Chapter Fifty-Seven: Hiring Security for the Supermarket

“People from the martial arts school?” Zhao Fan’s voice betrayed his surprise. “How could Wang Dahu have people from the martial arts school under him?”

Da Long muttered, “Wang Dahu was originally from the martial arts school. Later, something happened there and it couldn’t stay open anymore, so many people ended up following him.”

Zhao Fan stroked his chin thoughtfully. “What do they mainly do?”

“They do quite a lot, but mostly, they handle matters for wealthy people.”

This was said by Chen Jianyu, who had been targeted by Wang Dahu several times and understood these things well.

“They need income,” Zhao Fan nodded, showing he understood, but this made his plan to deal with Wang Dahu much more difficult.

He wasn’t afraid if Wang Dahu’s men followed him for profit; the trouble was if that profit was tied to their own interests. Once it became personal, breaking them apart would be no easy task.

Da Long glanced around, wisely keeping silent. He didn’t understand these calculations; his job was simply to bring his men here and wait for instructions.

After a few minutes, Zhao Fan told Da Long to leave, then departed with Chen Jianyu.

“Fan, what are we going to do?” Chen Jianyu couldn’t help but ask as they sat in the taxi.

“We’re going to find Wang Dahu.”

“What?” Chen Jianyu’s voice rose sharply, “Fan, why are we looking for him?”

“To hire him, of course.”

Chen Jianyu had said Wang Dahu took jobs for rich people because he needed the money. Zhao Fan thought, he now counted as someone with means—wasn’t it perfectly normal to spend some money to hire Wang Dahu?

“You’ll see soon enough.”

With that, Zhao Fan closed his eyes and leaned back, resting.

Chen Jianyu was mystified but, seeing Zhao Fan silent and remembering what was said earlier, he occasionally directed the driver about the location.

An hour and a half later, Chen Jianyu reminded him, “Fan, we’re here.”

Zhao Fan, who had kept his eyes shut, snapped them open instantly. “Let’s go!”

After paying, Zhao Fan followed Chen Jianyu to the place—a three-story building by the roadside. Two young men sat at the entrance, cigarettes dangling from their mouths as they played cards.

As Zhao Fan and Chen Jianyu approached, the two youths noticed them. One stood up. “Stop right there. Who are you?”

Zhao Fan replied, “I’m here to hire someone. Is your boss, Wang Dahu, around?”

He called Wang Dahu by name. The two youths exchanged a glance, immediately making up their minds.

“Wait here.”

The one who’d spoken first turned to leave, while the other, cigarette clenched between his teeth, sized Zhao Fan up and down.

Zhao Fan paid him no mind, letting him look as he pleased.

About ten minutes passed before the first youth returned.

“Our boss isn’t here.”

Zhao Fan smiled. “Is he really not here, or does he not want to see me?”

The youth’s expression shifted. “What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Your boss doesn’t want to see me because he knows who I am. And you know it too.”

The youth’s gaze flickered. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. Please leave immediately.”

Zhao Fan shook his head. “If I don’t see your boss today, I won’t leave. Go tell him I’m here to hire him, not make trouble.”

With those words, Zhao Fan sat down on the steps by the entrance, making his stance clear.

The youth stood there for several minutes, and, seeing Zhao Fan wouldn’t change his mind, could only turn and leave.

When he returned, his expression was still gloomy.

“Come with me.”

Zhao Fan gave a slight smile, brushing off his clothes. “You should have said so sooner. Chen Jianyu, follow me.”

“Alright.”

Inside, the living room was decorated in a European style, giving a hint of elegance, but the gold and silver embellishments scattered everywhere ruined any sense of refinement.

On the sofa, a bald man lounged with his legs crossed, cigarette in hand, an attractive woman in his arms, his face broad and rough.

Zhao Fan’s eyes swept over the thick gold chain around his neck, his gaze momentarily complex. With a chain that thick, was Wang Dahu really short on money?

Indeed, Zhao Fan knew at first glance that this man was Wang Dahu.

“Take a seat. Since you found your way here, I’m sure you’ve uncovered plenty. Let me be straightforward: the people were sent by me, the job was handled by me, but there’s no use in coming after me, because I work for others, too. I trust you understand?”

No sooner had Zhao Fan sat down than he heard these words. He smiled and nodded. “I understand.”

“Good. So tell me, what do you want from me?”

“Nothing major. I wanted to ask if you’re interested in making some money.”

Leaning back, Zhao Fan’s lips curled in a faint smile. He was certain Wang Dahu wouldn’t refuse the prospect of money.

Sure enough, after a few seconds of silence, Wang Dahu asked, “What do you want me to do? Let me be clear: I won’t help you deal with the people who hire me.”

Zhao Fan raised an eyebrow. “You’re clever.”

He’d cut off Zhao Fan’s avenue with his first words, but Zhao Fan hadn’t come for that purpose this time.

“I want you to send some men to protect my supermarket.”

Wang Dahu paused, suddenly realizing something, his gaze locked onto Zhao Fan. “Are you trying to make me contradict myself? Impossible.”

“I’ll pay a hundred thousand.”

Zhao Fan spoke just as Wang Dahu finished, and the words made Wang Dahu’s heart stir.

A hundred thousand was no small sum.

As Wang Dahu weighed his options, Zhao Fan continued, “For three months, protect my supermarket from any harm. The hundred thousand is yours. What do you say?”

Very tempting.

Wang Dahu thought so inwardly, but another matter prevented him from agreeing outright—he’d already taken another job: to smash the supermarket.

To smash and protect at the same time, with his own men, would inevitably lead to trouble.

Zhao Fan kept his eyes on Wang Dahu, observing every nuance of his struggle.

“A hundred thousand for your men to protect my supermarket for three months—there’s no way to lose, right? Or is it that the person hiring you to smash my supermarket is offering more, making you reluctant?”

Wang Dahu hissed. The one who hired him to smash the supermarket hadn’t offered money, just promised to introduce him to more business in the future.

Everyone knew that ‘introducing business’ was just a pretext; real benefits only counted when they were in hand.

One was an empty promise, the other was a solid hundred thousand.

Wang Dahu stared at Zhao Fan, thoughts spinning, but finally settled on the hundred thousand.

“I want half as a deposit first.”

Zhao Fan smiled. “No problem paying half in advance, but I have a condition of my own.”

“What condition?”

“I want a contract, with everything written out. Whoever breaches it pays double the penalty.”

Wang Dahu laughed heartily. “No problem. I like your way of doing things.”

“I’m glad you like it. In that case, let’s write up the contract.”

Both men wore smiles, but only they knew what lay behind them.

The contract contained all the terms Zhao Fan had mentioned. After both had signed, Zhao Fan insisted those assigned to the job also sign.

Putting away the contract, Zhao Fan said, “Wang Dahu, here’s to a good partnership.”