Chapter 17: The Rise of Jiang Yuan

“To tell you the truth, I used to be in the underworld. Even though I’ve washed my hands of that life, there are still some brothers who can’t bear to leave me and have stayed by my side. I thought I’d just muddle through like this until today…” Chen Sheng paused, waiting for Jiang Butong to process his words.

In fact, Jiang Butong had sensed from the very beginning that Chen Sheng was different, but he had never been certain. He hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to bring it up himself today.

Chen Sheng’s gaze lingered on Jiang Butong, noticing that he showed no surprise at his background.

“Brother Sheng, go on,” Jiang Butong said.

Chen Sheng collected his thoughts and continued, “Until today, when I met all of you. I saw in Jiang Yuan the same fire I had in my youth. I want to take Jiang Yuan as my apprentice, gather the brothers who’ve been following me under his banner, and then focus on running my restaurant.”

Jiang Butong understood Chen Sheng’s intent—it was to pass his underground resources to Jiang Yuan, while he himself would concentrate on legitimate business.

“Butong, don’t worry—we’re all on the same side here. I’m just tired of all the fighting and killing, but I can’t abandon my old brothers, and Jiang Yuan fits the kind of person I’m looking for. That’s why I’ve chosen him,” Chen Sheng explained patiently, fearing Jiang Butong might disagree.

Jiang Butong fell into deep thought. The road of the underworld only narrows as time goes on; for ordinary people, it rarely ends well.

But Jiang Butong had been reborn. With his experiences from his previous life, he could help Jiang Yuan avoid many risks.

And if Jiang Butong wanted to make money quickly, he would inevitably need the support of some underground forces, at least in the beginning.

It was a double-edged sword, with both benefits and dangers—the key was whose hand held the sword.

Chen Sheng didn’t rush him, knowing Jiang Butong needed time to consider.

After a while, Jiang Butong spoke. “Brother Sheng, I have no objections to what you’ve said, but Jiang Yuan is my cousin. Even if I agree, we should get his opinion as well.”

Chen Sheng was overjoyed to hear Jiang Butong agree. As long as he was on board, there shouldn’t be a problem with Jiang Yuan.

They all continued working busily until after ten that night before things quieted down.

Jiang Butong called Jiang Yuan outside.

He relayed Chen Sheng’s intentions to Jiang Yuan and analyzed the pros and cons for him.

Jiang Yuan looked at Jiang Butong with a burning gaze. “Butong, I’ll do as you say. If you think I should do it, I’ll do it.”

Jiang Butong waved his hand. “All I can do is lay out the pros and cons. The final decision is yours.”

He didn’t want Jiang Yuan to regret it in the future. Some paths must be chosen by oneself.

Jiang Yuan pondered for a moment before replying, “I’m willing.”

“Good. Remember, this is the path you chose. No matter what happens in the future, I hope you won’t regret the decision you made today. There’s still time to turn back now.”

Jiang Butong confirmed once again.

“Don’t worry, Butong. I’ll never regret it,” Jiang Yuan replied with conviction.

Jiang Butong nodded, and the two of them returned to the restaurant.

By now, only their own people remained. While Jiang Butong and Jiang Yuan were talking, Chen Sheng had prepared some of his signature dishes.

Lord Guan was invited to the table as well.

Everything was done according to proper ceremony. Chen Sheng formally accepted Jiang Yuan as his apprentice.

Chen Pan’er looked at Jiang Yuan in astonishment, still unclear about what had transpired.

Jiang Dazhuang was equally puzzled, though his requirements were simple—so long as there was food and drink, he was satisfied.

Jiang Butong explained the situation to Chen Pan’er and Jiang Dazhuang.

Chen Pan’er gazed at Chen Sheng in surprise, never imagining that this rough man used to be a gangster.

She was relieved that Chen Sheng hadn’t taken Jiang Butong as his apprentice; otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to face him.

Chen Pan’er distinctly remembered her mother’s warning—never marry a gangster, no matter what. Clearly, her mother must have been bullied by such people in her youth, which explained her deep-seated hatred.

The group watched as Jiang Yuan performed the apprentice ceremony.

First, Chen Sheng sat in the chair, while Jiang Yuan bowed three times to Lord Guan and offered incense.

Next, he served tea to Chen Sheng.

Finally, Chen Sheng accepted the tea and placed his hand on Jiang Yuan’s head, signifying his acceptance of Jiang Yuan as his apprentice.

