Fang Bai left Hengli Company, intending to find a bank to deposit the money he had on him. Depositing most of his money and keeping a thousand or so yuan would be enough; too much money easily attracts thieves.
He had already processed his ID card, and fortunately, he had it with him. Otherwise, if the dorm manager had thrown it away, getting a new one would have been troublesome.
Dorms are often crowded and messy, so migrant workers usually carry their valuables with them.
After 1985, China began implementing the resident identity card system, but in the early 1990s, there were still some areas and individuals without resident identity cards.
He arrived at the post office to open a demand deposit passbook.
In those days, depositing money at the post office was more convenient than at banks. Most towns had post offices, while banks were scarce, and one couldn't withdraw money across different banks, making withdrawals very inconvenient.
He waited in line for half an hour, and finally, it was his turn.
The bank teller was slightly surprised to see him pull out a stack of hundred-yuan bills.
However, she didn't ask many questions and quickly processed his request, with an even better service attitude. In those days, 'ten-thousand-yuan households' were extremely rare.
In her opinion, Fang Bai's attire, along with his every move, exuded confidence and composure. He looked like an experienced person, possibly the son of a boss, and couldn't simply be inferred as a farmer based on the ID card address.
In the local area, workshop owners were very common.
A moment later, the transaction was complete.
In the 'deposit' column of the passbook, an extra line appeared: "￥4000.00."
Fang Bai left the post office with light and firm steps, opened his Golden Finger screen, and saw that the wealth column had changed.
[Wealth: 5606.3 yuan]
Moreover, the number of connections had also changed.
[Connections: 1]
It seemed Wang Hengli was this connection.
Fang Bai's eyes revealed a long-lost sense of accomplishment, and a confident and satisfied smile appeared on his face. This Wang Hengli not only gave him money but also connections.
How refreshing!
If Fang Bai couldn't control Wang Hengli and wanted his money back, it would be impossible!
In this step, the Golden Finger's function was paramount; only by constantly knowing Wang Hengli's thoughts did he dare to scheme against him.
In the 1990s, the allure of a few thousand yuan was irresistible.
This amount represented considerable wealth in that era, enabling people to live more comfortable and luxurious lives.
For Fang Bai, it could provide significant financial support for his personal entrepreneurship or investment.
This felt more fulfilling than earning hundreds of thousands a few years later.
Not long after leaving the post office, the sun was about to set.
Fang Bai didn't have a watch, making it very inconvenient to check the time. He either had to ask passersby or go into shops to look at old clocks.
He happened to pass a watch shop and picked out a cheap domestic brand 'Friday' watch for a few dozen yuan. Brands like Oriental Lion, Shanghai, and Seiko were temporarily not within his consideration; he wanted to save money wherever possible now.
First, he found a cosmetics shop to buy some tools for disguise, then bought a set of mature-looking clothes, a pair of gloves, and a black hat from a street stall. He found a nearby hotel to check in and temporarily store his luggage.
This whole setup cost him fifty or sixty yuan in total.
After changing into the new clothes, applying some dark foundation to his face, sticking on a fake beard, and putting on the hat and gloves, he barely looked like a man in his thirties.
Of course, Fang Bai didn't know how to disguise himself perfectly. His disguise was very makeshift. In the dim light of the evening, if one didn't observe carefully, even acquaintances wouldn't recognize him.
His height and build were hard to change, so he tried his best to alter his walking posture.
He first found a restaurant for dinner, then hailed a pedicab to the vicinity of Changxin Road No. 156.
Fang Bai had never met Zhang Qian; he only knew her appearance through Wang Hengli's information.
He checked the time; it was already eight o'clock in the evening.
In Wen City during this era, there were no apartment buildings yet; they would be built a few years later. Zhang Qian lived in a two-story terraced house on a side street.
After observing for a while nearby, he saw a brightly dressed woman, around twenty years old, carrying a bag, taking out her keys, and preparing to open the door to enter the house.
Fang Bai walked over unhurriedly.
"Are you Zhang Qian?"
Zhang Qian had just returned from a night out at a club. Suddenly, she heard someone call her from behind. The voice was a bit hoarse, startling her.
She immediately turned around, warily looking at the middle-aged man in front of her. He had a stand-up collar, wore a hat, and had a scruffy beard. The light was dim, so she couldn't see his face clearly.
This person's attire, coupled with the fact that there was no one else around except them, instantly filled her with fear. Her palms began to sweat; there were many robbers in those days.
And many sexual predators too.
Fang Bai saw her quickly retreat two steps to lean against the door, knowing he had scared her. He quickly said, "Don't be nervous, I have no ill will towards you. You know Wang Hengli, right?"
"Who are you?"
"Han Li."
Fang Bai said indifferently, "Although you don't know me, I'm here to help you."
Zhang Qian heard this, but she didn't lower her guard. When she heard Wang Hengli mentioned earlier, she hadn't answered his question.
"I know about your relationship with Wang Hengli. He already knows you're using his money to support a lover and is furious. He plans to deal with you," Fang Bai said unhurriedly, while observing Zhang Qian's micro-expressions. Seeing her eyebrows stand up, he continued, "He's going to tell Chen Li about you tonight, slandering you for seducing him, to gain his wife's forgiveness.
But I think with Chen Li's temper, she might forgive Wang Hengli, but she will absolutely not let you go."
"I don't know what you're talking about. If you don't leave, I'll call for help!"
"It doesn't matter if you don't admit it. I suggest you move out tonight. Tomorrow morning, Chen Li will most likely send people over. Breaking your legs would be a minor issue.
If they're ruthless, they won't be able to vent their anger without disfiguring you.
If you have doubts, you can observe the vicinity these few days. That's all. Believe it or not." After Fang Bai finished speaking, he left.
Zhang Qian watched the person leave, quickly opened the door, entered the house, and locked it from inside.
The person's words filled her with extreme panic.
If Wang Hengli knew she was supporting a lover, he would most likely not let her go.
From what she knew of Chen Li, that woman was indeed quite fierce.
Thinking of this, she quickly went back into the house to pack her valuables, not daring to stay in this house any longer.
After Fang Bai left, he didn't go far. Instead, he sat down nearby to observe Zhang Qian's house.
Sure enough, after only about ten minutes, he saw Zhang Qian frantically leaving the small house she lived in, carrying a suitcase.
Seeing this, Fang Bai left, satisfied.
In the evening, after dinner, he returned to the hotel.
To save money, the hotel he stayed in was very simple: a basic bed, no free toiletries or towels, and a shared bathroom.
Fang Bai was very embarrassed after his shower; he had forgotten to buy a towel. He was soaking wet, so he had to shake off as much water as he could like a dog. Back in the room, he saw some paper and used it to dry himself.
Early the next morning.
Fang Bai came to the teahouse near Changxin Road No. 156 again for morning tea.
Around eight o'clock in the morning, several thuggish-looking youths, carrying sticks, aggressively kicked open the door of No. 156, then entered the house to search. After not finding anyone, they left just as aggressively.
This commotion also shocked the people around them.
Seeing this, Fang Bai shook his head. This Chen Li was indeed a ruthless woman. No wonder she had once splashed sulfuric acid on Zhang Qian; no wonder Wang Hengli feared her.
He wasn't saving Zhang Qian; Zhang Qian was not worth his sympathy at all.
Those few people were merely tools for Fang Bai.