Chapter 054: If You’re Looking for Trouble, I Won’t Hold Back

He sat at the head of the table and said, “Gentlemen, where’s the item?”

“No rush, no rush,” replied Jin Haijun, lounging in his chair with one leg crossed over the other, exuding an air of calm self-assurance. “All we ask is that you show us mercy and leave us a way out.”

Zhang Tianfeng said, “But you have to at least show me what you have, don’t you think? At the very least, I need to believe you actually possess some evidence.”

Jin Haijun pulled a small camera from his black backpack, tapped it with a grin, and said, “It’s all here—this contains a complete record of Xu Juncong and Wang Qi conspiring about the whole affair.”

“Now, as long as you say into the camera that you won’t pursue the matter, I’ll hand everything over to you!”

Bang!

Zhang Tianfeng slammed both hands on the table. “Do you really think a measly video is enough to make me surrender? If you don’t want to cooperate, fine. But you’d better be prepared to rot in jail!”

With that, he snatched up the item and strode out.

The sudden turn stunned Jin Haijun and his two companions. Wasn’t it normal to haggle a bit over negotiations? How had things blown up before they’d even exchanged three sentences?

Jin Haijun’s face changed dramatically, and with his heavyset frame, he hurried after Zhang Tianfeng.

“Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang, let’s talk this over—please, don’t go.”

Using every ounce of strength, Jin Haijun finally managed to catch up and block Zhang Tianfeng’s way. Supporting himself on his knees, he gasped, “Let’s discuss this calmly.”

“I’ll give you one last chance. Are you handing over the item or not?”

“Yes, yes, of course. But I have a request—something only you can help us with! We truly need your help.”

“I’ll give you five minutes.”

With that, Zhang Tianfeng returned to the tea room.

Jin Haijun and his colleagues followed, obediently playing the footage from the little camera.

“What about the Hong Kong businessman? The workers aren’t fools—some of them are pretty sharp,” Wang Qi said in the video, his brow furrowed.

This part of the recording was already dealing with the subsequent, more detailed phase of their plan.

Xu Juncong replied, “Isn’t there a lawyer sent by the Hong Kong investor handling Zhou Yuanchong’s case at your factory? Let’s have them take the fall.”

“Are you crazy? Those people are sharp as knives. We might end up sending ourselves to jail.”

“No worries. Just watch me work. I’ll have them eating out of my hand.”

The two of them went on to discuss many other things: how to divide the spoils, how to split up the newly recruited workers, how to monitor them, and how to prevent them from causing trouble or spreading the truth.

“It’s terrifying when clever people go bad,” someone remarked.

This wasn’t some petty scam—this was a living record of criminal activity. They even considered resorting to brute force, hiring thugs to keep the workers in line.

“Mr. Zhang, we’ve shown our sincerity. Won’t you let us off the hook?” Jin Haijun pleaded.

“Let you off? Impossible!” Zhang Tianfeng replied with a cold smile. “No one who’s crossed me has ever gotten away with just an apology.”

Jin Haijun and the others looked stricken. Zhang Tianfeng truly refused to give an inch, and they were out of options.

“But,” he continued, “I can choose another way to punish you.”

“Don’t worry—it won’t affect your careers, won’t tarnish your reputations. In fact, I might even help you get promoted and earn more.”

“As long as you’re willing to let us off, none of that matters,” Jin Haijun said with a wry smile. “Just tell us what you want.”

He was genuinely intimidated by Zhang Tianfeng. The man was utterly unyielding, never offering a way out, and his temper could explode at the slightest provocation. He was not someone to cross lightly.

“You each owe me three favors. When I need your help, you must drop everything and come to my aid.”

“Remember, it’s three favors from each of you. Understood?”

“No problem!”

“Now, tell me what it is you want from me.”

Jin Haijun exchanged glances with his two colleagues, lowered his head, and said, “We took money from Xu Juncong—six hundred and fifty thousand in total. It’s currently in an investment firm in Hong Kong City. I’m afraid that bastard will use it to blackmail us into doing his bidding.”

“You have connections in Hong Kong City. This should be a small matter for you to handle, right?”

Zhang Tianfeng smiled. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll use this to blackmail you instead?”

“Your standards are much higher than Xu Juncong’s. We trust you.”

“Save the empty words. It’s just your last lifeline now that you’ve run out of options.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Tianfeng asked, “What’s the name of the investment firm?”

“Hengsen.”

Well, what a coincidence! But when did that girl Gao Ran get involved in such shady business? No matter—first, he had to deal with the situation at hand.

Steadying himself, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Now hand over the storage drive to me. Take that camera and keep filming—if you can catch them splitting the loot tonight, all the better.”

“Consider it done!” Filming was what Jin Haijun and his crew did best.

...

That night, he spent some time picking up Qin Aiguo, who had just returned to Hong Kong City, and settled him in a hotel.

He also got the exact location of the workers from Hongmao, roused Lu Dingqian from his dreams, and sent him over.

Once everything was in place, Zhang Tianfeng finally made his way, unhurried, to the employment agency.

Along the way, he saw many people hurrying in the same direction. Two young women, one older and one younger, were discussing the recruitment at Dali Toy Factory.

“Didn’t that boss Zhou get arrested? Why are they still hiring?”

“You don’t get it,” the older girl replied, “there’s a new owner now, and much more generous at that—five hundred million Hong Kong dollars in investment! My friend just started there and called me yesterday. She says the place is fantastic. I asked why she was crying, and she said the wages are so high—eight hundred a month on average—that she was moved to tears.”

“Really? Eight hundred?”

In 1993, inland factory workers made just over two hundred a month. Even along the coast, the norm was four or five hundred, with six hundred considered a rarity reserved for those with connections.

To earn eight hundred a month—what a dream come true for so many!

With pride, the older girl said, “Believe it or not, just look at how many people are trying to get in—it proves it’s real.”

“True, but with so many people, the line will stretch on forever,” the younger one worried.

“Just slip the staff at Yuanli Employment Agency a little red envelope, and they’ll get you in early—I’ve checked.”

Glancing around cautiously as if afraid of being overheard, the older girl whispered, “Don’t tell anyone, or we’ll never get in.”

“Don’t worry, I know how to keep a secret.”

Watching the eager faces of the hopeful women workers, Zhang Tianfeng was suddenly filled with anger.

In his previous life, he too had come to the coast, full of dreams of making it big, only to be left penniless by swindlers. If not for the kindness of a generous woman, he would have starved to death.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Tianfeng quickened his pace. He had to do something.

Tangwan Middle Street was the main route to the factory, lined with employment agencies. Every Yuanli Agency branch had queues out the door—except his own Bo Le Agency, which was deserted.

“Well, Boss Zhang, what brings you here today? Did you finally remember you own an agency after a good night’s sleep?” Xu Juncong strolled over, hands clasped behind his back, a broad smile on his face.