Chapter 4, A Small Fortune

Guo Baolin took out a cigarette case, walked around to the front of the woman, pulled out a cigarette and placed it at the corner of his mouth. As he took out a lighter, a coin rolled out from between the woman's feet. Guo Baolin bent down to pick it up from behind the woman, and as he stood up, his lewd gaze lingered for a moment on the woman's taut, rounded buttocks

"Who is selling the melon?" Guo Baolin shrank back, first distancing himself from the situation.

As he turned around to kick a small group of yellow-haired individuals, someone nearby recognized Guo Baolin and hurriedly stepped forward to embrace him: "No, no, Guo, the yellow-haired ones have limited literacy; they only recognize the first two characters of 'eight big bowls,' and they probably think it means 'a few big ones.' They haven't gained any advantage, and this fall is something they can handle."

Fang Nan did not exhibit the imagined panic, nor did she scream in terror. Upon seeing Lin Quan and the others, she hurriedly jumped over, casually stepping on the fingers of Parrot Head as she passed by. Parrot Head gasped, desperately trying to stifle his cries in his throat

Guo Baolin nudged Lin Quan's waist, urging him to come down. Lin Quan leaned forward to take a look and saw several flamboyantly dressed delinquents surrounding Fang Nan. One guy, sporting a buzz cut with a tuft of yellow hair on his forehead, had one hand on his hip while the other was pinching Fang Nan's chin. However, the one next to him, with hair dyed like a parrot, was even bolder; he pushed his hand forward, just managing to cup Fang Nan's chest. As he weighed it, he was about to squeeze when Fang Nan made a desperate move, accidentally knocking over a lead box. With a loud clang, it startled everyone, and coins and change scattered all over the ground.

"Damn it, just keep making things up," Guo Baolin snatched the document away, opened it, and said, "Not bad today; the expenses for two months can be covered from this. Sister Fang Nan, I wasn't wrong, was I? Little San'er isn't the type to be blinded by desire. Look, you only need to work two days a month, and for the remaining twenty-nine days, you have to work for Little San'er for free"

Lin Quan turned around and pointed at Fang Nan: "Uncle Guo, I just met Guo Zi's sister, and she is helping us plan for the summer practice. Her clothes got stained with paint, and since this is nearby, I would like to borrow a set of staff uniform to change into..."

Damn it, I haven't even made a move yet

Fang Nan must come to the restaurant every day for meals. If you say that, and my dad sees her in this outfit again, how should I explain it

The woman's face is delicate, her attire is simple, and she wears red high heels. Her reserved yet sharp contradictory personality is harmoniously embodied in her, far from the shallow-minded young women who would easily succeed in striking up a conversation with a stranger.

A woman with a voluptuous and slender figure should wear jeans, tightening her thighs to reveal the unique fullness and softness of femininity. In this aesthetic understanding, Lin Quan and Guo Baolin maintain a high degree of consensus, as Guo Baolin turns his gaze away from elsewhere. The woman has just turned to walk towards the bus stop to the east, her rounded and ample arms entering Guo Baolin's line of sight, her firm and full thighs standing straight down, the lines simple yet capable of evoking a man's desire, as she rolls up the hem of her narrow pants to reveal a small section of sharp red heels.

Guo Baolin gripped the handlebars, lifting the front wheel off the ground, and charged towards a small group of yellow-haired individuals. He did not let go of the handlebars, causing the small group to stagger. The parrot-headed individual turned around just in time for Guo Baolin to crash the front wheel of his bike into his groin. "Aah..." the parrot-headed individual let out a miserable scream, looked up to see Guo Baolin glaring fiercely at him, froze for a moment, and then squatted down while covering his lower body.

Every day, tens of thousands of people pass through here. With today's advanced makeup techniques, it is easy to find someone who captivates your attention. There are plenty of opportunities, so why dwell on a minor setback? Lin Quan could not have imagined that in less than half a month, he would meet this woman again in a different context.

