Chapter 82: Even Thieves Have Their Own Code

After Xiao Yuxin left, the two men sat down. Brother Qiang took out a pack of premium Red Double Happiness cigarettes and offered one to Jiang Fan, saying, “These are imported from Nanyang, quite a nice flavor.”

Jiang Fan leaned forward slightly, accepted the cigarette with a polite “thank you,” and courteously produced his lighter to help light it for Brother Qiang.

Seeing Jiang Fan’s humble manner, Brother Hui waved his hand to stop him, lit his own cigarette, and began to scrutinize Jiang Fan carefully. He found it hard to believe that the simple, honest-looking young man before him was the same man he had been paying close attention to in recent days.

Setting aside the matter of the women, the fact that he dared to make a move in front of so many security officers alone showed a boldness few possessed.

Beating up Ah Sheng was a small thing, but when Lu’s men repeatedly tried to win him over and he not only refused but also beat up Lu’s brother-in-law, that piqued Brother Hui’s interest even further and prompted him to start inquiring about Jiang Fan.

Through various channels, he learned that Jiang Fan had only recently arrived in Dongguan and had already stirred up quite a few incidents. However, there was only one thing directly related to himself. Driven by curiosity, he had decided to get acquainted with Jiang Fan.

While Brother Hui was sizing up Jiang Fan, Jiang Fan was likewise trying to guess the reason for Brother Hui’s visit.

Neither spoke, and the atmosphere became a little awkward.

Sensing this, Brother Hui took the initiative to lighten the mood with a joke. “Who would have thought that Ah Xin, such a gentle woman, could put someone like you in your place?”

Realizing Brother Qiang was trying to bridge the gap with humor, Jiang Fan replied in kind, “She’s my wife’s elder sister. There’s nothing I can do—she’s not someone I dare cross.”

“I hear your wife is a formidable woman. I hope I have the chance to meet her someday.”

Brother Hui had also tried to call Wang Wenyu, and even approached Lu Fuen directly. But Lu Fuen only said she was a relative of an old superior and refused to say more. It was only after running into Xiao Yuxin earlier that he learned about Wang Wenyu paying to bail out detained women.

Hearing Brother Hui express interest in meeting Wang Wenyu, Jiang Fan immediately became wary. “Are you only trying to get close to me because you want to meet her?”

“You’ve misunderstood. I just heard from Ah Xin that your wife is someone who likes to do good deeds, so I thought I’d try to meet her if the opportunity arose.”

With this explanation, Jiang Fan relaxed. “She’s gone to Guangzhou and should be back within a day or two.”

Seeing Jiang Fan’s cautiousness, Brother Hui dropped the joking tone and changed the subject. “I hear you’re not happy with Lu—not just because his men provoked you, but more because they’re collecting protection fees around here. Is that right?”

From Xiao Yuxin’s hints, Jiang Fan sensed she wanted him to get involved with Brother Hui, though he couldn't guess her motives. Still, he trusted that she meant him no harm.

Jiang Fan considered for a moment. “You could say that, or not. I just can’t stand seeing his men bully honest, hardworking people—they’re always up to nonsense.”

Brother Hui gave a thumbs-up. “That’s what it means to be a real man.”

Seeing Brother Hui still hadn’t revealed his true intentions, Jiang Fan cut to the chase. “You didn’t come just to see if I’m a real man, did you?”

Brother Hui met his eyes. “Today, I just wanted to meet you, nothing more. Do you believe me?”

Jiang Fan shook his head and countered, “I’m just a worker new to Dongguan. For someone of your standing to seek me out for no reason—should I really believe it’s just to get acquainted?”

Brother Hui looked at him with appreciation. “Believe it or not, it’s up to you. Today, I just wanted to make your acquaintance. If you must have a reason, I’ll say this: I admire the way you’ve handled yourself since coming to Baisha, that’s all. Whether we become friends who sit at the same table in the future, that depends on fate.”

“In life, who’s a friend and who’s a foe isn’t always immediately clear. Take me and Lu, for example—once we were as close as brothers, but though things aren’t openly hostile now, that brotherhood has run its course.”

As Brother Hui mentioned Lu, there was a hint of nostalgia and sadness in his expression.

