Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: Murder and Retribution of the Heart

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Zhang Han didn’t expect that after drinking some horse urine wine, Liu Zhong would take it upon himself to make decisions for him. Over the years, Zhang Han had treated him well with soft drinks and other favors; not returning the kindness would be a disservice to the money spent.

“Why not, uncle?” Zhang Han raised his glass in a toast.

Liu Zhong took a sip and stared seriously at Zhang Han, feeling an overwhelming urge to slap him hard across the face and call him an idiot.

Raise chickens in Fulai Village?

The most important thing was, if you lose money raising chickens, who’s going to repay the debts I owe? Won’t Liu Xin’s millionaire backup plan fly out the window?

He looked at Zhang Han meaningfully. “Uncle has walked more paths than the salt you’ve eaten.”

“First, the current market economy isn’t good. Chicken prices aren’t high, and the investment is large while returns are minimal.”

“Second, if a chicken plague breaks out, it could wipe out entire flocks overnight, and losing a million yuan in one night is normal.”

Zhang Han feigned reluctance. “Uncle, but I think money sitting in the bank doesn’t grow; only business can make money.”

“I want to make big money, become a billionaire, and only then will I be worthy of Liu Xin.”

Liu Zhong didn’t expect Zhang Han to have such ambitions. “I’m glad to hear that thought, uncle.”

“But I don’t agree. You should give up on this idea.”

“Uncle...” Zhang Han wanted to talk but was cut off.

“What, you don’t think uncle’s words matter?”

“Uncle, how dare I not listen to you! Actually, ever since I won that over ten million, every night I dream of my parents who died more than two years ago; they tell me to invest in Fulai Village, that a golden phoenix will soar from there.”

“So, it’s not my idea, it’s my parents’.”

“I dare not disobey your words, much less theirs.”

This reason caught Liu Zhong’s throat. He knew Zhang Han’s parents, who passed away early, were his deepest pain and bottom line. If anyone used his parents as leverage, Zhang Han would definitely turn hostile.

At the start of senior year, some classmates mocked Zhang Han’s parents, saying they must have done something bad to get hit by a car. Zhang Han broke three ribs of that person. If not for others pulling him away, he might have killed him. Later, Liu Zhong intervened and paid thirty thousand to settle the matter.

He even earned a small side profit of three thousand.

“Uncle, why not join me? What if these native chickens turn into golden ones?”

Zhang Han took the initiative to invite Liu Zhong to invest.

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He was certain Liu Zhong, once bitten by a snake, would hesitate to invest again. Besides, he himself had no money to invest—over a million in debts, monthly child support for his mistress, it was enough to overwhelm him.

Of course, it was also to torment him.

If six months later, Fulai Village was slated for redevelopment and prices soared four or five times, turning one million into over four million—how would Liu Zhong react?

That’s what it means to kill someone’s spirit.

“No chicken will ever appear in Fulai Village. The gilded ones are all in the city,” Liu Zhong joked crudely, dodging the issue.

His expression was grim.

Persuading him further was useless. Now, Liu Zhong only thought about how much money he could squeeze from this Fulai Village business.

At this moment, Liu Zhong admitted he was profoundly anxious.

If Zhang Han lost his money, his greatest leverage would be gone. He recalculated Zhang Han’s initial offer: 3,800 yuan per square meter for 4,000 square meters, a total of 15.2 million yuan. If he could get it at 3,500 per square meter, he could profit 1.2 million, plus the initial 200,000, making 1.4 million!

Though 1.4 million was just a fraction of over ten million, it was better than nothing.

Whatever, Liu Xin would start university after summer break. Though both applied to the same school, whether they’d be together was uncertain.

Even if they were at the same university, Zhang Han’s money would be all gone—what chance would he have?

Liu Zhong’s gaze at Zhang Han changed, now laced with hatred and anger. He shook his trembling hand over his cigarette and flicked the ashes. “Decided?”

“Decided.”

“Hahaha, uncle, what if I get lucky and Fulai Village really gets redeveloped? Then I’d be rich!”

“Nonsense!” Liu Zhong replied firmly. “That godforsaken place? If it gets redeveloped, I’ll take my head off and kick it like a ball!”

The point made, Zhang Han was too lazy to argue.

“Agreed, 200,000. Even brothers have to keep clear accounts,” Liu Zhong reminded him.

“Don’t worry, uncle, I understand. I’ll transfer you 100,000 first. You can rest easy.”

“Tsk, you see, that’s not what I meant,” Liu Zhong pretended to decline.

But when he saw the extra 100,000 in his bank account, Liu Zhong completely relaxed. He’d have Liu Xin find a new admirer at university.

Getting over a million from Zhang Han, paying off his loans, and not being short of cash—that was all he wanted now. The pressure was immense.

His mistress was making a big fuss!

A woman who couldn’t be satisfied.

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After leaving Liu Xin’s apartment complex, Zhang Han realized Zhao Rui had sent several messages. She had moved to a decent new apartment, with complete utilities and, most importantly, a large bathtub perfect for soaking and scrubbing.

She invited Zhang Han over tonight to give him a good back rub.

Zhang Han smirked; this was clearly not about scrubbing but something more intimate.

He bought a few bottles of drinks and took a taxi to Zhao Rui’s new rented place—a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment for 2,000 yuan a month, conveniently close to her workplace.

Tonight, Zhao Rui had dressed up a little—her long hair flowing, her eyebrows and eyes seductive, wearing newly bought perfume. She leaned against the windowsill in a sheer nightgown, hazy and alluring, sparking a stirring ache in Zhang Han’s heart.

He couldn’t help but recall a saying: A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine not as good as an affair, and an affair not as good as one you can never have.

Though the view was unobstructed, the teasing beauty who half-covered herself like a pipa player was far more intoxicating.

After showering, Zhang Han wrapped a towel tightly around his waist, droplets of water glistening on his eight-pack abs. He approached Zhao Rui from behind, embraced her soft waist, and whispered near her ear, “What are you thinking about?”

Zhao Rui leaned against his chest. “I’m thinking about the day there will be a light in Ancheng’s myriad homes that belongs to me.”

Zhang Han said nothing. He had already given Zhao Rui chances. Besides, their relationship was fleeting and mutually convenient.

Zhao Rui turned and kissed his lips. After a few minutes, she pulled away, lowering her head, her earlobes flushed red. “Do you want to untie my nightgown and see?”

“I’ve prepared a surprise for you.”

“What?”

“You’ll know once you untie it.”

Blushing, Zhao Rui nodded.

Zhang Han gently pulled a thin string, loosening the nightgown to reveal a bright red mandarin duck-style bellyband underneath...

They spent the night entwined until late before falling into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, Zhang Han was awakened by the vibration of his phone on the bedside table—it was Liu Zhong calling.

Zhang Han gave Zhao Rui’s rounded hip a playful tap. “Get up, time to work.”

“Ouch...” Zhao Rui gasped, “It hurts. Work already?”

Zhang Han chuckled. “Not that kind of work. We’re going to Fulai Village to sign the contract.”