RPAGF Chapter 30 of the new serialized novel
Chapter 30 of the new serialized novel
In the 60s, the streets of Hong Kong were already ablaze with neon lights. Inside a secluded teahouse, the dim light from a corner booth illuminated three faces with distinct expressions. Lei Kun's cigarette, burned to the very end, made him flinch slightly before he snapped back to reality and stubbed it out in the glass ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts.
Uncle Zhong, dressed in a black Tang suit, smiled at the two of them, looking like a Maitreya Buddha. Lei Kun casually rolled up his sleeves, revealing a thick gold watch on his wrist, its dial gleaming coldly under the light. He tapped his fingers on the table, the rhythm slow but carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Mr. Lin, Uncle Zhong mediated between us, and I, Lei Kun, have given you plenty of face. I'll cover all the losses from the Zhonghua News Agency being vandalized with HK$20,000, not a penny less." As soon as he finished speaking, his henchman handed him a bulging brown paper bag and placed it on the table between the two of them with a dull thud.
Lin Zhou glanced at the paper bag, but he knew perfectly well that the newspaper's equipment damage and employee medical expenses combined would amount to no more than a few thousand Hong Kong dollars. This twenty thousand dollars was half compensation and half restitution. He didn't touch the bag, but instead looked up at Lei Kun, his tone calm: "Boss Lei is straightforward. What about Zhou Qiyuan's matter?"
"Zhou Qiyuan of the Oriental Daily?" Lei Kun sneered, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "He dared to instigate my men to wreck Lin Sheng's place; he's got some nerve. I'll have someone find an opportunity to cripple his legs, so he'll never be able to get up and give orders again." He paused, leaning forward slightly, his voice even lower. "But Lin Sheng, and Uncle Zhong, this matter must remain buried. I can't afford to offend the owner of the Oriental Daily for now; I can only act covertly."
Uncle Zhong, sitting to the side, nodded hurriedly. He was wearing a black Tang suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a smooth smile on his face: "Don't worry, Boss Lei, Lin Sheng is a sensible man, and I will not say anything more. We are all just trying to make a living, there is no need to go too far."
Lin Zhou picked up the iced tea in front of him, took a sip, and the cool, slightly bitter tea with a hint of sweetness slid down his throat, suppressing a ripple in his heart. He understood Lei Kun's concerns. The Oriental Daily had a powerful background, and its owner had connections in both the business and political circles. Although Lei Kun's brotherhood had some reputation in the underworld, they wouldn't dare to openly break ties. Destroying Zhou Qiyuan would both avenge him and avoid directly confronting the owner of the Oriental Daily—a truly shrewd calculation.
"I have no objection to Boss Lei's arrangement." Lin Zhou put down his teacup, his tone sincere. "After this matter, neither I nor the Zhonghua News Agency will mention it again, as if it never happened."
Upon hearing this, Lei Kun smiled with satisfaction, picked up his teacup and clinked it with the two men's. "Excellent! Mr. Lin is a man destined for great things. If you need anything in Hong Kong in the future, just let me know."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the three parted ways. After the other two left, Lin Zhou finished his tea in one gulp, picked up the bag of Hong Kong dollars, and got up to leave.
Stepping out of the tea restaurant, the evening breeze brushed against his face, carrying a slight chill. He glanced back at the inconspicuous wooden door, knowing in his heart that although the storm seemed to have subsided, undercurrents were actually surging.
Lei Kun's revenge will not stop here. Zhou Qiyuan is just the beginning, and Lin Zhou is definitely a target of Lei Kun's revenge as well. It's just that he won't make a move for the time being. Making a gang leader pay money to apologize, Lin Zhou himself doesn't believe he doesn't hold a grudge. Therefore, he also needs to strengthen himself as soon as possible. It seems that buying land and building a factory is imminent. Only by becoming stronger can he have the confidence to deal with future changes.
When I got home, it was already late at night. I quickly washed up and went to bed, but I couldn't sleep all night.
