Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

As soon as Fan Debiao reached the entrance of Victoria, he saw a group of people gathered there. He immediately yelled, "What the hell are you doing?"

Upon seeing him, the crowd immediately parted to make way, shouting, "Brother Biao! Brother Biao is here!"

There was a man grabbing Ma by the collar, and the two of them were tearing at each other.

Fan Debiao stepped forward and separated the two. Ma Dashuai, freed, hid behind Fan Debiao, his face pale.

The old man persisted, "Don't worry about anyone else! I'm going to have a word with him today!"

Fan Debiao recognized him immediately. It was Yu Fugui, the village head of Majiabaozi Village. And the one standing next to him—no need to ask—was undoubtedly Yu Decai, the "Eggplant Bun."

"What are you all doing!" Fan Debiao turned and glared at the security guards beside him. "It's already like this, don't you know how to pull them apart?"

Security guard Liu stammered, "Brother Biao, we...we wouldn't dare..."

"You wouldn't dare?" Fan Debiao retorted angrily. "What are you all good for? Just watching the show?"

Yu Fugui stepped forward and grabbed Fan Debiao's hand: "Debiao, you really don't recognize me? I'm Fugui!"

Ma Dashuai whispered from behind, "That's the village chief."

"I know you're rich." Fan Debiao pulled his hand back. "So what? Does being the village chief give you the right to beat people up?"

"De Biao, it's not my fault!" Yu Fugui slapped his thigh. "What kind of mess has your brother-in-law made? He said he came to the city to find Xiao Cui so she could marry De Cai, but it's been so many days! He's nowhere to be seen! I gave him 30,000 yuan, and now the wedding isn't going to happen, and I can't get my money back. How am I supposed to face people in the village?"

Fan Debiao waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop talking. I know about your petty affairs." He sized up Yu Fugui and his son, who were dressed in a rustic manner and stood at the magnificent entrance of Victoria, looking like two beggars.

"Now that you're here, let me treat you and your son to a meal," Fan Debiao said. "Come on, let's go inside and talk."

Yu Fugui was stunned: "How are we going to entertain them?"

"Let's eat." Fan Debiao turned to Da Liu and said, "Go arrange a private room and order some hearty dishes."

"Brother Biao, this..."

"Go quickly!"

Da Liu ran away. Fan Debiao led Yu Fugui and his son inside. Yu Decai almost tripped over the threshold when he entered, while Yu Fugui kept looking to both sides—the marble floor was shiny, the crystal chandelier was dazzling, and rows of waitresses in cheongsams were standing there.

Upon entering the private room, Yu Fugui touched the leather sofa and said, "De Biao, this place of yours... is really grand."

"It's alright." Fan Debiao sat down, lit a cigarette, and said, "Fugui, have a seat."

Yu Fugui and Yu Decai sat down cautiously. A waiter came in to pour tea, and Yu Fugui quickly stood up to take it, spilling tea all over his hand.

The dishes arrived. Braised pork knuckle, steamed fish, sweet and sour pork, and stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers—a whole table full. Yu Fugui's eyes widened: "This...how much does all this cost?"

"You can eat now." Fan Debiao poured wine for the two of them. "Fugui, let's have a drink first."

After a few drinks, Yu Fugui started talking: "De Biao, you have no idea. I've been utterly screwed over by that bastard Ma Dashuai lately! The whole village knows my son is going to marry his daughter, and we've already accepted the gifts. Now the bride has run away, where am I supposed to put my face?"

Fan Debiao picked up a piece of pork knuckle and said, "Uncle Fugui, it's impossible for Xiaocui to marry Decai."

Yu Fugui put down his wine glass: "That won't do! I already..."

"Let me finish," Fan Debiao interrupted him. "Xiao Cui can't marry, but I'll return the 30,000 yuan dowry you gave me."

Yu Fugui's eyes lit up: "Really withdrawing?"

"Really resigning."

"And what about the interest?" Yu Fugui asked. "You get interest if you deposit 30,000 yuan in the bank!"

Fan Debiao chuckled: "Interest? How much?"

Yu Fugui nudged Yu Decai: "Son, calculate it."

Yu Decai pulled a calculator from his pocket and clumsily pressed the buttons for a long time, his face turning red with frustration. When he finished, he whispered, "Dad, with interest... it's thirty thousand."

Fan Debiao almost burst out laughing: "How is that calculated? The interest is zero?"

Yu Decai stammered, "How could my calculator be wrong?"

"That makes sense, a calculator can't be wrong!" Fan Debiao shook his head. "Fugui, you need to teach your son a lesson."

Feeling humiliated, Yu Fugui slapped Yu Decai across the face, yelling, "You piece of trash!" He then turned to Fan Debiao and said, "Well, let's forget about the interest. Give me the 30,000 yuan now, and I'll leave immediately."

Fan Debiao took a sip of his drink: "Not now."

"No?" Yu Fugui raised his voice. "If you didn't have it, why are you offering a refund?"

