Chapter 748: Jiaojiao 28

Meanwhile, on Li Shun’s end, the eight of them cautiously returned home, clutching the huge sum of 10,000 yuan. Li Shun’s house was their usual gathering spot, where they would typically discuss any important matters.

Grandpa and Granny Li weren’t surprised when Li Shun returned with his friends this time. Granny Li listened in while snapping string beans from a basin. She knew her grandson; even though everyone else called him a good-for-nothing punk, she knew better.

But Granny Li knew Li Shun wasn’t a bad person at heart; he just wanted to find a path forward for himself and his buddies. Otherwise, he was already eighteen. If he had wanted to be a gangster’s lackey, he would have done so years ago. Why else would he have spent all this time working odd jobs?

They were pretty much all from the same village, so whenever Li Shun and his friends discussed things, the elders would usually listen in. Soon, about a dozen people had gathered at Li Shun’s home, almost all of them elderly. The younger, able-bodied adults were nowhere to be seen.

Li Shun looked at the elders from the various families. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he gave Big Guy a meaningful look. Big Guy gave a goofy grin, turned his back to the crowd, and started unbuckling his belt. Then he took off his shoes, and then began to unbutton his shirt.

And from each spot, he pulled out a roll of cash. No one knew when he had stashed it all. It had happened right under their noses, yet he’d managed it without anyone noticing.

Big Guy’s grandfather was the first to speak, his voice anxious. "Where did you all get so much money? Did you do something illegal?"

He wasn’t one to strike a child without getting the facts straight first. ’My grandson has a one-track mind,’ he thought. ’He’s too stubborn. I can’t let him be used as someone’s pawn.’

Li Shun quickly tried to explain. "Grandpa, Grandpa, please, let me explain!"

Li Shun and Little Liu then recounted the events of the past two days in great detail. When she heard they had gone to work as henchmen, Li Shun’s grandmother marched over and gave him two sharp smacks on the back.

And that was her holding back. If she hadn’t been mindful that they had to go to the factory the next day, it wouldn’t have ended with a simple slap on the back.

The other families reacted similarly, with the sole exception of Little Liu’s. His grandfather held the small bottle, tipped another pill out, and examined it for a long while. He even scraped a bit off with his fingernail and tasted it. "This medicine is expertly made," he said. "This level of medical skill is extraordinary."

Little Liu nodded. "I just took one, and I feel incredibly energetic right now. And Miss Chen is really something else! The last time she dealt with us..."

Little Liu’s grandfather’s eyes narrowed. "Go on. Keep talking."

Little Liu flinched. "Anyway, after Miss Chen gave Ye Rong and his crew that medicine, they were writhing on the ground in agony. But when they went to the hospital, the doctors couldn’t find a single thing wrong with them."

"She’s that powerful, and I’m just a nobody. What could she possibly want from me? In any case, this medicine feels great. I walked all that way back and only broke a light sweat. Normally, I’d be too exhausted to continue halfway there."

Li Shun chimed in, "I already asked. Brother Qi said it was made with a lot of expensive ingredients. He also said that Miss Chen told him she didn’t originally want to get involved in this whole mess. But she saw that we all have families to support, that it’s hard to make a living on the streets, and that we’ve never done anything truly malicious, so that’s why she decided to open the factory."

"Oh, right, I also asked about the factory. It’s not far from our village, only about a twenty-minute walk. We passed by it and had a look on our way back. Brother Qi said we’ll all meet him outside the factory tomorrow."

This explanation seemed to put everyone somewhat at ease.

Little Liu’s grandfather chuckled. "You boys have met a true master this time. This Miss Chen... her skill in crafting medicine is second to none. She wasn’t lying when she said she used expensive ingredients. I think it suits your condition quite well, so just keep taking it for now."

"If I get the chance to meet Miss Chen, I must be sure to ask for her guidance."

He was a doctor himself. Otherwise, with a constitution as frail as his grandson Little Liu’s, how could the boy have survived this long without his meticulous care?

Li Shun downed two cups of tea. "I don’t know about all that, but her methods are downright eerie. We never even saw her face, and she took us down without a sound."

"But Ye Rong and his crew brought it on themselves. I heard they’ve spent the last few days compensating everyone they used to bully. They probably don’t have much money left."

Granny Li was a little worried. "Do you think we should let Ashun and the others go? This Miss Chen... is she trustworthy?"

Little Liu’s grandfather answered without a moment’s hesitation. "As long as it’s a legitimate business, why shouldn’t they go? Do you know how hard it is to find a job these days? It’s right on our doorstep, and with us here to watch over them, the boys won’t get into any trouble."

Big Guy’s grandfather added, "I agree. This is actually a good thing. If this Miss Chen has a reputation on the streets, we won’t have to worry about people causing trouble once the factory opens. And if she’s running a legitimate business, the boys will have stable jobs. It’ll save us from sitting at home wringing our hands in worry."

With the head elders of the families having made their decision, the old women certainly weren’t going to object. They were all beaming now. "So, what about this money?"

"We’ll do as Ashun says. Let’s split it," Grandpa Li said, taking a drag from his pipe. "Go home and get the boys cleaned up. Have them dress sharply tomorrow. They’re going to work, not to beg for scraps."

At these words, all the families grew excited. It was so difficult to find a job in this day and age; having a steady source of income was a near impossibility. The 10,000 yuan that Li Shun and his friends had brought back was, without a doubt, the most money any of them had seen all year.

And now, they could take this money without any fear of repercussions. Naturally, everyone was overjoyed.

Granny Li offered, "Everyone, stay for dinner tonight—"

"Not today," Little Liu’s grandfather said with a smile. "Let’s wait until the boys’ jobs are secured tomorrow. Then we can have a proper celebration. For now, let’s all go home and take care of business."

"Yes, yes, business," everyone laughed. Big Guy’s grandfather was the first to stand up. "Big Guy’s sister, Ah Mei, is eighteen now, too. It would be wonderful if she could get a job at the factory."

"If she has a job, it’ll be easier to find her a good husband, and it’ll keep the local delinquents from eyeing her."

Li Shun smiled. "Brother Qi is coming tomorrow, so we can ask him then. I think he’s really looking out for us. He explained everything so thoroughly, as if he was worried we wouldn’t know a thing."

"That’s because you’ve met a kind soul," Granny Li said, giving Li Shun another light slap. "Alright, everyone, let’s break it up. There’s still a lot to do today."

While Li Shun and his friends were busy getting themselves ready at home, Chen Jiao finished her scenes for the day and began a leisurely walk back to the hotel with Zong Qi.

"I’m going with you to Tanhou Village tomorrow," Chen Jiao said suddenly in a low voice, her eyes narrowed as she watched the crimson clouds on the horizon. "I don’t have any scenes scheduled, and it’s boring to just stay in the hotel."

Zong Qi was more than happy for her to come along. If they were separated, he would just worry about her safety anyway. He smiled. "Alright. Should we take a taxi tomorrow?"

"Let’s take a taxi," Chen Jiao said with a light laugh. "Here’s my vision: this location will serve as the main clothing factory. In the future, if sales pick up, opening another factory in G City would be too expensive. We’ll set up a new one in Peng City instead."