Because Chen Erhu’s lackeys had long witnessed their boss being repeatedly beaten up by Chen Dahu, they were not only afraid of Chen Dahu, but also somewhat fearful of the people around him.
When Chen Jian blocked the guys at the door, Lao Si and Lao Wu didn’t dare to come straight over, but they did summon their courage to stand two meters behind Chen Jian, forming a triangle formation with him.
“This doesn’t look much like a ‘welcome’, does it?” Thug A said, taking a step up the stairs and going face-to-face with Chen Jian.
“Just a habit of speech,” Chen Jian said. “Don’t take it to heart.”
“Fair enough,” Thug A nodded. He tilted his head to look past Chen Jian’s shoulder into the shop. “Business is pretty good. Congratulations, congratulations.”
Chen Jian didn’t make a sound. He was too lazy to waste words with these two. He generally didn’t bother speaking when there was no room for maneuver, which was why he used to talk to Chen Erhu, but remained silent most of the time when dealing with Chen Dahu.
Keeping one’s mouth shut could sometimes prevent conflicts from escalating—a point Shan Yu clearly understood as well, though he usually applied it in reverse.
Now that the boss wasn’t in the shop, it was truly a blessing for the business.
“Chen Dahu is a man of his word,” Thug B said. “He promised Shan Yu that before Shan Yu figures out the money situation, he won’t come over…”
Was that a promise he made?
That was a prohibition order single-handedly handed down by Shan Yu.
Chen Dahu had already slept here once; he couldn’t keep eagerly rushing over to sleep here all the time.
“But he didn’t say we couldn’t come over,” Thug B said.
“Mm.” Chen Jian responded, standing at the doorway with no intention of moving aside.
“What’s this? Is Manager Chen planning to block business and not let us step through the door today?” Thug A asked.
“You should’ve said so earlier,” Chen Jian said, stepping aside to make way. He turned around and called out to Hu Pan, “Panpan, we have guests who want to stay. Process them, please.”
“Got it!” Hu Pan raised a hand. “Please step over and show your IDs—”
“…We want to see the rooms first.” Thug A paused for a moment.
“Didn’t you look at them that day?” Lao Wu said.
Chen Jian glanced at Lao Wu, feeling that this guy’s ’20 off every 100′ IQ had reached a bizarre alignment with Shan Yu’s from a certain angle.
“What do you mean by that?” Thug B immediately pointed a finger at Lao Wu.
Chen Jian stepped right in front of Thug B’s pointing finger, slowly pressing his arm down: “The rooms have been checked, but you can still look around the surroundings. It’s fine, I’ll keep you company.”
“No need for such high specs,” Thug A said.
“Brother Dahu’s friends,” Chen Jian said, “deserve nothing less than this spec.”
The way Chen Erhu used to harass the businesses in the small town was learned directly from Chen Dahu—constantly coming over, constantly loitering around your shop. They wouldn’t necessarily do anything too out of line, but shouting loudly, smoking, and playing cards to make people afraid to enter your shop was their goal. Those who couldn’t take it would just hand over some money.
Chen Dahu’s goal might not just be for a little small change; he wanted bigger money, acting as a hired thug for fee, like what he mentioned that day—helping Qian Yu’s shop occupy other shops’ turf in the old town and the like.
Right now, it was nothing more than harassing Dayin. The better business was, the more likely they were to show up, acting like an alarm clock to remind Shan Yu not to think that non-existent hundred thousand yuan was truly gone.
Chen Jian accompanied these two alarm clocks as they loitered around the first floor.
“Buffet style?” Thug B walked to the restaurant and saw the piping hot porridge and flatbreads Zhao Fangfang had just brought over for the guests. He reached out and grabbed a flatbread.
Chen Jian didn’t speak, simply staying by their side.
Lao Si and Lao Wu followed along as well. They didn’t closely surround the two thugs, but kept a certain distance while maintaining a triangular encirclement formation with Chen Jian at all times.
This was a tactic frequently used by the former pigpen gang. This group’s combat ability was somewhat weak, so they generally avoided fighting alone. Even to catch a rat, they had to gang up on it—after all, they didn’t have a 100% chance of winning.
After walking around the restaurant and eating a bit, the two went over to check out the front desk, and then strolled over to the café.
“Oh, you can even drink coffee here. Didn’t notice it when we came that day,” Thug A said.
“Let’s have a cup.” Thug B stretched his arms and walked inside.
Chen Jian wanted to say it wasn’t open yet, but seeing guests coming downstairs to eat breakfast, he didn’t stop them and let them enter the café.
Hu Pan walked out from behind the front desk, preparing to come over to make coffee for the two of them.
Chen Jian raised a hand to signal her to go back.
