"Recognize him?"
Wang Tianlong cast a glance at the tea house manager.
The manager was a woman in her thirties, dressed in a professional skirt that hugged her hips, her sheer-stockinged legs gleaming under the lights. Chen Ye didn’t pay any attention, but Wang Qiang was staring unabashedly. He thought the skirt was a bit too long for his taste.
"Little Luo, address Manager Chen."
Luo Hongli’s eyes widened. Manager... Chen? She was familiar with both words, but for some reason, she couldn't get them out when joined together. Besides, since when did Chen Ye hang out with hoodlums like Wang Qiang, the kind who spent their time bullying students outside school gates?
Chen Ye’s face darkened immediately. Was this manager deaf? He had just said he’d let Luo Hongli go home with him in a bit, yet she was still here bossing her around. He could order her about or threaten her if he liked, but anyone else? Not a chance!
"How about this, miss—why don’t you try calling me 'Manager Chen' first?"
A shrewd man like Wang Tianlong had figured it out long ago; using a low-level manager as bait was well worth it.
The manager looked at her boss and gave a respectful, "Good day, Manager Chen."
Wang Tianlong seized the opportunity. "Little Hong, arrange things. This... student, Luo, is it? Make her a shift leader immediately, and double her salary as a regular employee."
Wang Qiang let out a scoff. What was so great about a scrawny girl like that? Other than a pretty face, she had nothing that interested him. He preferred girls like Su Lili—soft and curvy. Even this manager was a hidden gem; why hadn't he noticed her before?
Luo Hongli opened her mouth, stealing a timid glance at Chen Ye. Seeing him shake his head to signal her to stay silent, she sullenly lowered her head. She never imagined she’d run into Chen Ye; her luck was truly terrible!
"Manager Wang, too many ears around. I don't think we need service."
As the tea room was cleared out, Wang Tianlong tapped the table. "Ah Qiang, how have I taught you? When your father is discussing serious business, shouldn't you be pouring water for the guest? And that hair—if I see a single strand of yellow tomorrow, I’ll twist your head off!"
Wang Qiang stood up, fuming. "Dad, why should I pour water for a little punk! Do you have any idea that he beat up my girl..."
*Bang!*
Wang Tianlong slapped the table. "Shut up! Haven't you embarrassed me enough?"
"Heh, Brother Chen, please excuse me. If my son had even half your capability, I could rest easy when my time comes."
Hearing this, Wang Qiang grew even angrier. This Chen Ye—Lili always said he was obsessed with her. Now look at him, chatting away with his father. Damn it, since when had Young Master Wang ever suffered such an insult? He would get his revenge sooner or later!
Chen Ye smiled. "Manager Wang is too kind. Your son is clearly a rising star; I can’t compare. I know what you want to ask, but there are some things kids shouldn't hear, don't you think?"
"Wang Qiang, get out!"
"Dad? I—he’s younger than me! Don't let him fool you! I..."
"Immediately! Now! Get out!"
Wang Qiang glared at Chen Ye with hatred and stormed out, slamming the door.
Wang Tianlong sighed and tapped his cigarette ash. "Brother Chen, tell me what you know. Anyone who knows me, Wang, knows that I am very generous to my own people."
A bribe! He hadn't even bothered to be subtle. These shrewd types were the worst; as long as they caught a whiff of a lead, they wouldn't let go. They weren't afraid of bad information; they were afraid of knowing good information too late.
Chen Ye tapped the table, not in a rush to speak. The other party was the one begging for help; he had no reason to panic. The best strategy was to not show the hawk until he saw the rabbit.
They drank tea in silence for half an hour. Finally, Wang Tianlong couldn't hold back. "Does Brother Chen want to see my sincerity? How do you like this tea house?"
Chen Ye’s eyes lit up, though he quickly masked it, saying calmly, "Good location, spacious, and most importantly, the staff—I found them quite... pleasant."
"Is that girl a classmate of yours?"
"Yes, a classmate. She’s still a minor. Hiring child labor, Manager Wang—I've just found another piece of leverage on you."
"A minor detail. If Brother Chen says she's a minor, then she's a minor."
Chen Ye cursed the old fox under his breath. It was already nearly eight o'clock. If he stayed any longer and got home late, there was no telling how Chen Yue would badmouth him behind his back, and he certainly didn't want to deal with Old Chen’s belt.
"Brother Chen’s temperament is beyond his years. How about this: we sign a one-time consulting contract, and the tea house will serve as the consulting fee. Tell me everything you know."
"Still not enough? Brother Chen’s appetite—or should I say, the appetite of whoever is behind you—is quite large!"
