Accompanying Lu Qian for nearly two hours, Yang Jian returned home around lunchtime. A black Camry sedan was parked outside his house.
Yang Jian was a bit puzzled. No relatives or friends of his family could afford such a nice car, which cost around three hundred thousand yuan.
Upon parking and entering the house that day, he saw it was Wu Wangchun.
"Uncle Wu, Happy New Year."
Although Yang Jian didn't know why he came to pay New Year's greetings, he greeted him enthusiastically.
Wu Wangchun, who was chatting with Yang Shuanglin, quickly stood up. "Er Jian, Happy New Year. It's good to finally see you."
"Uncle Wu, please sit. Did you come specifically to see me?"
"Yes, everyone in Xinqiao knows about your cousin losing money in Xichuan. I heard you took on all his debts, is that true?"
"Yes, my cousin's health is not recovering well. If I didn't take on these debts for him, my uncle's family wouldn't be able to get by."
"I just heard from your dad that the debt is over a million yuan, which is no small sum. What are your plans?"
Yang Jian glanced at his father, still not wanting him to know he was planning to get involved with Song Jianhao's casino, to avoid causing him worry.
"I just visited Lu Feng's house. His father is going to introduce engineering projects to me. I still plan to work in construction."
"Working in construction with just small contracts won't earn much. At most, you'll make a hundred to two hundred thousand a year, and that's without accidents. To pay off over a million yuan in debt, it won't be done in a year or two."
"We'll take it slow. We can't rob a bank."
"Why don't you join my Emperor Company this year? Our business last year was quite good, you should have heard about it."
"Join you guys?"
Yang Jian instinctively glanced at his father again.
Wu Wangchun smiled. "Don't look at your dad. I've already spoken to him. He agrees with you getting involved in casinos. A horse doesn't get fat without night fodder, and a person doesn't get rich without unexpected wealth. If you rely on honest work, it will take ages to pay off such a large debt. Even the smallest shareholder in our Emperor Company made five hundred thousand last year."
Yang Jian looked at his father with surprise. How could his usually traditional father have such a big change?
Yang Shuanglin sighed. "Er Jian, I've thought it through. Our family's foundation is too weak, and we don't have any officials or wealthy relatives to help you. It's too difficult for you to pay off over a million yuan in debt by working and taking on small contracts. You're not young anymore, and you can't let the debt delay your lifelong happiness.
I also know now that you used money earned from casinos to buy cars twice last year. Since you want to make a living this way, I won't stop you. Your Uncle Wu is my long-time friend, and I trust you to follow him.
However, you must remember not to think you're invincible just because you know some martial arts and get into fights with people all the time. This is a society governed by law. If you injure someone, you'll not only have to pay compensation but also might go to jail."
Feeling a bit awkward, Yang Jian scratched his head. "Dad, I've remembered what you said. I've been involved in casinos for half a year, so I know where the line is. I won't blindly step forward."
Wu Wangchun was overjoyed. "Er Jian, so you agree to work with me?"
Feeling even more awkward, Yang Jian gave him an apologetic smile. "Uncle Wu, to be honest, I've already promised to go with Brother Hao. He's opening a new establishment the day after tomorrow. Since I don't have money to invest, he's promised me a ten percent share in the gambling company."
Wu Wangchun was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "That's good. I know about Song Jianhao opening an establishment. He even invited me to be the banker. Getting shares in a gambling company is a sure win. You work with him for a while, and it's good to have some cash in hand. His establishment won't last long, it seems to end on the eighteenth of the first lunar month. You can come to Hancheng with me then."
"Uncle Wu, your information is more up-to-date than mine. However, I also promised Brother Hao that after the casino here closes, I'll still work with the Emperor Company. They've made personnel adjustments this year, so I might not be able to go to your place."
"It's alright, my door is always open to you. Song Jianhao's Emperor Company isn't doing well. Work with him for a while, and if you don't make money, come to me quickly. The Emperor Company needs both a united team and a good establishment; one cannot be lacking without the other, otherwise, it's hard to make big money. He doesn't have good casino resources and can only move around. It's difficult for him to turn things around."
"Okay, I'll work with him for a while first. If it's not doing well, I'll come to you."
"You're always welcome."
Wu Wangchun got up and left. Yang Shuanglin wanted to invite him for lunch but couldn't persuade him.
Father and son escorted him to the courtyard and watched his car turn before returning to the main hall.
"Er Jian, why didn't you go with Old Wu? He came personally to invite you on New Year's Day, which shows he's very sincere."
Yang Shuanglin didn't understand his son's decision. Wu Wangchun's reputation was very strong in Xinqiao now, earning millions a year. Wasn't it good to follow him?
Yang Jian smiled and said, "Dad, you don't understand. Joining Uncle Wu's team requires capital. Where do I have money now?"
"How much do you need? I'll give it to you."
"Dad, Uncle Wu and his group are the Emperor Company, which means they are the bankers in casinos. You only hear them talk about winning millions, but you don't know about the losses. If the capital is insufficient, it will be miserable. Being a banker is also gambling, only with a higher win rate than the bettors. They can also lose money. How can I gamble with the family's money? If we lose, our family will have to eat from the northwest wind."
"Then you won't lose if you work with that Song what's-his-name?"
"Yes, Song Jianhao is my classmate's brother. He took me in last year when you kicked me out. It was by following him that I earned enough money for a car. You always taught me that a person cannot forget their roots. Brother Hao needs me now, can I refuse?
Besides, Brother Hao is planning to open a casino. He knows I don't have money, so he's giving me a ten percent share. Opening a casino is different from being a banker. Being a banker is gambling, but opening a casino is about taking a commission, which is essentially a sure win. For example, if the casino earns ten thousand a day, I can get a thousand, and it doesn't require any investment from me."
Yang Shuanglin was a bit disbelieving. "Is there such a good thing? Why is he so good to you?"
"Dad, his brother and I are classmates, and we had a good relationship before. Later, when I stood up for my brother-in-law and beat up Liu Ming, I gained some reputation in Chengguan. He wants to use my reputation to help him stabilize the casino. Uncle Wu is the same. Otherwise, why would they come to find me?"
"So many schemes. Then you make your own decision. However, I'll emphasize two points again. First, don't casually get into fights with people. Be smart in the establishment, and absolutely do not get caught by the police. Second, once you've earned enough money to pay off the debts, immediately quit the gambling circle and go back to doing honest work."
Yang Jian nodded. "Okay, I've remembered your words. I might start doing honest work once I save some money. Uncle Lu told me today that he'll introduce projects to me in the second half of the year."
"That would be best, so that your mother and I don't worry about you. Getting involved in casinos is illegal, and it's a big corrupting influence. I don't want you to go down the wrong path."
Yang Shuanglin's agreement for his son to get involved in casinos was out of desperation. The debt was simply too large. Otherwise, he would never have agreed to him gambling, with Liu Yong being a living example.