Chapter 73 Cooperating with the Police

"One last thing," Fang Che raised his voice, "From today onwards, 'Northeast Tiger Barbecue' officially establishes the 'Portland Street Community Mutual Aid Fund.' Ten percent of the monthly profits will be invested in the fund for school operations, emergency relief for neighbors, and community maintenance. The accounts will be transparent and subject to oversight by all neighbors."

Cheng Tieniu was stunned: "Che, ten percent? Does that mean we're still not making any money?"

"Make money," Fang Che said decisively. "But make money with a clear conscience. Brother Tie Niu, we've put down roots in Portland Street, and the neighbors are our roots. The deeper the roots, the taller the tree. Why did Section Chief Zhang leave today? It wasn't because Granny Lin was so powerful, but because the entire Portland Street was on our side!"

He looked at everyone and said, “Jiang Tianqi is rich and powerful, but he doesn’t understand this principle. He thinks that he can ruin us by getting rid of the paperwork, but he’s wrong. As long as the neighbors support us, the paperwork can be completed, the school can be opened, and the business can be done. This is our greatest asset.”

After he finished speaking, the backyard was quiet for a moment.

He Shirong was the first to applaud: "Brother Fang, you're amazing. My grandfather always said that doing business is all about winning people's hearts in the end. You've only been doing this for a few months, but you've already figured it out better than I have."

Xi Rong's eyes reddened: "Brother Che, I'll work for you!"

"Me too!" Cheng Tieniu patted his chest.

The children shouted in unison, "Brother Che, we'll all follow you!"

Fang Che smiled.

In his previous life in Northeast China, he struggled alone, always feeling that something was missing.

Now I understand.

The group that is missing is this one.

These silly kids who treat him like family and Portland Street like home.

"Alright!" Fang Che waved his hand. "Then let's get started! Let Jiang Tianqi see that the tiger cubs of Portland Street are not to be trifled with!"

The plan is progressing more smoothly than expected.

On the first day of the "Homework Tutoring Corner" opening, seven or eight children came.

Xi Rong and A Ming were in charge of tutoring, while Cheng Tie Niu roasted some sweet potatoes and corn in the kitchen as snacks, which were provided free of charge.

The neighbors initially watched and observed, but later, seeing that the child could actually do his homework quietly and even have snacks to eat, they gradually started bringing him over.

By the third day, the tutoring corner was already full, so Fang Che had to use the branch's main lobby in the afternoon.

That afternoon, Fang Che was helping a child solve a math problem when the shop door was pushed open.

Lu Che walked in.

He was wearing a light gray casual outfit today and carrying a paper bag.

Seeing the lobby filled with children doing their homework, he paused, then smiled.

"Mr. Fang, your business is quite unique."

Fang Che looked up, somewhat surprised: "Mr. Lu? What brings you here?"

"I was just passing by and heard your place was bustling, so I came to check it out." Lu Che placed the paper bag on the counter. "I brought some stationery for the kids."

Xi Rong ran over and opened it to find a whole box of pencils, erasers, and notebooks inside.

"Thank you, Mr. Lu!" Xi Rong's eyes lit up.

Lu Che waved his hand and walked to Fang Che's side: "Are these all kids from Portland Street?"

“Yes.” Fang Che nodded. “The neighbors are busy during the day, and there’s no one to look after their children after school, so they send them here. We help them look after them and help with their homework.”

"Free?"

"free."

Lu Che was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Fang Che, do you know how much money the government allocates for this kind of community service every year in Hong Kong? Can you handle it all by yourself?"

Fang Che smiled: "We have to bear it even if we can't. If I don't help these kids, no one else will."

Lu Che looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

After a while, he said, "Mr. Fang, may I have a word with you in private?"

The two walked to the backyard.

The evening breeze carried the aroma of barbecue.

Lu Che lit a cigarette, but didn't smoke it; he just watched the ash slowly grow longer.

"Fang Che, let me be frank," he said. "I still want to invest in 'Longhu Hui's' shares. But this time, I want to do it in a different way."

