Diary of Getting Rich Quick in the South

Chapter 63 My Rules Are Rules

Seeing this, the troublemaking guests smugly turned and left.

Ma Wencai quickly walked to my side, patted my shoulder, and comforted me.

"I saw the whole thing. They're just deliberately trying to frame you. I've met them; they're Zhang Qiang's friends. He's holding a grudge against you for talking back to him during the day and is taking this opportunity to get revenge. Just accept it and bear with it."

I lowered my head, my heart filled with mixed emotions.

At 2 a.m., after all the guests had left, the noisy place finally quieted down.

I stood at the entrance of the quiet stairwell, took out a cigarette and lit it.

As the cigarette burned out, I stubbed it out, dusted myself off, and turned to walk towards the staff break room.

After the night shift, most employees rushed to clock out, leaving the corridor in a mess, with no one wanting to stay even a second longer.

I had just finished packing my work clothes and changing when I was about to follow the crowd out the back door when I suddenly heard Zhang Qiang's voice behind me.

"Chen An, wait a moment."

What else does this bastard want to do?

Why are you still bothering me after get off work?

I turned around and looked at him calmly.

Zhang Qiang strolled over leisurely: "You're upset about having half your commission deducted today, aren't you?"

I said calmly, "I accept the shop's rules."

My compliance made Zhang Qiang even more smug.

He took a half step closer and chuckled, "Good that you admit it. Let me tell you, today is just the beginning. You dared to embarrass me as soon as you arrived, so you'll have to pay the price."

"I don't know who brought you here, but let me tell you, with a word from my godmother, not only will a lowly waiter like you have to defer to her, but even the person who brought you here will have to watch their step."

is it?

I sneered inwardly.

If he knew I was Zhao Hongqi's younger brother, and that it was Lao Gui who brought me here, I wonder if he would still dare to say those words.

He was certain that I had no power or influence and no one to back me up, which is why he dared to trample on me so recklessly.

"Brother Qiang, I'll work hard and do my job properly. I hope you'll stop here."

"Should we stop here?"

Zhang Qiang seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world: "In this place, I am the rule, and I'm not going to do it. What can you do about it? If you're not happy, then get out. Nobody's going to keep you."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand and patted my shoulder.

"Young man, put away your pathetic arrogance. Here, you are worthless."

My inner forbearance almost collapsed.

I can tolerate difficult customers, unfair wages, and unwarranted accusations.

But I couldn't stand him taking advantage of me again and again.

Just as I was about to take action, Ma Wencai and other employees came over. They were all employees who had just finished their shifts and were about to change shifts and rest.

"Chen An, you're still here? Everyone's just finished work, how about we go out for some late-night snacks and beer?"

Ma Wencai smiled and spoke, then turned to Zhang Qiang politely, "Brother Qiang, would you do me the honor of joining us?"

Zhang Qiang waved his hand: "I won't go, I have an appointment later."

As soon as he finished speaking, several quick-witted colleagues immediately began to flatter him.

"Brother Qiang is getting more and more popular these days, he gets invited out every day, we're so envious!"

"There must be some pretty girls waiting for you at the bureau, right, Brother Qiang? The ladies who went out with you last time were all so beautiful!"

"Of course! Brother Qiang has a wide network of connections. If you follow Brother Qiang, you'll live a life of luxury!"

"Brother Qiang is so carefree. We work ourselves to the bone and stay up all night, while Brother Qiang always has high-end parties after get off work, with food, drinks, and beautiful women to keep him company."

After a few flattering words, Zhang Qiang couldn't suppress his smile and became even more smug.

"It's just a casual get-together with a few friends, nothing serious. Just focus on your work and be reliable. If you ever need anything in the future, I'll help you if I can."

The enthusiastic praise only gradually subsided after everyone had walked away.

Ma Wencai quietly tugged at my sleeve and said in a low voice with a sigh, "Don't take it to heart. That's just how this place is. It's the norm to fawn over the powerful and bully the weak. You'll get used to it."

I nodded to indicate that I understood.

Previously, when I worked at Yunding Logistics, everyone sat in an air-conditioned office and seemed polite and courteous.

But their inherent tendency to fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak is no less than that here.

The people in the office just put on a respectable facade, knowing how to hide their true abilities. They appear friendly on the surface, but secretly...

All I can say is, haha!

At least here, everyone is out in the open who is arrogant, who is snobbish, and who is targeting whom; it's all obvious and easy to see through.

"Come on, don't just stand there, the late-night food stalls will all be closing up soon." Ma Wencai patted my arm and pulled me outside.

I walked in silence to the night market stall on the street.

Ma Wencai, familiar with the place, ordered barbecue and brought over a case of ice-cold beer.

The group sat around a table, making a lot of noise.

Some people were still marveling: "Brother Qiang is really something. He got in touch with his godmother, so he can basically do whatever he wants in this KTV. Nobody dares to mess with him."

"Yes, ordinary people like us can only honestly endure it, while others are born with powerful backers."

Listening to these words, I held my beer glass and took a sip without saying a word.

Having a powerful backer can certainly save you from many detours, but the prestige that others provide is ultimately superficial.

Relying on his godmother's influence, Zhang Qiang acted arrogantly and bullied newcomers in the store. He seemed to be living a glamorous life, but in reality, he narrowed his own path.

The martial arts world is not just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social interactions.

If I were to casually mention Zhao Hongqi's name, it would instantly bring him and his proud godmother to an abrupt end.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Lao Ma assumed I was still upset about what had just happened, so he raised his glass and clinked it against mine, offering a soft word of comfort.

"Brother, don't take it to heart. Zhang Qiang is a typical example of a petty person who gets ahead. The more you give him face, the more arrogant he becomes. We are people who are just trying to make a living. There's no need to go head-to-head with him. You'll only end up hurting yourself."

I looked up at him and smiled faintly: "Brother Ma, I'm really fine. I just figured some things out."

"What's there to figure out? You're just too young!"

Ma Wencai took a sip of his drink and offered me a cigarette: "I know you feel aggrieved and embarrassed, but that's how it is when you're out here making a living. If you want to get ahead, don't show your face in public. This is an era where people laugh at poverty but not prostitution. Listen to me, buy him a pack of good cigarettes tomorrow, and this will be over."

I smiled and didn't say anything.

They said they were going out for a late-night snack, and they really were.

I thought we'd be eating until dawn, but after a few skewers and two bottles of beer, we all went home.

……

The next evening at six o'clock, I went to Hongyun KTV on time to check in.

As soon as I changed my clothes, one of the waiters I had late-night snacks with yesterday came over and handed me 100 yuan.

"Chen An, Brother Qiang wants you to go buy him a pack of cigarettes and two bottles of wine."

What the hell?

I looked at the hundred yuan in my hand and thought I had misheard.

Seeing him about to leave, I grabbed him: "Dude, did you say something wrong just now?"

"That's right!"

He glanced at the money in my hand: "Brother Qiang only gave me this much."