Chapter Eighty-One: Redemption

Seeing the situation unfold, Zhang Can originally thought that if the female diver was a police officer, he would find an opportunity to return the drugs to her. But now it seemed far from simple. Official personnel—if you believed them, it was like believing a sow could climb a tree! Perhaps he would go to report himself, and they would turn around and accuse him instead. Selling more than fifty grams of drugs meant a death sentence; those two big boxes, even after removing the packaging, would still weigh more than three hundred pounds—enough to sentence him to death three thousand times. The word “official” has two mouths; could he possibly explain it all to them?

And what about that huge box of U.S. dollars? How could he clarify that? It was a muddled account, originating from a moment of greed, and Zhang Can felt some regret. Making money nowadays wasn’t difficult for him; why covet such dangerous money?

“Let’s go back, let’s go back. We can’t get through anyway. Forget it; let’s go home and rest.” Without hesitation, Zhang Can instructed the driver. The sky was growing dark—returning was just as well. He’d already decided: those buried boxes would stay untouched for at least several months, maybe even years. Perhaps he would never dig up the money. As long as there was danger, he would not touch them. He didn’t lack money, so there was no need to take such risks.

The driver was stunned, glanced at his companion, and felt this trip was truly worthwhile: six hundred yuan for barely an hour’s work. Zhang Can gave no special instructions, so they weren’t about to refund anything. If he wanted to go back, it was his own decision.

They turned around and drove slowly back. Along the way, other cars were turning back too. But at the city’s intersection, a squad of armed police blocked the road for inspection—only allowing exit, not entry. The cars being checked were precisely those returning, like Zhang Can’s.

Zhang Can instantly realized that the armed police were likely acting on suspicions raised by the female diver—that someone coming from this direction might be suspicious.

After stopping, the soldiers checked identification, contact information, place of work—everything was registered, even the driver’s license plate and ID card. Of course, the focus was on passengers. Zhang Can surmised he had nothing suspicious about him, so he let them inspect and register as they wished. They had access to the police system; giving a false identity would never work and would only arouse suspicion and get him arrested. Zhang Can wasn’t foolish. As long as he kept his mouth shut, he would never be discovered. So he was unconcerned; whether they suspected or not, if he didn’t admit or slip up, they had no evidence and could do nothing.

Besides, those three boxes underwater—they probably couldn’t find them. Even if, against all odds, they did, nothing would link back to him. Everything was done underwater, leaving no clues. Nothing to worry about.

At Tianxin Square, Zhang Can asked the driver to stop and got out. He didn’t mention any refund. The two drivers laughed and waved him off—this young man was truly straightforward. He hadn’t accomplished anything, hadn’t even reached his destination, yet handed over six hundred yuan without complaint. Remarkable.

When he returned home, his sister Zhang Hua was sitting alone in the living room, hugging a pillow and watching TV. Seeing Zhang Can come in, she asked, “Second Brother, where did you go?”

“I went out for a walk. How was your first day at work? Are you getting used to it?” Zhang Can smiled and sat beside her.

Zhang Hua nodded. “It’s fine. I used to think working in the city was mysterious, but today it felt okay. The work isn’t complicated—I can handle it. Besides, Second Brother, your shop’s staff are really nice to me, like family. They’re warm and friendly, and anything I don’t understand, they explain to me. I never feel pressured.”

“Heh... Of course they’re good to you,” Zhang Can smiled, thinking: you’re my real sister, half the boss here. They’re just staff; how could they not be enthusiastic? But best not to say this, lest it dampen her spirits. As long as she was happy working here, that was enough. Once she got used to it, he’d bring their parents and elder brother’s family over too; but when moving them, he’d have to buy his brother’s family a house and arrange jobs first—ideally open a shop for them, so they’d have decent income. Only then would they settle in comfortably. These things weren’t urgent; he wasn’t worried about making money now, just wanted to get everything arranged before bringing them over.

Zhang Hua kept to a strict routine, a habit from home. By ten at night, she was sleepy, went to wash up, and then to bed. Zhang Can was a night owl, nowhere near ready to sleep so early, but didn’t want to linger in front of the TV either. He went to his room, practiced cultivating spiritual energy for a while, then put the Water-Avoiding Pearl in his mouth, trying to merge the spiritual energy from the black-and-white-eyed jade in his mind with that of the pearl.

No matter how he tried, the pearl’s energy only nourished his mind’s aura—it couldn’t truly integrate. If only he could combine the pearl’s power with his own, then next time he dove, he wouldn’t need to keep the pearl in his mouth—so much less trouble. But nothing in this world was perfect; every gain brought a loss. To possess the black-and-white vision was already a tremendous gift—why be too greedy?

