Brooklyn, New York.
Between the wealthy estates of Long Island and downtown lay a sprawling industrial corridor teeming with low-wage laborers.
Luxury cars sped along the dust-choked roads, paying no mind to the stares cast from the roadsides.
Dressed in a sharp, impeccably tailored suit, Liu Ren held a handkerchief over his nose and mouth with one hand. The conditions here were atrocious.
Of course, he wasn’t covering his face simply because he looked down on the place—after all, his circumstances back on the Titanic hadn't been much better. His disgust stemmed from the sheer number of negroes around. Under the scorching sun, the smell of sweat drifted on the sea breeze, making his stomach turn.
Standing behind Liu Ren, the project manager held out the documents in his hand and said, "Boss, we've already submitted a proposal to City Hall to overhaul the surrounding industrial district and build a brand-new boulevard leading straight downtown. This area will become a central transit hub connecting every direction. Our group stands to make a fortune!"
Liu Ren eyed him with deep skepticism. "Are you an idiot? A complete moron? You only consider that the land is valuable, but haven't you thought about how much money our city government has?"
Understanding dawned, and the project manager's eyes lit up. "My apologies, Boss! You're completely right. We ought to pad the project budget a bit more!"
Seeing that the man had caught on, Liu Ren kept the handkerchief to his nose and mouth and said, "The demographics here are complicated. Make sure you verify everything when the time comes. Check whether these damned paupers actually bought their land. Don't let anyone squeeze an extra cent out of my pocket, understand?"
The project manager nodded emphatically. "I'll verify every square inch!"
Pleased, Liu Ren pointed toward an area not far away. "What's that place?"
"Boss, that's currently our toughest nut to crack. The negroes there refuse to relocate. They think our offer is too low and want to renegotiate!" The project manager looked thoroughly troubled.
After all, the conglomerate wasn't investing in this downtown corridor out of charity for the workers. It was a classic land grab, intended to secure the parcels and wait for massive redevelopment to revitalize the surrounding economy with new housing.
Gazing coldly into the distance, Liu Ren remarked, "Sounds like they aren't satisfied with the group's price."
"The higher-ups already sent people to negotiate, but they're still holding out for more money!" The project manager shook his head helplessly, nursing a headache. A decision like this was far beyond his authority; only Liu Ren, the boss, could make the final call.
Liu Ren turned his head and said, "A Chao, get someone to take care of it. A single match will solve the problem. Why pay them? Do you think I'm made of money? Drive every last one of them out of that sector! Dammit!"
A Chao stared at him in disbelief. "Seriously? You're that ruthless?"
"Me, ruthless? Do you have any idea how many negroes live in that sector? Once we agree to pay, they'll keep crawling out like rats from a sewer. Do I have that kind of money to throw at them?"
Liu Ren's yellow-brown eyes glinted in the sunlight as he narrowed his gaze. He understood the nature of these people all too well. If Silver Rock Group chose to settle with cash, the headaches would never end. Moreover, letting anyone hike the price on him at the eleventh hour was out of the question. If they dared raise their demands today, they would rob a bank tomorrow, and the day after that, they would point at the very ground beneath their feet and claim it was theirs!
A Chao pondered for a moment before nodding. "Understood."
Stunned by what he was hearing, the project manager broke out into a cold sweat.
"Are you hot?" Liu Ren asked, glancing suspiciously at the sweating manager.
"A-a little, I suppose!"
Looking at Liu Ren in terror, the project manager finally realized why Silver Rock Group had always been run under absolute authority. The president was truly vicious!
Still, the thought that project expenditures would drop cheered him up. It was good for him too—at least he wouldn't have to deal with those troublesome locals anymore.
"By the way, did you find out why that 'what's-his-name' wanted this project?" Liu Ren turned to A Chao, his face full of curiosity and suspicion.
A Chao looked around and leaned in. "See that Wilson's Auto Repair Shop over there? Tom Buchanan has been sleeping with the mechanic's wife. If we buy out this area, they'll have to pack up and leave. That bastard didn't want the prize right under his nose slipping away, so he tried to bid against us!"
Liu Ren jerked his head around in utter disbelief, biting his cigar. "What the hell? Did I hear that right?"
The project manager's eyes went wide, frozen on the spot. The sheer audacity was mind-boggling. That Tom Buchanan really had some nerve! To pick a fight with Silver Rock Group over something like that—Lincoln would be spinning in his grave!
"You heard right. That's exactly how it is!" A Chao spread his hands, looking astonished himself. "And her husband doesn't suspect a thing. Every time Wilson is working on a car, Tom Buchanan is over 'taking care' of his wife in an apartment just down the street..."
It was truly incredible: the man fixed his car, and in return, he went and test-drove the man's wife!
After a long pause, A Chao added, "And it gets wilder. Tom is over there playing around with Wilson's wife right now! While that poor fool is still busting his back fixing cars!"
Liu Ren followed A Chao's pointing finger and spotted Wilson, covered in motor oil, diligently working on an automobile.
Liu Ren stared in silence before grinding his teeth. "What a scumbag! Absolute scum! Completely devoid of conscience!"
With that, Liu Ren marched straight ahead, intending to break the news to Wilson. Don't ask why—he just felt like doing a good deed!
A Chao grabbed him in shock. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to save a poor man. He shouldn't be kept in the dark. It isn't right!" Liu Ren replied with righteous resolve.
A Chao looked at him in disbelief. "Wait, why don't you go to the cathedral, tell the Virgin Mary to get down, and take her place on the pedestal? If you want to watch the drama, just admit you want to watch the drama! Why pretend to be a saint in front of me?"
"If you know that, why are you holding me back? Hurry up! What if Tom finishes too fast? We have to get in on the drama early!" Liu Ren urged him on and broke into a jog, visibly thrilled.
Trailing behind them, the project manager stood dumbfounded. Weren't they here for a site inspection? How had this turned into catching cheaters red-handed? Still... this was undeniably thrilling!
"Wait for me! Wait for me, Boss!" the project manager called out, loosening his necktie with excitement.
When Wilson looked up from his work, he saw Liu Ren and his entourage standing before him. Puzzled, he asked, "Gentlemen, can I help you with something?"
"You certainly can. In fact, it's a very big deal!"
Liu Ren's eyes narrowed, a sly, wicked grin spreading across his face.
Chapter 43