San Pang returned to the shop after washing the car, and smelled a peculiar fragrance emanating from under the tea room door.
This was the smell of consuming Ma Gu, San Pang immediately concluded. Had his master started dealing drugs again? Brother Mao didn't do drugs, and he had never allowed anyone to consume Ma Gu in his smoke shop before. This must be Bao Guo testing the drugs.
What should he do? Should he tell Yang Jian, or the anti-drug department?
Telling the anti-drug department would mean he had to continue staying here as a police informant. But he was already tired of this life. He probably had as much cash as Brother Mao, and he was unwilling to work for him.
If he told Yang Jian, Yang Jian might ask him to keep an eye on Brother Mao. He could ignore the police matters, but he had to listen to Yang Jian. Yang Jian had treated him the same as Biao Biao Liang Liang these past few years.
"San Pang, what are you thinking about?"
Brother Mao suddenly walked out, startling the contemplative San Pang.
"Master, I'm thinking about family matters. Recently, they've been building houses along the road in our hometown. My parents also want to build one. Since Yaochi Garden is almost finished, they want to use their house as a hotel."
San Pang decided to resign first. Anyway, it wasn't confirmed if Brother Mao was dealing drugs, and Yang Jian wouldn't blame him.
"Is that so? That's a good thing. But building a house and renovating a hotel costs a lot of money. Do you have enough cash?"
Brother Mao was a little surprised. He knew San Pang had a house in Chengguan, and it wasn't small. Now he wanted to build a hotel in his hometown, which was not a small amount of money. Could it be that Yang Jian gave it to him again?
"Master, I have money for building the house because our land was sold to Lijian Company, and we received compensation. Plus, my parents both work in the factory, and they've saved some money these past two years. So, the main structure is fine. We just need to delay the renovation expenses.
But there's no rush. Let's build the main structure first, and we can renovate it when we have money. So, Master, I want to resign and go back to focus on building the house."
San Pang didn't hesitate any longer and directly stated he was quitting.
Brother Mao was slightly taken aback. "You don't necessarily have to go back to build your house. Your parents can manage it at home. Anyway, it's all contracted to others, so you don't need to be there all day.
If you leave suddenly, where will I find someone? I can't trust outsiders, and they're not familiar with the business. How about this? I'll increase your salary to four thousand, and you can stay with me."
"Master, it's really not about the salary. My parents both work in the factory, and they don't have time to build the house. Only I can manage it myself when I go back."
"San Pang, among all my disciples, besides Bao Guo, you are the one I trust the most. That's why I've kept you by my side all these years. I'm going out to talk about a business deal, and it's almost settled. This business requires quite a few people, and I plan for you to be involved."
"Master, I'm not cut out for business."
Before he could finish, San Pang immediately refused. It was a joke; he wouldn't get involved in drug trafficking, which was punishable by death.
Brother Mao saw his panic and smiled. "Why are you so nervous? Let me finish. I'm in the timber business. I bring rosewood from Southeast Asia and resell it to furniture factories. It's a legitimate business with legal procedures."
"But I still don't know how."
"You don't need to know anything. Just help me count the goods at the border pickup point. This business is currently very profitable, so the compensation for you will be very high. If you work for me for a year, you can build a house."
San Pang was not tempted by the grand vision Brother Mao painted; he didn't lack money.
Seeing that he wasn't speaking, Brother Mao patted him on the shoulder. "San Pang, I really don't have many trustworthy people under me. You have to help me out this time.
As you know, ever since Bao Guo's casino closed, my income has been almost zero. This smoke shop can barely cover the basic expenses for my family, let alone pay for my daughter's medical treatment.
Also, after my brother had his kidney transplant, he experienced rejection, and his medical expenses are another large sum. I can't support myself anymore, so I'm trying to do business. Even if I can make one deal, I can get some breathing room.
San Pang, you've been with me for so many years, and I haven't treated you badly, have I? You really need help this time, you have to help me once."
His master was playing the emotional card, and San Pang felt a bit lost. He couldn't refuse. They had a master-disciple relationship, and he had treated him well these years. His salary was never delayed, and he received gifts during holidays, which was better than the treatment in most public institutions.
"Master, when do we leave? How long will it take?"
"We'll depart a week from now. Transporting rosewood takes about a month. This trip requires many people. Can you help me find a few more people from Xinqiao? Starting from the departure date, it's 300 yuan a day, with all expenses for food, accommodation, and travel covered by me. Payment will be made in full upon return, with no delays."
Brother Mao seemed very pleased when he saw San Pang agreeing.
"Then I'll go back and ask. Are there any requirements?"
"As long as they are healthy and young. We have to climb mountains there, so older people or those with poor health won't do."
"Okay, I'll ask around. It should be easy to find people for 300 yuan a day with food and accommodation provided."
San Pang decided to help him one last time, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to face him. It was only for a month or so, so he could just treat it as a trip to the border.
"Good, you go back today and find the people. I need to book train tickets in advance."
"Alright, I'll go back now."
San Pang packed his change of clothes and rode his motorcycle back to Xinqiao.
Watching him disappear from sight, Bao Guo, who had been silent all along, sighed, "Master, can't you let him go? San Pang is a very obedient child."
"He's not only a mole planted by Yang Jian by my side, but I also suspect he's a police informant. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been targeted by the police last time. Fortunately, I stopped in time. Therefore, regarding San Pang, I'd rather kill the wrong person than let him go." wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Brother Mao was cautious and suspicious. He had long harbored doubts about San Pang. In their line of work, one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation, so he couldn't tolerate any potential danger.
"Master, you're still asking him to find people. Aren't you afraid those people won't come back? Their families will report to the police, and eventually, it will lead back to you?"
"He found the people. In the end, none of them will come back, and their families will only look for his family. What does it have to do with me? No one can prove they were hired by me."
"What if someone runs back? Won't you be exposed?"
"As long as they enter Myanmar, their fate will be in the hands of others. They might be forced to work, or tricked into scams. Once they lose their labor capacity, they can only sell their organs. It's absolutely impossible for them to run back."
He hadn't planned to deal with San Pang so soon, but San Pang's sudden request to resign forced Brother Mao to implement his malicious plan earlier. He wanted to punish those who betrayed him as they deserved.