Still, Jiang Fan didn’t believe Brother Hui had come only because he admired his conduct. He probed, “I heard that in Baisha, you and Lu have the biggest operations. His men either collect protection money or run gambling dens. What about your people?”

He watched Brother Hui closely for his reaction.

Brother Hui took a thoughtful drag from his cigarette, then flicked it several meters away and answered, “If I said all my money came clean and my business was aboveboard, that would be a lie. But at the very least, I don’t tolerate my people doing the kind of nonsense you mentioned.”

“I’ve lived through hard times myself. I couldn’t bring myself to squeeze people who work so hard for a meager wage—not in the past, and I don’t see myself doing it in the future. Even among thieves, there is a code—that’s what I believe most deeply. That’s the main reason Lu and I went our separate ways.”

“Thank you for saying all this. If you really are a man who lives by a code, I’ll still call you ‘Brother’ when I see you in the future. As for that bastard Lu, I can say for certain now—we’ll never be on the same path, and I’ll never go running to see him. Whatever tricks he wants to play, I’m ready.”

Though he was still only half convinced by Brother Hui’s words, the fact that the man had come in person and shown a willingness to make friends earned his respect.

As for Lu, they hadn’t met yet, but Jiang Fan felt that Lu was someone who always had to be in charge, putting on airs as a boss, only sending his brother-in-law when trouble arose, and then someone else when that didn’t work, afraid to show his own face for fear of losing status.

Between the two, Jiang Fan found himself liking Brother Hui much more.

Brother Hui emphasized again, “Even among thieves, there’s a code. That’s my creed, and there’s no falsehood in it. I really just came to meet you today—it’s not as complicated as you think.”

Jiang Fan smiled and replied frankly, “We don’t know each other well. For someone of your standing to come to me personally, it’s only natural for me to overthink it.”

“That’s true. You can never be too careful.”

Seeing that Brother Hui spoke with the tone of an equal, Jiang Fan took out his own cheap Coconut Tree cigarettes and offered one. “This is all I’ve got—I hope you don’t mind.”

Brother Hui accepted the cigarette, lit it immediately, and responded with a smile, “All cigarettes are just to please the mouth. Are you free tonight? Let’s have dinner.”

“Not tonight—my wife might be back, and I need to wait for her. How about tomorrow? Name the place and I’ll be there on time.”

Brother Hui knew Jiang Fan had refused Lu’s invitations several times, and though he’d also turned down this one, at least he’d set a time. Brother Hui stood up. “Pick out some fruit for me, will you? I’m meeting some friends tonight at the Rhine Hotel for drinks and will need to bring something.”

Bringing fruit when visiting friends is normal, but taking fruit to a hotel for drinks is a loss of face—Jiang Fan realized Brother Hui was just making up an excuse for his sake, out of courtesy.

He didn’t refuse the business Xiao Yuxin had introduced, and went into the shop, took out a bag, and started selecting fruits carefully.

Seeing Jiang Fan so earnest, Brother Hui pulled out two empty apple boxes from beside the fruit stand. “No need to fuss. Just fill up two boxes.”

Jiang Fan replied politely, “A guest is a guest—I wouldn’t dare shortchange you.”

As they grew more familiar, Brother Hui joked, “A guest is a guest? Yesterday, when you were picking fruit for someone else, why did you pick only the wilted ones?”

Jiang Fan looked at Brother Hui in surprise, awkwardly asking, “How did you know about that?”

Realizing he’d let something slip, and not wanting Jiang Fan to think he’d had him followed, Brother Hui explained, “Yesterday, Deputy General Manager Tang stopped by the security team on his way back and gave both bags of fruit to my cousin, telling him to share them with the security officers, saying they’d just go to waste otherwise.”

Jiang Fan’s newly warm expression shifted at once, and his tone grew more guarded. “Your cousin’s an officer with the security team?”

Having spoken, Brother Hui saw that lying would only arouse more suspicion, so he nodded in acknowledgment. “Zheng Xiaolin and Zheng Xiaomao are both my cousins. Whatever issues you have with them, that’s their business. Friendships are separate matters. If you accept this, our meeting tomorrow stands; if not, just pretend I was never here.”