Chapter 7: Catching Thieves

The night traveler who jumped in was of considerable stature, and his features were not clearly discernible. The most striking aspect was that he was dressed entirely in white. This individual surveyed his surroundings and first rushed into the front hall, which was the place where the old men played mahjong during the day.

"Does Boss Xie still have the mind to play?" Wang Xiaojun said, speechless

Hu Tailai said, "Aren't you also quite superstitious?"

Wang Xiaojun also whispered, "As people grow old, they become cunning; on the long journey of life, we are all novices and must learn well from others"

Uh, you are welcome

Ten thousand

Wang Xiaojun immediately felt deflated: "Why hasn't Pang Tong come to find me? It's fine, if he doesn't look for me, I can go find him. I must find an opportunity to meet this person."

Wang Xiaojun said cheerfully, "Thank you, Grandpa Wang, for the generous offering! Dinner is secured once again"

Xie Junjun said, "It is said that he wants to open a jade shop. I heard that he specifically consulted a feng shui master, who claimed that selling jade on my land would definitely lead to wealth. Isn't this engaging in feudal superstition?"

......

Have you all seen it

Xie Junjun, while shuffling the cards, said, "What can we do if we don't play? Master Fan taught us: Don't cry, the bad guys will laugh." He took a few plums from the plastic bag on the armrest of the chair, shook off the water on them, and handed them to Wang Xiaojun and Hu Tailai, then offered a gentle gaze like water, "Hu Ge, right? Thank you formally, from now on, you can get your hair done for free."

Xie Junjun lit a slender cigarette, curling her fingers elegantly as she took a puff and said, "Because my shop is quite profitable! The customers who come here are all repeat visitors. Moving to a different location would mean a significant loss, and running a business can be quite unpredictable. It's like opening a restaurant; if it becomes popular in one place and you move it elsewhere, even with the same owner and chef, and a more luxurious decor, it can still fail. Why should I take that risk?"

Let us see what he intends to do said Wang Xiaojun with childlike enthusiasm

"This is a question outside the topic—" Wang Xiaojun said, "How much is your bottom store worth now?"

Hu Tailai picked up a bun again and said, "I have always been puzzled about one thing. The Iron Palm Gang was founded by your Wang family. Even if your grandfather and then your father were involved, you should be the third heir. To take it a step further, even if we consider seniority, your senior brother is ahead of you. How did your junior sister manage to surpass you?"

Wang Xiaojun slowly moved his head to the entrance of the hall, while the three of them remained half-squatting behind the door. Hu Tailai whispered, "Should we catch them in a barrel?"

Hu Tailai whispered, "Now I know who you learned your smooth talk from"

Xie Junjun waved her hand and said, "How annoying!"

Wang Xiaojun smiled and said to him, "However, you actually brought up this issue with someone who shouldn't be discussing money—who would have thought? I assumed you were the type who devoted yourself to martial arts with great effort, but I never expected you to remember to collect tuition fees."

Wang Xiaojun muttered dreamily, "Look, let me calculate for you. Xie Junjun's shop is less than 100 square meters, worth 3 million. Our yard plus the house is at least worth three times that, which means it could sell for 9 million?" Wang Xiaojun was also startled, "When did I become so wealthy?"

Old Wang rolled the dice and stared at the pile of cards, saying, "Xiao Jun, when I come back later, you should come with me. Your aunt has made steamed buns with too much baking soda and has prepared a bag for you."

Xie Junjun said: "Only by adding to the end does it come close to the current market price, but the problem is that I never intended to sell it!"

Wang Xiaojun asked: "How is the price he offered?"

Hu Tailai is not particularly concerned about this: "We have already done the work, and as long as we feel good about it, it doesn't matter whether there is money involved or not"

Xie Junjun glared at him and said, "Could it be a piece?"

Wang Xiaojun said: "I am unwilling to work if the pay is too low, and I fear they will hit me if the pay is too high, so your question holds no significance for me."

Uh... Wang Xiaojun said awkwardly, "Are you trying to train me?"

Wang Xiaojun said in disbelief, "Can you chat?" He noticed that this girl, based on her appearance, was of the sweet type, with dimples faintly visible even when she wasn't speaking, but when she did speak, her tone was rather cold.

"How do you know?" Wang Xiaojun was astonished, and Tang Sisi silently pointed in the direction of the mahjong table

Two individuals arrived at the entrance of the house, entering the courtyard one after the other. The sound of mahjong tiles clattering echoed from the front hall, where the elderly men were focused on their game, gnawing on plums.

Wang Xiaojun crouched down, making his way along the base of the wall to the corridor between the front and back courtyards. Hu Tailai, having also been infected, stealthily followed behind him. Wang Xiaojun vigorously waved his hand downward at Tang Sisi, who was at the back, signaling her not to be noticed.

I haven't thought it through. How much do you plan to charge?

"Oh, how ridiculous!" Tang Sisi suddenly spoke, "The barbershop is a ground-floor shop facing the street. You belong to the residents, and your type of courtyard house in a second or third-tier city is not worth much. Who in their right mind would spend 10 million to buy a large flat just for fun? Therefore, it is difficult to find a buyer."

