Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

Ah Huo lit a cigarette, thought for a while, and then spoke:

"Let's start with what you're familiar with, the Chen brothers. The eldest is Chen Zhijian, the second is Chen Zhiqiang, the third is Chen Zhihao, and the fourth is Chen Zhiyong."

These four brothers came to Shenhai when they were only thirteen or fourteen years old. At that time, Shenhai City was just beginning to develop, and there were construction sites everywhere. The four brothers earned their first pot of gold by selling steamed buns at the construction sites.

"Selling steamed buns? Is selling steamed buns that profitable?"

"Ha! Don't underestimate this!"

Back then, a construction site had at least one or two thousand workers. Each worker consumed at least 10 steamed buns a day, and each steamed bun could earn at least 5 to 6 cents. So, just from steamed buns, a construction site could make a net profit of five or six hundred yuan a day.

Add in other side dishes, earning a net profit of 1000 yuan a day is not a problem. 1000 yuan a day is 3 yuan a month, and this is just one construction site.

You need to understand, the four Chen brothers monopolized over 60% of the construction sites in Shenzhen at the time. How much money do you think they made in a month?

"I see, that's really scary."

"Of course, this business wasn't easy to do. The four Chen brothers got into quite a few fights with knives during that time. It was from then on that the four Chen brothers grew up quickly."

The eldest brother, Chen Zhijian, soon switched to legitimate business, and now many restaurants in Shenzhen are actually owned by him. Even if they aren't his, he probably owns some shares.

My second brother, Chen Zhiqiang, who is also my eldest brother, practically monopolizes the fitness industry in Shenhai City.

"The fitness industry?"

"Yes, don't underestimate this industry, it's very lucrative! Not to mention the reputable gyms in major commercial districts, they have a stable customer base, good profits, and very few competitors."

But the most lucrative businesses are the fitness clubs in the villages near the border.

In the villages near the border, there are many mistresses kept by Hong Kong men. These women earn money easily and have nothing to do all day. They spend their time spending money on clothes, haircuts, and exercising.

Feeling spiritually empty and lazy, coupled with their often weak willpower, these women are easily drawn to things that provide strong sensory stimulation.

"For example, drugs?"

"Yes!" Ah Huo nodded. "But Second Brother is very cunning. He never participates in drug transactions himself. He only provides the venue, the channel, and suitable targets, and then takes a cut."

"I understand," An Xiaohai nodded.

"We originally thought that my second brother and his gang were a drug trafficking group, so I chose to start with him. Only after finding out the situation did I realize that I had been misled."

However, it's also a good thing. Through this lead, we have indeed obtained a lot of clues about drug trafficking gangs, so I've been following them until today.

"You're renting this building in Haiwei Village because you're planning to open a gym?"

"Yes, let's get started first. Once we've accumulated enough targets, Guo Xiangshui and his group might come looking for me."

"I think it's a bit difficult!" An Xiaohai shook his head: "If I were Guo Xiangshui, I would never go to you, and I would not even allow a place like this to appear in my sphere of influence. It would be too easy to attract the attention of the police."

Even if I were to contact you, I wouldn't do it in person.

"Of course we understand all of this," Ah Huo nodded, "but there's nothing we can do. This is the best and most reasonable way we can get close to Guo Xiangshui and his group."

Moreover, this gives me a reason to frequent that area, and I'm sure I'll gain something from it.

My only concern is that there are already quite a few similar fitness clubs near Haiwei Village, so it won't be easy for us to quickly expand our influence. If we don't have enough customers, Guo Xiangshui and his team won't even consider it.

It's going to be another long process...

"Well... that's actually easier. If you want it to be faster, I can give you a sneaky trick..."

"You have a solution? Tell me quickly!" Ah Huo's eyes lit up.

"This is how it works..." An Xiaohai whispered the method to Ah Huo.

Under normal circumstances, most people would be stunned after hearing An Xiaohai's idea, and Ah Huo was no exception. An Xiaohai was already used to this, so he didn't disturb Ah Huo's daze.

"Holy crap! You little rascal! How come you're always up to no good?!"

"Brother Huo, how could you say that to me? I helped you, and you call me bad!"

"Okay, okay, I was wrong! I'll slap myself!" Ah Huo gently slapped himself across the face.

"Hahaha! You're so wicked! I love it! Hahaha! ... Sigh, if only I had met you sooner, I wouldn't have had to climb for over six years to get to where I am today, damn it..."

Six years! How many six-year periods does one have in a lifetime?

Thanks!

"What are you saying!"

"There's nothing I can do; we've only known each other for a day, and I already owe them so many favors!"

"Where's Third Brother? What does Third Brother do?"

"Smuggling! Third Brother is the most down-to-earth and gentle of the four brothers. He is actually more like the treasurer among the four brothers."

The four Chen brothers would hand over a portion of their earnings to their third brother, who would then use that money to buy apartments—not one unit at a time, nor one building at a time, but rather one apartment complex at a time!

The community was bought and then rented out, with its own property management company established to manage it.

Over the years, their properties have spread throughout the Shenhai urban area, and they have established a very stable cash flow.

Those under the four brothers who no longer wanted to fight and kill, and who wanted to live a normal and peaceful life, would be assigned to these property management companies.

This is what makes the four Chen brothers truly terrifying: following them guarantees lifelong security!

However, Third Brother did not give up the smuggling business. Smuggling was just too lucrative, both in terms of quantity and speed. The reason why Third Brother became estranged from the Big Circle Gang was because of the smuggling routes.

The fourth brother, Chen Zhihao, is the most radical and also the most capable of the four brothers. He does all sorts of things, but his main interests lie in the gray and black industries.

Fourth Brother has many projects in various industries, but he doesn't like to interact with people like us, and it's too difficult to get into his circle.

Therefore, I don't really know what he's doing, but one thing is certain: many high-end spas in Deepsea City belong to Fourth Brother.

I heard that the three Chen brothers, the eldest, the second, and the third, went to jail because they were protecting their fourth brother.

Fourth brother Chen Zhiyong is probably the core figure among the four brothers; you must remember that.

"Understood!" An Xiaohai nodded.

"The four Chen brothers have a long history in Shenzhen, and their influence is very large and widespread, covering all walks of life. They can be considered to have one foot in the water."

You saved Third Brother's life and built a deep friendship with him. This move was absolutely right. With him protecting you, it won't be so easy for that big shot above to touch you.

These officials, high and mighty, always think they can control everything, but in reality, haha! I think they'll soon realize that failing to get rid of you in prison was their biggest mistake.

You're amazing! I admire you so much!

"If I told you that what happened to Third Brother was really an accident, would you believe me?"

"Tch~ I believe you!" Ah Huo nodded without hesitation, but his face was full of disbelief.

"Fine, believe it or not..."

"This is the situation of the Chen brothers. If we were to rank the underworld forces in Shenzhen, the four Chen brothers would be in the top five."

"Just ranked in the top five?"

"Otherwise what?"

"Who are the first four companies?"

"Why are you in such a hurry? You've interrupted my train of thought."

"..."

"I'm suddenly feeling a bit tired. How about we call it a day and I'll continue next time?"

"Brother Huo, you're not going to keep us in suspense like this..."

"Ha! So even our Hai-ge can get anxious!"