She, too, had let her mind wander restlessly for many years.

The "Brother Gang" that Tiger mentioned is Guo Gang, one of the most renowned real estate tycoons in the provincial capital—a truly influential figure. If we go back twenty or thirty years, the young Guo Gang was much like today's portly men, just another street hustler.

Here's an interesting point: many of the major real estate magnates in the provincial capital came out of prison. Some, unable to find work after their release, scrambled to survive, gradually forming connections and meeting important people. Others climbed straight up the social ladder, becoming spokesmen for high-ranking officials. Whichever path they took, they were all ruthless, formidable characters. As the books say, they were people capable of great deeds. Don’t judge them by their backgrounds or experiences; the future always holds promise.

Guo Gang, Long Jianjun, and a few other tough men were once labor camp inmates, now celebrated entrepreneurs—some even became representatives in the legislature. It’s a powerful kind of irony. Take Long Jianjun, for example: he befriended a fellow inmate in prison. When they were released, the guy came looking for him. Long Jianjun gave him a sweeping gesture, “Help me deliver sand.” Not just a favor—he handed over all the construction company’s sand and gravel procurement. As long as you weren’t an idiot or reckless, everything was handled with proper contracts. In just over a year, the guy upgraded his life, bought a house and a car.

Talking about these real estate bosses is like watching a highly nuanced drama—full of darkness and immoral deals, but also legendary tales. Take the famous Qiao Fourth Master from the Northeast; he started as a small-time hustler, then got to know the authorities, received some jobs, and most importantly, made his fortune through demolition, after which his success snowballed.

Guo Gang is one of the ruthless and clever ones. The not-so-bright, like Qiao Fourth, were brash and eventually fell. Another example is a well-known entrepreneur from the province: after getting rich from building houses, he built himself a skyscraper, paid for a feature on national TV, and even had a provincial special—only to be arrested later due to certain issues, leading to his company’s collapse.

The lesson: keep a low profile.

Guo Gang is smart and never crosses the line. As long as he maintains connections at the top, he can manipulate ordinary people however he pleases. His ruthlessness is reserved for the masses. To put it more elegantly, he’s a dog raised by the leaders.

Now, Zhang Pa has beaten this dog, so of course Guo Gang is annoyed. But he knows that the rundown place called Xingfu Li is not easy to deal with, so he lets Tiger deliver the message—a gesture of advice from an elder to a junior, and a sign of tolerance: it’s just a fight, apologize, have a drink, and let it go.

Understanding Guo Gang’s request, Zhang Pa asked, “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“No, the boss has a dinner engagement. He told me to talk to you about this and I need to head back soon.”

“Was it necessary to come in person? It’s something you could have handled with a phone call,” Zhang Pa said.

Tiger gave a wry smile. “Brother, who doesn’t know who here? Forget a phone call—even if I said all this face-to-face, would you go apologize?”

Zhang Pa said he wouldn’t.

Tiger replied, “Exactly. So how could I not come?”

Zhang Pa said, “Whether you come or not, I won’t go see Guo Gang. He’s your boss, what’s that got to do with me?”

Tiger said, “Isn’t it better to turn hostility into friendship?”

“It depends on what happened,” Zhang Pa said. “The King of Cannons nearly molested someone, and now I’m supposed to apologize?”

Tiger said, “That’s not fair.” He got up, checked the door, closed it, and returned to speak quietly. “I’m not disparaging anyone, but those two women are prostitutes. Whether you sleep with them once or ten times, what difference does it make? Does voluntary or involuntary matter so much? It’s just a matter of money. Why are you so bent on helping?”

Zhang Pa asked, “What do you think?”

“Enough, Eunuch Brother, I know you didn’t sleep with them, so I’m advising you—don’t always do foolish things.”

Zhang Pa’s eyes widened. “What did you say? Eunuch Brother?”

Tiger laughed, “Not my words—it's what Pretty Boy and Fatty said. Pretty Boy said he found you two long-legged student girls, had them undress, and you turned and walked out. Fatty said he got you a hooker, paid the money, locked the door, and you broke out... I’m not saying anything else.” Seeing Zhang Pa’s face change, Tiger wisely shut up.

Zhang Pa was silent for a moment, then pointed at the wall. “Those two women mean nothing to me, I don’t want to stand up for them. Also, their profession may be questionable, but that’s no reason for the King of Cannons to harass them—especially making women take the initiative. That’s what I can’t stand. You can look down on people or ignore them, but you can’t act recklessly.”

Tiger said, “Brother, don’t lecture me.”

Zhang Pa said, “It’s simple. The King of Cannons apologizes to the two girls, and I’ll apologize to him. That’s it.”

Tiger sighed, “You’re forcing me to resign.”

“Why resign? You need to be the nail embedded in the enemy’s heart,” Zhang Pa laughed.

“I’ll kill you first. So, I should just say this when I go back?” He reminded, “This is Guo Gang. He doesn’t even have to lift a finger—just find an excuse and you’ll be locked up for years.”

Zhang Pa shook his head, “Guo Gang really is trouble.”

Tiger said, “He is trouble.”

