Chapter 85: The Great Road to Paradise

“What does tearing down He Dapeng’s house have to do with me?” Ren Jifu asked.

“Haven’t I told you? He’s the last holdout now.”

Zhao Zejun took out a demolition map of Gaogang Village from his drawer, spread it on the table, pointed to a spot on the map, and then drew a large circle around it. “This is He Dapeng’s house, see? Everything around it has already been demolished. Only his little building stands there, all alone. I went to see for myself—he’s the only one left in his family.”

“I don’t understand,” Ren Jifu shook his head.

“Are you really that dense? No wonder you’re poor!” Zhao Zejun glared at him. “Think about it. He’s all alone at home, while the demolition office has dozens of people. No matter how tough he is, two fists can’t beat four hands. How could he possibly handle it?”

Ren Jifu finally caught on. “You mean, you want me to help him?”

“Exactly. Think about it—he needs help the most right now. If you go, you’ll have free food and lodging at his place, not to mention, when he finally gets the compensation money, he could share some with you. How you split it, and how much, you two can discuss. Don’t count on getting money from me; I don’t care how much you squeeze out of him. But you need to ask yourself if you dare. Helping him means going up against the demolition office. At best, they’ll cut off water and electricity. At worst, a few thugs could come in the middle of the night and give you a beating.”

“Just the two of us against all those people from the demolition office? That’s impossible. And who’s to say he’d give me money if I ask?”

“God, you really are hopeless,” Zhao Zejun said with disgust. “He’s made preparations, of course. The yard is full of gas tanks; there’s gasoline on the second floor. But one person can’t cover everything. If the demolition crew sneaks in at night, restrains him, drags him outside, and bulldozes the building, what can he do? With two people, you can watch each other’s backs. If one gets caught, the other can open the gas or pour out gasoline. If you’re risking your neck for him, isn’t it reasonable to ask for tens of thousands? Can’t you figure out something that simple? No wonder you’re doomed to beg for a living!”

“Tens of thousands isn’t worth much,” Ren Jifu said, still dissatisfied.

“What do you want? Be a holdout for a month or so and pocket tens of thousands—isn’t that enough? Think about it: do you want to end up dumped into a cement mixer on a construction site, or walk away with a tidy sum, unscathed? I’ll tell you something else—He Dapeng, short-handed, even got a big wolfdog for security. Are you really telling me you’re less useful than a dog?”

Ren Jifu hesitated. It really was an opportunity. If he helped He Dapeng hold out and they squeezed five hundred thousand or a few good apartments, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to get fifty or even a hundred thousand. As for the demolition office, he wasn’t afraid of them—a few beatings, a few weeks in detention, so what?

But it struck him as odd that Zhao Zejun came up with this plan so readily. It didn’t sound like a spur-of-the-moment idea; it felt more like a scheme he’d had in mind for some time.

“What’s in it for you? I don’t believe you’re being so generous,” Ren Jifu asked.

Zhao Zejun glanced at him, then said leisurely, “You’re low, but not completely stupid. Of course, I have something to gain.”

“I knew it! So, what do you get out of this?” Ren Jifu exclaimed.

“First, you’ll stop bothering me. I can focus on my business and stay away from any deadly trouble. Second, don’t forget, I own several properties in Gaogang Village. The demolition office’s offer to me is worse than what they’re giving the old folks. Once you and He Dapeng negotiate the final terms with them, tip me off, and I’ll have grounds to demand the same compensation as He Dapeng!”

Ren Jifu’s eyes widened. He cursed, “Damn it, after all our trouble, we’re still working for you!”

“You are, but you’re not walking away empty-handed,” Zhao Zejun said with a wave of his hand. “It’s your decision. If you won’t do it, I’ll find someone else for He Dapeng.”

Ren Jifu’s eyes shifted as he weighed the options. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Fine, I’ll do it! But I have two conditions!”

“Are you done yet? Out with it!”

“When you get the final terms, I’m not giving you the info for free. You have to pay for the tip. I don’t want much—whatever He Dapeng gives me, you match it.”

Zhao Zejun thought for a moment. “One price. If you really manage to get a good deal, I’ll give you thirty thousand.”

“Deal! Thirty thousand it is. And another thing—I saw Gaogang Village has no water or electricity. If I’m stuck in that house with He Dapeng all day, we’ll have nothing decent to eat or drink. You have to take care of that!” Ren Jifu said.

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Aren’t you running a construction project nearby? Bring us beer and roast duck every day!”

Zhao Zejun almost laughed out of exasperation. “Are you here to be a holdout or to enjoy yourself? Beer and roast duck? In this heat, the duck bones will rot and get maggots! Should I send you a couple of girls every few days, too?”

“Forget the girls, I’m not into that, and it costs money! Beer and roast duck, and whatever good food you can send, just do it. I heard crayfish is good this season—get us some of that, too. Don’t be stingy, Boss Zhao. How much could feeding the two of us possibly cost you?”

“All right, all right! I’ll send food every other night, will that do?”

“That’s settled, then. I’ll go find Dapeng now,” Ren Jifu said, grabbing his cane from where it leaned against the chair and preparing to stand.

“Wait.” Zhao Zejun pressed a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back into the chair. He squatted down in front of him, his smile gone, and spoke each word with deliberate gravity: “This matter—only you and I know about it. If you tell anyone else, and the demolition office comes after me, I’m warning you: there’s still room left in the cement mixer.”

“Don’t worry, Boss Zhao. Out here, loyalty means everything. Besides, I’m not about to break my own rice bowl,” Ren Jifu replied.

“That’s more like it. We’re teaming up to squeeze some money out of the demolition office—what’s not to like?” Zhao Zejun called out toward the door, “Junzi!”

Junzi entered, face expressionless.

“What do you want?” Ren Jifu instinctively gripped his cane and held it in front of him.

“Tell Liang Shi to give him three thousand from the accounts.”

Junzi glanced at Ren Jifu without a word, nodded, and closed the door as he left.

Zhao Zejun patted Ren Jifu’s shoulder. “Don’t say I’m stingy. You probably don’t have much cash left, right? Here’s three thousand for you—think of it as your operating expenses.”

Getting this upfront, Ren Jifu was even more certain Zhao Zejun was serious about using him and He Dapeng to extort more from the demolition office. Pleased, he said, “No problem, Boss Zhao. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. Just don’t forget my thirty grand when it’s done!”

“If you do the job well, you won’t lose out! And one more thing—don’t mention this to your gambling buddies. Otherwise, whatever you earn will end up in their hands.”

“Of course I won’t say a word. To be honest, Boss Zhao, those bastards aren’t worth a damn—none of them can hold a candle to you!”

“All right, off you go. Once you and He Dapeng have an agreement, let me know, and I’ll have people send you food in secret.”