Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

The next morning, Fan Debiao knocked on Wu Derong's office door.

"Mr. Wu, I have something to report to you."

Wu Derong was looking at the account books and didn't even look up: "Speak."

"There was trouble at the KTV last night; it was one of Lao Qian's men."

Wu Derong looked up and closed the ledger: "Old Qian? Why did he send someone here?"

"I suspect it was a test." Fan Debiao recounted what happened last night: "Four men were pulling at the waitress Xiaoyun, but Gangzi held them back. Da Liu recognized the one with glasses; he'd seen him at Lao Qian's Jinbihuihuang."

Wu Derong picked up a cigarette and tossed one to Fan Debiao. "That bastard Lao Qian, he can't beat me in business, so he's starting to resort to underhanded tactics."

"I suspect he might have other plans next," Fan Debiao said. "But it's nothing, we'll deal with whatever comes our way."

Wu Derong nodded and said, "Yes, but we must be careful to stay within limits. We won't cause trouble, but we shouldn't be afraid of trouble either!"

"Um!"

Wu Derong continued, "De Biao, you mentioned last time that Lao Qian's place has escorts who skirt the rules, should we...?"

"Mr. Wu, this idea is not good." Fan Debiao interrupted him. "First, it's illegal. Second, we don't have the same connections at the police station as Lao Qian. Third, if we really do those things, who will come to our place? The people who come here are all respectable people. If you do something shady, it's easy to backfire."

Wu Derong was momentarily speechless, then said sullenly, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Let's do things the right way and provide good service," Fan Debiao said. "The children's area will be ready next week, and we're sure to bring more children then. We'll also organize some parent-child activities and offer discounts on family meals. Old Qian is resorting to crooked methods, but we'll do business honestly and fairly."

Wu Derong thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

After finishing the business, Wu Derong leaned back in his boss's chair and exhaled a smoke ring: "Debiao, you said yesterday you had a business deal that needed funding. What kind of deal is it? You're being so secretive."

Fan Debiao chuckled: "President Wu, we can't say now, or it won't work. Wait until the end of June, and I'll show you a good show."

"Okay, I'll wait." Wu Derong didn't ask any further questions and changed the subject, "By the way, the restaurant business is doing alright right now, do you have any ideas?"

"Yes." Fan Debiao leaned forward. "Many of our clients are large organizations. I think we should cultivate good relationships with their office directors and personal drivers. These people may seem insignificant at first glance, but they're the ones who decide where the leaders eat and where they go for entertainment."

"you mean?"

"Give them something practical," Fan Debiao said. "Send them some prepaid cards. Also, get some cigarettes and alcohol as gifts, and I'll deliver them personally. It's not much money, but it shows goodwill. Next time the leaders want to treat us, just one word from them, and they'll come over here, right?"

Wu Derong nodded and said, "That's a good idea! Go find Awei, compile the customer information, and send the most important ones."

"clear."

Fan Debiao stood up to leave, but Wu Derong stopped him: "There's something else. Your niece... is she still living on the fifth floor?"

"Ah, I'll let her move back today."

"It's good to move back." Wu Derong flicked his cigarette ash. "It's not right for a young girl to always stay in a hotel. But Debiao, your niece is studying accounting, right? After she finishes her studies, she can come here for an internship."

Fan Debiao's heart tightened, but he forced a smile: "Mr. Wu, the child is still young, I want her to find a respectable job..."

"Aren't we being serious here?" Wu Derong said with a half-smile.

"No, no, I mean... banks and government agencies are more reliable," Fan Debiao quickly said.

Wu Derong waved his hand: "Are you stupid? You think you can get into that place without a degree? Forget it, whatever. Go ahead."

Stepping out of the office, Fan Debiao breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Derong was still thinking about Ma Xiaocui.

He went directly to the front desk to find Awei.

"Compile a list of customer information, focusing on the mobile phone numbers of the office manager and the driver."

