pjbooks Chapter 356 Waiting for the door to close
Chapter 356 Waiting for the door to close
Ma Junjie strode out of the Blue Moon gate. As he emerged from the darkness, the sunlight was a bit dazzling, so he raised his hand to shield his eyes. He then took out his cigarette case, lit a cigarette, and put it in his mouth.
He took a few deep breaths; the pungent smoke made his throat itch slightly, but it also cleared his muddled mind a bit.
He looked up across the street. It was only five o'clock in the afternoon, and the sunset was just beginning to tinge the sky with orange-red. But the entrance to the Red Sun KTV across the street was already bustling with activity and cars.
Black Mercedes-Benzes, white BMWs, and even a few eye-catching sports cars were parked in a long row along the street.
Some late-arriving customers simply parked their cars in the open space in front of Blue Moon, as if this place had long been an appendage of Red Sun.
"damn it."
Ma Junjie spat on the ground, the cigarette butt between his fingers, oblivious to the burning embers.
He knew all too well that Red Sun was the mastermind behind Blue Moon's current predicament.
When Blue Moon's business was at its peak, this street belonged to them at night. Now, at least half of their regular customers have been snatched away by Red Sun through various means.
He was standing on the steps, lost in thought, when suddenly a piercing engine roar came to his ears.
"Creak—"
A white luxury car sped by, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, its wheels ran over a puddle of water by the roadside. With a "whoosh," the filthy water, smelling of rancidity, splashed all over Ma Junjie.
"Holy shit! Are you blind?!"
Ma Junjie's temper flared up instantly, and he suddenly raised his foot, ready to rush forward to argue.
He threw the cigarette butt in his hand hard onto the ground and stomped on it until it was smashed to pieces.
But after taking only two steps, the car that had been speeding by suddenly braked and came to a stop with a "whoosh" not far from him.
Ma Junjie paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
A few seconds later, the black car window slowly rolled down, revealing a face wearing sunglasses.
Although the other person was completely covered up, Ma Junjie recognized the owner of the face at just one glance.
Zhang Qiang!
"Ma Junjie? Long time no see."
Zhang Qiang took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of triangular eyes with a mocking look. A sarcastic smile appeared on his lips as he spoke slowly and deliberately.
Ma Junjie looked down at the dirty water on his legs, then looked up at Zhang Qiang, gritting his teeth and cursing.
"Zhang Qiang, you fucking drive a piece of junk, are you blind?"
"Are you in a hurry to be reincarnated, or in a hurry to lick your boss's shoes?"
The car Zhang Qiang was in had a conspicuous "B" logo on the front.
He seemed oblivious to Ma Junjie's insults, instead patting the steering wheel and saying, as if showing off,
"Ma Junjie, this car of mine isn't some junk. This thing, even if you worked at Blue Moon your whole life, you probably still wouldn't be able to afford a single wheel."
He paused, then looked Ma Junjie up and down. Seeing that he was dressed plainly and had dirt on his clothes, the mockery in his eyes deepened.
"What? Still guarding Blue Moon?"
"This run-down place is about to close down; they probably won't even be able to pay wages anymore."
"Why don't you come work for us at Red Sun? Since we've known each other before, I'll arrange a toilet cleaning job for you, with room and board included. How about that?"
After saying that, Zhang Qiang burst into laughter. His laughter was shrill and arrogant, attracting the attention of several passersby.
Ma Junjie simply shook his head, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Zhang Qiang, times have changed, and fortunes turn. Don't be too arrogant. I don't think your 'red sun' will last much longer."
"Can't hold out for long?" Zhang Qiang laughed even harder, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Fine, we'll see! I want to see who ends up begging on their knees."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Qiang ignored Ma Junjie, slammed on the gas pedal, and the engine roared loudly, spewing black smoke from the rear of the car.
The car shot off like an arrow, the wind it generated almost making Ma Junjie stumble.
Ma Junjie watched the car disappear into the traffic, then looked at the dirty water on his legs and couldn't help but curse.
"Damn, this clunker actually has some power."
"Captain Ma, are you alright?"
