Unable to be persuaded by his sister, Yang Jian simply recounted his experiences after being kicked out of his home by his father.
After hearing his story, Yang Rui seemed to calm down.
"Brother, you've essentially joined the underworld now. Dad will beat you again if he finds out. What are your plans?"
"What plans can I have? Since I've entered this circle, I need to make some money here before I leave. Besides, within this circle, I can meet many people in the construction industry, which can help me build connections for my future in construction."
"But I think it's too dangerous. It hasn't been long since the New Year, and you've already fought so many times and ended up in the hospital injured. I think you should get out as soon as possible."
"It's fine. I'll be careful from now on and avoid fights. Information is scarce in the countryside. Tell sister not to tell Mom and Dad about my affairs for now. I won't go back until I've earned two hundred thousand."
Yang Rui knew her brother's stubbornness and realized that no amount of persuasion would change his mind. She could only silently pray for him.
Having stayed for fifteen days, Yang Jian decided to be discharged from the hospital. He felt embarrassed to keep asking Xiao Wu for money, and more importantly, he needed to make money quickly.
Song Jianmin drove over to pick him up, and Biao Biao and Liang Liang also came along.
"Yang Jian, you've recovered well. You look like you've gained weight."
Song Jianmin hadn't visited since the fight on Xige Street. He noticed that Yang Jian had not only gained weight but also become fairer.
Yang Jian chuckled, "How could I not gain weight? I'm not doing anything, and my sister keeps giving me rich food. By the way, how's business at the venue?"
"It's alright. The Seventh Brigade has started demolition and liquidation, so more people are coming to gamble."
"That's good. Brother Hao is going to strike it rich."
Song Jianmin gave a wry smile and said nothing.
Biao Biao spoke up then, "Brother Jian, although our venue is lively, we haven't been making money. We've all been waiting for you to come back."
"What's going on? We're not making money, and you're waiting for me to come back?"
"You wouldn't know, but although more people have been gambling recently, there have also been many people coming to cause trouble. We're short-handed and from out of town, so we can't control these local thugs at all."
"What about Xiao Wu? Can't his reputation keep them in check?"
Song Jianmin sighed, "Xiao Wu is also struggling to handle his own affairs. The matter at the logging farm hasn't been resolved yet, and even many people in the Seventh Brigade don't take him seriously. Now, even Emperor Company is unwilling to be the banker. If this continues, our venue won't be able to stay open."
"What the heck? How did it get to this point? What are Brother Hao's plans?"
"He doesn't have any good ideas. He's counting on you to turn the situation around."
Yang Jian was quite surprised, "Me? Counting on me to turn the situation around?"
"Yes, you even subdued Brother Xiong. Now, I guess only you can keep the local thugs in check."
"Don't joke. Subduing Brother Xiong that day was pure luck. I just caught him off guard. If it had been a head-on confrontation, I would have definitely ended up lying down."
"Don't be so modest. The fact is, you subdued Brother Xiong. Based on this fact alone, no local thug would dare to provoke you."
"Alright, even if that's the case, those people don't know me. How can I keep them in check? I can't just fight another battle, can I?"
"We'll talk about it when we get back. My brother is waiting for you."
The three of them loaded Yang Jian's luggage into the car and drove directly back to the Seventh Brigade.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, the railway casino reopened, but the atmosphere was different today. Not only were all the members of the gambling company present, but Xiao Wu's four brothers also came.
In addition, six people from Wu Wangchun's Emperor Company were present today. They had reluctantly agreed to be the banker at Song Jianhao's special invitation because the venue was frequently plagued by disputes, and Emperor Company's interests were not guaranteed, making it difficult to find a banker.
"How many tables is Emperor Company taking today? Five thousand isn't enough. I brought ten thousand in cash to play today. Shouldn't the table limit be at least twenty thousand?"
Less than half an hour after the gambling started, a man in his thirties, with a large gold chain around his neck, a shiny bald head, and sunglasses, entered the casino. He was followed by five burly young men of similar age, all looking fierce and clearly there to cause trouble.
Before Wu Wangchun could answer, three more young men with crew cuts squeezed in, each placing twenty thousand yuan on the gambling table. "We're all here to support the banker today. Emperor Company will take a twenty-thousand table."
This was a coordinated effort to cause trouble. Wu Wangchun remained silent, turning his gaze to Song Jianhao, who was also seated at the gambling table. This was his venue, and he was responsible for any disputes. Emperor Company did not bear risks beyond wins and losses, and there were limits to the table stakes.
Song Jianhao had to make a statement at this point. He first nodded slightly at Song Jianmin and then said, "Mr. Wu, since these bosses want to play big, we have to show them respect. Let's set the table limit at twenty thousand. I'll take half of Emperor's shares today."
Wu Wangchun nodded. With his promise, he wouldn't be at much risk playing with larger stakes.
The gambling continued. The four newcomers were well-behaved at first, betting five thousand and eight thousand, not intentionally looking for trouble. The difference in amounts between bets on odd and even numbers in each round did not exceed twenty thousand.
Before long, the money in front of the bald man was almost gone. Although he claimed to have brought ten thousand in cash to play, he had only taken out forty thousand.
Song Jianmin knew he was about to lose his temper and secretly sent a text message.
"Hello, Brother Jian."
"Has Brother Jian been discharged from the hospital?"
"Brother Jian, you look like you've recovered well. Are you completely fine now?"
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the crowd surrounding the gambling table. Biao Biao, Liang Liang, and some of Xiao Wu's brothers all greeted the newly arrived Yang Jian, their voices quite loud, audible to everyone in the venue.
Then, the crowd automatically parted, and Yang Jian walked in with a smile, waving to Biao Biao and the others.
Song Jianhao also stood up, "Yang Jian, why are you back? Are you feeling better?"
"Brother Hao, I'm almost fully recovered. I just got out of the hospital. I heard from Brother Xiao Wu that the venue is quite lively, so I came to take a look. It really is lively."
Before Song Jianhao could speak, Wu Wangchun also stood up, casually grabbed a stack of hundred-yuan bills, folded it into a triangle, and placed it in front of Yang Jian. "Little Yang, I'm sorry. I heard you got injured and hospitalized after a dispute with Brother Xiong. I happened to be back in my hometown during this time and didn't have time to visit you in the hospital. Please accept this money to buy some nutritional supplements. I'll treat you to a meal after class later."
All eyes were focused on Yang Jian, and the gambling game also stopped.
Yang Jian didn't stand on ceremony and directly put the money into his pocket. "Thank you, Mr. Wu. It's really not a big deal. I was just hit on the back with a stick that day, and I've been fine for a long time. Brother Wu and Brother Hao insisted I stay in the hospital for a few more days. I've been bored to death. I'll drink with you tonight."