After coming down from the mountain, I started dialing the numbers in my address book.

I called several of the bosses I used to be close to, one by one, wanting to proactively look for some business opportunities.

None of the first few answered, so I stopped, went to the doorway, and sat down. After so long without contact, it seemed I'd already been forgotten.

Just as I was lost in thought, the phone in my hand suddenly rang. It was one of the numbers I had just called that hadn't answered, now calling back...

I immediately answered, and the other person spoke first, asking, "Is this Lin Che? Are you out?"

"Yes, how have you been?" I started by trying to get back on good terms.

"I've been busy recently, just got back from out of town. What are you doing now?"

I started to calm down and replied sincerely, "I just got out the day before yesterday and have nothing to do right now. I'm calling to ask if you have any work for me to do."

"I do have some work, but I don't know if you can handle it."

I immediately perked up, stood up from the ground, and asked, "What kind of work? Tell me about it and see if I can do it."

"It's like this. I just contracted a construction site. If you want to do it, I'll give you the landscaping. Think carefully about whether you can do it. If you can, I won't look for anyone else."

"So, I have to arrange all the personnel myself, right?" I asked cautiously.

"Of course. It's like I'm contracting this project to you, and you have to follow the plan, ensuring quality and quantity."

"Director Li, I'm in the countryside right now. I'll come find you when I get back to the city. I don't have any problems here."

I didn't even give myself room to consider it and immediately wanted to take this business deal. Maybe it was because I was too eager to succeed.

Director Li's voice came from the other end of the phone again, "Lin Che, then it's settled. This project hasn't started yet anyway, so when you come up, come to the company and we'll sign a contract."

"Okay, then I'll treat you to a meal another day."

"No need for a meal. I'm quite confident in you."

Slightly depressed, I was suddenly affirmed by someone, which added a bit of confidence. After ending the call, I sat down on the steps again. Just as I put a cigarette to my mouth, Xiao Wu, I don't know when, stood next to me, flatteringly handing me a lighter and turning the flame up to the maximum, almost burning my eyebrows.

"I'll do it myself," I pushed Xiao Wu's hand away.

"Light it... light it... In the future, we're going to be prosperous!"

"Did you hear that?"

"Of course, I was listening to you talk the whole time behind you."

"Go back and sell the house..."

"Is there not enough capital?"

"Yeah, you need capital to do things. I don't have any money."

"He's quite humane, not minding that you were in jail."

"Five or six years ago, I helped him recover a large sum of money, and I didn't overcharge him."

"It's good to be honorable, just like I've always been loyal to you."

I looked up at him, the business hadn't even been officially confirmed, and Xiao Wu was already celebrating for himself, meaning don't forget him when you make money.

I joked, "Don't worry, I'll find you a wife first when I make money."

"I like hearing that. Just get me an apartment; you can't keep a woman without a house."

"I have a house and no woman. How do you explain that?"

Xiao Wu suddenly asked me seriously, "Brother Lin, are you not interested in that anymore?"

Thinking back to the last time I was with a woman, it was with a woman from a nightclub, and then I went in a few days later. Thinking about it, I've indeed been single for too long...

Just thinking, "You need to see a doctor. This is a big problem."

After hearing that, I kicked him. What he said was too offensive. I grabbed his slightly purple dyed hair and said, "Why did you dye your hair like this?"

"This hairstyle is popular."

"Cut it off quickly, shave it bald, and grow it back from scratch."

"Don't worry about this."

I said very seriously, "If you want to follow me, you have to act like a man. Otherwise, it's not classy to take you out. You're not young anymore, be more steady."

After my lecture, Xiao Wu finally compromised and verbally agreed, "Okay, I'll shave it bald when I get back, just like you."

"Do you mean what you say?" I continued to grab his hair and ask.

"Yeah, I definitely mean it."

With his guarantee, I let go. His dressing style was that of a genuine gangster, unable to be taken to big events.

He covered his scalp and looked at me, saying, "Pull it lighter next time."

"Are you really in pain or do you feel bad for your hairstyle?"

"Both."

"It looks like a dog's nest; it lowers your status just looking at it."

"Is it really that ugly?"

I pulled him to the window. Although the old glass wasn't very clear, it was enough for him to see his appearance.

"Were you reincarnated from an alien, or do you have a problem with your aesthetics?"

He struggled to get away from me, maybe because his self-esteem was hurt, and he retorted at me with rare impulsiveness, "Whether it's ugly or not is up to me to decide."

"Then do you want to go out and work with me?"

"Does that matter?"

"What do you think? Have you seen anyone in the business world with your hairstyle? It's not only not classy, but it also doesn't look like a proper person. Your image directly affects your luck with women."

"Okay... okay... Grandpa, I really will cut it, stop saying I'm worthless."

"It's good that you listened. I've wanted to tell you that for a long time."

"I know what you're thinking. When you were collecting debts before, you felt this kind of dress was still useful. Now you嫌弃 me because you've changed industries, right?"

I looked at him and found that his logical thinking was quite strong. I did indeed have this view. You have to match the values of the people you're dealing with.

While we were arguing about this, Lin Fei's grandfather came to my door again. The elderly man looked quite healthy, with a head of white hair and a set of dentures, walking directly to my side.

"Lin Che, don't you need to go to work staying here?"

"I'm going back soon," I replied with a smile.

"Why didn't I see you when your grandma passed away?"

This painful question finally had to be faced, but I couldn't say I was in jail, so I lied again, "I happened to be on a business trip to another place those days and couldn't make it back."

"I didn't see you come back this year for Qingming either. Lin Yang and your dad, the whole family, came."

I hated bringing this up the most. I felt inexplicably disgusted when I heard the name Lin Hai, and also his wife, whose snobbish personality made us irreconcilable.

I just smiled, not wanting to answer about Lin Hai's affairs.