Zhang Pa said, “A promising young man like me, committed to inheriting and promoting the nation’s cultural industry, has to deal with a gangster boss? The world is truly chaotic. I’m a bit scared.”

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’m leaving,” Tiger said.

Zhang Pa replied, “So what about Guo Gang?”

“How about apologizing?” Tiger suggested.

“Absolutely not. It’s a matter of principle... How many people work at your company?”

“Hundreds, why? What’s that got to do with anything?” Tiger asked.

“I’ve thought of a solution,” Zhang Pa said. “I’ll do a book signing at your company. All your employees buy my book. If they do, I’ll apologize.”

Tiger said, “Is this your untouchable principle?”

“Principles can be flexible, can’t they?” Zhang Pa did the math. “Say your company has four hundred people; if one in two buys a book, that’s two hundred copies at twenty each, two hundred books…” He pulled out his phone to calculate.

Tiger was exasperated. “Brother, with your intelligence, you shouldn’t be writing books—teaching others the wrong way.”

“I’m rigorous! It’s the attitude most essential for scholarly research,” Zhang Pa calculated. “Four thousand! That’s quite a sum…”

Tiger said, “If only I had the strength, I’d beat you up right now.”

Zhang Pa said, “Four thousand. For four thousand, I’ll let you beat me.”

“Get lost,” Tiger said. “Talking to you is pointless.” He called Fatty.

Five minutes later, Fatty arrived. When he heard Guo Gang wanted Zhang Pa to apologize to the King of Cannons, Fatty said, “That’s impossible.”

Tiger asked, “What do you think is possible?”

Fatty said, “I’ll go. I’ve got no shame…”

Tiger didn’t respond, just kept laughing at him.

Fatty said, “What’s so funny?”

Tiger said, “Enough. There are only three ways to settle this—apologize, run, or fight back. Which do you think we should choose?”

Fatty pondered, “None of the three are good.”

Tiger said, “Good or not, you have to pick one. Dragging it out isn’t an option.” He remembered something, “By the way, Xingfu Li is about to be demolished.”

“Again?” Fatty laughed, “How many times is that now?”

“This time seems real. Only two large shantytowns remain inside the third ring. The other place is scheduled for relocation next spring. The city called a meeting recently, all the major real estate firms attended—it was about the demolition of Xingfu Li.”

Fatty asked, “Could it be Guo the Demolisher coming to mess with us?”

“No idea,” Tiger said. “Probably not decided yet. When that area goes, only ours will be left; by then, there’s no way to avoid demolition.”

“Guo the Demolisher…” Zhang Pa said, “He’s torn down so many houses—no one ever tried to take him down?”

Tiger said, “You should say, he’s torn down so many houses, so many people have tried, but he’s still thriving, richer than ever, truly capable.”

Demolition and relocation are how Guo Gang made his fortune; people call him Guo the Demolisher.

Fatty said, “If Guo the Demolisher takes over Xingfu Li, you really shouldn’t apologize now. If you do, how will you ever raise a banner against him?”

Zhang Pa said, “Are you sick or just stupid? Do I own property in Xingfu Li? I’m renting—do you get that? Whether you demolish or not, what does it matter to me? What are you fighting for?”

Fatty said, “My house, of course. You can live with me then… In fact, move in now. I live alone in over a hundred square meters—it’s too empty. Split it with you, no rent.”

Zhang Pa shook his head. “If you can fix your smelly feet, maybe I’ll consider.”

Fatty said, “Come on, how can I fix that?”

Tiger was annoyed, “This is getting out of hand—what about Guo Gang?”

Zhang Pa said, “I’ve already said—book signing, two hundred copies, then I’ll apologize.”

“You’re crazy.” Tiger asked Fatty, “Give me an idea… Damn, asking you is useless.” He got up, “I’m out of here. Call me when you make up your mind.”

Zhang Pa said, “I’ve got it all figured out.”

Tiger didn’t respond and left.

Fatty lay on the bed, “What should we do?”

Zhang Pa said, “Weren’t you going to apologize for me?”

“I was joking, you really believed that?” Fatty looked around, “Seriously, move in with me. At least you’d have a big desk and a bookcase. Here… Not to mention, rent here runs into the thousands each year. Save that money for food and drink.”

Zhang Pa considered, then continued eating the half-finished dumplings.

The matter with Guo Gang had to be resolved, but how? One thing was certain—he couldn’t wait for Guo Gang to send someone. That ruthless Guo the Demolisher, once he acts, it’s always merciless.

Fatty pondered and pondered, but found no solution, and soon started snoring—fell asleep.

In the afternoon, Tiger called back. “Brother Gang says he can buy your book, but no signing event. Then, you host a dinner.”

Zhang Pa was a bit confused. “You told Guo Gang?”

“Of course, he asked me—what else could I say?” Tiger was helpless.

Thinking from Tiger’s perspective, he hadn’t done anything wrong. After all, it was his request. Zhang Pa said, “So I apologize at the dinner?”

“Yes,” Tiger said, “That’s it. I’m a little surprised though—Guo Gang is notoriously hard to deal with. Why did he agree so easily this time?”