Chapter 64: Unexpected Alliances

The Train Station Plaza buzzed with activity as Xu Chen and Li Rui sat on the stone steps.

Li Rui stayed silent, his head barely lifted.

Half-joking, Xu Chen said,

“It really depends on you.

But my dad’s offering a salary that’ll beat what you make now, plus room and board included.”

Li Rui’s lips twitched.

“Chen… that’s not what I meant.”

Xu Chen grinned, handed him his father Xu Zhiquan’s business card, and patted his shoulder.

“Call me Brother Chen, and you’re family to me.

You stepped up for me—I truly want to thank you.

But that’s all I can do for you…

Going is your choice. I’m just giving you another option.”

Li Rui clutched the card, hesitated, then spoke.

“Brother Chen, I’m afraid… I’ll mess up.”

Xu Chen laughed,

“You’ve got talent. Driving a taxi sells you short.

Remember saving Xie Bingran at the department store? And later at the police station…

You stay calm under pressure and schmooze people—just a few smokes and words and you’ve got the teachers eating out of your hand.

Only drawback: you sometimes look fierce. Strangers get intimidated.”

Li Rui lowered his head, smiling sheepishly.

“Brother Chen, thanks for seeing me that way.”

Xu Chen continued,

“My dad could use someone like you.

Most importantly, Xie Bingran trusts you as a brother, and you call me Brother Chen…

I trust you.”

In the fading night, Li Rui held the card in silence.

…

…

Night had fully fallen.

After leaving the station, Xu Chen didn’t hurry back to school. He wandered into a lively alley.

The arcade’s noise spilled into the street.

Scanning the room, Xu Chen spotted a long-haired boy at a corner machine.

It was his cousin, Xu Xiaoyang, Third Uncle’s son.

He was in middle school nearby and spent almost every day at the arcade—Third Uncle never stopped him.

Come to think of it, Third Uncle’s entry into the Mechanical Factory owed a lot to Xiaoyang’s tip last time.

Xu Chen exchanged twenty tokens, then stepped inside.

Feigning surprise, he said,

“Xiaoyang… fancy seeing you here.”

Xu Xiaoyang turned, smiled, and teased,

“Well, if it isn’t Xu Chen. Good student in an arcade—what’s up?”

Xu Chen gave an awkward grin and sat at the next machine.

Xiaoyang’s grin went smug as he said,

“Heard your dad went back to farming?

No more factory work?”

Xu Chen: “Don’t remind me… dad lost that last factory order and had to shut down.

He has no other skills, so he returned to the fields. My allowance’s even smaller now!”

Xiaoyang snorted,

“I’ve got a secret: that order your dad lost? My dad picked it up!”

Xu Chen feigned shock: “Really?!”

Xiaoyang: “Tides turn, right? Your family was crushing ours before—your dad was so arrogant…”

Xu Chen put on a forlorn look and stayed silent.

Xiaoyang crowed,

“If you don’t get into college, you could work at my dad’s factory!

Way better than farming with your dad.

We’re family—happy to help!”

His boastful pride was plain.

Xu Chen stifled a laugh and said,

“I’ll thank you in advance, Xiaoyang…”

Xiaoyang snorted again:

“Cousins on both my dad’s side and Aunt’s side are working there too!

Don’t know why Fourth Uncle still toils in the fields with your dad…”

Xu Chen gave a polite, awkward smile.

He wasn’t surprised by Eldest Uncle and Aunt’s choices—none of them had real skills.

Still, Third Uncle’s wages probably couldn’t match what Xu Zhiquan used to pay them.

Xiaoyang patted Xu Chen’s shoulder, sighed, and said,

“Every family has its worries. My dad’s biggest now is expanding the factory!

He’s got cash to burn, hunting for space, equipment, and workers.

He’s nearly tearing his hair out…”

His tone was full of bragging.

Xu Chen lowered his head and said,

“My dad’s old plant failed. He’s planning to mortgage the land and machines to the bank…”

Xiaoyang’s eyes lit up as he said,

“Why didn’t you say so? I’ll tell my dad to buy it!

He’s been worrying about that!

Why didn’t he think to snap up your equipment and plant?”

Xu Chen smiled inwardly and thought, Just because your dad didn’t think of it, I had to remind him!

He said aloud,

“I’m just mentioning it—don’t know if my dad will sell. Maybe he’s already mortgaged it…”

Xiaoyang:

“He’ll sell. The place is useless if it’s not running.

I’ll talk to my dad for a good price!

We’re family, can’t let you lose out!”

At fourteen or fifteen, Xiaoyang acted like a chairman-in-waiting.

Xu Chen just smiled.

Mission accomplished—information delivered. He turned back to his game.

He knew the market for his dad’s plant and machines was weak; that’s why Xu Zhiquan wanted a bank loan.

And Third Uncle happened to need exactly that equipment now.

Father needed funds; Third Uncle needed assets—a true win-win.

They hadn’t closed the deal earlier likely because of old grudges between them.

Neither side had brought it up in their awkward standoff.

All this deal needed was a nudge.

Xu Chen had provided it perfectly through Xiaoyang’s reminder.

Whether he buys or not is Third Uncle’s business, but the need was on the table…

Xiaoyang looked pleased, slung his backpack, and prepared to leave, then said,

“Listen, Xu Chen—if you don’t get into college, join my dad’s factory.

Stop farming with your dad!

Or just be my driver. You’re tall—perfect for school runs!”

Xu Chen offered a polite, practiced smile.

He just smiled and stayed silent.

What else could he say?

Guess I’ll just wish him luck!

…

After a few rounds of Street Fighter, he grew bored.

He was past the age to get lost in such games.

In elementary and middle school, he’d been hooked too.

Sure enough, every age has its joys—once it passes, tastes change.