Chapter 42: Ambushed
Wang Zhen Dong’s eyes lit up at the words. “Brother Wen, did I… did I hear that right?”
“You want me to work with you?”
Chen Xue Wen nodded. “That’s right. Don’t want to?”
Wang Zhen Dong frantically shook his head and waved his hands. “I want to! Of course, I want to!”
“Brother Wen, give me a sec! I’ll go resign right now and follow you immediately!”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “You don’t even want to ask what I’m having you do?”
Wang Zhen Dong straightened his back. “Brother Wen, if you’re willing to take me in, that means you see something in me. What’s there to question?”
“Besides, back in the joint, you always looked out for me. I haven’t forgotten any of that.”
“No matter what you need me to do, I’ll listen to you!”
Chen Xue Wen nodded in satisfaction. He had to admit, Wang Zhen Dong was a sharp one.
Just then, a voice rang out from behind. “Brother Wen, how’d it go?”
“Did you find it?”
Lai Hou approached with a few men, including the restaurant owner.
The moment Lai Hou laid eyes on Wang Zhen Dong—and more importantly, the phone in his hand—his eyes bulged. “You son of a bitch!”
“Damn it! You dared steal my phone?! You must have a death wish!”
The restaurant owner stormed up, his face flushed with rage. “Wang Zhen Dong, you trying to get yourself killed?”
“I hired you to work, and you’re out here sneaking and stealing in my shop?”
“Just wait till the law enforcement team gets here. I’ll make sure they throw the book at you!”
The surrounding crowd whispered among themselves, leaving Wang Zhen Dong feeling utterly humiliated.
Chen Xue Wen raised his voice, “You all misunderstand.”
“He didn’t steal the phone.”
“He just saw it on the ground and picked it up.”
“I saw it with my own eyes.”
The crowd fell silent.
Wang Zhen Dong, on the other hand, looked at Chen Xue Wen with immense gratitude. Not only had Brother Wen resolved the situation, but he also saved his dignity.
Lai Hou frowned, wanting to say something, but Chen Xue Wen silenced him with a glance.
Chen Xue Wen handed the phone back to Lai Hou. “Hou, your phone’s back. Let’s not waste any more time.”
He shot Lai Hou a subtle look. Lai Hou immediately caught on and nodded. “Fine. Since I got my phone, no need to drag this out.”
With that settled, Chen Xue Wen paid the bill and led his group out of the restaurant.
On the way, he explained Wang Zhen Dong’s background to Lai Hou and the others.
Upon realizing Wang Zhen Dong was now one of their own, Lai Hou let the matter drop.
Not long after, Wang Zhen Dong came rushing out, now dressed in tattered old clothes, having shed his waiter’s uniform.
Shivering from the cold, he anxiously searched the crowd.
Chen Xue Wen called out to him, and he hurried over.
“Brother Wen, I resigned.”
“From now on, I’m with you!” Wang Zhen Dong declared, his excitement evident.
Chen Xue Wen grinned. “We’re all just making a living.”
“Don’t worry. As long as you’re with me, you won’t go hungry.”
Overjoyed, Wang Zhen Dong repeatedly thanked him.
Chen Xue Wen introduced him to the others. When he got to Lai Hou, Wang Zhen Dong awkwardly extended a hand. “Brother Hou, about earlier… I’m really sorry.”
“I had no idea you were one of us. If I offended you, please don’t take it to heart.”
His humility melted away Lai Hou’s lingering annoyance. He clapped Wang Zhen Dong’s shoulder and laughed. “Dong, we’re brothers now. No need for formalities.”
“There’s a saying, ‘A fight leads to friendship.’”
“If not for this mess, we might’ve never met.”
Wang Zhen Dong laughed.
Li Er Yong smirked. “Dong, I gotta ask—how the hell did you swipe Hou’s phone?”
“This guy’s been picking pockets since he was a kid. How’d you manage it?”
Everyone turned their attention to Wang Zhen Dong, curious.
Even Lai Hou, despite his earlier embarrassment, leaned in.
Scratching his head, Wang Zhen Dong admitted, “Brother Yong, I ain’t that skilled.”
“But Brother Hou’s phone was begging to be taken.”
“He strutted out, chest puffed up, pushing his gut forward with the phone right there.”
“The case was just a magnetic attachment. A light touch, and it came off.”
“He didn’t even glance down, just kept his head high while walking. I just gave it a little nudge, and… well, here we are.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Lai Hou’s pose had indeed been exactly like that.
Chen Xue Wen smacked Lai Hou on the back. “Hou, you hear that?”
“That’s what you get for showing off!”
“If you ask me, just keep your phone in your pocket. Hanging it on your waist is too damn obvious.”
Lai Hou sighed. “Brother Wen, don’t worry.”
“I’ll buy a pair of underwear with a zipper pocket and shove my phone in there.”
“If someone can still steal it, I’ll admit defeat!”
The group roared with laughter.
Wu Li Hong rolled her eyes. “Hou, Brother Wen meant to tell you to stop showing off, not stuff your phone in your pants.”
“If you do that, I swear I’m never calling you again. That’s just nasty.”
Lai Hou coughed awkwardly. “Hey, quit ganging up on me.”
“You think I’m flashy? Look at Zhuzi over there. He’s been glued to his phone this whole time.”
They glanced at Li Tie Zhu, who was still fiddling with his phone, oblivious to their conversation.
Chen Xue Wen peered over his shoulder.
Damn it. The guy was playing Snake Game.
Li Er Yong scoffed. “At least Zhuzi keeps his phone in his hands. He won’t lose it.”
“Unlike you—shameful!”
Lai Hou was speechless. Then he noticed Li Er Yong’s phone case and sneered. “And you’re any better?”
“Your case is bright red. That’s even flashier than me!”
The group erupted in laughter again.
Li Er Yong’s face burned as he hurriedly hid his phone case.
Afterward, Chen Xue Wen took Wang Zhen Dong shopping for clothes and got him a phone.
Tears welled up in Wang Zhen Dong’s eyes as he held his new belongings. “Brother Wen, I have nothing more to say.”
“From now on, my life is yours. Whatever you command, I’ll do it—even if I have to climb mountains or walk through fire!”
Chen Xue Wen scoffed. “Save the dramatic speeches for later.”
“For tonight, crash at Lai Hou’s place.”
“Tomorrow, we’ll pick a good day to open shop.”
Everyone agreed. After escorting Chen Xue Wen and Wu Li Hong to the alleyway, they parted ways.
Wu Li Hong trailed behind Chen Xue Wen as they walked through the dim streets toward home.
Clutching the phone he gave her, she gazed at his back, a dreamy smile playing on her lips.
She quickened her pace, reaching out to grab his hand—
But before she could, shadows emerged from the darkness, surrounding them.
A cocky voice sneered, “Took you long enough to show up.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation