Because Chen Erhu’s little brothers had long watched their boss get repeatedly beaten by Chen Dahu, they were afraid not only of Chen Dahu but also of the people around him.
When Chen Jian blocked the doorway, Lao Si and Lao Wu didn’t dare approach directly, but they did work up the courage to stand about two meters behind him, forming a triangle.
“This doesn’t look like a ‘welcome’ posture,” Thug A said, stepping up onto the stairs to square off face-to-face with Chen Jian.
“Just a catchphrase,” Chen Jian said. “Don’t take it literally.”
“Alright.” Thug A nodded, then craned his head over Chen Jian’s shoulder into the shop. “Business looks good. Congratulations.”
Chen Jian said nothing. He couldn’t be bothered to waste words on these two. He generally didn’t speak when there was no room for negotiation. That’s why he used to talk to Erhu but stayed silent most of the time with Dahu.
Sometimes not speaking avoids further escalation. Shan Yu clearly understood that point—and generally used the opposite approach.
It was truly a blessing for the inn that the boss wasn’t around right now.
“Chen Dahu keeps his promises,” Thug B said. “He agreed with Shan Yu—until the money issue is clarified, he won’t come…”
Was that his “agreement”?
That was a unilateral ban issued by Shan Yu.
Dahu already slept here once. He can’t keep coming back to nap on purpose.
“But no one said we couldn’t come.” Thug B added.
“Mm.” Chen Jian acknowledged, still not stepping aside.
“What, Manager Chen—planning to block the door and turn away business today?” Thug A asked.
“Should’ve said earlier.” Chen Jian stepped aside and turned toward the desk. “Panpan, we’ve got guests for lodging—check them in.”
“Got it!” Hu Pan raised a hand. “Please come over and show your ID—”
“…We want to see the rooms first,” Thug A cut in.
“Didn’t you see them that day?” Lao Wu blurted.
Chen Jian glanced at him. That sixty-points-off-a-hundred IQ had, from a certain angle, achieved a strange unity with Shan Yu’s.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Thug B jabbed a finger at Lao Wu.
Chen Jian calmly moved into line with that pointing hand and pressed the man’s arm down. “You can look at the rooms, stroll the grounds too. No problem—I’ll accompany you.”
“No need for such high standards,” Thug A smirked.
“Friends of Brother Dahu,” Chen Jian said, “deserve only the highest standards.”
Erhu had learned his shop-harassment playbook from Dahu: keep showing up, lingering near your storefront; maybe nothing too outrageous, but loud talk, smoking and card games—enough to scare away customers and squeeze some cash.
Dahu’s objective wasn’t always petty cash, either—he wanted bigger money, hired muscle, turf wars, like he’d said about grabbing real estate for Qian Yu’s shop in the old town.
Right now, it was about harassing Dayin. The better business was, the more he’d show—like an alarm clock reminding Shan Yu not to “forget” the nonexistent 100,000, because it still “didn’t exist.”
Chen Jian accompanied the two “alarm clocks” as they wandered the first floor.
“Buffet?” Thug B walked into the restaurant, saw the steaming porridge and pancakes Sister Zhao had just served, and reached to grab a pancake.
Chen Jian said nothing, just stayed with them.
Lao Si and Lao Wu also followed, not forming an obvious ring around the two, but keeping a certain distance—still forming a triangular surround with Chen Jian.
This was a usual Pigpen Gang tactic: weak combat ability, avoid one-on-one; even to fight a single mouse, they’d swarm—because they had no guarantee of winning.
After a loop through the restaurant, and a few bites, the pair checked the bar and then headed into the café.
“Oh, there’s coffee? Didn’t notice last time,” Thug A said.
“Let’s have a cup,” Thug B stretched and walked over.
Chen Jian almost said the café wasn’t open yet, but guests were coming down for breakfast, so he let them in.
Seeing this, Hu Pan started over to make coffee.
Chen Jian raised a hand to signal her back.
Only Hu Pan could pull proper espresso—but for these two, Chen Jian could “make coffee” too.
Erhu and his crew couldn’t taste tea; Dahu and his crew naturally couldn’t tell coffee either.
Once the two sat down, Chen Jian went behind the machine, powered it on, and while it clacked through startup, he took two cups, pulled out two packets of instant coffee from the cabinet, ripped them open, and poured them in.
These were from the corner store—Lao Wu had bought them after “taste testing” Panpan’s coffee and declaring the instant better.
When the machine finished its startup, Chen Jian opened the steam wand to hot water and filled the cups over halfway.
He stirred each with a spoon to remove clumps, set two small biscuits on a saucer, and carried them over.
Sanbing rushed in, got the memo, and saw his manager “serving” guests. He hurried forward, took the cups from Chen Jian, and set them on the table.
He even greeted them: “Brother Bin. Brother Zhi.”
“Where’s your boss?” Thug A—Brother Bin—asked. “Not coming to say hello?”
“He went out and hasn’t come back yet,” Sanbing replied.
“Pretty busy?” Brother Bin sipped.
“When you work for someone, that’s how it is—nothing like a big brother’s freedom,” Sanbing said.
Chen Jian stepped back behind the machine and texted Hu Pan:
[Chen Yuluoyan]: Don’t let Erhu come over.
[WhoAreYou]: K
Then he went to sit across from the two and motioned for Sanbing and the others to go about their work.
Let them drag it out. Instant coffee, all you can drink.
—
The small path from the inn into the mountains was quiet—mostly hikers and campers. Most tourists drove up on the main road near the rafting area.
There were obviously more people these days. If not for not wanting to hang around the shop, Shan Yu wouldn’t have chosen this time to come; he was gone so the manager could relax into his work.
He strolled on. The mountains had fully changed color—whether looking far or looking up, the bright autumn leaves blazed like sunshine.
Beautiful.
He raised his phone and snapped a photo of a patch of blue sky framed by a ring of red leaves.
He hadn’t planned to go far. The doctor told him to move daily—not to go on hikes.
He just wanted to test how far he could go before tiring—gauge his leg’s recovery. He’d had enough of this restricted mobility.
After almost an hour along the path, he stopped beside a big rock at a bend in the trail, a perfect view of the colorful forest on the opposite slope and a silver river flashing below.
He sat for a while, then lay back.
Comfortable.
Cool in the shade, but the sun-warm rock was cozy, and he slowly felt himself softening, draped over the stone.
The moment before he fell asleep, he thought: If I’d known, I’d come nap here every day. Close my eyes and out like a light…
“Sir! Handsome! Hey—”
Shan Yu knew the distant voice wasn’t a dream. Someone was calling him.
“He’s almost awake,” the voice said again. “But not sure… no injuries… we’re at the lookout about three kilometers…”
Shan Yu woke instantly, opening his eyes.
“He’s awake,” another person said. “Hey, handsome—you okay?”
“I was… sleeping,” Shan Yu sat up. A young guy stood next to him, holding Shan Yu’s phone and talking into it.
“We were passing by. Your phone kept ringing on the rock, and you wouldn’t wake up,” a girl said, relief in her voice as she leaned against a tree with a smile. “Scared us—we thought something happened.”
“Here—sorry, we got worried and answered,” the guy handed him the phone.
“Thanks,” Shan Yu glanced at the screen. Chen Jian was calling. It was 11:30 a.m.—the manager probably checking whether he wanted lunch. Shan Yu cleared his throat. “Chen Jian?”
“You take sleeping pills?” Chen Jian’s voice came, slightly breathless.
“Haven’t slept this soundly in ages,” Shan Yu said. “I’ll head down right away.”
“Your leg okay?” Chen Jian asked.
“Even if not, I can roll,” Shan Yu said.
The young folks hadn’t left, waiting for him to finish. The girl asked, “Are you staying at one of the inns down below?”
