I wasn't surprised at all that Zhang Chengxiang would ask such a question.
While a card and mahjong parlor couldn't compare to a casino in scale, it was still a gathering place for all sorts of unsavory characters.
The key to managing a card and mahjong parlor wasn't about mastering aggressive tactics and methods, but about developing a pair of discerning eyes.
Clearly, Zhang Chengxiang's eyesight was quite good.
Even though he couldn't see through my and Jiang He's cheating methods head-on, he had still caught a hint of something unusual from our confrontation.
So, in response to Zhang Chengxiang's question, I didn't try to hide anything. Instead, I calmly nodded and admitted it.
Upon receiving this answer, Zhang Chengxiang was first taken aback for a moment. After a long pause, he looked up at me and said, "Then, after we finish eating, we won't play cards anymore, right!"
Hearing this, I nodded without hesitation and replied, "Alright."
According to what Han Jinlun had said earlier, Zhang Chengxiang detested and disliked cheaters.
The fact that he could tolerate it and not flip out after personally confirming my identity was likely due to me having exposed Jiang He for him earlier.
After this topic was brought up, the atmosphere at the dinner table suddenly fell into an inexplicable silence.
I knew that Zhang Chengxiang was employing a strategy of feigning retreat to advance, using his silent actions to tell me that he didn't want any involvement with me and that there was no need for further discussion. Once this meal was over, we could all part ways.
I naturally saw all of Zhang Chengxiang's facial changes and hidden thoughts.
However, I had come specifically to recruit him, so I wouldn't back down easily.
Thus, I picked up my wine glass and extended it towards Zhang Chengxiang, asking, "Brother Xiang, I heard from Jinlun that you're currently managing the floor at Yongli, is that right?"
"Mm."
Zhang Chengxiang replied calmly in a tone that was neither warm nor cold.
Seeing this, I knew he had already formed a negative impression of me. Without further hesitation, I laid out my intentions directly.
"From what I understand, card and mahjong parlors pay their floor managers a salary based on a commission model, with a percentage of the annual profits and equity shares."
"The starting equity share is at least thirty percent, with a ceiling not exceeding fifty percent!"
"For small card and mahjong parlors like Yongli, which don't provide dealers, their profit model relies entirely on house cuts and table rentals."
"Even with a fifty percent equity share, the amount of money you ultimately receive at the end of the year is very limited."
"As the old saying goes, people die for wealth, birds die for food!"
"Brother Xiang, are you interested in changing places and working with me? Regardless of your annual income at Yongli, I'll directly double it for you!"
When Zhang Chengxiang was already showing his displeasure, if I continued to lower my stance or act hesitant, it would only make him detest the profession of a cheater even more.
It was better to be straightforward and make a clean break, aiming for a deal in one go.
If we could succeed and leave together, great; if not, I'd find another opportunity later.
After all, I was here to see Xiao Tianci, and I didn't have time to waste extensively on Zhang Chengxiang.
After I finished speaking, there was no sound whatsoever in the private room for a long time.
Although the atmosphere was serene, Zhang Chengxiang's expression grew increasingly somber.
It was clear that he had not expected me to be so direct and open about my intentions without any pretense or hesitation.
His expression shifted several times, his breathing fluctuating…
After an unknown period of time.
"Sigh!" With a sigh, Zhang Chengxiang suddenly said meaningfully, "My head hurts from drinking too much, I want to sleep!"
Hearing this, I immediately chuckled and said, "Heh heh~ So that's how it is. Alright, then we won't disturb you, Brother Xiang. We'll have another drink another day!"
With that, I stood up from my seat and, without waiting for further discussion, signaled Han Jinlun and Cheng Minglang, as well as Zhu Wenjing, whom I had called separately to join us for dinner, to leave the private room, pay the bill, and depart.
As soon as we settled the bill and walked out of the private room, Han Jinlun eagerly asked me what was going on and why he couldn't figure it out after thinking about it for so long.
I chuckled and retorted, "When people are asleep, what do they do?"
"Dream!"
Han Jinlun answered without hesitation, almost as if it were an automatic response.
Nodding, I said with a serious tone, "Exactly! That's Brother Xiang's answer to me! And it's likely because of your face!"
Upon hearing my explanation, Han Jinlun's face immediately showed a look of sudden realization.
Thus, the first attempt to recruit Zhang Chengxiang ended in complete failure.
I knew very well that if no one else had been present tonight, and it had just been him and me…
He probably would have chosen to flip out as soon as he got that answer and immediately slammed the table and left.
To reject me with such an implicit hint was already quite considerate.
However, I didn't give up because of this.
On the contrary, my determination to win over Zhang Chengxiang became even stronger.
Setting aside other aspects, at least in terms of valuing relationships, he was very much to my liking.
Striving together with like-minded people makes even the most arduous days feel full of promise!
………………
After leaving the small restaurant, Han Jinlun asked me where everyone would be staying for the night.
I said we'd stay at a hotel as usual.
He immediately chimed in, "If you don't mind, you can stay at the house my sister bought for me. No one has lived there for a long time anyway!"
Hearing him say that, I finally remembered that Longxi was Han Jinlun's home turf, so I immediately agreed.
Staying in a private residence was definitely better than staying in a hotel.
Firstly, there wouldn't be any unfamiliar faces to watch out for. Secondly, the target would be smaller, which was beneficial for concealment.
The third, and most important point.
That was: absolute freedom of entry and exit!
In case of any sudden situations, we could respond immediately.
Outside, so-called freedom always had limitations.
About twenty minutes later.
Han Jinlun drove us to a residential complex called "Guanghua Yuan."
Han Qingmei had bought Han Jinlun a two-bedroom, one-living-room, fully furnished apartment. As we entered with him, we were greeted by a strong European-style decoration.
Upon entering, Han Jinlun immediately told us not to be polite and to treat it as our own home, adding that we could boil water ourselves if we wanted tea.
Looking at the floors and walls covered in dust everywhere, the empty refrigerator, and the electric kettle that had already rusted…
I secretly surmised that Han Jinlun, this scoundrel, probably hadn't spent much time in this home before meeting me.
He was clearly a prodigal son who didn't appreciate his blessings!