When Ma Youjin saw that Ren Xiaosu was deep in thought, he was sure he had convinced him. He chuckled and said, “So if you have any business ventures in the future, you’re welcome to partner with us. As long as it’s not illegal, we are down to do anything here in Stronghold 144.”
Ren Xiaosu asked, “You don’t do illegal stuff?”
“But of course.” Ma Youjin turned serious. “Our company’s margins can be lowered, but we definitely mustn’t do anything to tarnish our reputation. Whoever tries anything funny will be asked to leave.”
“Why?” Ren Xiaosu asked curiously.
“I guess you’re not aware of it. Previously, my superior got his hands on a batch of lipstick from somewhere and claimed we could make a very high profit margin on it. But when Uncle Fugui found out, he directly fired him.” Ma Youjin said, “Uncle Fugui said we’re not only representing ourselves through our actions, but we also represent the reputation of the boss above.”
Ren Xiaosu was stunned for a moment. “The boss above? Which boss?”
“It seems like you’re really unaware.” Ma Youjin lowered his voice and said, “Do you see the word ‘su’ in our company’s name?”
“Yes, I see it.” Ren Xiaosu suddenly understood.
“And isn’t the future commander of the Northwest called Ren Xiaosu?” Ma Youjin said mysteriously, “Actually, before our future commander became the future commander, Uncle Fugui had already started working for him. So they’re tight, and this business is actually also the future commander’s private business arm.”
Ren Xiaosu had a strange expression. “Is this known throughout the Northwest?”
“Of course it is.” Ma Youjin said, “That’s why Uncle Fugui said that even if we have to sacrifice our profits, we can’t embarrass our future commander and affect his future in the Northwest. If anyone dares to tarnish our future commander’s reputation, we’ll tell them to beat it. Yunsu does not want to keep such employees around!”
Wang Fugui’s business had become very big now. On one hand, it was because he was really good at running a business. On the other hand, it was because the entire Northwest knew about the relationship between Wang Fugui and Ren Xiaosu. Therefore, no matter what he did, there would always be people giving him a pass on the things he wanted to do.
Meanwhile, Wang Fugui also played his part and never did anything that would make them worry. Outsiders would not be able to nitpick on his dealings at all.
Ma Youjin said in a low voice, “I heard that our future commander will be returning to the Northwest soon. At that time, our Yunsu will only get bigger and achieve eternal glory!”
Ren Xiaosu did not know whether to laugh or cry. Although he liked hearing others speak well of him, he still felt a little awkward when Ma Youjin praised him so seriously in his presence.
Ma Youjin said, “By the way, I haven’t asked for your name yet.”
“Oh,” Ren Xiaosu answered, “my name is Lü Xiaomi.”
“It sounds like you and our future commander are destined for each other based on your names.” Ma Youjin chuckled and said, “So what business are you doing? Do you want me to introduce you to Uncle Fugui?”
“There’s no need for that.” Ren Xiaosu waved it off with a smile. He was just enjoying some peace and quiet with Yang Xiaojin. As there was nothing urgent on Wang Fugui’s end, he was not in a hurry to see him.
Moreover, even if he really wanted to meet Wang Fugui, he would not need anyone to link them up. He could just go and meet him himself.
“Why?” Ma Youjin wondered, “Could it be that you’re not here to do business?”
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“Your Yunsu can’t do the business that I’m doing.” Ren Xiaosu winked and said, “Mine’s shady.”
Ma Youjin was enlightened. “You should have said so earlier. Although our Yunsu doesn’t dip its hands into such businesses, our sister company does.”
Ren Xiaosu was stunned. “Sister company? Who’s running it?”
“Although I say it’s a company, it’s actually the black market outside Stronghold 144.” Ma Youjin lowered his voice even further. “While everyone knows about this black market, they don’t really like talking about it openly. Everything is sold there, including firearms, antibiotics, fur hides, and antiques too. The merchants from the grasslands conduct their transactions there.”
“Then what has this black market got to do with all y’all?” Ren Xiaosu asked. He picked up a cup and took a sip of water.
Ma Youjin explained to him, “You don’t know, right? The person in charge of the black market is called Zhou Yingxue, and her followers are the Eight Vajras—”
“Pfft.” Ren Xiaosu did a spit-take.
Ma Youjin continued, “Didn’t you read the recent publication? They’re very famous. Zhou Yingxue is our future commander’s maid, and she has eight armored young men at her command. All of them are extremely brave and no one dares to provoke them. But don’t be too afraid either. The security at the black market is very tight, so no one dares to cause any trouble there.”
Ren Xiaosu wiped his mouth. “How’s Zhou Yingxue’s reputation?”
“It’s pretty good. She’s very fair when dealing. It’s just that the transaction fees in the black market are a little high. Everyone says that she’s too greedy for money,” Ma Youjin answered. “But it’s the only black market in the Northwest, and some transactions can only be carried out there. But think about it, she’s the future commander’s maid. This means that she has official backing, so you don’t have to be afraid if anything happens. As long as you pay the transaction fees honestly, there’ll be someone to help you handle things.”
Ren Xiaosu thought to himself that it was no wonder Hu Shuo’s publication ranked Zhou Yingxue and the Eight Vajras as a group. They sounded like they were really part of the underworld.
In the end, she had really become the mob boss of the Northwest.
He had been wondering if Zhou Yingxue had abused her authority in the Northwest.
From the look of things, it seemed the maid did feel a little guilty when answering him back then.
Ren Xiaosu smiled at Ma Youjin and said, “Thanks for the explanation, bro. I’ll make a trip to the black market when I have time.”
“Alright.” Ma Youjin said, “When you get to the black market, you can use our Yunsu’s business card as an introduction. Don’t worry, they’ll definitely treat you well since they’ll know you were recommended by Yunsu.”
Actually, what Ma Youjin did not tell Ren Xiaosu was that if he were to use his business card at the black market, Ma Youjin would get a cut of the transaction fees once a deal was done.
Putting everything else aside, Zhou Yingxue had really put in quite a bit of effort into creating this black market.
After the owner of the house and realtor left, Ren Xiaosu headed to the backyard. Yang Xiaojin was leaning against a peach tree and said, “Earlier, the old lady told me that if I want the peaches to be delicious, I’d have to prune the branches and leaves diligently. She was even touching the peach tree reluctantly. It seemed like she’d grown attached to them.”
“How many years had they lived here?” Ren Xiaosu asked.
“23.” Yang Xiaojin smiled. “She said that when the Zong Consortium was still running the place, the people were constantly living in fear and anxiety. But now that the Northwest Army’s taken over, everything’s gotten better.”
Yang Xiaojin muttered to herself, “Ever since my parents passed away, I no longer felt like I had a home in the Yang Consortium. At that time, my aunt took me out to train me, so my time was split between living in the stronghold and the wilderness. But no matter where I went, I didn’t feel like I belonged. Now that I’m in the Northwest, I don’t know why, but it feels really homey.”