Zhang Tianxing and Liang Cheng were preparing to return home, and Tofunava put on a reluctant show.
"I haven't properly hosted you two yet, and you're already leaving."
Zhang Tianxing found her demeanor amusing. "My university is about to start, and I need to go back to school. My parents are all at home, so I have to go home eventually."
Hearing this, Tofunava felt a pang of sadness, forcing a smile onto her face. "Alright then, take care on your journey. I believe we'll see each other again soon."
Liang Cheng glanced at the two of them and said nothing more. Tofunava had made thorough arrangements this time, even assigning a whole train car of goods that would only need to be unloaded.
One could only attribute it to a beauty's deep affection. Zhang Tianxing could only accept it gracefully.
Being young was just an excuse; the main reason was that Zhang Tianxing hadn't yet decided if he wanted a foreign wife.
If that were the case, Liang Juan would surely go mad. His bloodline couldn't change.
Furthermore, emotions couldn't be forced. Zhang Tianxing felt nothing at the moment.
Since his rebirth, Zhang Tianxing had contemplated many things, including investing in potential stocks. However, he later discovered that there were too many people in China with the same name, surname, and even the same hometown.
Besides, whether or not to demand returns after investing was a question, and whether they would comply was another issue.
The train returned as usual, and many of the traders on board came forward to greet Zhang Tianxing and Liang Cheng.
Zhang Tianxing and Liang Cheng had now become celebrities among these traders. It was unavoidable; their appearances were too high-profile. Normally, people transporting a carload of goods would opt for sea transport.
Sea transport had two advantages: lower freight costs and greater capacity, allowing more goods to be shipped.
"Isn't this Boss Liang? Your grand gesture at the platform truly astonished us."
"Indeed. I initially thought you two were novices, but I never expected such a bold move. Truly admirable."
...
Soon, flattery echoed all around, leaving Zhang Tianxing and Liang Cheng speechless. Good heavens, were they afraid the world wouldn't know they were fat sheep?
However, one doesn't hit a smiling face. This was also a convention.
Zhang Tianxing cupped his hands with a smile. "Ah, I just exchanged some worthless trinkets. In business, there are gains and losses. We're all just earning a living through hard work."
Last time, when Zhang Tianxing spoke with a smile on the train, others had treated him as a mere youngster.
But now, the attitude of the crowd towards Zhang Tianxing had changed from that time.
"Little Boss Zhang speaks so well. When I was your age, I knew nothing and just wandered around Sijiu City all day."
"Yes, Little Boss Zhang is so dignified and imposing; he's clearly a pillar of talent."
These words almost made Zhang Tianxing feel embarrassed. Were they really praising him that much? Perhaps they were.
However, Zhang Tianxing quickly sobered up. Damn it, these were just empty promises. Listening to them was useless.
To put it bluntly, the traders on this train were all rolling in money; none of them lacked funds.
Except for those new to the business, traders were generally wealthy individuals.
Ultimately, one had to rely on oneself. None of these traders were good people; they were all trying to trick him.
Fellow tradesmen are rivals. They all sourced their goods from Belarus and sold them domestically, which naturally made them direct competitors.
Therefore, the atmosphere at this moment was no longer as harmonious, with a subtle sense of impending conflict.
Each of them was thinking about how to maximize their own profits, and they couldn't let others occupy their sales territories.
Everyone had their own hidden agenda, and they were all scheming.
Just as Zhang Tianxing was contemplating, an out-of-place voice suddenly rang out.
"Everyone get down! Nobody move, or I'll shoot!"
Three burly men stood up, brandishing guns.
Seeing the imminent danger, one trader attempted to flee to another carriage.
However, he didn't even get a few steps before...
"Bang!"
A gunshot echoed, and the trader slowly fell to the ground.
The middle-aged robber brought the pistol to his lips and blew away the smoke from the barrel.
"Behave yourselves. If you don't want to suffer, cooperate."
Everyone in the carriage was stunned and immediately complied with the order.
They all lay down, fearing for their lives.
Zhang Tianxing and Liang Cheng were also taken aback. Just as they feared, their worst nightmare had come true.
They hadn't expected to encounter robbers. This was not good.
The number of attackers was unknown, but there were at least three in this carriage alone, all armed and good shots.
The one who fired was clearly a ruthless individual.
Zhang Tianxing's mind raced, calculating how to best protect his own interests.
The most obvious option was to subdue the robbers, but that was undoubtedly the most difficult.
The safest course of action was to hand over all their money. They were at the mercy of their captors, with no room for resistance.
However, there was a hidden danger. The traders had just lavished praise upon him and his uncle. Now, they were in trouble.
They would undoubtedly be seen as prime targets by these robbers. Today would not be easy.
Liang Cheng's legs were trembling, not for any other reason than that they were carrying a large sum of money. From childhood to adulthood, Zhang Tianxing and Liang Cheng had never seen such a quantity of gold bars.
It seemed their money, still warm from being acquired, was about to be snatched away.
At this moment, a middle-aged man with short hair stood up, holding a snake-skin bag.
"Hurry up, everyone! Put your money, jewelry, watches, mobile phones, and other valuables into this bag."
He collected them from row after row.
The people on the train were alarmed. This was dire. Previously, these robbers operated sporadically, but now they had ventured onto the train.
Damn it, they couldn't let their hard-earned money be wasted like this.
Zhang Tianxing mentally calculated the distances, wondering if these three had accomplices. He needed to subdue the three armed individuals in the shortest possible time, which was a daunting task.
However, Zhang Tianxing didn't give up. Opportunities are created by people; it depended on whether he could create and seize one.
"Put all your money into the snake-skin bag. If you're slow, you'll risk your lives."
This was blatant robbery. Zhang Tianxing reached into his chest with one hand.
Another robber saw the situation here.
"What are you doing? Don't gather together, disperse quickly. Kid, squat down, or I'll shoot."
The other robber, noticing Zhang Tianxing's situation, immediately approached with his gun.
The first robber reached out and felt a female passenger's face. "Hey, little lady, hand over your money first. Later, when I'm done having fun, I might give you some back. If you're good, I'll give you more than you hand over."
The female passengers on the train with some beauty showed distressed expressions.
They had encountered robbers, but these ones were dishonorable, not only robbing them of their wealth but also threatening their chastity!