The next morning, Zhang Can stretched, got up, and drew open the curtains. The dazzling light stung his eyes; he closed them, adjusted, then looked at the clock—it was already half past ten.

On the dining table, breakfast was covered with a lid. He opened it: a glass of milk and two pieces of bread. No doubt Zhang Hua had left early to open the shop.

After eating, he headed out. Thinking it over, he decided not to drive—the shop was so close that driving would be a hassle.

When he arrived, he was surprised to find Zhu Senlin already there, chatting and joking with Zhang Hua, making her giggle.

Zhang Can sat down at the tea table and said with a smile, “Old Zhu, I think we need to hire a master to oversee things. When you and I aren’t here, the shop runs around like headless chickens—can’t even handle business when it arrives.”

“Fine, you take care of it. Didn’t I say yesterday? Managing the shop is all up to you. I don’t bother with anything—just drop by to chat, or call you out for fun. The serious stuff isn’t my responsibility anymore!”

Zhang Can smiled wryly. “Old Zhu, I don’t know what to do with you. This shop is yours, after all...”

“Tch,” Zhu Senlin retorted, “Now the shop belongs to the two of us. You’re the chief manager—don’t ask me, I’m just here to split the profits, haha!”

He laughed, then patted Zhang Can on the shoulder. “Brother, I really ought to thank you. If not for you, I wouldn’t have this much money or such an easy, happy life. Used to be exhausting—now I earn ten, a hundred times as much as before, and don’t have to worry. I can spend more time with family, look after the kids. All thanks to you, brother. You’re my real brother now—so don’t talk about whose shop it is. It’s all your credit!”

Zhang Can was straightforward himself. He had always wanted to open his own shop one day, but now that Zhu Senlin had given him a share, even if he’d lost out a bit, Zhu Senlin was generous. At least he’d given Zhang Can a stake before he’d even started. Opening a shop wasn’t just about money—there were many factors: connections, relationships, supply chains, all crucial. Besides money and his ability to appraise things, Zhang Can lacked those other important relationships. Running a shop was different from freelancing. Freelancing for money was easy, with no oversight, but running a shop meant dealing with officials and other industry owners. Zhu Senlin had worked in this business for years and had deep connections.

After chatting with Zhu Senlin for a while, no customers came in. The staff idled, flipping through old appraisal books left by Old Su. Zhang Hua handled tea and water, cleaning whenever she found a spot dirty—she always felt too idle.

Zhang Can sipped his tea, glancing outside the shop, and spotted a little girl peeking in. She looked familiar. As soon as she saw Zhang Can, she smiled and hurriedly waved behind her: “Grandma, Grandma, here, this is the place!”

After a moment, an elderly woman in her sixties approached. The little girl took her hand and led her inside, pointing at Zhang Can. “Grandma, it’s this uncle—a very kind uncle. Talk to him!”

Zhang Can was surprised—he had no idea what was happening, but felt sure he’d seen the girl somewhere before.

“Uncle, don’t you remember me? My name is Xiang Lin. Look at this…” She pulled a shuttlecock from her pocket and waved it. “Uncle, do you remember this?”

“Oh… I remember now. Little sister, what brings you here?” Zhang Can suddenly realized: this little girl was Xiang Lin, whom he’d met when her father came to sell the fake Ba jade seal. He’d gotten the silver coin of Anbao from her, and still felt a bit guilty about it. He didn’t know why they’d come today.

Xiang Lin pointed to the elderly woman. “This is my grandma. My grandma says the seal my dad sold you was left by my grandpa. She wants to redeem it. Uncle, could you please sell it back to us?”

Zhang Can hesitated, thinking he could take the opportunity to compensate them a bit more—he could pay out of his own pocket, no need to split with Zhu Senlin. It was a matter of conscience. At the time, he hadn’t given Xiang Lin’s father much money, but it was the right choice; more money would’ve just been gambled away.

The old woman, hearing her granddaughter’s introduction, quickly bowed to Zhang Can, tears streaming down her face. “Young man, I’m so sorry. My son is a worthless fool—he’s sold everything from the house. Even the few relics I hid from his father, most of them he stole away. But that seal was his father’s favorite. I want to redeem it. He said he sold it for a thousand yuan. I know you’re businessmen. I… I’ll pay you two hundred yuan in interest, is that alright?”

The elderly woman’s plight touched Zhang Can’s heart. Xiang Lin, although young, was thoughtful, comforting her grandmother: “Don’t cry, Grandma, don’t cry. Uncle is really kind!”