"Hongyun Rice Processing Factory. That's right, this is the place." Chen Xingyang said, glancing at the address saved in his phone's notes before turning to Wu Jun.
"Wu Jun, what is it?" Chen Xingyang asked, puzzled, noticing Wu Jun's uneasy expression.
'This is... too much of a coincidence!'
Wu Jun never would have imagined that the son of Hu Jianguo's old friend was actually Wang Hongliang.
'It really is... a small world!'
Hongyun Rice Processing Factory. Wu Jun knew that name all too well. In fact, he now owned the factory's trademark.
Back then, Wang Hongliang had wanted to sell it to him as a package deal with the equipment. He'd refused, and now, it had come full circle.
"It's nothing, really. But things might get a little unpleasant when we meet the owner. You and your wife should brace yourselves," Wu Jun said, which only made Chen Xingyang and his wife more confused.
"Wu Jun, what's really going on?" Duan Xiangyan asked with a frown.
"It's nothing major. The guy selling the equipment and I... we have a little history." To stop them from grilling him further, Wu Jun briefly explained the feud between him and Wang Hongliang.
"What a scumbag. In that case, we're not buying his equipment," Chen Xingyang said angrily after listening to the story.
"Let's go, Wu Jun. We're not doing business with scum like that." Duan Xiangyan was also furious, hearing that Wang Hongliang had schemed against Wu Jun at his lowest point.
"Why leave?" Wu Jun said with a smile. "From what I've heard, this Wang fellow is desperate for cash right now. We might be able to get a bargain out of him."
"Huh?" Chen Xingyang and his wife looked completely baffled.
Wu Jun said, "When I start negotiating the price with him, you and your wife just play along."
Seeing that Wu Jun, the one at the center of it all, wasn't bothered, Chen Xingyang and Duan Xiangyan decided not to dwell on it either.
After all, finding suitable second-hand equipment wasn't that easy.
After a wait of about ten minutes, Wang Hongliang arrived on an electric scooter.
Even from a distance, he thought Wu Jun looked vaguely familiar. When he got up close and took a proper look, he realized it was none other than that bastard Wu!
"You bastard Wu, you're like a goddamn ghost! Won't you ever go away? Isn't ruining my life enough for you?!" Wang Hongliang kicked the stand on his scooter and jabbed a finger at Wu Jun, roaring in anger.
Wu Jun smiled. "Wang Hongliang, I didn't come here to fight with you today. You're selling equipment, right? I'm just here with these two to take a look."
"If Mr. Wang doesn't welcome us, then we'll just leave," Chen Xingyang grunted, making a show of turning to go.
"Wait, wait, wait, don't go! Let's look at the equipment, just look at the equipment." Seeing his chance slipping away, Wang Hongliang rushed forward to block Chen Xingyang, temporarily setting aside his feud with Wu Jun.
"Please, this way. The equipment is right inside." Wang Hongliang shot Wu Jun a glare, then turned to the factory gate, pulled a key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and invited Chen Xingyang and his wife to enter.
Although the invitation didn't extend to him, Wu Jun didn't mind and followed them into the factory.
Wang Hongliang pulled the tarp off the equipment. Chen Xingyang and Duan Xiangyan stepped forward to carefully inspect its components, then powered it on for a test. Everything worked perfectly.
Just as Wang Hongliang had claimed, the bag-making machine was in practically new condition—it looked like not a single screw had been touched. Chen Xingyang was very tempted.
A new semi-automatic, high-speed, three-side seal bag-making machine like this would cost over 70,000. One in this condition could easily sell for over 50,000. The fact that Wang Hongliang was asking for 40,000 just showed how desperate he was to sell.
Seeing them finish the inspection, Wang Hongliang, who had been smoking off to the side, blew out a cloud of smoke and said, "So, how is it? If there are no problems, you can go ahead and pay. 40,000. You won't find another machine in this condition in the entire country. Buying this is a steal. This is a one-time offer, take it or leave it."
Wu Jun cut in, "Flat price: 20,000. Not a cent more. If that works, we'll take it off your hands. If not, you can keep it and sell it for scrap."
"Bullshit! You bastard Wu, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you!" Wang Hongliang instantly flew into a rage at Wu Jun's words. He pointed at Wu Jun and roared, "20,000! How dare you even say that! You're just trying to piss me off, aren't you!"
