HLM – Chapter 958 Letting Off Steam

The fourth fish finally sold for 80,000 yuan. As the saying goes, rare items can be held for a higher price. Normally, this fish would fetch 20,000 yuan at best, yet now it sold for 80,000!

The buyer was the same boss who had offered 18,000 New Zealand dollars earlier. He tried to haggle again, but Wang Bo just rounded off the price—80,000 yuan, take it or leave it.

Finally, they waited for Zhong Dabao. He came back from chatting animatedly with the female host, holding his phone as if it were a holy grail.

Wang Bo teased, “What’s this? Did your goddess kiss your phone?”

Zhong Dabao glared at him. “Don’t talk nonsense! My goddess isn’t that kind of person! Hey, Wang Ba—uh, Wang Bo, where’d you get your new iPhone? Get me one too.”

Wang Bo asked, “Why?”

“I need a new phone. Tao Tao saved my number in hers and even added me on WeChat. My current phone is so trash it’s an insult to her number and WeChat. I need the latest iPhone!”

Wang Bo: “……”

On the way, Zhong Dabao kept playing on his phone. Father Bo reminded him that the first day after the Little New Year they’d come to his house for a full fish feast, but he didn’t pay attention, just kept nodding and saying “okay, okay, okay.”

The day before the Little New Year, a call came from an unknown number. Wang Bo answered suspiciously, and a friendly voice greeted him warmly:

“Brother Little Wang, I’m Du Zhicheng. Let me wish you and your family an early happy new year.”

Du Zhicheng? Wang Bo blinked, trying to recall. Oh, right—he’s the owner of the Venice Water City Hotel, also a competitor of “Ling Si.” The ospreys in Sunset Town were purchased from him.

They began talking. Du Zhicheng started with cordial greetings, then said:

“Brother Wang, I was wondering when you’d have time. I’d like to bring a few friends over to pay my respects.”

“Unsolicited attentions are either sinister or mischievous,” Wang Bo thought, smiling. “Mr. Du, you’re too polite. Just say what’s on your mind. I still remember you helped me buy the ospreys. If there’s anything I can help with, I’m happy to.”

Du Zhicheng cleared his throat: “Here’s the thing: I have a cousin who’s been acting terribly lately—can’t eat, can’t sleep, always anxious. I asked him what was wrong… and it turns out, this idiot offended you, Brother Wang, and he’s only realizing it now!”

Wang Bo laughed. “Impossible. I haven’t had any conflicts with anyone since I returned… Wait, your cousin is a fisherman?”

Du Zhicheng chuckled awkwardly: “Yes, he’s also a seafaring fisherman. His name is Du Shicheng, and he has a tin fishing boat called ‘South Nation Waves.’”

Wang Bo recalled that one of the two boats that clashed with them over the tuna was called South Nation Waves, captained by that show-off little old man.

He didn’t care much at the time—only words were exchanged, no real loss occurred, and the matter had ended.

But since they were now coming to smooth things over, he had an idea.

Both the bald guy and the little old man had acted arrogantly, so they needed a lesson—only someone with strong backing and personal strength could do it; otherwise, they’d surely be bullied.

So Wang Bo sneered: “Mr. Du, let’s separate things. First, our relationship: I know you’ve been taking good care of my parents’ business, and I truly appreciate that. But your cousin’s actions weren’t quite proper.”

On the other end, Du Zhicheng glared fiercely at his cousin Du Shicheng, who no longer had his usual seafaring bravado, sitting nervously on the sofa. Beside him were an even more nervous bald guy and Ma Guangbiao.

“I sincerely apologize, Brother Wang. No excuses—my family messed up, and I just want to make amends,” Du Zhicheng said.

Wang Bo didn’t need to press him. Zhong Dabao had mentioned that some of the seafood they caught recently was sent to the Venice Water City Hotel, and Du Zhicheng gave them fair, sometimes above-market prices.

“So wait a moment; I’ll discuss this with my parents,” Wang Bo said.

After hanging up, Du Zhicheng slammed his hand on the desk in anger: “Damn it! You never thought of me when good fish and shrimp came along, but now a problem arises, and suddenly you remember me?!”

Du Shicheng awkwardly tried: “Xiao Zhi, it was a misunderstanding…”

“A misunderstanding my ass! You think I don’t know your temper? Back then, all those times you beat me as a kid—also misunderstandings?” Du Zhicheng snapped.

Du Shicheng fell silent, stammering nervously.

Seeing his cousin, more than ten years older, act like this, Du Zhicheng calmed down a lot: “Wang Bo’s a reasonable guy. I have a good relationship with his parents. As for this matter…”

At that moment, his phone rang again. Seeing it was Wang Bo, he quickly answered, smiling: “Brother Wang, what do your uncle and aunt say?”

“Mr. Du, my parents appreciate your care. Out of respect for you, they said let’s just consider this matter as if it never happened. However, at the time your cousin’s two boats boxed in our sampan, causing some minor damage…”

“I understand, I understand. Quote me a price, it’s easy to settle!” Du Zhicheng said hurriedly.

“No need for a price. Just replace some wood and repaint. Forget it—my father says, out of respect for you, we’ll handle the sampan ourselves.”

“Ah, that won’t do. How about this: with the New Year coming, I’ll bring my cousin over to visit your uncle and aunt, and make a small amends, alright?”

“The visit is welcome, but no need for compensation. You’re a generous man, Mr. Du; we can’t act petty.”

After hanging up, Du Zhicheng felt triumphant: “Done. The matter’s settled!”

“One phone call?” Ma Guangbiao was stunned. “That’s it?”

Du Zhicheng sneered: “It’s not about the phone. It’s about the relationships I’ve built!”

Du Shicheng gave a thumbs up: “My cousin’s impressive. In our generation of the Du family, I salute you!”

Du Zhicheng rolled his eyes: “Alright, go enjoy your New Year. Oh, and don’t help for nothing—next year, save the good catches for my hotel.”

“Of course, of course,” nodded the bald guy, pecking like a little chick.

After investigating Wang Bo, they were increasingly intimidated. Especially after the case involving Ling Si, they learned from the county police that it even involved the central government!

Realizing this, they dared not confront him directly. They searched for connections, and eventually ended up with Du Zhicheng.