Hu Pan was the only one in the shop who knew how to make real coffee, but if it was making coffee for these two, Chen Jian could handle it as well.
If Chen Erhu and his subordinates couldn’t appreciate tea, Chen Dahu and his lackeys naturally wouldn’t understand coffee either.
After the two sat down, Chen Jian walked over to the coffee machine and turned it on. Amidst the clicking sounds of the machine powering up, he grabbed two coffee cups, pulled out two sticks of instant coffee from the cabinet, tore them open, and poured them into the cups.
This was what Lao Wu had bought from the nearby supermarket for comparison after tasting Hu Pan’s coffee earlier, claiming that this tasted better.
The powering-up sound of the coffee machine stopped. Chen Jian turned on the steam nozzle, switched it to hot water mode, and filled more than half of the two cups with hot water.
Then, he stirred the mix evenly with a small spoon to ensure there were no lumps. Finally, he placed two biscuits on a small saucer and carried the tray toward the two men.
Sanbing, who had rushed over upon receiving the news, walked over and saw his manager serving people himself. He immediately took two steps forward to take over the coffee, carried it over, and placed it on the small table in front of the two men.
He even greeted them: “Bin-ge, Xiaozhi-ge.”
“Where’s your boss?” Thug A, who was called Bin-ge, asked. “Not coming over to say hi?”
“He went out and hasn’t returned yet,” Sanbing said.
“Pretty busy?” Bin-ge took a sip of the coffee.
“That’s how working for others is—not as free as you big brothers,” Sanbing said.
Chen Jian stood behind the coffee machine, pulled out his phone, and sent a message to Hu Pan.
[Chen Yu Luo Yan]: Don’t let Erhu come over.
[Who Are You]: K
Chen Jian walked over and sat down across from the two, signaling Sanbing and the others to go mind their own business.
Let’s stall then. Anyway, instant coffee is in unlimited supply.
Walking into the mountains along the small trail behind the guesthouse was quite tranquil. Most of the people here were tourists hiking or camping, while more tourists would drive up the mountain via the main road by the drift rafting area.
It would definitely be busier these few days than usual. If it weren’t for not wanting to stay in the shop, Shan Yu wouldn’t have picked this time to come out. With him absent, the manager could relax a bit more at work.
Shan Yu strolled forward. The mountain forest had completely changed colors. Whether looking far off into the distance or looking up, the bright autumn leaves sparkled like sunlight.
It was very beautiful.
He raised his phone, snapping a photo of a patch of blue sky visible through a ring of red leaves.
However, he didn’t plan on going too far. The doctor had told him to move around every day, not to go on a trek.
Today, he just wanted to test how far he could walk before feeling exhausted, to gauge how his leg was recovering. He was truly fed up with this life of limited mobility.
Slowly following the trail for nearly an hour, he stopped by a large rock. This was a bend in the mountain path, offering a clear view of the vast, colorful mountain forest opposite, as well as the river shimmering with silver light.
Shan Yu sat on the rock to watch for a while, then laid down.
Comfortable.
It was a bit chilly under the shade of the trees, but basking on the rock was very warm. He felt himself slowly softening under the sun, sprawled across the rock.
A second before falling asleep, he sighed inwardly: If I’d known, I would’ve come here to sleep every day. I fall asleep the second I lie down…
“Sir! Handsome guy! Hey—”
Shan Yu knew very well that this distant voice wasn’t from a dream; someone was calling him.
“Looks like he’s about to wake up,” the voice spoke again. “Not sure though… not injured… we’re right at the viewing area about three kilometers in…”
Shan Yu instantly snapped awake, opening his eyes.
“He’s awake, he’s awake,” another person said. “Handsome guy? Are you okay?”
“I’m… sleeping.” Shan Yu sat up, seeing a young guy standing beside him holding his phone and talking.
“We were passing by, and your phone kept ringing on the rock, but you didn’t wake up at all.” A girl let out a breath of relief, leaning against a nearby tree with a smile. “Scared us to death, thought something happened to you.”
“Here you go. Sorry, we were in too much of a hurry so we answered the call for you.” The young guy handed his phone back over.
“Thank you.” Shan Yu took the phone and glanced at it—sure enough, it was an incoming call from Chen Jian. It was now 11:30 AM; the manager was probably calling to ask if he wanted lunch. He cleared his throat: “Chen Jian?”
“Did you take sleeping pills?” Chen Jian’s voice on the other end was somewhat breathless.
“Haven’t slept this soundly in a long time,” Shan Yu said. “I’ll head down the mountain right away.”
“Is your leg okay?” Chen Jian asked.
“Even if something’s wrong, I can still roll down,” Shan Yu said.
The group of young people hadn’t left yet, waiting for him to finish his call. The girl asked another question: “Are you staying at the guesthouse down below?”