"Here's what I'll say," Fan Debiao said. "Give me three months, and after three months, I'll deliver every penny of the 30,000 yuan to Majiabaozi."

Yu Fugui shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum: "No way! Three months? By then it'll be too late! Debiao, even though you're doing pretty well now and have a lot of influence, you can't just make me wait three months with empty promises!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Fan Debiao asked.

"Three days at most!" Yu Fugui held up one finger. "If I don't see the money in three days, I'll sue Ma Dashuai for fraud!"

Fan Debiao thought for a moment: "Three days won't do, the earliest we can do is wait until after the World Cup."

"What cup?"

"The World Cup," Fan Debiao said. "The football tournament. Once the tournament is over, I'll have my money."

Yu Fugui looked incredulous: "De Biao, are you kidding me? You can make money watching football?"

"Don't worry about that," Fan Debiao said. "Anyway, the money will be yours after the World Cup."

Yu Fugui shook his head again: "No, I can't wait. Everyone in the village is laughing at me now, I need to settle this quickly. Here's the deal, Debiao, I'll give you face, one week at most! If you don't send the money after a week, I'll really sue you!"

Fan Debiao stared at Yu Fugui for a long time. This old guy was completely unyielding. He then looked at Yu Decai—that kid was engrossed in gnawing on a pork knuckle, his hands and mouth covered in oil.

"Alright." Fan Debiao slammed his hand on the table. "One week it is. I'll personally deliver the money to you in Majiabaozi next week at this time."

Yu Fugui then smiled: "That's more like it. Come on, Debiao, let's drink!"

The three of them drank a few more cups. Yu Fugui and Yu Decai let loose, eating and drinking like they hadn't eaten for three days. Between bites, Yu Decai muttered, "Dad, this food is so delicious, even better than the feasts we have in the village..."

"Just eat yours!" Yu Fugui glared at him, then turned to Fan Debiao with a smile, "Debiao, don't be offended, the kid has never eaten anything so good before."

Fan Debiao didn't say anything, and just kept drinking.

They ate two meals in one sitting. Yu Fugui and his son ate until they were completely full. As they were leaving, Yu Fugui warmly took Fan Debiao's hand and said, "Debiao, it's settled then, see you in Majiabaozi in a week."

"Don't worry, I won't forget."

After seeing Yu Fugui and his son off, Fan Debiao returned to the private room. The table was a mess of cups and plates, with leftover food scattered everywhere. He sat down and lit a cigarette.

A week.

Thirty thousand yuan.

The lottery results won't be announced until after the Türkiye match, which is too late to solve my immediate problem. I only have a few dozen yuan left in my pocket, and my salary won't be paid for another two weeks.

Halfway through his cigarette, Ma Dashuai peeked in and asked, "Debiao, they're gone?"

"I'm leaving." Fan Debiao didn't look up.

Ma Dashuai sat down and whispered, "Debiao, are you really going to pay them back 30,000?"

"Otherwise what?" Fan Debiao looked at him. "Let your daughter marry him?"

"That's not what I meant..." General Ma rubbed his hands together. "I just think... where are you going to get 30,000 in a week?"

Fan Debiao exhaled a puff of smoke: "None of your business."

"De Biao," Ma Dashuai leaned forward, "you're not really going to borrow money from loan sharks, are you? That won't do, the interest rates are sky-high, and it'll snowball..."

"Get lost." Fan Debiao stubbed out his cigarette. "Go do what you're supposed to do."

General Ma left dejectedly. Fan Debiao sat alone in the private room for half a day.

After thinking it over, there was only one way – to borrow from Wu Derong.

How could I bring it up? I just received a 10,000 yuan bonus, and now I need to borrow another 30,000 yuan? What would Wu Derong think?

Fan Debiao stood up and walked to the window. It was already dark outside, and the neon lights of Victoria were dazzling.

"Life is like pulling a cart sideways—one step at a time, and another hurdle at a time." He murmured to himself.

Last week he felt he had everything under control after his rebirth, but now he's stumped by 30,000 yuan.

Fan Debiao turned and walked out of the private room. He bumped into Awei in the corridor. Awei noticed his pale face and asked, "Brother Biao, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Fan Debiao said. "Is General Manager Wu in his office?"

"I'm here, just got back."

Fan Debiao nodded and walked towards his office. He stopped at the door.

He raised his hand, then lowered it again.

Just as he hesitated, the door opened. Wu Derong stood in the doorway, and upon seeing him, paused for a moment: "Debiao? What are you doing standing here?"

"Mr. Wu, I... need to talk to you about something."

"Come in and speak."

Fan Debiao followed him into the office. Wu Derong sat down, lit a cigar, and asked, "What's up?"

"Mr. Wu," Fan Debiao carefully chose his words, "I... want to borrow some money from you."

Wu Derong stopped smoking his cigar. He stared at Fan Debiao for a few seconds, then slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"De Biao, are you hiding something from me?"

Fan Debiao's heart skipped a beat.