Little San'er, why are you going outside when you see your uncle

Guo Baolin was in high spirits, and several young thugs were afraid of his outburst, their faces turning pale. The youth nicknamed "Mouse" had narrow eyes and a sparse patch of beard on his lips. Lin Quan had some impression of him, as if he had seen him during a drinking session. The areas near the station were under the jurisdiction of the Xike Station police, and these thugs, known as Mouse's crew, were a reserve force. They surrounded Fang Nan, hoping to collect some fees and take advantage of the situation.

Her shoulders are as soft as water, and of course, her front is equally impressive

Guo Baolin also had a moment of conscience, leaving Lin Quan astonished: "Aren't there two lead boxes? You can sell half, I haven't stopped you."

Guo Baolin's sense of frustration will essentially dissipate the moment the second beautiful woman appears in his line of sight, yet as a friend, he cannot help but utter some comforting words that he knows are of no real use

Lin Quan felt a sharp pain in his heart; the melons had not been sold out, and those that fell to the ground had to be picked up and cleaned, which was both troublesome and laborious. Guo Baolin's neck bulged with veins, his eyes radiating fierce light, and several blood vessels were visible in the whites of his eyes. Although he had not yet acted, someone had already touched the critical area first, and such anger plunged him into a state of rage

Indeed, the entire city must establish a food chain. Individuals such as Geng Yimin and Zhao Zeng will undoubtedly occupy the top of this chain. Lin Quan, who is always unwilling to miss any opportunity, understands that as long as he seizes this chance, the young ruffians, like rats, can only serve as his source of sustenance

Guo Baolin turned his head to look elsewhere, as if the words just spoken had not come from him.

Guo Baolin surprisingly lacked the courage to meet this woman's gaze

So malicious! It even makes Lin Quan feel sympathy for the parrot's head. Is it really necessary? What a small advantage to gain, yet suffering such great torment?

Three people rode on a single bicycle. The only arrangement was for Lin Quan to ride, Fang Nan to sit on the crossbar, with a bow in his arms, and Guo Baolin to sit on the rear rack holding a lead box. If it weren't for the faint fragrance emanating from Fang Nan that lingered in the air, Lin Quan would have been able to kick Guo Baolin off the bike on the spot. By the time they reached Ba Da Wan, Lin Quan was drenched in sweat, and the front and rear wheels of the bicycle were visibly deformed, with the rear wheel even having a broken spoke.

Guo Baolin is twenty kilograms heavier than Lin Quan. It is only natural for Guo Baolin to ride a bicycle while Lin Quan takes a car. Against the flow of the moving crowd, Lin Quan gazes at the countless beautiful faces flashing by, experiencing an indescribable happiness.

"Can they still be cheaper? I already said Fang Nan is your sister, Huang Mao is making a big mistake..." Guo Baolin raised his hand, revealing a wound with blood that had not seeped as much as it had in his eyes. "I accidentally scraped my skin, Huang Mao and the chicken head won't be hanging around the station anymore." He glanced at the red ticket in his hand, "Did you deposit it?"

At noon, with all the wealth deposited in the account, it is only natural to go to the Eight Great Bowls for food and drink

Women who lack confidence in their appearance tend to have stiff shoulders, while those with soft shoulders exude grace. Even if their face does not possess the stunning beauty of a peach blossom, they surely have a remarkable temperament. Guo Baolin never doubted his judgment of Lin Quan; as he descended the white railing, he intended to approach for a closer look.

Guo Baolin was reluctant to lose face, while Fang Nan was selling melons outside the eastern exit of the station square. He sat on the white railing at the corner on the west side, admiring the beautiful women. The vast station square had the waiting room built in the center, with entrances on all four sides leading into the waiting area. The platforms were constructed underground, and whenever a train arrived, the square would tremble slightly, making one suspect that at any moment, the kilometer-long square might sink into the ground, stirring up clouds of dust.

