Chapter 80: Making Final Arrangements?
Portland Street is awakened by the "thump-thump" sound of Cheng Tieniu chopping meat in the morning.
Fang Che hadn't slept well all night, and his eyes were dark and bluish.
When he came downstairs, Cheng Tieniu was chopping the last piece of pork leg into mince, and the cutting board was rattling.
"Tiezi, keep it down, the neighbors are still sleeping." Fang Che rubbed his temples.
Cheng Tieniu looked up, his honest face filled with worry: "Che, I can't sleep. Is there really no way to deal with Boss Li's matter?"
Fang Che didn't reply, but went behind the counter to boil water and make tea.
The tea leaves are Pu'er tea left behind by Li Hanzhou. The cake is pressed tightly and needs to be pried open with a tea needle.
Fang Che was unfamiliar with the technique and it took him a while to pry off a small piece.
When hot water is poured in, the aroma of tea mixed with the scent of aged wood is released.
He stared at the tea.
When Brother Li brews tea, his fingers are long and his movements are fluid.
He once said that Pu'er tea needs to awaken slowly and cannot be rushed.
But right now, what Fang Che lacks most is time.
"Brother Che!" Xi Rong ran in, clutching the account book, her ponytail swaying. "The accounts for this month are in! Net profit of 87,000!"
She spread the ledger on the table and pointed to the numbers: "Barbecue restaurant: 42,000; express delivery: 28,000; school: 17,000. And neighbors donated 5,000."
Fang Che looked at the numbers and did some mental calculations.
HK$87,000 isn't much in Hong Kong, but on Portland Street, it's enough to cover the monthly expenses of twenty households.
"Xi Rong, call everyone over," Fang Che said. "Let's have a meeting in the backyard."
Half an hour later, the backyard was packed with people.
Cheng Tieniu, Xi Rong, A Ming and several older children were there. A Gui leaned against the door frame, while He Shirong yawned with his coat draped over his shoulder.
Fang Che stood beside the stone mill, holding the cup of tea in his hand.
Three things to do today.
"First, everyone knows about Brother Li's situation. I'm waiting for news, while Zhou Wenxuan is making arrangements. During this time, Portland Street cannot be allowed to descend into chaos."
Everyone nodded.
"Secondly, business will continue as usual, and the school will remain open. But the rules will change." Fang Che looked at Xi Rong, "Xi Rong will personally inspect and sign off on all incoming and outgoing goods. Tie Niu will be in charge of the kitchen keys. As for the school, A Ming will lead a group of people to take turns on duty, and all unfamiliar faces will be registered."
Ah Ming puffed out his chest: "Don't worry, Brother Che!"
“Third,” Fang Che paused, then took out a document from his pocket, “about the shares.”
The backyard quieted down.
Fang Che unfolded the document, which was a handwritten equity distribution agreement. The handwriting was neat and showed signs of multiple revisions.
“The business is successful because of everyone’s efforts. The shares are divided like this…” He cleared his throat, “I take fifty, Tiezi twenty, Xirong fifteen, and the children ten together.”
Cheng Tieniu was stunned: "Che, how can I ask for twenty? That's too much!"
“Not much,” Fang Che said seriously. “You run the kitchen, you have the recipe, and you trained the apprentices. You deserve this twenty.”
Xi Rong's eyes reddened: "Brother Che, I..."
"You manage the accounts, the school, and the budget. I still think fifteen is too little."
Fang Che looked at the children: "Those ten are for all the children who help out in the shop. They are paid by the hours they work, and they will receive a bonus at the end of the year. They can save the money and use it for their future studies or to learn a trade."
Amin and the other children looked at each other, their eyes reddening.
“Also,” Fang Che looked at He Shirong, “Shirong, I’ve saved five for you.”
He Shirong stopped yawning.
He blinked: "Brother Fang, what did you say?"
"Fifth, yours." Fang Che repeated, "In these three months, you washed dishes, patrolled, moved goods, and even used your connections to solve problems. Portland Street has rules: if you put in the effort, you get a share."
He Shirong opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He touched his earring and finally managed to say, "I... don't lack money."
“I know you don’t lack anything,” Fang Che smiled. “But this money is different. This is Portland Street money, money you earned yourself. Take it, keep it as a memento.”
He Shirong lowered his head and kicked a pebble at his feet: "...Thanks, Brother Fang."
