Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Picture of Despair Revealed

  Hu Qian was shocked and didn't know why the young boss suddenly flew into a rage, inexplicably digging at his wall corner and coming up with such an outrageous condition. If it were him, he would want to follow such an awesome boss for a good career. However, he was a doer, so he just nodded and went to carry out the order without saying another word.

  Chen Xiaoqi and Zhang Xiaolin sat down alone in the living room, after three rounds of tea, Zhang Xiaolin suddenly sighed: "Younger brother! When people live in this world, many situations are beyond their control. They know they can't do something but can't escape either. It's like me, your older brother. On the surface, everyone says I'm a big shot in Shanghai, a big boss of the Green Gang, with followers all over the place and great power. But actually? Weren't we forced to get on this boat because we had no other choice? And who would be willing to bear the countless curses behind their back if they had even a little bit of luck?"

  "Mr. Zhang, you mustn't be too modest! I think that in this life, as long as one lives freely and at ease, and is true to oneself, that's all that matters. Fame or infamy are just fleeting clouds. Just strive for a carefree and happy life, and after death, who knows what the outcome will be? Let others praise or mock me, I'll just sit calmly and contentedly."

  Zhang Xiaolin pointed at him and smiled, "You're quite perceptive and think things through clearly. It's rare for someone of your age! Unlike us, who are already this old, yet still can't see the big picture, taking things one step at a time, without any personal opinions."

  Chen Xiaoqi felt depressed and thought to himself, "You suddenly bring up this idea of life goals for no reason, what's the point? Can't you just say whatever is on your mind and be done with it? Why do you have to sigh and lament here, it's so exhausting! Unpleasant!"

  Fortunately, Zhang Xiaolin didn't keep him waiting for too long and got straight to the point. He said: "Brother Chen! Today our conversation has been quite pleasant, so I'll be straightforward with you. If there's anything that offended you, please forgive me considering my seniority!"

  Chen Xiaoqi knew that Hou had arrived, and at this time Hou also gathered his spirits and said with a straight face: "Mr. Zhang has something to say, please speak directly, I will listen respectfully."

  Zhang Xiaolin said, "After this interaction, I've also figured it out. You and I are not on the same path after all. Even if we have some business dealings, we won't be able to connect at a deeper level. Don't bother denying it, I won't mind either. After all, you and I are walking different paths. Let's just drop it for now. I heard that Chen Shoutin, the boss of Qingdao Dahua Dyeing Factory, is your sworn brother?"

  Chen Xiaoqi's heart moved slightly, and he nodded: "That's right, he is now the person closest to me in this life, there's no need to doubt it."

  Zhang Xiaolin said: "I've been to Qingdao and met Chen Zhanggui once. This man is a straightforward and unyielding person, with no room for deceit in his eyes, who values relationships and righteousness. If he were on the right path, he would definitely be a good man respected by all. Unfortunately, he's in business, and this man is too upright, which might easily offend people. Qingdao is now under Japanese control, and your sixth brother has been using cunning to deal with the Japanese, who have suffered losses and are not happy about it. You'd better advise him to do business peacefully and harmoniously with everyone."

  Chen Xiaoqi realized that, after all, it was the Japanese who were behind the scenes. He only remembered when he read about the three big bosses of Shanghai, mentioning Zhang Aolin's later collusion with the Japanese and even surrendering to them, and being assassinated by the National Army. Who would have thought that now he had already hooked up with the Japanese? What made him advise Six Brother was clearly using Six Brother's life as a bargaining chip! These damn things!

  Chen Xiaoqi did not jump up and down like Zhang Xiaolin had imagined, nor was he flustered or even tense. He simply took a deep breath, his eyes calm as water, his face expressionless as he looked at him and said lightly, "What do the Japanese want?"

  Zhang Xiaolin sighed secretly: "Indeed, he is not an ordinary person! He can be so calm and composed, no wonder he can achieve such great things at a young age. He is indeed an extraordinary person." He chuckled and said: "Chen, my younger brother, it's not as serious as you imagined. The Japanese want to do business with you, but they didn't know how to get in touch with you for the time being. Coincidentally, I was coming to America, so I'll pass on their message. How to decide is entirely up to you, and I won't take any advantage of you!"

  Chen Xiaoqi smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang, rest assured, I can still tell who is close or far, who is right or wrong. What kind of business do the Japanese want to do?"

  "Zhang Xiaolin said: 'They heard that you invented two very powerful explosives and a highly effective bactericide, these things must be in great demand domestically as well. So they asked me to ask if you would be willing to sell the formulas? Of course, the Japanese won't get them for free, they are offering a high price.'"

  "Ah? So that's how it is. Then, Mr. Zhang, how much money can the Japanese put out? They should know what DuPont and the British are offering. DuPont alone charges $1.5 million annually just for patent usage fees. The British offer an even higher price."

  "Hey, how can this be the same? Anyway, Japanese people and we are also considered to be of the same culture and neighboring countries, with thousands of years of exchange. Being able to help each other is a good thing. You 'Little God of Wealth' have a Midas touch, casually scattering some gold dust is comparable to others' lifetime of hard work. A small amount of money doesn't need to be taken so seriously. The Japanese are willing to pay 20 million yen for these three inventions, how about it, can we do it?"

  2 million yen, but only $100,000 is left, and you want three inventions? This is too much of a scam! What's the difference between this and daylight robbery? And at such a high price? Screw it! No need to ask, Zhang Shaolin must have taken a huge kickback, with his style of being a big swindler, he would have put half or even more of the profit into his own pocket. This is clearly holding Sixth Brother's life hostage!

