Lin Weiguo got on the train and finally remembered he had forgotten something. He had been too stunned by meeting Xie Sui, his mind a complete blur.
"Brother-in-law, is my second sister really in prison?"
Xie Sui couldn't help but laugh. He had thought Lin Weiguo didn't care, but it turned out he had just forgotten.
"Yes, she stole five thousand yuan from me. What would you do if it were you? Treat her to the best food and drink, and invite a wolf into your house? If she doesn't learn a lesson, she'll think Xie Sui is a fool."
Lin Weiguo said dryly, "Mom is very worried about her. After all, she's family. Let her suffer a little, and then let it go."
Xie Sui said heartily, "Alright, we'll deal with this when we get back. If she shows remorse, we'll let her out."
"Thank you, brother-in-law. I'm really sorry. My second sister and eldest sister are two extremes. My eldest sister is too sensible, and my second sister is too willful and selfish. There's really nothing to be done."
Chen Weimin said, "She hasn't been beaten enough. That's why she's only arrogant at home. Outside, no one is her father or mother, so naturally, she won't be so presumptuous."
Lin Weiguo chuckled awkwardly, "Brother Chen is right."
The three of them played cards on the way, listened to Chen Weimin chat, and ate meals from the dining car. It wasn't boring.
It was just that the food was too expensive. Lin Weiguo felt a pang of heartache. A day's expenses were equivalent to his entire family's monthly earnings.
Xie Sui told him, "You think it's expensive because you earn little. Ask Brother Chen if he minds the cost of meals like this."
Chen Weimin replied, "I don't mind, because it's not me paying."
Xie Sui cursed with a smile, "You're treating us when we get back, don't think about freeloading."
Lin Weiguo smiled. When he made a lot of money in the future, he would also eat whatever he wanted without being so stingy.
Upon arriving in Shenzhen, the air suddenly became scorching hot. The people at the station were like sardines in a can, the smell was suffocating.
Xie Sui smelled the scent of money in this air.
Chen Weimin and Lin Weiguo felt uneasy. They were in unfamiliar territory, completely in the dark, afraid of being tricked and still having to count money for the swindlers.
It was even more lively outside the station. People were soliciting for hotels, offering rides on tricycles, and introducing jobs. They particularly targeted outsiders, seeing their bewildered expressions as if they were spotting plump sheep.
Lin Weiguo fit their target profile perfectly. They rushed up and surrounded him, shouting, "Handsome guy, need a place to stay?"
"Handsome guy, want to take a motorcycle taxi? Where are you going? I'll give you a good price!"
"Handsome guy, want to get a job in a factory? We provide food and lodging, and guarantee you'll make big money..."
Lin Weiguo was flustered and couldn't cope. Xie Sui and Chen Weimin watched with amusement. Seeing that Lin Weiguo was about to be dragged away, Chen Weimin stepped forward and pulled him out, "What are you doing? Trying to snatch someone? Get lost, you want a beating?"
Those people glared, ready to fight. Xie Sui pulled a folding dagger from his waist, "Who dares to come forward? Do you think I'm a pushover, easy to bully?"
Seeing his fierce gaze and the fact that he would actually fight, they reluctantly left.
One shifty-eyed young man glared at him, clearly unconvinced. Xie Sui slapped him, "What are you looking at? If you're not convinced, fight me one-on-one. If you try dirty tricks, I'll kill you. Tell your boss that Xie Sui, the dragon crossing the river, is here. Let's see if he, the local snake, or I am more formidable!"
Lin Weiguo's heart trembled in fear. Brother-in-law was so fierce? He always seemed so friendly and easy-going, but he didn't expect him to be so ruthless. If someone's expression was off, he would fight.
Chen Weimin sneered, his hand at his waist, ready to draw his weapon if anyone dared to make a move.
This group of people finally got scared. They didn't dare to say another word and turned to leave.
Lin Weiguo swallowed, "That terrifying?"
Xie Sui said, "Let me teach you something. The station is the most dangerous place. These people will do anything. They might drag you to a black brick kiln to work for free, making you unable to cry for help. You have to be careful. Some will sell people to Hong Kong or Southeast Asia as illegal laborers. They'll never be able to return home, even in death."
Lin Weiguo asked, "Won't anyone stop them?"
"Look at so many people, from all over the country. Can the police manage them all? Missing people are almost impossible to find. If it wasn't profitable to trade goods, why would people risk it? It's because it's dangerous, hardship is secondary."
"Oh, I'll remember."
Chen Weimin knew Xie Sui was smart and capable, but this interaction further revealed Xie Sui's ruthlessness, even more so than his own, who had been fighting for years. He understood why this young man could achieve great things; he indeed had extraordinary qualities.
They first found a guesthouse, booked a room, settled down to rest for a day, and then went to inspect goods, choosing small, profitable items to take back. In those years, almost anything that could be brought back would sell, it was just a matter of how much profit.
Xie Sui wasn't idle. While appearing to sleep, he was actually thinking about which goods sold best at this time in his previous life. He gradually got an idea: it still had to start with clothing. Actually, it was electronic products, especially electronic watches, which could double in price, and radios. These were all high-profit, fast-selling items. However, when buying electronic products, one had to be careful not to buy fakes or inferior goods. Many were smuggled items, and sometimes it depended on luck. Compared to that, clothing was safer.
After a day of rest, with full bellies, they were like new men. Xie Sui and the other two strolled through the streets, asking locals about procurement channels. This was quite easy to find. By then, wholesale markets had already emerged. People went to these markets to wholesale and carried large bags back to sell.
Xie Sui felt a headache looking at the crowded market. If one squeezed through all day, wouldn't they start to smell?
"Little Sui, these are the best-selling dresses, and also short-sleeved shirts and leather sandals. All the styles are very attractive. Let's take these back." Chen Weimin's eyes gleamed at so many new styles, wishing he could pack them all up and take them back.
Xie Sui said, "No rush, shop around. Let's ask first. You guys browse, I'll go for a walk."
Xie Sui didn't go to chat with the vendors. Instead, he went to the market management department. He bought a pack of cigarettes beforehand and distributed them to everyone he met. Coupled with his likable face and sweet talk, he made a very good impression.
The director of the management department was a middle-aged man with a beer belly and an air of authority. Xie Sui flattered him incessantly, knowing this was someone who liked to be fawned over.
"Are you renting a stall, or is there something else?"
The supervisor's surname was Dong. Xie Sui got to the point, "I'm not looking to rent a stall. We're new here and unfamiliar with the place. I'd like to inquire about the addresses of these clothing factories. Would that be convenient for you?" This was nothing to hide. Those clothing factories weren't secret. He could find out with some effort. However, Director Dong would know more than the average person about which clothing sold fast, which had new styles, and good quality.
Xie Sui had found the right person. Director Dong had a strong desire to show off. With a bit of flattery, he poured out all his knowledge to Xie Sui. They talked for over two hours. When they left, Director Dong personally escorted him. Xie Sui had already started calling him Brother Dong, as if they were old relatives.