Before he knew it, the Santana had returned to the flagship store.
It was already nearing noon, and the flagship store was still packed. Many people off work rushed over to join the fun during their break, with bicycles, motorcycles, and other vehicles filling the area outside the store.
Men and women alike were rushing into the store, afraid of missing out on something!
After all, the last time Jin Die Apparel opened, it was only for one day, leaving many people unable to buy anything before the store closed.
Now that it was reopening, those who missed out before were anxious, fearing a repeat of the previous incident. This was one of the main reasons why the flagship store was so popular from the moment it opened today.
Seeing the bustling store, Qin Chuan felt quite pleased.
"Boss, four drinks, please!"
Qin Chuan got four bottles of drinks from the small shop owner, handing one each to Zheng Chengdao, Bai Xiaoguang, and Yao Dong. He then lay down directly on the lounge chair under the sun umbrella.
For the past few days, there had been no response from the Guo family, which made Qin Chuan feel a vague sense of unease. He didn't believe that old man Guo Guang was truly scared of them, but rather that he was plotting something.
This resulted in him not even daring to stay at a construction site for too long, rushing back in haste.
"Qin Chuan… Boss Qin!"
Suddenly, a voice came from the side. Qin Chuan turned his head.
"Brother Hei Zi, you can still just call me Qin Chuan. While it's fine for others to call me Boss, it feels a bit awkward when you guys do it!"
Yao Dong’s expression was slightly awkward. "How can that be? Before, the three of us brothers were ignorant and had no idea how capable Boss Qin you are!"
"Now that we know, we wouldn't dare to just call you by your name anymore!"
Having witnessed Qin Chuan's abilities, a rich man worth millions at such a young age had made a great impact on Yao Dong, Zheng Chengdao, and Bai Xiaoguang.
They no longer dared to casually call Qin Chuan by his name. It was a realistic society, especially for those who had experienced its harshness. They were all too aware of the gap between having money and not having money.
"Boss Qin, the three of us brothers have something to tell you!"
Zheng Chengdao also spoke up.
"Go ahead, there's no need to be so polite between us!"
Qin Chuan's expression was a little helpless.
He really didn't want the three of them to call him Boss. Doing so would create a significant distance, a superior-subordinate relationship.
However, judging by their expressions, there was clearly a rift.
Qin Chuan had experienced similar situations too many times. In his previous life, after he became successful, many of his friends and buddies who had once struggled alongside him had unconsciously drifted away.
Even when they met, everyone was very enthusiastic, but everyone could sense the psychological distance.
This was the meaning of "the higher one stands, the colder it gets."
As you become wealthier, you'll find your friends becoming fewer and fewer, with almost no one you can truly confide in. It was nothing like the lively days of poverty, when a group of loyal brothers, bare-chested, sitting together, drinking beer, eating grilled meat, and bragging endlessly.
This was life, gains came with losses!
It was hard to have everything. Since he chose to strive upwards and make money, he was bound to lose something.
"Didn't you just ask us about our professions?"
Zheng Chengdao said at this moment, "The three of us are basically unemployed individuals, without any proper jobs. This is why the three of us fell silent on the car ride."
"In the past, the three of us used to hang around in our county and even had our moments of glory."
"However, as the country's crackdown intensified, the three of us felt that if we continued down that path, we might end up in prison one day. So, we decided to 'wash our hands in the golden basin' and stop messing around!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan immediately clapped his hands and gave a thumbs-up, praising, "That was a very wise decision!"
"Relying on shady dealings for gray income is never a long-term solution!"
As a reborn person, he was very aware of China's determination to crack down on organized crime and criminals.
It was only 1998 now. In a little over a decade, whether in towns or big cities, all organized crime and gangs would disappear, and no one would dare to act with impunity.
"We understand this very well, but the lives of the three of us have not been very smooth since we 'washed our hands.'"
Bai Xiaoguang chimed in, his mood appearing very low. "Because besides fighting, we have no other survival skills. Over the years, we've tried our luck in the provincial capital and in the city, served tables, washed dishes, worked on construction sites, and even worked in the river!"
"After years of struggling, we were almost broke every month, every year!"
"Heizi and I are doing a bit better because we don't have girlfriends, so it's just us to feed. But Brother Dao is different!"
Qin Chuan's interest was fully piqued, and he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Dao, how is he different?"
Just as Bai Xiaoguang was about to speak, Zheng Chengdao interjected, "I'll tell you."
"A few years ago, I met a girl outside. She was beautiful and had a great personality, so I fell in love with her."
"Last year, we even met each other's parents, and we were just short of getting engaged!"
"However, one day, a nightmare suddenly descended!"
As Zheng Chengdao spoke, a look of piercing pain flashed across his brows.
"My girlfriend was hit by a car while shopping. By the time we got there, all we saw was my girlfriend lying in a pool of blood, unconscious. The car had already sped away!"
"After extensive medical treatment, her life was saved from the clutches of death, but she is now a vegetative state, commonly known as brain death. According to the doctor, whether she will wake up is up to fate!"
"So, the biggest reason you spend money so quickly is that you've been spending everything on your girlfriend?"
Qin Chuan suddenly interjected.
Zheng Chengdao nodded. "Yes!"
"Where is your girlfriend hospitalized now?"
Qin Chuan asked again.
"It's in our county!"
Zheng Chengdao replied, "She was hospitalized in the city before, but the money I earned couldn't cover the enormous expenses there. So, I had no choice but to transfer my girlfriend to our county hospital, as the expenses are lower here..."
As he spoke, Zheng Chengdao's voice grew softer, and he clenched his fists tightly.
Bai Xiaoguang and Yao Dong, standing beside him, also looked disheartened, their faces grim.
Qin Chuan then asked, "What about your girlfriend's family? Don't they care about your girlfriend anymore?"
Zheng Chengdao's face grew increasingly unsightly as he bitterly shook his head. "At first, they cared a little, but after half a year, they stopped caring altogether. I've been taking care of her the whole time..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan finally understood everything.
Looking at the disheveled man in front of him, filled with pain and sporting a stubble, he felt no contempt. Instead, a flicker of admiration appeared in his eyes. He forcefully patted Zheng Chengdao's shoulder. "Brother Dao, you're amazing!"
"You deserve me calling you 'Brother.' In this day and age, true gentlemen like you are becoming increasingly rare!"
"When I have time, I'll go to the hospital to visit my sister-in-law!"
Zheng Chengdao kept nodding his thanks. "Thank you! Thank you, Boss!"
"My three brothers, if I were to invite you to work for me now, would you be willing?"
Qin Chuan suddenly changed the subject and asked the three of them.