Chapter 121: Pulling Up an Old Brother

After the little episode of bumping into Luo Kun, there were no more accidents.

The four of them returned to Xiuzhou very smoothly.

Because the airport was closest to the East Lake villa, the four of them took a car back here together first.

After returning to their respective rooms and washing up a bit, they all went straight to bed.

After all, it was already three or four in the morning, and everyone was very tired.

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When Chen Feng woke up the next day, it was already noon. Sun Xiaorui was not by his side.

When he went downstairs, Wu Mengting was busy in the kitchen, preparing lunch.

He asked Lin Wan, who was watching TV, and she told him that Sun Xiaorui had already gone back to the Red Villa Bay villa to clean.

After not being back for more than thirty days, the house naturally needed to be aired out and the floors mopped.

Chen Feng let her be.

When it was almost time for lunch, Chen Feng sent her a WeChat message, asking if she wanted to come here to eat.

As expected, Sun Xiaorui said she wouldn’t come.

Chen Feng didn’t insist.

After lunch, Chen Feng immediately drove to the previous art acquisition shop.

The artworks he had bought during his trip had all been sent here for storage. The person who helped sign for them was of course Qin Zhen.

To think that a dignified deputy director had to come over every now and then to help sign for and move these artworks into the shop. It must have been five or six times.

In addition, Chen Feng had also asked him to remove the shop’s sign and billboard, to avoid people constantly calling him to say they wanted to sell artworks.

Now that he came to have a look, the shop’s billboard had indeed been removed.

He went into the shop and looked. The packaging of these sent artworks had been opened. After Chen Feng checked them one by one, there was no damage, which made him very satisfied.

This guy Qin Zhen was still quite reliable.

Although they were good brothers, Chen Feng had no psychological burden in ordering him around, but it couldn’t be said that this was something he should take for granted.

So, treating him to a meal or something was definitely necessary.

So, Chen Feng immediately called him, saying that he was back and would treat him to dinner and drinks tonight. The location was the same private restaurant as last time.

Chen Feng had eaten there last time and felt it was good, so he had gotten a VIP card there.

Qin Zhen readily agreed.

After hanging up, Chen Feng went to check these artworks again. This time, he had brought back 10 works from Beijing. In total, there were 25 artworks, not a single one missing, and no wear and tear.

Among them, at least 20 had not been absorbed by Chen Feng for energy, and two of the other five still had energy. Chen Feng was quite satisfied with this harvest.

He loaded all these artworks into the car and transported them back to Red Villa Bay.

At this time, the villa here had been cleaned inside and out by Sun Xiaorui. The floors were mopped, the window glass was wiped, and the doors and windows were open for ventilation.

When Chen Feng came in, she was still wiping the furniture with a clean cloth. Her diligent appearance was impeccable.

“You’re back.”

Seeing Chen Feng, she greeted him and continued to wipe the cabinet.

“Xiaorui, you haven’t had lunch yet, have you?”

Chen Feng asked with some appreciation and some surprise.

“I ate a lot in the morning, and I just had a pack of biscuits not long ago. I’m not hungry.”

Chen Feng couldn’t quite understand her forgetting to eat and sleep to do housework. He said casually, “Aren’t you going back for the Spring Festival in two days? Why are you cleaning so thoroughly?”

“It’s precisely because I’m going back that I have to clean so thoroughly. Otherwise, when we come back after the New Year, won’t it be even dirtier? And this villa is so new, we should keep it clean and tidy, and not make a mess. Besides, it’s almost the Spring Festival. Doesn’t every household have to do a big cleaning? We’re doing the big cleaning in advance.”

What else could Chen Feng say? He nodded, “Alright, as long as you’re happy. But next time, if you’re doing such a big cleaning, you should still hire two hourly workers. I’ll pay for it.”

Sun Xiaorui refused outright, “What’s the point of hiring hourly workers? I’m idle anyway, I can just do the cleaning.”

“Fine. I won’t bother with this. Since you love to work, come and help me move things first.”

“Okay.”

The two of them made two trips back and forth and moved all these artworks upstairs.

After they were done, Chen Feng went to take a shower, then called Sun Xiaorui to take a nap together.

At five in the afternoon, Chen Feng received a call from Qin Zhen. Only then did he remember that he had an appointment with him tonight. Otherwise, he would have really forgotten.

“Fengzi, do you mind if I bring a friend along?”

Qin Zhen got straight to the point.

Chen Feng was also not tactful and asked directly, “What friend? Male or female? What’s your relationship with him?”

“Male. An old company commander of mine when I first joined the army. He retired a few years ago and now runs a company and does business. He knows I’m following you in stock trading, so he wants to get to know you.”

“Fuck, you told him about the stock trading? Didn’t I tell you to keep it a secret?” Chen Feng said with some dissatisfaction.