  You're just a freshman, I'm a senior. Today I'm swimming in shallow waters, and for now, you can't catch me. But the future is long, let's see who comes out on top!

  Chen Xiaoqi didn't get angry, he even smiled slightly and shook his head: "It's okay, the Japanese haven't done things too absolutely, good, I can share my invention with them. This 2 million yen will be a one-time patent authorization fee. From now on, I won't have any more involvement with them, and I hope it ends here. My sixth brother won't receive any unpleasant harassment again."

  Zhang Xiaolin clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "Brother Chen has a broad mind! He has courage! I admire him very much! It's settled then. I've brought the bank draft with me, you check it out, and this matter is considered done."

  As he spoke, Zhang Aoling pulled out a bank draft from his pocket, still from the Japanese bank, and spread it open for Chen Xiaoxi to see the number on it, placing it on the table. Chen Xiaoxi pushed the check back with one finger, saying lightly: "No need to leave the draft with me, I'll trouble Mr. Zhang to take a trip to deliver this draft to my sixth brother's hands. Here, I have prepared 500,000 yen worth of goods for Mr. Zhang, which will be shipped to Shanghai on the ocean liner with Mr. Zhang at that time. Our cooperation between us will begin with this batch of goods. To show our sincerity, we won't charge a single penny for this batch of goods, and it can be used as working capital in your esteemed company. What does Mr. Zhang think?"

  Zhang Xiaolin let out a long sigh, stretched out his thumb and shook his head, saying: "I have nothing to say, Brother Chen, I'm not as good as you! Admire!"

  Chen Xiaoqi chuckled and said: "Mr. Zhang, it's a pleasure to cooperate with you, and we'll make a fortune together in the future. However, I have a small request, please fulfill it for me, brother."

  "Ah? Younger brother has something to say, just speak directly. As long as older brother can do it, he will not decline."

  Chen Xiaoqi said: "I want to ask you, big brother, for a person. I think your little brother Dai is quite compatible with me, and I'd like him to stay and help me out. Is that possible?"

  Zhang Xiao Lin was stunned, he never thought Chen Xiao Qi would make such a request. Earlier, he had secretly gloated over his success in helping the Japanese complete the transaction and earning a large sum of money, not to mention unexpectedly receiving 500,000 yen from Chen Xiao Qi as a gift. He had profited greatly from this deal, but he never expected Chen Xiao Qi to suddenly ask him for a person. What kind of situation was this?

  He stuck there for a while, then frowned and said: "This matter, I am neither can nor cannot, you old man can see Xiao Dai, that is his blessing, but do not know what he means himself, brother also knows, others are just doing the follow-up of Lao Ge, not selling themselves to me!"

  Chen Xiaoqi said, "This is easy to say, I also think it's better to respect his personal opinion, since the old brother has no objection, why don't we call him in and ask him, can he do it or not, one sentence will decide."

  Zhang Xiaolin couldn't understand why this little Dai was compatible with Chen Xiaoqi, they had just met for a few hours? They hadn't even exchanged ten sentences, where did the idea of being compatible come from? This little Dai hadn't been here for long, usually he was quite sharp and diligent, able to handle matters that could put people at ease, but apart from that, there didn't seem to be any other notable or valuable qualities. Can't understand what this kid is up to, did he suffer a great loss and come to me with an ulterior motive?

  Chen Xiaoqi shouted, and soon Hu Qian accompanied Dai Chunfeng to knock on the door and come in. Chen Xiaoqi quietly glanced at Hu Qian with the corner of his eye, but saw that Hu Qian was also quietly making an "OK" gesture with his hand when leading Dai Chunfeng in. This gesture was something Chen Xiaoqi had taught them, and ordinary Chinese people wouldn't know it, so he understood that things were settled.

  Dai Chunfeng was indeed not covering it up, after coming in his face was as usual and couldn't see half a change, still being elegant and natural he nodded to the two people and greeted them, then quietly stood behind Zhang Xiaolin. Zhang Xiaolin said without turning his head: "Little Dai, there's a big happy event that I need to congratulate you on!"

  Dai Chunfeng hastily bowed his head and leaned in close to Zhang Xiaolin, saying in a warm voice: "I don't know what good news the gentleman is referring to, Yun Nong doesn't quite understand, please enlighten him."

  "Earlier, Old Chen told me that he's taken a liking to you, Young Dai, and wants you to stay on and help him out. Ah, being able to work for a big boss like Chen is definitely more promising than my own humble business! But this matter still depends on your own decision. What do you think? Speak your mind!"

  Dai Chunfeng did not show any excitement, still bowing his head and saying: "Sir is promoting Yunong. Since Yunong came to Shanghai with a blank slate, thanks to Sir and Yuesheng's kindness, he was taken in as a disciple and given the task of holding the reins, this is Yunong's good fortune. Such kindness has not been repaid yet, if Yunong were to abandon his master for wealth and fame, wouldn't that make him an ungrateful and unrighteous person? He dare not cut himself off from the bonds of brotherhood, where should he go, what should he do, please Sir decide for him, Yunong will definitely follow, no second thoughts."

  "Ha ha! Good, good! Such a man of his word, who wouldn't like him?! Zhang, my brother, I'm asking you for a favor here, can you let this talent go to me? Consider it helping me out. Besides, we'll be cooperating for a long time, and with someone like Rain as a bridge between us, won't our communication become much smoother? Come on, just agree!"