Chapter 149: A Reminder (Subscription Requested)

"Well, brother Li, it’s been a long time since we last spoke," Lu Kun said, feeling somewhat surprised to receive a call from Li Erfu.

"Brother Lu, you know me—I never visit unless I have a reason," Li Erfu replied with a hearty chuckle, his rolls of fat trembling on the other end of the line.

*You aren't even visiting right now,* Lu Kun muttered to himself.

"So, is Brother Li looking to pull me into a new venture to help me get rich?" Lu Kun teased with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare! Everyone knows you’re thriving these days! Because of our connection, my rosewood business in Angui has become much easier to manage," Li Erfu said quickly, though his expression was a complicated mix of emotions.

He had spent years working tirelessly, only to be completely surpassed by someone else in just two or three years. *Our paths are simply on different levels now,* he sighed inwardly.

But Li Erfu quickly gathered his thoughts, pushed those distractions aside, and said in a mysterious tone, "Brother Lu, there’s something I’d like your advice on."

"Oh? Go ahead, Brother Li, let’s hear it," Lu Kun said, his expression faltering for a moment before returning to normal.

Truth be told, Li Erfu was a rare, decent man. Although their past collaborations were based on mutual need, Li Erfu had always been remarkably honorable in his dealings.

"Recently, a group of people approached me, wanting me to invest and become a shareholder, and then..." Li Erfu explained the situation in great detail.

"And what are your thoughts on this, Brother Li?" Lu Kun pondered for a moment before speaking calmly.

"Naturally, I don't believe them. The 'Big Brother' nation won't just collapse overnight. Besides, they are being so reckless; who knows if they'll be held accountable in the future?" Li Erfu said, curling his lip.

Lu Kun’s eyebrows twitched. He hadn't expected Li Erfu to consider that angle.

"Then why call me, Brother Li?" Lu Kun asked, puzzled.

"Sigh! I don't know how to put it. I haven't lost my mind over greed, but I must admit, the various promises of profit they’ve dangled in front of me are quite tempting," Li Erfu confessed.

As soon as Li Erfu had finished explaining the background, Lu Kun had already deduced the origins of that group: the Putian Syndicate.

"Brother Li, to be honest, this isn't the kind of thing people in our position should get involved in," Lu Kun said carefully.

"Why? Is the risk that high?" Li Erfu asked, focusing intently.

"The business itself isn't the main issue; the real trouble lies with the people involved. They claim they are going to the 'Big Brother' nation to lease forest land, but who knows what kind of business they are actually doing with their investors' money? If something goes wrong, they might just use their investors as human shields," Lu Kun analyzed meticulously.

He didn't believe for a second that money was so easily made in the 'Big Brother' nation right now; he doubted that group would ignore highly profitable ventures just to foolishly lease forest land. Who knew how much deception was hidden behind their lack of transparency?

"Brother Lu, are you saying those people are setting a trap for me?" Li Erfu felt a surge of anger but tried his best to suppress it.

"It’s hard to say. But even if they really did make a fortune from the forest land, Brother Li, can you guarantee they would honestly follow the agreement and pay you your share?" Lu Kun warned further.

"Brother Lu, are you saying that from the very beginning, they intended to scam me out of my investment, never planned to give me a cut even if they made money, and intended to use me as a scapegoat if things went sideways?"

"Damn them!"

At that moment, no matter how good-natured he was, Li Erfu couldn't help but curse.

"Brother Lu, I’ve been grinding in this industry for years, and I’ve never been insulted like this! Do you have any way for me to teach these bastards a lesson?!" Li Erfu sounded like a bristling hedgehog, his voice strained as he tried to keep his rage in check while asking Lu Kun.

"Brother Li, calm down first. Remember, if you don't show restraint, you'll ruin the bigger picture," Lu Kun urged.

"Brother Li, to be blunt: that group has significant backing and is skilled at forming factions. Our combined influence is completely inadequate compared to theirs. Are you sure you want to throw an egg against a rock just to satisfy a moment of anger?"

Lu Kun warned him cautiously. This wasn't the first time that group had caused chaos. In the future, they would ruin far more than just ordinary people. Their list of betrayed business partners would be endless. Yet, most people were simply powerless against them. Their influence spanned every industry and social class, and they were notoriously tight-knit. Even when the authorities had tried repeatedly to pull the thread and bring them down, they were always hindered by various obstacles and never dared to strike the final blow.

"So... we really can't do anything about them?" Li Erfu asked, having calmed down but still filled with resentment.

"Retreat, retreat, retreat!" Lu Kun repeated the word three times.

"They are too powerful. Provoking them will do us no good. Even if you vent this anger, we cannot afford their retaliation," Lu Kun advised earnestly.

"Then what should I do?" Li Erfu gulped and asked with difficulty.

"Four words: respect them from a distance," Lu Kun said bluntly.

With this group, it wasn't as simple as wanting to join them and being accepted. Sometimes, it is simply fated that you cannot walk the same path. Collaborating with them is no different than asking a tiger for its hide.

"Understood. I’ll leave town tomorrow to hide for a while. I don't believe they can scam me out of an investment if they can't even find me," Li Erfu said, feigning a relaxed tone at the end. Only when he wiped his forehead did he realize he was covered in a cold sweat.

"Exactly. That’s the right approach. If we can't afford to offend them, can’t we at least afford to hide?" Lu Kun laughed into the phone.

...

"By the way, Brother Li, if you have some spare capital, why don't we two work on something together?" Lu Kun proposed.

"Oh? Does Brother Lu have a profitable path in mind?" Li Erfu asked, still distracted and not yet fully recovered from the earlier shock.

"Heh, I’d like to do a business with you. It’s called an electric kettle. It doesn't require much technical expertise, but I estimate its market potential is quite significant," Lu Kun suggested.

"Brother Lu, I’m not very familiar with that product. Do you think, perhaps..." Li Erfu pondered for a moment before speaking cautiously.

"Of course," Lu Kun said with a booming laugh. "In business, one must always think twice. Besides, even if the deal doesn't go through, the friendship remains. We’re brothers, after all."

"That’s true. In any case, thank you for your guidance today, Brother Lu. Otherwise, I’m afraid I might have had a lapse in judgment and been scammed out of every penny by that lot!" Li Erfu said sincerely.

...

Lu Kun understood Li Erfu’s current state of mind. He had essentially walked to the gates of hell and back; it was only natural for his emotions to be unstable.