A manual laborer had come to the cattle farm and Yan Fei was in high spirits. Before he left, he instructed the fascinated Heizi, "I have to go find my uncle. I just remembered that I promised to see him these days. If I hadn’t come out now, I would have forgotten. You take him to find a place to live and teach him how to work. He’s such a strong-looking guy, once he learns the ropes he’ll definitely be a great worker."
With that, Gao Rui remained silent, a bitter look on his face.
Heizi was a little confused, calling out to Yan Fei, "You’re not even going to give him a little intimidation? What if he bullies us when you’re gone?"
Yan Fei’s motorcycle had already left the cattle farm.
Once Yan Fei was gone, Heizi looked at the gloomy-faced Gao Rui and threatened, "Our boss said that he’s got your name and home address. Don’t think that once he’s gone, you can bully us."
Gao Rui dismissed him, draining the tea from his cup and sighing deeply, "I can’t believe I’m going to be a cattle herder!"
Heizi pointed out his misunderstanding, "We don’t raise cattle here, only feed them. I’m talking to you! Weren’t you acting big and mighty just now? Why didn’t you spar with our boss when he was here?"
Not only Heizi, everyone wanted to know the answer! They all perked their ears, eager to hear what Gao Rui had to say.
Gao Rui, once he heard this, could not help but feel down, "I only came here to earn some food money and then slowly find a job to support myself. I didn’t know your boss was so awesome. Now I’ve really taken a beating, who knows when he’ll be in a good mood?"
Heizi was very curious, "Even knowing how awesome our boss is, you still dared to come? I really admire you."
Gao Rui was even more frustrated at his words, "I’m absolutely not forgiving that damn kid who screwed me! It’s only now that I’ve seen your boss that I realize how tough he is! Let’s get a move on, tell me how to feed the cows, I want to work hard and avoid pissing him off."
Seeing there was no more excitement to witness, everyone felt a little disappointed and prepared to go about their own business.
Heizi did not drop the subject, keeping on with his inquiries, "Are you really that mighty? Just one look and you’re in awe of Brother Fei?"
"Are you going to teach me to do the work or not?" Gao Rui glared at him. "I was in a prison for severe offenders before my sentence was reduced. There were guys who were shot to death shortly after they were sent in, all types of fierce characters. But even they aren’t worth comparing with your boss. He looked at me as if I was a chicken chick, if I don’t behave, I reckon he could kill me with one hand. When under someone’s roof, you have to bow your head."
"So you’re not stupid then?" Heizi was rather puzzled. "Why didn’t you ask around before you came? But honestly, I also felt Brother Fei’s aura was exceptionally awesome today. He just brought out a different vibe. Did he achieve some magical ability these past few days?"
"Who says I’m stupid? Say I’m stupid again and I’ll beat you up! Who was I supposed to ask? I spent nearly ten years in prison, when I came out I didn’t even recognize the roads, couldn’t find anyone I knew. Besides, I was so damn hungry, I haven’t eaten since I woke up this morning and I stiffed a taxi driver to get here. If I had money, would I have come here?" Gao Rui was really not pleased to see that Heizi was still harping on.
Heizi, unbothered by anyone’s opinion, is a man with a skin thicker than a city wall. Knowing now that he was afraid of Yan Fei, he didn’t fear his glare, and spoke with absolute confidence. "Don’t even think about beating me! Do you know who Brother Fei trusts the most within this cattle farm? If you dare to touch me, I’ll lie down right here and wait for Brother Fei to back me up! Come on, I’ll teach you how to work and tell you some glorious stories about our Brother Fei..."
In the face of Heizi’s antics, anyone would be at a loss. Clutching his stomach in irritation, Gao Rui grumbled, "So, are there any buns? Give me a few to fill my belly. I can’t walk or work anymore!"
"You haven’t started working and you want to eat? But fine, I’m in a good mood. I grant you two buns, come with me to the kitchen. Remember this, work honestly in the future. Did you see that mute man? Actually, he’s not mute, if Brother Fei doesn’t let him talk, then he dares not talk." As Heizi was spouting nonsense, he led Gao Rui to the kitchen.
