Chapter 95: A Thaw in Relations

Page (1/3)

"Security patrol team? And certain people? What do you mean?"

Jiang Fan's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Brother Hui, unable to believe that he would voluntarily bring up a connection between the security patrol and the gambling den.

Brother Hui knew exactly why Jiang Fan was surprised. He gave a helpless smile and said, "Any living creature with life in it is greedy, let alone human beings. When it comes to things that trample on basic humanity, it's best not to touch them. Once you do, it's like opening Pandora's box—very few people can truly manage to wake up in time. I grew up tagging along behind my cousins since I was a kid. I've warned them about many things, and my stance has been crystal clear, but if they won't listen, there's nothing I can do. Even now, I can't stand their behavior, but there's nothing I can do about it either. After all, they're my elder cousins. What I never imagined was that something I couldn't do, you, an outsider who just arrived in Dongguan, would go ahead and do. As for certain people—well, you'll find out in time. Right now, it's really not convenient for me to say."

Jiang Fan frowned. "Wait, I'm a slow guy, let me sort this out properly. It feels like your relationship is like the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Both your cousins have hooked up with Lu Zai, but you, the younger cousin, stand on your own."

Brother Hui gave a slight nod. "You could see it that way, but it's not entirely accurate. The Xuanwu Gate Incident involved total disregard for blood brothers, fighting to the death. My cousins and I haven't reached that point. When we meet, we greet each other warmly. During festivals, I still visit their homes to pay respects to the elders. Although our paths are different, I don't actively target them either. But if something comes up, as long as there's good reason for me to step in, they can't say anything about it. When it comes to right and wrong, merit and fault, everyone has a scale in their heart. They'd have no face to criticize."

Jiang Fan tilted his head and looked at Brother Hui, joking, "You're a man of the underworld, but why do you seem like a chivalrous knight to me?"

Brother Hui let out a mocking laugh. "A man like me, what good deeds have I done? I wouldn't dare call myself a knight. I've only kept the bottom line of humanity. You're the one who really has the look of a knight."

Hearing the compliment, Jiang Fan felt a little pleased inside. He could see that Brother Hui genuinely wanted to help him, and much of his wariness faded. "Thanks. If I ever run into something I can't handle, I'll definitely trouble you. How about you take some fruit today? I promise to pick the best for you, and I'll even knock a bit off the price as an apology for my reckless behavior the other day."

He knew perfectly well that Brother Hui didn't care about a few scraps of fruit, but he said it deliberately—not just to lighten the mood, but also to respond openly to Brother Hui's show of goodwill.

"Forget it, I can't be bothered to pick. Just grab a few sealed boxes. I'm not doing you a favor—I always buy fruit from Ah Xin's shop. If you don't believe me, you can ask her."

Jiang Fan walked into the shop and saw that the fruit boxes hadn't been opened. He pretended to be annoyed and said, "Say that in front of Sister Xin and she'd be delighted. Saying it to me is clearly giving me no face at all."

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Brother Hui said meaningfully, "Face is a funny thing. It's not something one person can give you. It takes the recognition of many people for a man to truly have face."

No more than two minutes after Brother Hui left, Wang Wenyu and Xiao Yuxin returned.

Jiang Fan playfully slapped Wang Wenyu on the butt and joked to Xiao Yuxin, "You two weren't watching us from nearby, were you? Brother Hui leaves and you two show up right away."

Xiao Yuxin rolled her eyes at him and teased, "You think too highly of yourself. We just went out for a stroll. You two lovebirds have a seat and pour out your hearts to each other. I'll go buy some groceries and cook. You're staying for lunch."

After Xiao Yuxin left, Wang Wenyu rubbed her butt and pouted. "You brute, can't you be gentler?"

"Gentler? You have no idea how I've been these past two days. I'll settle the score with you when we get back."

Seeing Jiang Fan getting more and more worked up, Wang Wenyu pinched his ear and said, "Getting bold, are we? No need to wait until we get back. I want to know right now—how exactly are you going to settle the score with me?"

