chapter 2 Three brothers meet again

Feeling the explosive power he once possessed in his youth, Benjamin grinned widely. He tossed and turned, and after a good while, he finally fell into a deep sleep.

As the day broke, Benjamin opened his eyes. He realized that the rain had stopped at some point.

Donning a blue and yellow work uniform, Benjamin pushed the door open. The crisp, slightly chilly air revitalized him.

Yesterday evening, he had searched his room high and low but found no stationery or anything to record with. He ran to a department store near the station, bought a few notebooks and pens, and practically flew back to his "dog's den."

After locking the door, Benjamin's expression turned wild. His most valuable asset now was decades of foresight. To avoid forgetting, he felt it necessary to record everything.

For the entire morning, Benjamin, with red eyes, was as exhilarated as a gambler at the table. He filled two notebooks with things he deemed useful, unwilling to miss any opportunity that could make him wealthy.

The door was knocked on three times that morning. Each time, Benjamin sharply rebuffed the intruders.

In Benjamin's future, these people who knocked on his door had long departed this bustling world. When he heard them speak, he was somewhat excited, but he decided to first complete his current most secret and crucial task.

Satisfied, Benjamin lit a cigarette and carefully tucked the notebooks into the deepest recesses of the mudbrick bed. He examined them for a long while before nodding in approval.

When he pushed open the door, the sun had climbed to the center of the sky, radiating its passionate warmth, dispelling the chill brought by the night rain.

Seeing him emerge, the three burly men squatting by the door hastily stood up.

Simon Su, Robert Guo, Peter Yang.

Looking at these three familiar yet unfamiliar faces, even with Benjamin's two lifetimes of experiences, his heart couldn't help but be moved.

During this period, although Benjamin's approach was ruthless, he was generous and hearty in his dealings with people. As a result, he had made some friends.

Birds of a feather flock together, and like-minded individuals tend to group up. Most of his friends at his current stage were robust and hearty men. The three in front of him were his most loyal brothers, the ones who would give up their lives for him.

Benjamin's expression was calm, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized each of them.

Simon, a fellow villager from Su Family Village, had a refined appearance but was ruthless in his actions. He was very composed and organized. His father was a second-rate scoundrel who disappeared without a trace when Simon was in his teens, leaving behind a seriously ill grandmother and a young son. It could be said that he grew up in Benjamin's house from a young age and was the person closest to Benjamin. He later died in a brawl two years after a conflict with the "Door God" of North City.

Peter, with a simple and honest appearance, was from Changyang County. His stepfather was an alcoholic, and in a fit of rage when his stepfather once again beat his mother, Peter used tongs to break his stepfather's left hand and never returned home. After Benjamin, this fierce dragon, went to Changyang County, he was won over. He was introverted, spoke very little, and later, due to an assault conviction, was sentenced to fifteen years, dying of illness in prison.

Robert, also one of the three, was the most handsome of the group. He was a local from Wu City. He was very agile in both his personal and professional life, and Benjamin's ruthlessness had completely won him over. He was utterly devoted to Benjamin. Later, he took a blow meant for Benjamin, becoming disabled. He later died of alcohol poisoning due to excessive drinking.

Seeing their eldest brother, who had been quiet all morning, emerge, the three rushed up anxiously. Benjamin suppressed the turbulence in his heart and shook his index finger, addressing the three with a questioning look.

He patted each of them heavily on the shoulders and said, "Don't ask, I've got some things to attend to this morning."

Benjamin's current routine was somewhat like that of a big boss. He earned less than 100 dollars a day working at the freight yard, but still managed the food and lodging for these few homeless brothers under his command.

In an era where an ordinary worker's monthly income was just over 100 dollars, his earnings were enough to make most people look up to him. Yet, due to his mannerisms, even after more than half a year in Wu City, he hadn't managed to save much money.

The restaurant they often visited was a small one located east of the South Station in Wu City. It mainly served Northeastern cuisine, with average flavors, but the portions were generous. Therefore, it became Benjamin and his comrades' preferred spot for meals.

The four of them entered, and without question, Benjamin took the main seat. He took a sip of the tasteless tea in front of him and said in a calm tone, "How's the freight yard these days?" Because his memories were somewhat distant, he had forgotten many details. Simon found it a bit strange when he glanced at their eldest brother. He thought, 'It's only been a morning.' After organizing his thoughts, he replied, "Bro Benjamin, Monkey Ren was helping out this morning. It should be fine."

Monkey Ren, whose real name was Gavin Ren, was slender, earning him the nickname "Monkey."

What Simon didn't notice was that when Benjamin heard this name, his expression darkened, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

Benjamin remembered very clearly that it was this Monkey Ren who had started quietly making money behind his back. He used his own identity to secretly arrange the order of goods shipment. Later, relying on the money he made at the freight yard and the relationships he maintained, Monkey Ren built up his capital.

The fallen Benjamin from his past life had encountered a Monkey Ren who was already quite successful. The contemptuous tone and indifferent attitude in his speech had been a great insult to Benjamin.

"Bring him here," Benjamin said calmly.

"Yes." Peter was always the first to respond, and he immediately went out.

Seeing Peter hurrying away, Benjamin tilted his head in thought and then added, "Bring those who were working with him."

Peter paused for a moment and said, "Got it."

The dishes were served quickly, all home-cooked dishes. When they returned home, the table was filled to the brim.

After a while, five or six guys entered the restaurant, chatting and laughing. They respectfully greeted Benjamin before sitting down and getting busy.

"Thud, thud." Benjamin tapped the table lightly with his fingers, his expression unchanged. The lively atmosphere immediately quieted down, and everyone stared straight at him.

Benjamin felt a bit moved. It had been many years since he had been respected like this.

Pushing aside his emotions, Benjamin glanced at Monkey Ren, who sat upright beside him.

The present Monkey Ren still had a touch of youthfulness, far from the audacious demeanor of later years when he would throw bills at Benjamin.

"Very well, I am satisfied with everyone's willingness to listen to me," Benjamin said, sitting upright in the center. The coldness in his tone was unmistakable.

The crowd exchanged glances. Although these people hadn't worked under Benjamin for long, his current reputation was indeed intimidating. For a moment, no one dared to speak.