Zheng Guangyao no longer stood on ceremony.
"Xiao Yang, doing engineering projects is very difficult these days. We always face interference from local dark forces, especially monopolies on construction materials that arbitrarily inflate prices, causing significant increases in construction costs. I didn't make much profit on the second phase of the Baihuating project."
"This is the same everywhere. What can I do to help?"
Yang Jian didn't understand what he wanted. He couldn't possibly ask him to deal with Hancheng's dark forces.
"Xiao Yang, I've heard about your affairs, especially recently chasing down the Five Freaks and smashing Baoguo's casino. Everyone in Chengguan knows. Rumor has it that you have the support of top figures in Hancheng behind you, and you can walk sideways in Hancheng. My new construction site is about to start. If you join, you can deter the local thugs and ensure smoother construction. "
"Manager Zheng, what you heard are just rumors. I don't have any big bosses behind me. Smashing the casino has nothing to do with me. Hancheng's waters are very deep, and it involves interests. Even the famous Old Pan and Huazi dare not say they can walk sideways. Who can I deter?"
"I know you can't admit to smashing the casino, but everyone knows it. It shows that you can mobilize quite powerful forces in Hancheng to help you. No one in Xinhe dares to provoke you anymore. With your current strength, even in Hancheng, as long as you are willing to act, few forces can stop you."
Yang Jian gave a wry smile, "Manager Zheng, you flatter me. I don't have such strength at all, otherwise I wouldn't have been shot in the street and almost lost my life."
"Precisely because you were assassinated with a gun, it further proves that you have a certain standing in Hancheng. Xiao Yang, I know it's very easy for you to become powerful with your current reputation. My small company is no longer in your eyes, but I still hope that in view of our past relationship, you will help me at a critical moment."
Zheng Guangyao understood that the current Yang Jian was no longer the small contractor who used to have to curry favor with him.
Yang Jian then answered readily, "No problem. As long as I can do it, I won't shirk."
The template factory would soon be operational, and Zheng Guangyao would slowly grow. He was a client with great potential, and maintaining a good relationship with him was beneficial. As for whether he could help in the future, that was another matter.
As they spoke, a large basin of braised soft-shelled turtle was served, along with braised pork ribs with lotus root, stir-fried river mussels with chives, and stewed snails with meat. These were all special dishes from Nanhu.
Having something to ask of Yang Jian and Lu Yao, Zheng Guangyao and his wife were exceptionally enthusiastic, constantly using serving chopsticks to put food on their plates. Liu Rong even inquired about Lu Yao's family situation.
"Sister Liu, how is your nephew Liu Fengtian now? Is he still gambling?"
To ease the awkwardness, Yang Jian changed the subject. He could tell that Lu Yao didn't like Liu Rong much.
Liu Rong sighed, "That child is ruined. Not only is he lazy and good-for-nothing, but when he was asked to work on the construction site, he stole steel bars and pipes from the site and sold them. He then gambled away the money he got. Manager Zheng has already kicked him out, and I'm too lazy to bother with him anymore. He's too disappointing."
Zheng Guangyao snorted, "It's all because you spoiled him. Didn't you secretly pay off his gambling debts every time? In the end, he even dared to steal materials from the construction site. If I didn't kick him out, the construction site would have been stolen dry by him."
"Old Zheng, it's my fault, but my brother only has this one child, and he himself is not capable. If I don't take care of him, who will?"
"Forget it, I don't want to hear about your family's troubles. Xiao Yang, let's have a drink."
The weather was hot, and the two of them drank some beer. Yang Jian still felt quite comfortable.
The meal ended at one o'clock in the afternoon. Zheng Guangyao and his wife escorted Yang Jian and Lu Yao to the hospital ward and left five thousand yuan before leaving.
"Brother Jian, we shouldn't have taken their five thousand yuan. It's really troublesome."
After Zheng Guangyao and his wife left, Lu Yao began to complain.
Yang Jian was a little surprised, "What's wrong? I'm sick. As a boss, giving some money is a natural thing, isn't it hard to refuse?"
"It's not about that. Do you know that Zheng Peipei's academic performance is very poor? Even calling it below average is flattering her, especially in English. Her foundation is too weak, and she doesn't like to study hard. It's very difficult to catch up. Dreaming of getting into a key high school is just a fantasy. I really don't want to tutor her."
"Then what should we do? It's a matter of acquaintance. We can't go back on our word. How about we just go through the motions and give her a few lessons during the summer vacation?"
"A few lessons? Now that you mention it, I suddenly have an idea. Why don't we just organize a summer English training class? Many teachers are doing this as a side hustle, and I hear it's very profitable. I have an English level of eight, and I can teach high school students. What do you think?"
"Great, I support it. I'm naturally happy to have a wife who can make money. I can happily live off you then."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Who's your wife?"
Hancheng, Fuye Hotel.
Yang Fan personally led Afeng, Biaobiao, and others to arrive early at 7:30 PM. The bosses who borrowed money last night kept their word and transferred the borrowed funds to the account provided by Afeng before 12 PM today.
After deducting expenses such as wages, accommodation, and meals, Yang Fan brought 5.6 million cash today to provide betting chips. However, he still did not intend to enter the casino. He personally sat in charge on the fourth floor. There was too much money, and he had to guard against accidents.
At 8 PM, the gambling game officially began. Afeng first brought two million into the venue, and Biaobiao was responsible for keeping the accounts.
The number of participants today was clearly more than half, with seventeen or eighteen people, including two elegantly dressed middle-aged women. The eight people who came last night also arrived.
There were also a few young men standing on the periphery watching. They were all carrying bags, and they looked like they were also providing betting chips.
This was a competition for business. Afeng specifically pulled Chen Song aside, "Brother Song, are those people providing betting chips?"
Chen Song glanced at the young men, "Yes, I don't recognize several of the bosses who are new today. They were brought by Xiao Zhao. Those who are providing betting chips should also be their people."
"Brother Song, this is not in accordance with the rules. This venue was built with millions of our investment. We took a lot of risks. You and President Song are profiting without doing anything. Now that it's just starting to pick up, you're allowing others to come in and steal our business. Isn't that a bit unfair?"
Although Chen Song was a favored subordinate of Huazi, Afeng was not afraid of him. Apart from his master Yang Fan, they, as professional enforcers, could disregard any boss.
Chen Song also felt somewhat in the wrong. This kind of internal venue was entirely supported by the betting chip company. According to general rules, the gambling company should also share profits with the betting chip company and not allow other betting chip companies to enter. Unlike large casinos where the more betting chip companies the better.
"Afeng, now that they have already entered, it's impossible to drive them out, right? If we do that, this casino won't be able to operate anymore."
"It's okay if we don't drive them out, but they can only provide betting chips to a fixed number of bosses, and they have to give us half of the profits. Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite."
Afeng was not someone to be easily appeased. With this round of betting chips, Yang Fan also had to give them some dividends. It concerned their own interests, so how could they back down?