Many people in Jinghai enjoy eating cantaloupe, but a whole one is too much for a family to finish. Cantaloupe and other melons are not like others; they quench thirst and stave off hunger. Do you know how many people in Jinghai skip meals every day, feeling stomach pains as they pass by the station? As for the cost, well... the cost? A cost of ten yuan is something vendors would rather throw away as garbage; this ten yuan can actually be saved. Lin Quan took out his ID card and handed it to the counter to open an account. While doing this, he took the opportunity to scrutinize the fair-skinned female staff at the counter one by one. They spend all day hiding in the air-conditioned room, and as the slanting sun sets, they pretend to drape shawls and wear sun hats as they exit the bank. I haven't seen anyone with skin as good as Fang Nan's.

I remember you passed your elementary school math, so I trust you to handle the change. At the time Lin Quan said this, he had already exited the bank.

What is the password? Damn it, you make me click on small change every day!

Sitting on the white railing, admiring the beautiful women of the same city is always a delightful experience. As the sun moves to its zenith, the last patch of shade shifts away from above, and only then does Lin Quan remember to check on the situation over at Fang Nan's side.

Guo Baolin, with a robust physique and handsome appearance, wore a white casual shirt and light blue cotton casual trousers. The slightly cynical expression in his eyes, combined with the air of despondency emanating from the corner of his mouth, posed a fatal temptation to the naive young girl; however, it was ineffective against this woman

Guo Dequan's gaze turned to Lin Quan's face, still very warm: "Little Three, consider this your home, I won't disturb you any further." He then turned and went up the stairs

There is a bus transfer station to the north and south of the square, while to the east lies a long-distance passenger station. In an area of nearly one square kilometer, at least seventy to eighty thousand people are packed into various types of vehicles each day

This matter was initiated by the mouse. The yellow-haired one and the parrot head were merely tempted by appearances. A man's attraction to appearances is not a grave mistake; the mouse is also just playing along with the situation. Lin Quan did not wish to get too entangled with them, so he turned to Guo Baolin and said: "It's all just for show, let's not make it too big. Sister Fang Nan and I will leave first"

Lin Quan smiled at Fang Nan, pointing to his own forehead: "The smartest brains come from No. 1 Middle School..." He then pointed at Guo Baolin, "and the most outstanding enforcers as well"

A woman wearing a white oversized collar casual shirt with three-quarter sleeves and washed white jeans walked out from the northeast corner of the station square. Her hair reached her shoulders, her skin was fair and delicate, and her face was beautiful. Lin Quan, sitting next to Guo Baolin on the white railing, hurriedly kicked his foot and said, "Hey, look quickly, this girl seems quite nice."

Fang Nan was understandably a bit angry, and it was also due to the small losses incurred from not paying attention to the books. She made her way to the Industrial and Commercial Bank located at the southeast corner of the square, already caught up in the excitement of making money. She hadn't seemed to sweat much while at the square, but upon entering the bank lobby, fine beads of sweat began to form on her forehead, clearly overwhelmed by the excitement: "I didn't expect these melons to sell so well. As long as there are people passing by, my hands just can't stop. The cost of the melons you brought in isn't high, right? You can make quite a bit of money in two months?"

Lin Quan pulled Fang Nan and turned to walk outside

Guo Dequan and Lin Quan had known each other for a long time, but at that time, their acquaintance was merely the shopkeeper's cordial flattery towards the customers, with neither knowing the other's name, reminiscent of a chance encounter in the rivers and lakes. It was only after becoming familiar with Guo Baolin that Guo Dequan discovered some connections between their families. Many relatives were impatient to socialize, let alone long-standing friends. However, once the long-standing connections were unearthed, they would quickly engage in frequent interactions, especially after Guo Dequan found out that the Lin family had some ties with Zhao Zeng and Geng Yimin, leading to even closer relations.

Guo Baolin entered from outside, the edge of his palm slightly scraped. Fang Nan took his hand, brought it to his mouth, and blew on it, as if he were in great pain, making Lin Quan envious to the point of wanting to punch the counter a few times: "How did this happen? In public, everyone has their dignity."

