Chapter Fifteen: The Bald Man’s Trust

You figured it out yourself? That surprised Baldy somewhat! He had assumed the other man had gotten wind of something from somewhere and was angling to entrap him. He never expected such a reply.

“Then tell me, how did you come to that conclusion?” Baldy asked, his curiosity piqued.

Shen Guodong smiled faintly and replied, “The country is currently cracking down hard on organized crime, and the restrictions grow tighter each year. Many on the streets are already making moves to go legit. Baldy, with your influence, I doubt you haven’t considered it. As for those who haven’t cleaned up their act, there are only two types: those who haven’t made enough money, or those who haven’t found a way out yet.

“This road breeds too many enemies; it’s not easy to walk away clean and keep yourself safe. Even if you do, how do you continue to make a living, to ensure you never have to worry about food or money, and to protect the wealth you’ve accumulated so far? I can help you achieve all of this.”

“And what means do you have to help me? You’ve admitted yourself that it’s not easy to go straight. What makes you think you can help me?” Baldy’s voice was cold, his eyes glinting with menace.

Shen Guodong was not intimidated in the slightest. He met Baldy’s gaze without a trace of fear. The two stared each other down for four or five breaths in complete silence.

Suddenly, Baldy burst out laughing.

In Shen Guodong’s eyes, he saw no hint of fear or evasion. This was a man destined for great things. Baldy had spent years fighting his way up and had met countless people along the way; he prided himself on his ability to judge character.

“Go on, let’s hear your plan,” he prompted.

Shen Guodong didn’t hesitate. He began by analyzing the current situation for Baldy, then laid out concrete steps for moving forward. He wasn’t just theorizing on paper—he had real skills.

As for making money, that was simple. For many years, the three northeastern provinces had been a powerhouse in the country—a hub for heavy industry. Many major steel manufacturing enterprises were based there, making the automobile industry particularly developed. The largest car manufacturers, First and Second Automobile Works, were both located in the northeast. Besides, the region was also a major agricultural province, with its rice especially renowned.

Now, in the southern city of Kunpeng, which had boomed since the economic reforms, there was a huge demand for rice. If they could transport northeast rice to Kunpeng, the profits could be substantial. The demand in the south was immense, and prices far exceeded those in the north. As the country’s granary, northeast rice cost only a few cents per jin, but if he remembered correctly, even ordinary rice in the south sold for several times that price. Given its unique flavor, northeast rice would fetch at least seven or eight cents per jin, if not more. On the return trip, they could bring back southern small commodities and household appliances from Guangdong, making each journey worthwhile.

“So, what do you think of my proposal?” Shen Guodong asked, though he had only revealed part of his plan.

Baldy fell silent, lost in thought. He didn’t know much about business, but Shen Guodong’s reasoning was sound, and he found himself convinced.

“Hahaha, excellent! The future really does belong to you young people; I’m getting old,” Baldy laughed heartily, clapping Shen Guodong’s shoulder with a calloused hand.

Baldy was already over fifty, and the sharpness of his youth was long gone. Being the boss looked glamorous, but in truth, it came with endless headaches, and the money wasn’t nearly as much as outsiders imagined—especially with so many men to feed and families to support. If Shen Guodong could truly help him go straight, preserve his wealth, and even double it, ensuring a good life for himself and his men, he would be more than willing.

“You flatter me, Baldy. Ideas are one thing; execution is another,” Shen Guodong replied. He was confident, but actually delivering profits for Baldy would not be easy. But as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. Shen Guodong was staking everything he had on this—his life, his future—all to accelerate his own rise. If he failed, he knew Baldy’s ruthless nature would not let him off lightly. It took real courage to take this risk. Success could not be rushed. But Shen Guodong was never one to settle for mediocrity; he would wait patiently for the right opportunity, seize it, and secure his first pot of gold.

Thus, this meeting with Baldy served not only to help Liu Yueru reclaim her dignity but also to lay the groundwork for his own future. Backing the powerful would surely speed up his ascent, though the risks were equally high.

The two continued their conversation for a while longer.

Eventually, Baldy spoke up. A man who had risen to his position was no fool—otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived this long.

“You didn’t come to see me just for this, did you?”

“Of course not. I heard you have a man named Scarface under your command. Tonight, while my wife was out buying groceries, Scarface robbed her and took all her money. She was even hurt in the process. I’m here to ask for your help in getting justice for her,” Shen Guodong said calmly.

Baldy’s expression darkened. Scarface? Must be some low-level lackey. Though he ran in the underworld, he looked down on petty crimes like robbery. Besides, all his men were assigned to his various establishments and shouldn’t be so desperate for money. If Scarface really did such a thing, it was a disgrace to Baldy’s name.

“Anyone know this Scarface? Bring that bastard here,” Baldy commanded coldly.

The crew-cut Wang, standing nearby, quickly responded, “Boss, Scarface is one of Wang Ermazi’s men. I’ll have him bring Scarface over immediately!”

“Hurry up,” Baldy said with a wave, clearly annoyed.

“Brother Shen, my reputation isn’t exactly spotless, but I draw the line at bullying ordinary people. This has nothing to do with me, I guarantee you! When Scarface gets here, you may deal with him as you wish,” he explained.

Coming from someone of Baldy’s stature, this was not just lip service; it showed how much he valued Shen Guodong.

Baldy offered fine wine, and Shen Guodong accepted, draining his cup in one gulp. Now all that remained was for Scarface to arrive so the matter could be settled. As for cooperating with Baldy, that would require careful planning. It was not yet harvest season, and grain prices were high, making large-scale purchases unwise. They would wait for prices to drop before taking action.