright."

Wu An scratched his head, "But I'm actually quite curious how Chen Lao Da could mess with me on this."

Gu Anran said, "Curiosity killed the cat."

Wu An: "But I'm human."

Gu Anran, losing patience, "Then what are you actually thinking?"

Wu An shook his head, "I haven't decided yet."

He's actually quite conflicted right now.

If they take over Chen Lao Da's two trawlers, there are pros and cons, and they must guard against Chen Lao Da setting a trap.

Feeling mentally exhausted.

But if they refuse, this tasty fat meat placed at their lips, not biting it, always leaves a itch inside.

Chen Lao Da has given them a dilemma.

Maybe this is Chen Lao Da's scheme?

Wu An paced back and forth, unable to sit still, and dragged Gu Anran to stroll around the big villa's construction site.

The big villa's main framework is under construction; it's already evident it's a sprawling large house.

When villagers pass by, they always comment, saying he's now making big money, getting rich.

Some speak kindly, others not so nicely.

The two walked along the seaside toward the pier; today the wind is a bit strong, and the forecast shows a weather change in two days.

It will be windy and rainy.

But it's fine; despite the bad weather, it doesn't affect their 25‑meter trawler going out to sea.

Otherwise the big guys would be quite depressed.

They arrived at the small shop.

Many villagers were chatting idly; when they saw Wu An coming with Gu Anran, they greeted them warmly.

A group of brats kept pestering for wedding candy.

Wu An also joined the kids in play, bought a big bag of candy at his old home and scattered it around.

But that made the kids overly excited.

Each one called him a dear, shouted "brother", shouted "uncle"; two brats even pressed further, asking Wu An to buy popsicles.

Wu An teased them: buying popsicles is fine, but they have to call me "dad".

The two brats, lacking any sense of propriety, shouted loudly on the spot, even pulling Lao Jiang to vouch for them.

Wu An was left dumbfounded.

He quickly paid.

The other brats copied the behavior; Wu An had no choice but to block their mouths with popsicles.

Lao Jiang sent the brats away, and Wu An asked, "Lao Jiang, any fresh news in the village?"

Lao Jiang, smoking, grinned mischievously and said, "There certainly is."

"Last night around midnight, even though he was brought back by someone."

"He got drunk, almost smashed the inn."

"The owner called the police, but fortunately the officer knew Old Village Chief Shen, and sent the person back."

Wu An asked, "And then?"

Lao Jiang chuckled, "Then they said they cursed you all the way, the curses were filthy."

Wu An laughed, "Damn, that's not new at all."

Although the insults probably aren't just this once or twice.

Lao Jiang said, "By the way, a second devil showed up at the Dock."

Wu An raised an eyebrow, "Second devil?"

Lao Jiang nodded, "Yes, at first everyone thought it was really Japan."

"He got out of the car, speaking gibberish."

"Someone tried to talk, and that guy's Mandarin was even more standard than ours."

"After asking, we learned that the guy is local, claimed his boss was Japan, and was on the phone to his boss when he got out of the car."

Wu An asked, "What's his name?"

Lao Jiang shook his head, "I don't know, but that second devil went to look at Chen Lao Da's Trawler and chatted with the boatman for a while."

Wu An asked a few more questions; from Lao Jiang's description he could basically confirm it was Jing He.

How the hell did this bastard show up again?

Coming again to see Chen Lao Da's Trawler?

What does he want?

Planning to buy Chen Lao Da's Trawler?

Or perhaps Chen Lao Da intends to sell the fishing boat to Jing He, deliberately tricking him?

Very suspicious.

Lao Jiang, seeing Wu An ask so many, asked, "Do you know that person?"

Wu An nodded, "I've dealt with him twice and swindled him twice."

"Your information is very important."

"Bring me two Hua Zi, and deliver a few cases of beer to my house."

Lao Jiang replied cheerfully.

At that moment, a few drunkards from the village walked in and greeted the happy Lao Jiang.

Wu An was also pleased, bought some cheap Cigarettes, handed out a pack to each, and said, "Did you hear? A second devil came to the Dock today."

Lao Jiang explained the situation to the drunkards.

Wu An said, "Chen Lao Da is preparing to sell the Trawler to me; if that second devil comes again, you watch over it for me."

The drunkard pounded his chest in agreement, saying he'd be ready when that second devil returns, and would seize the guy outright.

Wu An laughed and said there's no need for that.

Jing He coming to see Chen Lao Da's Trawler isn't necessarily to buy it.

Previously the Trawler was used by Ma Weiqun, who was conducting espionage; Jing He is a second devil—could there be any connection between the two?

Hard to say.

The intel is too scant; it's impossible to see through, really impossible.