Chapter 75 Chen Bo's Accident
"It seems that Miss Li has been outmaneuvered by Fang Che. The guy she hired was robbed of his money, failed to complete the task, and is too scared to show his face again."
"Useless!" Jiang Tianqi cursed, loosening his tie in frustration. "Prepare the car, I'm going to see Li Ruoxue."
The atmosphere in Li Ruoxue's apartment was oppressive.
She sat on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine, her eyes cold.
"Jiang Tianqi, what did you say back then? You said that as long as we joined forces, we could kick Fang Che out of Portland Street. And now? His school is thriving, and he even wants to hold a neighborhood festival!"
Jiang Tianqi sneered: "Miss Li, I haven't even mentioned you yet. Hiring a kid to throw banana peels? You underestimate Fang Che. He may seem easy to bully, but he's actually very shrewd. If you mess with the people around him, he can retaliate with the power of the entire street."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
Jiang Tianqi walked to the window and looked at the traffic below: "If the hard approach doesn't work, we'll try the soft one. If the open approach doesn't work, we'll try the covert one. Fang Che wants to hold a neighborhood festival, right? Then let's make sure he... can't hold it."
He turned around, his smile chilling: "Next weekend, right? It's bound to be lively that day. With so many people, it's only natural that some 'accidents' might happen, isn't it?"
Li Ruoxue frowned: "You want to make a move at the neighborhood festival? That's too risky, with so many neighbors and district councilors..."
“That’s why we have to do it perfectly,” Jiang Tianqi said. “Don’t worry, I have a plan. In the end, Fang Che will not only lose his business, but he will also face a lawsuit.”
He paused, then looked at Li Ruoxue: "However, I need your cooperation."
How to cooperate?
“You will attend the neighborhood festival as Li Hanzhou’s sister,” Jiang Tianqi said. “In front of all the neighbors, you will show goodwill to Fang Che, and even… you can pretend to support the school. This will lower his guard.”
Li Ruoxue was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."
“Then it’s settled.” Jiang Tianqi stood up. “Miss Li, this is the last chance. If we fail again, our cooperation will end here.”
After he left, Li Ruoxue sat alone on the sofa and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.
Her distorted face was reflected in the windowpane.
Fang Che.
It's all because of you.
If it weren't for you, Brother Hanzhou would still be mine.
Portland Street is still mine.
You must disappear!
Portland Street was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations the day before Neighbourhood Day.
Colorful flags hung from one end of the street to the other, and stalls were set up in front of each shop, selling snacks, handicrafts, and secondhand books—a scene of bustling activity.
Fang Che was so busy he barely had time to breathe.
He had to oversee the preparations for the barbecue restaurant, coordinate the school's open day, and deal with all sorts of unexpected situations...
For example, when Uncle Wang and Aunt Li argued over the location of their stall, he had to mediate.
"Uncle Wang, your sugar painting stall will melt in the sun if you set it up here. Why don't you move it a little further in?"
"Aunt Li, your paper-cutting stall is against the wall, so there's less wind."
After much persuasion, we finally managed to convince the two to break up.
Cheng Tieniu was preparing ingredients in the kitchen. He had prepared fifty jin of mutton alone, as well as various vegetables and seafood, which filled the freezer.
Xi Rong led the children in decorating the classroom, displaying their handicrafts, and creating a "Learning Achievement Exhibition" board.
He Shirong wasn't idle either; he brought out audio equipment from home to play music on the street.
They even brought in several large red lanterns and hung them at the shop entrance.
By evening, everything was ready.
Fang Che stood at the street corner, looking at the changed Portland Street, and felt a sense of emotion.
Three months ago, when he first came here, it was a dilapidated and chaotic little street.
Now, he has a barbecue restaurant, a school, express delivery, and these neighbors and children who treat him like family.
"Brother Che!" Xi Rong ran over, her face covered in sweat. "Everything is ready! Grandma Lin said the district councilor will arrive at nine o'clock tomorrow, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for ten o'clock."
