Chapter 154: Sending Money to an Enemy

Chen Huajiang nodded at him with a smile, feeling genuinely delighted. It was truly intriguing that Gou Weidong and Wu De had turned on each other. Looking at Gou Weidong’s bruised and swollen face, Chen calculated that this might be the perfect breakthrough point he needed.

"Liang Long, seeing how badly Gou Weidong has been beaten, why don't you take him to the security office to rest? Besides, with so many people around just now, he was probably too timid to speak the truth," Chen said to Liang Long with a smile.

Liang Long nodded and ordered his subordinates to take Gou away.

"What are you doing!? Damn it, what are you trying to do?" Gou Weidong panicked, struggling and shouting as he was hoisted up by the two security guards. "I was telling the truth! Liang Long, are you actually trying to mess with me? You dare lay a finger on me and see what happens—I’ll never let you off!"

Liang Long ignored his protests and signaled his men to carry him away.

Inside the security office, Chen Huajiang watched Gou Weidong with a smile, while Gou glared back with cold, furious eyes.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. They really went hard on you. Brother Wu De clearly doesn't hold you in high regard, beating you like this. My goodness, 'bruised and swollen' doesn't even cover it—your nose isn't just bruised; it’s bleeding too. Here, take some toilet paper to plug it up. You look pathetic."

Ignoring Gou’s hostility, Chen Huajiang offered the paper with a mocking smile.

"Damn you, Chen Huajiang, stop acting so hypocritical! Whether I’m okay or not is none of your business!" Gou Weidong swiped the paper away, his voice grinding through gritted teeth.

"Look at you, so temperamental. Why are you acting so fierce with me? Someone unaware might think I’m the one who did this to you. But the reality is, you're just a bully who fears the strong; you get beaten like this by the Wu family and don't dare utter a single word of protest." Chen laughed dismissively and curled his lip.

This comment only fueled Gou’s rage, while Liang Long and his men burst into laughter. It was exactly as Chen said—the contrast between Gou’s current bluster and his earlier cowardice was extreme.

"Actually, there’s no major conflict between us. We just had a scuffle back then, and I didn't even beat you up like this, right?" Chen said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and offering one to everyone, including Gou.

Gou hesitated for a moment before taking it. Chen’s smile widened; this was a clear sign of softening.

"I came here originally to pick up a batch of coal stoves from the factory to sell. It’s incredibly profitable. Any stove produced is pure profit the moment it’s resold. But the coal stove workshop is the Wu family’s territory; it’s hard to get a foot in," Chen said with a deliberate sigh.

Gou didn't bite. It was obvious; who didn't know that? The entire factory’s resources were being funneled into the coal stove workshop. Gou had gone to see Wu De to get a slice of the pie, only to have Wu blame him for the family’s financial losses. They had argued and ended up in a brawl. The more he thought about it, the more resentful Gou felt.

After finishing his cigarette, Chen Huajiang crushed the butt and smiled. "One yuan and forty cents. Whatever amount of stoves you can get your hands on, I’ll take them all."

Gou Weidong looked up, stunned, staring at Chen in disbelief. One yuan and forty cents was the market retail price; in reality, they usually moved them at one-twenty or one-thirty. This meant every stove sold yielded a profit of at least ten or twenty cents.

"Are you serious?" Gou’s voice trembled.

"Of course. It’s a cash-and-carry business; why wouldn't I be? I’m just looking to smooth things over between us. How much you can get is up to you," Chen said, patting him on the shoulder. He then gestured toward the door.

Gou hesitated, then muttered, "Fine. Our feud is wiped clean." He managed a strained, awkward smile before walking out.

"Brother Chen, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind? Isn't this just handing him money?" As soon as Gou left, Liang Long, who had been holding back his frustration, spoke up. "Damn it, if you wanted stoves, you should have told me! I could have gotten them for one-thirty!"

"Liang Long, relax. I have a plan," Chen laughed, patting his friend’s shoulder and pulling him aside to whisper. As Chen explained, Liang Long’s eyes widened until he was staring at Chen as if he were an idiot.

"Brother Chen, are you treating him like a fool? Even a fool wouldn't fall for this!" Liang Long protested.

Chen began to cough violently, rolling his eyes. If Liang Long’s words were heard in future generations, millions of people would be moved to tears. How did the crazes for stocks, crypto, sneakers, graphics cards, and hard drives emerge? They were driven by greed and the delusion that one could control the market.

Greed is something those not caught in its web cannot understand. It’s like a product worth a hundred yuan suddenly being hyped to ten thousand—a rational person would think it’s madness. But as long as there is a "greater fool" to buy in, the speculators will invent every reason to comfort themselves and brainwash others. Only when the tide goes out does it become clear who was swimming naked.

The next day, Gou Weidong contacted Chen, saying he had secured three stoves. It was clearly a test. Chen didn't bother showing up, letting Liang Long handle the trade. Soon, the trades grew to hundreds. Chen bought every single one.

With the Spring Festival a month away and the weather turning cold, Chen ran to the Municipal Aluminum Factory, signed a large contract for aluminum pipes, and secured a massive order from the stove factory. For the next few days, he stayed home, drilling, cutting, and welding.

"I’m telling you, what are you even doing, turning the house into this?" Lin Jiayin had complained repeatedly, but her husband wouldn't listen. The apartment was cramped, and now the walls were covered in ugly aluminum pipes.

"You’ll see soon enough," Chen replied with a smile. He was installing a heating system that would become popular in the nineties: the pipe-loop coal stove heating system.

Seeing that her husband wouldn't listen, Lin Jiayin sighed and headed out to buy groceries, choosing to ignore the mess.