With the assistance of Liangliang, Biaobiao, and others, Yang Jian decided to use the time around the Chinese New Year to find out who had smashed his house that day. The anger had been simmering in his heart, and he couldn't wait to vent it.
"Biaobiao, I'll transfer ten thousand yuan to you tomorrow. Help me get all of Baoguo's information. I don't need to tell you what information, right?"
"No need, it's the same as with Liu Ming. I have experience. Besides, this won't cost ten thousand yuan."
"Haven't you been out of work for half a year? This money is for your New Year expenses. Don't gamble it away, okay?"
Biaobiao was overjoyed. "Thank you, Brother Jian. I was worried about having no money for the New Year. I won't be polite then!"
With the investigation arranged, there was still plenty of time before dinner, so the group started playing cards. It was an upgraded card game for four people, played without gambling.
Sanpang had already left to buy renovation materials in town.
Yang Jian planned to stay in Chengguan for a few days. Since he was staying and eating at his sister's place, it didn't cost him anything. More importantly, Chengguan was closer to Chenjiachong, so he could pick up Chen Xiaoli to hang out anytime.
After dinner with Liangliang and the others, Yang Jian returned to his sister's house.
Yang Hui had already prepared a room for him. His nephew, without asking, had climbed onto his bed, insisting on sleeping with his uncle.
This made Yang Jian a bit awkward because he wanted to have a long phone call with Chen Xiaoli, and some things were not suitable for children. After all, his nephew was in elementary school, was sharp as a tack, and knew quite a bit.
After finally coaxing his nephew to sleep, he tried calling Chen Xiaoli again, but her phone was switched off.
The next morning, when he called again, her phone was still off. This made Yang Jian very uneasy. Chen Xiaoli's mother didn't like him much to begin with, and with her phone constantly off, he couldn't help but overthink.
It wasn't until lunchtime that Yang Hui noticed her brother seemed distracted.
"Second brother, what's wrong? You didn't eat breakfast, and you're not planning to eat lunch either? Are you sick?"
As Yang Hui spoke, she touched his forehead.
Yang Jian shook his head. "Sister, I have a girlfriend. I've even been to her house, but now I can't reach her. Do you think I should go to her house directly to check on her?"
"You have a girlfriend? Tell me about it."
Yang Jian recounted how he and Chen Xiaoli had developed their relationship in Xichuan and what had happened after his return, but he omitted the part about opening a casino.
"Second brother, based on my analysis, with their family's excellent conditions, they probably don't think highly of you. I'm not optimistic about your future. Wait a couple of days. If she doesn't call you, it means she's broken up with you. There's no need to be a sycophant. Once you're settled in Chengguan, you can find any good girl you want."
Yang Hui, having been through it before, was not optimistic about their relationship upon hearing about the other party's family background.
"Sister, but Xiaoli told me the night before last that she had persuaded her mother. She also said that even if her mother objected, she would still be with me. Her father was also very friendly to me and didn't seem like he would object to me and Xiaoli being together."
"How can you be so naive? Her parents are just playing good cop, bad cop. They wouldn't throw you out the moment you stepped in. People like them, who are considered high-profile, care a lot about appearances and wouldn't do anything so crude. Don't be fooled by their facade."
"So, you're saying I shouldn't go look for her?"
"Don't go. It's her who turned off her phone, not you who's ignoring her. If she cared about you, she wouldn't have cut off contact for no reason. If you go chasing after her, even if you get together, she'll always be the one in control. You're a man who's meant to do great things, how can you be controlled by a woman long-term? That will bring bad luck, and it'll be hard to get rich.
"Alright then, I'll wait a couple more days."
Yang Jian had no appetite for food and just picked at it before heading out. Liangliang had invited him to see his newly renovated house.
Chenjiachong.
Chen Xiaoli was confined to her home by her parents, who forbade her from going out and confiscated her phone.
"Dad, Mom, you agreed to me being with Yang Jian yesterday, why the sudden change of heart today?"
Chen Xiaoli, watching TV in the living room, yelled irritably towards the opposite room. Chen Zhongyun and his wife were on the phone in their room.
Perhaps because Chen Xiaoli was too noisy, Chen Zhongyun came out first.
"Xiaoli, your uncle called back and said that Yang Jian's cousin had an accident. He asked us not to finalize your marriage for now."
"Yang Jian's cousin had an accident, what does that have to do with us?"
Chen Xiaoli pressed the remote control fiercely, turning off the TV.
Chen Zhongyun sat beside her. "Xiaoli, your uncle said he just received news that Yang Jian's cousin already owes over 1.8 million yuan in debt. Even if they settle all the payments for the carpentry work and sell all his materials, it wouldn't be worth that much. The creditors have a lot of influence and plan to deduct their engineering fees directly from the client."
Chen Xiaoli, having attended college, understood immediately. "Are you saying Yang Jian won't earn a single cent from that project?"
"Not only will he not earn money, but the money he invested earlier will be lost, and he'll also have to bear a huge amount of labor costs."
"Then what should we do?"
"What do you mean what should we do? You break up with him. Your uncle said that the reason Yang Jian could buy a car was entirely from the money he earned from running a casino there. Moreover, he's also involved in a shooting case, but the police haven't issued an arrest warrant due to insufficient evidence. Can you be with someone like that?"
"But."
Wu Yi came out of the room. "But what? Your uncle said it's uncertain whether Yang Jian's cousin will return alive. The creditors not only have significant official backing but also considerable power in the underworld and won't let his cousin off easily. Those debts will likely have to be borne by Yang Jian. As a country boy, where would he get the money to repay such a large sum?"
"Does Yang Jian know about this?"
"He doesn't know yet because the project settlement hasn't happened. Your uncle only received notice from the client yesterday. The creditors had already spoken to the client in advance to deduct Yang Jian's engineering fees directly when it's time for settlement."
"Then I have to notify him!"
"What's the use of notifying him? His cousin's debt has already been incurred, and Yang Jian is powerless. Besides, he doesn't dare to return to Xichuan now; the police are still investigating him."
Chen Xiaoli was so anxious she started sweating. "This is such important news, I have to tell him in advance, at least to prepare him mentally."
"Tell him what? From now on, you cut off all contact with him. With such a huge debt, he might never be able to repay it. Will you go hungry with him?"
Chen Xiaoli froze. She hadn't expected such a major issue to arise. Although she liked Yang Jian a lot, it wouldn't be easy for him to recover from such a massive debt.
"Xiaoli, Mom wouldn't harm you. Break up with him. We are not from the same social class. No matter how capable he is, he'll still have to struggle hard in the lower rungs of society to have a chance at a prosperous life, and face immense risks. It's possible he might never recover.
On the other hand, your circumstances are naturally superior to his. You can live a wealthy life without much effort. Why gamble your entire life's happiness? If you win, everyone is happy; if you lose, you'll live a life of hardship. The risk is too great."
Wu Yi's earnest persuasion began to sway Chen Xiaoli's thoughts.