Chapter 28 - The Mafia’s Training Ground

Lin Huai continued probing, “Why would the sports major students ally themselves with Zhang Chunlei? I thought they feared him?”

“As far as the sports major students are concerned, Zhang Chunlei only scares them slightly. He’s not really a major threat. If all the students here are beasts, then Zhang Chunlei and his gang are the tigers amongst the beasts. However, the sports major students are the Tyrannosaurus Rex amongst the beasts. They are the real lords of this college!”

“In the eyes of the gang leaders in the sports major department, the college grounds are too big anyway. They will not be able to unify the different factions or powers. Even if they did, the college wouldn’t allow it. So they might as well cooperate with Zhang Chunlei and make some cash. Although Zhang Chunlei is strong, he is unable to undermine the position of the sport major students in this college. Therefore, what’s important here is to make some cash.”

This was not the first time Lin Huai heard the term ‘make some cash’. Now, he understood the gravity money held. No wonder a weakling like Xuan Yuzhai was able to eat and spend as he pleased in Yulan College. This was because of his cash flow!

Lin Huai asked, “Is earning money the ultimate goal for the gang leaders?”

Feng Jingnan replied, “Firstly, they want money. As gang leaders, of course they seek to indulge in food, drinks, and entertainment. All of these expenses require money. Besides, even after graduation, they’ll need money to network in the working world.”

“Secondly?” Lin Huai asked.

“Secondly, as long as they are able to secure their positions as gang leaders in this college, their future post-graduation will be bright.”

Lin Huai did not understand this point. He broke into a smile. “Don’t tell me that after you graduate, companies are concerned over which gang you were in and the number of underlings you had under your wings back then when you were in college?”

“Of course not,” Feng Jingnan smiled mysteriously. “Naturally, legitimate companies or corporations won’t hire these pricks. Unless they need security guards. However, some places beg to differ. For example, the mafia…”

“The mafia?” Lin Huai could not believe it. “These students plan to join the mafia after graduation?”

“I’m sure you’re aware that the majority of students in this college come from poor families. Besides, there isn’t much to learn here anyway. Since they are unable to excel in academics, thus they need other means to make a living. There are three renowned schools in the entire Tongcheng City. The first is Tongcheng University. They are famous for their academic excellence. Next, Tongcheng Music College which is known for their beautiful maidens. Last but not least, Yulan College is known for our ruthless and brave fighters.”

“Hence, Tongcheng University’s students will be snapped up by the big corporations before they even graduate, while Tongcheng Music College’s beautiful girls will attract rich businessmen. As for the students of Yulan College… they will be snapped up like hot commodities by mafia organizations. As long as they are able to stand out in this college, they stand a chance to become a mafia member outside the college grounds.”

Lin Huai whistled. He replied sarcastically, “Wow, we’re famous for that? Yulan college sure is promising.”

Feng Jingnan sighed. “You are new. Perhaps, you’ve not thought about this deeply. Why not ask your roommates if they desire to join the mafia or not?”

Lin Huai glanced at his dormmates. They kept their heads bowed. Finally, it was Wu Jun who spoke up, “Brother Huai, we are behind in our studies. As university graduates, we wish for more than to be dishwashers or coolies.”

Lin Huai frowned slightly.

Wu Mengjie chimed in, “Indeed, Yulan College’s reputation is bad. So after graduation, we will be having a hard time securing jobs. You don’t really expect us college graduates to become coolies, do you? Even if we are willing, our parents will be ashamed.”

Lin Huai lowered his voice and said, “So if you were to become a member of the mafia, will your parents be proud?”

“Of course they won’t, but we’ll keep it a secret from them. We can tell them that we are working in a respectable company. It shouldn’t be a problem as long as we bring home money every month. The mafia’s paycheck is larger than the average paycheck.”

Lin Huai contemplated their words. Although he hated the mafia from the depths of his heart, Wu Mengjie’s words rang true. Lin Huai came here with only his mission in mind. Thus, he was unable to empathize with their plight and sense of looming anxiety. However, to them, the path of the mafia did pay handsomely more than conventional jobs.

Ugh, humans are products of their environment, Lin Huai thought with a sigh. He felt a stab of injustice on behalf of the Wei family. They invested in the college every year. The late Madam Wei had good intentions. However, this college had become the breeding ground for the dregs of society and the mafia. If Madam Wei knew this—God bless her soul—she would be very sad.

Feng Jingnan continued, “Therefore, as long as the gang leaders are able to stand out and flourish in college, not only will they be able to save up a tidy sum of money by the time they graduate, they will also have the prospect of joining the mafia after graduation. This is their chosen path. Besides, provided they don’t become stumbling blocks to each other, the sports major students will tolerate Big Lei even if they consider him a threat.”

Lin Huai asked, “What kind of situation will the sports major students find intolerable?”