Wu Jun nodded. "You're right."
"You...!" Wang Hongliang trembled with rage. But he had lost to Wu Jun several times before and knew he was no match for him. Besides, Wu Jun had two people with him now, so he definitely didn't dare to get physical. All he could do was seethe in silent fury.
Duan Xiangyan twisted the knife. "Let's go, Wu Jun. We can check other places. We might find something even cheaper."
Wang Hongliang spun around to face Duan Xiangyan. 'This woman is even more ruthless than that bastard Wu!'
'Cutting the price in half isn't enough for her? She wants it even cheaper!'
'In her dreams!'
"Let's go. If he's not selling, then forget it." Chen Xingyang was even more direct. He turned and walked toward the factory entrance, with Wu Jun and Duan Xiangyan following right behind.
"Wait, wait..." Wang Hongliang called out to them. He had waited almost a week for a potential buyer, and now they were here. He couldn't afford to let them go.
Even though he knew Wu Jun was intentionally lowballing him, he had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill.
With a conflicted expression, his heart feeling as if it were bleeding, Wang Hongliang said through gritted teeth, "Fine, 20,000 it is. Pay up and get it out of here. It's just my damn luck running into you people."
Hearing Wang Hongliang's words, Chen Xingyang and Duan Xiangyan were thrilled. They had just saved another 20,000! They couldn't believe their luck.
They drew up the invoice and completed the payment. After transferring 20,000 to Wang Hongliang, Chen Xingyang secured the equipment and called for a forklift and a truck to load it up and haul it away.
Wang Hongliang stared at the empty factory floor, feeling utterly dejected. He smoked a cigarette to calm his nerves before heading out and locking the main gate behind him.
He swung a leg over the electric scooter parked against the wall by the gate, put the key in the ignition, and gave it a twist. Nothing...
He pulled the key out, put it back in, and twisted it again. Still nothing.
Wang Hongliang got off the scooter, crouched down, and looked under the seat. The battery was gone!
"Which son of a bitch dared to steal my battery! Don't let me find you! If I find you, you're dead meat!" Wang Hongliang roared, looking around wildly.
"Goddammit, ever since I ran into that bastard Wu, not a single thing has gone my way!" Wang Hongliang lit another cigarette, took a few hard drags, and started pushing his scooter toward the nearest repair shop in the industrial park.
「At a small restaurant.」
Wu Jun raised his glass of beer to Chen Xingyang. "Boss Chen, congratulations. Now hurry up and get the site logistics sorted out so you can get the factory running. I'll be waiting for your packaging bags."
"Wu Jun, I'm not going to say anything else," Chen Xingyang said, "It's all in this drink." He tilted his head back and drained his glass.
Duan Xiangyan said, "Wu Jun, I'll toast you too, with water instead of wine. You saved your brother and me another 20,000 yuan today."
Wu Jun was a little exasperated. "We're all family here, let's not act like strangers. If you keep being so formal, I won't be able to eat."
"Alright, alright, I won't say another word. Let's eat, let's eat." Chen Xingyang chuckled good-naturedly and urged Wu Jun to have some food.
After a simple lunch, Wu Jun also got a takeout order of Yangzhou fried rice, sweet and sour pork ribs, and a side of green vegetables. Chen Xingyang rushed to pay the bill, only for the owner to tell him that Wu Jun had already settled it.
The three parted ways at the restaurant entrance. Wu Jun hailed a taxi back to his small supermarket.
By the time he got back to the supermarket, it was already a little after two in the afternoon. There were no customers in the store, but Xu Fei was keeping busy, tidying the merchandise on the shelves.
"Boss, you're back," Xu Fei greeted him when she saw him enter the shop.
"You haven't had lunch yet, have you? I brought some food back for you. Come eat it while it's still hot." Wu Jun said, carrying the takeout containers into the kitchen and calling out to Xu Fei.
"Thanks, Boss." Xu Fei stopped what she was doing and went into the kitchen.
Seeing the food Wu Jun had brought, Xu Fei said, "Boss, this is way too much. The fried rice alone would have been enough."
Wu Jun joked, "I can't have that. Your aunt would accuse me of mistreating you."
"She wouldn't," Xu Fei said with a smile. Not standing on ceremony any longer, she grabbed a bowl and chopsticks and began to eat.