“I didn’t take the initiative to tell him. It was just a coincidence that we went out for a drink last time and started talking. He also trades stocks. I casually mentioned that I had bought two bull stocks, Tiema Logistics and Qingcheng Beer, two months ago. Then he pressed me for details. I couldn’t refuse, so I had to say I bought them with you. When I was in the army, he helped me a lot. I owe him a big favor.”

“Alright, then let’s meet. But besides him, have you told anyone else about this?”

Qin Zhen quickly denied, “No. Besides him, I haven’t even told Ning Wei.”

“Ning Wei doesn’t even know you’re trading stocks with me?” Chen Feng was a little disbelieving.

“You told me to keep it a secret, of course I did what I said. Of course, my old company commander is an exception. Besides him, I really haven’t told anyone else.”

Chen Feng thought for a moment and chose to believe him. Ning Wei was not living with him now. Ning Wei still lived with her parents. It was just that Ning Wei often went to Qin Zhen’s single dormitory on her own initiative.

“Old Qin, the reason I asked you to keep it a secret, I told you before. First, I’m afraid of the news leaking and being suspected of insider trading. Also, if too many people know, it will be difficult for us to continue making a lot of money.”

Of course, this was a reason Chen Feng gave, but the main thing was that Chen Feng was used to being low-key and didn’t want his “emperor’s luck” to be known.

Besides, everyone now followed the principle of making a fortune in silence. How many high-profile people had a good end?

“Yes, yes. It’s my fault this time, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut,” Qin Zhen quickly apologized.

“Alright, don’t let it happen again.”
“Haha, you’re a good brother. When we meet later, I’ll drink three glasses to apologize to you.”

“White wine?”

“Get lost. Beer at most. Don’t push your luck.”

“Haha, forget it. Drinking beer is like drinking plain water for you.”

“It’s just a gesture. It’s also for the old company commander to see, you know?”

Qin Zhen had always been very frank with Chen Feng.

Of course, Chen Feng understood. He said, “Okay. I know. I’ll definitely cooperate with you then. Let you repay the favor you owe him.”

“You little rascal, you’re like a worm in my stomach. You even know what I’m thinking.”

“Fuck, isn’t that disgusting? If I’m a worm, you’re a maggot.”

“Alright, alright. Whatever you say. Then it’s settled. You’ll cooperate with me a little tonight. Seven o’clock, right?”

“Yes, seven o’clock. I’ve already called to make a reservation, the Lily Hall.”

“Okay. Then that’s it for now.”

After hanging up, Sun Xiaorui, who was beside him, asked curiously, “Is this friend of yours the Director Qin that Mengting and the others were talking about?”

Chen Feng nodded and said “mm.”

Sun Xiaorui said tentatively, “If you have a chance, introduce me to him. I heard from Mengting that he’s your best friend.”

Of course, Chen Feng understood what she meant. He said directly, “I’ll introduce you to him when I have a chance. There are outsiders tonight, so I won’t take you.”

Sun Xiaorui nodded with some disappointment.

She was indeed Chen Feng’s kept mistress, but she also had ideals and had always wanted to become his official partner. Getting to know Chen Feng’s friends and integrating into his social circle was undoubtedly the first step to becoming his official partner.

Unfortunately, this first step was not easy to take.

After Chen Feng finished speaking, he got out of bed, got dressed, and went to take a shower.

After tidying himself up in the bathroom, he came out, changed his clothes, and told Sun Xiaorui that he was going out.

The private restaurant he had eaten at last time was called Old Friend’s Private Kitchen. The taste was quite good. Anyway, Chen Feng liked it.

He arrived here at about six-thirty. As it turned out, Qin Zhen had already arrived with someone.

Qin Zhen’s old company commander was named Chen Hanliang. He had the same surname as Chen Feng. He was in his mid-thirties, with a burly physique, and an imposing aura without being angry.

After shaking hands and being introduced, he was now the boss of a building materials company.

After some pleasantries, they sat down for tea and chatted for a while. Chen Hanliang’s voice was loud and clear. He looked serious, but he was very humorous and talkative.

He mainly talked about some interesting things about him and Qin Zhen in the army, some embarrassing things about Qin Zhen when he first joined the army and was in training, and some daily people and things in the company.

Qin Zhen had been under him for two years. Later, because of his outstanding performance, he was transferred to a mysterious department.

After finishing a cup of tea, they called the waiter to order.

After ordering, the three of them chatted for a while again. It was mainly the two of them talking, and Chen Feng listening. This time, they talked about Lu City, such as the scenery, snacks, customs, and so on. Chen Hanliang was actually very familiar with it.

When all the dishes were on the table and the private room door was closed, there were only the three of them.

