Chapter 114: The Scoundrel

Le'er followed Secretary Yang as they walked over. The fierce-looking bald man recognized Secretary Yang and greeted her.

"Baldy, where is Boss Yang?"

"Only a dog would know where that guy is," the bald man replied sullenly. "He played mahjong all night and is probably off sleeping with some whore somewhere by now. Why are you looking for him?"

"Go find him quickly. It’s urgent; Mayor Wang gave orders," Secretary Yang said, sounding anxious.

"Find him my ass. I’ve lost over a thousand and I’m trying to win it back." He turned back around. "Go find him yourself."

"Then give me his phone number."

The bald man ignored Le'er. Le'er, wishing he didn't have to talk to him, stood to the side and surveyed the dilapidated scene. There was only one small building with two rooms; one was locked, and the other was where the man had just emerged from.

Is this what they call a brick factory? It’s just a few people playing mahjong. Can this place even produce bricks? He looked at the unbaked bricks; they crumbled at the slightest touch. Could bricks fired from these even be used? He wouldn't buy bricks here even if his life depended on it. You’d get more satisfaction throwing your money into a river.

Secretary Yang obtained Boss Yang’s number and dialed, but it was switched off. Her freckles stood out more clearly on her stressed face.

Li Ying honked the horn from down below. "Secretary Yang, let’s go. Boss Yang isn't here, and there’s no point in staying."

"Boss Sha, please wait a moment. Let me go talk to them."

Le'er frowned, feeling uncomfortable with the title, but nodded anyway. After Secretary Yang entered the house, he walked toward the car to say a few words to Li Ying, then stood by the vehicle waiting. Suddenly, five burly men walked out of the house, with Secretary Yang following behind them.

"Boss Sha... wait..." Secretary Yang called out from behind. The bald man walked in front and reached Le'er in no time.

"Boss Sha, heh heh... we didn't realize it was you. Please, come inside and let's talk." The bald man grinned.

"Your Boss Yang isn't here, what is there to talk about?" Le'er had no interest and reached for the car door. "We’ll talk when he gets back."

"Hey... I’ve already called him, he’ll be here soon," the bald man chuckled. "Brothers, invite Boss Sha in for some tea."

The four men didn't speak; they grabbed his arms and pushed his back, forcing Le'er into the house regardless of his resistance. Secretary Yang followed, looking quite smug. Seeing this, Li Ying grew anxious.

What is going on? Is this a kidnapping?

She wanted to go in, but realized it would be useless and might even make things worse. After a moment of thought, she hurriedly called Feng Shuya.

"Li Ying, what's wrong?"

"Shuya, call Chief Xie immediately and tell him to come to the Shuangqiao Brick Factory."

"What’s the rush?" Feng Shuya asked, catching the urgency in her voice. "Alright, I’ll call him now."

Shortly after, Feng Shuya called back to say that Xie Dapo was in the county seat and would be there immediately. She asked what happened, and Li Ying explained.

"Hmph, Wang Chaowei, ignore him," Feng Shuya said angrily. "I know what he's planning. Don't worry about Le'er for now, just drive over and pick me up."

Li Ying knew there was nothing she could do, so she drove off to fetch Feng Shuya.

Inside, the house had two rooms: an inner one with a bed and an outer one with a mahjong table, where four people were playing.

"Boss Sha, care for a few rounds?"

"I don't know how to play," Le'er said coldly.

"What a pretentious prick, just because you have a little money?" The bald man's expression soured after bringing Le'er inside. "I, Yang Huatang, invited you to play mahjong to give you face. Brothers, let’s continue."

Le'er looked at them and then at Secretary Yang, who wore an awkward smile.

"Baldy, how can you treat Boss Sha like this?"

"How else should I treat him? The arrogant bastard!" The bald man sat by the table, shuffling tiles with a cigarette in his mouth. "Brothers, ignore him, let's play. Hmph, plenty of bosses have come here and ended up begging us in the end."

Le'er’s face darkened. "Secretary Yang, if Boss Yang doesn't show up, I'm leaving."

"Leaving? Want to try?" The bald man glared at him fiercely. "See if anyone can walk out of this room."

"Oh, so it seems you're kidnapping me?"

Le'er was furious, but he didn't want to suffer unnecessary physical harm; there were five of them. Secretary Yang stood there, looking neither here nor there, not daring to meet Le'er's eyes. The bald man sneered at Le'er's remark.

"Think what you want." A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. "You think you can just come and go as you please on my Yang family’s turf? Until my brother shows up, whoever tries to leave is getting their legs broken!"

Le'er didn't bother talking anymore; he sat on a chair and closed his eyes. He wasn't afraid; as long as he stayed put, Li Ying would find a way. He decided to let them be arrogant for a while. It seemed this Boss Yang was no good either, relying on his cousin, the Deputy County Magistrate Yang Huarong, to commit all sorts of crimes, including forced sales.