“Mm.” Shan Yu nodded.
“Which one?” the guy stepped closer. “We stayed in the mountains yesterday—too cold. Want to find an inn today.”
“I’m at… Dayin,” Shan Yu said. “But they’re all fine.”
“Any recommendation?” the guy pressed, carefully—maybe burned by bad experiences before.
“…Dayin,” Shan Yu said.
“Why recommend it?” the guy asked, thorough.
“Great service, clean rooms, pretty garden, delicious food,” Shan Yu said. “But that’s subjective.”
“Mm?” the guy stared.
“I’m Dayin’s boss,” Shan Yu said.
They all froze, then laughed. Another girl grinned. “What a coincidence. We’ll stay at Dayin then.”
“Welcome to Dayin,” Shan Yu said. “Tell the manager you took the call just now—there’ll be a discount.”
“Thanks, boss!” The young people walked off, chatting and laughing down the path.
The manager was probably busy—might not have time to greet them.
When he’d left earlier, he saw the two guys who came with Dahu the other day squatting by the road smoking; they’d likely head in after finishing.
Judging by the time, they’d probably already gone in—otherwise the manager wouldn’t have called.
He wondered how things were back at the shop.
Likely those two had wandered around under some pretext, then sat in the café to check out the fancy bottle the boss brought back.
No way to start anything with so many guests around.
Without laying hands on anyone, sending them off would cost a bellyful of resentment.
Tsk.
Good thing he went out.
Shan Yu headed back down. After that nap, his leg felt much better—he walked smoothly enough.
Only on the descent did it strain—he’d overestimated the leg today and gone too far.
Soon he spotted Chen Jian.
He stopped and couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.
“Why’d you come up?”
“Checking whether you rolled down,” Chen Jian said.
“Not that bad,” Shan Yu said. “Want to shove me and watch me roll?”
Chen Jian said nothing, just pointed at the ground for him to watch his step.
They went on a bit farther to gentler terrain, and Chen Jian said, “Dahu’s guys came just now.”
“Yeah?” Shan Yu asked. “They gone?”
“Yeah. Didn’t cause trouble,” Chen Jian said. “Just had a coffee.”
“Get more rest during the day for a few days,” Shan Yu said. “Don’t sleep too hard at night.”
Chen Jian looked at him. “You’re planning…”
“Just follow my lead,” Shan Yu said. He didn’t want to say more. After all, Erhu was Dahu’s brother—if he thought Chen Jian was involved, it might spark new friction.
“Afraid I’ll tell Erhu?” Chen Jian asked.
Classic Chen Jian angle.
“Why tell Erhu?” Shan Yu said. “So he can go bag a merit badge and queue behind Lao Wu to be Lao Liu?”
Chen Jian paused, then laughed.
“I’ll loop you in if anything changes,” Shan Yu said. “Lots of variables. Not a foolproof plan.”
“Mm.” Chen Jian turned and walked ahead.
Shan Yu followed for a stretch, then couldn’t hold it back. “Move.”
“What?” Chen Jian made room and looked back.
“I’m going to just roll down,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian froze for two seconds, then held out a hand. “Can’t walk?”
“Just want to roll,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian stepped back in and grabbed his arm. “Next time you want to wander, pick flat ground. At least then we can push the wheelchair.”
“Not going out again until the brace comes off,” Shan Yu said.
Say that when Liu Wu arrives.
He and his classmates were coming tomorrow. He’d been calling Chen Jian so much the dormmates thought he was dating. This excited and still holding back to “surprise” his brother—once they met up, he’d talk Shan Yu’s ear off.
When they got back, Hu Pan and the others were eating in a corner booth in the restaurant—for the first time not at the big central table.
The big table was piled high with fruit and snacks, and two small baskets on the side held pretty fallen leaves that Hu Pan had picked from the courtyard and the edge of the woods—washed and ready for guests to use as photo props in the garden.
