Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

For over a month now, Dexing Communications' business is still as hot as a freshly steamed sticky rice dumpling.

Every day, as soon as the store opens, customers flood in. TCL and Amoi machines have become incredibly popular in Kaiyuan. The rural outlets are also urging for orders, and Liu Qiang and Wang Fang have to make two trips a day to the towns and villages.

On the magnificent third floor, Old Qian watched the bustling activity at Dexing Communications across the street, and felt like he was being scratched by a cat.

"Mr. Qian, did we mess up this plan?" Planner Zhou pushed up his glasses, this time not daring to make any promises.

Old Qian glanced at him sideways: "What kind of mischief are you plotting now?"

"I'm thinking, is it a bit like using a cannon to kill a mosquito if we're going to go after Fan Debiao like this?" Zhou, the planner, leaned forward. "Think about it, Fan Debiao is just a mobile phone seller, he has nothing to do with our karaoke bar. The real rivals are Victoria and Wu Derong."

Old Qian took a puff of his cigarette: "Continue."

"Why is Fan Debiao so powerful now? Isn't it because he has Wu Derong backing him up?" Zhou, the planner, analyzed with spittle flying. "Wu Derong pays him and endorses him, and Liu Ge's connections are top-notch. If we just take down Victoria, won't Fan Debiao be left without a mother?"

Old Qian squinted: "Bring down Victoria? You make it sound so easy."

"A direct confrontation is definitely out of the question," Zhou, the planner, said in a low voice. "But we can use their strength against them. Kaiyuan is a big place, and we're not the only ones who have a grudge against Wu Derong and Fan Debiao."

"Who?"

"Old Scar," Zhou, the planner, uttered.

Old Qian's hand trembled, and cigarette ash fell onto his crotch: "Are you fucking crazy? Don't you know perfectly well what Old Scar does?"

"You're very shrewd, that's why I said to use someone else's strength against them." Zhou's eyes gleamed. "Old Scar and Gangzi have a blood feud. Gangzi broke his own brother's leg back then, who in the underworld doesn't know that? Now Gangzi is doing very well with Fan Debiao, do you think Old Scar will swallow this insult?"

Old Qian fell silent and silently smoked.

"We don't need to get involved ourselves. We'll just get Old Scar to deal with Gangzi." Zhou, the planner, got more and more excited as he spoke. "Gangzi is Fan Debiao's right-hand man. If something happens to Gangzi, won't Fan Debiao be thrown into chaos? And if Fan Debiao is in chaos, will Wu Derong stay calm?"

"What does that have to do with Victoria?"

"It's a huge deal!" Zhou, the planner, slapped his thigh. "If Gangzi gets into trouble at Victoria, or if he gets into trouble because of Fan Debiao, can Wu Derong wash his hands of it? We'll fan the flames then, saying that Wu Derong condoned his subordinates' involvement in organized crime. Will Victoria still be able to stay in business then?"

Old Qian was silent for a long time: "Old Scar... he's involved in drugs. Getting involved with him is like getting into trouble."

"Oh dear, Mr. Qian!" Planner Zhou stamped his feet anxiously. "At this critical juncture, what are you thinking about? Let's take down our rivals first! Once Victoria goes under and Dexing Communications collapses, our Jinbihuihuang will be the only dominant force. Then, who in the underworld or the legitimate world won't give us face?"

Old Qian stared out the window, where Victoria's neon lights flickered in the night.

He recalled how Victoria had poached three of his major clients last month. He remembered Wu Derong's sly, cunning demeanor at the dinner table. He remembered how Fan Debiao had become a big shot in the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the Tax Bureau.

"Old Scar...can we do what we want?" Old Qian asked.

"Money makes the world go round," Zhou the planner said. "Old Scar is a bit short on cash lately. Let's give him some money and give him a little push, and it'll work."

Old Qian stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and started grinding the millstone around the room.

He circled around three times, then stopped: "Contact Old Scar; I'll treat him to drinks."

"All done!"

At Dexing Communications, Fan Debiao was chatting with Gangzi about the township network.

"Brother Biao, Sun Laoliu from Dayushu Town ordered twenty TCL phones this month, all in cash," Gangzi said. "I always feel something's off about it. His shop is lucky if they can sell even one a day."

Fan Debiao lit a cigarette: "Has the payment been settled?"

"It's settled, in cash."

"Then give it to him," Fan Debiao said. "But keep a close eye on him. If he dares to smuggle the goods to other places, cut off the supply immediately."

"Understood." Gangzi paused for a moment, "Brother Biao, there's something else... My brother's been hanging out at the arcade a lot lately, and he won't listen to any of my advice."

