Chapter 21: Everything Has Been Settled in Full

Stepping out of the curio shop, Qi Jinlong tugged at Wu Bei, quickening their pace.

"What’s the rush? We’re running like we’re being chased by dogs!" Luo Hou grumbled, trailing behind them in discontent.

"That old bastard didn’t say a single honest word. He told you his name was Deng Yi? Bullshit. His real name is Deng Can. He used to be a secretary for city officials before he was fired for some offense—rumor has it he even did a few years in prison!" Qi Jinlong lowered his voice to explain.

Wu Bei asked, confused, "Then why are we running?"

Qi Jinlong glanced back before continuing, "That place of his is a curio shop on the surface, but it’s just a front. Every noon and evening, the place is packed with luxury cars. My boss says all the big shots in the city love to hang out there."

Luo Hou kept on whining, "No, I still don't get it. What does that actually have to do with us running away?"

Wu Bei understood Qi Jinlong's intent: he was afraid that someone who knew his boss might see them leaving the shop and start spreading rumors. The reality that "an innocent man is guilty only because of his treasure" plays out in every corner of the world, day after day.

Reaching a small park, Qi Jinlong pursed his lips with a wide grin. "We got an extra hundred thousand. Let’s split it fifty-fifty! How about that? Your brother is pretty clever, right?"

"Don't you 'street-smart' guys pride yourselves on integrity?" Wu Bei bit his lip.

Qi Jinlong waved a hand dismissively. "Integrity, my foot. Old Deng doesn't care about a few crumbs; that hundred thousand extra doesn't matter to him, but for us brothers, it’s a different story..."

Wu Bei opened his mouth, suppressed the urge to argue, and offered a perfunctory smile.

Past eleven in the morning, the three arrived at Qi Jinlong’s lottery shop. Wu Bei didn't go in; he didn't want to get involved, and besides, Wang Shun happened to call him.

Finding a quiet corner, Wu Bei picked up the phone. "What’s up, Shun?"

"The supervisor gave me your wages from yesterday and asked why you didn't come in. It seems the people from Aoxue Group didn't complain to the boss. Why don't you come back to work tomorrow morning?" Wang Shun replied, speaking rapidly.

Wu Bei’s face lit up instantly. "No problem, thanks, brother!"

"Don't mention it. I made some bone broth; I’m going to drop it off for your dad later. Are you at the hospital?"

"I’m heading back right now. Let’s eat together at noon—I’ll introduce you to a couple of friends!"

After a bit more small talk, they hung up, and Wu Bei felt a warmth spreading in his chest.

Reflecting on the last two days, it all felt as surreal as a dream, yet undeniably real. From being all alone to suddenly having a few friends—if all went well, once he helped Luo Hou redeem his car, his father’s medical expenses would likely be covered too.

"What a load of crap, pfft!"

As he was lost in thought, Qi Jinlong walked out of the lottery shop, cursing under his breath.

"Did you get it sorted?" Wu Bei greeted him with a smile, then glanced at Luo Hou. "Next, you’ll be owing that debt to me."

"Yeah! Wait here while I go buy something to visit your dad," Qi Jinlong spat angrily and strode toward the supermarket across the street.

Luo Hou seized the chance to lean in and relay what had happened inside. It turned out that after Qi Jinlong handed over the three hundred thousand to his boss, he didn't get a single cent for his trouble and even got scolded.

Luo Hou gave a sidelong glance, indignant on his behalf. "Even the 'Second Brother' couldn't stand it. After little 'Goldfish' worked himself to the bone for so long, he should have at least been given something."

"Who is 'Goldfish'?" Wu Bei asked, looking baffled.

"Golden Dragon cooking oil—haven't you seen the ads?" Luo Hou curled his lip in disdain, then draped his arm around Wu Bei’s shoulder in a falsely intimate manner. "Buddy, where are we grabbing lunch?"

Wu Bei shook him off with a look of disgust and snorted, "We’re redeeming the car this afternoon. Once that’s done, you give me my share, and after that, we go our separate ways."

Wu Bei didn't hate Luo Hou; he just wasn't used to being so close to people.

The lottery shop was only a few hundred meters from the hospital, and before long, the three arrived at Wu Shihao’s ward.

As soon as they walked in, Wu Bei saw the room filled with flowers and boxes of nutritional supplements and gifts. Wang Shun was sitting by the bedside, helping the old man eat.

"Did you have visitors?" Wu Bei scanned the room and looked at his father.

"I don't know who they were. A very elegant-looking girl, leading six or seven bodyguards. She didn't say a word when she came in, just dropped off the items and left," Wu Shihao shook his head, his eyes twinkling with playful intrigue. "I think they were here for you!"

"For me?" Wu Bei scratched the back of his head, rapidly recalling every woman he knew, but none seemed close enough to do something like this.

"Mr. Wu, you’re just in time..." While they were talking, the nurse, Su Qing, pushed the door open and walked in.

"I was just about to look for you. Let’s step outside to talk," Wu Bei signaled to Su Qing, brimming with anticipation.

In the hallway, Wu Bei lowered his voice. "Nurse Su, I’ve managed to scrape together a bit less than half of the money for my father’s transfer to the provincial hospital..."

"All the fees have already been paid. I’m here to inform you that we’re preparing for surgery tomorrow or the day after. The hospital has specially hired a few experts for this case," Su Qing interrupted, shaking her head.

Wu Bei stammered in disbelief, "The fees... they’re all... fully paid?"