Li Jin actually profited more than Yang Jian during these ten days, as he received the daily leftovers, which amounted to over a thousand yuan each day. Additionally, Yang Jian had to pay the wages for Liang Liang and Biao Biao.
"Manager Yang, our cooperation this time has been very successful and pleasant. I, Li Jin, owe you a favor. If you ever need anything, just give me a call, and I'll be there without hesitation."
Li Jin was grateful for Yang Jian taking all the responsibility in front of Xiao Wu. Otherwise, Xiao Wu would have definitely come down hard on him.
"Brother Jin, no need to be so polite. I benefited from you when setting up this operation. I know your character after spending this time together. From now on, we are friends. Just call me Xiao Yang. 'Manager Yang' sounds so awkward."
"Alright, Xiao Yang, we are good friends and brothers from now on."
Li Jin was very happy to gain Yang Jian's approval. He was also an ambitious person, and his allegiance to Xiao Wu was only temporary; he was waiting for an opportunity.
Yang Jian had a good impression of Li Jin. At least, he was more straightforward than Xiao Wu and didn't mind taking a loss. Li Jin had paid for all the meals and expenses for those bosses in the early stages. In fact, he could have set up this operation himself and made the same profit in just three to five days.
After leaving Li Jin's place, Yang Jian and Song Jianmin went to the bank to deposit the money.
As soon as they returned to their rented room, Song Jianhao called them into his room.
"Xiao Yang, you've been going out every night recently. It turns out you were setting up operations. You must have made quite a bit of money, right?"
Song Jianhao got straight to the point. It was obvious that Xiao Wu had told him everything.
Yang Jian didn't hide anything. "Yes, I made over a hundred thousand yuan."
"Holy crap, you made that much? I only made tens of thousands in two months running this place, and I still had to manage relationships with various parties. What I actually got was only a little over thirty thousand. Your ten days are equivalent to my half a year."
"There's no other way. Those timber bosses felt unsafe playing in the hotel, so they actively requested me to set up this operation. I didn't expect it to displease Xiao Wu, so I won't be doing it anymore."
"Xiao Yang, let's not talk about setting up operations anymore. I'm happy that you made money. Listening to Xiao Wu, you're planning to leave here?"
"Yes, I plan to leave after I get my driver's license in a few days."
"Can you give me some face and stay?"
Yang Jian shook his head. "Brother Hao, it's not that I don't want to give you face. You know that Brother Xiong won't let me go, and the brothers under Guang Tou might make a move on me at any time. I'm very dangerous here."
Song Jianhao knew that his influence wasn't enough to keep him, so he could only reveal his bottom line.
"Xiao Yang, I know you have grievances with Xiao Wu. It can be said that without you, Xiao Wu wouldn't be where he is today. You risked your life for him, yet he hasn't given you any substantial reward. The thousand yuan a day salary was also paid by me. I also feel that he's not being decent in this regard."
"Brother Hao, putting rewards aside, what truly chilled me was the incident with Guang Tou. He schemed against all of us. If we hadn't been prepared and occupied advantageous positions beforehand, and if Guang Tou hadn't been wary of me, including you, we might all still be lying in the hospital."
Yang Jian expressed his dissatisfaction with Xiao Wu to Song Jianhao without any concealment.
Song Jianhao gave a wry smile. "Xiao Yang, what you're saying is true, but at least we managed to avert the crisis, right? Xiao Wu just called me. He said he didn't increase your benefits before because the company was newly formed and funds were tight. He actually had plans all along. After this batch of timber is finished, he would buy you a car and give you twenty percent of the company's shares.
He also said that with this demolition and resettlement, his family can get at least three apartments. As long as you stay and help him with the demolition, he'll directly give you one."
Yang Jian sneered. "Hmph, who can't draw a picture of a cake? Even if he really gives it, I have to be alive to spend it."
"It's not drawing a picture of a cake. He said the car purchase can be arranged immediately. You can pick up the car as soon as you get your license. I've been tasked with this. Give me some face and don't leave."
Yang Jian shook his head. "Brother Hao, it's not about the car, it's about my safety not being guaranteed."
"Xiao Yang, in this world, where is there no danger? If you're timid, you shouldn't have entered this circle. You've already shown your formidable strength. Brother Xiong might not dare to make a move on you. Let me tell you, these big shots who have accumulated immense wealth are very afraid of death. They won't easily go all out against someone like you because the consequences are uncontrollable and unpredictable. Once they make a mistake, they will face even more ferocious retaliation."
"Brother Hao, please don't persuade me anymore. I can't work for him anymore."
"Then how about this? You don't leave, and you continue to stay with me. My operation won't be peaceful without you managing it. The number of gamblers at the operation is increasing, and the profits are growing, but it's also becoming more complicated. If you leave, I might not be able to sustain it for long. I can increase your benefits a bit more."
Seeing that he was determined to leave, Song Jianhao could only implement a delaying tactic, to keep him at the operation for now. As for how Xiao Wu would win him over later, that wasn't his concern.
At this moment, Song Jianmin also chimed in. "Yang Jian, listen to me. Buy the car first. It's not for anyone else, but for saving Xiao Wu twice, a car is more than enough reward. As for whether you'll work for him later, that depends on your mood. As long as he's willing to pay a sufficient price, it's not impossible to show up occasionally. Can he force you?"
"Yes, yes, let's get a car first. We'll go buy it tomorrow morning to avoid any further complications. Before you get your license, I'll arrange for Biao Biao to drive you. This way, you'll be much safer when you go to driving school."
Song Jianhao saw that Yang Jian was a bit tempted. What young person wouldn't want to own a car? In their rural hometown, motorcycles weren't that common yet. Driving a sedan back would be incredibly cool.
Yang Jian considered for a moment and said, "Brother Hao, I have no problem doing things for you, but I definitely won't go to Xiao Wu's side. I have my driver's license test in a week. If I pass it on the first try, I can stay until the Qingming Festival. As for whether I'll stay after the Qingming Festival, I still need to discuss it with my family."
"Alright, no more words needed. Do you have your ID card? We'll go pick up the car tomorrow. I'll have Xiao Wu transfer the funds. He said you can choose any car within two hundred thousand yuan."
Song Jianhao was very happy. He had finally completed the task assigned by Xiao Wu. The casino's development momentum was strong. Without Xiao Wu's support, it wouldn't last a single day.
As large-scale demolition began, people had money in their hands, and the number of people coming to gamble would increase. With ample funds, the casino's profits would multiply.
As for Yang Jian, he was indeed persuaded by Song Jianmin. Even if he was leaving, he would drive away in a car. This was something Xiao Wu owed him, and it would be foolish not to take it.