Just then, a timid voice came from behind.
Ma Junjie turned around and saw a young man wearing a Blue Moon employee uniform carrying a trash can as he walked out of the door, with a worried look on his face.
He vaguely remembered this young man; he seemed to be in charge of logistical tasks.
"It's nothing." Ma Junjie waved his hand and casually asked, "Is that car very expensive?"
The young man glanced in the direction the car had disappeared, nodded, and said earnestly,
"Yes, Captain Ma, that car is called a Bentley. I've seen rich people drive it. I heard it costs over four million."
"More than four million?" Ma Junjie's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but gasp.
He had never seen so much money in his life; no wonder Zhang Qiang was so arrogant just now.
Surprised, he suddenly took a closer look at the young man in front of him.
The other person was not very old, looking only eighteen or nineteen years old. He was thin and small, wearing a loose uniform, which made him look somewhat frail. His face was fair and clean, and he looked like a high school student who had not yet graduated.
A vague name suddenly popped into my mind.
"Are you called Li Fei?" Ma Junjie asked tentatively.
Upon hearing this, Li Fei's eyes lit up instantly. He quickly put down the trash can, strode over, and a look of delight appeared on his face.
"Yes, yes, Captain Ma! It's me, Li Fei! You actually remember me!"
Ma Junjie smiled.
He remembered Li Fei because the young man was very reliable.
When Blue Moon's business was booming, Li Fei never refused to do anything, whether it was moving bottles, cleaning, or filling in for someone temporarily.
He was quick-witted and efficient, unlike those slackers who cheated and shirked their duties.
Ma Junjie stepped forward, patted Li Fei on the shoulder, and said with a touch of emotion.
"Given the current situation at Blue Moon, most people have left. Why are you still here?"
The smile on Li Fei's face vanished instantly at the mention of this.
He lowered his head, kicked at the pebbles at his feet, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
After a long while, he finally raised his head and said in a slightly hoarse voice,
"Captain Ma, Manager Jiang... he owes me a year's salary. If I leave, that money will be gone forever."
"As long as Blue Moon hasn't completely shut down, I'll stay."
Even if it's just a psychological comfort, at least there's something to look forward to.
He paused, his gaze drifting towards the dimly lit lobby of Blue Moon, a hint of lingering affection in his voice.
"Besides, Manager Jiang told me a few days ago that he would pay me my salary as soon as he recovered. I trust him... and I can't bear to lose Blue Moon."
Ma Junjie looked at the light in Li Fei's eyes and his heart stirred slightly.
He didn't know if Li Fei was being sincere or just trying to comfort himself, but those who stayed at this time were definitely those who had feelings for Blue Moon.
"How old were you when you first came to Blue Moon?" Ma Junjie asked casually.
"Fifteen years old," Li Fei blurted out without thinking.
"I'm eighteen this year, so I've been here for three years now."
As he spoke, a flame seemed to ignite in Li Fei's eyes. He looked up at the brightly lit red sun across the street, his voice filled with regret.
"Captain Ma, you know how good Blue Moon's business used to be..."
"Back then, I could earn tens of dollars in tips just from pulling an all-nighter. Who on this street wasn't envious of our Blue Moon? It's just a pity..."
Unfortunately, everything is irreversible.
Seeing Li Fei's regretful yet unwilling expression, the previously vague flame in Ma Junjie's heart seemed to have been fueled, instantly becoming clear and blazing.
He suddenly raised his head, his gaze crossing the road and landing on the entrance of the Red Sun building.
Just then, Zhang Qiang got out of the car, a thick cigar dangling from his mouth. He was embracing two alluring women, his face contorted with a smug grin, boasting to his henchmen. His smug and arrogant demeanor was extremely irritating.
A surge of heat rushed to my head.
Ma Junjie turned his head, looked at the thin but determined young man in front of him, and suddenly spoke.
The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable determination.
"Li Fei".
"Huh?" Li Fei was taken aback and looked up at him.
Ma Junjie took a deep breath and asked, word by word,
"What do you think if I wanted to reopen Blue Moon?"