Outside, there was no more noise. Sixi went out to take a look.
"Brother Hao, Chen Song is gone, and there's no one outside."
"Is A Ming gone too?"
"He must have left. There's no one in the next room either."
"Then I'll call Chen Song."
Song Jianhao was a little panicked. He had given over a million to Chen Song, and it was supposed to be split equally.
Chen Song's phone was turned off. Song Jianhao quickly asked Old Wu, "Did we win or lose?"
"We lost two hundred thousand. Time was almost up, so I wanted to lose some money to make it look better. The gamblers wouldn't suspect, and the casino could stay open a few more days. Now look, Chen Song's wife caused a scene, not only took all our money, but the casino probably can't stay open anymore."
Old Wu was full of regret. Not only would he not get any money today, but he would also lose some. Fortunately, they had won money overall.
"The small change is for wages, and the large sums will be returned to the betting company. I'll contact Chen Song later. We definitely have to get our money back."
Song Jianhao distributed some of the loose change on the gambling table as wages. He pocketed the larger amounts, a few thousand yuan each, and gave thirty thousand in cash to Biao Biao. The Emperor Company had borrowed fifty thousand in total, and after losing twenty thousand, they had to repay it tomorrow.
Biao Biao, carrying thirty thousand, went down to the fourth floor to meet Yang Fan and gave the cash to Afeng, briefly explaining the situation upstairs.
"Brother Fan, I feel like Chen Song's wife coming today was a bit strange. She didn't come early or late, but just as we were about to finish, and she took all the money, over a million, without leaving a cent for the Emperor Company. Do you think this is a trick played by Chen Song?"
After reconciling the accounts, Biao Biao voiced his suspicion.
Yang Fan smiled, "The martial world is full of dangers. You're not greenhorns, how could you entrust all the profits to Chen Song? You don't know him well, yet you trusted him so much."
"Brother Hao said he'll try to get the money from Chen Song tomorrow. Do you think we can get any of it back?"
"There are two possibilities. First, this is entirely a ploy by Chen Song. Having a mistress was just an excuse, his goal was to use his own connections and Song Jianhao's experience to open a casino and make a quick buck. His wife's arrival today was a deliberate setup to embezzle all the money.
Second, Song Jianhao and Chen Song colluded to split the profits from tonight separately from the Emperor Company. This possibility is also very high. Song Jianhao is very cunning; Yang Jian is no match for him in schemes."
Biao Biao was stunned by Yang Fan's analysis, "Brother Fan, you mean Brother Hao might have also cheated us and split the over a million from tonight with Chen Song alone?"
"Of course, that's possible. Hua Zi really doesn't allow his subordinates to open casinos. Because too many people came to gamble today, it was bound to reach Hua Zi's ears, so Chen Song didn't dare to keep this casino running. He played the trick of his wife causing a scene. To avoid escalating the situation, he must have discussed it with Song Jianhao beforehand, otherwise, if a conflict arose, it would be unmanageable."
Yang Fan understood Chen Song to some extent, knowing he was a very cautious person and wouldn't easily offend Song Jianhao to death.
Biao Biao suddenly realized, "I remember now, when I wanted to make a move in the casino earlier, it was Brother Hao who stopped me. He must have been afraid of ruining their plan. If that's the case, then Brother Hao is too despicable."
"Heh heh, you never know what others are thinking. When you're out in the world, you need to be more vigilant. Yang Jian is rare, being so kind and upright. You should follow him closely, and you'll have a future. I consider him a brother, and I'll help him whenever I have the chance."
"Thank you, Brother Fan, for your guidance. I've also long decided on Brother Jian. He's the only one who truly treats me as a brother, and he never leaves me out when there are good things. If it weren't for his persistence and help, I wouldn't have quit my drug addiction."
"Yes, you're a good person too. Yang Jian has mentioned you to me, and Liang Liang as well. He needs brothers like you who are genuinely supportive. Work hard. Yang Jian is no ordinary person; he'll surely lead you to prosperity sooner or later."
"I'll remember that, Brother Fan. So, this place probably won't be operating anymore, right?"
"It's unlikely to continue. Also, the casino on Hongqi Street is also going to stop operating in the next couple of days. After you collect the betting money tomorrow, you and Liang Liang should go back and plan with Yang Jian on how to proceed. There's no need to cooperate with Song Jianhao anymore."
Biao Biao nodded, "Okay, then we'll finish our role as the banker for Hongqi Street tomorrow and return to Xinhe."
Yang Fan's words were clear: they had a major operation planned for the near future, and sending Biao Biao and the others back to Xinhe was to prevent them from being implicated.
The next day at noon, after lunch, Biao Biao received the 350,000 yuan in profit transferred by Yang Fan. He then took Liang Liang and San Pang to ask Song Jianhao for leave.
"Brother Hao, there aren't many places operating now, so we plan to go back and rest for a few days."
Biao Biao didn't ask if any of Chen Song's money had been recovered; that was something Yang Jian would discuss with him.
"You're all going back? Then who will help Yang Jian manage the Hongqi Street casino?"
Song Jianhao was unaware of Yang Fan's plans, nor had anyone informed him that the casino was going to stop operating.
"Brother Jian said that someone has been watching him at the hospital recently, so they want us to go back and protect him and his sister's safety."
"Oh, then you must go back. Those people from Baoguo are not to be trifled with. You also need to be careful. Yang Jian hasn't fully recovered, so it's indeed not safe at the hospital."
"Yes, we'll be careful, Brother Hao. Things have been unstable at Hongqi Street recently. You also need to be careful when you go to the casino. Jian ge plans to withdraw his shares. Can I get my principal back?"
Biao Biao couldn't help but remind Song Jianhao, after all, he had brought him up. Naturally, he didn't want him to get into trouble, but he couldn't be too explicit. Yang Fan hadn't clearly stated that the place was dangerous, and suddenly closing the casino would arouse the other party's suspicion and vigilance. Song Jianhao misunderstood, "Is that place being watched by the police? I'll ask Yang Fan about it later. Yang Jian's shares won't be returned for now; I'll call him later."
It seemed he was determined to stick with Yang Jian. Since the initial investment wasn't much anyway, Biao Biao didn't dwell on it further. He packed his clothes and left Hancheng with Liang Liang and San Pang.
The three of them returned to Chengguan around 3 p.m. They bought some fruit and went to the hospital to meet Yang Jian.
"Brother Jian, has Brother Hao called you?"
After Biao Biao reported the accounts of the past two days and the events of last night to Yang Jian, he planned to have a good talk with him and convey some of what Yang Fan had said.
"Brother Hao called me. He said Chen Song still hasn't answered his calls. That money from last night is probably unrecoverable; we were tricked by Chen Song. Also, he doesn't have much principal on hand, and I'll have to wait a while to get back the two hundred thousand I lent him."
"Brother Jian, do you believe what he's saying? Brother Fan asked me to tell you not to cooperate with Brother Hao anymore. We have money now. We can either do legitimate business, start the Emperor Company on our own, or even work for Wu Wangchun's places."
Biao Biao then relayed Yang Fan's analysis of Chen Song and Song Jianhao, strongly urging Yang Jian to separate from Song Jianhao.