121: Chapter 121: Internal Strife 121: Chapter 121: Internal Strife Worried that he wouldn’t catch the shuttle bus after dinner, he bid Chen Hai farewell and turned to head outside.
Jiang Meixian, his mother, was waiting outside, and naturally, she had to exchange a few pleasantries with Sun Jinzhong, urging him to stay for dinner before leaving.
Chen Hai had given instructions, so Sun Jinzhong declined repeatedly and eventually left in a hurry.
Chen Hai didn’t show up.
He had asked Sun Jinzhong to leave today so that his own departure tomorrow would go more smoothly.
After all, if Sun Jinzhong stayed the night and they left together tomorrow, who knew what his parents would think?
In a cave on the east end of Longevity Bridge Village, west of Liuyuan County,
Hei, Wu, and Brother Sheng were sitting on the floor, and right in the middle, the stacks of cash in the plastic bag were visibly eye-catching.
“A full 12,000 yuan, we’ve struck it rich!
This time, us three brothers have truly struck it rich!”
Hei was almost dancing with joy after they had just finished counting the money in the plastic bag.
In an era where even millionaires are rare, 12,000 yuan is a substantial fortune for anyone.
No wonder they were losing their composure at that moment.
“Hei, Wu, how should we three split this money?” asked Brother Sheng.
He looked honest, but when his gaze fell on the money in front of him, he almost seemed to be drooling.
“Brother Wu, Brother Sheng, it was I who took the lead in robbing those two kids!”
“When I first discussed this with you, you hesitated and were unwilling to agree.”
“In the end, it took a lot of persuasion before you reluctantly accepted my suggestion!”
“Moreover, when it was time for action, I was the first to rush up and knock that kid down with a steel pipe.”
“I think I should get the larger share of this 12,000 yuan.
I’ll take half, and each of you gets three thousand.
What do you think?”
Hei said with a fierce look, scanning his two companions with his savage eyes.
Wu remained silent, and it was unclear whether he was concurring or lost in his own thoughts.
On the other hand, Brother Sheng jumped right in to retort, “Hei, you said those two kids had a total of twenty thousand yuan!”
“But now, the money we’ve taken is only twelve thousand.”
“All along the way, you were the one holding the bag.
Where did the other eight thousand go?
You haven’t explained that to us!”
“Who knows if you, while we weren’t paying attention, secretly took part of the money from the bag, and now you still want the larger share?”
“Besides, during this time, it was I who was always watching at the No.1 High School gate.
Don’t I deserve some credit?”
“As for the money…”
“I don’t mind if you take a bit more, but however much you take, I should get the same amount!”
“With twelve thousand, you and I each take five thousand.
For Wu, since he didn’t contribute much, two thousand is already enough.”
When it came to dividing the money, Brother Sheng was uncompromising.
Although scared by Hei’s ferociousness, he quickly shifted his attention to Wu, who had been comparatively quiet.
Expressionless, Wu did not respond immediately.
Hearing this, Hei had a strange look on his face.
His eyes fell on Wu as he chuckled and said, “Brother Wu, we know each other well since we’re from the same village.
What do you think of Brother Sheng’s suggestion?”
“Brother Sheng, are you sure you really mean what you just said?”
A flash of menace in his eyes, Wu, who had been silent all this time, turned his gaze sharply and fixed it on Brother Sheng, demanding,
“Wu, it was me who kept an eye on the target and Hei who made the move.
You’re just along for the ride.
Getting two thousand yuan is already a good deal for you.
What more do you want?”
Brother Sheng shrugged his shoulders and said.
Hei’s ferocity made him somewhat wary, but he wasn’t afraid of Wu.
As he spoke, he did so without any restraint.
But no sooner had his words fallen,
Wu, sitting beside him, suddenly exploded into action.
He grabbed a half-brick beside him and smashed it violently against Brother Sheng’s head.
“Fuck your mother.
When it was time to do the job, you were all whiny, worried about getting caught one minute, and concerned about that Chen kid the next!”
“But when it comes to splitting the money, you’re suddenly jumping around!”
“You’re only giving me two thousand?
You think just because I don’t talk, I’m easy to bully, don’t you?”
“I’ve been finding you annoying for a long time now…!”
Biting dogs never bark, and among the three present, Wu, who seemed to barely speak, was perhaps truly the most vicious.
With the brick in his hand, once, twice, three times…
Until Brother Sheng, lying in a pool of blood, was motionless.
Only then did Wu stop, toss the brick aside, and dust off his hands.
“Hei, now it’s just us two to split the money.
What do you think is a fair share?”
His gaze fell on Hei, and in that moment, Wu seemed somewhat slow-witted again.
…
Wuyang Town, at the bridge.
“Hai, didn’t you say you had plans to go to the Capital City with a classmate?”
“Where is he?
Why don’t I see him?” Chen Zhonghua, loaded with parcels, asked Chen Hai while they waited for a ride.
“Dad, my classmate lives over in Liuyuan County.
We agreed to meet up over there!”
“Your dropping me off here is fine.
I’ll take the bus myself from here!” Chen Hai said, explaining.
He had intended to leave home alone, but his father, Chen Zhonghua, insisted on seeing him off.
Left with no choice, he had to agree.
Fortunately, Hai had always been quite independent since he was young.
His parents were relatively at ease about his traveling.
Otherwise, Chen Zhonghua would not have just dropped him off here but would have taken him at least to the city, to see him to the train station for his journey to the Capital City.
“Hai, I’ll hold onto your luggage for now.
Once the bus arrives and I see you on it, I’ll head back,” Chen Zhonghua said, glancing at the bags in his hand.
Fermented bean curd, pickled vegetables, dried salted fish, and some bed sheets – their family had prepared quite a lot of travel provisions, knowing Hai was leaving today.
If Hai hadn’t mentioned that the school in the Capital City would provide bedding, Chen Zhonghua and his wife would have had Hai carry two old quilts with him on the journey.
For Hai, naturally the less luggage, the better.
He’d just bring a couple of sets of clothes.
Once he reclaimed his money, he could buy whatever else he needed in the Capital City.
Seeing all the luggage his parents had prepared for him, he felt somewhat helpless but had no choice but to accept it passively.
Finally, a passing bus stopped at the bridge in Wuyang Town.
“Hai, have a safe trip.
In a few days, your mom and I will give you a pager call.
Remember to call us back in time!”
Watching Hai board the bus with his myriad of parcels, Chen Zhonghua, with a reluctant expression, instructed.
“Okay, Dad.
I’m all grown up.
You and Mom just take care of yourselves; no need to worry about me!”
Hai waved to his father and responded.
After the bus lingered at the bridge for a while, it finally started up again, accelerated slowly, and headed off toward Liuyuan Town.