Guo Baolin retracted his foot, stepping on the handlebars, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at the person blocking his way: "Do you know how to read?" Pointing at Fang Nan, he continued, "She is the sister that Xiao San just recognized yesterday. Do you also want to take a chance? You little rat, you've really come a long way, now harassing respectable women at the bus station.

Fang Nan raised her head and collided with Lin Quan's gaze, her face flushed. She adjusted her collar and turned to the side, making it easier for him to see a bit more of the content.

Fang Nan was still wearing the waiter uniform with the eight large bowls, but the first character "八" had been covered with green paint by Lin Quan. At noon, Guo Dequan must be stationed in the restaurant. As soon as they reached the entrance, they saw Guo Dequan's plump leg descending the stairs, followed by his bald head peeking out.

Lin Quan withdrew his gaze and turned his head away. The yellow-haired boy sat on the ground, awkwardly resting on the left side of his buttocks, likely where Guo Baolin had struck him. The parrot-headed figure crouched down, afraid to get up, with the skin on his left hand's five fingers badly damaged, oozing with blood; this was caused by Fang Nan stepping on him. It is uncertain whether his lower body still hurts.

The mouse was startled by the tone in which Lin Quan spoke

The memorial is in your hands; from now on, it will be under your management

What about sexy and positive? And - picture - book

Leaving Fang Nan alone over there does not seem appropriate

As expected, Guo Baolin picked up the coin and walked straight back, his expression dejected and looking quite hurt

Guo Dequan was originally a local thug in Xicheng, but later opened a restaurant, thus embarking on a legitimate path. Guo Baolin can be considered as inheriting his father's business; he is capable in fights and comes from a wealthy family, making him somewhat well-known in Xicheng. The mouse recognizes Guo Baolin, but has no impression of who "Xiao San" is, as mentioned by Guo Baolin. Noticing Lin Quan's unpleasant expression, he hurried over to mediate: "Brother Xiao San, it was just a misunderstanding..."

Lin Quan looked at the scattered coins and small bills on the ground, with a manhole cover nearby. He thought to himself that a considerable amount of money must have rolled into the gaps: "Sister Fang Nan, let's gather all the money. How much did we just sell?"

Guo Baolin kicked up, causing the parrot to squat and retreat several steps, struggling to stand up. Its back slammed against the stone base, and its eyebrows tightened in pain.

As Guo Dequan's gaze fell upon Fang Nan, his eyes narrowed slightly: "Is today Saturday? You should all be calling me 'uncle.' Haven't you eaten yet?" His gaze shifted to Guo Baolin's face, and his expression darkened, "Go to the back and see what you can find. Remember, there’s also me and your mother."

At noon, on a weekend, the building appeared somewhat desolate. However, Lin Quan did not have the time to consider these anomalies; they found a secluded spot behind the stairs.

Sister Fang Nan, please do not wear this outfit in the future

Let Guo Baolin's fierce demeanor intimidate others, while the mouse, along with Lin Quan who wore a gloomy expression, hurriedly called people over to collect the money. Gathering together, aside from those that slipped into the gaps of the manhole cover, there were also two hundred and ninety-seven yuan, mostly in coins, all stuffed into the pocket of Fang Nan's clothes, bulging and heavy, pulling down the hem of his garment, causing the collar to sag and reveal a glimpse of a smooth, white cleavage, concealing an alluring charm

All the melons have been sold out, and I haven't had the chance to collect the money yet. Just as I was about to look for you, they surrounded me, saying that I needed to pay the station management fee

Lin Quan looked up at the sky, where light clouds drifted and there were occasional thin shadows, not as hot as yesterday. After everything was prepared yesterday, Guo Baolin drove him home. In the morning, Lin Quan went straight to Ba Da Wan to find Guo Baolin, only to learn that he had gone to meet Fang Nan. Lin Quan then finished his breakfast at Ba Da Wan at a leisurely pace before slowly riding his bike to look for the two of them

Damn it, didn't you see the sign for the eight big bowls