Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

The news that Chen Batian had lost face at the Gao family compound spread throughout the Kaiyuan martial arts world the very next day.

Some say Fan Debiao and two men subdued Chen Batian, others say Gangzi held a knife to Chen Batian's neck—the stories got increasingly outlandish. Eventually, it became Fan Debiao single-handedly taking down all five of Chen Batian's brothers—this was practically straight out of a martial arts novel.

Fan Debiao laughed when he heard this: "That's bullshit! I scared him with a flurry of eagle claws that day."

But the only thing that is certain is that Fan Debiao and Chen Batian have taken on the feud.

Despite the laughter, he had to be extra careful. He told Gangzi to bring a few more brothers to guard the company these days, and he also told Liu Tiezhu not to go home at night at the training center, but to take a few strong trainees on night duty.

On the morning of the third day, Awei rushed in with a newspaper in her hand: "Brother Biao, look at this."

On page three of the Kaiyuan Evening News, a short article with an eye-catching title, "Private Training Centers' Qualifications Questionable: Who Will Protect the Rights of Laid-off Workers?", did not name names, but anyone with a discerning eye knew who it was talking about—something about "a telecommunications company boss using training as a pretext for profiteering," and "unclear teaching qualifications and worrying teaching quality." It was written with great righteous indignation.

"Who wrote it?" Fan Debiao asked.

"I called the newspaper and it's a pseudonym," Avi said. "But from what I heard... someone paid me to publish it."

"Who else could it be?" Fan Debiao threw the newspaper on the table. "Northern Communications is too strong. They can't beat them head-on, so they've started using underhanded tactics."

He thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and called one of Victoria's clients. Back when Victoria launched its membership card service, Fan Debiao had given this guy a gift. Now the guy was doing well and had become the deputy editor-in-chief.

"Old Zhao, this is Fan Debiao. I saw your article today; it was quite a lively piece."

Old Zhao laughed on the other end of the line: "Biaozi, don't blame me for this. It's a job GG took, I can't stop them from making money, can I?"

"I don't blame you," Fan Debiao said. "I just want to ask, would you like a sequel?"

"What sequel?"

"The re-employment training for laid-off workers is heartwarming, and the trainees are studying hard to change their destiny," said Fan Debiao. "I have real stories and photos here. If you send a reporter to interview me, I will cover their travel expenses."

Old Zhao hesitated for a few seconds: "This... is indeed positive. Okay, I'll have a reporter go there tomorrow."

The next day, the lower half of the front page of the Kaiyuan Evening News featured a report titled "Skills Training Lights Up New Hope for Laid-off Workers." It was accompanied by a large photograph—in a training center, fifty trainees were either attentively listening to lectures, practicing pole climbing, or studying circuit boards. The photograph was well-taken, the lighting was excellent, and each person's face radiated anticipation for the future.

The article was written with great emotion, portraying Fan Debiao as a "compassionate and righteous entrepreneur" and the training center as a "warm home for laid-off workers." The newspaper's hotline was inundated with calls that day, all asking how to register.

Awei laughed while holding the newspaper: "Brother Biao, our training center is famous now."

Fan Debiao couldn't laugh. He stared at Gao Qiang's short article in the newspaper, knowing full well that this matter was far from over.

Sure enough, Brother Liu called Gangzi's cell phone that afternoon.

Brother Liu, yes, that Brother Liu, the one who yelled at Lao Qian at the phone store last time, the same Brother Liu who asked Ah Hao in the original show how deep the water was there.

Brother Liu is a veteran figure in the Kaiyuan underworld, with a deep background and immense power. He's now retired from the criminal world and owns several logistics companies. He controls all the logistics routes in Kaiyuan, and both the legitimate and criminal worlds give him face. Gangzi followed him for a while when he was younger; he was essentially trained by him.

"Gangzi, this is Brother Liu." The voice on the other end was deep and resonant. "I've heard what's been circulating in the underworld. Chen Batian is going to make a move against you?"

Gangzi glanced at Fan Debiao and pressed the speakerphone button: "Brother Liu, here's what happened..."

He recounted the whole story. Brother Liu listened quietly on the other end of the phone, then sighed, "Gangzi, how many years have you been with me? From when you were seventeen or eighteen, picking up odd jobs at the train station, to now making a name for yourself as 'Gangzi of Fourth Road,' I've watched you grow up."

"Yes, Brother Liu," Gangzi replied respectfully.

"Is this a good reputation?" Brother Liu said. "What can you achieve in the end if you're in the underworld? You've gotten on the right path with Fan Debiao now, which is a good thing. If someone blocks your way, I can't just ignore it."

Gangzi's heart warmed: "Brother Liu..."

"Okay," Brother Liu said, "Tomorrow night, at Victoria, I'm hosting a banquet. You invite Fan Debiao, and I'll invite Chen Batian and Gao Qiang. Let's talk things out face to face."

After hanging up the phone, Gangzi looked at Fan Debiao.

Fan Debiao lit a cigarette: "Gangzi, Brother Liu treats you with just two words—practice makes perfect."

The next evening at 6 PM, in Victoria's largest private room.

When Fan Debiao and Gangzi arrived, Brother Liu was already there. The man, in his fifties, was wearing a traditional Chinese jacket with a front opening, and was holding two walnuts in his hands. He sat down in the main seat, exuding an air of authority without being angry.

