In the Nanjing of the 90s, although it was at the forefront of the times with skyscrapers springing up everywhere, many areas were still quite ordinary, with urban villages scattered about.
The Tiger Head Benz weaved through the asphalt road. In the back seat sat Qin Chuan and Chen Jinyu, with Hong Jinlong sandwiched between them.
To everyone's surprise, Hong Jinlong was still unaware of Qin Er Ge's predicament. Upon learning that over a million yuan had gone down the drain, he was utterly astonished, his jaw hanging open for a long time.
"I haven't been in touch with Qin Gang for a while. Our jobs are too different. I'm just a pastry chef at a hotel, while Qin Gang plays on a much larger scale."
As he spoke, Hong Jinlong subconsciously glanced at Qin Chuan seated beside him, a hint of envy in his eyes.
It couldn't be helped. Who wouldn't envy someone with such a capable younger brother? Every time he called home, his parents would bring up Qin Chuan, "Boss Qin." They'd talk about how amazing and impressive Qin Chuan from the neighboring village was, known far and wide.
"You should learn from him, work hard. His friends had long ago started looking up to Qin Chuan as an idol, filled with admiration."
Once a person's earnings surpass the public's understanding, there's almost no room for jealousy left, only envy.
This is because they are on completely different levels. If you only earned a few hundred or a thousand more than the other person each month, you would undoubtedly face all sorts of jealousy and resentment.
"How long has it been since you last contacted him?" Chen Jinyu asked.
"About half a month..." Hong Jinlong thought for a moment before replying, "But half a month ago, when we were drinking together, Qin Gang was still so spirited, saying that after he made a fortune this time, he'd tell me to quit my lousy pastry chef job and join him. He guaranteed I'd earn in a year what a pastry chef wouldn't earn in ten."
Qin Chuan frowned. Analyzing the intelligence from Hong Jinlong, it seemed his second brother's troubles occurred within this past half-month.
"Turn left up ahead, into this alley, and then go about a hundred meters forward. That's where Qin Gang rents his place," Hong Jinlong directed.
A few minutes later, the Tiger Head Benz stopped beneath a small three-story building. Most of the surrounding houses were similar small three-story structures, typical of an urban village.
The residents here were a mixed bag, from all walks of life. Many were young laborers who came to the big city with high spirits, only to find the reality harsh and to be beaten down repeatedly.
Of course, there were benefits. At least in such a place, finding a girlfriend was more convenient. The sweat of young men and women had left its mark in many rented rooms.
"Brother Yang, Boss Qin, Qin Gang lives on this second floor. I'll take you up." Hong Jinlong led the way, bringing everyone into the building.
Qin Chuan and his group of four followed behind. As soon as they entered the main door, they heard loud cursing and banging coming from upstairs. Qin Chuan even heard someone shouting his second brother's name.
A bond of blood stirred him. At that moment, Qin Chuan suddenly felt a pang of anxiety, an inexplicable sense of dread.
"Hurry upstairs!" he shouted, taking the lead and rushing up, the others quickly following.
As they ascended, they saw a crowd gathered at the end of the hallway. They were standing at the door of a room, the door of which was also open. Someone seemed to be lying on the ground.
"No, that room is where Qin Gang lives!" Hong Jinlong's face changed drastically upon seeing the scene of the incident, and he rushed forward.
Qin Chuan and Qin Yang exchanged a glance, their faces both grim.
"Qin, don't pretend to be dead! We don't want your life, we want our hard-earned money!" As they approached, angry shouts reached their ears.
"Get up, get up!! Give us back our hard-earned money!"
"That was all we painstakingly saved! We lent it to you because we trusted you, and now you're saying you don't have it? Do you think we're fools!"
"Pay us back! If you don't, we'll take you to the police station and have you locked up for good!"
"Pay us back! Pay us back!!!"
The crowd was enraged. Some people were kicking and punching Qin Gang, who lay on the ground. However, no matter how they hit him, the figure curled up on the ground, holding his head, remained silent.
