Biao Biao hung up the phone before he could finish speaking, likely because someone had arrived and it was inconvenient to talk.
Yang Jian harbored doubts. The next morning, he set out, planning to visit Song Jianmin in Chengguan first before heading to Hancheng.
In the surgical ward of the People's Hospital, Song Jianmin's complexion had improved considerably. His external wounds had mostly healed, though he still found it difficult to walk.
His wife was not in the room. Upon seeing Yang Jian, Song Jianmin prepared to get up and pour him water, but Yang Jian stopped him.
"Jianmin, how are you feeling? When can you be discharged?"
"I'll be discharged in a couple of days to recuperate at home. When did you get back?"
"Yesterday. I brought my cousin back and I'll be leaving soon."
"Oh, what's the situation over there?"
"You don't know?"
Yang Jian was surprised. He had assumed Song Jianmin was well-informed about the Emperor Company's affairs. His visit today was partly to see him, but also to gauge his reaction to the robbery of Sixi the previous night.
Song Jianmin looked bewildered. "What do I know? All I heard from Sixi was that you'd moved from Jiangnan to Jiangbei. A few days ago, my brother transferred twenty thousand yuan, saying the company's performance had been good recently, but he didn't tell me how much they'd won."
It seemed Song Jianmin wasn't lying. He was certainly unaware of last night's events, and whatever underhanded dealings might have occurred, they had nothing to do with him.
"Jianmin, Sixi was robbed of sixty thousand yuan last night. Five thousand of that was the company's principal, and another casino lost thirty thousand. So, last night's total principal loss was eighty thousand."
Yang Jian didn't specify how much they had won previously; that was a matter between brothers, and he didn't want to gossip.
Song Jianmin's expression turned a bit grim. "Sixi wasn't injured, was he?"
"No, the other party had a gun. They took the money and left."
"Ah, it's fortunate he wasn't hurt. This sort of thing is quite common in casinos, but it's the first time we've encountered it. Yang Jian, you're in charge of the money at the venue, so be careful too."
"I will be."
After chatting with him for a while, Yang Jian got up and left the ward. As he reached the nurses' station, he saw Wei Xia chatting with a nurse and walked over.
"Dr. Wei, hello."
Wei Xia seemed a bit surprised. "Yang Jian, you haven't been here in a long time. Little Song mentioned you went to Hancheng?"
"Yes, I've been in Hancheng recently. Are you getting used to working here?"
"I'm used to it. I've started performing surgeries as the primary surgeon."
"Really? Congratulations! To be performing surgery as the primary surgeon after only a month is amazing. You truly are a top student."
"Don't praise me too much. Have you been in touch with Yaoyao recently?"
"No. Talking to you intellectuals, I don't have common ground."
Wei Xia shot him a look. "What are you saying? We all eat grains and cereals; there's no such thing as high-class or low-class. Intellectuals don't live in the clouds either. Yang Jian, would you like to have lunch together? I'll invite Yaoyao."
"Perhaps next time. I'm planning to go to Hancheng."
"Yang Jian, Yaoyao has been in trouble recently. I hope you can help her."
Yang Jian looked a bit surprised. "What happened to Lu Yao? Is someone bullying her again?"
Wei Xia sighed. "No one is directly bullying her, but any male colleague or friend who gets a little close to her has been beaten up and warned not to associate with Yaoyao."
"What the hell? Who's so arrogant? Is it Wu Laizi again?"
"I don't know. You can ask her when you meet."
"Alright then. I'll go to my sister's place first, then wait for you at Pinwei Shiguang."
It was still early. Yang Jian left the hospital and went shopping to buy some toys and snacks for his nephew, then went to his sister's house.
Gao Daqiang's auto repair shop was still quiet. Combined with the income from the convenience store, it was barely enough to get by. However, he still hadn't sold the land to anyone. He believed his family's land would become increasingly valuable and hoped Yang Jian could earn enough to develop it himself.
Around half past eleven, Yang Jian left his sister's house and booked a booth at Pinwei Shiguang.
Less than ten minutes later, Wei Xia arrived with Lu Yao.
"Hey, Yang Jian, you're back and you didn't even call me."
Lu Yao punched Yang Jian in the shoulder as soon as she saw him.
"I only got back yesterday, and just arrived in Chengguan today. Aren't I treating you to a meal as soon as I got here? Order whatever you want."
"Who are you kidding? If Sister Xia hadn't bumped into you at the hospital, you wouldn't have treated us. Based on your attitude, I'm going to take you for everything you've got today. Waiter, order the food."
Lu Yao unceremoniously ordered five of the most expensive dishes on the menu, along with a pot of premium Tieguanyin.
Before the food arrived, they drank tea. Lu Yao deftly poured three cups.
"Yaoyao, Dr. Wei said someone beat up your boyfriend again. Was it Wu Laizi?"
Yang Jian cut straight to the chase.
"I don't have a boyfriend. They're all my colleagues and friends. That thug Wu Laizi beat them all up, making me offend everyone. Brother Jian, do you have any way to teach Wu Laizi a lesson? This way, I'll have no friends left, and even female colleagues are keeping their distance from me, afraid of getting into trouble."
"Has he harassed you directly?"
"Not directly. Once, he sent flowers to me at the entrance, but I refused. Then he threatened that anyone who pursued me would have their legs broken. Later, three of my colleagues and two friends were beaten up one after another. I know it was him. Why hasn't anyone arrested this scumbag and put him in jail?"
"How can I help you then? I can't just beat him up for no reason."
"What's wrong with beating him up? A scumbag like him shouldn't be alive. It would be better if he were beaten to death."
Lu Yao said this through gritted teeth, her hand trembling as she held the teacup, indicating her intense anger and helplessness.
Yang Jian said with a hint of helplessness, "Forget it. I was arrested and imprisoned for twenty-eight days the last time I beat him. Do you want me to go to jail again?"
"Then what should we do? In Chengguan, he's probably afraid of no one but you."
Yang Jian smiled. "How about you marry me then?"
"Pfft, you wish! I consider you a brother, and you want me to be your wife? Don't you think that's a bit shameless?"
After saying that, Lu Yao burst into laughter.
Wei Xia also laughed. "Yaoyao, I think Yang Jian's suggestion is good. You two are very well-matched. Although Yang Jian comes from a rural background, he's sunny, handsome, and successful at a young age. In my opinion, he's a stock with potential, worth having."
"Oh my, Sister Xia, you have such high praise for him. Don't tell me you've taken a liking to him?"
"If you don't want him, I might just make a move."
The two girls' laughter and banter made Yang Jian quite awkward. Shouldn't they be saying these things in private? Although he was indeed handsome, they shouldn't praise him to his face. It was so embarrassing.
"Ladies, I'm quite thin-skinned. Can't you see I'm blushing? Let's change the topic quickly."
As soon as he said this, the two girls burst into peals of laughter.