"Okay." Fang Che nodded. "What about security? What did Ah Gui say?"
"Brother Gui has arranged for eight people to patrol in four groups tomorrow. In addition, Mr. Lu has also made arrangements for plainclothes officers to be in the vicinity."
Fang Che felt slightly relieved.
But the unease in my heart never dissipated.
He always felt that Jiang Tianqi and Li Ruoxue wouldn't let it go so easily.
"Brother Che," Xi Rong asked softly, "Will Li Ruoxue really come tomorrow?"
"Yes," Fang Che said. "She sent a flower basket today and said she would definitely be there."
"A weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken." Xi Rong pouted.
Fang Che laughed: "It's alright, we'll deal with whatever comes our way."
Even so, he still couldn't sleep that night.
I tossed and turned in bed, my mind filled with thoughts of what might happen tomorrow.
At two in the morning, he simply got up and went to the window.
The colorful flags on Portland Street fluttered gently in the night breeze.
There was a noise coming from downstairs.
Fang Che became alert and pushed open the window to look down—
It's Cheng Tieniu.
He was squatting in the backyard, checking the screws on the barbecue grill.
"Tiezi?" Fang Che called out softly.
Cheng Tieniu looked up: "Che, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I can't sleep. How about you?"
"I'm still worried, let me check it again." Cheng Tieniu chuckled. "There will be a lot of people tomorrow, I don't want anything to go wrong."
Fang Che felt a warmth in his heart and went downstairs to the backyard.
The two sat on a stone bench. Cheng Tieniu offered Fang Che a cigarette, but Fang Che waved it away.
“Che,” Cheng Tieniu lit a cigarette and took a puff, “I have something to discuss with you.”
"you say."
"After this neighborhood festival, I want to go back to Northeast China," Cheng Tieniu said. "I've been away for five years, and I want to go back to see my parents. And while I'm at it... see if I can bring my mother over."
Fang Che was taken aback: "Take it?"
“Yes.” Cheng Tieniu nodded. “My mother is getting old and lives alone in our hometown. I’m worried about her. Portland Street is doing quite well now, and a school has been set up. I’d like her to come here.”
"Of course," Fang Che said. "I'll cover your travel expenses, so you can stay a few more days. If you'd like to come over, there's room at the shop."
Cheng Tieniu's eyes reddened: "Che, you are truly... the greatest blessing of my life is meeting you."
"What are you saying?" Fang Che patted him on the shoulder. "We're brothers."
The stars are bright in the night sky.
Cheng Tieniu suddenly said, "Che, actually I know that you and Boss Li... are more than just brothers, right?"
Fang Che's heart skipped a beat: "Brother Tie Niu, you..."
“I may be a rough man, but I’m not stupid,” Cheng Tieniu chuckled. “The way Boss Li looks at you is different from how he looks at others. When the two of you are together, the atmosphere… I can’t describe it, it’s just different.”
Fang Che remained silent.
"Don't worry, I support you." Cheng Tieniu said earnestly, "In this world, there aren't many people who are truly good to you. Boss Li is completely devoted to you. And you're genuinely good to him too. That's enough."
Fang Che's nose tingled with emotion: "Brother Tie Niu, thank you."
"No need to thank me." Cheng Tieniu stubbed out his cigarette. "Che, no matter what happens tomorrow, I'll be on your side. If Jiang Tianqi dares to use force, I'll be the first to rush in."
"Don't be impulsive," Fang Che said. "This isn't the time for fighting. We need to use our brains."
"I know, I know." Cheng Tieniu stood up. "Alright, go to sleep now, you have to get up early tomorrow."
Fang Che returned to his room, lay on the bed, and felt a little more at ease.
There was Brother Tie Niu, there was Xi Rong, there were children, and there were neighbors.
He is not afraid.
Outside the window, the sky was turning white.
A new day is about to begin.
On Neighborhood Day.
Portland Street was already packed with people at eight o'clock in the morning.
Neighbors set up their stalls, children chased each other in the street, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.
Fang Che, dressed in a newly made red Tang suit embroidered with tiger stripes, stood at the shop entrance to greet customers.
