Chapter 125: Returning Fully Laden, Triumphant Homecoming

Many more people on the sidelines were filled with profound frustration. The reality was cruel: they had stood in line for days, only to find that when it came down to it, they simply couldn't compete.

The front desk area had descended into absolute madness. Many people were shoving burlap sacks stuffed with cash directly onto the counter, roaring, "I have dozens of people in line here, hundreds of ID cards—count the money, hurry!"

When the staff opened those sacks, a pungent, foul odor hit them in the face. Others gripped money soaked with their own sweat, shouting, "Give me the forms, now!"

The air in these three hundred or so application distribution points was thick with sweltering heat, the stench of sweat, and a chaotic mix of odors. It felt as though the world itself were suffocating. This was the final day for the distribution of subscription forms, and the nerves of the city’s millions had been stretched to the breaking point.

By eleven o'clock that morning, a staff member at one of the distribution points looked out at the crowded, feverish mob with reddened eyes, their expression impatient and cold.

"All of today's forms have been sold out," the staffer declared. "Everyone, disperse."

"Sold out?" A young man who had traveled from Jiangdong Province couldn't believe his ears. He stared fixedly at the staff member.

The previously rowdy hall, packed with over a thousand people, fell into a sudden, deathly silence. Every eye was fixed on the arrogant, icy official.

Far from offering any comfort, the staff member slammed a hand on the table with extreme impatience. "Do I need to say it a second time? I said they’re sold out!"

With a sharp *clack*, the iron window of the service counter was slammed shut, and the staffer stood up and walked into the back room.

"How is that possible! It’s only been two hours since sales started! Yesterday you said they were sold out after just one hour."

"And today they're gone in two hours—there’s something fishy going on!"

The crowd of thousands erupted, and a chorus of furious curses broke out. They had gone days and nights without food or water, holding their bladders, enduring the scorching heat and the occasional downpour, never stepping away from their spots for even a second. The physical and mental torment they had endured finally shattered completely because they hadn't managed to get a subscription certificate.

The situation fermented rapidly, and the long lines outside also completely exploded. Cries of "It’s a scam!" grew louder and more intense by the second.

Just as the atmosphere reached a flashpoint, a man dressed like an official—complete with a briefcase and riding a motorcycle—swaggered out from the back exit. He cast a look of utter contempt at the crowd.

This had become a common sight over the past two days.

As the man started his motorcycle, a construction worker rushed over and grabbed him. "You shameless bastard! You’re using the back door!"

Annoyed at being grabbed by a common laborer, the man shoved his hand away. "Get lost, I’ve got no time for you!"

The construction worker, already seething, snatched the briefcase from the man’s hand and dumped it onto the ground. A pile of subscription application forms spilled out with a clatter.

For a moment, the hundreds of people nearby fell into a deathly silence, all staring straight at the man. The man was stunned, scrambling on the ground to pick them up and escape. But would the enraged crowd let him go? He had become the spark for a massive problem. Within seconds, he was surrounded by hundreds of people.

Suppressed anger, festering for days, spread like a virus among those whose quest for wealth had ended in failure. Finally, the city erupted. Many began marching toward the relevant government departments, chanting slogans.

Chai Jin woke up quite late. After days and nights of intense mental pressure, his body and mind had reached their limit. Not long after he woke up, Liu Qingwen began pounding on the door.

When Chai Jin opened it, Liu Qingwen was drenched in sweat. "It’s blown up! It’s blown up, Brother Jin! Everything outside is in total chaos!"

Chai Jin knew immediately what had happened. He lit a cigarette, feeling a bit more alert. Still, he asked, "What’s going on?"

Liu Qingwen was extremely nervous. "It’s completely out of control. Brother Jin, we need to get home fast. I’m worried something might happen to Sister Li and the others."

Chai Jin had been calm, but at the mention of them, his heart tightened. He didn't even wash his face; he just threw on his clothes and headed out. Old Huang and the others were already in the car. They scrambled inside and sped back.

As they passed the municipal government building, Chai Jin and the others saw that the square outside was densely packed with people. Every face was twisted with fury. Police were scattered throughout the area, trying to persuade the crowd to disperse and maintain order. Along the way, they saw lawless individuals taking advantage of the chaos to loot and smash property. The glass windows of many gold shops had been shattered.

Old Huang kept making phone calls along the way. After a full round of calls, he finally relaxed. He let out a long breath. "Our people have all gone to the small courtyard. It’s still fine over there; it hasn't reached this level of chaos yet."

"Your sister and the others will be fine."

Hearing this, Chai Jin finally exhaled and offered a bitter smile. "I was overthinking it."

The atmosphere in the car lightened considerably. Chai Jin spoke up again, "Has everyone arrived?"

Old Huang smiled. "What do you think? They're waiting to get paid. Everyone has been working hard for these past few days."

Chai Jin looked at the millions in cash in the trunk and smiled. "No one will be short a single cent."

Liu Qingwen laughed heartily. "Running with Brother Jin means we eat well and live well. Others carry money in burlap sacks and call themselves big shots."

"We move it by the carload—that’s what a real tycoon is!"

The group laughed in the car, filled with the joy of a successful harvest.

About half an hour later, the car finally reached the entrance of the alley leading to the courtyard. As they passed the gate, they saw at least fifty or sixty people in the street chanting slogans; the atmosphere was incredibly tense.

Inside the car, Chai Jin’s gaze met that of a man leading the group. He was bald, had no eyebrows, and looked like bad news at first glance. Chai Jin didn't pay much attention, just a passing glance.

The car quickly pulled into the courtyard. Wang Xiaoli was washing vegetables by the well with Xiao Shan. Seeing Chai Jin’s car pull in, Wang Xiaoli hurried over.

Looking at Chai Jin as he stepped out of the car, she said with some excitement, "Should I make more food? Where did you sleep yesterday, Xiao Jin?"

Chai Jin smiled. "I was with Old Huang and the others. Make enough for a few more people—I'm a bit hungry."

"Liu Shan, Wenbin, you two go notify those people that they can come over to collect their money."

"Monkey, Old Huang, you two move the cash inside, then calculate the accounts for the group leaders first."

"Got it."

The men quickly set to work. Wang Xiaoli was confused, not knowing what Chai Jin was doing. She looked toward the car with curiosity. Seeing Liu Qingwen drag a burlap sack out from the back, she asked, "Monkey, what is in there? Do you need my help?"

Chai Jin smiled and didn't say anything, heading toward the well to wash his face. Liu Qingwen couldn't help but show off, grinning mysteriously. "Sister Li, you want to know what this is?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Haha, alright! Sister Li, keep your eyes wide open and see what’s inside this sack!"

Liu Qingwen grabbed the bottom of the sack and dumped it onto the ground!