Fang Che asked warily, "In what way?"

“I won’t invest money, I’ll invest resources.” Lu Che turned to look at him. “Education, healthcare, community services… I have connections in these areas. If your school wants to operate long-term, just having the license isn’t enough; you need qualified teachers, teaching materials, and even school buildings. I can help you with those.”

Fang Che quickly made a mental calculation.

"What are the conditions?"

“Smart.” Lu Che smiled. “The conditions are simple. First, the school’s operations must be transparent, with public accounts and regular audits by my people. Second, I need five percent of the shares in ‘Dragon Tiger Club,’ not for management, but only for profit sharing. Third…”

He paused, then lowered his voice: "I need you to keep an eye on things happening on Portland Street. Especially... the connections between the Tung Sing Society and Thailand."

Fang Che's heart sank.

really.

Lu Che wanted to use him as an informant.

“Mr. Lu, I’m a businessman and don’t want to get involved…”

“You’ve already gotten involved,” Lu Che interrupted him. “Fang Che, Jiang Tianqi has his eye on you. Do you think you can escape? Li Ruoxue has teamed up with him, and you’re their next target. Without police protection, how long can you hold out?”

He spoke bluntly, and Fang Che couldn't refute him.

“With me, you’ll have three layers of protection,” Lu Che continued. “First, the police will focus on Portland Street, so Jiang Tianqi won’t dare to openly target you. Second, the education system’s resources will be in place, and the schools will be formalized, so Li Ruoxue will have no excuse anymore. Third, with my shares in ‘Dragon Tiger Club,’ it’s like having half an official endorsement, making business much easier.”

Fang Che remained silent.

Every point Lu Che made hit him where it hurt.

Why did you choose me?

“Because I have faith in you.” Lu Che said earnestly, “Fang Che, you are unlike any other person with a triad background I’ve ever met. You have principles, you have brains, and most importantly… you genuinely care about these kids. People like that are rare in Hong Kong.”

He stubbed out his cigarette: "I'm not pressuring you. I'll give you three days to think it over. Once you've made up your mind, make this call."

Lu Che handed over the business card and turned to leave.

Fang Che stood in the backyard, holding a business card in his hand, his mind in turmoil.

Cooperate with the police?

What will Brother Li think if he finds out?

If he doesn't cooperate, can he withstand the next attack from Jiang Tianqi and Li Ruoxue?

"Brother Che," Xi Rong said softly as she approached, "That Mr. Lu from earlier... was he a policeman?"

Fang Che was slightly taken aback: "How did you know?"

“I’ve seen him before.” Sai Yung lowered her voice. “He was with Zhou Wenxuan at the dock last month. I was hiding behind a cargo container and heard Zhou Wenxuan call him ‘Inspector Lu.’”

Fang Che was shocked.

Lu Che's rank was higher than he had imagined.

“Brother Che, I think…” Xi Rong hesitated before saying, “Mr. Lu might genuinely want to help you. Not all police officers are bad people; didn’t Zhou Wenxuan help us last time?”

Fang Che looked at her and said, "Xi Rong, aren't you afraid of getting involved with the police and making it harder for you to get along in the underworld?"

"I'm scared," Xi Rong nodded. "But I'm even more afraid that the school will be closed and the children will have no books to read. Brother Che, what we're doing now is a good thing, so why are the police arresting us?"

She spoke simply, but it made Fang Che understand some things.

yes.

He runs a barbecue restaurant, a school, and an express delivery business; which one of them isn't a legitimate business?

Why should someone be labeled as a gangster just because they are close to Brother Li?

"Xi Rong," Fang Che rubbed her head, "you're right. We've done nothing wrong, what's there to be afraid of?"

He gripped the business card tightly.

He accepted the collaboration.

But not for self-preservation.

It is to ensure that the school can continue to operate with dignity, that children can have access to education, and that the residents of Portland Street can live a better life.

As for Brother Li...

He will explain in person when Brother Li returns from Thailand.