The next day, after getting up, Lin Zhou took his newly printed novel and went to the newspaper office without even having breakfast. Several employees were already in the editor's office; the newly bought typewriter was still humming, and the air was filled with the smell of ink and paper. Just as Lin Zhou placed the manuscript on the table, there was a knock on the office door. The door was then gently pushed open, and the editor-in-chief, Chen Jingzhi, poked his head in, his face showing some anxiety.
Chen Jingzhi was in his fifties, with some gray hair and a pair of reading glasses on his nose. He usually had a gentle demeanor, but now his brows were furrowed as he quickly walked to Lin Zhou's desk: "Ah Zhou, you've finally arrived."
"Old Chen, you're here so early?" Lin Zhou poured him a cup of hot water.
Chen Jingzhi took the water glass but didn't drink it. He just stared at Lin Zhou, his tone urgent: "The last chapter of 'A Step into the Past' will be published tomorrow. Do you have any new novels?"
Seeing Chen Jingzhi's bitter and resentful expression, Lin Zhou shook his head with a wry smile. It was all his fault for not telling Chen Jingzhi about the new novel sooner.
"This is terrible!" Chen Jingzhi sighed heavily when he saw Lin Zhou shake his head. He sat down in the chair opposite Lin Zhou, rubbed his temples, and said, "Ah Zhou, you know that the Zhonghua Daily is what it is today, all thanks to 'A Step into the Past.' Back then, we were a small newspaper on the verge of bankruptcy, with a circulation of less than nine thousand copies. It was your 'A Step into the Past' that made the circulation soar to one hundred thousand copies, making us one of the mainstream newspapers in Hong Kong."
"Now that 'A Step into the Past' is about to end, readers have lost all hope, and sales will definitely plummet. Then we'll be back to square one, or even... we might not even last six months before we have to close down!"
His voice was full of worry, and his eyes were pleading: "A-Zhou, do you have any new novels in hand? Even if you've just started writing them, as long as you can take over the time slot of 'A Step into the Past' and keep the readers, our newspaper will be saved."
Seeing Chen Jingzhi's anxious expression, Lin Zhou quickly waved his hand to signal him to listen to him. "Old Chen, actually, he had already decided on the next novel to be serialized when I finished writing the last chapter of 'A Step into the Past'."
During this period, after finishing his combat training, Lin Zhou would go home in the evenings and search through all the classic works in his memory. He also spent a long time filtering through his computer in his space before finally settling on a novel that was equally promising, not only because of its strong storyline, but also because it suited the tastes of Hong Kong readers at the moment.
"Really?!" Chen Jingzhi's eyes lit up, and he instantly perked up, all the anxiety on his face vanishing. He excitedly grabbed Lin Zhou's arm, "Ah Zhou, you're truly our newspaper's savior! How about that novel? Can it compare to 'A Step into the Past'?"
"Don't worry, Lao Chen," Lin Zhou patted his hand, his tone confident, "This novel's story is even more intricate than A Step into the Past, and the characters are more vivid. I guarantee that readers will love it."
Chen Jingzhi nodded excitedly, his eyes even a little red: "Great! Great! That's wonderful! A-Zhou, can you go back and get the manuscript now? I'll organize the layout team tonight and try to publish the first chapter of the new novel immediately after the ending of 'A Step into the Past' tomorrow, to give the readers a surprise and retain them as much as possible!"
"I brought it." Lin Zhou stood up, picked up the manuscript from the table, and handed it to Chen Jingzhi.
When Chen Jingzhi took the thick stack of papers, the title of the novel at the top was clearly "Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty".
Looking at the name, Chen Jingzhi breathed a long sigh of relief; a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. He then turned to the next page, his heart filled with anticipation. He knew Lin Zhou would never disappoint him; "A Step into the Past" had already created a miracle, and he believed this new novel would surely elevate the Zhonghua Daily to even greater heights.