Chapter 19: You Must Be Dreaming

Chapter 19: You Must Be Dreaming

Chen Jianghai slammed on the brakes, his foot pressing hard against the ground. Instinctively, he reached back to steady the television strapped to the rear of his bicycle. Seeing that it hadn’t fallen, he finally exhaled in relief.

Just as Chen Jianghai was about to see who had confronted him, the other person struck first.

“Hey, how do you even ride a bike? Can’t you watch where you’re going?” The tone was sharp and confrontational.

Chen Jianghai glanced at the man and found him somewhat familiar.

“Well, if it isn’t Chen Jianghai,” the man said with a forced grin. “Haven’t seen you in days. Where’ve you been messing around?”

Chen Jianghai narrowed his eyes, suddenly recalling who this was. The man was known as Old Meng, a notorious loafer widely recognized in the neighborhood for his idleness.

“Hey, where’d you get that TV?” Chen Jianghai hadn’t yet responded when Old Meng caught sight of the television secured on the bike and asked in surprise.

Chen Jianghai shot him a cold look. “None of your business. Next time you’re walking, try to keep your eyes open.”

He had no interest in engaging with such a person and turned to walk away.

But Old Meng was not one to take a reprimand lightly. Like a mangy dog, he grabbed the handlebars with a hostile tone. “Chen, what’s gotten into you? You’ve got some nerve talking down to me!”

Chen Jianghai’s expression darkened. “Let go. Move aside.”

Old Meng was taken aback—when had this guy gotten so bold? Then his gaze shifted to the television, and a strange smile crept across his face. He pointed at Chen Jianghai and said, “Chen Jianghai, I never thought you’d stoop to something like this.”

Chen Jianghai froze for a moment before asking, “What are you talking about?”

“Cut the act. That TV—don’t think I don’t know where it came from. You stole it, didn’t you?”

Lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear, Old Meng implied his suspicion.

Chen Jianghai instantly understood Old Meng’s scheme.

He glanced at him. “What do you want?”

“You stole it to sell, didn’t you?” Old Meng nodded slyly. “Give me half the cut, and I’ll pretend I never saw anything.”

Chen Jianghai smirked. “Do you even know how much this TV is worth?”

Mentioning money, a hint of greed flashed in Old Meng’s eyes. “Even if it’s second-hand, it’s gotta be worth a few hundred bucks, right?”

“Alright then, I don’t want much—just a hundred,” Old Meng bargained.

“A hundred?” Chen Jianghai looked at him incredulously. What audacity!

Old Meng quickly nodded. “Yeah, or if I report you, you won’t just lose the money—you’ll be paying a visit to the station. Take my advice and be sensible.”

The last words were a blatant threat.

Chen Jianghai was blunt. “You’re dreaming.”

Old Meng froze. “What did you say?”

“I said you’re dreaming—losing your mind over money,” Chen Jianghai scoffed.

Enraged and embarrassed, Old Meng snapped, “Alright, Chen Jianghai, you said that. Don’t regret it!”

Chen Jianghai suddenly shouted, “Get lost! If you don’t, don’t blame me for being rude!”

Old Meng was startled.

Standing less than five foot seven and as skinny as a stick, he was no match for the well-built six-foot Chen Jianghai in a fight.

“Chen Jianghai, you—”

Old Meng wanted to retort, but a fierce glare from Chen Jianghai silenced him. He swallowed his words, quickly letting go and stepping aside.

Seeing Old Meng’s cowardice, Chen Jianghai snorted and pushed his bike forward.

Just as Chen Jianghai was about to leave, Old Meng clenched his teeth and shouted, “Thief! Someone’s stealing!”

Neighbors nearby, hearing the alarm, hurried over.

In this simple, honest era, news of theft ignited righteous indignation.

“Where’s the thief?”

“What got stolen?”

“Did he run?”

In full view of everyone, Old Meng pointed at Chen Jianghai. “It’s him! This guy stole that TV!”

Hearing this, the crowd quickly surrounded Chen Jianghai.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Chen Jianghai remained calm; a clear conscience fears no accusation.

Old Meng pointed at the TV. “See? The evidence is right there—caught red-handed!”

Among the crowd, some recognized Chen Jianghai.

“Isn’t that Chen Jianghai?”

“Yeah, I heard he’s a loafer, and now he’s stealing?”

“Poor wife of his.”

“Tell me about it. Such a good person wasted on a scoundrel.”

“But Old Meng isn’t any better.”

“Hmph, today stealing, who knows what he’ll do tomorrow!”

The crowd buzzed with gossip, most looking down on Chen Jianghai, assuming he was the thief.

Old Meng grinned triumphantly, thinking, “Serves you right for crossing me. Now you’re in trouble.”

Chen Jianghai surveyed the crowd and then glanced at Old Meng before pushing his bike forward, trying to leave.

Old Meng blocked his path. “Trying to run? Forget it—you’re not going anywhere today!”

Chen Jianghai replied calmly, “Get out of the way, or don’t blame me for being rude.”

Old Meng hesitated, but seeing so many people around, his fear faded.

“Rude? I want to see how you’re rude! A thief acting so brazen in front of all these people!”

Chen Jianghai scanned the crowd. “You believe whatever a scoundrel says? Use your brains, will you?”

“What did you say?”

“How dare you be so arrogant! Let’s take him to the police station!”

“Won’t learn till it’s too late!”

The crowd grew more agitated, accusing him vehemently.

Chen Jianghai, unfazed, said slowly, “Do you have any proof I stole this? Besides, if I really stole it, would I be out in the open dragging it around like this?”

His words made the crowd exchange doubtful glances.

That made sense.

Curiosity and spectacle were things people loved most.

As the crowd thickened, more people recognized Chen Jianghai.

“Isn’t this Little Chen? What’s going on here?” someone asked.

No doubt, these were people who’d had Chen Jianghai fix their appliances.

“Little Chen, you’re Chen Jianghai, right?” a confused voice asked.

“Yeah! I’ve had him fix stuff—his skills are top-notch! What’s happened?”

Soon, the story was pieced together amid the murmurs and chatter of the crowd.

(End of chapter)