Chapter 324 - 326: All Kinds of Immortals
After An Ning finished speaking, Du San was so furious that if it were physically possible, smoke would have been rising from his head.
Du San’s previously vicious expression changed.
He smiled.
"This is the first time I’ve met someone like you. How interesting. Very interesting indeed."
"Then you clearly haven’t seen much of the world. No worries. Once you’re down below, I’ll have your underlings burn plenty for you."
Du San stared directly at An Ning, who now stood at the entrance, and at the crowd of people that had appeared behind her. The corner of his mouth lifted into a somewhat wicked smile.
"The grand opening is tomorrow. We’ll definitely be there."
"That would be great. Don’t forget to bring a gift."
As if she couldn’t understand the threat, An Ning picked up the bag from the floor, walked down the steps herself, and shoved it into Du San’s arms.
"You came all this way. You shouldn’t go back empty-handed. Take this, and go share it with your brothers."
An Ning’s strength was such that Du San had no way to refuse.
Du San was shocked. ’So it’s not just her speed.’
"Good. Tomorrow’s return gift will certainly be heftier than today’s."
"You’re welcome anytime."
Their gazes held no trace of malice or rivalry; instead, they were as peaceful as two old friends.
But their conversation, and that pile of exposed joss paper, were all telling a different story.
Du San, carrying the bag, was the first to leave with his underlings.
An Ning stood at the entrance, watching them go for a long time.
With her back to the employees behind her, she said, "I will never pay them. And as for offending them, I think I’ve done a very thorough job of that as well."
"So—"
An Ning suddenly turned around, her sharp gaze fixed on the employees behind her. "If you’re scared, leave now."
Whether it was the pressure from An Ning’s gaze or the long-standing reputation of Du San and his crew, some people actually left.
A total of three people left. An Ning didn’t stop them at all.
"Very well. I hope those who remain will work hard. We’ll have our grand opening tomorrow."
An Ning was the first to walk back into the shop to get back to work, continuing with the preparations for the opening.
The shop’s main door was closed once again.
The onlookers peeking through the crack in the door felt that today was even more exciting than yesterday, and that tomorrow would be even more so.
So exciting that they were afraid blood might splash onto them.
An Ning was as calm as ever, without a trace of fear. As for the other employees who hadn’t left, she couldn’t be sure about them.
Regardless, everyone was diligently getting on with their work.
Meanwhile, Du San, who had left, carried the bag An Ning had given him, walking on and on.
An underling came forward to take the bag, wanting to throw it away, but Du San didn’t let him.
"Throw what away? Tomorrow, we’ll return this to them—with interest."
"Go order two funeral wreaths and have a few paper effigies made. We’re going to attend the grand opening tomorrow."
"Right, and don’t forget to prepare some liquid manure. Gotta help them add a little ’fragrance.’"
The underlings beside him nodded repeatedly, and several of them left to make the preparations.
As Du San walked, his anger completely vanished. He even started looking forward to the grand opening tomorrow.
’After all these years, this is the first time I’ve run into someone this tough. It’s actually pretty interesting.’
Carrying the bag, Du San returned to their headquarters to find his big brother.
Du San was the second-in-command there, a position that was essentially second to one and above all others.
"Du San, you’re back."
In a spacious courtyard, a middle-aged man in a dark-blue training suit lay on a rocking chair. He held a handle-less Zisha teapot, occasionally taking a leisurely sip from the spout.
Judging by appearances alone, you would never guess he was a formidable figure.
"Boss."
Du San sat on a small stool next to the man, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip.
"Didn’t go smoothly?"
"A little bit, but nothing major."
Du San put down his teacup and explained what had happened earlier that day. After listening, his older brother on the rocking chair simply smiled and said, "A trivial matter."
"Trivial, indeed."
Neither of them was worried. They had already thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of An Ning and An Guoming.
A family of peasants who scraped together some money from traveling around, now opening a shop to sell vegetables and grain. To the Du Brothers, they were a fat sheep, ripe for the slaughter.
The two resumed drinking their tea, not even bothering to mention An Ning again, as if she wasn’t worthy of their attention.
’In their minds, she truly wasn’t.’
"Boss—"
An underling ran in from outside, his voice loud enough to make the boss in the rocking chair frown.
"What’s the panic?"
"Boss, Director Li is here."
The gently swaying rocking chair came to a sudden halt. The man addressed as "Boss" sat up and got to his feet.
"Show him in."
Du San, who had been sitting on the small stool, also stood up, arranged a chair, and replaced the tea.
At this moment, Director Li from the textile factory walked in and nodded at the boss who was already standing.
"Du, I trust you’ve been well."
"Director Li, an honor to have you. My apologies for not greeting you at the door."
Director Li was invited to take a seat, and Du, the boss, personally poured him tea.
Director Li raised a hand, stopping Du. "No tea, thank you. I’m here on business. It’s urgent and important."
"Oh? Please, speak."
Du poured the tea anyway. Only after he was done did he set down the pot and wait for Director Li to speak.
"In our county, on East City Street, a shop is going to open. It sells vegetables and grain, and it’s called Green Land."
The moment Director Li spoke, Du San and Du were startled. ’What a fucking coincidence!’
’Still, the Du Brothers were beginning to understand why An Ning was so unyielding. So she had Director Li for backing.’
For the Du Brothers, every factory director was someone they couldn’t afford to offend.
These factories were all state-owned, and the directors held official government posts. Of course they wouldn’t dare to cross them.
"Director Li, rest assured. I understand."
Du nodded at Director Li, confident that he understood. But the director waved his hand dismissively.
"Don’t interrupt. You don’t understand."
"Let me be clear. Our textile factory is the one asking An Ning for favors, not An Ning relying on me."
Du’s eyes widened in spite of himself. ’What did he just say?’
At this point, Director Li had already stood up and said to Du, "You need to understand An Ning’s importance. Don’t make her angry."
"Of course, of course."
’Du was already starting to feel a chill. Fortunately, there hadn’t been a major conflict today. Sending a flower basket tomorrow should smooth things over.’
After Director Li left, the Du Brothers sat in their chairs and exchanged a look. Both were starting to break out in a cold sweat.
"Boss—"
"What is it now?"
Du turned and asked impatiently, but the next second he shot to his feet.
"Factory Director Zhang, what brings you here?"
"It seems I’m not very welcome."
Du immediately stepped forward, bowing in apology to Factory Director Zhang of the machinery plant.
"No, no, please come in, please come in."
Factory Director Zhang waved his hand. "There’s no need for me to go in. I just came to tell you that Green Land on East City Street is about to open."