Chapter 492 So It Was You (2/2)
Lu Guan liked to spout nonsense, and so did Chen Haonan. Both were chatterboxes who could not stop once they started speaking. Besides, Lu Guan liked Chinese culture, and Chen Haonan could help him out in regards to this.
Chen Haonan liked to chat about Chinese stuff, and Lu Guan wanted to learn about such things. They would be a great match for each other. But, that was for later.
As they entered the villa, Chen Haonan pointed at a wooden rack and said, ”Here, take your pick. Take whatever you like—as many as you want.” His earnest invitation was not just to Li Du, but also for Hans, Godzilla and Big Quinn. ”Come, two brothers, I make some big ones for you. See, how's this?”
The rack was an average man's height, but around 15 feet wide. There were many hangers on it, and all types of bracelets dangled from them.
Li Du was not very interested in this stuff, and casually picked one. ”This bracelet is not bad. I'll take this.”
Chen Haonan said, ”Take a few more. Take this—this was made from the scented rosewood. It will be more beautiful in a few years, and in a few decades, it could become an heirloom.”
Li Du could not wear too many; he was still wearing his Patek Philippe watch. But he thought his parents might like it, and picked out two more. ”I'll get one each for my parents.”
”And Sophie too,” Hans reminded him.
Li Du said in realization, ”Right, and another for my girlfriend.”
”And your landlord Rose, she's nice to you. That time in the casino, she went there to support you.”
Li Du hesitated; it was only right that he gave Luo Qun a gift. ”Then add on one more?”
”Sophie's parents may also like these things?”
That made sense. Li Du took out his wallet. ”I'd better pay for them.”
Chen Haonan laughed out loud. ”Pay? I made these out of interest, to give them to family and friends. But I've got too many in my house, and no one is interested. Take as many as you want.”
Li Du shook his head—these rosewood bracelets were valuable. Ding Xiaofeng's estimation of them being worth 10,000 dollars each had probably been an exaggeration, but they would surely be in the region of 1,000 dollars each.
With the thought of Ding Xiaofeng, Li Du asked, ”Have you heard anything from Ma Zhi-an?”
Chen Haonan's grin widened. ”I've been anticipating your return, to share good news with you! Haha, guess what happened to Ma Zhi-an, that *sshole? Arrested by the police!”
”Really?”
”Yes! So f*cking happy that these American police have done a good deed!” Chen Haonan clapped his hands in glee. ”Not sure what the bugger did—he's always been very careful!”
Hans asked, ”Can you guys speak English? I don't understand!”
Chen Haonan's English was only average, and so he preferred to speak Mandarin.
This time, because he was delighted over Ma Zhi-an's arrest, he started speaking English for Hans's sake.
After hearing him, Hans turned to look at Li Du. ”Li, was this because of what you did?”
Chen Haonan looked at Li Du in shock. ”Meaning?”
After some thought, Li Du told him about how Ma Zhi-an had been in cahoots with Ma Cheng and the others to cheat him, and how in the end he had called the police on them.
An agitated Chen Haonan said, ”Such a thing happened? What didn't you tell me earlier?”
”What's so worth telling?”
”Totally worth telling! D*mmit, they were the reason I was forced to change my name! My name was 'Chen Hao,' but after this scumbag cheated me, 'Chen Hao' had such a bad reputation within the Chinese community in Tempe that I had no choice but to change it to Chen Haonan!”
”How did he cheat you?” Li Du asked.
Evidently, some parts of the past should not be revisited; Chen Haonan mumbled evasively, ”Cheated me, that's it. Anyway, it's all in the past, let's not talk about it. Come come come—let me give you all these beads! Haha, really, I'm so happy it's you who has done me this huge favor!”