Chapter 38 What Are Your Plans?
Kong Zhenghui squinted his eyes as he looked at Su Tianyu. "What do you want to say?"
"Nothing much, just feeling a bit strange," Su Tianyu replied, looking back at him. "What do you think?"
"Hehe, I know what you're thinking," Kong Zhenghui chuckled and replied softly. "But I think it's just a coincidence. We don't need to think too much into it."
Su Tianyu fell silent.
Kong Zhenghui explained gently, "You don't really understand the situation here in Dragon City. On land, on water, running outside, drilling into no man's land, every industry has its own rules and circles. The gangsters in the harbor eat from the water all year round, with many ears and eyes, and runners everywhere. Once you're associated with them, they'll keep an eye on you. It's not unusual."
Su Tianyu nodded slowly. "Maybe I was just overthinking."
"Let's say, we're just here to eat our share of the profits in this world of jianghu," Kong Zhenghui continued. "If the benefits are right, we'll do it. If not, we'll move on."
"That makes sense," Su Tianyu agreed.
"Alright then, that's settled. I'll take my men and leave first," Kong Zhenghui said, bidding farewell and leaving the junkyard with his share of the money.
Not far away, Su Tianbei handed out the cash to the three partners according to the corresponding amounts. The workers who participated in the shipping and handling of goods today, as well as the core members of the family, also received an extra five hundred yuan each.
In fact, according to the standard of living in Dragon City, this money was definitely not a small sum. One night's income was equivalent to the monthly salary of many ordinary people. Although this was a smuggling business, the risks borne by the workers below were completely different from those of the Su, Bai, and Kong companies.
If there were any problems, they would have to take the blame, while paving the way and building relationships all relied on those above them. All the workers had to do was put in the work. So, there were no objections to the distribution of the profits, and some even wanted to continue doing this job long-term to earn some extra income for their families.
Su Tianyu made a net profit of four thousand yuan today, as he received eighty-five thousand yuan from Yu Mingyuan. This showed that the boss was quite generous and valued the Su family.
As Su Tianyu made money, he felt pleased with himself. He quickly finished up his work and prepared to go back to sleep. Just then, Wu Shixiong walked over with a toothy grin and shouted, "Little...Little Master."
Su Tianyu turned his head and asked, "What's up?"
"I made...made some money. How about I treat you to breakfast?" Wu Shixiong invited him with a smile. "Let's go to the Cantonese restaurant and have some dim sum."
"Forget it, I'm going back to sleep," Su Tianyu declined.
"Don't...don't disrespect me like that. I want to treat you," Wu Shixiong spoke frankly.
"Hehe," Su Tianyu grinned. "Alright, let's go then."
"Great!" Wu Shixiong opened the door of Su Tianyu's Ford "bus" and sat down.
"Where are you going?" Su Tianbei, Bai Hongbo, and a distant relative of the Su family also joined them.
"Wu Shixiong wants to take me out for a meal."
"Hey, Wu Shixiong, why don't you treat us to a meal too?" Bai Hongbo asked from inside the car.
Wu Shixiong thought for a good three or four seconds before nodding and agreeing, "Sure...I'll treat you all, let's go together."
"Sounds good!" Bai Hongbo opened the door and got in.
So, the five of them drove off in a jeep and arrived at the Cantonese restaurant after about five or six kilometers, as Wu Shixiong insisted on coming there.
When they entered the restaurant, it was just dawn and the sky was brightening up with the sun rising and colorful rays shining through the clouds.
Wu Shixiong took the initiative to order a variety of expensive dishes such as shrimp dumplings, steamed fish balls, and sea cucumber porridge.
After ordering, Bai Hongbo habitually tried to pay, but Wu Shixiong stopped him, "We made a deal, I'll treat you, no need for you to pay, Brother Bai."
"Very particular, my friend!" Bai Hongbo was certainly not concerned about the cost of breakfast, so he didn't argue and simply enjoyed his porridge.
As they ate breakfast, Wu Shixiong tentatively asked Su Tianyu, "Little...Little Master, can I live in the newly rented third-story?"
