https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-865-The-Shocking-Sound-of-the-Roaring-Tide/13041300/
Chapter 863: The Hidden Stain
Chapter 863: The Hidden Stain
After noon, a travel car drove up to the villa, and Han Cheng stepped out, quickly making his way to the living room. He peered inside and saw Lingma tidying up, presumably having just finished lunch not long ago.
Based on his experience, this was the time when Han Kuang would take a short nap.
He walked in and asked, "Lingma, where are my two cousins staying?"
Lingma called out, "Young Master," and then said, "Those two young masters are your cousins. Chen Young Master is staying in the guest room in the southeast corner of the second floor, and the younger one is next to him."
Just as they were talking, a voice came from above.
"You know I'm back?"
Han Cheng looked up and saw Yu Jie coming down the stairs. He quickly smiled and walked over, saying, "Mom, I still have a lot of things to do, right?"
Yu Jie grabbed his ear and said, "So busy that you don't even go home for the New Year?"
Han Cheng protested, "Mom, no, no, no. You said my aunt and cousins are here, so please save some face for me."
Yu Jie sighed and said, "Do you still want to save face? Let me tell you, your cousins are much more capable than you, especially Xiao Chuan. He is now a high-ranking official in the capital city of Jinbei Province."
"Oh? A high-ranking official?" Han Cheng's eyes lit up with interest. "How high-ranking? Which department? What position?"
Yu Jie looked at him suspiciously, "What are you up to now?"
"I'm not up to anything. I know my younger cousins, right? We've never met before, and I'm just showing some concern, isn't that normal?"
Yu Jie spoke with a heavy heart, "Son, let me tell you, your cousin is different. Don't use your usual tricks on him."
Han Cheng nodded repeatedly, "I know, I know."
"You don't know, let me tell you..."
Just then, Han Kuang's voice came from above, "Lingma, could you bring up the newspaper I left downstairs earlier?"
Lingma responded from above.
Han Cheng was startled and said in a low voice, "Mom, don't tell Dad I'm back yet." He then handed a small package to Yu Jie.
"Mom, this is the skincare product I bought especially for you. I'll go upstairs now." With that, Han Cheng quickly ran up the other staircase.
Yu Jie watched him run off and sighed, "This kid." She thought for a moment and still felt uneasy. She took the newspaper from Lingma and said, "Lingma, I'll take it up."
Han Cheng arrived on the second floor and walked to the end of the hallway. He saw the guest room door open, and two young men sitting in the living room inside. Two cups of tea were on the table, and the sunlight outside was just right. They seemed to be chatting about something.
He recognized one of them as Nian Qian, as the latter's appearance hadn't changed much in the past few years, except for a more robust and tanned physique. As for the other one...
He glanced at him, and the other young man also looked back. For some reason, when he made eye contact with this person, his heart began to feel uneasy. He had originally planned to approach and befriend them, but now he was at a loss for words.
He coughed, straightened his hair to hide his uneasiness, and smiled, showing a set of straight white teeth. He waved his hand and said to the two of them, "Cousins, Happy New Year! I'm your older cousin, Han Cheng."
Chen Chuan sized him up. This older cousin was probably twenty-eight years old, but he looked even younger. He was dressed in an expensive imported suit, and it was evident that he had noticeable implants on his face and the back of his hand, which were more for decoration than practical use.
Chen Chuan could tell at a glance that if he didn't care about hygiene, he could easily find a street-side implant technician to remove them. However, for the average lower-class person, it was indeed intimidating enough.
Chen Chuan and Nian Qian greeted Han Cheng, and Han Cheng acted very casually. He walked in, pulled out a chair, and sat down in front of them. He then said that they should treat this place as their own, and if they needed to buy anything or needed any help, they could just ask him. As their older cousin, he would definitely help if he could.
Chen Chuan could sense that what Han Cheng said wasn't just polite talk, but rather surprisingly sincere, indicating that he genuinely meant it.
At this moment, Nian Qian said, "I heard from Uncle that you're in business now. What kind of business is it?"
"My business, according to my father, is not something to be proud of. But I don't think so... how should I put it..."
Han Cheng knocked his hand twice with a pen and said, "There are many people in this capital city who need prohibited drugs, but these drugs have a limited annual supply in the market. What I do is arrange for people to smuggle these drugs into the city and sell them on the black market to meet the needs of those people."
Nian Qian looked at him and said, "Cousin, you're quite daring to do business with prohibited drugs?"
Han Cheng laughed and waved his hand, "What's so prohibited about it? It's just a monopoly business run by a group of people. I'm just picking up the scraps they leave behind. Is that too much?"
Nian Qian said, "Cousin, aren't you afraid those people will cause trouble for you?"
"Hey, there are many people in this business. One more or less doesn't make a difference. They can eat, and so can I. Of course, this is just my stepping stone. Once I expand my connections and channels, I can do even bigger business."
"Bigger business? How big? Selling weapons?"
"Selling weapons... well, actually..." Han Cheng leaned forward, "The old man has connections in the military, and there are people in the military doing this business. The old man's direct superior, do you know who it is? It's Commander Bai, and his expenses are quite high.
