Yu Feng did not stay long. After finishing a cup of coffee, she left, pressing a thousand yuan into Yang Jian’s hand as she went, telling him to buy some nutritious food to recuperate.
Yang Jian sat in the coffee shop for a while and called his sister, but she hung up. He then received a text message: "In class, will reply later."
Checking the time, it was four in the afternoon. Class should be ending soon, so Yang Jian decided to wait a bit longer at the coffee shop.
By five o'clock, class should have finished. Yang Jian called again, but the phone was turned off.
This surprised Yang Jian. His sister knew his number, and if she could text him, why wouldn't she call back?
Mobile phone penetration wasn't very high at this time, and call charges were expensive. His sister used a second-hand phone that cost two hundred yuan. His parents at home didn't have a phone yet. Could his sister's phone be broken? Yang Jian, filled with doubt, decided to go to her dormitory.
"Yang Rui, over here, hurry up."
Before he even reached the school gate, Yang Jian heard someone calling his sister's name. He quickly looked towards the sound and saw three young girls waving at his sister, who was just coming out of the campus. Beside them was a black car. It was too far to see the make.
Yang Rui, dressed simply and tall, ran towards the girls. Her ponytail swung from side to side, radiating youthful energy. Her running posture clearly showed she was an active girl.
Yang Jian quickened his pace, wanting to greet her in advance. Unexpectedly, after meeting up with the three girls, Yang Rui immediately got into the car, which then merged into the traffic on the street.
Yang Jian stood frustrated at the school gate for over ten minutes. He felt that his sister being picked up by a car was not a good sign. In the countryside, even motorcycles were a luxury, not affordable for every household. Before going to university, his sister had never ridden in a car. In a bustling city like Hancheng, it was easy to get lost.
With his phone unable to connect, Yang Jian had no choice but to return to the hospital, planning to come back tomorrow.
Just as he was about to head to the hospital cafeteria for dinner, Song Jianmin called, saying that Xiao Wu and people from the company were coming, and they would all go out for a big meal together.
Yang Jian had to wait in the ward.
It wasn't until half-past six that Xiao Wu and Brother Hao arrived, each with four people. Although Yang Jian didn't know the names of the people with Xiao Wu, he had seen them before. The group with Song Jianhao included Song Jianmin, Si Xi, Liang Liang, and Biao Biao.
"Xiao Yang, how is your recovery going?"
Xiao Wu looked radiant and full of energy, as if something good had happened.
"It's okay. The doctor says my lungs are recovering well, but my spine will need two to three months."
"No problem. You can stay in the hospital as long as you want. The company will cover all the expenses, and your salary will continue."
"Thank you, Brother Wu. But I plan to be discharged in a couple of days. It's too uncomfortable to be alone in the hospital. I want to go back to the company and help with what I can, and also get my driver's license."
"That's fine too. The company is now on the right track and preparing to recruit some university students. You can go back and learn financial management from Xiaoyue."
Yang Jian was slightly taken aback. "Recruiting university students? Has Brother Xiong caused any trouble?"
Xiao Wu smiled without answering.
Song Jianhao patted Yang Jian on the shoulder. "Xiao Yang, you guys beat Brother Xiong into submission that night. Not only did he give up the territory east of the Seventh Brigade, but even those logging bosses under Brother Xiong's protection have now submitted to President Wu. President Wu now controls the sale of timber south of the Xunsi River. This is a business worth tens of millions. Even a small cut yields over a million in profit."
"I know that, but what does that have to do with the company recruiting university students?"
"Are you stupid? It's a society governed by law now. Dealing in timber is also a legitimate business, so it naturally needs to be operated through a company. The company's management also needs to be standardized. Recruiting a few university students to boost appearances is very normal. You'll be a management staff member in the future, considered part of the white-collar class."
Selling dog meat under the guise of sheep's head, Yang Jian finally understood what he meant. However, it didn't concern him much, as he didn't plan to stay in Xiao Wu's company for too long. Brother Xiong was a ticking time bomb, capable of launching a fatal blow at Xiao Wu at any moment.
After chatting for a while, the group headed to a hotel near the hospital for dinner.
Since they were there to accompany Yang Jian, no one drank, so the meal was short, ending at half-past seven.
Then, at Xiao Wu's suggestion, the group went to Xige Street, not far from the hospital. This street was almost entirely filled with KTVs, bars, and other entertainment venues.
Luxury cars were everywhere, and handsome men and beautiful women were seen everywhere. The dazzling colored lights adorned the entire street, making it look like a fairyland.
Judging by the expressions of Song Jianmin and the others, they seemed accustomed to it, likely frequenting such places. Yang Jian, however, was visiting for the first time, his eyes overwhelmed.
The group booked a large private room at a KTV called "358 Music Club."
"Brothers, to celebrate the company establishing a foothold in Xunsi River, let's have a blast tonight! Plenty of sand, plenty of fruit, and choose any beautiful girl you like."
As soon as Xiao Wu entered, he took off his jacket and announced loudly that all expenses for the night were on him.
Immediately, a woman around thirty years old walked in and whispered something next to him.
Yang Jian didn't understand what they were playing. He pulled Song Jianmin aside and asked, "What is the 'sand' Xiao Wu was talking about?"
"It's K powder, usually called 'playing pits' or 'playing sand.' I told you about it. Remember, no matter who tries to persuade you, don't touch these things."
"Okay, I understand."
Yang Jian now knew what these people were up to.
But the next program completely overturned his understanding. The woman who had left returned shortly after, followed by over a dozen scantily clad young girls. They lined up in the middle of the room.
"Good evening, esteemed bosses. Welcome to 358 Music Club."
All the girls bowed to the group simultaneously.
Then, they introduced themselves one by one.
"Ancheng Xiao Hong, nineteen years old, sophomore."
"Fei County Zhang Xia, twenty-one years old, junior."
Yang Jian was surprised to hear they were all university students. What were they doing dressed like this?
After all the girls had introduced themselves, Yang Jian realized that ten of the fifteen girls present claimed to be university students, and five were nurses.
"Xiao Yang, you are the company's greatest contributor. You pick first."
Just as Yang Jian was wondering, Xiao Wu spoke.
"Pick what?"
"Pick one of these beauties that you find pleasing to the eye."
"Pick her for what?"
Everyone laughed at Yang Jian's question, including the girls, who looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and strangeness.
Xiao Wu also laughed. "My god, you really are a novice. Pick a beautiful girl to accompany you for drinks and singing. You can do whatever you want."
"Forget it. My body hasn't recovered, so I can't drink. Singing is even worse. I'm tone-deaf. Others sing for money; I sing to die. Don't spoil your mood."
Understanding that this was a place of pleasure, Yang Jian directly refused. He thought of his sister, wondering if she might also have come to a place like this.