ECG -Chapter 194 Just Let Them Do Their Own Thing

Li Lang kept talking nonstop for quite a while, and the more Ma Dayao listened, the more tempted he became. In the end, he asked one more question:

“Is it really that profitable?”

Li Lang quickly pulled out the keys to his Reiz. “Look, I just bought this. I sold my old junk car and added another 100,000 yuan to buy it!”

Ma Dayao knew exactly what his financial situation was like. For the past two years, his father-in-law hadn’t even given him any pocket money. It seemed this business really was insanely profitable. The car keys were the final straw that broke the camel’s back, and he had already made up his mind.

“Xiao Lang, if we’re going to do this, we have to go big. Don’t be stingy and mess around with pirated stuff! How about this—leave Zhou Dongbing’s side to me. You get the company set up first, so we don’t alert anyone. As for Lin Hao, don’t touch him for now. Wait until I give you word before doing anything!”

“I’m afraid…”

Ma Dayao’s eyes widened. “Afraid of what the hell? He’s just a student. Can he actually run away?”

“Fine, fine!” Li Lang reluctantly agreed.

But inside, he cursed for a long time:

Damn it! What a mess this turned into. I was supposed to quietly make money, but now I’ve somehow found myself a boss! This Lin Hao really doesn’t know how to behave. I’ll definitely find a chance to teach him a lesson!

However, when he thought about how, if he opened a record company, he would still have to rely on signing Lin Hao and having him release albums, he couldn’t afford to completely ruin their relationship. The frustration in his heart only grew.

Ma Dayao’s mind was a mess. He waved his hand at Li Lang.

“Go back first. Let me think about it.”

Li Lang knew he was trying to figure out how to explain things to Zhou Dongbing, so he got up and left.

Deep down, Ma Dayao really didn’t want to offend Zhou Dongbing. Although he was older than Zhou, whether it was social status or wealth, he couldn’t compare with him at all.

But if he refused him, it wasn’t like he had no reason. Li Lang hadn’t tried to force Lin Hao into anything and had even promised to give him 40% of the profits. That was already quite considerate!

Besides, looking at it another way, wasn’t Zhou Dongbing reaching his hand too far?

Then he remembered what Li Lang had said. Zhou Dongbing had been thriving these past years, but when had he ever looked after him? With Zhou’s influence in Chunhe, even a few small construction projects slipping through his fingers would have been enough for Ma Dayao to make a fortune!

Every time Zhou came to the provincial capital, he only brought some local specialties from Chunhe—pine nuts, hazel mushrooms, forest frogs, and the like.

Did he lack those things?

Why should Zhou Dongbing be the one drinking wine by the bowl and eating meat in huge chunks?

Lying on the massage bed and tossing around, he thought again about the businesses left behind by He Qing. What a pity—his own methods were still far inferior. He didn’t have Old Qi’s ruthlessness or his ability to put on a good show. Old Qi could manipulate He Qing’s wife and children completely.

Ma Dayao himself had made several trips, but He Qing’s wife Shang Na clearly trusted Old Qi more. Don’t be fooled by Old Qi’s intimidating, meat-faced appearance that made him look like a brute—he was actually extremely calculating.

In less than two months, all of Old Qing’s establishments and businesses would probably end up under the surname He (Old Qi’s surname).

Sigh…

Thinking of this, he stopped hesitating and picked up the phone to call back.

“Dongbing.”

“Brother Ma!”

Ma Dayao carefully chose his words.

“Just now, I called that little bastard over and gave him a scolding…”

Zhou Dongbing didn’t say anything and quietly listened.

“But after I understood what happened, I’m actually in a difficult position. Li Lang promised to give that Lin Hao 40% of the retail revenue. Even I think that’s pretty fair. What else can I say about this?”

“You know my brother-in-law is just a troublemaker. Over the years, I’ve beaten some sense into him plenty of times. But today, I really don’t have any way to handle this!”

“I think this is actually a good thing. Let them cooperate. Everyone can make money together. What do you think, brother?”

Zhou Dongbing understood what Ma Dayao meant, but he still tried to persuade him.

“Brother Ma, my little brother here is extremely talented. He sells a single song to those singers for hundreds of thousands. If he wants to release an album, he can completely go to a major record company. You understand what I mean, right?”

Zhou Dongbing had no idea that his words had the opposite effect.

When Ma Dayao heard that even one song could sell for hundreds of thousands, he couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath.

