Chapter 94: The Fourth Great Ruthless Man!

‘Cough cough!’

Seeing Gao Xinmin’s gaze sweep over, Li Xiangdong quickly explained, “Uncle Gao, my throat is itchy.”

“Your throat is itchy at a rather opportune time.”

Gao Xinmin shot him a sideways glance. The reason he had come over was because, apart from Li Xiangdong and his two companions, all the other employees on this train had obediently stayed in the hostel and not gone out.

He was also worried about their safety, but he hadn’t expected that this foolish boy, Hou San, if not for Li Xiangdong’s cough, might have said something he hadn’t anticipated.

He looked at Hou San and said, “Go on, what else are you counting on these crickets for?”

“Nothing.”

Seeing Li Xiangdong and Ah Zhe staring at him intently, Hou San mumbled, “Really nothing. Uncle Gao, don’t ask. I just misspoke.”

Gao Xinmin walked up to Hou San, looked down at him, and pressed, “Stop trying to fool me. Spit it out! Are you three up to something?”

“I…”

“What about you?”

“I’m still counting on…”

“Counting on what? Say it!”

“I’m still… I’m still counting on these crickets to carry on the family line! Are you happy now, Uncle Gao!”

“You bastard!”

Gao Xinmin was stunned by Hou San’s words. What kind of nonsense was this? Counting on crickets to carry on the family line? Was he planning to marry a cricket bride and bring her home?!

Li Xiangdong looked at Hou San, who was cowering under Gao Xinmin’s imposing presence.

He was filled with admiration. What a ruthless man!

The fourth great ruthless man after Xu Xian, Dong Yong, and Ning Caichen!

Seeing Gao Xinmin’s face darken, he tried to persuade him, “Uncle Gao, calm down. You know Hou San. He never thinks before he speaks. Don’t get angry because of him.”

“Stand aside. You’re no good either.”

Gao Xinmin retorted to Li Xiangdong, then looked at Hou San and continued relentlessly, “You’re not going to tell the truth, are you? Fine, you can explain it to your father when you get home.”

After saying this, he looked at Ah Zhe and said, “What’s wrong with your father’s health?”

Ah Zhe, who had been watching the show, saw the gun pointed at him. He swallowed and said, “He’s weak.”

Gao Xinmin was so angry he laughed. “Where is he weak?”

Ah Zhe blushed, lowered his head, and said softly, “Kidney.”

“…”

Hearing this word, Gao Xinmin was speechless for a moment.

He composed himself, knowing he wouldn’t get anything more out of them. He shook his head and smiled, “What a bunch of characters. I never thought I’d have three characters like you on this train. It wasn’t easy to get you all together.”

“One wants to marry a cricket, one wants to supplement his father’s kidney. Dongzi, you’re something else. You’re not after anything, you followed these two all the way here, full of loyalty and righteousness.”

Li Xiangdong rubbed his nose and stared at the floor in front of him, not looking at Gao Xinmin.

Weren’t soldiers supposed to be straightforward?

Why did he talk just like his mother!

“You three great talents, continue with your work. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Gao Xinmin threw his cigarette butt on the ground, turned, and walked out of the room.

“Take care, Conductor.”

“Take care, Uncle Gao.”

“Uncle Gao, after we get back to Beijing, you can’t go and complain to my dad.”

Gao Xinmin stopped, turned to look at Hou San, and said, “Don’t call me uncle. I don’t want my nephew’s wife to be an insect.”

Li Xiangdong walked to the door, poked his head out, and seeing no sign of Gao Xinmin, he quickly closed the door.

“Hou San, do you know you almost let it slip just now? Think before you speak in the future!”

“Ah Zhe, you did well just now. That’s how it should be. I’ll remind you two one more time. On the way back, if anyone asks you and you don’t know what to say, just keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything. Pretend you didn’t hear.”

“Got it, Dongzi.”

“I won’t say anything, Brother Dong.”

“Alright, let’s get to it. After we’re done, Hou San, you go return the handsaw and kitchen knife. Ah Zhe, you stay and help me clean up.”

…

After lunch.

At Gao Xinmin’s call, everyone began to prepare to go to the station, board the train early, and get ready for departure.

Li Xiangdong and his two companions, carrying sacks on their shoulders, cricket boxes in their hands, and their cloth bags also full.

They had just come out of the room when they ran into Kong Da Ni. She walked over and asked, “Hou San, what’s in your sack?”

Hearing the chirping of crickets from the bag, she said in surprise, “Are they all crickets in there? Hou San, what are you doing with all these crickets?”

“I…”

Hou San was about to speak, but he managed to hold it in.

Kong Da Ni’s eyes were full of curiosity, “Say it, Hou San.”

Hou San blushed and shook his head, “It’s nothing.”

“Hmph, if you don’t want to say it, then don’t.”

Seeing that Hou San wouldn’t speak, and that Li Xiangdong and Ah Zhe were acting as if they hadn’t heard, Kong Da Ni got a little angry and quickened her pace, leaving the three of them behind.

More and more colleagues came out of the room. Li Xiangdong and his two companions were very conspicuous in the crowd, and their colleagues began to ask questions.

“Whoa~ what are you carrying?”

“Hou San, what’s in the bag? Why do I hear crickets chirping?”

“Comrade Li, what are you doing with so many crickets?”

Li Xiangdong and his two companions acted as if they had a shield on them, as if they hadn’t heard anything. They just kept their heads down and walked forward, no one saying a word.

The more they didn’t speak, the more curious everyone became.

At this moment, Gao Xinmin, who was walking at the front, turned around and shouted, “What are you all clamoring about? They’re taking these back as medicinal materials for treatment. Pay attention to your image when you’re out and about. Don’t disgrace our Beijing station.”

These words saved Li Xiangdong and his two companions. The crowd no longer surrounded them, but instead gathered in small groups and chatted in low voices.

“This is the first time I’ve heard that crickets can be used for treatment.”

“You’re just ignorant. Even a boy’s urine and feces can be used as medicinal materials.”

“I’ve heard that too. Feces is called ‘ren zhong huang’ (human yellow), and you can buy it at traditional Chinese medicine shops.”

Walking in the crowd, Li Xiangdong noticed that Hou San was a little down. He asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong? Worried that Kong Da Ni won’t talk to you anymore?”

Hou San nodded, “Mmm.”

Li Xiangdong smiled and comforted him, “It’s fine. When we make money, aren’t you going to buy her small leather shoes? She definitely won’t be angry with you then.”

“Mmm mmm!”

Thinking of Kong Da Ni wearing the small leather shoes he bought for her, Hou San’s face lit up with joy.

Li Xiangdong and his two companions followed the crowd onto the platform. They came to the boarding entrance of the crew’s rest carriage. Just as they were about to board, Gao Xinmin walked over.

He said with a long face, “With so many crickets in the carriage, how are the others supposed to rest at night? You’re not allowed to put them in.”

“Huh?”

Li Xiangdong and his two companions were dumbfounded. Was he not going to let them bring the crickets on the train?