Li Jin immediately pocketed the two thousand one hundred yuan. As for how much salary he would give the two dealers, that was not Yang Jian’s concern.
Seeing that their accounts were clear, Song Jianmin placed his bag on the table and laid out all the cash inside.
“Now let’s reconcile the betting accounts.”
“Jianmin, there’s no need to reconcile. You can just report it yourself. I trust both you and Manager Yang.”
Li Jin appeared very magnanimous.
Song Jianmin nodded, “Alright, the principal amount tonight was eighty thousand, with a total profit of four thousand six hundred yuan. Thirty thousand of the principal hasn’t been recovered. I suggest we distribute the profit.”
Yang Jian didn’t understand, “What’s the point of keeping the profit if we don’t distribute it?”
Li Jin chuckled, “The operating model of a betting company is to keep the profits to continue placing bets, letting money make money, like a snowball rolling downhill, getting bigger and bigger. The more principal you have, the more profit you make. However, it’s our opening night, so everyone gets a share for good luck. Four thousand six hundred will be divided equally at four thousand two hundred, with the extra four hundred going to Jianmin.”
Yang Jian naturally had no objection to this suggestion.
Song Jianmin counted out fourteen hundred yuan for each of them and kept eighteen hundred for himself. Although Li Jin’s involvement reduced his income, he was still satisfied with such earnings.
Yang Jian was even happier. His income for the night was over eleven thousand yuan. He planned to give the recently distributed thousand yuan to Song Jianmin, keeping over ten thousand for himself. At this rate, he could repay his sister’s money in about ten days and return home for ancestral worship during the Qingming Festival; otherwise, his father wouldn’t let him in.
On the way home, Yang Jian tried to hand over the fourteen hundred yuan to Song Jianmin, but he refused.
“Yang Jian, we’ve been classmates for years, don’t be so formal. My foundation is a bit more solid than yours, and I’m already married with children, settled in life. You’re under a lot of pressure now, with a debt of one hundred thousand yuan. You’ll want to buy a house in the county town later, then get married. You’ll have many expenses. You need to accumulate capital quickly; only with money in hand can you earn more money.”
Yang Jian deeply agreed with Song Jianmin’s words. In the betting industry, the more capital one had, the faster they could earn.
“Alright, since you have money, why don’t you place bets at your brother’s establishment?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, but our establishment is too small. Gamblers here typically win or lose only two to three thousand yuan. Basically, no one borrows betting money, and even if they do, it’s from people who can’t repay. It’s meaningless to pressure someone for a few thousand yuan.”
“You have a point. Betting really only makes money in high-stakes establishments. I hope our establishment can last for a long time so we can earn more.”
Song Jianmin drove for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “Yang Jian, the Xunsi River area is not a place for us to stay long-term. We need to hurry and make some money. With your skills and reputation, you could do very well back home or in Hancheng.”
Yang Jian actually had the idea and preparations to leave long ago. He found Song Jianmin’s statement a bit strange, “Why do you have the same idea?”
“Nonsense, I’m not stupid. My experience in the underworld is at least richer than yours. Xiao Wu’s influence seems to be growing, but he’s no match for Brother Xiong. I’m sure that once the demolition starts, it will be time for Brother Xiong to make his move. Not only will you be his primary target, but our establishment will also be impacted and forced to close.”
“Jianmin, to be honest, I’ve already planned to leave once I get my driver’s license.”
“How much longer until you take your second driving test?”
“About twenty days, I estimate.”
“Alright, you are indeed in great danger here. Brother Xiong could make a move at any time. Xiao Wu is not worth risking your life for. You built his empire, but he hasn’t shown you any appreciation. Your thousand yuan salary was paid by our company; he’s too stingy.”
Yang Jian snorted, “Being used once or twice can be tolerated, but never a third time. I’m not as foolish as he thinks, especially after this incident with Baldy. He completely wanted me and Baldy to both suffer heavy losses. It’s merciful that I haven’t dealt with him. That’s why when Li Jin invited me to cooperate, I agreed immediately.”
“Then what are your plans for the future?”
“If I can get over a hundred thousand yuan during this period, I might continue contracting carpentry projects. If there are no projects, I might consider joining Wu Wangchun’s team.”
Song Jianmin stopped the car abruptly, “Don’t make a decision too early. If our establishment can’t continue, my brother will definitely think of other ways. I still hope you’ll stay with us.”
Yang Jian naturally understood Song Jianmin’s proposal. Their team was very small. Although Song Jianhao was an experienced veteran, he didn’t have many capable subordinates and couldn’t afford highly talented individuals. Whether in the county town or Hancheng, they survived in the cracks, needing someone to provide support.
“Don’t worry, if you guys also leave this place, I’ll follow you.”
Yang Jian gave Song Jianmin a reassurance. He was a grateful person; the Song brothers had taken him in during his most difficult times. If he were to continue in the gambling circle, he had to develop with them.
Back at the rented room, the occupants of other rooms were asleep, but the light was still on in Yang Jian’s room. The two of them went in and saw Biao Biao was awake, tossing and turning on the bed, looking very anxious.
“Biao Biao, what’s wrong? Is your drug addiction acting up again?”
Song Jianmin seemed to have identified the problem.
“Jianmin Ge, can you lend me two hundred yuan to buy some stuff to satisfy my craving?”
Biao Biao looked ashamed. He had asked him for money more than once and hadn’t repaid it.
“What about your salary for this period?”
“I sent it to my younger brother for living expenses.”
Song Jianmin sighed and took two hundred yuan from his bag for him.
Biao Biao immediately took out his phone, sent a message, then put on his clothes, got up, and rushed out like a gust of wind.
“What’s wrong with him?”
It was the first time Yang Jian had seen Biao Biao like this.
“He’s addicted to marijuana. It’ll be very difficult for him to quit with willpower alone. I’ve urged him many times to go to a drug rehabilitation center, but he always says he can quit himself. He’s probably unwilling to spend the money.”
Yang Jian didn’t quite understand, “Does quitting gambling cost a lot of money? Don’t people on TV who are addicted to drugs get mandatory, free rehabilitation?”
“There are two ways to quit drugs. One is to pay for detoxification yourself, which leaves no criminal record, but it’s very expensive. For his condition, it would probably cost over ten thousand yuan, which he can’t afford. The other way is to voluntarily surrender to the authorities. While accepting police investigation and punishment, you’ll be forcibly detoxified by the police. This will leave a criminal record. Afterward, no matter where you go, whenever you travel by train, plane, or ship, you’ll be required to undergo a urine test. If it tests positive, you’ll be forcibly detained for investigation, which is very troublesome.”