Jiang Fan wrapped his arm around Wang Wenyu's waist and backed down. "Woman, easy! My ear's about to fall off. How can a couple settle scores out on the street?"

The young couple teased each other for a bit, then sat down close together. Wang Wenyu said, "Sister Xin said you got yourself into trouble again?"

Jiang Fan nodded and told her everything about the gambling den, including the advice Xiao Yuxin had given him—he hid nothing.

"Sister Xin has more life experience than we do. She's a good person, and I trust her. There's a lot we should listen to her advice on. If you can make something of yourself at work, there'll be fewer obstacles in our way."

Jiang Fan knew the obstacle Wang Wenyu meant was family reasons.

He thought for a moment, then continued, "I definitely trust Sister Xin. These past two days I was going out of my mind missing you, and she was the one who comforted me. But this matter might not be as simple as we think. Brother Hui warned me just now that the security patrol and certain other people also have a stake in the gambling den. With you around, the security patrol probably won't dare do anything to me. The real problem is 'certain people,' and Brother Hui doesn't feel comfortable saying who. We can think deeper on our own—daring to run a gambling den openly by the national highway means it's not just one village's security patrol shielding them. That kind of audacity... I suspect the 'certain people' Brother Hui mentioned might be people in your bureau, or maybe even people with higher authority. That little gambling den pulls in at least ten thousand a day, probably more. By doing what I did, I've already touched a piece of a lot of people's cake. When the profits are rich enough, people are most likely to do crazy things."

Seeing that Jiang Fan could think the matter through from all angles, Wang Wenyu considered for a moment and said, "When I go to work tomorrow, I'll find Brother Tian and ask what he thinks. If he has no objections, I'd like you to meet him. He knows Humen inside and out. He should be able to help you with some things."

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

"Brother Tian? Didn't you say he's the most upright man? Would he be willing to get mixed up in something like this?"

"What you did counts as ridding the people of a scourge. I believe he wouldn't refuse."

After finishing lunch at the fruit shop, Jiang Fan suddenly remembered he'd promised A Miao he'd go ask her cousin about the job today.

Wang Wenyu saw his eyes drooping with exhaustion even while eating, and insisted he rest before going anywhere.

The two returned to their rented room. Wang Wenyu smelled a sour sweat odor on the bed, then leaned in and took a whiff of Jiang Fan. "The weather isn't even hot. Why do you still have a bit of a smell on you? You've got the whole bed reeking. How many days has it been since you showered?"

Jiang Fan grinned wickedly. "The days you were gone, I was too busy thinking about you to have the mood for a shower."

Wang Wenyu pinched his cheek affectionately and scolded him with fondness, "It's not like I wasn't coming back. You really don't know how to take care of yourself."

She changed the bedsheets and fussed over him until he finished showering.

Jiang Fan shamelessly pointed at the briefs hanging on the balcony to dry. "That day I didn't have a clean pair to change into. Do I still need to wear that thing to sleep now?"

The question wasn't born of self-awareness—he just wanted Wang Wenyu to pamper him without any limits.

Wang Wenyu gave a contemptuous "hmph" and said, "Is there any part of your body you haven't already violated? Now you're playing the modest one. But remember to keep your little brother in check."

Jiang Fan said suggestively, "That's your territory. I can't control it. It's better left in your hands."

Wang Wenyu didn't feel sleepy at all; she'd only lain down to keep him company. She nestled into his arms and said, "You pervert. Go to sleep now, obediently. When you wake up, I have some things I brought back, and we'll go deliver them to Uncle, Auntie, and Guihua."

"Now I've got one more sister. When we deliver the gifts later, see if we can split them into two portions."

He was exhausted, but having gone days without holding Wang Wenyu, Jiang Fan's heart couldn't settle. As his hands and feet grew restless, he told her about Zhang Xiaoye.

Page (3/3)