Chapter 063: I Am the Villain

After Xu Juncong was arrested, Yuanli Group’s expansion in Tangwan Town came to a halt, and everything fell into stagnation. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Tianfeng reopened his business, becoming the only employment agency still operating in Tangwan Town.

Just last night, several factories had already handed their recruitment needs to Qin Yuelan. Those who needed to pay did so, and those who needed to supplement contracts completed them. By all rights, today should have been a booming day for business. Yet, things took an unexpected turn.

Shortly after opening, before they could even serve two customers, a group of people came to make trouble. They claimed Yuanli Group had cheated them out of their money, and since Zhang Tianfeng was responsible for bringing down Yuanli Group, he should compensate them.

They were unreasonable, raising a ruckus without resorting to violence, which left Hongmao and the others at a loss. With business at a standstill, Qin Yuelan had no choice but to send Chen Jiaqi to ask for help, hoping Zhang Tianfeng would handle the matter himself.

After understanding the situation, Zhang Tianfeng first sent Gao Ran to the police station, then headed to Tangwan’s central street.

From a distance, he could see a dense crowd gathering. Hongmao and his men stood on the steps, gripping sticks, their faces grim. Below the steps, several flagpoles stood tall, bearing slogans like “Return our hard-earned money” and “May all fraudsters meet a miserable end.”

The troublemakers all wore identical white T-shirts. On the front, “May all unscrupulous businesses perish together,” and on the back, “Justice lies in the hearts of the people.” They acted as though they’d suffered immense injustice, yet the matter had nothing to do with Zhang Tianfeng’s business.

“All right, stop here. No need for you to get out,” Zhang Tianfeng said.

Gao Ran unfastened her seatbelt. “How could I miss something this exciting?”

“If you keep chasing excitement, you’ll get in trouble sooner or later.”

“Oh, spare me the lecture for now. Didn’t you see the girls in the shop? They’re about to cry from worry.”

“Just keep your distance from me later,” he replied.

With that, he stepped out, lit a cigarette, straightened his clothes, and strode forward under the gaze of the crowd.

As he neared the group, he suddenly dashed forward and kicked the “Return our hard-earned money” placard at the entrance, snapping it in two.

“What the hell are you doing?” a buzz-cut youth shouted, standing abruptly.

The youth’s eyes flashed with menace, ready to lash out, but Hongmao and his crew immediately surged forward. Facing a dozen hostile stares, the youth instantly backed down.

“You little punk, how dare you cause trouble at my door? Go back home and drink your mother’s milk!” Zhang Tianfeng spat.

The youth flushed with anger. “I’m not here to make trouble. I’m here for my money.”

“That’s right, we just want our money, not trouble!”

“Pay us! Hurry up and pay! If you don’t, we’ll stay here and make sure you can’t do business!”

Zhang Tianfeng exhaled smoke into the youth’s face and asked, “Who took your money?”

“Xu Juncong, Yuanli Group, and Dali Toy Factory.”

“And who got you out of that place?”

“The police said you called them. You got us out.”

“So I saved you, and now you’re blocking my shop?” Zhang Tianfeng sneered, flicking his cigarette to the ground. “Is this how you operate—besieging your savior’s business, demanding compensation?”

“But how do you explain becoming the boss of Dali Toy Factory?” the youth pressed.

That critical question made several people who’d hung their heads in shame look up at Zhang Tianfeng.

“And who the hell are you? I owe you an explanation?” Zhang Tianfeng shouted.

The youth just grinned. “If you won’t explain, it means you’re hiding something. It proves you’re in cahoots with those swindlers who cheated us.”

“Yeah, you’re a crook—give us back our money!”

The outcry swelled, drowning out Zhang Tianfeng’s voice.

He didn’t bother to argue. Pulling out another cigarette, he let Hongmao light it for him, then stood quietly, waiting.

After a dozen shouts, the crowd gradually fell silent.

“Why stop? Keep shouting! Should I show some humanitarian spirit and hand out some bottled water?” Zhang Tianfeng taunted.

“No need, Boss Zhang,” the youth replied with a sly smile. “We’re not asking for much—just return our 20-yuan application fees.”

“There’s only a few dozen of us here, just over a thousand yuan. That’s nothing to you, just a meal’s expense.”

“They say you’re a good man—so give us the money.”

“Oh, so being a good man means letting you lot walk all over me? Is this really about money?”

“Sorry, I’m not a good man!” Zhang Tianfeng said coldly. “I’m not playing this game with you. Go ahead and make your fuss. But from where I’m standing, this is my rented shop. Cross this line, or bring your things in, and I’ll smash everything you own.”

“If you don’t believe me, try it!”

“Hongmao, get them a few loudspeakers and a case of bottled water. Let them shout. Anyone who can keep it up all day, I’ll reward ten yuan!”

“Got it, boss!”

Hongmao, always eager for this kind of thing, dashed off in a flash. The others held their positions, leaving the way clear. Chen Jiaqi seized the chance to call out, “Anyone looking for work can come in—we still don’t charge any fees.”

Most of the crowd just wanted jobs; only a few were there to make trouble. With the way open, they drifted into the shop.

“Boss, I’m sorry. I messed things up,” Qin Yuelan apologized as soon as she reached the break room.

“You’ve never dealt with this sort of scoundrel. It’s normal not to know how to handle it,” Zhang Tianfeng said, waving it off as he sat down with a cold drink.

Gao Ran, who’d followed them in, was fuming. “They’re like leeches, clinging on and shouting that this is a scam shop. I’ve already seen more than a dozen people walk away.”

“Could this be the work of Yuanli Group?” Qin Yuelan asked.

“No, it’s Xu Juncong’s family!” Zhang Tianfeng replied.

Last night, Young Master Huo had personally called to warn him, so Zhang Tianfeng had already expected trouble today. There had been troublemakers in the factory, and now the shop was under siege. No doubt, new tricks were coming.

The real headache was that Zhang Tianfeng didn’t know who was orchestrating these moves, leaving him constantly on the back foot.

“Boss, you were so cool just now!” Hongmao burst in, beaming. “I finally saw the big brother in you again. That kick was legendary.”

“I haven’t been a big brother for years, so don’t go saying that!” Zhang Tianfeng laughed, then asked, “Hongmao, do you know anyone with real clout in Tangwan Town? Someone respected enough to keep the local punks in line?”

“Sure! My grandpa!” Hongmao said, giving a thumbs up. “He’s tough as nails. I heard he used to run the seas when he was young. Since coming back, nobody dares mess with him. He’s been farming and raising chickens all these years.”

“An old-school tough guy, huh?”

Zhang Tianfeng was looking for someone to watch the door—a solution to many of his problems.

“Let’s find a time for me to meet your grandpa. I have a job for him.”

“Great! I’ll go home tonight and bring him over tomorrow.”

“No, no, I’m too busy these days. Let’s talk about it later.”

Just then, Chen Jiaqi rushed in again. “Boss, someone outside wants to see you—claims to be from the Factory Alliance, says they want to talk.”

“The third move—Factory Alliance?” Zhang Tianfeng narrowed his eyes and sneered.