Can a business run this way really last?

The bald man lost another hand and began cursing. "Secretary Yang, why are you pacing around like a bitch?"

Secretary Yang turned pale with anger but dared not speak. The bald man’s cousin was the Deputy County Magistrate, while she was just a lowly secretary. She sat down like Le'er, closing her eyes, a tear silently rolling down her cheek as she quickly wiped it away.

Perhaps the bald man's luck had turned; he won several hands in a row and burst into loud laughter, eventually starting to sing. After sitting for a long time, he took off his smelly shoes and squatted on the bench to play, filling the room with an unbearable stench.

Suddenly, the deafening sound of an engine roared outside, followed by several people striding toward the room.

"My brother is here." The bald man smiled. Before he could finish, the door was kicked open with a thunderous bang, nearly shattering the frame.

"Which son of a bitch—"

"Heh... you bastards, daring to gamble in public? Line up against the wall!" It was Xie Dapo. "Brother Le'er... uh, why haven't you left? Your sister is waiting outside, crying her eyes out."

"They kidnapped me and wouldn't let me leave."

"What?" Xie Dapo pulled out his gun. "You’ve turned the sky upside down! Cuff them all. If anyone moves, I haven't used this gun in a long time; maybe it’s time to draw some blood today."

"Xie Dapo, you wouldn't dare!" The bald man roared, his eyes filled with menace.

"You bastard, daring to use your grandfather's nickname?" Xie Dapo pointed his gun at him, walked over, and slammed the grip against his shoulder. "You kidnap people and you're still arrogant? Cuff him first!"

The bald man collapsed from the blow. The others, who had been ready to fight, saw their leader subdued and were quickly cuffed by the four men Xie Dapo had brought.

"Xie Dapo, you’ve got guts!" The bald man was cuffed by Xie Dapo personally, and the cuffs were tightened so painfully that he gritted his teeth. Xie Dapo kicked him in the waist, furious.

"You bastard, are you trying to scare me with your Deputy Magistrate cousin?" Xie Dapo stomped on his foot. "I'm so scared, I'm trembling!"

In the past, Xie Dapo would have given them some face, but this time, he had the backing. On his way over, he had called his brother, who told him to handle it properly and not worry about who they had in their pockets.

With that assurance, he was ready to teach these small-time thugs a lesson. Secretary Yang nervously stepped forward. "Chief Xie... isn't this a bit much?"

"A bit much? You were here too. They dared to kidnap Boss Sha, who came here to buy bricks. Tell me, shouldn't they be arrested?" Xie Dapo smiled sinisterly, glancing at Secretary Yang's chest. "Hmph, it's a good thing nothing major happened. If Boss Sha had withdrawn his investment because of this, could you take responsibility?"

"This... they just wouldn't let him leave."

"If that’s not kidnapping, what is?" Xie Dapo chuckled. "Officer Li, take a record of exactly what Secretary Yang just said."

"Chief Xie... I..."

"Secretary Yang, you have a duty to assist us. You can't just go back on your words now, especially with so many people here." Xie Dapo might have looked rough, but he was shrewd. "Of course, the evidence is all here; they won't get away. And public gambling? They’re in for a world of hurt."

Xie Dapo continued his performance, questioning Secretary Yang on the spot. Sha Le'er also gave a statement and pressed his red thumbprint on the document. Secretary Yang felt miserable, her face ashen. After pressing her print, she hurried outside to call Mayor Wang and report the incident.

Mayor Wang had nothing to say.

Le'er ignored them; these guys deserved it. Li Ying drove the car in, and he got in along with Feng Shuya.

"Le'er, did they do anything to you?"

"No," Le'er shook his head. "They just wouldn't let me out. It seems this is how they’ve always done business—forced buying and selling. How else would they have collapsed so quickly?"

Feng Shuya fell into deep thought. "Sigh... if this situation doesn't change, our Longshan County will never develop."

"Indeed. In such an environment, who would dare to invest?"

"My father saw this long ago. I think he will find a way to change this."

The two sighed. "Le'er, where to now?"

"Let's go to the Dafu Brick Factory. We must get the brick situation settled."

Just then, his phone rang. Le'er saw it was Wang Chaowei, but he didn't answer, letting it ring.

"It's Mayor Wang calling." Le'er smiled at the two women in the front, then put his phone back in his pocket. Feng Shuya looked grim but remained silent.

When they arrived at the Dafu Brick Factory, they learned that the owner had already gone to Xiasha Village to look for Le'er. Seeing the bustling activity at the factory, they didn't say a word, turned the car around, and headed home.