“Quite a spread.” Shan Yu walked over, took a tangerine, then a soft candy and slipped it into his pocket.
“There’re sets in your office,” Chen Jian said. “Panpan took some up for you.”
Shan Yu hesitated, then took the candy back out and returned it to the table.
“If you took it, keep it—just one candy,” Chen Jian sighed.
“You playing me?” Shan Yu turned to look at him.
“…Just telling you,” Chen Jian said.
Shan Yu picked the candy up again and, this time, unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth. “Grab me something to eat when you’re done. I’ll eat in the office.”
“Mm,” Chen Jian answered.
The afternoon was busier than the morning. Most guests arrived then; when several showed up at once, Erhu and the boys had to help Panpan.
Chen Jian did periodic loops to check for issues—and for signs of Dahu. Normally nothing would happen in broad daylight, but Dahu didn’t think in normal ranges.
Once Liu Wu and the students arrived, though, there was nothing to observe. With that Happy Bean crew, anyone—Chen Dahu or Wolf Li—would get turned into a Happy Bean on contact.
“Chen Jian—” Liu Wu threw his arms wide the moment he entered the courtyard. “Chen Jian—Manager Chen—”
The Beans behind him joined in chorus: “Manager Chen—”
“Hey,” Chen Jian hurried out. “Over here.”
“Long time no see!” Liu Wu slung an arm around him. “Been ages!”
Time indeed flies when people are happy.
“In a minute, your folks follow staff to put luggage in rooms. Once settled, bring IDs to the front desk…” Chen Jian led him in.
“Is my brother here?” Liu Wu whispered. “You didn’t tell him I’m coming, right?”
“No,” Chen Jian lowered his voice. “He only knows we sold fifteen rooms today.”
“Come on—let’s go find him,” Liu Wu beamed, waving to classmates. “You lot follow the staff. I’m going to see their boss.”
Said with remarkable pomp.
“First floor with me,” Hu Pan raised her hand. “Second floor with him.”
“Second floor—second floor—” Sanbing raised his hand and headed for the stairs. “Heavy bags can take the elevator.”
Liu Wu had only a backpack. He skipped the elevator and jogged up to the fourth floor.
“Still using that old office?” Liu Wu asked. “So dated—I thought he’d change it.”
“That costs money, little brother,” Chen Jian said.
At the door, Chen Jian knocked.
“Come in,” Shan Yu called.
Liu Wu swung the door wide and strode in. “Dear cousin—guess who?”
“What are you doing here?” Shan Yu leaned back in the chair, then turned to Chen Jian. “Get him out.”
Chen Jian smiled but didn’t move.
“Surprised?” Liu Wu planted his hands on the desk and looked at him.
“So those fifteen rooms were you?” Shan Yu still sounded languid and couldn’t be bothered to change his expression, but he played along.
“Didn’t expect that, did you? All classmates—I’ll give you details later,” Liu Wu dumped his backpack on the sofa and opened the mini-fridge. “I’ll grab a Coke—why is it sugar-free?”
“Go downstairs if you want sugar,” Shan Yu said.
“No need—sugar-free’s fine,” Liu Wu said.
“Then I’ll…” Chen Jian pointed outside. “Head down.”
“Don’t,” Shan Yu mouthed silently at once.
“Don’t,” Liu Wu echoed aloud, sipping the Coke as he opened his backpack. “Just a minute—I brought gifts for you two.”
“Gifts?” Chen Jian blinked and came back.
“Of course. Every time my brother and I travel, we bring each other gifts,” Liu Wu said, pulling out two boxes. He glanced at them and set one before Shan Yu. “Open it—see if you like it.”
He put the other in front of Chen Jian. “Yours. Take a look.”
“Thanks,” Chen Jian opened the box. Inside was a prayer bead bracelet. Liu Wu seemed fond of these—always gifting them.
Shan Yu’s box held the same.
“Two the same?” Shan Yu asked.