Fan Debiao glanced at him: "How old is your brother?"

"Nineteen, he dropped out of school and became an apprentice at a car repair shop," Gangzi sighed. "I told him to come help out at the shop, but he refused, saying it was too stifling."

"Don't go to arcades," Fan Debiao said. "You can find all sorts of people there."

"I know, but he won't listen to me," Gangzi said, scratching his head. "My parents passed away early, and he's my only younger brother..."

Fan Debiao patted him on the shoulder: "I'll talk to him when I have time. He's young and doesn't know any better; he needs someone to guide him."

"Thanks, Brother Biao."

Just then, Xiao Juan came in from outside: "President Fan, someone is looking for you."

Who is it?

"I don't know him, he said he's a friend of your friend."

Fan Debiao glanced outside and saw a man in his thirties standing at the door, wearing a leather jacket. He looked unfamiliar.

"Let him in."

The man came in and offered a cigarette: "Boss Fan, I've heard so much about you. My surname is Zhao, I deal in mobile phones in Shenyang."

Fan Debiao took the cigarette but didn't light it: "Boss Zhao, what can I do for you?"

"I heard your TCL and Amoi brands are selling like hotcakes, so I'd like to try and squeeze some stock out of you." Boss Zhao chuckled. "Price is negotiable, even a little higher than the market price is fine."

Fan Debiao sized him up: "Which part of Shenyang does Boss Zhao work in?"

"There's a stall on Sanhao Street," said Mr. Zhao. "It mainly does wholesale, selling goods to surrounding counties and cities."

"I know Sanhao Street well," Fan Debiao laughed. "Wang Laowu's stall is right there, do you know Boss Zhao?"

Boss Zhao was taken aback: "I know him...I know him, Lao Wu is my buddy."

"What a coincidence, I'm also familiar with Lao Wu." Fan Debiao took out his phone. "I'll give him a call and ask how things are going over there."

Boss Zhao's face changed: "Boss Fan, this...this isn't necessary, is it? I just wanted to cut back on some stock..."

"We have plenty of goods, but we have to follow the rules." Fan Debiao stared at him. "You're Lao Wu's friend, so you have to follow the rules even more. Our goods aren't sold outside the city; we have a fixed contract with the manufacturer."

Boss Zhao gave an awkward smile: "Well... I'll think about it some more."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Gangzi watched the man's retreating figure: "Brother Biao, something's off about this guy?"

"Nine times out of ten, it was Lao Qian who sent him to scout things out." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "He wants to see if we'll sell our products outside the authorized distributorship. If we do, he can report us to the manufacturer and get our distributorship revoked."

"That old Qian, he's never going to stop."

"Let him show off." Fan Debiao exhaled a puff of smoke. "By the way, which arcade does your brother hang out at?"

"That 'Happy Hour' on the street corner."

"Let's go for a walk tonight."

Around 9 p.m., Fan Debiao and Gangzi strolled over to the "Happy Time" arcade.

It was smoky and noisy inside, with a bunch of young people playing games. There was a slot machine at the very back, surrounded by a large crowd.

Gangzi spotted his brother immediately—a tall, thin guy with dyed yellow hair, arguing and making a scene with a few people at the slot machine.

"Gangdan!" Gangzi shouted.

The kid turned around, saw Gangzi, his face turned pale, and he turned to run away.

"You stand right there!" Gangzi grabbed him.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Gangdan struggled twice but couldn't break free.

"What am I doing? I'm asking you what I'm doing!" Gangzi glared. "Are you skipping work to loaf around here?"

"I'm off work, why don't you come over and hang out?"

"Play games? This is a place to play games?" Gangzi pointed at the slot machines. "If you get involved with this stuff, you'll lose your underwear, you know that?"

A few young men gathered around: "Hey, who are you? Why are you meddling?"

Gangzi turned to look at them: "I'm his brother, so what?"

"What's wrong with his brother? He owes us money, are you going to pay it for him?" said a kid with a blue dragon tattoo on his arm.

Fan Debiao walked over: "How much do you owe?"

"Five hundred." The tattooed young man sized up Fan Debiao. "Who are you to him?"

"I'm his boss." Fan Debiao took out his wallet, counted out five hundred yuan, and said, "I'll pay his debts for him. From now on, he won't come here anymore, okay?"

The tattooed guy took the money and chuckled, "Great, boss's generous."

Steel Egg hung its head and dared not utter a sound.

Fan Debiao patted him on the shoulder: "Let's go, I'll take you home."

