We need to carefully plan our cash flow.
Su Wei circled the number "400,000" and then added a question mark.
Tomorrow's negotiations will be anything but easy.
Old Sam is in a hurry to get a liver transplant; he's racing against death. These are the craziest people.
We must uphold the bottom line.
The pen made its final stroke on the page.
Su Wei closed the notebook and slid it into the drawer.
He stood up; his body was stiff from sitting for so long. He moved his neck, and his bones made a soft cracking sound.
After a quick wash, Su Wei turned off the main light in the living room.
The room suddenly darkened, with only a few sparks flickering in the fireplace.
I snuggled into the covers, and warmth quickly enveloped my entire body.
A small tuft of Cotton Candy was raised at the corner of the blanket, and it skillfully slipped inside. It sniffed around with its wet nose, found a comfortable position, and rested its fluffy head on Su Wei's forearm.
The little guy's warm breath, seeping through his pajamas, rhythmically sprayed onto his wrist.
Su Wei did not fall asleep immediately.
Even if Black isn't there, tomorrow's negotiations with Old Sam shouldn't go wrong.
If it were two weeks ago, he might have been worried.
But now, he has millions of dollars in his account, which gives him a lot of confidence.
The next day, at 1 p. m.
A black Ford Raptor was parked in front of the Old Captain Seafood Restaurant.
Su Wei pushed open the door and got out of the car.
His footsteps on the wooden steps made a dull thud.
Pushing open the door, a warm feeling arises, and the air is filled with the aroma of seafood and beer.
It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was very noisy.
The innermost corner by the window is very quiet.
A hunchbacked figure was huddled in a booth.
It's Old Sam.
The town's notorious drunkard looks even worse than rumored.
His hair was thin and yellowish, and his skin was sallow; it was obvious that he had a liver problem.
In front of him was a glass of cheap whiskey, covered in grease.
Su Wei walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
He waved to the waiter and ordered a pot of hot black tea.
Upon hearing the voice, Old Sam's cloudy eyes slowly turned towards Su Wei.
His hand holding the wine glass trembled so badly that he almost spilled the wine.
"It looks... it really looks like it."
Old Sam grinned, revealing a mouthful of black teeth.
His voice was hoarse and unpleasant.
"You're just like your father, especially that aloofness."
Su Wei didn't reply, but just looked at him calmly.
The black tea arrived, steaming hot.
He poured himself a cup of tea.
Old Sam didn't pay any attention, tilted his head back and gulped down the whiskey, a flush rising to his face.
" Little Su Wei, you probably don't remember."
Old Sam shakily pulled out a pack of cigarettes, but the lighter wouldn't light.
Su Wei took the lighter and lit it for him.
Old Sam greedily leaned over and lit a cigarette.
He exhaled smoke, a look of enjoyment on his face.
"I held you when you were just born. Your father bought land around here back then, and we were neighbors, and also... good brothers."
Old Sam coughed twice and pointed out the window.
"Back then, there weren't any damn casinos, and I hadn't gotten this damn disease yet. If it were back then, if you wanted land, your uncle would give it to you for free."
Su Wei touched the warm teacup with his fingers.
Good brother?
Su Wei sneered inwardly.
He remembered Black saying that the old man had once stolen trees from the woods to sell for money to buy alcohol when his parents weren't home.
That was a long time ago.
Su Wei's tone was flat.
Old Sam sighed and slumped back in his chair.
"Yes, it's been too long. Your parents passed away early, it's really... good people don't live long."
He wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand.
"If they were still alive, they'd be ecstatic to see you've become a professional hunter and can even take down those monster bears."
Old Sam recounted many old stories, his words always tinged with affection for his elders.
Su Wei simply listened, waiting for him to finish speaking.
After finishing his cigarette, Old Sam stubbed it out in the ashtray.
"But I'm not destined for that, Little Su Wei."
Old Sam lifted his shirt, revealing a bulging belly covered in prominent veins.
The customers at the next table all frowned and looked over.
"The doctor said my liver is failing, and if I don't get a transplant, I won't live more than three months."
Old Sam put down his clothes, covered his face, and his shoulders trembled.
"I want to live too. But I'm in debt, and loan sharks are driving me to my death."
"Right now, all I want is to sell the land for a good price, go to Seattle for surgery, and save my life."
Old Sam suddenly looked up, his cloudy eyes revealing a greedy glint.
" Little Su Wei, you're a good boy. You know how good that land is—the section of the Pilan Creek, and that birch forest—they're all wonderful places."
He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"I know that old stubborn Black is trying to help you lower the price; he's doing it for your own good. But you can't just watch your Uncle Sam die, can you? He's... my whole family's last hope."
Su Wei put down his teacup with a soft sound.
Old Sam immediately shut his mouth.
"Mr. Sam."
"I sympathize with your situation, and you do indeed need that land."
He leaned back.
Let's just talk about the price.
Old Sam was stunned.
He licked his lips.
He picked up the empty wine glass and swirled it.
Old Sam stared at Su Wei, his hand no longer trembling.
He stretched out one hand and gave a thumbs-up.
Six hundred thousand US dollars.
Old Sam's voice was weak, but he clenched his teeth.
"One price, 600,000. Eighty acres of land, including forest and water rights, all yours."
Su Wei remained motionless, not even raising an eyebrow.