Chapter Twenty-Six: Side Jobs

“Xu Fei, is it really true?” Chen Rong struggled to believe it. When she left Donghai two years ago, Xu Fei's parents were still around. He had just graduated from technical school then—not only a promising young man, but also a technical backbone at the steel mill.

Some respectable articles had been authored by him, and it was said the city’s Youth League regarded Xu Fei as a key candidate for cultivation.

Back then, countless girls from the steel mill considered Xu Fei a desirable catch.

But how had he changed so much in just these short two years?

Xu Fei noticed Zhang Lei looking at him, and indeed, everything they said was true.

“Yes,” Xu Fei nodded.

“Damn! Look at you—do you really think you’re still the Xu Fei you once were?” Zhang Lei said, giving Xu Fei a slap on the head.

Xu Fei was stunned by the blow.

“What are you staring at?” Zhang Lei pointed at him and shouted.

Xu Fei gritted his teeth. He thought of his job—if Zhang Lichun wanted to ruin him now, it would take only a moment to have him dismissed.

Endure it!

Xu Fei kept silent.

But Zhang Lei grew even more aggressive.

“I’m giving you face, and you dare to stare? I’ll teach you!” He punched Xu Fei in the stomach.

Though the punch wasn’t heavy, Xu Fei still doubled over.

At that moment, a few people rushed over from behind Zhang Lei.

One of them recognized Xu Fei.

“Xu Fei, are you alright?”

This man was Fu Chun, a former classmate of Xu Fei and Zhang Lei, now working at the county textile factory.

“Zhang Lei, what are you doing? We’re all classmates—why are you so rough?”

“Is it your business?” Zhang Lei had always been the troublemaker back in school, and since Fu Chun had been friends with Xu Fei, Zhang Lei showed him no respect.

“Why can’t I interfere? If you keep this up, I’ll call the police!”

“Fu Chun, aren’t you the one with a brother working at the station? You sure act tough, always talking about the cops,” Zhang Lei snorted coldly.

“You’re right. My brother can’t do anything to you, can he?”

At that moment, Chen Rong tugged at Zhang Lei.

“That’s enough, Fu Chun. We’re all classmates. It was just a misunderstanding between Xu Fei and Zhang Lei. Let’s just leave now,” she said, pulling Zhang Lei along.

“Chen Rong?” Fu Chun was surprised to see her; he recognized the school beauty.

“When did you come back?”

Chen Rong only smiled.

Before she could answer, Zhang Lei pulled Chen Rong into his arms.

“Fu Chun, do you really think you’re a cop? Whether she’s back or when she returned—what’s it to you?”

Fu Chun was taken aback, left speechless by Zhang Lei’s words.

“Don’t act tough, Zhang Lei. What’s so special about you—just relying on your father being a factory director?”

“So what? If you’re angry, maybe you’ll get another chance in your next life, ha ha ha…” Zhang Lei laughed disdainfully, glared at Fu Chun, and spat at the still-doubled Xu Fei.

Xu Fei’s fists were clenched tight. If he really wanted to, one punch would settle this kind of trash.

Before his rebirth, Xu Fei was twice provincial champion in Sanda.

He could deal with these petty thugs in an instant.

But he couldn’t do it.

Reason told him he had to endure.

Xu Fei couldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture.

If he lost his job at the sugar factory, it wouldn’t matter for himself—but what about Du Man? What about Xu Qing and Xu Yun?

Was a man not supposed to bear such things?

Even Chen Rong glanced at Xu Fei, who still hadn’t stood up.

She and Du Man had once been best friends.

She hadn’t expected, upon her return, to find out Du Man had married Xu Fei.

At first, she was a little envious.

But when she saw Xu Fei, she was utterly disappointed.

No.

It was utter disgust.

How could a man like this ever be worthy of Du Man?

Chen Rong wanted nothing more than to avoid Xu Fei.

She looked at Zhang Lei and said, “Let’s go.”

Fu Chun had wanted to scold Zhang Lei further.

But Chen Rong spoke, and he’d once been one of her suitors.

Now, seeing his former crush, he couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous and flustered.

“Fu Chun, just you wait!” Zhang Lei pointed at him, then turned and walked away, holding Chen Rong.

“So what if I wait?” Fu Chun grew increasingly angry at Zhang Lei.

How could someone like him deserve to hold Chen Rong?

It was true—good cabbage always gets eaten by pigs.

A few of Fu Chun’s friends came forward to persuade him.

Everyone in this area knew Zhang Lei relied on his father’s position as factory director, acting lawlessly. No one wanted Fu Chun to provoke him.

Once Zhang Lei left, Xu Fei straightened up.

“Are you alright?”

Xu Fei nodded at Fu Chun.

What a coincidence.

Fu Chun nodded back.

“Came to see a movie with a few friends. What about you?”

At that moment, Old Third An came over with a soda.

“What happened, Fei? Who are they?”

Old Third An was older than Fu Chun and his friends, so he didn’t know them.

“Third Brother, it’s nothing—just ran into some old classmates.”

“Oh, I was just queuing for sodas over there and saw some commotion here. Glad it’s nothing serious.” Old Third An nodded at Fu Chun.

Seeing Xu Fei was fine and with Old Third An, Fu Chun waved and said, “I’m working at the textile factory now. Let’s catch up over drinks sometime. It’s been years since we graduated—I really miss you.”

Xu Fei nodded.

“Sure.”

Fu Chun finally turned and left with his friends.

Before they got far, one friend said, “Isn’t he the one who was chased by Ma San for debts—almost had to pay with his wife?”

Someone else who knew the story nodded, teasing, “That’s him, isn’t it?”

Fu Chun frowned and looked at his friend. “Is that true?”

“Absolutely. He looks big, but he’s just a coward. Did you see how scared he was when Zhang Lei bullied him? If you hadn’t stepped in, who knows how badly Zhang Lei would have beaten him?”

Fu Chun glanced back at Xu Fei, who was drinking soda with Old Third An.

His heart, once warm toward his old friend, now felt a tinge of disgust.

Meanwhile, Old Third An chatted with Xu Fei, hinting that if there was more work, Xu Fei should keep him in mind.

Xu Fei agreed, of course.

In these days, few owned cars privately; most vehicles belonged to factories.

These drivers often quietly took on private jobs.

Xu Fei was happy to have such connections.

He and Old Third An made arrangements, then parted ways.

Xu Fei checked the time.

It was late, so he headed home.

Xu Qing and Xu Yun were reviewing their lessons in the other room.

Du Man was tidying up in the kitchen.

Xu Fei greeted her, then went to his room and lay down to sleep.

He needed to prepare for tonight’s gambling session with Zhang Mingyang and the others.

If he didn’t rest, he feared he wouldn’t last until dawn.

He slept until nine thirty in the evening.

If Du Man hadn’t come to wake him, he might have slept through the night.

“Sun Qigong is waiting outside,” Du Man said reluctantly.

Xu Fei knew she didn’t want him to go.

But he couldn’t refuse.