What kind of person is this Lin Hao? He’s not even human anymore. He’s basically a damn money tree!

Then he thought more carefully about Zhou Dongbing’s words, and his heart became even more uncomfortable.

Wasn’t Zhou Dongbing basically looking down on Li Lang?

If Lin Hao wanted to release an album, he could just go to those big companies. Why would he cooperate with a street thug like them?

In truth, everything Zhou Dongbing had said was sincere advice. But by now, Ma Daya had been completely blinded by the prospect of making money. Combined with his self-image as an old-school veteran and senior figure, as well as the frustration he’d been feeling from Lao Qi’s recent success, there was no way he could listen to reason anymore.

“Dongbing, let’s leave it at that. They’re just kids anyway. As long as everyone’s making money, let them sort it out themselves! Alright, I’m hanging up.”

With that, Ma Daya decisively ended the call.

After putting down his phone, Zhou Dongbing leaned back in his large chair. Lighting a cigarette, he carefully reflected on Ma Daya’s sudden change in attitude.

His mind worked quickly, and it didn’t take long for him to figure out what had happened.

Li Lang must have talked Ma Daya into it. Not only that, he had probably invited him in on the deal and promised him a share of the profits. Otherwise, Ma Daya wouldn’t have thrown caution to the wind and risked losing face like this.

Zhou Dongbing hadn’t known Ma Daya for very long. Back when Fourth Brother was still alive, Ma Daya had been nothing more than an insignificant street thug. If He Qing hadn’t helped him later on, he never would have reached his current position.

After Fourth Brother’s death, Zhou Dongbing had maintained decent relationships with many of the former subordinates. He had met Ma Daya through He Qing several years ago, but their relationship had never gone beyond occasionally sharing drinks whenever Zhou visited the provincial capital.

The company’s two biggest projects were about to begin construction.

The original plan had been to move the group headquarters to the provincial capital after completion next year, but his elder brother had called yesterday. Reading between the lines, it was obvious he wanted Zhou Dongbing to relocate sooner.

Looks like we’ll have to move ahead of schedule. Hopefully before winter arrives…

Then his thoughts returned to Ma Daya.

He still didn’t want the situation to deteriorate completely, so he picked up his phone and made another call.

“Seventh Brother.”

“Dongbing? You’re in Xuecheng?”

Zhou Dongbing chuckled.

“No, but I need a favor.”

He then explained the entire situation.

“I understand,” He Laoqi said. “We’re actually having dinner together tonight. I’ll try to talk some sense into him. Wait for my call.”

“Great. Thanks, Seventh Brother.”

“You brat, still being so formal with me?” He Laoqi laughed.

---

At 9:30 that evening.

After finishing a soccer game with his son, Zhou Dongbing returned home drenched in sweat. He was just about to take off his clothes and shower when his phone rang.

Looking at the screen, he saw it was He Laoqi from the provincial capital.

“Dad, you’re not showering with me?” the little boy asked from the bathroom doorway, already shirtless.

“You’re a big boy now. Wash yourself.”

Phone in hand, Zhou Dongbing walked out into the courtyard and sat down in a chair.

“Seventh Brother.”

“Dongbing, I’ve said everything I could. The guy’s completely possessed by greed. I honestly don’t know what else to tell him.”

“Alright, I understand. Thanks, Seventh Brother.”

Zhou Dongbing thanked him and was about to end the call.

“Dongbing, wait a second…”

He Laoqi sounded hesitant.

Hearing the silence that followed, Zhou Dongbing grew suspicious.

“What is it?”

“There’s something I’m not sure whether I should say…”

Zhou Dongbing laughed.

“Seventh Brother, what can’t the two of us talk about?”

“Old Ma’s really lost his head. Lately he’s been eyeing the businesses He Qing left behind. I’m worried Sister-in-law won’t be able to withstand his constant persuasion and pressure…”

Zhou Dongbing froze.

The assets He Qing had left behind were substantial.

There were more than a dozen KTVs and bathhouses alone. In Xiangfang District, there was also a large brick factory and a cement plant. Besides that, He Jingyun owned a bar, three upscale fashion boutiques, and two wholesale clothing stalls in the Hongbo Underground Commercial Street near the train station.

After hanging up, Zhou Dongbing lit another cigarette.

A long time passed before he finally made a call.

“Sister-in-law, it’s me, Dongbing.”

From the other end came the faint sound of a piano being played. Then a gentle, tranquil voice answered warmly:

“Dongbing? Have you come to Xuecheng?”