Chapter Eighteen Souvenirs

  Hulin is actually a small place, if it weren't for the opening of border trade ports in recent years, I'm afraid that few outsiders would come to this place to develop and do business. Zhou Lin's business is booming, with assets worth tens of millions, but he is well-versed in the way of being a person, and his actions are very low-key, driving only an ordinary Audi A6, which can't be considered high-end luxury at all.

  However, this was also Wang Chan's first time riding in such a car. As they drove on the road, it was smooth and fast. Compared to the past when he would either hitch a ride halfway down the mountain on someone else's tractor or squeeze onto a crowded public bus with a large group of people, it was naturally incomparable.

  "In a while, I'll take you to the provincial city to see someone. He's an old business friend of mine and he can help you find a job at Yaohan. However, this person is quite eccentric, has a big attitude, and also likes to practice martial arts. When I told him that you're skilled in this area, he insisted on meeting you first."

  Zhou Lin's complexion was not good, with large dark circles under his eyes, apparently due to the fact that he had not slept all night yesterday.

  "If I remember correctly, Ya Han's job back then was also helped by you behind the scenes, finding someone to speak for her, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to become a coach in this club either. How come today you still need to go ask for help?"

  Wang Chan slightly furrowed his brow, somewhat perplexed. Zhou Lin had not only expanded his business in recent years but also broadened his connections. Unfortunately, the ancient saying "the people do not fight with officials" still held true. By provoking Lin Shao, he was now seeking Wang's help, which clearly carried a hint of desperation. It seemed that even Zhou himself wasn't confident about this trip to the capital.

  "Today I'm going to introduce you to a person named Lei Xing, whose family has military connections for two generations. The gym where Ya Han works is actually owned by one of his sisters. Last time we also got help from him. Also, brother, after I introduce you to that person, I plan to go straight to the airport. After you see Ya Han, don't mention my affairs to her either. With you by her side, I can rest assured."

  As he drove, Zhou Lin couldn't help but think of his relationship with his daughter and let out a bitter laugh. At the same time, he reached into his pocket and handed something to Wang Chan sitting in the passenger seat.

  "We two brothers have been through so many years, you can come out and help me this one time, I appreciate it. In the trunk, I've prepared a bag for you, everything inside is yours, including two cards. The card from China Merchants Bank is yours, the password is 688, there's not much money in it but enough for your use. As for the other card, please keep it safe for me, if within half a month I still haven't contacted you, give it to Yahan and tell her...I'm dead, ask her to leave the country as soon as possible and never come back."

  "Besides, I also know that you like antiques and old objects besides practicing martial arts. Unfortunately, the batch of goods I had is already gone, so I can only give you this small thing, which is the most inconspicuous one inside. It's said to be from the White Cloud Temple in Beijing, with ancient characters carved on it that even I don't understand. Consider it a gift from your older brother."

  Zhou Lin's face was gloomy, and he just kept talking to himself, telling Wang Chan about his affairs one by one, as if he was making a final confession. It wasn't until the car got on the highway that he slowly stopped speaking and didn't say much anymore.

  All the way, the scenery on the roadside flew by like a flash. Wang Chan kept playing with the thing that Zhou Lin handed over to him, which was a small stone about the size of a child's palm. It looked like jade but wasn't, with a greenish-blue color and an irregular rhombus shape. On the surface of the stone, someone had carved many abstract patterns and designs, connected together in one piece. At first glance, it seemed to be similar to the inscriptions on bronze vessels from before the Shang and Zhou dynasties, simple yet elegant, very beautiful.

  It was one of the antiques that Zhou Lin had brought back from Russia, and after Wang Chan played with it for a while, he didn't recognize the patterns on it either, so he didn't think much about it. Fortunately, Zhou Lin had already wrapped one end of the small stone with a white gold chain and made it into a necklace shape, so Wang Chan casually put it around his neck.

  Hulin is six or seven hundred kilometers away from the provincial capital. Even if they took the highway and didn't encounter any traffic jams, Zhou Lin was anxious and drove very fast. However, when the two of them entered the provincial capital and arrived at their destination, it was already past three o'clock in the afternoon.

  This is a high-end villa area opened up on the Jiangxin Oasis Island, completely independent of the external Riverside Scenic Area. The grass is lush and green, with cypress and pine trees everywhere, without a hint of noise or dust from the city. Even within the community, each villa is separated by forests, with large plots of land, just like medieval European castles, each with its own territory to exercise its power.

  Zhou Ling stopped the car in front of a three-story villa, and immediately, staff members wearing full uniforms came to guide him, apparently the owner had given instructions about Zhou Lin's arrival.