After the ceremony, Chen Sheng grinned from ear to ear and invited everyone to sit down for a meal and some drinks.

With Jiang Yuan’s new status, their group became even more harmonious.

As the toasts were exchanged, the atmosphere reached its peak.

Late into the night, after the wine was finished, Chen Sheng took Jiang Yuan to meet his old brothers, introducing Jiang Yuan to his longtime acquaintances.

Jiang Butong shamelessly followed behind Chen Pan’er, planning to stay at her place for another night.

The dim streetlights stretched their shadows long on the ground.

Suddenly, Chen Pan’er stopped and turned her dewy eyes on Jiang Butong.

“What is it?” he asked.

Chen Pan’er hesitated, then asked, “You’re not going to join Chen Sheng’s underworld group too, are you?”

Jiang Butong laughed. So that was what she’d been worried about.

“We’re just friends. I won’t join them. I have my own path to walk.”

Chen Pan’er was relieved to hear his answer and let out a quiet sigh.

“So what path are you taking?”

“The path to making money, of course—a path to making lots and lots of money,” Jiang Butong said, taking her hand.

“Then remember to take me with you,” Chen Pan’er replied, half-embracing his arm.

Jiang Butong could feel the softness of her budding body against his arm, sending a tremor through his heart.

“If I don’t take anyone else, I’ll still take you,” he promised.

Chen Pan’er’s heart was sweet as honey.

Time slipped by—five or six days passed.

Jiang Butong had become addicted to staying at Chen Pan’er’s place, and she seemed to have grown used to having another person around as well.

Every time they returned home, Chen Pan’er would squeeze toothpaste for him, make his bed, and tidy up.

Their lives were almost like those of a young couple.

Except that one slept in the bed, the other on the floor.

Chen Pan’er seemed to realize that Jiang Butong had no ill intentions and grew bolder, often flitting about in a tank top, her round, jade-like legs exposed beneath her shorts—so fair and supple that Jiang Butong almost lost control.

This made Jiang Butong grit his teeth—after all, he was a young man full of vigor.

He grumbled inwardly that, one day, he’d make Chen Pan’er call him “Daddy” on her knees.

After the trouble they had at the market last time, they hadn’t gone back, waiting for the commotion to die down before returning.

Every day, Jiang Butong visited the restaurant to check on the progress of the new place.

For several nights, after Chen Sheng finished his work, he would disappear with Jiang Yuan, no one quite knowing where they’d gone.

According to Jiang Dazhuang, they were meeting old friends and fulfilling certain rites of passage.

One day, after washing up, Jiang Butong and Chen Pan’er prepared to head out for the market.

They’d missed several days, and Chen Pan’er couldn’t stand being idle.

As usual, Jiang Butong took her to the Chen family restaurant first, grabbing breakfast while he was at it.

Suddenly, he noticed five or six steady-looking young men standing outside the restaurant.

Jiang Yuan led them. The scars on his face had healed into tough marks, adding a hint of ferocity.

When he saw Jiang Butong, Jiang Yuan’s face broke into a smile.

“Butong…”

“Yuan, where have you been these past few nights? I haven’t seen you around,” Jiang Butong asked, noticing there was something different about him.

Jiang Yuan grinned and beckoned the young men behind him forward.

“This is Brother Tong. From now on, treat him as you would me, understand?”

Without hesitation, the five or six young men respectfully called out, “Brother Tong!”

Jiang Yuan leaned in and whispered, “These are some of my new followers. There are more at home, but I didn’t bring them today.”

Jiang Butong understood—these were the resources Chen Sheng had passed on.

“By the way, Butong, are you going to set up the stall today?” Jiang Yuan asked.

Jiang Butong nodded.

“Perfect, I’ll come with you. If that Hou San tries anything again, I’ll make sure he remembers the lesson.”

Jiang Butong hesitated but agreed—it was better to be cautious. Last time, Hou San had smiled too much; he always seemed like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He and Chen Pan’er went on ahead, while Jiang Yuan and his men followed at a distance.

Chen Pan’er glanced back repeatedly and whispered, “Why are those people following us?”

“They’re here to protect us,” Jiang Butong replied.

Her brows arched in suspicion. “Didn’t you say you weren’t joining the gang?”

Jiang Butong spread his hands helplessly. “I haven’t joined anything. Jiang Yuan is just worried about our safety, so he brought a few people along, that’s all.”