Chapter 16: Reaping What One Sows—Niu Li’s Defeat

Everything that happened in the wholesale market was relayed straight to Qin Lin by people assigned to keep him informed.

On the ninth floor of the Fuhe Grand Hotel, Qin Lin was playing cards when he heard the news. He tossed his cards aside.

“Brothers, I have something to take care of. You keep playing.”

“Alright, boss. Take care.”

Returning to his suite, Qin Lin settled on the balcony and glanced at the documents laid out on the table.

Every move made by Zhang Tianfeng was meticulously recorded and compiled into written reports.

Reading Zhang Tianfeng’s activities over the past few days, Qin Lin’s eyes lit up.

“This kid is really beyond my expectations—advertising in taxis!”

“To think this model is one the water ghosts from Hong Kong have only just imported from the West, still running pilot trials in Hong Kong, and he’s already at it.”

The more Qin Lin read, the more excited he became, his smile never once fading.

He was stunned when he saw Zhang Tianfeng selling jewelry, stories, and Hong Kong’s trendy style elements.

After a long pause, he beckoned, “Come here and give me your thoughts. See what this kid is up to.”

The bespectacled steward, Old Li, walked over, picked up the documents, and studied them carefully. After a moment, an indescribable expression crossed his face.

Qin Lin clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “I told you this little fellow is interesting—even you, with your overseas doctorate in economics, are stumped!”

“It’s not so much that I’m stumped; it’s just that some of the business thinking in here isn’t clear to me.”

The steward’s name was Li Chenggong. He had studied abroad in his youth, earned a PhD in economics, returned to China for business, and met Qin Lin by chance.

During this year’s Shenghai market crash, he lost everything, ending up deep in debt.

Qin Lin cleared all his debts, and Li Chenggong devoted himself to Qin Lin, managing his finances and advising on business matters.

From his perspective, Zhang Tianfeng’s business tactics were simple: selling services under the guise of selling products, weaving in other elements to bind customers firmly to his enterprise.

Li Chenggong smiled. “Boss, I’m struggling to keep up with the younger generation’s thinking. I don’t quite get the ultimate aim of this event.”

“That’s simple. Either making money is just a process, and becoming a great writer like Mr. Qiong is his true goal, or this is just a transitional method.”

“His taxi ads last only three days. He probably plans to reveal his real purpose after that.”

“But he has no idea I gave Niu Li’s deadline as today. Niu Li will surely fight back fiercely.”

“Let’s keep watching. Maybe he’ll surprise us with something even fresher.”

“Alright, I’ll go make you some tea.”

Li Chenggong withdrew, leaving Qin Lin alone on the balcony.

Below, the Fu River roared and surged. Qin Lin’s gaze flickered; after a brief pause, he swiftly departed.

Zhang Tianfeng’s new tactic today intrigued him too much—he decided not to wait, but to go straight to the wholesale market and see Zhang Tianfeng in action!

...

The afternoon was scorching, the heat making everyone drowsy.

Under the shadow of the building, young women were gathered, all loyal readers of “Summer Love,” having traveled from in and around Xiyan City.

“Miss, want a bracelet? Just fifty cents.”

“No!”

“Miss, want a brooch? I’ll gift you the first volume of ‘Summer Love.’”

“I know the first volume by heart. You think I need your gift?” The girl’s eyes flashed mischievously. “If you can tell me the plot of part two, I’ll buy.”

Me? Tell the story? What the heck!

Niu Li, pushing his wares in person, was so frustrated he slammed his tray to the ground, scattering jewelry everywhere.

“Hah, angry because you can’t answer? Classic villain rage—powerless and furious!”

“What are you glaring at? If you dare lay a finger on me, you won’t have to wait for my dad to come trouble you—I’ll beat you up myself!”

The girl was itching for a fight, and Niu Li backed down.

The girls who could show up here were all princesses born with silver spoons—he couldn’t afford to provoke them.

Niu Li wanted to storm into the shop and cause trouble for Zhang Tianfeng, but thinking of Gao Ran, he chickened out, dejectedly heading to the warehouse.

As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw Qin Lin sitting atop a wooden barrel, while all the young men in the warehouse crouched nearby with their hands over their heads.

“Boss Qin, if you really want to finish me, why bother? Just give me one clean cut.” Niu Li laughed bitterly.

The battle was lost; he was past caring. Whatever he said, Qin Lin would deal with him—might as well vent a little.

“I haven’t meddled in your conflict. As for my daughter, she simply likes what that young man makes—the stories and the goods. She’s just looking out for his business.”

“She has no capital, and I won’t help her in this matter. Use your talents freely.”

“You said it yourself.”

“Qin Lin’s word is as solid as a nail. When have I ever gone back on it?”

Niu Li brightened instantly and dashed out.

“Is he off to fight Zhang Tianfeng tooth and nail?” Qin Lin muttered.

Li Chenggong approached, smiling and shaking his head. “He wouldn’t dare. Zhang Tianfeng’s uncle is waiting outside with his men. If he stirs up trouble, he’ll get beaten.”

Qin Lin stroked his chin. “I’d forgotten the kid helped me vent my anger. Maybe I should give him a hand?”

