San Pang's speculation greatly interested Yang Jian. He had been wondering how to deal with Brother Mao. He knew for certain that Brother Mao was the mastermind behind Bao Guo, Hu Zhenghua, and others, but without evidence, he couldn't just confront him.
"San Pang, if Brother Mao is really dealing drugs, you're an accomplice. He's using you and harming you!"
Biao Biao had hit upon the crux of the issue.
San Pang scratched his head. "I just felt something was off, so I brought it up for you guys to analyze. What should I do? I heard Jian Ge was injured, and I had nothing to do, so he asked me to help him with some tasks. He pays me three thousand yuan a month, and it's really easy work."
"He's using you as a pawn. If anything goes wrong, he'll push all the blame onto you and distance himself completely. Even if you identify him, he can deny it. With his connections, he can easily get off scot-free, and you'll be the one to suffer."
"But I am delivering goods for him. If the police catch me, he can't escape responsibility either."
Yang Jian tapped the table. "I saw a news report about how, in border areas or airports, people often pay a high price to hire others to carry goods. On the surface, they're normal items. Some people, wanting to earn some money or help out, accept these requests. But once the police discover drugs hidden in the goods, they're stunned and can't defend themselves."
Liang Liang nodded repeatedly. "Exactly. You see this in foreign TV shows too. Many innocent people end up in prison or even get the death penalty because of it."
San Pang's face turned pale with fright. "Then I won't do it tomorrow. I'll wait until I get my driver's license and then work at Jian Ge's factory. Even if the pay is lower, it's fine."
"It's best not to. Brother Mao is too insidious. You must be extremely careful when dealing with him."
Yang Jian waved his hand. "Don't rush. Let me think about this."
San Pang looked at him, bewildered. Did this matter need consideration? It was better to believe it than not. If Brother Mao was a drug dealer, he would be taking a huge risk. The three thousand yuan a month looked good, but he could easily earn that much at the casino. There was no need to take such a chance.
"San Pang, do me a favor. Stay by Brother Mao's side and find evidence of his drug dealing. I want to see him utterly ruined."
Yang Jian's words left San Pang dumbfounded. "Jian Ge, don't joke. This is too dangerous. I... I don't dare."
Yang Jian patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't put you in danger. Just continue doing what you've been doing for him, acting as if you know nothing. What you need to do is record the time and place of each delivery, as well as the appearance of the recipient. Also, buy a voice recorder and record everything Brother Mao says to you. This way, even if the police catch you, it can clear your name."
"The risk is still too great."
"Listen to me. This indeed carries risks, but Brother Mao is very shrewd. He just wants to use you and doesn't want you to get into trouble. It's of no benefit to him if you get caught, so he'll try his best to protect you."
"That's true. He's meticulous and wouldn't expose himself easily."
"San Pang, Brother Mao is the mastermind behind my grandfather's death. I won't let him get away with it. You have to help me with this. While you work for Brother Mao, I'll also pay you a salary at the factory, the same as Biao Biao and Liang Liang. What do you say?"
Yang Jian didn't fully trust San Pang, knowing he was timid and easily swayed. He could only bind him with benefits.
San Pang considered for a moment and said, "Jian Ge, I've wronged you before, but you didn't hold it against me and even kept me by your side. I've always kept that in mind and don't know how to repay you. I'll help you with this, and I don't need the salary. But you have to promise me one thing."
"Tell me."
"If I get caught, you three must testify for me, proving that I wasn't involved in drug dealing, but only helping you collect evidence."
"Don't worry. If anything happens to you, I'll use all my connections and pay the highest price to help you. Most importantly, you must keep a detailed daily record. This is a crucial step, perhaps even important evidence for your acquittal or merit."
"With your word, I'm reassured. I'll help you with this."
San Pang believed Yang Jian's promise. Although monitoring Brother Mao was risky, as long as he played ignorant, Brother Mao wouldn't target him, especially given their master-disciple and relative relationship.
"Good. From now on, you are my true brother, Yang Jian. You'll have a share in any profitable ventures I undertake."
With these words, Yang Jian elevated San Pang's status in his heart to be equal with Biao Biao, Liang Liang, and the others.
The four of them chatted until after lunch before parting ways. Lu Yao had classes in the afternoon and wouldn't be free until school ended. Yang Jian decided to visit his sister in the hospital first, then head to his brother-in-law's place.
Under Gao Daqiang's meticulous planning, his two mu of land were completely enclosed by a two-and-a-half-meter-high brick wall, with only one large gate on the side facing the road, which was also fitted with a sheet metal door.
Inside, based on the formal blueprints designed by Lu Qian's commissioned design institute, foundation construction was already underway. The construction team was also hired by Lu Qian and was working strictly according to building codes.
"Xiao Yang, you're back."
As Yang Jian walked onto the construction site, Lu Qian, who was working on-site, spotted him.
"Uncle, why are you personally working on the construction?"
Yang Jian saw Lu Qian using a leveling instrument to measure elevations, with Gao Daqiang holding the staff for him in the distance. The weather was hot, and it was quite strenuous.
"It's nothing. I'm free during this period anyway, and it's close to home. It keeps me occupied to come here every day. You're back just in time; I have something to discuss with you."
"Oh, let's go to that shed over there. It's too sunny here."
The two walked under the rebar fabrication shed, where it was much cooler.
"Xiao Yang, there are two things. First, I need you to bring several hundred sets of formwork from your factory. We'll soon need them for the foundation beam formwork support."
"No problem. I'll make a call to arrange it shortly and have them delivered before dinner."
"It's not that urgent. Delivering them tomorrow or the day after is also fine. We're only pouring the cushion layer now, and the rebar hasn't even been fully fabricated yet. Second, I suggest we complete the roofing of this house in one go. I'm worried that if it drags on, policies might change, especially since the permits for this house aren't entirely complete. We should seize this opportunity when policies are lenient and speed up construction."
Yang Jian was a bit stunned. "Uncle, but where would I get the money for such a large house now? It would cost millions."
"I know you're severely short on funds right now, and the formwork factory also requires investment. However, we can find ways. Your sister's surgery expenses will be covered by our family; you don't need to worry about that. Building just the main frame of this house won't cost that much."
"The problem is I don't have the money right now. I went to Hancheng this time to collect debts, but it was all in vain."
Yang Jian didn't dare to admit that he had lost all twenty thousand yuan. Lu Qian was his future father-in-law, and he needed to leave a good impression.