Su Tianyu was taken aback, "Why do you want to live there? Don't you want to go home?"
"It's freer there," Wu Shixiong lowered his head and sipped his porridge. "I don't see anyone there, and besides, I can pay rent every month."
Before, Yu Mingyuan had Linda rent a three-story building by the seaside. The main purpose of this building was to store equipment such as fast boats, ropes, motors, chains, and other tools needed for work, as these items could not be used and transported every time they were needed. Additionally, before every work session, there needed to be a gathering point for workers, as it was too conspicuous to always gather at the garbage dump.
Su Tianyu glanced at Wu Shixiong, although he had many doubts in his mind, he was accustomed to not asking about family matters. "Sure, if you want to live there, go ahead. You don't need to pay rent. It just so happens that there are a lot of things there, and someone needs to look after them."
Wu Shixiong was very happy to hear this, "Thank...thank you, Little Brother Yu. When you have time...I'll treat you to a good meal."
"Hehe, Wu Shixiong, when are you going to get married?" Bai Hongbo asked casually.
"As long as I work hard and save enough money, I can buy a house and get married soon," Wu Shixiong replied.
"You can get married, but you can't marry Third Sister. She's my Bai Moonlight, your future sister-in-law," Bai Hongbo said with a sideways glance.
"Damn it," Su Tianbei muttered angrily.
When Wu Shixiong heard this, his face instantly turned red. He lowered his head and stopped talking.
"Damn, they say his brain doesn't work well, but look, he has a clearer life plan than me!" Bai Hongbo was a person with a sharp tongue, but he had never made fun of Wu Shixiong in a vulgar or obscene way. Although his speech seemed out of place, it was his true inner thoughts.
"What about you? Do you have a plan?" Su Tianyu asked.
"To be honest, I don't have much of a plan. I'm quite lost," Bai Hongbo replied with a wry smile. "I don't really like what I'm doing now, but... I have to do it. My dad is getting old, and there's a big group of people in my family waiting to eat. Men, once they grow up, they can't just live for themselves anymore."
Su Tianyu smiled and turned to Su Tianbei and their cousin from the Su family, "Second brother, Haozi, what are your plans?"
"Be bigger and stronger, and create even more brilliance!" Su Tianbei replied concisely.
"Okay." Su Tianyu nodded, "What about you, Haozi?"
Zhang Hao, a young man sitting diagonally across from them, was the son of Tianbei's uncle's family. His father had died in the Chinese navy when he was young, and he and his mother had no one else to rely on, so they sought refuge in the Su family, which had some industry in Dragon City.
Zhang Hao was usually quiet and hardworking and could be found working in almost any corner of the Su family's courtyard. Su Tianyu had known him since he was young, and always had a good impression of him.
Listening to Su Tianyu's question, Zhang Hao thought carefully before replying, "I don't have much of a plan. I just want to earn some money and make my mother's life a little better."
"Yes, living is just about wanting a good life," Mr. Bai Hongbo exclaimed while holding his bowl of porridge. "Come on, let's work hard for a better tomorrow."
"But who works hard for porridge?" Su Tianbei said in exasperation.
"Well, that's the point. Drinking alcohol in the morning isn't healthy," Bai Hongbo grimaced. "Today is quite meaningful. We've completed our first day, and I hope it gets better and better from now on."
The five young people smiled at each other and picked up their bowls to drink.
In the early morning, everyone left the porridge shop together and dispersed under the brilliant sun.
—---
Wu Shixiong took the keys to the third-story building from Su Tianyu's hand and happily walked home.
It was just after eight in the morning.
In a dilapidated building on Tufang Street in Zhanan District, Wu Shixiong jumped up the triangular steps to the seventh floor and opened the door to his home with his key.
Tufang Street was a well-known slum in Zhanan District, and the buildings here were all semi-welfare housing built by the Dragon City Relief Agency specifically for people who had no security, no work, and no labor capacity. Except for water and electricity bills, no other fees needed to be paid.
