Chapter 115: A Woman’s Pursuit of a Man—Part One

Seeing Chicken-Zai admit defeat, Jiang Fan humbly replied, "An arm-wrestling match is not a test of martial arts. I grew up doing farm work, so strength is my only advantage."

Chicken-Zai cupped his hands and said, "A loss is a loss. Why try to save face for me? When I heard you walked away unscathed from the Zhangmutou casino a few days ago, I thought it was just luck. Now I’m certain you truly have the skill."

Jiang Fan asked with a smile, "How did you hear about that?"

"Your boss told Brother Hui. Didn't he ask you about it?"

Jiang Fan shook his head and remained silent, though he felt puzzled. Why would Chen Anlong bring that up with Brother Hui?

Noticing Jiang Fan’s silence, Chicken-Zai explained, "Don't overthink it. Brother Hui knows the owners of the factories in Baisha because of their business dealings."

"What kind of business dealings?" Jiang Fan asked, intrigued.

Chicken-Zai waved his hand, refusing to elaborate. "Although these things aren't exactly secrets, it’s better if Brother Hui tells you himself. I’d just be gossiping if I spoke out of turn."

Seeing that Chicken-Zai wouldn't budge, Jiang Fan pouted and grumbled, "That old fox is tight-lipped. We've seen each other every day for the past two days, and he hasn't mentioned a word."

Chicken-Zai, uncomfortable commenting on Brother Hui, steered the conversation away. "As for Er-Gouzi, whom you’re looking for, he left yesterday. He likely hasn't gone home, though. The most probable scenario is that he’s hiding out with fellow villagers in Houjie to lie low for a while."

Though Chicken-Zai phrased it as a humble possibility, he spoke with a tone of certainty. Jiang Fan didn't know the source of his information.

Seeing Chicken-Zai’s openness in admitting his defeat, Jiang Fan tentatively asked, "I’m not even familiar with Humen yet, let alone places outside the town. Could I trouble you to help me keep an ear out for Er-Gouzi’s whereabouts? There’s also someone named Gou Biao. I’m in a hurry to find them."

Chicken-Zai didn't ask why; he nodded without hesitation. "Helping you is no problem, but since it’s outside my territory, it might take some time."

Jiang Fan added, "Do you know Gou Biao?"

Chicken-Zai gave a dismissive, cold laugh. "He’s the security captain at Dafeng, Er-Gouzi’s cousin. He has some connections with the 'Four Great Guardians' under Lu-Zai and also knows two of my brothers. He’s a half-baked 'man of the underworld.' I’ve had a drink with him once; that’s the extent of our acquaintance."

Jiang Fan sensed that Chicken-Zai knew far more than he was letting on, but he couldn't force him to talk. He offered a polite, "Then thank you!"

***

After Chicken-Zai left, Wang Wenyu drove Zhang Chungeng to help Xiao Yuxin pick up stock, while Jiang Fan and Liu Zhengjun stayed at the fruit shop.

During their idle chat, Liu Zhengjun told Jiang Fan what he knew about the people Gou Biao was closest to at Dafeng.

Er-Gouzi wasn't actually the closest person to Gou Biao. Those closest to him were the four deputy captains of the Dafeng security team and the head of the shipping department.

Those four deputies had all been promoted by Gou Biao. The closest of them all was A-Liang (Wang Daliang), the deputy captain who had asked Liu Zhengjun for time off earlier.

Whenever Wang Daliang wasn't working, Gou Biao would take him wherever he went. Gou Biao’s new mistress, Xiao Li, was the younger sister of Wang Daliang’s wife—it was Wang who had introduced her to Gou Biao.

Liu Zhengjun had learned this while chatting with a security guard he was friendly with. Beyond that, he only knew that Gou Biao was greedy and lecherous; he didn't know much else.

Hearing this, Jiang Fan cursed, "Maybe Sister Xin was right. This bastard really might have done something we wouldn't even dare to imagine."

When Xiao Yuxin returned from picking up stock, she and Wang Wenyu cooked a meal. During this time, Jiang Fan called A-Ping three times to ask if Gou Biao had returned to the factory, but each time he was met with disappointment.

After dinner, night fell, and the commercial street returned to its bustling state.

Exhausted after a busy day, Jiang Fan squatted on the side of the road, muttering to himself, "That dog of a bastard, he hasn't really run off, has he?"

Wang Wenyu finished helping Xiao Yuxin with the dishes and walked over to him. Seeing his frustrated expression, she suggested, "Since you can't find him now, why not go back to the factory and ask around among people you know? You might find some clues. But you must promise me: don't act alone, so I don't have to worry."

There was nothing he could do there, so Jiang Fan took her advice. He dropped Zhang Chungeng off at the dumpling shop on the way and returned to the factory with Liu Zhengjun.

With only a week left until the Lunar New Year, Dafeng had essentially finished its pre-holiday orders. What remained was just rework and minor supplemental tasks, so there was no need for overtime at night.

As Jiang Fan and Liu Zhengjun approached the factory gate, they saw A-Miao and A-Lin sitting in the sugar-water shop opposite Dafeng with two other unfamiliar girls.

Just as Jiang Fan was about to go over to greet A-Miao, Liu Zhengjun nervously tugged at him and whispered, "Brother Fan, I’m heading off first."

Having spent the afternoon with Jiang Fan, Liu Zhengjun had started addressing him the same way Zhang Chungeng did.

Noticing Liu Zhengjun’s nervous expression, Jiang Fan guessed what was going on. He pulled him back, saying, "My woman let you eat her fruit all afternoon—she just wanted you to keep me company for a bit. Don't you dare try to slip away!"

Dragging Liu Zhengjun into the shop, Jiang Fan observed the four girls. He noticed A-Lin looking at Liu Zhengjun with a shy, dazed expression, the flirtatious atmosphere obvious.

Though A-Lin couldn't compare to factory beauties like Shen Tingting or A-Ping, she was still quite attractive. Jiang Fan couldn't help but compare her to the man beside him.

Liu Zhengjun was introverted, not good with words, and plain in appearance. Standing over 180cm tall with a sturdy, powerful build, he looked like a "Beauty and the Beast" pairing next to A-Lin, who was around 160cm and slender.

Feeling sympathy for A-Lin, Jiang Fan wondered how to nudge them together.

A-Miao spoke up: "Water Buffalo, trying to hide the moment you see our A-Lin? Do you think she’s not good enough for you?"

As A-Miao finished, A-Lin blushed even deeper, and the other two girls giggled.

Seeing A-Miao’s teasing, Jiang Fan asked, "You all know each other?"

Liu Zhengjun argued back, "I’ve corrected you countless times: my nickname is 'Niuwazi,' not 'Water Buffalo.'"

A-Miao nodded at Jiang Fan to acknowledge his question, then turned back to Liu Zhengjun with a feigned look of disgust: "You’re big, burly, and dark—you look like a piece of fruit anyway. Trying to run away when you see A-Lin... do you even act like a man?"

As a middle-manager in the factory, A-Miao’s eloquence was unquestionable. Seeing her tease Liu Zhengjun, Jiang Fan chimed in to drive the point home: "She’s right. A real man should be more direct. I think a beauty like A-Lin paired with you is like a fresh flower stuck in a pile of cow dung—what else could you possibly be picky about?"