Chapter Thirty: Security Department

“No, it doesn’t count,” Xu Fei replied with a smile, shaking his head.

“Fei, I have to admit, Old Wang really proves the saying that age brings cunning!” Chen Da laughed, patting Xu Fei on the shoulder.

Zhang Mingyang pointed at Wang Yiming. “Old Wang, you sly fox. Why didn’t I think of Old Sun?”

Sun Qigong smiled at Zhang Mingyang. “It’s all thanks to Yiming—he told me about it right from the start.”

“So you were prepared all along.”

At that moment, Wang Yiming turned to Xu Fei, curiosity in his gaze. “Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

Zhang Mingyang and Chen Da noticed that Xu Fei hadn’t thrown out his cards.

“Yes, Fei, that’s enough. Looks like Old Wang outplayed all of us tonight.”

But Xu Fei reached into his coat once more.

The other four in the room widened their eyes in disbelief.

Impossible!

Though Wang Yiming and the others were skeptical, they watched as Xu Fei pulled out another thick stack of bills.

“Is this enough?” He tossed the money onto the table.

Wang Yiming picked it up and counted, his expression stunned when he finished.

“How do you have so much money?” Zhang Mingyang asked, astonished.

Chen Da was equally baffled, staring at Xu Fei.

“Fei, you’re not strapped for cash, so why did your wife almost get dragged away?”

Everyone looked at him with curiosity.

Xu Fei shook his head and smiled. “This money isn’t mine. It’s payment for goods from the factory.”

“Payment?”

Xu Fei briefly explained the situation.

“You really have a trick up your sleeve, huh?”

“Never thought you’d make a good merchant.”

“Well done, Fei—you’re quite something.”

Xu Fei gathered the money that belonged to him from the table. Including his winnings, he was up by more than five hundred tonight. Yet he didn’t take a single cent.

“Brothers, take your own money.”

?????

“What do you mean?” Zhang Mingyang asked.

Xu Fei looked at him. “This round was too big. I need money, but if it’s just for fun, a win is a win. Tonight, though, this was too much. I can’t take this money.”

Chen Da and Wang Yiming exchanged a glance.

“Fei, are you serious?”

Xu Fei nodded.

Zhang Mingyang slapped the table. “Good man, Xu Fei! I see you in a new light today. From now on, we’ll start fresh. Today, you’re my younger brother.”

He glanced at Sun Qigong. “Old Sun, fetch the wine.”

There was no point in continuing the gamble.

Sun Qigong reheated the dishes and brought out food and wine. Dawn was only an hour away. The group began to drink.

With each cup, their conversation grew more cheerful.

“How about we swear brotherhood?” Chen Da suggested.

Zhang Mingyang was first to raise both hands in agreement. Even Wang Yiming nodded.

The four lined up. Xu Fei was the youngest, Chen Da the eldest, Zhang Mingyang third, and Wang Yiming second.

After settling the order, they asked Sun Qigong to witness. In Sun’s house, with great ceremony, they pledged brotherhood.

Xu Fei knew that in the 1980s, this was all the rage.

All unrelated by blood, but now brothers.

They opened up, sharing everything.

The wine flowed, and soon daylight crept in.

Xu Fei remembered Ma San.

He staggered to his feet. “Brothers, I need to go home. Ma San is coming today.”

Zhang Mingyang nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

Chen Da and Wang Yiming wouldn’t let Xu Fei face it alone.

Together, the four supported each other out of Sun’s house.

They arrived at Xu Fei’s gate, walking shoulder to shoulder. The courtyard door was half open. Xu Fei, sobered by anxiety, felt uneasy.

At this hour, Du Man should be making breakfast—why was the door ajar?

He hurried into the yard.

Ma San and two henchmen were blocking the entrance.

“Du Man, where’s your husband?”

“I told you, he didn’t come home last night.”

“He ran?” Ma San sneered coldly. “Even if he’s gone, your debts don’t vanish. If he’s gone, you’ll pay up.”

“Why should I!” Xu Qing demanded, pointing at Ma San.

“You little brat, who are you talking to?” Ma San raised his hand to strike.

Before his hand could fall, Xu Fei grabbed his wrist from behind.

“Ma San, what are you doing?”

“Oh, Xu Fei, you showed up after all? Come on, let’s settle our accounts.”

“Ma San, how much does he owe you? Is it necessary to show up at dawn and make demands at someone’s door?” Zhang Mingyang and his friends entered the yard.

Ma San recognized Zhang Mingyang and smiled slightly. “Mingyang, you’re here too?”

“Ma San, if you can come, why can’t I?”

Ma San’s expression darkened, sensing a hidden meaning. “What are you implying?”

“Nothing, really. I know your elder brother, so I’m asking for a favor.”

“A favor? Mingyang, you know as well as I do, a debt is a debt. If I don’t collect, I can’t answer to my elder brother.”

Zhang Mingyang waved his hand. “Ma San, he owes you, and he’ll pay. But couldn’t you give him a few more days? And don’t keep showing up—how can they live like this?”

Ma San looked at Xu Fei, then Zhang Mingyang. “What’s your connection? Why do you care?”

Chen Da stepped forward, coldly. “Just say yes or no, what’s with all the talk?”

“Chen Da, Mingyang, I’ll give you face, but what’s with your attitude?”

“Ma San, today, the four of us are telling you straight—Xu Fei is now our younger brother. We’ve sworn brotherhood. If you bully him, you bully us.”

Ma San was stunned and glanced at Zhang Mingyang, seeking confirmation.

Zhang Mingyang nodded. “My brother’s right. Ma San, just give me this favor. If Xu Fei doesn’t pay, we’ll pay you. Surely you can trust that?”

Ma San wasn’t foolish. He looked down on Xu Fei, but Zhang Mingyang, Chen Da, and Wang Yiming were all men of standing in the area.

“Fine. Since Mingyang spoke, I’ll give you this favor.”

Ma San turned to Xu Fei, eyes narrowed. “Listen up. I’ll give you one more month. If you still haven’t paid by then, I’ll come after your brothers.”

Xu Fei nodded.

A month.

That was enough time.

Ma San and his men left Xu’s house.

Xu Fei went inside.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Xu Qing glared at him. “You went gambling again last night, didn’t you?”

“No, I was just drinking with the guys.”

Xu Qing glanced at Zhang Mingyang and the others, showing no warmth before turning to her own room.

“Have you eaten?” Xu Fei asked Du Man.

She shook her head. “Make us some porridge, please. My head’s aching from the wine.”

Du Man nodded and went to the kitchen.

Xu Fei brought his brothers into the room.

Just then, Zhou Lina burst through the courtyard gate.

“Xu Fei! Is Xu Fei here?”

Xu Fei came out to greet her. “What’s wrong, Lina?”

“It’s bad. I just went to the factory, and Sun Xing told me you stole sugar from the factory. Now they’ve reported it to Security.”