Wu Shixiong's father had once been a soldier and was heavily injured in the inland battlefield of the Chinese District, losing his left hand and earning a personal third-class merit. After he was discharged from the army, he followed the relocating troops to Dragon City and was initially given relatively spacious housing and a military compensation.
However, Wu Shixiong's father had three sons, and if he relied solely on the compensation given by the army, he would eventually become destitute. After he was discharged from the army, he began to engage in the buying and selling of scarce goods with several comrades in Dragon City. But with bad luck and tightening policies, he lost a lot of money in the end.
After that, the Wu family moved to this slum, and Wu's father also worked with Su's family in the dirty gang for a while. To put it plainly, it was because Su Zhengcai remembered their past camaraderie in the army that he arranged a leisurely job for him in the company. Later, Wu's father's health deteriorated, and Wu Shixiong took his place in the gang as a worker.
Wu Shixiong opened the door and entered the living room of his home. As soon as he glanced up, he saw his father sitting at the dirty table eating breakfast and drinking white wine.
It was his father's habit to drink alcohol at all three meals and then either lie in bed reading or sleep.
The Wu family's housing had a total of about 60 square meters, and the environment was very rundown. The furniture inside was over a decade old and inexplicably permeated with a rotting stench.
Wu Shixiong's older and second brothers had already started working and no longer lived at home, so his father rented out the eastern room to a middle-aged couple who sold breakfast, and he and his wife lived in the western room. Wu Shixiong's room was transformed from the balcony and could basically only fit a bed.
After returning home, Wu Shixiong hesitantly called out, "Dad...you...you're awake?"
"In God's name, where have you been all this time? You're never home!" shouted Mr. Wu, his voice booming.
"I...I was helping some friends from work transport goods for the Su family on the sea," mumbled Wu Shixiong, stuttering in response.
"Transporting goods on the sea? You mean smuggling? Are you stupid? You do whatever others tell you to do?" Mr. Wu exploded in anger. "If you had been caught that night, do you know how many years you would have been sentenced to?"
"They were all doing it, even the Su family did it themselves, nothing will happen," Wu Shixiong replied, turning and walking towards the balcony.
"How much did they pay you?" Mr. Wu shouted again.
Wu Shixiong went to the balcony and began packing his luggage.
"In God's name, how did I raise such a foolish son? You just follow the path that others draw for you, your head is filled with crap," Mr. Wu continued to rant outside while drinking.
Wu Shixiong packed his things as quickly as possible, then took his shabby suitcase and walked out of the balcony, locking the door behind him.
"What are you doing?" Mr. Wu asked.
"I found a job doing night watchman duty. I'll be staying...there for a while," Wu Shixiong stuttered in response. "I won't be coming back for a while."
"I'm asking you, how much money did you make by running around with them on the sea?" Mr. Wu asked, staring intently.
Wu Shixiong thought for a moment, then took out four hundred and fifty-four yuan from his pocket and put it on the table, saying, "They gave me five hundred yuan yesterday, here you go."
Mr. Wu picked up the money and his tone softened a bit. "Don't be such a fool. Be careful and watch out. If anything goes wrong, run away."
"I understand."
"Good. I'll save this money for you. Don't cause any trouble outside," Mr. Wu said.
"I'm leaving," Wu Shixiong said, picking up his bag and walking out of the house.
—---
Outside, the sunshine was beautiful. Wu Shixiong couldn't help but smile as he stepped out of the house.
He rushed to the three-story building by the sea, placed his luggage neatly on the ground, and began to tidy up the top-floor bedroom.
Despite his rough exterior, Wu Shixiong was meticulous in his work, carefully cleaning every nook and cranny with a rag and a broken mop.
After finishing the cleaning, he brought up several old cabinets from downstairs and placed them in the room.
Bending down to retrieve his luggage, Wu Shixiong carefully arranged his belongings, placing a handmade wooden figurine that looked like the third sister and a worn-out Superman toy on the bedside table.
When everything was in order, Wu Shixiong lay on the ground, wiping away the sweat with his arm, looking at the bright sunlight outside and grinning inexplicably.
