Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

Fan Debiao parked his Mercedes-Benz in front of Yu Fugui's house. The gleaming car, combined with Brother Biao's smart clothes and big sunglasses, made it impossible for anyone to guess that this was the same Fan Debiao from the village back then.

Yu Fugui immediately came out to greet him, "Brother Biao, you must be tired from your journey. I started preparing dinner as soon as I got your call. Come on in, get on the kang (heated brick bed)!"

A table was being set up inside, and seven or eight prominent figures from the village had arrived. Yu Fugui quickly introduced them, "Come on, call him Brother Biao!"

"What are you looking at? Call me Brother Biao, that's the rule in the underworld. Can't you see I call him Brother Biao too?"

Without saying a word, Fan Debiao pulled a brown paper bag from his pocket and slammed it on the table.

"Snapped!"

Everyone at the table fell silent.

Fan Debiao tore open the paper bag, revealing three stacks of brand-new 100-yuan bills inside.

"Wealth and honor, dot by dot." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the room could hear him clearly.

Yu Fugui's hands trembled slightly as he picked up the money and counted it. After counting one stack, he put it aside and counted another. After counting three stacks, he looked up, his expression complex.

"Yes, thirty thousand." Yu Fugui put the money on the table. "De Biao, you're very particular."

"Paying back debts is a matter of course." Fan Debiao pulled up a chair and sat down. "Xiao Cui and De Cai's marriage is officially off today. Any objections?"

Yu Fugui quickly waved his hand: "No objection, no objection!"

"That's fine then." Fan Debiao glanced at everyone at the table. "Everyone here can be a witness: the money has been returned, the engagement is off, and this matter is settled. Also, on behalf of Ma Dashuai and Ma Xiaocui, I apologize to you. This was the Ma family's fault. We're sorry! We're so sorry, Fugui!"

"Fugui, I have to go back after you give me the money. I have things to do in the city."

"That won't do!" Yu Fugui grabbed him. "You have to eat first! You drove your Mercedes to pay back the money, I have to show everyone that you, Debiao, are meticulous in your work, and I, Fugui, can't be sloppy in mine!"

Fan Debiao thought for a moment and said, "Alright, then I'll sit for a little while longer."

"That's right!" Yu Fugui shouted into the house, "Decai! Hurry up and serve the dishes! Your brother Biao is here!"

Yu Fugui seated Fan Debiao in the main seat, then sat down beside him, raising his glass: "Today, Brother Biao's triumphant return home is a big event for our Ma family village. Come on, everyone, let's toast Brother Biao."

He clinked glasses with Fan Debiao.

Fan Debiao clashed with him.

The village accountant raised his glass: "Brother Biao, this is a toast to you."

The women's director also stood up: "Brother Biao, let's have a drink."

Fan Debiao didn't refuse, but clinked glasses with each of them, "Cheers!"

As they were drinking, an old woman, probably over eighty years old, came into the courtyard, leaning on a cane.

Yu Fugui quickly stood up: "Grandma, what brings you here? Please, have a seat!"

The old lady sat down, squinting at Fan Debiao: "This is... Debiao, right?"

Fan Debiao recognized her—it was Granny Wang from the village, whom he should call "Grandma" according to seniority.

"Grandma, it's me," Fan Debiao said.

Yu Fugui said from the side, "Grandma, you should call him Brother Biao."

The old lady was hard of hearing: "Huh?"

"Call him Brother Biao!" Yu Fugui shouted.

"De Biao," the old lady said to herself, not having heard her, "I used to hold you when you were little. In the blink of an eye, you've grown into a big young man."

Yu Fugui wanted to say something, but Fan Debiao waved his hand and said, "Now that you have Fugui, Grandma can call you whatever she wants."

The old lady held Fan Debiao's hand: "Do you have a boyfriend? Want me to introduce you to someone?"

Everyone at the table laughed. Fan Debiao also smiled, "Grandma, no need, I'm not in a hurry."

Yu Fugui quickly smoothed things over: "Grandma, Debiao is a big manager now, he doesn't have to worry about that. Come on, let's drink!"

The meal was lively. Fan Debiao was surrounded by everyone, who toasted him and called him "Brother Biao" repeatedly.

He's getting a little cocky.

After a few rounds of drinks, Fan Debiao stood up, raised his glass, and said, "Fellow villagers! I, Fan Debiao, wouldn't be where I am today without your help! From now on, if anyone wants to develop their career in the city, come to me! I'll definitely help you!"

"Great!" Everyone applauded.

Fan Debiao got more and more excited as he spoke: "Even if I, Fan Debiao, one day develop to the point of working at the United Nations, I will never forget my fellow villagers from Majiabaozi!"

"Well said!"

"Brother Biao is a true friend!"

Yu Fugui also stood up: "Debiao, from now on, if anything happens in the village, we'll have to rely on you!"

"No problem!" Fan Debiao tilted his head back and downed it.

The drinking session lasted until after 3 p.m. Fan Debiao was a little tipsy, but his mind was still clear; however, he definitely couldn't drive.

Yu Fugui said, "De Biao, let's not leave today. Stay for the night."

Fan Debiao waved his hand: "No, there are still things to do in the city."

"How are you supposed to drive like that?"

Fan Debiao thought for a moment and said, "Fugui, can I lie down on your kang (heated brick bed) for a bit to relax and have some wine?"