Feng Jingnan muttered, “If Zhang Chunlei’s power and influence go beyond the control of the sports major department students, especially if to the point of replacing them as lords of this college, then they will act. If you were to start a fight with Zhang Chunlei, they will gladly sit back and enjoy the show. In their eyes, for a newbie like you to challenge a gang leader like Zhang Chunlei is akin to courting death. However, if you were to defeat Zhang Chunlei, then they will interfere. Because this proves that you are a more terrifying foe than Zhang Chunlei. Thus, they must nip you in the bud before you spread your wings.”

Lin Huai nodded his head. “Understood. Previously, Brother Di from sports major told me he would like to be my friend. He was happy to find a worthy opponent from the computer science major who can stand up against Zhang Chunlei, thus impeding his influence. Furthermore, as you said, if I had the ability to defeat Zhang Chunlei, then the sports major students will stop me, the reason being that my growth had exceeded their expectations.”

“That’s correct,” Feng Jingnan agreed amiably. “Lin Huai, you are the bravest and smartest new student that I have ever seen. Last night’s incident shook me to the core. I have never seen a newbie challenging the senior’s power and influence before. Besides, today, not only have you proven yourself to be brave, you’re smart too, as you were able to make deductions with the little information you have. I see potential in you. Other than replacing Zhang Chunlei, given your current ability, you can easily become the new gang leader of the computer science dormitory. In the future, you might even be able to join the mafia as a mid-ranking member.”

There was a flash of savagery and disgust in Lin Huai’s eyes. Following that, he calmly replied, “I am absolutely not interested in the affairs of the mafia. I’m on my way to visit Wang Hongwei now, Brother Feng. If you have time, let’s go for a drink or two.”

Feng Jingnan smiled and stood up. “Happy to be of company.”

Since Lin Huai was the unofficial gang leader of the freshmen, Feng Jingnan wanted to forge good ties with him. This would make it easier to maintain law and order in the dormitory. Lin Huai could also benefit in befriending the person in charge of the computer science dormitory as this would make his life easier. Both parties hit it off. On the surface, it seemed like they were off to a good start.

From Feng Jingnan, Lin Huai learned the name of the hospital and ward number where he could find Wang Hongwei. Then, Lin Huai took his leave. Fan Hanning and the rest wanted to go along. Lin Huai obliged and the gang left for Tongcheng Hospital.

They brought along two bags of fruits. At the corridor just outside the ward, they saw a middle-aged man in tattered dark green clothes crouching outside the door. He was smoking. A passing nurse saw him and wrinkled her face in disgust. “No smoking on hospital premises.”

“Oh, I’ll put it out now.” The middle-aged man hurriedly threw his cigarette butt onto the floor and stamped it out with his shoes.

“He can’t even afford the medical fees, yet he has the audacity to smoke. People can be so useless sometimes…” whispered two passing nurses. The middle-aged man then sat on the bench by the corridor where his face wore a worried look.

Lin Huai took a deep breath. He must be Wang Hongwei’s father. They walked over. Through the window pane, they saw a middle-aged woman sitting at the bedside. The person on the bed was none other than Wang Hongwei.

Lin Huai glanced at the middle-aged man and asked, “Are you Wang Hongwei’s father?”

“Ah?” The man immediately lifted his head. His face looked drawn and tired, as if he had aged significantly. He nodded his head in bewilderment. “Yes, I am.”

“Nice to meet you, Uncle. We are his friends.” Regardless of their family conflict, they must remain polite to the elders. The rest followed Lin Huai and greeted the man.

Wang Hongwei’s father broke into an honest smile. Although it looked forced, he seemed to be an enthusiastic person. While standing up, he smiled warmly. “You are all here to see him? I never knew that he had so many good friends. I am so, so very happy… Please go in quickly. He just woke up. The doctor said there is no major problem, but he has be hospitalised to recuperate.”

“Ok,” replied Lin Huai. Then he asked, “Are you coming with us?”

“Me? Well, I need some time to myself, you guys go ahead. It’s lunch time soon, lunch on me in a while.”

“It’s okay, there’s no need for that,” Lin Huai said hurriedly. “We will be on our way after visiting Wang Hongwei.”

“Hey, no way. You’ve travelled long and far to reach here, so how can you go hungry? Don’t you worry, I will treat you all later.”

Lin Huai sighed. He finally realized why Wang Hongwei’s family was always short of money. His father wasn’t a bad guy, but he was way too generous. Besides, he probably spent quite a bit dining out. Every day, he would treat somebody and be treated in return, eating out every day. On one hand this affected his work. On the other hand, it cost money. No wonder his family had little to spare.

This was their family’s issue and Lin Huai did not have a say in it. He smiled and walked through the door.

Wang Hongwei’s mother sat by the bed. She was wiping her tears while muttering under her breath. From his position on the bed, Wang Hongwei turned his head slightly and looked in the direction of the door. Although his face was pale and he looked weak, he managed a genuine smile. He opened his mouth slightly and spoke in a feeble voice, “Brother Huai, you guys came.”