“Mm.” Shan Yu nodded.
“Which one?” The young guy leaned in to ask. “We stayed in the mountains yesterday and it was way too cold. We want to find a guesthouse to stay at today.”
“I stay at… Dayin,” Shan Yu said. “Any of those few are fine.”
“Any recommendations?” The young guy pressed, perhaps having been burned before, asking very thoroughly.
“…Dayin, I’d say,” Shan Yu said.
“Any reasons for the recommendation?” The young guy asked carefully.
“Great service, clean rooms, lovely garden, very delicious food,” Shan Yu said. “Though my evaluation is pretty subjective.”
“Hmm?” The young guy looked at him.
“I’m the owner of Dayin,” Shan Yu said.
The group stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. Another girl said with a smile, “What a coincidence! Then let’s stay at Dayin when we get down.”
“Welcome to Dayin,” Shan Yu said. “Tell the manager that you were the ones who just answered my phone, and you’ll get a discount.”
“Thanks, Boss!” The young people walked along the trail, chatting and laughing as they left.
The manager might be busy right now, not knowing if he’d have time to receive them.
Earlier when he came out, he had seen the two guys Chen Dahu brought that day squatting at the intersection smoking. After smoking, they’d probably enter the shop.
Looking at the time now, they should be leaving soon, otherwise the manager wouldn’t have called him.
Who knows what the situation was like in the shop earlier.
Probably just the two of them finding an excuse to wander around, then sitting in the café to look at the fancy bottle the boss had just brought back a couple of days ago.
Making a physical move was definitely out of the question with so many guests around.
Without getting physical, sending those two off would definitely leave one filled with suppressed anger.
Tsk.
Good thing he had stepped out.
Shan Yu walked back along the road. Having taken that nap, his legs, which were originally a bit tired, had recovered, and he walked fairly smoothly.
It was just that going downhill put a bit of pressure on his leg. He had still overestimated this leg today—he shouldn’t have walked that far.
Before long, he spotted Chen Jian.
He stopped in his tracks, unable to resist raising an eyebrow.
“Why did you come over here too?” he asked.
“To see if you rolled down,” Chen Jian said.
“Hasn’t reached that point,” Shan Yu said. “How about you push me, and I’ll roll one down for you to see?”
Chen Jian didn’t speak, simply pointing at the ground to remind him to watch his step.
After walking forward a stretch, the path flattened out a bit before Chen Jian spoke again: “Chen Dahu’s men came by just now.”
“Is that so?” Shan Yu said. “Have they left?”
“Left. Didn’t cause any trouble,” Chen Jian said. “Just drank a cup of coffee.”
“Get more rest during the day over these next few days,” Shan Yu said. “Don’t sleep too soundly at night.”
Chen Jian looked at him: “Are you planning to…”
“Just listen to me.” Shan Yu didn’t plan on telling Chen Jian too much. Chen Erhu was Chen Dahu’s biological younger brother after all; if Chen Dahu thought Chen Jian was involved, it might cause further conflicts.
“Are you afraid I’ll tell Chen Erhu?” Chen Jian asked.
This angle was exceptionally Chen Jian.
“Why would you tell Chen Erhu?” Shan Yu said. “To perform a meritorious service and line up behind Lao Wu to become Lao Liu?”
Chen Jian paused, then burst out laughing.
“When something comes up, I’ll let you know,” Shan Yu said. “There are too many variables; it’s not some foolproof plan.”
“Mm.” Chen Jian turned around and walked ahead.
Shan Yu walked behind him for a while, finally unable to hold back: “Step aside.”
“What’s wrong?” Chen Jian stepped to the side and turned his head.
“I’m rolling straight down,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian was stunned for two seconds, then extended a hand: “Can you not walk anymore?”
“Just feel like rolling a bit,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian took a step back and grabbed his arm: “Next time you want to wander around aimlessly, stick to flat ground. At least you can roll the wheelchair there.”
“Not going out until the bracket is removed,” Shan Yu said.
Save those words for when Liu Wu arrives.
Liu Wu and his group were arriving tomorrow. Over the past two days, the frequent calls to Chen Jian had made his roommates think he was in a relationship.
With this level of excitement, and still holding back to give his cousin a surprise, meeting face-to-face was bound to drive Shan Yu crazy with nagging.
When they returned to the guesthouse, Hu Pan and the others were already eating in the booth in the corner of the restaurant. Today was their first time not sitting at the large dining table in the middle for staff meals.
The big table was filled with fruit and snacks, and beside the table were two small baskets containing pretty fallen leaves Hu Pan had gathered from the courtyard and the edge of the woods outside, all washed clean so guests could use them as props when taking photos in the garden.
“Pretty rich spread.” Shan Yu walked over to look, picked up a mandarin orange, and put a soft candy into his pocket.