“The last five,” Fang Che looked at everyone, “are reserved for Mr. Ho Hung-sang, the grandfather of Ho Sai-wing.”
Upon hearing this, even Ah Gui raised his head.
“Mr. He helped us, and we should remember that favor,” Fang Che said. “Even though he may not care about the money, we should still show courtesy. Shi Rong, go back and tell Mr. He that Portland Street remembers his kindness.”
He Shirong was completely speechless.
He thought Fang Che was just a street vendor with a bit of cleverness, but he never expected that this man's heart was as vast as the sea.
"Did you understand everything?" Fang Che asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Then sign it."
The document was passed around, and everyone signed their names.
Cheng Tieniu couldn't write, so he pressed his handprint on the paper, leaving a red mud imprint that looked like a plum blossom.
After signing the documents, Fang Che put them away and his tone relaxed a bit: "Alright, business is done. Tiezi, let's roast a whole lamb for lunch, it's on me. Xirong, go buy some wine. Shirong, bring out your stereo and play some lively music."
Cheng Tieniu scratched his head: "Che, why are you doing this when it's not a holiday?"
"I'm happy," Fang Che said. "With Brother Li gone, we need to make the most of it. Let him know that Portland Street hasn't collapsed, it's still here."
He spoke casually, but Xi Rong sensed something else.
She looked at Fang Che and suddenly asked, "Brother Che, are you... going on a long trip?"
The backyard was quiet again.
Fang Che smiled and didn't deny it: "Maybe. There are some things that need to be done."
"Where are you going?" Cheng Tieniu asked anxiously. "Che, you can't run around like that! Boss Li isn't here. If something happens to you, what will happen to Portland Street?"
"Just a few days." Fang Che patted his shoulder. "Tiezi, while I'm gone, the shop is in your hands. Xi Rong will manage the accounts, A Gui will handle security, and Shi Rong... you'll keep an eye on things."
He Shirong frowned: "Brother Fang, are you going to Thailand?"
Fang Che remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
"Are you crazy?!" He Shirong stood up. "Do you know who Jiang Kun is in Thailand? He's a local tyrant! Are you going to your death?"
"It's not about going to confront them head-on," Fang Che said. "It's about going... to take a look."
"What are you looking at? Watching how Boss Li gets beaten up in prison?" He Shirong knew he had gone too far as soon as he said it.
Fang Che's face paled for a moment, but he quickly recovered: "Yes, I want to see him get beaten. I need to know exactly what he's suffering."
Ah Gui finally spoke: "Fang Che, Brother Li instructed you to stay in Hong Kong."
"I know." Fang Che looked at him. "But Brother Gui, if it were you, could you wait patiently?"
Ah Gui remained silent.
If it were him, he would have gone too.
“Zhou Wenxuan said he’s pulling strings and will get Brother Li out soon,” Xi Rong whispered, “Brother Che, please wait a little longer…”
“We can’t wait.” Fang Che shook his head. “Jiang Kun has been based in Thailand for twenty years, and the prison is full of his people. Even if Zhou Wenxuan can make money, Brother Li has to survive until that day first.”
He paused, his voice bitter: "Do you think Jiang Kun will let him out alive?"
No one spoke in the backyard.
The wind rustled through the old banyan tree.
“So,” Fang Che took a deep breath, “I have to go. I have to do something before he can’t hold on any longer.”
Cheng Tieniu's eyes reddened: "Che, I'll go with you!"
“I’ll go too!” Xi Rong stood up.
"Stop making a scene." Fang Che glared at them. "If you go, what will happen to the shop? What will happen to the school? What will happen to the neighbors?"
He looked at them one by one: "Tiezi, your job is to guard the kitchen and grill every skewer of meat well. Xirong, your job is to keep an eye on the accounts and teach the children well. Agui, your job is to protect this street. Shirong..."
He looked at He Shirong: "Your task is, in case I really don't come back, to keep an eye on them for me and make sure they're not bullied."
He Shirong's nose stung with tears, and he turned his head away: "...Who wants to bother with your trivial matters?"
"Then it's settled." Fang Che clapped his hands. "A whole roasted lamb feast at noon, we won't leave until we're drunk."
He turned and went into the house, his back straight.
But Xi Rong saw that before he entered the room, he quickly wiped the corner of his eye with his hand.
The whole roasted lamb feast at noon was so lively it felt almost contrived.
