Cosmic-Level Demon God
Chapter 313: 191: Old Liang, your apprentice has made something of himself!

Chapter 313: Chapter 191: Old Liang, your apprentice has made something of himself!

As soon as Qin Shi stepped out the door and into Baogong Street, he saw two bicycles leaning against the wall.

He looked at the two familiar, sneaky faces and jokingly said:

“Yuan, Cheng, long time no see. Why are you avoiding me? Xiao Zhou said you two became bosses and don’t want to recognize your old, poor buddies anymore? Afraid I might borrow money from you?”

At the alley entrance, Xie Yucheng with his hair slicked back and Li Yuan in formal attire and dress shoes turned around awkwardly and said sheepishly:

“Ah Shi… Brother Qin. We heard from the neighbors that you returned to Old Factory Street, so Yuan and I came over to thank you.”

After a whole summer, Xie Yucheng looked less youthful and frivolous, becoming much steadier.

“We’re all friends, no need for formalities. My sister told me that the renovation of the shack was all thanks to you guys finding workers and putting in the effort, even driving the appliances back.”

Qin Shi smiled, dropping the calm facade he maintained around people like Fang Butang and Kang Yun’Er, his whole demeanor becoming more sunny and cheerful as his brows relaxed.

“It was just a small effort.”

Seeing that Qin Shi wasn’t being pretentious as they had feared, Xie Yucheng breathed a sigh of relief, his smile becoming more genuine.

“Brother Qin, tell us about the Tai’an Metropolitan Area’s top hundred competition. The promotion was everywhere on TV, with so many impressive people from the Central City—one Zhou Yuanchen particularly stood out…”

Qin Shi sat with the two at the alley entrance, facing a stand with a red cardboard sign reading “Five Yuan Quick Cuts.”

“It’s actually just a medium-sized event organized by the Heng Province Martial Arts Association. Old Zhou is indeed impressive; I was lucky to win. By the way, Yuan, Cheng, how’s your business going?”

After a few words, Qin Shi shifted the topic to Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng.

“Not too bad. After Qin Lihao died, Yu Hai City Construction got a new guy, apparently the driver for the Qin Family’s eldest, Qin Renying, and took over the remaining projects.

But it seems they offended someone, and the originally allocated area was reclaimed by the Tai’an Metropolitan Area, forcing Yu Hai City Construction to withdraw from Old Factory Street in disgrace.”

Li Yuan, who had been relatively quiet, slowly explained:

“Brother Ze went in, and Director Shen disappeared. With no one to manage the nursing home, Yuan and I took the initiative. There’s still some money in the account, enough to run for a while.

The seniors living in the nursing home are all old members of the Righteous Fist Society. They don’t want to just live out their days; they each took out their savings and gave suggestions, helping me and Cheng start a construction team.

Maybe we had good luck, as we just happened to pick up Yu Hai City Construction’s work right after we opened.”

Li Yuan glanced at Qin Shi as he spoke.

The project they took on happened to be the construction of the Nanhuang Daoist School.

“Heaven is looking out for you! Work hard, Yuan, aim to replace that ‘Sang Yun’ with a ‘Victory Tiger’ next year!”

Qin Shi thought for a bit, understanding that this was likely the work of his ninth senior brother, Ren You.

Old Ren was meticulous, kicking out Yu Hai City Construction with its Yan City Qin Family connections and ensuring his close friends, Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng, got special attention—not at all surprising.

“That’s a luxury car worth millions! Unless we take on the entire Dangyang East Suburb renovation project, it’ll probably take a few more years of hard work!”

Xie Yucheng laughed.

Their conversation was harmonious and relaxed, making them unconsciously feel at ease.

Regardless of friendship or any other feelings, the most feared thing for those past times is nothing more than the phrase “things change.”

“Yuan, can you drive me to Sons and Daughters Ninth Middle School? I’m planning to visit Teacher Liang.”

Qin Shi grabbed three sodas from Aunt Zhou’s small shop, handing them to Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng.

“Absolutely no problem. But there’s no more Sons and Daughters Ninth Middle School; it’s now a sports school. Teacher Liang isn’t teaching anymore.

Brother Qin, are you free tonight? How about… we get together for dinner?”

Xie Yucheng patted his chest and promised, then carefully asked again.

“Tomorrow, Cheng. I just got back and want to spend some time with my family.”

Qin Shi answered seriously.

“Okay. I’ll arrange the place!”

Xie Yucheng nodded happily.

“Let’s do it at Yuan’s place. I really like Uncle Li’s cooking; it feels like home.”

Qin Shi said with a smile, the straw in his mouth.

“Sounds good. I’ll ask my dad to make some special dishes, since it’s rare for you to come back. The old members of Righteous Fist Society say that talented people like you are directly recruited by top-tier universities, even the Four National Universities. It’ll be hard to get together in the future, so let’s have a few drinks.”

Li Yuan nodded, looking at Qin Shi with a familiar, close gaze.

Qin Shi got into the white classic Sang Yun car, and Xie Yucheng eagerly took the driver’s seat, bumping Li Yuan to the passenger seat.

As they drove, they kept chatting about the changes in Old Factory Street. Everything was steadily improving and developing quickly, with even North Gate Street no longer as chaotic as before; instances of protection money collection and violent extortion had sharply decreased.

“Yuan, Cheng, see you tomorrow.”

Upon arrival, Qin Shi got out and waved towards the back.

As his figure disappeared in the direction of the dormitory building, Li Yuan in the passenger seat pulled out a cigarette pack, flicking a Liaomin cigarette out.

“Cheng, let’s drop the business talk with Ah Shi. We may have gotten ahead thanks to him, but in my heart, he’s a buddy, not some big support we need to constantly cater to.

The way you acted earlier, Ah Shi wouldn’t like it, and I can’t get used to it either.”

Xie Yucheng, in the driver’s seat, stayed silent and asked Li Yuan for a cigarette.