Chapter 573 — Kill One to Warn a Hundred, Part Two

Young Master Bing was hungry too, so he nodded and said, "Then let's grab something to eat first."

The shantytown residents, who had waited half the day, were left somewhat dumbfounded. This pack of big bosses had come and gone just like that? They had been waiting to negotiate the price, and before the price was even mentioned, the others had gone off to eat? What exactly did that mean?

But no one dared to ask more, and they could only watch helplessly as Young Master Bing and the others departed.

Zhao Qibing and his group were just about to get in the car and go eat when Zhao Qibing heard someone call his name: "Young Master Bing, Young Master Bing, wait for me!"

Zhao Qibing turned around, froze for a moment, but then recognized the newcomer: "You're Li Erlan, aren't you?"

"That's me, that's me!" Li Erlan was overjoyed. He hadn't expected that after so long, Young Master Bing would still recognize him. Li Erlan was truly delighted beyond measure: "Young Master Bing, I've missed you to death! You have no idea—after you left, my life lost all purpose. A man just can't get by without a leader! I've been空虚 dying of emptiness!"

Zhao Qibing had attended middle school in Songshan City for a few days, and so he had come to know Li Erlan, the school bully of that time. Zhao Qibing had money—bodyguards escorted him to and from school—and Li Erlan was not the kind of fool who knew only how to fight. He could tell that Zhao Qibing's family was no ordinary one, and that there were benefits to be found in Zhao Qibing's favor!

So he volunteered to become Zhao Qibing's lackey! Though Zhao Qibing had bodyguards to escort him to and from school, the bodyguards couldn't attend classes, and having a follower at school was quite a pleasant thing. So Zhao Qibing was very pleased with Li Erlan's allegiance and did not treat him shabbily; Li Erlan also reaped quite a few benefits from Zhao Qibing.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Qibing attended less than two months of classes at the school before transferring away. Li Erlan was in despair—he had thought he could be the young master's follower all along and secure a good future for himself, but who would have guessed the young master would transfer!

Zhao Qibing had the means to transfer, but Li Erlan lacked that ability and could only stay obediently at the original school. Still, Zhao Qibing had found Li Erlan genuinely handy to use, so after he left, when Li Erlan occasionally called him, Zhao Qibing did not find it objectionable.

On this trip back to Songshan City, Zhao Qibing had also contacted Li Erlan in advance. But this was their first meeting since they had parted, and Li Erlan looked somewhat changed from before.

"Oh, come on, let's go eat something together!" Zhao Qibing nodded, then introduced him to Zhong Fabai and the others: "This is Li Erlan, my follower from Songshan. His family lives in the shantytown too, so we can ask him about the demolition situation!"

Although Zhong Fabai had previously looked down on Li Erlan somewhat, upon hearing that he was Zhao Qibing's follower, he immediately became respectful. After all, he himself could not yet be counted as Zhao Qibing's follower—he was merely running errands for Zhao Qibing and was not yet part of the inner circle.

Jin Gubang was also secretly surprised. How was it that this unremarkable little hoodlum before him was Young Master Bing's follower? But he did not dare ask.

Zhao Qibing found a restaurant. He had no particular interest in food and could eat anything; it was only women and money that interested him: "Let's eat here. Erlan, go ask if they have a private room!"

"Yes sir!" Li Erlan was a local hoodlum in this area and naturally knew the restaurant owner. After going in, he said brashly to the waiter: "Call your boss out here!"

The waiter knew Li Erlan too and knew he was a troublemaker, so he did not dare offend him. He hurriedly nodded and called the owner over. The owner came out, saw it was Li Erlan, and could not help but frown: "Erlan, didn't I give you your pocket money this month? Why are you here again?"

The owner was not exactly afraid of Li Erlan, but with this kind of hoodlum, it was still best to throw them a little sweetness each month; otherwise, if they kicked up a fuss, it would truly be a hassle.

"What do you mean, here again? I'm here to eat at your restaurant this time! It's an honor for you! My leader is here—hurry up and prepare a private room!" Li Erlan glared and cursed impatiently: "My leader is Chairman Zhao of Qibing Real Estate, from the provincial capital!"

The owner had heard that the shantytown renovation nearby was being handled by Qibing Real Estate. He was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, since when did Li Erlan know such an impressive leader? He did not dare be negligent now and put on a smile: "Erlan, looks like you're going to make it big from now on? When you become some kind of CEO, don't forget about us!"

"Of course not! All right, enough chatter, hurry up and find us a private room!" Li Erlan was quite pleased by the owner's words, and he was also calculating in his heart: Young Master Bing had come here to start a company—as his former follower, couldn't he also scheme to get himself a position and become some kind of CEO?

The restaurant owner personally escorted Young Master Bing and the others into the private room. Though he did not know Young Master Bing, he had seen Zhong Fabai before! How many restaurant owners did not know Zhong Fabai? Seeing that Zhong Fabai was also deferential toward that young man, the owner knew that Young Master Bing's power was truly considerable!

Soon the food and wine were laid on the table. Zhao Qibing ate casually for a bit, then asked: "Erlan, I told you on the phone before that I want to develop the shantytown—did you look into it for me? How are things in the shantytown now?"

"Those relocation households have all talked it over—they want compensation of three thousand per square meter!" Li Erlan said: "That's just sheer extortion, isn't it? Total nonsense!"

"Three thousand?" Zhao Qibing sneered after hearing it: "The housing prices here are only ten thousand, and they dare ask for three thousand?"

"You're telling me! If you ask me, giving them a thousand or eight hundred is already generous!" Li Erlan said. "Young Master Bing, I've already made inquiries—the shantytown has no big players behind it, just small fry and minnows. Do whatever you like, nothing will come of it!"

"Then this will be easy!" Zhao Qibing nodded and said to Zhong Fabai, "In that case, today you go flatten a few of their homes for me. Whichever family acts the troublemaker, tear down their house first—then we'll see if the rest still dare to get cocky!"

"Rest assured, Young Master Bing. The bulldozers and excavators are already in position; we can start work at any time!" Zhong Fabai nodded.

"By the way, Young Master Bing, there's a pretty girl in this shantytown—interested?" Li Erlan had been after Tang Zhi for a long time but had never succeeded. Recently, a formidable boyfriend had appeared at Tang Zhi's side, and Li Erlan knew he had no hope left. But because Tang Zhi's boyfriend had given him a beating last time, Li Erlan harbored a deep grudge and wanted revenge against Tang Zhi, so he had set his sights on Young Master Bing.