The Rogue Villager Chen Erbao

After Fang Yun and Chen Dabao went out, Chen Erbao ate dinner alone and returned to his room.

He remembered he hadn't asked Bai Xiaoqing about the sales figures yet, so he picked up his phone and dialed her number.

"Xiaoqing, I had something come up yesterday and couldn't call back. How have sales been the past couple of days?"

Bai Xiaoqing already had the numbers compiled. Hearing Chen Erbao's question, she immediately replied happily:

"President Chen, our sales counters have been absolutely swamped these past two days! As soon as we stock the shelves, all our products are completely snatched up within twenty minutes. Most of the customers are friends and family of the first day's buyers. It must be because they saw the effects of the Dream Fantasia mud mask..."

Bai Xiaoqing went on and on before finally summarizing:

"President Chen, many customers are demanding that we expand our production line. Every day, hundreds of people are arguing because they can't buy the mask, and it's already being scalped for five thousand yuan a piece on the secondary market!"

After listening, Chen Erbao pondered for a moment.

"I'm not planning to expand production for now; the conditions aren't right yet. Besides, this will help maintain the product's hype and prevent any lulls in interest... Figure out a way to solve the scalper problem. We can't let this go on. Tell all customers they must purchase from our official stores; otherwise, we won't be responsible for any subsequent issues."

As a professional manager, Bai Xiaoqing naturally understood the importance of following orders. She nodded on the other end of the line and said,

"I understand, President Chen! But are you sure you don't want to consider expanding the production line?"

"Don't worry, I'll do it when the time is right. For now, just focus on the tasks at hand and make sure no other problems arise."

"Rest assured, President Chen. I understand."

She was now managing an entire factory by herself, and everything in her life, both professional and personal, was going smoothly. Of course she wouldn't go against Chen Erbao's wishes.

"I'll be coming to the factory for an inspection in a couple of days. Be prepared."

Chen Erbao hung up, lay on his bed thinking about his future plans, and soon drifted off to sleep.

...

The next day, Chen Erbao woke up very early and went to the courtyard to practice his martial arts as usual.

His physique, after his breakthrough, was far beyond what it used to be. Each of Chen Erbao's punches whistled through the air. Though his movements weren't wide, the power contained within them was obvious at a glance.

If one of those punches landed on someone, it would likely fracture their bones on the spot.

After finishing his routine, Chen Erbao took a cold shower, ate breakfast, and left with Chen Dabao.

He hadn't yet been to check on the construction project on the back of the mountain, so it was time he went for an inspection.

After several days of construction, Chen Erbao had already poured millions into it. Less than half of the ten-million-yuan loan from Zhao Ruoying remained, yet the project was only halfway complete.

However, the terrain on Bailong Mountain was complex. The first half of the road was the most difficult to build; the rest would be easier.

The cliff face where Zhao Ruoying had once fallen had been blasted level, replaced by a gently sloping bluestone road flanked by reinforced concrete guardrails. Safety was no longer a concern.

Chen Erbao followed Chen Dabao up the mountain to the construction site.

Hundreds of workers were a flurry of activity—some drilling, others hauling stone.

"President Chen, this is the project progress report. Please take a look."

Seeing Chen Erbao arrive, the foreman in a white hard hat quickly produced a prepared report and handed it to him.

Chen Erbao gave it a cursory glance, looked over the construction work, and seeing no issues, nodded in satisfaction.

"When the project is finished, I'll give everyone a big bonus... Brother Da Bao, the section of road near the end of the project is lined with a lot of Gastrodia. Find some people to help me collect it, then deliver it to Medicine King Hall."

He had made his first fortune with Gastrodia and still hadn't finished delivering the thousand kilograms he had promised to Medicine King Hall. It was time to make good on that promise.

Chen Dabao nodded and led some men to get started on the task.

Chen Erbao inspected the entire length of the construction project before heading back down the mountain.

During the day, the village was much quieter than before. The village entrance, which usually served as the local women's 'central business district' for gossip, was now mostly empty, with only a few elderly women sitting around and chatting.

Most of the previously idle villagers had gone to work at Chen Erbao's factory.

Chen Erbao was about to head over to the factory to check on things when he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

Chen Qing came limping over.

Chen Erbao watched him with a blank expression, wondering what he wanted.

Chen Erbao hadn't seen Chen Qing since the night he'd ambushed him and crippled his leg.

Chen Qing stopped in front of Chen Erbao, raised his head, and regarded him silently.

His face was much thinner than before, and a faint, almost imperceptible trace of hatred was hidden deep in his eyes, though he concealed it well.

"Chen Erbao, congratulations. You're a big boss now."

Chen Qing's voice was tinged with a world-weary tone, a far cry from his previous arrogance and insolence.

Chen Erbao had no idea what trick he was trying to pull. He sneered and said,

"I have you to thank for that. Otherwise, I'd still be tangled up with Chen Jiaqi."

Hearing this, a flash of regret shot through Chen Qing. If he hadn't interfered back then, his standing in the village would now be second only to Chen Erbao's.

But there were no 'if only's...

Chen Qing gave a self-deprecating laugh, his expression taking on a nonchalant air.

"I wasn't in my right mind back then... I see things clearly now. I was a real bastard. I'm sorry!"

His voice was utterly sincere, his face full of apology.

He looked like the very picture of a prodigal son who had seen the error of his ways, but Chen Erbao wasn't buying it.

He refused to believe that Chen Qing hadn't been involved in the disturbance yesterday morning.

Brother Hu had even shown up; there was no way Chen Qing wasn't connected to it!

Chen Erbao let out a cold laugh, turned to light a cigarette, and after taking two drags, abruptly spun around and smashed his fist into Chen Qing's face.

THUD!

The punch sent Chen Qing sprawling to the ground. Half his face was already turning red, and a trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.

Chen Erbao smiled viciously and planted his foot on Chen Qing's face.

"Who the fuck do you think you're fooling with this act?"

Chen Qing's expression twisted instantly, his eyes filling with hatred as he looked at Chen Erbao. He squeezed a few words through his teeth:

"I already apologized! What more do you want?"

"Apologize, my ass! You dare tell me you had nothing to do with what happened yesterday morning?"

At these words, a flicker of panic flashed in Chen Qing's eyes.

'How did he know...'

He wondered silently, but quickly regained his composure and said,

"If you want to hit me, then go ahead. I did too many things wrong in the past. It was my fault..."

"Still trying to pull this prodigal-son-returns bullshit on me?"

With his sharp perception, Chen Erbao clearly caught the resentment in Chen Qing's eyes. He ruthlessly ground his foot onto the man's head. His tone was calm, but it was laced with thick killing intent.

"Let me tell you something, Chen Qing. I don't care what little schemes you're cooking up, but if you ever dare to mess with me again, I can make you disappear into the Bai River without a trace. Believe it or not. If you've got the balls, then give it a try."

With that said, Chen Erbao turned and walked away.

He left Chen Qing sprawling on the ground, fists clenched so tight his whole body trembled.

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