Chapter 560: Can a Society Really Have Benefits This Good?
After resolving the trouble with Zhao Ming and that sports school crew, Zhang Tao followed protocol by introducing this talent whom the Young Mistress valued to the brothers and sisters of Wanlong Society. Anyone worth recruiting at a cost of a million yuan had to have something extraordinary.
“Everyone, allow me to introduce Zhang Dalong—Brother Long.”
The moment Zhang Tao finished speaking, over a hundred black-clad figures shouted in unison:
“Brother Long!”
Zhang Dalong was stunned by this spectacle. Him? Brother Long?
Absurd! Completely absurd!
He was a programmer—how had he become a “brother”?
Yet strangely, he was actually kind of enjoying it.
No wonder people on TV all wanted to be the boss, even fishing without a helmet to vie for the title. It really did feel pretty good.
Just as Zhang Dalong was basking in the thrill of having boarded this pirate ship, a timid voice sounded from the side.
“M-Mister, I’m… I’m sorry!”
“I… I didn’t know you were a leader in Wanlong Society.”
Zhang Dalong turned to see Xiaoya’s eyes clearly filled with fear. She regretted striking up a conversation with this older man at the bar—otherwise, none of this would have happened.
She hadn’t been scared when she came to warn them, nor when she saw Zhao Ming bring people to cause trouble. But seeing this crowd of black-clad men, she was truly terrified.
Wanlong Society’s street reputation in Pearl City was formidable, even making people turn pale at the mention of its name. They weren’t ordinary thugs by any stretch.
Watching Xiaoya’s reaction, Zhang Dalong suddenly realized he had truly gone down a path of no return.
Look how he’d frightened the poor girl.
“Um… Xiaoya, let’s just consider today’s matter settled. Better stay away from those chaotic bars from now on.”
His intention was concern—those places were full of shady characters, and a young girl could easily get into trouble.
But to Xiaoya’s ears, those words took on a completely different meaning.
She felt this was Zhang Dalong warning her.
“Yes, yes, yes, you’re absolutely right, Brother Long. I’ll definitely go less! No, I won’t go at all anymore!”
Zhang Dalong said helplessly, “Alright, it’s getting late. Go home and be careful on the road.”
“Okay, Brother Long, I’m leaving now. Goodbye, Brother Long!” Xiaoya bolted as if granted amnesty.
Zhang Tao laughed, “Let’s go, old brother. The show’s over, the fight’s done, we’ve sworn brotherhood—time to head out.”
Zhang Dalong looked at the dense crowd of black-clad men before him, then at his two newly sworn brothers beside him, and let out a long sigh.
This pirate ship—there was no getting off now.
…
The next day.
Zhang Dalong woke up in Zhang Tao’s rented apartment. He’d stayed in the guest room last night.
As soon as he stepped out, he smelled the aroma of food.
The dining table was already set with plain porridge, side dishes, and fried eggs. A gentle-looking woman in an apron, who looked gentle and pretty, was walking out of the kitchen with bowls and chopsticks.
“Brother Zhang, you’re up? Does your head hurt? Come have something to eat to fill your stomach.”
Zhang Dalong looked at this unfamiliar woman, confused. “You… who are you?”
He’d blacked out a bit last night. After such an exciting day, plus the aftereffects of alcohol, he’d dozed off in the car. Zhang Tao had brought him home and put him in the guest room, so he didn’t know this person.
“I’m A-Tao’s girlfriend. Just call me Xiao Juan.”
Zhou Juan’er scooped him a bowl of porridge. “Brother Tao went to the hospital early this morning. He specifically told me to get you something to eat when you woke up.”
“Thanks, I won’t stand on ceremony then.”
Zhang Dalong sat down awkwardly. Seeing the breakfast, his stomach rumbled. He was really hungry. He picked up the porridge and started eating, praising Xiao Juan’s cooking between bites.
“Xiao Juan, why did Zhang Tao go to the hospital so early?”
“To accompany his dad for a checkup. His dad’s sick. Though the surgery was successful, he still needs regular monitoring.”
Zhang Dalong nodded. Especially knowing Zhang Tao’s father’s illness was tumor-related, he thought to himself—this guy was a real filial son.
Usually, having a seriously ill elderly family member is torment for everyone involved. Many happy families are completely destroyed by one major illness.
He suddenly understood why Zhang Tao had joined Wanlong Society and taken this path. In a place like Pearl City, an ordinary salary couldn’t possibly cover his father’s treatment costs. He’d probably been forced into a corner by reality and had no choice but to join the underworld.
Looking at this bright young woman before him, Zhang Dalong suddenly felt Zhang Tao was at least fortunate to have found such a virtuous girlfriend who didn’t mind that his father was sick.
He hesitated but couldn’t help asking indirectly, “Xiao Juan, you’ve been with Zhang Tao for a while, right? Do you understand his work situation?”
Zhou Juan’er nodded. “Of course. We met at the company.”
“Company?” Zhang Dalong was stunned.
“Yeah, Wanlong Society Group!”
Zhou Juan’er said with a hint of pride. “I work at a supermarket under the Group. Though I’m not a core member like A-Tao, I’m already very satisfied.”
Zhang Dalong: “Core member? What’s that?”
Zhou Juan’er explained, “Our company has regular employees and core employees. You can spot core members by their black suits and company logos on their chest.”
Zhang Dalong: “What benefits do these core members get?”
Zhou Juan’er thought for a moment. “Double salary, maximum social insurance and housing fund contributions, full medical expense reimbursement for yourself and your family, company-sponsored family vacations every year, various gifts and bonuses on holidays—and the family gets gifts too, plus…”
Zhou Juan’er listed so many benefits that Zhang Dalong the programmer was dumbfounded.
Wait, this was really a crime… society?
These benefits were too good!
No wonder this girl had no pressure when discussing Zhang Tao’s father’s illness—the company covered everything. What pressure could there be?
He finally understood why Zhang Tao, Chu Yang, and those black-clad men always had fanaticism in their eyes when mentioning Liu Yutong. With a boss like this, who wouldn’t be devoted?
Could Wanlong Society actually be a legitimate company?
Zhang Dalong’s curiosity was piqued.
Anyway, Zhang Tao said he was already a member of Wanlong Society and couldn’t leave. Rather than passively accepting it, he might as well take the initiative to see what this seemingly shady society actually looked like.
“Um, sister-in-law, are you off to work today? I’ve got nothing to do—can I tag along and see where you work?”
Zhou Juan’er agreed without hesitation.
“Of course, Brother Zhang. If you want to see it, come with me. The supermarket I work at is nearby, just a five-minute walk.”