They invited the old man to join them, but he pretended not to understand, and their relationship became distant,"
He leaned back and spread his hands, "Because I'm not one of them, they don't consider me one of their own.
Year Qian was perplexed: "There's no major war in the country, so who would buy weapons? Are you selling them abroad?"
"Who would buy them? Who needs them? Of course, there's a market abroad, but the garrison here can't get much of a share. Without a war, these weapons can't be sold, right?"
Han Cheng tapped the table with his sunglasses, "You know about the resistance organization, right?"
Chen Chuan's eyes flickered.
Year Qian's expression turned serious. "The resistance organization?"
"Don't be so surprised. It's not exactly a secret. For those higher-ups, what do they rely on if not the meager profits they get from above? Even if the garrison doesn't buy, there are others who bring in weapons. It's better for them to keep the business to themselves than give it to others."
Cheng Chuan remained unconcerned, "Even if the garrison doesn't buy, there are others who transport weapons in. It's better for the garrison to take this business for themselves."
At this moment, Chen Chuan asked, "Who's in charge of transportation?"
Han Cheng glanced at Chen Chuan and unconsciously shifted in his seat. Sitting in front of this cousin made him feel like he was facing those high-ranking officials, and he felt quite uncomfortable.
He replied, "Of course, it's a transportation company. Our mountain is located deep in Daxun, with connections in all directions. The largest transport and security company here is Union Wei Heavy Drive. They feed the city council every year, and even some military orders are given to them. Their company headquarters is right in our Southern Mountain Province."
Chen Chuan took a sip of tea, "Union Wei Heavy Drive..."
Year Qian furrowed his brows, "Won't this cause problems?"
In the 6th chapter of the 1st book, there's a version without problems!
"Problems? What kind of problems? What could possibly go wrong? Haha, that White Chief of Staff's assistant, he's the son-in-law of the Deputy Commander of the Garrison." Han Cheng gave him a look, "Got it?"
Year Qian remained silent, his brows knitted.
Chen Chuan recalled the White Chief of Staff who had come to pick him up yesterday, and the handsome staff officer by his side, deep in thought.
"People, they have to live for themselves. The old man has been busy his whole life, and he hasn't gained anything. Look at others, living the high life, their children sent to elite academies, with the most advanced domestic and foreign technologies implanted in their bodies. They just need to have their names on the company's roster and they can enjoy life without lifting a finger."
Han Cheng continued, "As for me, I don't have such good fortune. I can only go out and fight for myself. But I don't blame the old man. I've seen the struggles of the common people below, and I already have a better life than ninety percent of those in the city. I'll take what the old man gives me, and if he doesn't give, I'll earn it myself."
Chen Chuan asked, "Has anyone approached you, cousin?"
"Yes, of course. They wanted to drag me into their business," Han Cheng said, "But what do they think I am? They're targeting the old man.
The old man may be a bit rigid, but some of his words should be heeded. Good things don't fall from the sky, and if they do, it's because they want to get more from you.
I don't want to get involved in their business. I haven't even gotten a few bones, and if something happens, I might be thrown out as a scapegoat and even implicate my family. Is it worth it for me?"
Chen Chuan nodded slightly, thinking that although this cousin seemed a bit eccentric, he was actually quite sensible. He might make small mistakes, but he'd never touch anything big.
At this moment, Year Qian spoke up, "Cousin, it seems you're afraid too."
"Hey, I'm just a bit cautious. I'm doing a small business, and if it doesn't work out, I can always turn back. So, cousin, are you interested in investing?"
Han Cheng turned to Chen Chuan, "Cousin, you're from Jingbei Province, right? My business hasn't reached there yet. If you have any difficulties, you can send them here for handling."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Cousin, is there something you want to discuss?"
"Oh, you've figured it out." Han Cheng rubbed his hands awkwardly, "I've just organized a team and want to transport a batch of goods into the city. You know, with the recent martial law, there are some issues with their identities.
Since you're from Jingbei Province and your mother says you're a high-ranking official, can you help arrange a Jingbei Province identity for them? Don't worry, I understand the rules. I won't shortchange you, cousin."
Chen Chuan asked, "How long has it been?"
"Just this morning."
Chen Chuan calmly replied, "In that case, you don't need to intervene. Cousin, just check again, they should have been released by now."
Han Cheng was taken aback, "Oh, okay." He couldn't quite grasp where this cousin's confidence came from, but he instinctively felt he could trust him.
Still preoccupied, Han Cheng chatted for a while longer before stepping out and immediately calling his people. The call connected almost instantly.
An excited voice came from the other end, "Mr. Han, the checkpoint officers just released us!"
"Released? You're out?" Han Cheng's voice rose unconsciously.
"Yes, we've been out for an hour. We've delivered the goods, and the client is very satisfied, especially with the tight security in the city today. There are guards everywhere, but we're the only ones who got the goods through, thanks to you, Mr. Han!"
"Hmm..."
After the call, Han Cheng's expression turned serious. Something felt off. From the call, it seemed that the security personnel in the city weren't giving him face. It wasn't about him; even if his father, Han Kuang, intervened, he wouldn't have that much influence.
Recalling what Chen Chuan had said earlier, Han Cheng couldn't help but wonder, "This cousin of mine, what's his background?"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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