Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 ... [It’s the sixth day of the lunar new year! Back to work early! Returning to two updates per day. When we get featured, there will be bonus updates. Please show your support and cast your votes!] ... Seeing Zhao Erhu hesitating, Chen Long mustered the courage and said, "What’s wrong? Brother Hu, do you look down on me? It’s fine if you look down on me, but you should know—I’m Brother Bao’s number one lackey. If you look down on me, doesn’t that mean you’re looking down on Brother Bao?" Those words hit like a wake-up call, and Zhao Erhu suddenly snapped out of it. That’s right! This bean sprout may not have any outstanding background or skills, but he’s currently Yan Xiaobao’s only lackey. That alone is enough. If I become this bean sprout’s subordinate, it’s basically the same as being Yan Xiaobao’s subordinate. In essence, there’s no difference. "No, no, never! Brother Bao’s lackey is my big brother. From now on, you’re my big brother! May I ask what my big brother’s name is?" Zhao Erhu plastered on a fawning smile and humbly asked. "My name is Chen Long. Just call me Brother Long from now on." Chen Long puffed up with arrogance. "Yes, Brother Long!" Zhao Erhu, having made up his mind, called out "Brother Long" crisply and without hesitation. "Congratulations, Brother Long! Congratulations, Brother Hu! Allow me to toast the two big brothers." Biaozi timely stepped in with a toast, making the atmosphere even more harmonious. "Now Brother Bao’s team has both a dragon and a tiger. Truly destiny at work—what a perfect match!" Destiny at work? Is that even the right usage? As a college student, Chen Long muttered to himself: These uneducated folks are truly terrifying... "Hey, have you guys finished yet? If you haven’t, take it outside. Stop interrupting my Rourou’s singing." Yan Xiaobao didn’t think of them as any sort of dragon or tiger; in his eyes, they were more like a worm and a sick cat. "Yes, yes, yes!" Zhao Erhu hurriedly sought Chen Long’s permission. "Um... Brother Long, should we head outside? I still have lots to learn from you." "Alright then." Chen Long stood tall and walked out with his chest puffed up, indeed putting on a bit of a big brother’s aura. Zheng Xiaoyu stared in amazement as Chen Long walked out, feeling that he seemed like a completely different person. Of course, she couldn’t understand that every man harbors the heart of a strong-willed individual. As the saying goes, "A golden carp is not destined to stay in a pond; once the winds and clouds align, it transforms into a dragon." When opportunity presented itself, Chen Long had gone from being a studious, hardworking college student to someone who looked the part of a "big brother." Chen Long had never been a big brother before, but all those action-packed crime films he’d watched weren’t for nothing. Putting on a facade of authority wasn’t too hard, especially when he had Yan Xiaobao’s backing, which gave him plenty of confidence. After switching to another private room, Zhao Erhu called in a dozen beautiful women. Earlier, Yan Xiaobao had snubbed them, but Zhao Erhu had caught Chen Long’s shining eyes clearly. For a college student juggling work-study programs, such extravagant indulgence was unheard of. After feigning a few polite refusals, Chen Long happily accepted Zhao Erhu’s arrangement, leaving two long-haired beauties to serve him on either side. "Brother Long, come, let me toast you first." Zhao Erhu had quickly adapted to the situation, sincerely assuming the role of Chen Long’s subordinate. Chen Long, feeling quite pleased with himself, clinked glasses with Zhao Erhu. Glancing at the deferential Zhao Erhu and Biaozi, then at the two glamorous beauties by his side, he couldn’t help but feel lightheaded, like living in a dream. Earlier today, he was still just a regular college student working during summer break. Yet now, within mere hours, he had transformed into an "Underworld Boss." What a twist life could take, truly unpredictable. Of course, Chen Long knew full well that Zhao Erhu’s attitude toward him was entirely due to Yan Xiaobao. But Chen Long believed that as long as he followed Yan Xiaobao closely and fulfilled his roles as lackey and brother-in-law, all of this wouldn’t just be a dream anymore. Having a sister as beautiful as Yang Liying, what a stroke of good fortune... After three glasses, Zhao Erhu began discreetly probing for information about Yan Xiaobao. Chen Long’s knowledge of Yan Xiaobao was quite limited, not much more than what Zhao Erhu knew. However, he had no intention of losing face in front of Zhao Erhu. Adopting a serious expression, he said, "Brother Bao doesn’t like people prying into his personal matters. All you need to know is that Brother Bao is formidable, and following him is definitely the right choice." "Of course, of course..." Zhao Erhu chuckled. "Brother Long, don’t worry. In our world, loyalty and righteousness are everything. Once I’ve decided to follow Brother Bao, I’ll have no second thoughts." "Good." Chen Long nodded with a sense of seniority and started probing Zhao Erhu’s background. "Alright, tell me more about your situation first." Zhao Erhu earnestly reported, "I own a restaurant and a food stall, and I also have shares in the Golden Sands Entertainment City. Business is okay, but I’ve got quite a few people to feed, so it’s just enough to scrape by." "Hmm, not bad." Chen Long was brimming with excitement internally. A hundred or so people—soon enough, all of them would count as his subordinates. That’s enough to make him feel powerful. Then there are the restaurant, food stalls, entertainment city shares—all of these combine to generate about a million or so of monthly profits, right? Although Zhao Erhu claimed he was "scraping by," to a college student like Chen Long, it was enough to live a life of "wealth and luxury." "Brother Long, do you want to take a look at the accounts?" Zhao Erhu proactively asked. "No need. Brother Hu, your sincerity is something both Brother Bao and I trust blindly." Chen Long knew that genuinely scrutinizing the accounts would be overstepping, so he decided to stop while the going was good and changed the subject instead. "Brother Hu, Brother Bao doesn’t like being distracted by trivial issues. From now on, if anything comes up, deal directly with me first." "Understood." Zhao Erhu grasped Chen Long’s intent and didn’t object, exchanging phone numbers with him. "Rest assured, the things we can’t handle, Brother Bao will absolutely step in." Chen Long reassured Zhao Erhu. "Brother Bao’s lackeys have privileges—only he and the sisters-in-law can mess with us. If anyone else dares, Brother Bao won’t let it slide. But always remember, no matter what happens, even if it’s the Heavenly King himself, you mustn’t offend the sisters-in-law. Otherwise... you’re doomed." "Got it, got it!" Zhao Erhu felt reassured and continued, "By the way... the sisters-in-law... who exactly are the sisters-in-law?" Chen Long mulled over the question before answering, "There are seven sisters-in-law in total. You’ve met Sister Xia Rou, Chief Han, and Ye Shanshan, who got into a fight today. My sister hasn’t arrived in Binhai yet. As for the other three, I haven’t met them either. But don’t worry, once I do, I’ll keep you updated." "Alright, I’ll keep that in mind." Zhao Erhu gestured to the four remaining beauties in the room, picked up his glass again, and said, "Brother Long, we’ve laid out the serious matters. Now, let me properly entertain you tonight." "Er... okay then! Cheers!" Chen Long quickly adapted to the new lifestyle, beginning to savor what it felt like to be a "drunkard." ...