Before long, Cao Xue and I had drunk half a bottle of foreign liquor. The alcohol content was too high, and I was afraid that if I didn't know his alcohol tolerance, I would make him drunk and cause trouble. So I pushed the platter of melon seeds and peanuts in front of him, signaling him to take a break.
He didn't understand at all, poured himself another glass, and drank it all in one gulp... It seemed that the resentment in his heart had reached a critical point where he could no longer bear it.
I felt my chance had come, so I said to him sincerely, "Dude, sometimes what you lack in life isn't ability, but opportunity... Your uncle keeping you by his side as a driver has actually limited your potential... He may have his reasons, but you have to be aware of them... I have an opportunity for you to earn some extra money right now, it just depends on whether you're interested."
How do you make money?
I lit a cigarette and tried to speak casually: "I've converted all the shops your uncle owns in Jiulongju into temporary guesthouses... To be honest, I'm aiming to make money during the Lunar New Year season... It was supposed to be a sure-fire business, but your uncle's actions have ruined it... I think that since your uncle asked you to change the locks, it proves you have a say in his business; so, I'd like to discuss this with you... You need to find a way to smooth things over for me, and I'll give you 10% of the profits... It's not much, around 40,000 or 50,000 yuan, enough for you to take a girl you like to a tourist city."
Cao Xue looked at me...
I poured him and myself a glass of wine, gesturing for him to drink another one... Cao Xue mechanically raised his glass and then drank the wine with me.
I seized the opportunity and said, "Honestly... anyone would be furious if your uncle's paper mill got shut down by the Environmental Protection Bureau, so it's understandable that he's taking it out on someone as insignificant as me... But think about it, if I can make Jiulongju's business successful, who will ultimately benefit?... Isn't it still your uncle, Cao Jinbo?... Right now, out of spite, he's changed the locks on all the shops in Jiulongju. Do you really think that can threaten the Environmental Protection Bureau?"
After a brief pause, I continued, "It's not that I look down on myself, but I really don't have that kind of influence right now... So, the current situation is a lose-lose situation... But if you can mediate, the outcome will be different... First, I can take advantage of the Lunar New Year season to do some good business; second, you can also earn some extra money... Finally, if I succeed in this business, the value of these shops will also increase... If it doubles, that's tens of millions in profit! Given the current real estate market in Dali, as long as Jiulongju becomes popular, doubling the value is probably an understatement!... Really, when people get angry, they're prone to making wrong decisions... If you can make the right decision for your uncle right now, and the shops in Jiulongju appreciate in value, he'll thank you."
Cao Xue was twirling the bullet cup while processing what I had said.
I pressed my advantage: "Dude, give it a try... This is a chance to prove your abilities, unless you're willing to drive for your uncle for the rest of your life."
Cao Xue finally spoke up: "It sounds pretty good; it's a win-win opportunity for all three parties."
“That’s for sure, now all that’s left is your nod… As long as you bring me the keys, I’ll immediately give you a deposit of 10,000 yuan; the rest of the money, I’ll pay you in one lump sum after we finish our business during the New Year…” I paused for a moment, then added provocatively, “If you feel that you don’t have much say in front of your uncle… then just pretend I never mentioned this, and we can still be friends… I’ll make sure you get all the good cigarettes and alcohol I have.”
"If that's how you put it, then I have no choice but to do it... I'm not afraid to say something arrogant, but if I'm really serious about doing something, there's nothing my uncle can't handle... Do you know why?... Because he owes me!"
After Cao Xue finished speaking, he took out a bunch of keys from his bag, unlocked one of them, threw it in front of me, and said, "This is the key to shop number 17. Consider it my first deposit to you... I'll give you some news within two days."
"become……"
As I answered him, I also put the key into my pocket. Although it was only one of the keys, it proved that this was a good start... I had found the right person when I looked for Cao Xue.
...
After finishing a bottle of foreign liquor, Cao Xue left the bar with the two packs of cigarettes I had given him... But after he left, my brief joy turned to gloom. I saw my reflection in the glass, but I felt that something had changed about me.
What I saw was me after I learned to scheme... I was "forced" into it, but I also want to ask myself, is there really no smooth road in this world for us ordinary people to walk on?
At least, in my more than twenty years of life, I haven't discovered it yet.
Perhaps I have become the kind of person I dislike the most, but I have to live this way... And the big step I took this night is also my first real step in Dali.
I called the waiter over and ordered two more bottles of "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon" beer. Compared to imported spirits, I still prefer this... No matter what my life is like now, I seem to never forget that I came here that day carrying a woman's unfulfilled dream, for the sake of "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon"...
I've heard that there's a group of men riding beat-up motorcycles, with women who don't care about material things, enjoying themselves along the shores of Erhai Lake, at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, and in the ancient city... I believe this isn't a dream, but it's even more dreamlike than a dream!
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