Chapter 137: What Is Your Name?

"So, they didn't just sell us the goods we ordered, they even fronted us an extra hundred units on credit?"

Zhang Mingyang nodded.

"That's not all. Just before I left, this Qi Zhiyong grabbed my hand and said that as long as we can sell them here, we don't even need to go there ourselves; he can ship them to us directly from Nanjing."

"That’s fantastic!" Xu Fei slapped the table in delight. "Tell me, Fourth Brother, if we keep going like this, we won't even need much capital. This business is going to be incredibly lucrative!"

Xu Fei glanced at Zhang Mingyang. "Third Brother, gaining Qi Zhiyong's trust isn't just about getting them to front us goods. In truth, I want to establish several sales points here in Donghai—no, in the surrounding cities and counties as well. Once we spread our sales network, the Nanjing Television Factory might not even be able to keep up with our demand."

Zhang Mingyang was stunned speechless. "Fourth, you—you’re way too bold. I don't fully understand it, but I have a feeling your idea is brilliant!"

Xu Fei smiled. "Third Brother, it’s what you call a chain-store business model. Actually..." He stopped himself, realizing that Zhang Mingyang probably wouldn't grasp the concept. Even the most brilliant economists of the time might not have understood Xu Fei's model. After all, this was the eighties; it would be years before such a model emerged.

"Alright, I can't wrap my head around what you're talking about, but I do know that sticking with you is the right move." Zhang Mingyang raised his wine cup. "Come, Fourth, let's have a drink!"

Xu Fei smiled and raised his glass. The two brothers clinked their cups and downed the drink. Zhang Mingyang looked at Xu Fei and asked, "So, when are you planning to head back this time?"

"Brother An is at the provincial capital, so I want to stay here and settle things with Ma San before I think about going back."

"That's right, it's time to put an end to your business with Ma San." Zhang Mingyang reached out and patted Xu Fei on the shoulder. "Now that we have money, pay that bastard back as soon as possible. It’ll stop him from going around bad-mouthing you, talking about how you used your wife to settle debts."

Thinking of that, Xu Fei felt a pang of distress. Du Man looked at him. "It’s all in the past. As long as we pay him back, nobody will say anything anymore."

Xu Fei looked at her. "I’ve made you suffer along with me."

"Enough of that! Can you two lovebirds spare a lonely man like me?" Zhang Mingyang glared at Xu Fei and Du Man from the side.

Xu Fei and Du Man shared a laugh. "Third Brother, come on, let's drink."

Zhang Mingyang laughed along. "By the way, Third Brother, why don't you find someone yourself?" Du Man asked with a smile.

"Hey, sister-in-law, we can talk about anything else, but don't bring that up. I’m doing just fine on my own." Zhang Mingyang picked up some food with his chopsticks.

"Third Brother, do you have someone special in your heart?"

Du Man, being observant, asked with a smile. Xu Fei was taken aback by her comment and added, "That's right, why didn't I think of that? Third Brother, do you really have someone you like? Otherwise, why would you be so touchy whenever we bring it up?"

"Get lost!" Zhang Mingyang was genuinely annoyed. He filled his cup and downed it in one gulp. "Ah!" He exhaled sharply. "You two, stop concerning yourselves with my business, alright?"

Du Man glanced at Xu Fei and tentatively asked, "Third Brother, I could introduce you to someone. It’s hard for a man to live alone. She’s a former classmate of mine."

Zhang Mingyang nodded curtly. "I appreciate the thought, sister-in-law, but I’m really fine on my own. That's enough, let's drop it." He stood up, waved his hand, and walked outside.

Seeing him looking upset, Xu Fei hurriedly stood up and followed him out. Outside in the courtyard, Xu Fei approached him with a smile. "Third Brother, look at you..."

"I'm not angry, just... never mind. You go back inside."

Xu Fei watched him walk out of the alley. Although he wondered about the reason behind Zhang Mingyang's strange behavior, his third brother was tight-lipped. If he didn't want to talk, no one would ever be able to get a word out of him.

On the street, the wind blew, and the alcohol seemed to hit Zhang Mingyang harder. His face felt flushed and his body felt like it was burning. In an instant, he felt as if he had been transported back to a day seven years ago. The sunlight was the same—not too harsh, but warm against the skin.

That day, Zhang Mingyang had also been drinking. He was walking home alone when he passed through a quiet alley. Suddenly, a cry for help echoed through the air. Zhang Mingyang frowned. Despite the alcohol, his mind was clear. Driven by curiosity, he entered the alley.

After walking about thirty meters, he saw two young thugs cornering a girl in a dress against a wall.

"Hey!" Zhang Mingyang shouted.

The two thugs looked at him. "Get lost! This is none of your business, don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!" one of them pointed at Zhang Mingyang, threatening him.

Zhang Mingyang, fueled by liquor and his usual fearlessness, didn't think much of these small-time thugs. He walked toward them with a cold sneer. Seeing him approach, the two thugs stopped paying attention to the girl.

"Damn it, are you looking for trouble?" The older-looking thug, wearing a striped shirt, stepped forward and reached for his collar.

Zhang Mingyang had served in the military. Seeing the hand reach out, he didn't wait for the thug to grab him; he caught the man's wrist with a swift movement.

"What did you say?" Zhang Mingyang gritted his teeth and twisted the wrist hard.

"Damn!" The thug was forced to his knees in front of him.

"You—let go of my brother!" The other thug, seeing this, pulled a homemade dagger from his pocket and brandished it, threatening him.

"Oh, so you've got a weapon?" Zhang Mingyang waved him over. "Come on, stab me right here!" He tapped his own chest.

These thugs might have had the guts to pick a fight, but actually stabbing someone was a different matter entirely.

"You—let go of my brother, you hear me? Or I—I'm really going to stab you!" Seeing Zhang Mingyang completely unmoved, the thug kept waving the dagger back and forth, but he dared not step forward.

Zhang Mingyang snorted coldly. "Get lost, or I'll cripple the both of you. You want to test me?" He kicked the thug he was holding, sending him sprawling. The man rolled several times before scrambling to his feet.

"You—you just wait..." Seeing they were no match for Zhang Mingyang, the two thugs turned and fled.

Zhang Mingyang had intended to leave as well, but the girl stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve. "Big brother, what is your name?"