Chapter 38 What Are Your Plans?
Kong Zhenghui squinted his eyes as he looked at Su Tianyu. "What do you want to say?"
"Nothing much, just feeling a bit strange," Su Tianyu replied, looking back at him. "What do you think?"
"Hehe, I know what you're thinking," Kong Zhenghui chuckled and replied softly. "But I think it's just a coincidence. We don't need to think too much into it."
Su Tianyu fell silent.
Kong Zhenghui explained gently, "You don't really understand the situation here in Dragon City. On land, on water, running outside, drilling into no man's land, every industry has its own rules and circles. The gangsters in the harbor eat from the water all year round, with many ears and eyes, and runners everywhere. Once you're associated with them, they'll keep an eye on you. It's not unusual."
Su Tianyu nodded slowly. "Maybe I was just overthinking."
"Let's say, we're just here to eat our share of the profits in this world of jianghu," Kong Zhenghui continued. "If the benefits are right, we'll do it. If not, we'll move on."
"That makes sense," Su Tianyu agreed.
"Alright then, that's settled. I'll take my men and leave first," Kong Zhenghui said, bidding farewell and leaving the junkyard with his share of the money.
Not far away, Su Tianbei handed out the cash to the three partners according to the corresponding amounts. The workers who participated in the shipping and handling of goods today, as well as the core members of the family, also received an extra five hundred yuan each.
In fact, according to the standard of living in Dragon City, this money was definitely not a small sum. One night's income was equivalent to the monthly salary of many ordinary people. Although this was a smuggling business, the risks borne by the workers below were completely different from those of the Su, Bai, and Kong companies.
If there were any problems, they would have to take the blame, while paving the way and building relationships all relied on those above them. All the workers had to do was put in the work. So, there were no objections to the distribution of the profits, and some even wanted to continue doing this job long-term to earn some extra income for their families.
Su Tianyu made a net profit of four thousand yuan today, as he received eighty-five thousand yuan from Yu Mingyuan. This showed that the boss was quite generous and valued the Su family.
As Su Tianyu made money, he felt pleased with himself. He quickly finished up his work and prepared to go back to sleep. Just then, Wu Shixiong walked over with a toothy grin and shouted, "Little...Little Master."
Su Tianyu turned his head and asked, "What's up?"
"I made...made some money. How about I treat you to breakfast?" Wu Shixiong invited him with a smile. "Let's go to the Cantonese restaurant and have some dim sum."
"Forget it, I'm going back to sleep," Su Tianyu declined.
"Don't...don't disrespect me like that. I want to treat you," Wu Shixiong spoke frankly.
"Hehe," Su Tianyu grinned. "Alright, let's go then."
"Great!" Wu Shixiong opened the door of Su Tianyu's Ford "bus" and sat down.
"Where are you going?" Su Tianbei, Bai Hongbo, and a distant relative of the Su family also joined them.
"Wu Shixiong wants to take me out for a meal."
"Hey, Wu Shixiong, why don't you treat us to a meal too?" Bai Hongbo asked from inside the car.
Wu Shixiong thought for a good three or four seconds before nodding and agreeing, "Sure...I'll treat you all, let's go together."
"Sounds good!" Bai Hongbo opened the door and got in.
So, the five of them drove off in a jeep and arrived at the Cantonese restaurant after about five or six kilometers, as Wu Shixiong insisted on coming there.
When they entered the restaurant, it was just dawn and the sky was brightening up with the sun rising and colorful rays shining through the clouds.
Wu Shixiong took the initiative to order a variety of expensive dishes such as shrimp dumplings, steamed fish balls, and sea cucumber porridge.
After ordering, Bai Hongbo habitually tried to pay, but Wu Shixiong stopped him, "We made a deal, I'll treat you, no need for you to pay, Brother Bai."
"Very particular, my friend!" Bai Hongbo was certainly not concerned about the cost of breakfast, so he didn't argue and simply enjoyed his porridge.
As they ate breakfast, Wu Shixiong tentatively asked Su Tianyu, "Little...Little Master, can I live in the newly rented third-story?"
