C81 Rules

"Do you know my father?" I was taken aback. My father was acquainted with the second-in-command of Lei's Brand, and they shared a bond strong enough to be considered life-and-death. Yet, I had never heard him speak of it.

"Since your father stepped back from the world, I haven't been in touch with him. I'm aware he adopted a boy and has been leading a simple life in a small mountain village. Changsheng, let's save the reminiscing for later. Right now, I'd like to get to the bottom of the current situation," Second Master Lei remarked, casting a glance at Xiaodie's body.

I sighed deeply and shot Boss Wu, who was sprawled on the ground, a fierce look before recounting the whole incident to Second Master Lei.

Second Master Lei's brow furrowed upon hearing the details. He immediately arranged for Xiaodieh to be given a proper burial, then took Boss Wu and me back to the county town.

Throughout the journey, Second Master Lei remained silent, while Boss Wu was visibly shaking with fear.

I later learned that although the head of Lei's Brand was Second Master Lei's own brother, it was Second Master Lei who managed most of the business and operations. True to his name, Lei Lih, he was swift and decisive in his actions, and known for being exceptionally stern with his subordinates.

Upon our return to Lei's Brand's branch office, Second Master Lei led the way with confident strides, his loyal aides never leaving his side. Boss Wu and I quickly followed suit.

We four entered the VIP negotiation room on the second floor of Lei's Brand. Second Master Lei took his place in the main seat on the sofa, idly rolling a pair of agate walnuts in his hand.

With a subtle signal from him, his trusted aide secured the door and then stood by Second Master Lei's side.

"Changsheng, please take a seat. Xiaodao, brew a pot of tea," Second Master Lei instructed his aide.

I took a moment to observe Second Master Lei's aide. He was a man in his thirties, with a long, deep scar across his face that was hard to miss.

Judging by his physique and demeanor, he was clearly well-trained, and as an aide to Second Master Lei, he was no doubt highly skilled.

I accepted the tea from Xiaodao with a word of thanks. As I was sipping my tea, Second Master Lei spoke again, startling me so much I nearly choked.

His words were not meant for me, but for Boss Wu.

"Old Wu, kneel and apologize to Changsheng, then follow Lei's Brand rules: blind yourself and relinquish your role as store manager!" Second Master Lei stated icily.

Boss Wu, terrified by these words, stumbled backward, nearly collapsing. He asked, bewildered, "Second Manager, what... what have I done to deserve such punishment?"

Second Master Lei remained silent. Xiaodao, his trusted aide, pulled out a photograph from his pocket and opened a safe, retrieving the wooden box my foster father had left me, placing both items on the coffee table.

"Old Wu, you ought to recognize these," Second Master Lei said, gesturing to the items. "Examine them and tell me if these two wooden boxes are identical."

Boss Wu, hands shaking, picked up both the box and the photo, scrutinizing them for a long while before looking up at Second Master Lei and confirming, "They're... they're the same."

"Hmph, Old Wu, for a Stifling Treasure Man, you sure have trouble spotting a simple wooden box. Look closely at the bottom right corners!" Second Master Lei commanded sharply.

Frightened, Boss Wu bent down for another careful inspection. I too observed closely, yet I failed to spot any discrepancies.

After a moment, Boss Wu gasped in shock, his head drooping, his body quivering as he admitted, "This... they're indeed not the same..."

"Second Uncle Lei, what does this mean?" I inquired, confused.

Upon hearing my question, Second Master Lei's stern expression softened, and he explained with a smile, "Changsheng, look again. The wooden box in the photo has a plum blossom carved in the bottom right corner, while the one you brought has a peach blossom."

I examined them once more, but to me, the two blossoms were indistinguishable.

Noticing my bewilderment, Second Master Lei chuckled and elaborated, "At a glance, the flowers seem identical, but the plum blossom's engraving has deeper shadows than the peach blossom's, reflecting the thicker petals of a real plum blossom."

"So that's how it is," I said, suddenly understanding as I nodded.

"This wooden box was originally one of a pair. It was my elder brother, Lei Zhen, who gave the other to your adoptive father, Half Immortal Zhao," Second Master Lei explained, casting a glance at the silent Boss Wu.

At that moment, Boss Wu's face was ashen. He was at a loss for words. Falling to his knees before me, he bowed his head repeatedly in a gesture of contrition. Then, he slowly removed his shattered glasses.

Xiaodao handed him a small knife, which Boss Wu accepted with a trembling hand. The sharp edge of the blade was now pointed towards his own eyes.