Volume One, Chapter 19: The Mature Brother Nan

“Xiao Yan, when are you coming back?” Liu Tong asked Li Yan with concern.

The college entrance exams were over and the holidays had begun; children from other villages had all returned home, yet Li Yan remained behind.

He lied, “Mom, I’ll be back in a few days. I found a part-time job at a local restaurant. They provide meals and lodging, and pay me 50 yuan a day. I want to earn some extra money to use when school starts.”

Li Yan had to keep a close eye on the farm’s construction to prevent any unforeseen problems.

He visited two or three times a day, putting pressure on the workers to speed up the progress.

Hearing Li Yan worked part-time, Liu Tong felt a mixture of guilt and worry. “I see. You must be careful. Working for others isn’t the same as being at home. Control your temper and avoid arguments…”

Listening patiently to his mother’s nagging, Li Yan replied calmly.

In his previous life, he had failed miserably, drowning in debts and causing his family endless worry.

Now, given a second chance, he was determined to give his parents, who had toiled their whole lives in the fields, a better life.

He wanted to be the son everyone praised.

After hanging up, Li Yan silently vowed, “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. I will make sure you live well.”

Once he secured the funds from Lijiang Group, he planned to give a sum to his family, though he hadn’t decided yet how to present it.

He needed a reasonable excuse for the money—well, he would think about it later.

This was the greatest dream in the hearts of countless rural youths, and Li Yan was no exception. Only this time, he had a chance to start anew.

Today, Luo Jiashuang had gone to visit relatives in her rural hometown with her parents, leaving Li Yan feeling unusually free.

His close friend Zhao Zhengzhong had invited him to the bar several times, but Li Yan had declined, claiming to be busy.

Maybe tonight he could unwind a bit.

With this thought, Li Yan called Zhao Zhengzhong.

“Hey, where are you?”

Zhao’s voice held a hint of complaint. “Ah, big brother, you’ve been so busy dating lately, you’ve forgotten about your bros, huh?”

Li Yan chuckled, “No way. Come out tonight, it’s on me.”

“Aren’t you going to hang out with Luo Jiashuang?” Zhao asked suspiciously.

Li Yan said, “A real man can’t be shackled by love. Women are like clothes; brothers are like limbs, you know?”

Zhao quipped, “So if someone touches your clothes, you’re gonna chop their limbs off?”

“Enough talk. Are you coming or not? If not, I’ll invite someone else.”

“All right, Boss Li, can’t say no to a free drink. Wait for me.”

After hanging up, Li Yan headed to the famous Time Bar in Lin City.

It was only eight in the evening, so the bar wasn’t crowded. He picked a seat by the window and started replying to Luo Jiashuang’s messages on his phone.

Luo Jiashuang: Li Yan, what are you doing? I miss you so much, I don’t want to go back home at all.

Li Yan: Once university starts, it’ll be hard to see relatives. Take this chance to build good relationships.

Luo Jiashuang: I think it’s so boring and dull.

Soon after, Zhao Zhengzhong pushed open the door. He wore a black shirt buttoned up neatly, his hair slicked back in a style reminiscent of a classic movie star, gel shining brightly. His polished black shoes reflected the floor—a look that, a few years later, would either belong to a barber or a nightclub attendant, with a comical attempt to appear mature.

Slicking back his hair seemed to symbolize adulthood.

Li Yan smiled wryly, recalling he had looked much the same at that age.

“How’s it look? Does this style make me manly enough?” Zhao tugged at his collar and struck a pose he thought was extremely cool.

Li Yan teased, “Oh, here comes Boss Zhao. Looks like big things are coming your way.”

Zhao’s gaze suddenly landed on a pack of slim Golden Cloud cigarettes on the table. “When did you learn to smoke?” He picked up the pack, shook it, and raised an eyebrow at Li Yan, clearly puzzled.

Li Yan shrugged and handed him a cigarette, nodding casually. Zhao hesitated but seeing Li Yan expertly light one, inhale, and exhale lazily with the air of a grown man, he braved lighting a cigarette himself. The first puff made him cough violently, his face reddening.

“Cough cough… Li Yan, when did you practice? You’re way too skilled.”

Li Yan said nothing, staring out the window. In his previous life, he had started smoking after university, during stressful sales jobs and all-nighters. Cigarettes were the cheapest relief. Now, watching his friend struggle and coughing, he felt as if he were living a different life—because he was.

Zhao’s embarrassment didn’t last long; his attention was soon caught by two girls in short skirts entering the bar. Their high heels clicked on the floor, and his eyes followed their every move until they sat at the bar. Only then did he reluctantly withdraw his gaze.

Li Yan smirked. “Like them? Go ask for their contact info, I’ll back you up.”

Zhao’s face flushed, but he refused to show weakness, stiffening his neck. “Nah, just looking. They’re nothing but common pretty girls.”

“Oh? Seems Boss Zhao’s standards are high,” Li Yan teased, knowing full well his friend was all talk and no courage.

Their conversation drifted from expected exam scores to preferred cities, majors, and post-graduation jobs.

The resident singer took up his guitar and began “Beijing, Beijing,” and the bar gradually filled up, the atmosphere warming.

Unbeknownst to Li Yan, a pair of eyes watched him from a corner.

It was a boy from the neighboring class, speaking quietly on the phone.

“Hey, Tao, I just saw Li Yan at Time Bar—the guy who’s competing with you for Luo Jiashuang. Didn’t you say you’d teach him a lesson?”

Fu Hantao, lying on his sofa at home, suddenly sat up, a ruthless gleam in his eyes. “Got it. Keep an eye on him; I’ll send people right away.”

Fu Hantao wanted to deal with Li Yan but wasn’t foolish. Nowadays, if he gathered a group and beat someone up, as a prospective college student, he might get a record on his file. But he had money and plenty of henchmen to do his dirty work. Stroking his chin, he thought his plan was flawless.

“Hello, Brother Nan? This is Fu Hantao. I need a small favor…”

After hanging up, Fu Hantao sneered, tapping his phone screen. “Li Yan, Li Yan, you think you can compete with me? A poor nobody. I don’t have to get my hands dirty; money will finish you.”

In 2012, the streets of Lin City were never short of idle hooligans. For the right price, loyalty could be bought by the pound.

Before long, a group of young men and women with dyed red and green hair entered the bar. The men sported silver earrings and crooked dragon tattoos on their arms; the women wore crop tops and panda-like eye makeup, drawing a few glances as they came in.

The leader—a thug known as Brother Nan—narrowed his eyes, scanned the room, and fixed his gaze on Li Yan by the window. He pulled out his phone, compared a photo, confirmed it was him, then signaled his companions with a sly smile.

They didn’t plan to start a fight inside the bar. The place was protected by a “big brother,” and wrecking it wouldn’t end well. But this kind of paid job was familiar territory for Brother Nan, a seasoned street operator in Lin City.

Starting a brawl on the street was too foolish and would escalate the situation.

However, if they first caused a minor disturbance in the bar and then “couldn’t help themselves” and threw a punch, it would be different. When the police arrived, it would be chalked up to a drunken scuffle among youths, with both sides sharing the blame, and the matter would be dropped.

Brother Nan could take his payment and walk away. Much more profitable than screwing around in a factory.

As for his “brothers” tagging along? A few days in jail wouldn’t be new to them; no big deal.

Brother Nan licked his lips, sneering inwardly: in this business, brothers are just commodities to be sold.

He nodded to his companions, and they leisurely took a seat at a table near Li Yan, their eyes never leaving him.