Su Tianyu was taken aback, "Why do you want to live there? Don't you want to go home?"
"It's freer there," Wu Shixiong lowered his head and sipped his porridge. "I don't see anyone there, and besides, I can pay rent every month."
Before, Yu Mingyuan had Linda rent a three-story building by the seaside. The main purpose of this building was to store equipment such as fast boats, ropes, motors, chains, and other tools needed for work, as these items could not be used and transported every time they were needed. Additionally, before every work session, there needed to be a gathering point for workers, as it was too conspicuous to always gather at the garbage dump.
Su Tianyu glanced at Wu Shixiong, although he had many doubts in his mind, he was accustomed to not asking about family matters. "Sure, if you want to live there, go ahead. You don't need to pay rent. It just so happens that there are a lot of things there, and someone needs to look after them."
Wu Shixiong was very happy to hear this, "Thank...thank you, Little Brother Yu. When you have time...I'll treat you to a good meal."
"Hehe, Wu Shixiong, when are you going to get married?" Bai Hongbo asked casually.
"As long as I work hard and save enough money, I can buy a house and get married soon," Wu Shixiong replied.
"You can get married, but you can't marry Third Sister. She's my Bai Moonlight, your future sister-in-law," Bai Hongbo said with a sideways glance.
"Damn it," Su Tianbei muttered angrily.
When Wu Shixiong heard this, his face instantly turned red. He lowered his head and stopped talking.
"Damn, they say his brain doesn't work well, but look, he has a clearer life plan than me!" Bai Hongbo was a person with a sharp tongue, but he had never made fun of Wu Shixiong in a vulgar or obscene way. Although his speech seemed out of place, it was his true inner thoughts.
"What about you? Do you have a plan?" Su Tianyu asked.
"To be honest, I don't have much of a plan. I'm quite lost," Bai Hongbo replied with a wry smile. "I don't really like what I'm doing now, but... I have to do it. My dad is getting old, and there's a big group of people in my family waiting to eat. Men, once they grow up, they can't just live for themselves anymore."
Su Tianyu smiled and turned to Su Tianbei and their cousin from the Su family, "Second brother, Haozi, what are your plans?"
"Be bigger and stronger, and create even more brilliance!" Su Tianbei replied concisely.
"Okay." Su Tianyu nodded, "What about you, Haozi?"
Zhang Hao, a young man sitting diagonally across from them, was the son of Tianbei's uncle's family. His father had died in the Chinese navy when he was young, and he and his mother had no one else to rely on, so they sought refuge in the Su family, which had some industry in Dragon City.
Zhang Hao was usually quiet and hardworking and could be found working in almost any corner of the Su family's courtyard. Su Tianyu had known him since he was young, and always had a good impression of him.
Listening to Su Tianyu's question, Zhang Hao thought carefully before replying, "I don't have much of a plan. I just want to earn some money and make my mother's life a little better."
"Yes, living is just about wanting a good life," Mr. Bai Hongbo exclaimed while holding his bowl of porridge. "Come on, let's work hard for a better tomorrow."
"But who works hard for porridge?" Su Tianbei said in exasperation.
"Well, that's the point. Drinking alcohol in the morning isn't healthy," Bai Hongbo grimaced. "Today is quite meaningful. We've completed our first day, and I hope it gets better and better from now on."
The five young people smiled at each other and picked up their bowls to drink.
In the early morning, everyone left the porridge shop together and dispersed under the brilliant sun.
—---
Wu Shixiong took the keys to the third-story building from Su Tianyu's hand and happily walked home.
It was just after eight in the morning.
In a dilapidated building on Tufang Street in Zhanan District, Wu Shixiong jumped up the triangular steps to the seventh floor and opened the door to his home with his key.
Tufang Street was a well-known slum in Zhanan District, and the buildings here were all semi-welfare housing built by the Dragon City Relief Agency specifically for people who had no security, no work, and no labor capacity. Except for water and electricity bills, no other fees needed to be paid.