That night, Pei Guan threatened him with Gao Ran, forcing Qin Lin to attend a banquet.

He couldn’t touch Pei Guan—behind him stood several Hong Kong tycoons, all with foreign connections.

But Zhang Tianfeng produced a report, sending Pei Guan straight to prison for life.

That made Zhang Tianfeng’s image even more enigmatic in Qin Lin’s eyes.

“Boss, you just said you wouldn’t intervene.”

“Let’s wait and see. If he loses, I can help him out—a way to repay the favor.”

Leaving the warehouse, Niu Li rushed to a teahouse frequented by his men, where he found a sharp-faced, monkey-like fellow.

“Skinny Monkey, is your wife still in line?”

“Yes, she’s about to get her turn.”

“Change of plan. No more questions—just cause trouble.”

This was Niu Li’s last counter-move. Originally, he wanted to learn Zhang Tianfeng’s customer-persuasion tricks first, then disrupt things.

But it was already three in the afternoon—time was short. Better to stir trouble now and end it sooner.

Skinny Monkey put down his dominoes and followed Niu Li outside.

Soon enough, commotion erupted upstairs. Skinny Monkey gave a signal and dashed up; within ten seconds, the uproar grew louder.

Niu Li sat downstairs, smoking and sipping ice-cold soda, quietly listening to the chaos above.

Skinny Monkey was notorious under Niu Li—a lazy, greedy gambler. His wife was even more peculiar: she did only three things daily—eat, sleep, and quarrel.

She’d argued from the east end of the village to the west, from South Hill to North Bridge, and could take on anyone from eighty-year-old grannies to three-year-old kids, never losing a bout.

She even set a local record—giving birth while asleep.

In private, Skinny Monkey once joked that being intimate with his wife felt like doing it with a corpse.

With such a bizarre couple causing trouble, Niu Li felt confident.

It wasn’t long before the customers in line took sides.

Seeing results, Niu Li tossed aside his juice and hurried upstairs.

Before he reached shop 205, he saw Qin Yuelan speaking to each customer in line, handing them a bracelet after each conversation.

Niu Li couldn’t help but feel the bracelet looked familiar—almost as if it came from his own workshop.

He hesitated for half a minute, then laughter from inside the shop made his hair stand on end.

Quickly arriving at shop 205, Niu Li found Skinny Monkey and his 200-pound wife grinning ear to ear—he was stunned.

What was going on? Weren’t they supposed to cause trouble? Why were they smiling?

“Niu Boss, thanks for the business. After my advice, your employee and his wife are both delighted,” Zhang Tianfeng said, standing up.

Skinny Monkey nodded vigorously. “Boss, he’s right. That method really works. Want to hear about it?”

“I’ll hear nothing from you!”

Niu Li’s eyes reddened with rage as he kicked Skinny Monkey to the floor.

His wife wasn’t having it—she lunged, pinning Niu Li underneath her massive frame.

“Niu, I’ve followed you for years, and you hit me over this petty matter?”

“Hit you? I want to kill you!”

Niu Li was crushed by the 200-pound wonder, unable even to struggle.

Zhang Tianfeng waved, and his uncle, who had been waiting, came over with his men and dragged all three outside.

If they wanted to fight, they could do it outside—he had business to run.

He handed over two hundred yuan. “Uncle, take the brothers for some tea. When I’m done here, I’ll join you.”

“Alright, I’ll be at the teahouse outside. Shout if you need anything.”

His uncle left with his men, and Qin Yuelan approached, asking softly, “How did you settle those two?”

“Simple—just offer more money than Niu Li did.”

“I see. Pave the way with cash.”

“Exactly. How’s the task I gave you?”

With too many people in line and unable to finish today, Zhang Tianfeng had Qin Yuelan send away those at the back, telling them to return tomorrow.

“I’ve handled part of it, but some haven’t left—their passion for discussing the story is intense.”

“That’s because I’m talented.”

“That I’ll admit. Your stories are excellent. If I weren’t busy with business, I’d chat with them too.”

“Then try to achieve financial freedom first.”

“Understood, boss. Also, a few vendors want to sell their jewelry to you at low prices. Interested?”

Earlier, a restless vendor had approached for cooperation. Zhang Tianfeng halved the price and bought all their goods.

Now those necklaces were little gifts for loyal customers, deepening his connection with them.

“Not now. Let them stew overnight.”

Qin Yuelan dashed away, stirring up waves.

Zhang Tianfeng wiped sweat from his brow and sighed, “This summer is so hot~”

Upstairs, they were busy making money; downstairs, busy fighting.

Skinny Monkey, having taken a hefty sum from Zhang Tianfeng, was dead set on pestering Niu Li. After all, the police station was nearby—he was sure Niu Li wouldn’t dare go too far.

“I shouldn’t have hoped he’d win. Anyone who can tolerate such weirdos under his command deserves what he gets,” Qin Lin said, stepping outside with a sigh.

Niu Li had lost, utterly defeated. Now not only his workers but even the wholesalers had turned on him, secretly collaborating with Zhang Tianfeng and selling jewelry to him at low prices.

“Old Li, send an invitation—have that young man come for dinner tonight at Fuhe Grand Hotel.”

“Alright, boss.”