Chen Ye was busy calculating the value of the tea house. Unexpectedly, Wang Tianlong did the math for him. "Not counting the decor, these three floors are worth 600,000. If you include the furniture and renovations, wouldn't 1.5 million satisfy Brother Chen's appetite?"
Chen Ye swallowed hard. In the year 2000, 1.5 million—damn, he was generous as hell. Fortune favors the bold. He was in.
"Deal!"
Wang Tianlong felt a wave of relief. As long as the other party had desires, he was safe. It would have been troublesome if the boy had no desires and was only sent to intimidate him.
"I’m all ears."
"Tang Jishan will definitely be put under 'shuanggui' (internal investigation) next year. I won't go into details, but you should know what that means. There’s a 90 percent chance he’ll get life imprisonment. Whether he starts talking and dragging others down with him—you should know that better than I do. Do you think this money was worth it?"
Wang Tianlong’s hand trembled, snapping the cigarette butt.
*Shuanggui!*
No one in officialdom didn't fear that word.
"Next year? Should I believe you, Brother Chen?"
"Heh, Manager Wang, there’s no such thing as an airtight secret. I’ve said what I needed to say; if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Treat this as a gift from me. Let's part ways here..."
Seeing Chen Ye stand up to leave, Wang Tianlong raised a hand to stop him. "Brother Chen, wait. Are you truly only seventeen? Can you tell me who is really behind you? I’ve been in Shancheng for nearly twenty years and rarely make enemies. To be honest, if this news is true, 1.5 million is a bargain."
Chen Ye leaned back in his chair. "Don't bother asking; you won't find out. Just look at me as an individual. There’s no powerful force behind me. I’m just a poor student whose parents have a little money, and I wanted to earn some extra pocket money."
"That’s all."
"That’s all?"
Seeing that Chen Ye’s story was watertight, Wang Tianlong stopped pressing. It seemed this kid had been trained from a young age. His precocious speech was one thing, but the real question was who sent him to deliver this warning. He refused to believe a high schooler could know about decisions made within the system—decisions that determined the fate of so many.
"Can you at least give me a hint as to when it will happen?"
Chen Ye thought about the timeline of Tang Jishan’s imprisonment. It happened about three or four months after he went in. He’d spent less than a year in prison; word was he tried to trade secrets for a reduced sentence, but then died of a heart attack inside.
"Around winter."
Wang Tianlong nodded. The winter of the coming year. He had nearly a year to distance himself. If all else failed, he would have to have a private talk with Old Tang. Better him than me.
"Rest assured, Brother Chen. I will have my people handle the tea house transfer and all the tax issues. I guarantee that your... no, I guarantee you will be satisfied."
This time, Chen Ye proactively extended his hand. "Manager Wang, a pleasure doing business. If you need any more consultation in the future, you can reach me. Also, do me a favor and tell your staff not to mention that the owner has changed."
A smile touched Wang Tianlong's eyes. Still young, wanting to show off in front of a girl he liked? He’d played those games long ago. The bottom line remained: as long as Chen Ye had desires, everything was manageable. As for a girl like Luo Hongli—as long as Chen Ye kept providing this kind of earth-shattering intelligence, he could get him as many as he wanted.
Chen Ye exited the tea room and saw Wang Qiang standing near Luo Hongli, questioning her.
"Hey, nephew, what are you doing?"
"Chen, what are you being so arrogant for! Don't think that just because you can fool my father, you can fool me!"
Wang Tianlong walked out just then, having composed himself. Chen Ye laughed, "Brother Wang, your son is a bit too energetic. He won't even call me uncle, even though it would be such a bargain for him. I think your belt might be feeling a bit itchy."
Wang Tianlong shot his son a look of deep disappointment. "From now on, Brother Chen is this place's... ahem, he is my own brother. Ah Qiang, address him."
Wang Qiang looked at the girls at the front desk, then at his father, and grumbled, "Uncle."
Chen Ye flashed a grin. "There we go! That’s a good boy. Come by and play often!"
"Luo Hongli, let’s go home. What are you giggling about?"
Luo Hongli puffed out her cheeks and glared at him in annoyance. She couldn't understand how Chen Ye had managed to connect with the Wang family, but she was supposed to be working! Was his brain broken? Why was he so reckless everywhere he went? What a blockhead!
Wang Tianlong chuckled, "Student Luo, you can head off now. You'll still be paid, don't worry."
Chen Ye had intended to walk off with his little carp after his show of dominance, but suddenly, a sweet, syrupy voice drifted from the entrance.
"Young Master Wang~~~ I’ve been waiting for ages at Gege Bar! Didn't you say you were going to teach that Chen guy a lesson for me..."