Watching Qin Chuan's expressionless face, and the menacing figures of Bai Xiaoguang, Yao Dong, and Zheng Chengdao behind him, Wu Aping, Zhou Erwa, and Xie Jun finally realized the vast gap between themselves and Qin Chuan.
They were no longer on the same level. Qin Chuan truly had clout – he had both money and people.
Compared to them, who only knew how to brag every day and actually earned just a few hundred yuan, he was countless times more powerful.
Without further ado, they spilled out the entire account of what happened that evening, as if a string of beans had been dropped.
The situation was largely as Qin Chuan had understood. The incident indeed originated from a massage. Both parties had taken a liking to the same girl, and neither wanted to tread on ground another had already marked. This led to an argument.
What they hadn't anticipated was that the other side would be more ruthless. Without a word, one person stepped forward and began to beat and kick them.
Being young men in their twenties, with hot blood surging, they couldn't just stand there and take a beating. They immediately fought back.
However, the outcome was disastrous. A single person from the other side swept through all four of them, leaving them utterly unable to retaliate.
Qin Erge took the worst beating, not only getting his head split open but also suffering a fractured arm.
"What was the other party's name?" Qin Chuan asked calmly after hearing the account.
Wu Aping and the other two shook their heads. "We don't know them at all. We've never seen them before."
Qin Chuan frowned, then a look of realization dawned on his face.
Wu Aping and his companions had been working outside for a long time and were indeed not familiar with people from their hometown county.
He turned his gaze to Zheng Chengdao behind him. "Did you send anyone to the massage parlor where the incident occurred?"
"Boss!"
Zheng Chengdao knew what Qin Chuan was going to ask and quickly replied, "The first place we went was that massage parlor."
"We don't recognize the person who beat Qin Gang this time, but the boss of the massage parlor informed us that the person who brought those people was named Wu Ya, a subordinate of Han Shihong."
A cold glint flashed in Qin Chuan's ink-black eyes. "Find this person called Wu Ya."
"Understood, Boss!" Zheng Chengdao bowed and agreed.
After inquiring about the main issue, Qin Chuan asked, "Weren't you three supposed to be working out of town? Why are you still here?"
The three stammered and avoided his gaze for a moment.
Finally, Zhou Erwa quietly replied, "My parents said they don't want me to go out anymore. They want me to find a job at your electronics factory or in real estate. They say it's more promising to follow you than to go elsewhere."
"Staying in our hometown also makes it easier to find a wife."
Qin Chuan nodded upon hearing this reason. Such a situation was indeed very common in rural areas and small cities.
Not just now, but even twenty years later, many such cases still existed.
Countless young people, after working elsewhere for years with no success, had no choice but to obediently return home, find a matchmaker, and settle down with a sensible girl or guy.
Then, the young couple would either continue to work hard outside together, or settle down in their hometown, have children, and live their lives, their paths determined.
"And what about you two?" Qin Chuan's gaze fell on Wu Aping and Xie Jun. Of the three, Qin Chuan only felt some goodwill towards Zhou Erwa. Based on his knowledge from his previous life, this person was decent, even though they hadn't interacted much.
Wu Aping and Xie Jun were both individuals with questionable intentions, as Qin Chuan knew well.
"I... I'm in a similar situation. My parents don't want me to fool around outside anymore!" Xie Jun said in a low voice.
"Qin Chuan, we want to follow you!" Wu Aping looked up and said to Qin Chuan.
"We're all from the same village. We grew up playing together practically in diapers. Now that you've become successful, please take us brothers along!"
"We'll do anything!"
Xie Jun chimed in, pleading, "Yes, Qin Chuan! We've been buddies since childhood, brothers for so many years. With your current capabilities, even a little bit that slips through your fingers is enough for us to eat well."
Qin Chuan looked at the faces before him and hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "It's no problem for me to arrange work for you. However, the positions in my departments, even at the team leader level, are all filled."
"If you want to join, you can only start as ordinary workers with standard salaries. Your positions will be gradually improved based on your performance in the future. Are you willing?"
After Qin Chuan finished speaking, the expectant faces of Wu Aping and Xie Jun visibly stiffened.
"Qin Chuan, you're a big boss! With your status, arranging a position anywhere would just be a word from you, wouldn't it!" Wu Aping couldn't help but say.
"That's right, Qin Chuan. We've been brothers for so many years. Only giving us ordinary employee positions might be a bit inappropriate, don't you think?" Xie Jun also added, "If word gets out that we're your long-time brothers, wouldn't that tarnish your reputation?"
Qin Chuan smiled faintly, looking at the two who kept addressing him as 'brother'.
If it weren't for their shared village roots, he wouldn't even bother arguing with such people. What did they take me for?
Did they really think that now that I'm rich, I'd become a fat pick for them to feast on, with everyone wanting a bite?
Dream on!
Idiots!!!
Didn't someone just say they'd do any job?
"Since you don't want to be ordinary workers, let me ask you, what skills do you possess?"
However, with the mindset of someone who had lived two lives, Qin Chuan remained calm. He wasn't going to lower himself to get angry with such lowlifes; it wasn't worth it.
"There are people from our village working at my electronics factory or renovation company. They are all ordinary workers, and none of them receive special treatment. You can ask around if you don't believe me."
"Because my company never engages in nepotism. We adhere to a principle of meritocracy. Whoever is capable climbs higher. It's that simple."
After Qin Chuan's explanation, Wu Aping and Xie Jun's faces immediately turned very unpleasant.
They both worked in electronics factories outside, screwing in screws. They hadn't learned any particular skills. What expertise did they have?
It was Zhou Erwa who spoke up, "Qin Chuan, I know how to renovate!"
"Are you willing to work at my renovation company then?" Qin Chuan asked.
Zhou Erwa hesitated for a moment, then nodded forcefully. "No problem!"
"Zhou Erwa, are you an idiot? Doing renovations in this rundown county, and working for someone else, how much money can you earn?" Wu Aping, enraged, cursed.
"If we do this, we might as well go out and work. At least the salary there is a hundred yuan more per month than in this rundown county!"
Zhou Erwa remained silent.
Seeing this, Qin Chuan's lips curved slightly upwards. He stood up and said, "Whether you stay or go is entirely up to you."
"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now!"
With that, he left with his men, leaving only the three of them in the ward.