Sai-yung and Ho Sai-wing stood on either side of each other, wearing the same style, but the size didn't fit, making them look somewhat comical.
"Brother Fang, who designed this outfit? It's so tacky." He Shirong tugged at his collar.
"I designed it, so what?" Fang Che glared at him.
"Traditional culture doesn't mean you have to dress like a New Year's picture doll..."
Before he could finish speaking, applause erupted from the street corner.
The district councilor's car has arrived.
Not only district councilors were present, but also several community representatives and Lu Che.
Lu Che was dressed casually today, blending into the crowd. When he saw Fang Che, he nodded slightly.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was simple. The district councilor said a few words about "community harmony," then cut the red ribbon and announced the start of the Neighborhood Festival.
The neighbors applauded and cheered.
Just as Fang Che was about to invite everyone into the store, another voice came.
"How could I miss out on something so lively?"
Li Ruoxue has arrived.
She wore a white dress, light makeup, and carried a gift box in her hand.
Two bodyguards followed behind, carrying a large flower basket.
The neighbors quieted down.
Everyone knows that Li Ruoxue and Fang Che don't get along.
"Miss Ruoxue," Fang Che stepped forward, his expression calm. "Welcome."
"Congratulations, Mr. Fang." Li Ruoxue handed over the gift box. "It's a small token of my appreciation for the children."
Fang Che took it, opened it, and saw that it was a complete encyclopedia, in hardcover.
"You've gone to a lot of trouble."
“Of course.” Li Ruoxue smiled and raised her voice, “Dear neighbors, today I represent the Li family and my brother Li Hanzhou to support the Portland Street Neighborhood Festival. The school is doing well, and the children have books to read, which is a blessing for Portland Street. If you need anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
She spoke eloquently, leaving the neighbors looking at each other in bewilderment.
But since you can't hit someone who's smiling, everyone still applauded.
Fang Che's mind was filled with alarm bells.
Li Ruoxue's attitude changed too quickly; there's definitely something fishy going on.
But he didn't show it on his face, and instead smiled and invited Li Ruoxue to sit down.
The Neighborhood Festival has officially begun.
A long queue formed in front of the barbecue stall, and Cheng Tieniu and his apprentice were working up a sweat.
At the school gate, children performed, singing and dancing.
Street performers were seen breathing fire and wielding knives, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Everything seems to be going well.
Until noon.
Fang Che was mending buttons for the neighborhood kids when Xi Rong rushed over in a panic: "Brother Che! Something terrible has happened! There's a fight in the back alley... in the back alley!"
"What?"
Fang Che put down his needlework and followed Xi Rong into the back alley.
The back alley was a dead end, usually filled with clutter, but during the neighborhood festival, it was cleared out and a few tables were set up.
At this moment, the two groups are facing off.
One group consisted of Ah Gui's men on patrol, while the other group was made up of several unfamiliar faces, looking rather shady, carrying sticks.
There was a person lying on the ground, it was Uncle Chen who sold fruit at the street corner, with blood on his forehead, unconscious.
"What's going on?" Fang Che stepped forward.
One of the brothers said, "Young Master Che, these guys tried to climb over the wall into the school through the back alley, but we caught them. Uncle Chen passed by, said a few words to them, and was then beaten up."
Among the unfamiliar faces, the leader, a blond-haired man, stood askew: "Who climbed over the wall? We were just passing by. The old man tripped and fell. It's none of our business!"
"Nonsense!" Xi Rong exclaimed, her face flushed with anger. "I saw you push Uncle Chen with my own eyes!"
"Little girl, don't talk nonsense!" The blond-haired man's eyes hardened. "Watch out, or I'll..."
Before he could finish speaking, Fang Che had already stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.
"What are you doing?!" The blond-haired man tried to break free, but found that Fang Che was very strong.
"Uncle Chen is fine. You pay the medical bills, apologize, and get out." Fang Che's voice was very calm. "If Uncle Chen is in trouble, none of you are leaving."
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