Wu Shixiong's father had once been a soldier and was heavily injured in the inland battlefield of the Chinese District, losing his left hand and earning a personal third-class merit. After he was discharged from the army, he followed the relocating troops to Dragon City and was initially given relatively spacious housing and a military compensation.
However, Wu Shixiong's father had three sons, and if he relied solely on the compensation given by the army, he would eventually become destitute. After he was discharged from the army, he began to engage in the buying and selling of scarce goods with several comrades in Dragon City. But with bad luck and tightening policies, he lost a lot of money in the end.
After that, the Wu family moved to this slum, and Wu's father also worked with Su's family in the dirty gang for a while. To put it plainly, it was because Su Zhengcai remembered their past camaraderie in the army that he arranged a leisurely job for him in the company. Later, Wu's father's health deteriorated, and Wu Shixiong took his place in the gang as a worker.
Wu Shixiong opened the door and entered the living room of his home. As soon as he glanced up, he saw his father sitting at the dirty table eating breakfast and drinking white wine.
It was his father's habit to drink alcohol at all three meals and then either lie in bed reading or sleep.
The Wu family's housing had a total of about 60 square meters, and the environment was very rundown. The furniture inside was over a decade old and inexplicably permeated with a rotting stench.
Wu Shixiong's older and second brothers had already started working and no longer lived at home, so his father rented out the eastern room to a middle-aged couple who sold breakfast, and he and his wife lived in the western room. Wu Shixiong's room was transformed from the balcony and could basically only fit a bed.
After returning home, Wu Shixiong hesitantly called out, "Dad...you...you're awake?"
"In God's name, where have you been all this time? You're never home!" shouted Mr. Wu, his voice booming.
"I...I was helping some friends from work transport goods for the Su family on the sea," mumbled Wu Shixiong, stuttering in response.
"Transporting goods on the sea? You mean smuggling? Are you stupid? You do whatever others tell you to do?" Mr. Wu exploded in anger. "If you had been caught that night, do you know how many years you would have been sentenced to?"
"They were all doing it, even the Su family did it themselves, nothing will happen," Wu Shixiong replied, turning and walking towards the balcony.
"How much did they pay you?" Mr. Wu shouted again.
Wu Shixiong went to the balcony and began packing his luggage.
"In God's name, how did I raise such a foolish son? You just follow the path that others draw for you, your head is filled with crap," Mr. Wu continued to rant outside while drinking.
Wu Shixiong packed his things as quickly as possible, then took his shabby suitcase and walked out of the balcony, locking the door behind him.
"What are you doing?" Mr. Wu asked.
"I found a job doing night watchman duty. I'll be staying...there for a while," Wu Shixiong stuttered in response. "I won't be coming back for a while."
"I'm asking you, how much money did you make by running around with them on the sea?" Mr. Wu asked, staring intently.
Wu Shixiong thought for a moment, then took out four hundred and fifty-four yuan from his pocket and put it on the table, saying, "They gave me five hundred yuan yesterday, here you go."
Mr. Wu picked up the money and his tone softened a bit. "Don't be such a fool. Be careful and watch out. If anything goes wrong, run away."
"I understand."
"Good. I'll save this money for you. Don't cause any trouble outside," Mr. Wu said.
"I'm leaving," Wu Shixiong said, picking up his bag and walking out of the house.
—---
Outside, the sunshine was beautiful. Wu Shixiong couldn't help but smile as he stepped out of the house.
He rushed to the three-story building by the sea, placed his luggage neatly on the ground, and began to tidy up the top-floor bedroom.
Despite his rough exterior, Wu Shixiong was meticulous in his work, carefully cleaning every nook and cranny with a rag and a broken mop.
After finishing the cleaning, he brought up several old cabinets from downstairs and placed them in the room.
Bending down to retrieve his luggage, Wu Shixiong carefully arranged his belongings, placing a handmade wooden figurine that looked like the third sister and a worn-out Superman toy on the bedside table.
When everything was in order, Wu Shixiong lay on the ground, wiping away the sweat with his arm, looking at the bright sunlight outside and grinning inexplicably.