Cheng Tieniu placed the whole sheep on the charcoal fire, and as the oil dripped down, it sizzled, and the aroma filled the entire street.
Sai-yung brought over several cases of beer, Ah-ming led the children to set up tables and chairs, and Ho Sai-wing turned the stereo up to the maximum volume, playing mournful old Cantonese songs.
"Change it to another one!" Cheng Tieniu shouted, "Something upbeat!"
He Shirong pursed his lips and switched to the song "Red Sun".
"Even if fate is turbulent and unpredictable..." As the song began, neighbors gradually gathered around.
Grandma Lin arrived with her cane, Uncle Wang and Aunt Li arrived, and even several families who don't usually like to join in the fun came.
Fang Che changed into a new outfit, still wearing that red Tang suit, and stood at the shop entrance to greet customers with a bright smile.
"Chezi, what auspicious day is it today?" Grandma Lin asked.
"I'm so happy!" Fang Che helped her to her seat. "Mother-in-law, please take the seat of honor."
Once the lamb was roasted, Cheng Tieniu swiftly sliced the meat onto plates, the pieces crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sprinkled with cumin and chili, releasing an irresistible aroma.
The beer bottle is opened, and foam gushes out.
Fang Che raised his glass: "The first toast is to our neighbors! Without you, Portland Street wouldn't be what it is today!"
"cheers!"
"The second toast is for the children! Study hard, and when you become successful, don't forget this street!"
"cheers!"
“The third cup,” Fang Che paused, “is for Brother Li. We’ll drink again when he gets back.”
The wine glasses clinked together, producing a crisp sound.
The neighbors ate, drank, chatted, and laughed, as if it were just an ordinary, lively day.
But Xi Rong noticed that when Fang Che was toasting in the crowd, his gaze repeatedly swept over the banyan tree in the courtyard, the counter in the shop, and the windows of the school.
It's as if they want to etch every corner into their eyes.
After several rounds of drinks, Fang Che got drunk.
He pulled Cheng Tieniu along, his tongue a little stiff: "Tiezi, the compressor in the kitchen freezer is old and needs to be replaced. The money is in the drawer; go and take care of it tomorrow."
"Yes, I know."
He grabbed Xi Rong again: "Xi Rong, I've paid the rent for the school for three years. In case... I'm not here, you can still manage."
Tears welled up in Xi Rong's eyes: "Brother Che, please stop talking..."
"I have to say it." Fang Che wiped his face. "Ah Gui!"
Ah Gui approached.
Fang Che put his arm around his shoulder and lowered his voice, "Brother Gui, Brother Li believes in you, and I believe in you too. After I leave, Portland Street is yours. If Jiang Tianqi tries to force me..."
"Understood." Ah Gui interrupted him, his eyes cold and hard.
Fang Che nodded and looked at He Shirong.
He Shirong was engrossed in eating lamb chops when he saw Fang Che approaching, and wiped his hands.
“Shi Rong,” Fang Che looked at him, “I’ve put your five percent of the shares into a separate account. The password is your birthday. In the future… please help Xi Rong and the others more.”
He Shirong's throat moved, and he hummed in response.
"Also," Fang Che leaned closer, his breath reeking of alcohol, "please tell your grandfather for me to thank him. Tell him that I, Fang Che, owe him a favor."
"knew."
The whole lamb feast ended at 3 p.m.
After seeing off the last guest, Fang Che turned around, and the smile on his face faded.
He went to the backyard, sat down by the banyan tree, and lit a cigarette.
Xi Rong followed and squatted down beside him: "Brother Che, is it really necessary to go?"
"I absolutely have to go." Fang Che exhaled a puff of smoke. "Xi Rong, do you know what I'm most afraid of?"
Xi Rong shook her head.
"I'm most afraid of owing favors." Fang Che looked at the smoke. "Brother Li has done so much for me, I can never repay him in this lifetime. Now that he's in trouble, if I just cower here and wait, I'll despise myself."
"That was so close..."
"No matter how dangerous it is, we have to go." Fang Che stubbed out his cigarette. "When you're alive, some things are more important than your life."
Xi Rong's tears fell.
Fang Che ruffled her hair: "Don't cry. I promise you, I will come back alive. I will come back to open the shop, run the school, and make Portland Street a better place."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
In the evening, Fang Che went out.
He didn't say where he was going, but Ah Gui guessed it.
"I'll go with you."
"No need." Fang Che shook his head. "There are some things that need to be said in private."
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