Only then did Qin Zhen go over and open the beer. He filled three glasses for himself, then said to Chen Feng, “Fengzi, I was wrong this time. I’ll drink three glasses as punishment.”

After saying that, Qin Zhen drank three glasses of beer in one go, then burped.

Seeing this, Chen Feng smiled and said, “Alright. Let’s just let this matter go. Don’t trick me like this again next time.”

Qin Zhen quickly smiled apologetically, “Yes, yes. There will definitely be no next time.”

Seeing this, Chen Hanliang went over and opened three bottles of beer, the large glass bottle kind of Budweiser. He lined them up on the table and said to Chen Feng, “The main fault is on me this time. I was the one who forced Qin Zhen to tell me about you. I’ll drink three bottles as punishment.”

After Chen Hanliang finished speaking, he directly raised the beer bottle and started chugging. Neither Chen Feng nor Qin Zhen stopped him.

They saw Chen Hanliang chug down one bottle in just over ten seconds. One bottle was empty, then the second, and the third. It took less than half a minute to finish three bottles.

These former soldiers really had no one who couldn’t drink!

“Good, good, old company commander, your drinking capacity is still so awesome.”

Qin Zhen quickly clapped and cheered.

Seeing this, Chen Feng also clapped and gave a thumbs up, “Brother Chen, I’ve seen your drinking capacity. Qin Zhen definitely can’t beat you.”

Chen Hanliang waved his hand calmly and said modestly with a smile, “No, no. In the past, when I chugged from the bottle, I could finish one in five or six seconds at most. Now it takes at least eight or nine seconds. I’ve degenerated from not practicing for a long time.”

Qin Zhen said with a smile, “That’s true. Back then, you were really awesome when you chugged ten bottles in a row.”

“Alright. A good man doesn’t talk about his past glories.”

Chen Feng quickly said, “You two, hurry up and eat something to sober up. Let’s just let this matter go. We don’t need to mention it again in the future.”

“Okay. You’re straightforward! I’ve decided to be your friend,” Chen Hanliang also gave Chen Feng a thumbs up in return, then sat down to eat.

After the three of them chatted for a while, at Chen Hanliang’s signal, Qin Zhen said to Chen Feng with a difficult expression, “Fengzi, do you think you can also help our old company commander? He lost more than a million in stock trading last time. If you can help him out, he might be able to get his money back.”

Hearing this, Chen Feng quickly shook his head, “I’ve told you long ago, there’s no such thing as a sure win in stock trading. It’s fine if you make money, but what if you lose? Wouldn’t that be harming people? It’s only because you and I have been brothers for several years that I let you follow me. You won’t be angry with me if you lose…”

Chen Hanliang quickly said, “If I really lose, I definitely won’t blame you. It’s like at the gambling table. If you follow a gambler’s bet, you can’t blame others if you lose. If you win, you should give that gambler a red envelope or a commission.”

Chen Feng still shook his head, “Brother Liang, you are someone Qin Zhen values. I’ll be frank with you. I’m a full-time stock trader. I didn’t originally plan to bring Qin Zhen along. After all, that warning in the stock market is not empty talk. ‘The stock market is risky, enter with caution’ is not just for show. Many people have gone bankrupt because of stock trading.

It’s just that Qin Zhen is too poor. Especially living in a big city like Xiuzhou, he can’t even afford to buy a house. Seeing that he’s almost thirty like me, has a girlfriend, and is about to get married, but he has no money to buy a house. That’s definitely not okay. So, I decided to give him a hand. He doesn’t have much money anyway. Even if he loses, he still has his main job to pay his salary, so he won’t starve.

But you’re different. You have a family and a business. If you lose, can you handle it?”

After thinking for a moment, Chen Hanliang said, “You are Qin Zhen’s brother, so you are my brother. I won’t hide it from you. In the past few years of stock trading, I have lost more than eight million in total, which has also affected the expansion of my company’s business. Don’t look at me now, rich and glamorous. That’s all on the surface.

In fact, I still owe the bank a loan of six million, and I also owe ten million in private loans. These all have to pay interest. The villa worth more than ten million at home has also been mortgaged to the bank, but there are still several years of mortgage to pay. There are also car loans for six cars, four for the company and two for my family.

These all cost money. The company’s earnings in the past few years can only barely maintain this situation. Last time, I saw that the stock market was in good shape. I greedily wanted to get some money back from the stock market. I temporarily diverted the payment for goods that was supposed to be given to the supplier, but I was scammed badly and lost more than one million two hundred thousand. I had to borrow from several friends to temporarily fill the gap.

So, I really can’t hold on anymore. The bank loan is due in two months. In addition, there is more than a million in interest to pay every month, employees have to be paid, and suppliers have to be paid… I know you are a capable person. Just give me a hand, old brother.”