Chapter 112: Bonds Forged on a Wandering Journey

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After Jiang Fan saw Zhang Chunge step in to help at the dumpling restaurant, the atmosphere in the shop became noticeably livelier. The two diligent young girls, who treated even the smallest tasks as if coaxing him playfully, often bossed him around. Jiang Fan, like a big brother, never refused their requests.

Jiang Fan approached and teased Zhang Xiaoye, “You and Guihua only know how to bully Chunge. Tomorrow he’s starting at the factory—I wonder who you’ll be able to boss around then.”

Zhang Xiaoye lifted her head, her smile fading, and asked, “Brother, is that true?”

Jiang Fan feigned seriousness and nodded, “I have something to take care of now. Once I’m done, I’ll take him to start the job as a warehouse worker at the factory.”

Zhang Xiaoye’s eyes filled with reluctance. She puckered her lips, wanting to say something but held back.

Zhang Chunge quickly interjected, “Brother, didn’t you say we’d wait until the gambling den issue is resolved before thinking about work? I’ve already asked for leave from uncle and aunt. Tomorrow I’m taking Yezi and Guihua to the Humen Battery for half a day of fun.”

Hearing that Chunge was still thinking about this, Zhang Xiaoye patted his shoulder and chimed in, “Whether you play or not doesn’t matter. The job is important. Having a steady position means you’re really settled down.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaoye’s reluctance mixed with her efforts to comfort Chunge, Jiang Fan lightly patted her head and smiled, “Just teasing you. The matter hasn’t been settled yet, and with the New Year coming soon, Chunge’s start date will probably be after the holidays. You and Guihua still have a few more days to boss him around.”

Zhang Xiaoye’s joyful expression returned. She puckered her lips, tugged Jiang Fan’s arm, and coaxed, “Brother, you’re so mean. This afternoon, I’m going to tell Sister-in-law that you’re bullying us.”

After some casual chatter, Jiang Fan asked why Uncle Qiu and his wife weren’t around. He learned that after most stalls and restaurants closed around one or two in the morning, the dumpling shop remained open 24 hours, practically running the business alone and doubling its previous income.

During the day’s three main meal times, one of the elderly couple would stay at the shop. When it wasn’t busy, one girl and Chunge would watch the store. At night, the couple worked together so Chunge and the two girls could rest early, ensuring everyone had ample rest.

The elderly couple treated the two girls and Chunge like family, and Chunge had grown reluctant to leave the dumpling shop.

Listening to Zhang Xiaoye chatter excitedly about the dumpling shop, her personality brightened. Compared to when they first met—when she barely dared to speak loudly—she had completely changed. Jiang Fan felt a deeper joy in seeing her mature happily.

He introduced Liu Zhengjun to everyone.

Upon hearing that Liu Zhengjun was introduced by Jiang Fan as a close brother, Zhang Xiaoye hurried into the shop and handed Liu a mango gifted by Hui Ge.

As Jiang Fan prepared to leave, Chunge asked if he was in a hurry because of something and whether he needed help.

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“Looking for a troublemaker you don’t know. I can’t help.”

Jiang Fan and Liu Zhengjun continued searching around the first village. During working hours, the bustling area filled with workers was now unusually quiet.

Jiang Fan suddenly remembered Er Gouzi, a local thug who was Gou Biao’s lackey. When Gou Biao wasn’t at the factory, he could be found hanging out with these shady friends.

Jiang Fan didn’t know Er Gouzi personally but planned to ask Hui Ge for information.

Yueyue’s rented room was also on the commercial street, quite close to Jiang Fan’s.

The two left the first village and headed toward the commercial street. Near the security patrol office, they saw a crowd gathered by the roadside.

Approaching, Jiang Fan saw a modified bike with a trailer attached had collided with the rear of a Mercedes parked at the security office’s entrance.

The cyclist was an elderly man in his late fifties, with graying hair, a thin frame, and a weathered face full of wrinkles. Two security guards blocked his escape path, preventing him from leaving.

They learned the brakes had failed, causing the collision with the parked Mercedes.

The distressed old man was sweating profusely, sweat beads rolling down his face to the ground, muttering repeatedly, “I didn’t do it on purpose. The brakes failed.”

The Mercedes’s rear had a large dent with a scratched paint patch. Jiang Fan checked the license plate—it was indeed Hui Ge’s car. He teased casually, “You shouldn’t have parked here blocking the way. It’s your own fault for getting hit.”

Both security guards glanced at Jiang Fan, one moving his lips silently.

Jiang Fan had no idea how costly repairs on such a luxury imported car would be.

He stepped beside the old man and comforted him, “Sir, what’s done is done. Getting upset won’t help. This car belongs to a friend of mine. When he arrives, I’ll talk to him to see if we can reduce the compensation.”

Hearing this, the old man clung to Jiang Fan’s arm like a lifeline, anxiously explaining, “Young man, at my age, I can’t do much. I survive by collecting scraps. I don’t have money to pay for damages!”

As they spoke, one security guard shouted to the crowd, “Please make way, the owner has arrived.”

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Hui Ge and Yueyue, still in pajamas, pushed through the crowd. Seeing Jiang Fan, Hui Ge nodded in greeting.

He then walked to the car’s rear, touched the dent, smiled wryly, and asked the old man, “Uncle, are you okay?”

Seeing Hui Ge’s smile mixed with concern for the old man, Jiang Fan said nothing and stepped to the edge of the crowd, waiting to see how Hui Ge would handle the situation.

The old man looked anxiously at Hui Ge and shook his head. “I just fell off the bike and got a scratch. Nothing serious.”

Hui Ge noticed the old man’s anxious eyes, patted his shoulder, and comforted him, “At your age, you still need to be careful when riding.”

The old man pointed to the dent and sheepishly asked, “What to do about this?”

Hui Ge looked at the large dent with pity and smiled helplessly, “Can you afford to pay? As long as you’re unharmed, that’s what matters. Let’s go. Be more careful next time.”

After the old man left, the crowd dispersed and the two security guards returned to their post.

Yueyue linked arms with Hui Ge and teased, “Your luck is something else. The other day a motorcycle hit your Crown, and today a bike hits your Mercedes. Both cars ended up in the shop, and you didn’t get a penny in compensation. You still have to walk everywhere!”

Hui Ge patted Yueyue’s hand and joked self-deprecatingly, “Luck is good, but I wish some big boss would hit me once, so I could cover some costs!”

Her chest pressed against his arm, clearly outlined, causing Jiang Fan to avert Hui Ge’s gaze but sneak a couple of admiring glances.

The teasing couple made Jiang Fan realize that two days ago when Hui Ge took Yueyue shopping in Humen, a motorcycle taxi following too closely lost control and crashed into his Crown. Coincidentally, both accidents involved rear-end damage caused by struggling folks, and Hui Ge didn’t ask for compensation.

After Hui Ge and Yueyue finished their playful banter, Jiang Fan asked if he knew Er Gouzi.

Hui Ge frowned thoughtfully and replied, “Er Gouzi? I don’t think I’ve heard that name before.”