201: Chapter 197 Recruitment Failure 201: Chapter 197 Recruitment Failure In the realm of Tao Cultivation, Chen Hai had indeed made some achievements.
However, his real strength lay solely in his Divine Soul.
The few spells he could cast could, perhaps, easily kill someone in the shadows, but he was hardly skilled in direct confrontations.
To put it bluntly, a slightly stronger ordinary person could, in a head-to-head battle, beat him to the point where he’d be searching the ground for his teeth.
The Bai Xiaohang before him was born a fierce warrior.
Though Chen Hai had never personally seen his might, he imagined that this man could take on ten by himself without much trouble.
Such a person, if he could be won over, would be a perfect addition to bolster Chen Hai’s martial prowess.
Bai Xiaohang, with an amused expression, was waiting for Chen Hai to ask for his help, but when he heard Chen Hai’s words, he was stunned for a long while.
“Chen Hai, are you joking with me?”
“Do you know what I do?
In this Four-nine City, as long as they’re in the gang, who doesn’t respectfully call me Brother Xiaohang when they see me?”
“I am already so successful, you a student, asking me to follow you and help you with your tasks, do you think that’s possible?”
With a look of disdain, Bai Xiaohang spat fiercely onto the ground.
Wang Huachun, the neighbor who used to tail behind him since childhood, although he later moved away, maintained a good relationship and still kept in touch with Xiaohang.
Xiaohang, a man of loyalty, came here at Wang Huachun’s invitation.
Given his volatile temper, it was only for the sake of Wang Huachun that he didn’t lash out immediately after hearing what Chen Hai had said.
Otherwise, at another time and place, someone saying such things in front of him might have caused Xiaohang to flip the table right then and there.
“Brother Xiaohang, the glory you see is just rootless duckweed, like a reflection of the moon in water, easily shattered at the slightest touch.”
“These well-known bosses in the Four-nine City, like leeks, are cut down batch by batch, only for new ones to sprout up again.”
“You haven’t run into trouble yet, only because you have been lucky to have someone protecting you, and you haven’t offended anyone you shouldn’t.”
“Without power or influence, no background or backing, relying solely on your bravery and ferocity, you can only shine briefly but certainly can’t last.”
“In Capital City, you must have many enemies.
Have you ever thought about what would happen to your wife and two children if you were gone?”
“With the way you handle things, if you keep going like this, you’ll definitely end up in trouble within three years!”
“Don’t think I’m trying to scare you, but I must confess, I have some knowledge of face-reading and fate.
Based on your face, you will certainly die within three years.
By asking for your help, I am merely valuing your talents and trying to save your life!”
“Following me might not offer as much glory as before, but at the very least, it can bring stability, and financially, I won’t shortchange you!”
“If you think what I am saying sounds harsh, no worries, just consider I am spouting nonsense!”
Nonchalantly, Chen Hai offered a light smile and spoke calmly.
Bai Xiaohang was a highly prideful and unyielding man.
Just a few words would not be enough to persuade him, which was hardly realistic.
The main point of Chen Hai’s long speech was more of a probe.
After all, he never believed he was some Child of Destiny, nor did he possess the charm to have various talents cry out “my lord” and kneel to follow him upon seeing him.
Back when Xiaohang, who had earlier shown evident anger on his face, heard Chen Hai’s words, he took out a cigarette, lit it for himself, then fell silent.
Although he was quick-tempered and liked to show his bravery, that didn’t mean he lacked intelligence.
Even he had to admit that much of what Chen Hai said was true.
When he single-handedly stormed into Jiangzhe Village with just a knife, cutting down numerous people, he couldn’t help but consider that one day, scenes of him being brutally ambushed and dying miserably on the streets might come true.
That battle indeed made him famous.
However, financially, Bai Xiaohang didn’t earn much.
After all, the protection fees from those merchants in Jiangzhe Village went to his boss, Brother Jing, not to him, Bai Xiaohang.
“The tenants in my villa are just a minor issue, I can handle it myself, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with it, Brother Xiaohang!”
“The things I just mentioned to you, if you take them to heart, consider them thoroughly when you calm down.”
“Whenever you are ready to help me, you are always welcome here!”
Chen Hai remained calm and composed.
After tossing a few words at Bai Xiaohang, he turned to look at Wang Huachun, who was also standing dumbstruck.