"Brother Liu." Fan Debiao stepped forward and shook hands.

Brother Liu shook hands with him, looked him up and down, and said, "Fan Debiao, not bad, you're doing a good job now. Sit down."

At 6:30, Chen Batian arrived with Gao Meng. Upon entering and seeing Brother Liu, Chen Batian's domineering aura immediately vanished, and he even bent over three degrees: "Brother Liu, you're in good health."

"Sit down." Brother Liu didn't even lift his eyelids.

Finally, Gao Qiang, the boss of Northern Communications, arrived. His once smug face was gone. Upon entering and seeing the scene, his expression stiffened, and he obediently sat down next to Chen Batian.

Brother Liu sneered, "Boss Gao, you're late. Do you drive a Mazda?"

The group looked at each other, unsure of what to say, and could only awkwardly force a smile.

Once everyone was present, the waiter began serving the dishes. Brother Liu remained silent, and no one dared to touch their chopsticks. The table was laden with delicacies, steaming hot, yet no one reached for them.

Brother Liu slowly rubbed the walnuts together, and only spoke after all the dishes were served: "I invited everyone here today for no other reason than to have a meal and chat."

He picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of fish: "Let's eat."

They started eating, but the atmosphere was so tense it was almost oppressive. Gao Qiang could barely hold his chopsticks; he dropped a peanut three times.

After a few rounds of drinks, Brother Liu wiped his mouth and put down his chopsticks. Everyone at the table stopped eating.

"I've heard about it," Brother Liu said slowly. "In engineering bidding, it's all about merit. De Biao won the bid; that's his ability."

He looked at Gao Qiang: "You hired someone to write articles, and you got Chen Batian to intervene. These methods... are underhanded."

Gao Qiang's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Brother Liu, I..."

"Let me finish," Brother Liu waved his hand. "Since we're all sitting here today, I'll just ask you one question: what do you want to do about this?"

Gao Qiang gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Liu, this project... Northern Communications has also invested a lot in it. How about this, Debiao will still do the project, but we'll subcontract twenty base stations to them."

Fan Debiao put down his wine glass: "Boss Gao, I won this project through my own abilities. I can't even get a single base station. If you take the project from me, how am I supposed to face anyone after this? How am I supposed to live with myself?"

Gao Qiang's face was grim.

Brother Liu looked at this and that, then smiled and said, "How about this? Since Debiao won this project through his own abilities, let Debiao do it."

He paused, then continued, "But Debiao, don't let this brother work for nothing, participate in the bidding for nothing. Give Boss Gao 30,000 yuan to cover the bid document fees and travel expenses. That's all I have to say—"

Brother Liu looked around: "Who's in favor? Who's opposed?"

Gao Qiang jumped to his feet: "I object! Thirty thousand yuan? That's like giving money to beggars!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Batian slapped him hard across the face, sending Gao Qiang spinning halfway around.

"You object?" Chen Batian pointed at Gao Qiang's nose. "You object to Brother Liu's idea? Who do you think you are! Daring to object to Brother Liu?"

He then turned to Brother Liu, bending at a ninety-degree angle: "Brother Liu, the men below are ignorant, please don't take offense..."

Brother Liu waved his hand: "Forget it, looks like I'm getting old, my words don't carry any weight anymore."

Chen Batian's face turned ashen, and he slapped Gao Qiang twice more across the face, drawing blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Brother Liu, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Chen Batian bowed repeatedly. "Gao Qiang was ignorant; I apologize on his behalf!"

Gao Qiang covered his face, not daring to speak again.

Brother Liu then looked at Fan Debiao: "Debiao, let's do it this way. Thirty thousand yuan, and we'll settle this matter."

Fan Debiao picked up his glass: "Okay! Let's do as Brother Liu says!"

He downed the money in one gulp, pulled out an envelope he had prepared beforehand, and pushed it in front of Gao Qiang: "Boss Gao, here's thirty thousand. This matter ends here."

Gao Qiang looked at the envelope, his face turning red and then white, before finally gritting his teeth and accepting it.

As the dinner party ended, Brother Liu patted Fan Debiao on the shoulder: "Debiao, do a good job. The underworld isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social skills. I'm doing you this favor today because of Gangzi, and also because I see you as a capable person."

"Thank you, Brother Liu," Fan Debiao said sincerely.

As he stepped out of Victoria, a night breeze blew, and Fan Debiao let out a long sigh.

Gangzi said, "Brother Biao, things should quiet down now."

"Calm down?" Fan Debiao lit a cigarette. "Gao Qiang lost face so badly today, do you think he'll let it go? Chen Batian got scolded by Brother Liu in front of so many people, do you think he won't hold a grudge?"

He exhaled a puff of smoke: "But at least on the surface, they don't dare to make a move. As for the rest... let's just take it one step at a time. By the way, how should we thank you, Brother Liu? You can decide. If you need money, contact the finance department; if you need it via mobile phone, you can go directly to the store to collect it!"

My phone rang. It was Director Zhao.

"Mr. Fan, the public announcement period is over. The bidding office just issued a notice that the winning bid is officially in effect. Come and sign the contract tomorrow."

Fan Debiao hung up the phone and threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out.

A contract worth 1.98 million for 50 base stations.

Finally, we can hold our rice bowl in Kaiyuan securely.