Awei asked, "Brother Biao, what are you going to do?"

"Gifts," Fan Debiao said. "Prepare twenty gifts, a mix of cigarettes, alcohol, and tea."

"Understood," Awei said. "By the way, Brother Biao, is Xiaocui's room still available?"

"I'm canceling the contract and moving out today," Fan Debiao said. "Let's settle the accounts and deduct it from my salary."

"it is good."

At noon, Fan Debiao went to pick up Ma Xiaocui from the vocational training class. Upon seeing Fan Debiao, she quickly put away her clothes, saying, "Uncle, what brings you here?"

"I'll take you home," Fan Debiao said. "Everything's settled, you don't need to stay in a hotel anymore."

Ma Xiaocui's eyes lit up: "Really? Then Yu Decai..."

"The money's been returned, and the engagement's called off," Fan Debiao said. "Your dad's cleaning toilets in Victoria now; he doesn't have time to pressure you into marriage."

Ma Xiaocui chuckled: "Uncle, this is the first time in so many years that you've been reliable."

"Let's go, Yufen has made chicken stew."

Back at the small house, Yu Fen was busy at the stove, while Ma Dashuai was squatting at the door peeling garlic.

"Xiao Cui is back?" Ma Dashuai was a little embarrassed when he saw his daughter. "Um... Dad was wrong."

Ma Xiaocui's eyes reddened: "Dad..."

"Alright, alright, come inside and eat," Fan Debiao said, trying to smooth things over. "Yufen, is the chicken stew ready?"

"Alright, alright, we've been waiting for you." Yu Fen brought a large bowl of chicken to the table. "Xiao Cui, please sit down."

The four men sat down around the table. Ma Dashuai poured wine for Fan Debiao, but his hand trembled slightly, and he spilled a little.

"Look at you, so pathetic." Fan Debiao took the bottle and filled it himself. "Come on, let's celebrate Xiao Cui's freedom! Cheers!"

"Dry!"

Halfway through the meal, Fan Debiao suddenly said, "Brother-in-law, Yufen, I have something to say. I don't mean to tell you to leave, but now that Xiaocui is back, it's not convenient for four people to live in my little house. How about this, the three of you stay here, and I'll go to Victoria Hostel!"

Yu Fen immediately said, "De Biao, that won't do! This is your house. It's already kind of you to let us stay here, how can you let us live in the dormitory! If anyone's leaving, it should be us!"

Ma Dashuai tugged at Yu Fen's sleeve under the table, trying to stop her from continuing.

Fan Debiao chuckled, "I'm a bachelor, I can stay anywhere. You three are unfamiliar with the area and it will be difficult for you to find a place to live. Just stay here for a while. I'll stay in the dormitory for a while and find a place to live when I have more money."

General Ma stood up, raised his glass, and said, "De Biao, how can I possibly thank you for this?"

"No need for thanks, we're really relatives!" Fan Debiao laughed. "You two should hurry up and get your marriage certificate so you can be together legitimately. If Niu Er dares to harass Yu Fen again, that's harassment of a married woman, call the police and take care of him!"

After finishing her meal, Ma Xiaocui came to Fan Debiao's side and whispered, "Uncle, I ran into someone in Victoria yesterday?"

Who is it?

"His name is Gangzi, he wears a leather jacket, he's pretty cool," Ma Xiaocui said. "At the KTV, he can take on four people by himself, he's really something."

Fan Debiao's heart skipped a beat. Despite all his precautions, the girl still saw it.

"What steel, what basin!" Fan Debiao said seriously, "Stay away from that person. Your task now is to study, understand? After you finish studying there, your uncle will find you a good job. We can talk about any ideas after you get a job."

"Why? Isn't he your subordinate?"

"What kind of subordinate?" Fan Debiao said. "He's a gangster. You're just a young girl; you shouldn't have much contact with him."

Ma Xiaocui nodded: "Understood."

"Go to sleep, you have school tomorrow."