After listening to Cheng Guang's analysis, A Liang was a little dismissive. He thought Cheng Guang was deliberately exaggerating Yang Wu's combat power to make excuses for his own incompetence.
"Brother Guang, actually, there are many ways to kill them. He knows how to fight, right? Then we can mobilize twenty people to attack him. Can he fight back? Or, for example, cause a traffic accident and have a large vehicle run him over. That would work too."
A Liang had used these tactics many times with Master, ripping off quite a few people.
Cheng Guang gave a wry smile, "A Liang, we've thought of all these things you mentioned. This Yang Wu is very vigilant. He's been going out early and coming back late lately. He bought a motorcycle, and it only takes him three minutes to get from his rental to the fruit market. We can't intercept him.
At the fruit market, unless I get Master's permission, I wouldn't dare bring people to make a move.
If we make a move at the rental, that place is quite cramped. If too many people go, they won't be able to maneuver. With Yang Wu's skills, it's hard for us to gain an advantage.
As for traffic accidents, that's even harder. Their delivery routes are all busy roads. Larger vehicles can't get in, and there's no fixed route, so we can't predict the route he'll take each day.
The only fixed route is from the rental to the fruit market, but this stretch is only two kilometers. The motorcycle gets there in three minutes. Motorcycles are agile, making interception very difficult."
A Liang pondered for a moment and said, "How about this, A Chao, prepare about ten people for me. I'll scout the terrain first and make a move on their commute route. I don't believe I can't kill him."
"Alright, we'll cooperate with you fully."
Since A Liang was willing to take action, Cheng Guang was naturally happy to support him. If anything went wrong, Master wouldn't blame him.
Liuqiao Village Rental.
Yang Jian and Old Ma got off work at seven o'clock and went home, planning to watch some TV before showering and sleeping. The television set was a second-hand one that Yang Jian had asked Old Xie to buy. They used a satellite dish, so they wouldn't be too bored.
At half past eight, someone suddenly used a key to open the door. Yang Jian immediately flashed behind the door and asked Old Ma to inquire.
"Who is it?"
After experiencing the incident of being chased, Old Ma was also very cautious and casually grabbed a stick.
"Dad, it's me, hurry up and open the door."
Ma Yuan's voice came from outside. He had a key, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get into the courtyard downstairs.
Old Ma quickly opened the door. He hadn't heard from his son for half a month, and today he finally returned.
Ma Yuan had changed his hairstyle. His long, yellow hair was now a buzz cut. His clothes were the same, still the same outfit, not very clean. He looked even thinner than before.
"Xiao Yuan, where have you been all this time? Your phone was unreachable?"
Old Ma's heart ached and tears welled up as he saw his son's haggard appearance.
"Dad, I'll talk later. First, get me something to eat. I haven't eaten all day today."
Ma Yuan nodded at Yang Jian, then picked up the teapot on the table and gulped down several mouthfuls.
Old Ma hurriedly went to the kitchen to cook noodles. Since the business provided meals, they hadn't cooked at home for a long time, and only had noodles.
Yang Jian pressed Ma Yuan onto a stool, "Xiao Yuan, tell me, what have you been through during this time? You did that thing at the convenience store, didn't you?"
Ma Yuan didn't answer directly, "Brother Yang, how have you guys been lately? Has anyone bothered you?"
"Of course, not only did the police come to your house looking for you, but someone also intercepted your dad on the road. If we hadn't run fast, we would have been chopped to death. You, on the other hand, ran away and haven't even called for half a month. Do you know how worried your dad is?"
As he said this, Yang Jian also felt distressed. He was no different, was he? He had been out for almost three months and hadn't contacted his family. His parents and grandmother must have been very sad and worried.
"Brother Yang, I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"Stop talking nonsense. You led people to hack the convenience store owner, right?"
"Yes, they bullied me too much, and I couldn't stand it."
"Okay, let's not talk about that. Where did you go afterward?"
"After the hacking, my companions and I parted ways. They were all from the Xichuan Gang. Because I was young and small, they didn't want me, so I went to an internet cafe in the neighboring town and stayed there for more than ten days until I spent all the money I had before returning."
"Then why didn't you call home? Or call your sister?"
"I lost my phone after the hacking. I didn't remember my dad's or my sister's numbers. I sent a QQ message to my sister, but she never came online."
"Sigh, you were too impulsive. You didn't discuss it with us beforehand. Fortunately, you're back safely. Go take a shower quickly, you stink."
Yang Jian had already smelled the odor on him.
Ma Yuan looked embarrassed and quickly ran into the bathroom.
After he finished showering and came out, Old Ma's egg noodles were also cooked. Ma Yuan ate two bowls consecutively.
Old Ma tidied up Yang Jian's upper bunk. Ma Yuan would sleep there from now on.
"Uncle Ma, Xiao Yuan is back. What are your plans?"
Seeing that Ma Yuan had eaten his fill and Old Ma had also tidied up, Yang Jian started chatting with the father and son.
Ma Yuan's expression was a little dejected, "The barbecue stall definitely won't hire me anymore. Actually, I've mastered the barbecue technique, but I don't have the money to open a shop."
Old Ma sighed, "What plans can we have now? Xiao Yuan probably can't show his face around here. I think your suggestion of him going to a vocational school to learn a skill is good, but there's only a little over a month until the New Year, so we can only wait until after the New Year to go to school."
"Dad, I don't want to go to school. My brain is slow, I'm not cut out for studying. Do you still need people at your business? I can move fruit too."
"It's not about studying, it's about learning a trade, like hairdressing or cooking, so you can find a job later."
"No, no, no, I don't want to learn these trades. They're not free at all. I just want to earn money now. When I save enough to open a shop, I'll open a barbecue stall. That's also a trade."
Although Ma Yuan wasn't very smart, his goal was very clear: he was determined to open a shop.
Yang Jian nodded, "Uncle Ma, Xiao Yuan's idea is actually feasible. Barbecue is also a trade. How about I talk to the boss's wife tomorrow and let Xiao Yuan work at the business too? She often has staff turnover anyway, and Xiao Yuan will be safer with us."
Old Ma thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Yang, why don't you let Xiao Yuan follow you? I'll buy a three-wheeled vehicle to collect scrap. I'm familiar with several businesses at the fruit market, and it should be fine to contract their waste cardboard boxes."
"That's a good idea. Businesses have a lot of waste cardboard boxes every day. I'll talk to Dan Wei and ask him to put in a word with the owners of the neighboring businesses to collectively contract the acquisition of waste cardboard boxes. He should give us this face."
"Then it's settled. Xiao Yuan will follow you, and I'll collect scrap. Xiao Yang, earning money is secondary. I'm at ease with Xiao Yuan following you."
"Uncle Ma, that's what you say, but you still need to be careful. This is their territory, after all. Collecting scrap can easily lead to retaliation from them."
"It's alright. I'll move to Old Xie's place tomorrow. I'll wear some worn-out clothes and a hat. Those people won't recognize me. As long as you guys are safe."
Old Ma's biggest concern was his son's safety. With Yang Jian protecting him, he felt at ease. He didn't mind enduring hardship or fatigue himself, and being recognized and beaten a couple of times was acceptable.