  "Hey, isn't this Old Zhou from Hulin?" Just as the two of them were walking forward, the front gate of the villa suddenly opened and two people came out. One was a middle-aged man with a big belly and half bald head, and behind him was a tall and large man wearing sunglasses, with a fierce and menacing aura.

  "It's actually Old Man Liu San!" Zhou Lin's face changed, looking at the bald-headed man opposite him with eyes that seemed to be spewing fire: "It's true that mountains don't move but water does, and if water doesn't move then people do. I didn't expect to run into you, Old Man Liu San, here at Lao Shao's place! This is indeed a small world!"

  "I heard that Old Man Zhou's business has been booming lately, and he's made a fortune. When can I, his brother, get a taste of the wealth and bask in the glory of this god of wealth?" The bald-headed man laughed loudly, his eyes narrowing into slits, but Wang Chan saw the faint glint of coldness deep within Liu San's eyes, like a venomous snake hiding in the darkness of a mountain.

  "It turned out to be him who introduced the old man, Lei Lao Hu and his gang, to Zhou Lin's wife. Who would have thought that he was such a person! Recalling the scene in the mountain cave, and seeing Zhou Lin suppressing his anger and addressing this man as Liu San Ye, Wang Chan thought for a moment and immediately knew what kind of background this bald-headed man had."

  "Haha, Liu San Ye is indeed Liu San Ye. His skill in eavesdropping is more refined than anyone else's. But as the saying goes, 'those who often walk by the river will eventually get their shoes wet.' Some things are better left unsaid, and one must not overstep their bounds. Otherwise, heaven has unpredictable winds and clouds, and people have unexpected fortunes and misfortunes. Who knows when we might lose our livelihoods altogether?" Zhou Lin also forced a smile, exchanging pleasantries with Liu San Ye. As someone who had experienced much and seen even more, he managed to suppress his anger in an instant, but the veiled insults and implicit threats in his words were unmistakable.

  This Liu San Ye in the provincial city has a significant amount of power, and being able to span both black and white paths is one of the most famous professional brokers. As long as you give him money, you can find the corresponding connection here. In the past, Sun Changfeng persuaded Zhou Lin's wife to spend a lot of money here to get in touch with Lei Lao Hu's fierce tiger team. Now that Zhou Lin has made up his mind to fight to the death with Lin Shao and his gang, he thinks it's precisely this person who helped his wife find someone to kidnap him, and not turning against him on the spot is already giving enough face to the master of this place.

  Old Liu San was taken aback by the words, and the big man behind him changed his expression, making a move to pounce, but was stopped by Old Liu San's outstretched hand, whose smile remained as bright as ever.

  "Haha, Boss Zhou's words are indeed wise. Nowadays, it's hard to do business and you never know when someone's rice bowl will be smashed. You also know, Brother, that in my line of work, I'm just a welcoming and sending person, whoever pays me is who I serve, no different from those street prostitutes. If I, Liu San, have offended you in any way, please forgive me, and in the future, I'll set up a table at Jin Hai Building and personally pour tea to apologize."

  "Hmph, I wouldn't dare! Since Liu San Ye has spoken out, I, Zhou Lin, naturally won't be slow either. If one day I can thrive and prosper, I'll definitely go to your Jin Hai Lou to disturb you for a while. At that time, Liu San Ye mustn't shut me out!" Zhou Lin let out a cold hum from his nose, then casually called out a greeting before walking into the front villa's gate with Wang Chan.

  "Boss, this week Lin has been speaking ambiguously and rudely. How can you tolerate him being so insolent in front of you? If you hadn't stopped me just now, I would have sent him to the hospital with one punch." Just as Zhou Lin swaggered into the villa, before Liu San could speak up, the big man beside him couldn't help but complain.

  "You scoundrel, do you know where this is? If you dared to make a move just now, I wouldn't need anyone else, I'd be the first to take care of you. Following me for so long and still not having any discerning eye." The smile on his face receded like a tide, Liu San's gaze lingering on the departing Zhou Lin and Wang Chan, reluctant to disperse.

  "I didn't expect that Lin would actually be able to get along with the Third Young Master of the Lei family, it's really quite unexpected. When I first took on this deal, I was a bit too careless. Let's go, after we get back, you immediately find someone to investigate what's been going on at Tiger Forest recently. It's been almost a month since there's been any news from Old Tiger Lei and his gang of thugs, I wonder if something unexpected has happened."

  He stood still for a moment, and then his eyes flashed as he stamped his foot again, saying: "No, I have to go to the Golden Sea Building. Something must have changed, otherwise Zhou Lin wouldn't come looking for Lei San Shao at this critical juncture."

  －－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

  Thank you all for your support! Old Lu bows to you!! New book uploaded, please give me more guidance. Clicking on recommendations and collections is beneficial!!!