The others who were listening in were laughing. With Heizi around, working at this cattle farm really was never dull. He made everyone feel relieved about Yan Fei just leaving an ex-convict here.
That’s also what Yan Fei had thought. He felt from the very beginning that as soon as Gao Rui saw him, he trembled.
It was a sincere surrender, not a sycophantic submission. So he wasn’t worried about him causing any trouble at the farm, and headed straight to the police station to find Lin Baoguo.
The day Lin Baoguo advised him to join the civilian militia, he agreed to consider it for five days. Counting the days, today was exactly the fifth day, and it was already afternoon. If he didn’t go now, he’d be breaking his promise.
He had made up his mind to be on the team in name only and not attend the classes. If worst came to worst, he’d be expelled, which was exactly what he wanted!
When he arrived at the police station, it seemed everyone was busy. Catching sight of Xiang Changqing darting around the yard, he wondered if he had come at the wrong time?
As expected, Lin Baoguo, who was on the phone, saw him come in and amiably gestured him to have a seat, all while maintaining a friendly smile.
This isn’t looking good!
Such a warm smile, such a friendly attitude, there must be an ulterior motive!
Although these uncle and nephew weren’t blood related, they seemed to understand each other very well.
Whenever Yan Fei acted somewhat better than usual, Lin Baoguo would know there was definitely something up. Now that Lin Baoguo was being nice, Yan Fei sensed that there was a plot brewing.
Sure enough, after Lin Baoguo ended his phone call, he immediately found Yan with a matter. "Perfect timing, Xiao Fei. We have an operation tonight. Our village needs to assist in blocking a few intersections. It’s nothing serious, and since you’re here, you can learn a bit."
Yan Fei, sensing the unfavorable situation, quickly prepared an excuse: "I’m busy tonight! I need to replace the earthworms’ fresh cow dung at night. I really don’t have time."
"You responded quite smoothly, didn’t you? Are you planning to work with a flashlight or a candle? There’s not even a single light in your greenhouse, and yet you claim to work at night?" Lin Baoguo countered, exposing his lie. "Now that you’re here, there’s no escaping. Whether you like it or not, you’re going tonight. Also, take these two books home. All the civilians have to train for a month, and even though you’re not training, you should at least understand what’s in these."
Yan Fei accepted the books with a wronged expression. The problem was, he couldn’t very well admit that he can work in the night without light. Although an odd ability or two wouldn’t matter, too many would mean trouble. It was against his policy of keeping a low profile.
Grimacing, he took the books without even looking at the titles, slipping them into his kangaroo-pocket. He dropped the pretense, "I have to deliver the motorcycle back first. Brother Chao is still at the greenhouse! I’ll go back and bring him here. How long will you need tonight? If it’s the whole night, I’ll have Master Cheng look after the greenhouse."
"It’s hard to say. It might be all night. You go back and make arrangements first! Just remember to come in a bit. We’re eating early, and after dinner, we’ll start the operation. If you don’t want to eat with us, cook something for yourself before coming over. Tonight, you’ll be teaming with Dang Wenzheng and Xiang Changqing. It’s convenient since you three have worked together in the past."
"Don’t worry! I’ll be back soon."
He left feeling frustrated. He’d just hired labor for himself, only to be conscripted. It was like karma, instant retribution! It seemed he needed to consider paying the reform-through-labor criminal some wages.
Riding the motorcycle, Yan Fei didn’t go to the cattle farm but went straight to the greenhouse.
He handed the motorcycle to Ma Chao, instructing him to have someone from the farm watch the greenhouse at night, before promptly preparing some food.
Back at the cattle farm, Ma Chao relayed Yan Fei’s instructions while the newcomer, Gao Rui, was puzzled. "Is your boss a cop? Why would he go on patrol?"
"No, he’s probably just helping out," Heizi said, laughing at the baffled Gao Rui.
"Our boss isn’t a cop, but his uncle is the police station chief. How did you offend the person who sent you here? He’s really making things tough for you. What if our boss hadn’t been there today? We would have had to call his uncle. Do you think someone like you who just got out of prison and started extorting people again, and even the nephew of the station chief..."
Before he could finish, Gao Rui’s face turned darker than the cow dung that had been fermented for half a year.