“There’s some in your office,” Chen Jian said. “Panpan brought a portion up for you.”
Shan Yu hesitated for a moment, took the soft candy out again, and put it back on the table.
“Once you’ve taken it, just keep it. It’s only that one piece,” Chen Jian sighed.
“Are you playing with me?” Shan Yu turned to look at him.
“…I’m just letting you know,” Chen Jian said.
Shan Yu picked that soft candy up again. This time he didn’t put it in his pocket, but unwrapped it directly and popped it into his mouth: “After you finish eating, just grab me some random food, and I’ll eat in the office.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian responded.
The afternoon was even busier than the morning. Most guests who booked rooms arrived in the afternoon. When several groups arrived around the same time, Chen Erhu and his crew all had to go over to Hu Pan’s side to help out.
Chen Jian strolled around every now and then to check if there were any unexpected situations, while also keeping an eye out for any signs of Chen Dahu. Although under normal circumstances whatever he wanted to do wouldn’t be done in broad daylight, Chen Dahu’s brain wasn’t within normal bounds either.
However, when Liu Wu and his group of college students arrived, Chen Jian didn’t need to observe the situation anymore. With this ‘Joyful Beans’ troupe, whether it was Chen Dahu or Li Dalang, whoever came would have to turn into Joyful Beans right alongside them.
“Chen Jian—” The moment Liu Wu stepped into the courtyard, he opened his arms wide. “Chen Jian—Manager Chen—”
The few Joyful Beans following behind him shouted along in unison: “Manager Chen—”
“Hey,” Chen Jian quickly ran out, “over here.”
“Long time no see!” Liu Wu gave him a hug. “Haven’t seen you in forever!”
Time sure passed faster for cheerful people.
“In a bit, your people can follow the staff to take luggage up to the rooms. Once everyone’s settled, come down to give your IDs to the front desk…” Chen Jian led him inside.
“Is my cousin here?” Liu Wu asked in a low whisper by his ear. “You didn’t tell him I was coming, right?”
“Nope,” Chen Jian also lowered his voice. “He only knows fifteen rooms were booked out today.”
“Let’s go, let’s go find him.” Liu Wu was thrilled, waving to his classmates behind him. “You guys follow their staff to the rooms; I’m going to meet their owner.”
The words were spoken with quite a grand air.
“Classmates, those on the first floor follow me,” Hu Pan raised a hand. “Those on the second floor follow him up.”
“Second floor, second floor—” Sanbing also raised a hand, walking toward the stairs. “Those with heavy luggage can take the elevator.”
Liu Wu only carried one backpack. He didn’t take the elevator, running all the way up to the fourth floor.
“Did he still use that previous office?” Liu Wu asked. “An office that old-fashioned, I thought he’d switch.”
“That costs money, little brother,” Chen Jian said.
Bringing Liu Wu to the office door, he knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Shan Yu said from inside.
Liu Wu pushed the office door open with a flourish and strode right in: “My dear cousin—look who I am!”
“Why are you here?” Shan Yu leaned back in his chair, tilting his head to look at Chen Jian. “Get him out of here for me.”
Chen Jian smiled and didn’t move.
“Surprise!” Liu Wu propped his hands on the desk, staring at Shan Yu.
“So those fifteen rooms were you?” Although Shan Yu was somewhat sluggish, his facial expression too lazy to even shift, he still cooperatively uttered a sentence.
“Didn’t expect it, did you? They’re all my classmates. I’ll tell you in detail in a bit,” Liu Wu threw his backpack onto the sofa, opened the small fridge beside it, and checked inside. “I’ll grab a Coke… How come it’s sugar-free?”
“How about you go downstairs to drink? Downstairs has the regular ones,” Shan Yu said.
“It’s fine; sugar-free works.” Liu Wu said.
“Then I’ll…” Chen Jian pointed outside, “head down first.”
“Don’t,” Shan Yu immediately mouthed silently.
“Don’t,” Liu Wu’s version was voiced. Drinking his Coke, he walked over and opened his backpack. “In a minute. I brought gifts for both of you.”
“Brought gifts too?” Chen Jian was taken aback for a moment, stepping closer.
“Of course. My cousin and I bring each other gifts every time we return from somewhere.” Liu Wu took two boxes out of his bag, looked at them, and placed one in front of Shan Yu. “Open it and see if you like it.”
He placed the other one in front of Chen Jian: “This one’s yours; take a look.”
“Thanks,” Chen Jian opened the box. Inside was a bracelet. Liu Wu seemed quite fond of these things, so his gifts were often bracelet strings as well.
The box in front of Shan Yu also held a bracelet string.
“Are they both identical?” Shan Yu asked.
Did he give them…couple bracelets…? 🤣