Old man Li said, "What are you still fetching water for? It's not easy to find a wealthy and powerful beauty; you must seize the opportunity to rise to greatness!" After finishing his words, the old man confidently flipped over his card, exclaiming, "Nonsense!" This provoked complaints from the other three players.

Wang Xiaojun was carrying the buns he had taken from Old Wang's house, but his mind was occupied with other matters. Tang Sisi, not knowing where she had come from, entered the door with him. Wang Xiaojun placed the buns on the stone table where they would have lunch, and Hu Tailai quickly ate two buns, nodding and saying: "Aside from being a bit yellow, they taste quite good—where did Miss Tang go this afternoon?"

Three people were hiding in a corner, watching the movements ahead. Hu Tailai could not help but lean over to Wang Xiaojun's ear and ask, "Who exactly are we planning to steal from?"

Xie Junjun exhaled a puff of smoke and coldly remarked: "I am just letting you know the situation, so you understand whom you have offended. I appreciate your feelings, but I do not believe that in this day and age, there are still people who resort to coercive buying and selling. His public identity is that of a moderately significant entrepreneur, and if he wishes to escalate this matter, I will accompany him to the end."

"Oh, are you guys playing again?" Wang Xiaojun greeted, as the group of elderly men were his regulars. It was common for them to let themselves in and make themselves at home when he was not around. What surprised Wang Xiaojun was that Xie Junjun was also present

After the meal and the card game ended, the three old men left. Xie Junjun specifically stayed behind to explain to Wang Xiaojun about the incident at the barber shop during lunch.

Wang Xiaojun chuckled, "You must be mistaken. Just look at her demeanor; it's clear she is a wealthy young lady having a quarrel at home. I estimate that once she calms down, she will leave. Matters like fetching water should be left to me, after all, I am the designated servant for your three esteemed guests and the little one."

Wang Xiaojun nodded: "Hmm, there are rules in every profession, and your master is a person of principles. However, I am quite curious about how much you plan to charge them"

Why is that?" Hu Tailai interjected.

Tang Sisi nearly laughed out loud, while Wang Xiaojun angrily said, "Damn it, he actually finds us bothersome."

Hu Tailai also chuckled and said, "I told you that you are a second-generation rich kid"

Wang Xiaojun held a bun near his mouth but did not eat it, his eyes gazing at the courtyard as he muttered to himself. Hu Tailai asked him, "What are you thinking about?"

Old Man Zhang said, "I thought she was your new waitress, but when I asked her to bring me a pot of water, she just shot me a disdainful glance and sent me back."

Tang Sisi scoffed, "What can he do? Do you think he is here to do a thorough cleaning for you? Of course, he is a thief!" It is remarkable that this girl showed not the slightest hint of panic.

Hu Tailai hurriedly whispered, "What should we do now"

It turns out that the five individuals at noon were sent by the local real estate tycoon, Pang Tong. The reason is that he wanted to purchase Xie Junjun's bottom store, but Xie Junjun did not agree and has repeatedly refused his increased offers. Pang Tong is a well-known figure in the city; he ventures into any profitable industry beyond real estate, being the type of businessman with extensive connections and influence. It is not surprising that he likely supports a group of idlers under his wing, and it is understandable that he would resort to anger and violence when faced with rejection.

Hu Tailai immediately placed his hand on his stomach and lamented, "I didn't eat enough at noon"

The sky had completely darkened, and a faint crescent moon hung in the distance on the horizon. Wang Xiaojun stood up to turn on the lights in the yard, but as he just stood up, he suddenly bent down again.

Wang Xiaojun cautiously said: "I want to say that you are truly a man, if I may not offend you?"

Hu Tailai and Tang Sisi followed his finger and saw a head suddenly appear on the wall to the east. The three of them were under the shade of a tree, and the courtyard was not lit, so this person did not realize that he had already exposed his presence. Like a nimble cat, he flipped over the wall and then swiftly jumped into the front yard, making not a sound as he passed.

Wang Xiaojun said with a long face: "If we had money, we could have had braised ribs for dinner tonight."

Tang Sisi took a small bite of the bun and said: "Is this how you train to become like this?"

Before Hu Tailai could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Wang Xiaojun's gesture. In a lowered voice, he said, "There is someone!"

Tang Sisi simply said: "Go out for a walk"

Tang Sisi calmly said: "The most important thing is that even if it is sold, it is not your money, right?"

Hu Tailai said cautiously: "This is not what I intend to accept. Before I left, my master instructed me that I am officially leaving as a disciple. In the future, when I take on other masters, I do not need to wait for his consent, and when I accept disciples, I do not need to seek his opinion. However, the formalities of apprenticeship must be observed, and tuition fees must be collected."

The person in the white clothes in the room is probably rummaging through the boxes and muttering to himself: "Oh dear, why is the Iron Palm Gang so poor?"

Uncle Zhang leaned towards Wang Xiaojun and asked mysteriously, "What is the matter with that new girl?"

"No rush, let's see what he wants to take." This reflects the pride and confidence of a master, akin to a kitten that has caught a mouse and is eager to play with it.

More than 200, almost 300

Wang Xiaojun said: "What does he want your bottom store for?"

Wang Xiaojun sighed and said, "I am just one master away from becoming a millionaire."