"Alright, alright!" Yu Fugui quickly said, "Decai, take your brother Biao to the house to lie down!"

Fan Debiao lay on the kang (heated brick bed) in the Yu family's house until dark, when the effects of the alcohol wore off, before getting up.

Fan Debiao said, "Fugui, don't force your child to get married in the future. Decai is still young, let him learn some skills."

"Yes, yes, you're right." Yu Fugui nodded. "I'll have him learn a skill later."

"Let's go." Fan Debiao got into the car and started the engine.

As the car drove out of Majiabaozi, Fan Debiao saw Yu Fugui still standing at the village entrance in the rearview mirror.

Awesome. This feels fucking awesome.

8 PM, Victoria KTV, third floor.

As soon as Fan Debiao entered, the security guard greeted him: "Brother Biao, something happened to 308."

"explain."

"Four guests grabbed Xiaoyun and wouldn't let her leave, insisting that she drink with them. Xiaoyun was so scared that she cried, so I went in and held them down."

Fan Debiao didn't stop walking: "Is he still there?"

"They're making a scene inside."

When they arrived at the entrance of 308, several security guards, including Da Liu, were standing guard. Fan Debiao pushed open the door and went inside.

The private room was a mess. The coffee table was overturned, and broken bottles were scattered all over the floor. There were four people on the sofa, one of whom was being held down by Gangzi, while the other three stood obediently in the corner.

Xiaoyun huddled in the corner, her work clothes torn open, her face covered in tears.

Fan Debiao walked up to Xiaoyun: "Are you hurt?"

Xiaoyun shook her head: "Brother Biao, they...they insist that I drink..."

Fan Debiao nodded and turned to look at the four people.

"Who did it?" he asked.

The man being held down yelled, "Who the hell are you? Tell your men to let go!"

Fan Debiao ignored him and walked up to the other three: "Who's in charge here?"

A man wearing glasses stepped forward: "My friend has had too much to drink, I'm sorry. Let him go first, let's talk this out."

Fan Debiao glanced at Gangzi. Gangzi released his grip, and the man slumped onto the sofa, panting.

"Just because you've had too much to drink doesn't mean you can bully the waiters!" Fan Debiao pulled up a chair and sat down. "Do you even know where you are?"

The bespectacled man chuckled ingratiatingly, "I know, I know, it's Victoria. Brother Biao, we were just joking..."

"A joke?" Fan Debiao stood up, walked to Xiaoyun's side, and said, "Look at this, is this what you call a joke?"

Xiaoyun had a red mark below her neck, clearly from being strangled.

The bespectacled man's expression changed: "This... I really don't know..."

Fan Debiao walked to the sofa and stared at the troublemaker: "You, get up."

The man glared at him: "What do you want?"

Fan Debiao suddenly laughed: "Gangzi, call the police station."

"No, no, no!" the bespectacled man quickly intervened. "Brother Biao, let's settle this privately, okay?"

"How can we settle this privately?"

"We'll pay up!" The bespectacled man pulled out a wad of cash. "One thousand... no, two thousand! To calm Xiaoyun down!"

Fan Debiao looked at Xiaoyun: "Do you want money?"

Xiaoyun shook her head: "Brother Biao, I want them to apologize."

Fan Debiao turned around: "Did you hear me? Apologize."

The bespectacled man shoved the troublemaker: "Apologize now!"

The man stubbornly refused to utter a sound.

Fan Debiao took out his phone and pressed three buttons—110.

"Hey? The police station? Someone's causing trouble at Victoria Entertainment Plaza, yes, they even started a fight. The address is..."

"I apologize!" the man suddenly shouted. "I apologize!"

Fan Debiao hung up the phone and looked at him.

The man stood up and bowed to Xiaoyun, saying, "I'm sorry."

"Speak louder," Fan Debiao said.

"I'm sorry!" the man shouted.

Xiaoyun nodded, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

Fan Debiao said to the bespectacled man, "Take the money back. Victoria doesn't extort money. But remember this incident—this isn't a place for you to cause trouble."

"Yes, yes, I've got it."

"Has the bill been settled?"

"It's settled."

"Then get lost." Fan Debiao waved his hand. "Don't let me see you again."

The four of them scrambled away.

The private room fell silent. Fan Debiao said to Xiaoyun, "I'm giving you three days off, paid. Go home and rest."

Xiaoyun wiped away her tears: "Thank you, Brother Biao."

"Go."

Xiaoyun left. Gangzi closed the door: "Brother Biao, are we just going to let her go like that?"

"What else?" Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "Give them a beating? After that, we'd have to pay for their medical treatment. This is the best way—they're in the wrong, and we're in the right. If word gets out, who would dare to cause trouble?"

Gangzi nodded: "That's true."

Fan Debiao took a drag of his cigarette: "But Gangzi, you took on four opponents today, and you were completely thwarted. You're good."

"Brother Biao taught well."

"Stop flattering me." Fan Debiao laughed. "Pack your things and get back to work."

As they left the private room, Da Liu approached and said, "Brother Biao, I recognize that guy from earlier, the one with glasses."

"Who?"

"He's from Lao Qian's side," Da Liu said in a low voice. "I saw him at Jinbihuihuang."

Fan Debiao narrowed his eyes.

Old money people.

This is a test.

"Understood," Fan Debiao said. "Keep your eyes peeled. When Lao Qian's men come, keep a close watch."

"clear."