As soon as the patrol officers went out, Ma Yuan put on his helmet and followed them on his motorcycle. Seeing the four officers enter the restroom, his heart leaped into his throat. He thought Yang Ge was surely trapped this time.
Just as he was worrying, he saw the four officers come out empty-handed, having caught no one. Ma Yuan rejoiced and immediately turned his motorcycle around and left the fruit market.
As he passed the market entrance, he saw significantly more security guards. He knew then that Master Fo intended to trap Yang Ge inside the market.
Not far from the market entrance, Ma Yuan called Yang Jian. Once he knew Yang Jian's location, he immediately rode over, picked him up, and then headed straight for Fang Hai's billiard hall.
"Brother Hai, Master Fo has bribed the patrol officers to arrest Yang Ge. Arrange a place for him; he can't go back to Liuqiao Village."
The moment he saw Fang Hai, Ma Yuan started shouting before Yang Jian could even stop him.
Upon hearing this, Fang Hai quickly ushered them into his office and then called Fang Zhicheng.
"Yang Ge, please wait a moment. My brother will be here soon. Let's have some tea."
After Fang Hai finished his call, he began to brew tea.
Ma Yuan then curiously asked Yang Jian, "Yang Ge, how did you get out? Master Fo's men had the entire fruit market blocked. I was terrified when I saw the patrol officers going into the restroom."
"I received your text message and climbed over the restroom wall."
Yang Jian was very pleased with Ma Yuan's performance this time. Although the kid was small and not very strong, he was loyal and clever. If he ever made it big, he would bring Ma Yuan along.
Ma Yuan looked astonished. "No way, Yang Ge? That restroom wall is at least three meters high. How did you climb over it?"
"If it were any other time, it would have been difficult, but I was cornered. My body's potential was unleashed, and with a running start, I managed to climb over."
"You're amazing. If it were us, we would have surrendered obediently. Master Fo is really petty. He said we were none of each other's business, yet he used such a dirty trick against you."
"I've noted this down. He pushed me to the brink, so I will make sure he has nowhere to go."
Yang Jian was truly angered this time and officially listed Master Fo as a target for retaliation.
Fang Hai was very surprised to hear this. "Yang Ge, you want to deal with Master Fo? He's not an ordinary person. My brother wouldn't dare to cross him."
"He doesn't have three heads or six arms. How is he not an ordinary person? Never mind, we'll talk about this later. I don't feel well and need to use the restroom."
Yang Jian got up and went to the restroom.
Ten minutes later, Fang Zhicheng arrived by car and took him to an office building not far from the bus station.
"Xiao Yang, this is my company. It's still under renovation. Let's go inside and sit."
Fang Zhicheng led Yang Jian to a more than 200-square-meter office space on the fifth floor. There were renovation workers busy at their tasks. It seemed to be a company taken over from someone else, with only simple modifications.
The office itself was quite luxuriously decorated and likely wouldn't need any changes. It had a spacious desk and a leather executive chair, as well as sofas and a tea area for receiving guests.
"Brother Cheng, what does your company do?"
Yang Jian didn't see any company sign or business license.
"I haven't decided yet. Let's get the place renovated first. When we have free time, the brothers can gather here and have tea. Let's also elevate our status. Stepping out of this office building, we country bumpkins will become white-collar workers."
Fang Zhicheng personally started brewing tea.
So, it was a project for appearances, an attempt to legitimize their identities as gangsters. Yang Jian understood his intentions.
"Xiao Yang, what's the situation? Did Master Fo make a move against you?"
Fang Zhicheng poured Yang Jian a cup of tea and began to inquire.
Yang Jian didn't hide anything and recounted what had just happened.
"Brother Cheng, Master Fo is deliberately targeting me. I can't go back to that rental house in Liuqiao Village. Can you help me find a place to stay?"
The immediate priority was to find a place to stay, and Yang Jian could only ask for his help now.
"No problem, I'll have someone arrange it right away. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"Thank you, Brother Cheng."
"We're brothers, no need to be so polite. You've helped me a lot, so this small matter is nothing. Xiao Yang, since you can't go back to the fruit market, why don't you work for me? The same terms apply: I'll give you half the profit."
"No, no, no. I can't accept such treatment. Your subordinates will also have opinions. Let me settle down first. Work isn't urgent right now."
"It's fine. Your reputation is even greater than mine now. My subordinates all see you as an idol. They wouldn't mind if you became our boss."
"Don't joke around. I don't have the ability to be a boss. However, there is one thing I need your brothers' help with."
"Tell me, don't be shy."
"I need all the information on Master Fo. Is that difficult?"
Fang Zhicheng looked at him incredulously. "Xiao Yang, you want to deal with Master Fo?"
"Yes. I've warned him twice, telling him not to mess with me. I haven't encroached on his business, yet he refuses to let me go. Can I tolerate that?"
"But Master Fo's influence is too great. He's a significant figure in Dongjiang City. He's not easy to deal with. I can help you get his information, but I wouldn't dare to make a move against him."
"I don't need your men to act. No matter how influential Master Fo is, he's still just one person. Even tigers have their napping moments, let alone him, a fat man who has trouble walking. It shouldn't be too difficult for me to take care of him."
This statement stunned Fang Zhicheng. "Wow, Xiao Yang, are you a professional killer? That's amazing."
Yang Jian smiled. "How could I have such skills? It's just that my temper is too straightforward, and I can't tolerate any injustice. I repay those who are good to me a hundredfold, and I never let go of those who try to harm me."
"Dominating! Xiao Yang, I'll help you with this. Also, I need to discuss it with Brother Fa. With his support, it will be easier to get rid of Master Fo. He can at least help you resolve some official troubles."
"Thank you, Brother Cheng. This isn't urgent. I won't make a move easily without absolute certainty. I won't trade my life for his; that would be too unprofitable."
"Right, right, right. This isn't urgent. Let's settle down first. We've just taken back our territory, and many industries need to be reorganized. Let's make money first, then seek revenge. If you really don't want to share profits with me, I'll arrange a project for you to manage independently, and you won't have to pay any fees."
Fang Zhicheng wanted to find every way possible to keep Yang Jian around. Having someone so capable nearby would not only ensure his safety but also expand his influence.
Yang Jian hadn't thought that far ahead. "What project will you give me? I don't have any money to invest."
"I'll help you set up a betting operation. This project makes money fast, and I have contacts with the patrol officers, so it's very safe."
"Betting? You mean like the Mark Six lottery that Old Ma and the others are always playing?"
"Yes. The obsession people here have with the Mark Six can be described as madness. Although selling lottery tickets is illegal, the police's crackdown isn't very strong at the moment. They basically turn a blind eye because millions of people participate in the Mark Six across the entire Dongjiang Delta."