Chapter 1658 - 921: The Little Match Girl
The other side.
Chen Er, filled with anger, embarked on the return journey to Southern Paradise with Feng Wei.
Throughout the journey, he didn’t utter a single word to this Feng Wei.
In Chen Er’s eyes, Feng Wei was nothing but a troublemaker, and he was determined to bring this up before Mr. Hu at Southern Paradise.
Noticing that Chen Er was ignoring him, Feng Wei, finding it meaningless to talk to himself, closed his eyes to rest, with his mind filled with his own little schemes.
In the blink of an eye,
they had returned to Southern Paradise from Oil City.
Oil City is further from Southern Paradise in Jinling than it is from Big Camphor Tree Base.
So, Chen Er and his group returned to Southern Paradise before nightfall.
Outside the walls of Southern Paradise, among the densely packed tents, some raggedly clothed people wandered through, waking Feng Wei, who gazed at them with disgust.
"Finally, we’re almost there. The bumpy road was quite unbearable," Feng Wei stretched, giving a sidelong glance at Chen Er sitting beside him.
His eyes gleamed, as if contemplating something.
Chen Er could have traveled in other vehicles, but due to Mr. Hu’s instructions to keep a close watch on Feng Wei, he endured his disgust to sit in the same car, ensuring he could constantly keep an eye on him.
Under the walls of Southern Paradise, guards near the main entrance saw the approaching vehicle.
"Get off for inspection," a man with a handlebar mustache gestured towards Chen Er’s vehicle.
Every car entering or leaving Southern Paradise must undergo inspection, as per the rules of the place.
Bam!
Feng Wei got out of the car, slamming the door heavily.
The man with the mustache gave Feng Wei a disdainful glance.
Many inside Southern Paradise disliked Feng Wei; he was full of crooked thoughts, and critically unaware of his own limits.
His popularity in Southern Paradise was extremely low.
If not for Mr. Hu’s broad perspective, Feng Wei would have been ostracized long ago.
"Captain Chen, was the mission smooth this time?" The man with the mustache smiled upon seeing Chen Er.
His expression was entirely different from when he looked at Feng Wei just moments ago.
This Chen Er was a favored figure around Mr. Hu, often entrusted with important tasks by him.
Moreover, Chen Er was adept in interpersonal relations, making him far more popular in Southern Paradise than Feng Wei.
Seeing the man with the mustache, Chen Er also smiled.
"Old Zhang, you’re on duty today. The mission went alright, at least it started smoothly. I won’t chat much, I better hurry back to report to Mr. Hu."
Old Zhang, the man with the mustache, grinned and said to his fellow inspectors, "Alright, the inspection’s good enough, let them pass."
"Captain Chen, let’s grab a drink someday. I have half a bottle of treasured baijiu left, we can enjoy it together," Old Zhang suggested.
"Half a bottle? You’re amazing, Old Zhang! I always say, when it comes to sourcing supplies in Southern Paradise, no one beats you. Sure, someday soon, I’ll come find you."
"Fine then."
Feng Wei, watching their camaraderie from the side, was full of disdain.
"Hmph, all fake politeness, looking down on people. When I gain more power, the first thing I’ll do is get rid of you, Old Zhang," Feng Wei inwardly swore.
....
Creak——
At the mustached man’s command, several guards opened the iron grating, and the people on the wall opened the main gate.
Chen Er got back in the car, nodded at Old Zhang, and waved.
Then, the vehicle drove into Southern Paradise.
Along the way, people who saw their convoy, especially with Chen Er in the seat, greeted them.
In contrast, no one acknowledged Feng Wei sitting beside him.
The vehicle entered the parking lot, and as Chen Er got off, someone immediately approached him, saying:
"Captain Chen, Mr. Hu wants you and Captain Feng to come over together."
Before they even reached the walls and appeared in Old Zhang’s view, Old Zhang had already used the radio to inform Mr. Hu in Southern Paradise of Chen Er’s return.
This person was sent by Mr. Hu to wait for them here.
"Alright, thanks for your troubles."
Chen Er nodded, glanced at Feng Wei, and then headed towards the central area where Mr. Hu was.
Feng Wei didn’t refuse, but followed as well.
He feared that Chen Er would badmouth him secretly if he wasn’t present.
.....
Tap tap tap——
A few minutes later, Chen Er and Feng Wei followed the man onto the third-floor balcony of the central building.
The third-floor balcony was very spacious, with a total area of over a hundred square meters.
All around the balcony were various pots of flowers and plants that could be moved freely.
To the right, there was a swing, where a young boy sat, holding a children’s book and swinging gently.
In the center was a round glass table, with four rattan chairs placed around it, which were water-resistant and very durable against the elements.
In one of the rattan chairs sat a man with a rugged beard; his beard had some white as well as black strands.
His build was massive, and even his silhouette exuded an aura of power and authority.
Beside Mr. Hu stood two burly men on either side, guarding with guns in hand, their cold eyes exuding an intimidating aura.