As Gangzi left the arcade, he was panting with anger: "You damn bastard! You've even learned to gamble now?"

"I'll give it a try..." Steel Egg muttered softly.

"Try it? Can you even try this thing?" Gangzi raised his hand to slap it, but Fan Debiao stopped him.

"Gangdan, listen to your brother, you can't come here," Fan Debiao said. "If you want to earn more money, come help out at my shop. I'll pay you 800 a month, which is better than being an apprentice."

Steel Egg's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Really, but you have to work hard and not slack off."

"I'll do it! I'll definitely do a good job!"

Gangzi wanted to say something, but Fan Debiao waved his hand: "Alright, let him try. It's better than him hanging out in the arcade."

After taking Gangdan home, Gangzi and Fan Debiao walked back together.

"Thanks, Brother Biao," Gangzi said. "If my brother doesn't live up to my expectations, I don't know how I'll explain it to my parents."

"They're young, they need a chance." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "By the way, do you know those guys from the arcade earlier?"

"I don't recognize him, he's a complete stranger."

"Be careful," Fan Debiao said. "Old Qian is up to no good; don't let anyone take advantage of us."

"clear."

On the magnificent third floor, Old Qian was drinking with a bald, fat man.

The fat man was in his forties, with a scar on his head that ran diagonally from his forehead to his ear; it looked quite unsettling. That was his old scar.

"Brother Scar, you keep an eye on this..." Old Qian poured Old Scar a full glass of wine.

Old Scar picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp: "Mr. Qian, I've wanted to teach Gangzi a lesson for a long time. He broke my brother's leg back then, and I still remember that grudge."

"Then why haven't you made a move yet?"

"Gangzi is now with Fan Debiao, who has Wu Derong behind him and also has connections with Brother Liu." Old Scar lit a cigarette. "To take him down, we need to find a suitable opportunity."

Zhou, the planner, quickly chimed in, "Brother Scar, now's the perfect time. Fan Debiao's business has grown big, and many people are envious. If you take care of Gangzi now, no one will suspect you."

Old Scar gave him a sidelong glance: "Who are you?"

"My surname is Zhou, and I'm Mr. Qian's planner."

"Planning?" Old Scar chuckled. "So, it's about coming up with bad ideas, right?"

Yes, yes.

Old Scar took a drag on his cigarette: "Not a bad idea, but just dealing with Gangzi isn't enough to vent our anger."

"So you mean...?"

"Gangzi has a younger brother named Gangdan, who works as an apprentice at the auto repair shop." Old Scar squinted. "Treating the younger brother and making Gangzi angry is more painful than directly dealing with him."

Old Qian's heart skipped a beat: "Scarface, isn't this... a bit too much?"

"Pass?" Old Scar stared at him. "Mr. Qian, if you ask me for a favor, you have to follow my rules. Either I won't do it, or I'll do it cleanly."

Zhou, the planner, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Scarface is right! We need to make Gangzi suffer to the core!"

Old Scar looked at Old Qian: "Mr. Qian, what do you say?"

Old Qian gritted his teeth: "Alright, we'll do as Scarface says. Just tell me how much you need."

"Twenty thousand." Old Scar held up two fingers. "Another twenty thousand will be given after the job is done."

"make a deal."

A few days later, Gangdan officially started working at Dexing Communications, where he was responsible for warehouse inventory management.

The young man worked very hard, but he was a bit clumsy and broke a prototype on the first day.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" Gangdan was terrified, his face turning pale.

Xiaojuan quickly checked: "The screen is cracked. It will cost more than two hundred to repair."

Gangzi was so angry he wanted to punch him, but Fan Debiao stopped him: "Forget it, it's the first time. Be careful next time. The repair cost will be deducted from your salary."

Steel Egg bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Mr. Fan..."

In the afternoon, Fan Debiao called Gangzi to his office: "Your brother is in the shop, so you need to keep a close eye on him. Old Qian is up to no good, and I'm afraid they'll try to get something out of your brother."

Gangzi nodded: "I know, Brother Biao. I've already told him to go straight home after get off work and not wander around."

"And another thing," Fan Debiao pondered for a moment, "what exactly is the story behind your feud with Old Scar?"

Gangzi's face darkened: "Back then, his brother robbed my friend on Fourth Road. I happened to be there, and we got into a fight. I went a little too far and broke his leg. Old Scar threatened to cripple my leg, so I killed him too. That's how this feud started."

"Old Scar is a vengeful man," Fan Debiao said. "Now that you're working for me, he won't dare to do anything openly, but we have to be wary of his underhanded tactics."

"I see."