"Stop!!" Qin Yang couldn't stand it any longer and roared, his voice so loud it shook the hallway and startled everyone.
They all turned around, only to find several men behind them who hadn't been there before. These men had a distinguished demeanor and were dressed expensively, clearly not ordinary people.
"Who are you?" However, in this situation, the crowd wasn't afraid. After all, it was only natural for debtors to repay their debts; even a king couldn't change that.
Bai Xiaoguang, his fair face etched with a cold, grim expression, casually pushed aside two men and women blocking his way, allowing Qin Chuan to approach and examine.
Qin Chuan remained silent. He walked to the figure lying on the ground and slowly squatted down. Just as he was about to reach out and touch the person, the figure let out a hoarse growl, "Don't touch me!"
The voice was so familiar; it was undeniably his second brother.
Upon hearing the voice, Qin Yang rushed in and, without a word, flipped the figure over, revealing his true face. It was indeed Qin Er Ge, but Qin Gang's appearance was now indescribable. He was covered in bruises, his face swollen, the slap marks clearly visible. His nose and mouth were stained with crimson blood. His clothes were torn to shreds, and his body was covered in footprints.
"Xiao Gang..." Seeing his younger brother in such a state, Qin Chuan's heart ached, and the gloom on his face deepened by three parts.
Qin Gang, lying on the ground, looked at his elder and younger brothers, as well as Bai Xiaoguang, Chen Jinyu, and Hong Jinlong standing behind them. His lips parted in a contorted grimace, more like a cry than a smile. Overwhelmed by shame, he once again covered his face with his arms.
"I am Qin Gang's brother, Qin Chuan. What exactly is going on here?" Qin Chuan stood up, his dark, deep eyes sharp as knives, sweeping across the crowd.
From his life experience across two lifetimes and his commanding aura honed by long-held high positions, his gaze and every movement were captivating, something ordinary people could not resist. Those who met Qin Chuan's eyes couldn't help but lower their heads, finding the light in his eyes too dazzling and his presence too overwhelming, making it hard to breathe.
However, soon these people became indignant. They weren't criminals, so why should they be afraid of this person who had suddenly appeared?
"You're Qin Gang's brother? Perfect, hurry up and pay your brother's debts for him!"
"He scammed our money!" a man shouted. This statement was immediately met with agreement.
"Yes, pay up quickly, or we'll call the police!"
Qin Chuan's dark eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing deep within them. "Call the police? Alright! Will you call, or will I?"
"Even if my second brother really owes you money, beating him this badly already constitutes a crime. Intentional injury!"
"Such actions can result in administrative detention at best, and direct imprisonment for three to ten years at worst."
After Qin Chuan's words, the originally agitated men and women suddenly widened their eyes, some looking flustered and scared. For ordinary people, such pressure was the most intimidating; it was a case of the superior suppressing the inferior.
"You... who are you trying to fool!"
"Since ancient times, debts must be repaid, it's only right! Your second brother is a big scammer, he swindled all our hard-earned money! Are we not allowed to demand it back?" a plump woman shouted loudly.
Qin Chuan sneered. "Demanding money is fine, but beating someone is wrong. Jinyu, call the police immediately!"
Chen Jinyu, standing by, immediately took out her phone to make the call.
"Jinyu, don't call the police!" Qin Gang, who had been covering his face on the ground, suddenly shouted to stop her.
Chen Jinyu hesitated, her gaze instinctively turning to Qin Chuan. Qin Chuan stared coldly at his second brother.
Qin Gang slowly got up from the ground, the process incredibly difficult, his face contorted in pain. Yet, he still managed to stand.
"Brothers and sisters, all the mistakes are mine, mine alone. I have failed everyone's expectations."
"You beat me, and I don't blame you. This is all my own doing, my foolishness and blindness!!"
"Please rest assured, I am aware of how much I owe you, and I will definitely repay you. Please give me some time."