Pulling out some banknotes, Chen Hai passed them over with a smile and instructed, “Huachun, go buy two good packs of cigarettes.
It’s not an easy trip for you and Brother Xiaohang to come here; I certainly won’t let you go back empty-handed.”
“One pack for each of you as a small token of appreciation, consider it a thank-you gift!”
After taking the money from Chen Hai’s hands, Wang Huachun was still visibly stunned.
Although he wasn’t involved in street life and only focused on being a successful real estate agent, he had always admired Bai Xiaohang immensely, viewing him as an idol in life.
However, now, the Xiaohang he thought was infallible, seemed to have always been overshadowed by his roommate Chen Hai in terms of presence.
This scene was truly baffling to Wang Huachun.
It wasn’t until Chen Hai had left and vanished from sight that he snapped back to reality.
“Huachun, your classmate Chen Hai is really something!” Bai Xiaohang said, his face a mixture of emotions, after a long silence he sighed deeply.
“Xiaohang, Chen Hai is indeed from the mountains in Xiangnan, there’s absolutely no mistake about that!”
“However, this guy has always seemed so mysterious; I now feel that I can’t quite see through him!” Wang Huachun responded with a wry smile.
He looked at the banknotes in his hand and asked Bai Xiaohang, “Xiaohang, what should we do about this money?”
“What else can we do?
Didn’t Chen Hai say before he left to buy two packs of cigarettes, one for each of us?”
“Let’s go, we’re leaving.
Later, I still need to go see Brother Jing.”
Bai Xiaohang patted Wang Huachun’s shoulder and sighed.
He called out to Wang Huachun, and the two of them walked out of the billiard room.
…
Chen Hai went straight back to school after leaving the billiard room.
During lunchtime, his pager beeped suddenly.
The number displayed was very familiar to him; he recognized it immediately as his girlfriend Ye Qingqing’s number.
He found a nearby public phone booth and called back.
“Qingqing, did you page me for something?” Chen Hai asked as soon as the call connected.
“Brother Hai, are you free tonight?
Do you have any other errands to run?” Ye Qingqing responded over the phone.
“Recently, I’ve been pretty free; I usually go back to West Mountain Villa in the evening.
What’s up, Qingqing?” Chen Hai hesitated for a moment before honestly replying.
“It’s good if you’re free.
I’ll pick you up at the school gate tonight; how about we go back together?”
“One of my elders, somehow he’s gotten wind of our relationship.”
“This morning I went to the nursing home to chat with him, and he suddenly brought it up.
He even said he would come to West Mountain tonight to have a look at me and meet you!” Ye Qingqing said with a laugh.
“Meeting an elder?” Upon hearing this, the usually calm and composed Chen Hai felt an inexplicable panic.
“Don’t worry, Brother Hai, he’s a good man!”
“He has trouble walking and doesn’t have any children.
I often go to talk to him; he says he sees me as his daughter!”
“He just wants to meet you and chat casually, you don’t need to be nervous!”
Understanding what Chen Hai might be worried about, Ye Qingqing quickly explained.
“Alright, Qingqing, then let’s meet him,” Chen Hai sighed after hesitating for a moment.
Although he and Ye Qingqing hadn’t officially moved in together, they had spent many nights together.
Their relationship had reached such a stage that meeting Ye Qingqing’s elder was inevitable sooner or later.
It was still unclear whether Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling knew about their daughter being with Chen Hai.
At this juncture, meeting this unknown elder mentioned by Ye Qingqing would be a preparatory step for the future when Chen Hai would meet Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling.
“Qingqing, does your elder have any taboos?
Should I prepare any gifts?”
“That’s not necessary; he says that, but whether he will really come is still uncertain.
I’m just giving you a heads-up.”
“Alright, I know now.
I’ll leave school early tonight!”
…
Hanging up the phone, Chen Hai sighed.
It was just past twelve o’clock, still about fifteen minutes away from one.
At the Astronomy Department today, there was still a major class in the afternoon that he needed to attend.
Although Chen Hai often skipped classes recently, there were some classes where he still needed to show up.
After all, he wasn’t afraid of exams, but if he missed too many classes and lost too many credits, it might indeed be a case of more loss than gain if he couldn’t even get his diploma later!
Leaving the public phone booth, Chen Hai strode back towards the school.