C201 Reproach

Brother Guang merely nodded at my words, inquiring, "How can I assist you?"

Brother Guang's straightforwardness was refreshing. I stated, "I need to find a woman, Sang Ling..."

Upon hearing this, Brother Guang furrowed his brow, exclaiming, "A womanizing mishap? Eighty million...phew..."

I offered a wry smile, replying, "Brother Guang, I'm not as resilient as you, but I've learned my lesson. Men often mature through adversity, wouldn't you agree?"

Qian Guang clasped his hands, saying, "Very well, I'll have the brothers assist in your search."

I nodded. A sudden question arose: "Brother Guang, if Miss Ma ever threatens our interests, what would you do?"

Qian Guang was taken aback, questioning, "What do you mean?"

I responded, "Just curious..."

Qian Guang lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, his expression darkening. Exhaling a plume of smoke, he declared, "Regardless of who it is, if they threaten our interests, I will not spare them."

His words were stark, a clear indication of my fate should I ever cross him. However, I knew I wouldn't. His declaration eased my anxieties; at least, I wouldn't be caught in a crossfire between him and Seventh Master.

Qian Guang took two sharp drags of his cigarette. "Remember that dinner with Seventh Master? Chen Xi suggested you join the Ma Gang."

I nodded. "Seventh Master mentioned it. He's aiming for a comeback; quite ambitious for his age."

Qian Guang chuckled, "He hasn't a chance. He's too old. Only we can uphold the Ma Gang. The deaths of Liu Qiang, Shouhou, and Zhu the Fat Pig have rekindled his confidence."

I was surprised. "Wouldn't more people mean greater strength? Why wait for their deaths to stage a comeback?"

Qian Guang extinguished his cigarette. "Do you know why we branched off and started our own operation?"

I shook my head. Qian Guang explained, "Seventh Master suppressed us. The Ma Gang operates on absolute obedience to the head. We were poor, yet still had to obey, surrendering all our earnings for his ventures. Our reward? Just enough to avoid starvation. He exploited us to amass capital. Yes, he used our money to sustain us, but so what? The poor remained poor, and the wealthy were impoverished through exploitation. So, we sought independence."

I felt a pang of helplessness. Seventh Master's intentions were noble, yet his actions harmed many.

Qian Guang continued, "He opposed our venture, initially suppressing us. Some perished under his pressure; only the ruthless or cunning survived. Only then could we endure his oppression. The more we prospered, the weaker his influence became, prompting his invitation to rejoin the Ma Gang."

I smiled, "Because you all originated from the Ma Gang, and didn't want to defy Seventh Master, so you returned..."

"Precisely. But he knew our hearts weren't in it. For years, he held back from a comeback. He understood that unity was crucial, but they all rose by stepping on others. How could they unite? I was a rising thorn. Seventh Master, cleverly, forbade us from fighting, yet he secretly desired our mutual destruction. Now, with Liu Qiang, Zhu the Fat Pig, and Shouhou gone, only Chen Xi and I remain. He knows only one of us will survive. Once we settle our differences, he'll make his move," Qian Guang stated.

I frowned. Seventh Master's ruthlessness was undeniable; pitting them against each other, selecting the strongest—like cultivating venomous insects.

Seventh Master favored Qian Guang, orchestrating Ma Qing's romance with him, even spreading rumors of succession. Yet, everyone knew the truth.

He merely sought their assistance in his resurgence...

Qian Guang waved his hand, rising. "Tell me about Sang Ling. What allure captivates you so?"

I smiled, "She's captivating—beautiful, seemingly fragile. But I underestimated her, and the destructive nature of a gambling woman. Last night, I confronted her, and Ma Lan's jade was stolen. She's the only one who could have accessed Ma Lan's office, so I suspect her, but I need to find her to be sure."

Qian Guang nodded. "Gambling women are found in casinos. Zhuzi, take some brothers to the Island No. 2 factory. Don't resort to violence; just find her. We'll talk once she's apprehended."

Zhuzi nodded and left. I found this odd. "Why not act at the factory?"

"Let's avoid conflict. We have our rules. Zhao Fei, if she's guilty, I advise you to find another solution. Gambling women—even if you give them a hundred million, they'll squander it in a night. The No. 2 factory is a den of vampires. Entering is akin to walking into a slaughterhouse. You'll be left with nothing. Don't hold out hope."

I sighed, swallowing hard. Qian Guang was right. There's no saving a gambling woman. But I needed to find Sang Ling; I had to know who bought the jade. Its exposure would spell my doom; Seventh Master wouldn't forgive me.

We waited in the bar. Zhuzi returned. "Brother Guang, we found her..."

Qian Guang and I stood, departing without further words. Finding Sang Ling wasn't difficult; where else would a gambling woman be but a casino?

We left the bar, heading towards the Island. It was a scenic area, yet sparsely populated. Our car stopped on a street, Zhuzi pointing to a woman. "There. She's been sitting there for hours, motionless."

It was Sang Ling, sitting at a food stall, listless and despondent, perhaps regretful or financially ruined. Her expression suggested the jade was gone.

Qian Guang said, "Men must control their lower halves..."

His words struck me like a slap. My youth and arrogance had blinded me. I pitied her, yet I was the most pitiable, my self-importance leading to my downfall. My involvement with Sang Ling was a manifestation of my inflated ego, and now I faced the consequences.

Zhao Kui and Wang Gui retrieved Sang Ling. She offered no resistance, like a lifeless puppet. Seeing me, she choked back a sob. Her beauty remained, yet it now felt repulsive.

"Lost money?" I asked.

Sang Ling nodded, trembling. "Did you steal Ma Lan's jade?"

Sang Ling shook her head. "Don't frame me..."

I smiled. "Sang Ling, do we look like good guys?"

The atmosphere was cold, Qian Guang particularly intimidating. Yet, Sang Ling showed little fear. "Trying to scare me? I'm not afraid. Kill me."

I shook my head, cupping her face. "Why the self-destruction? How much did you lose? Tell me. I've spent millions on you; I have to care, at least a little. You're mine; even in death, you'll die by my hand."

Despair filled Sang Ling's eyes; tears streamed down her face. She whispered, "I didn't mean to gamble. I wanted to repay my debts. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I truly wanted to return to how things were. She only gave me ten million; I owed fifteen million. I just wanted one last chance. If I won, I'd repay everything and start over..."

Her remorse and pain were palpable. I felt helpless. Whether through violence, torture, or death, I couldn't awaken her. Gamblers, lost in the delusion of 'one more chance,' are beyond redemption.

"Who did you sell the jade to?"

Sang Ling looked at me. "Give me twenty million, and I'll tell you. I know it's worth eighty million."

Qian Guang grabbed her neck, his eyes venomous. I saw Sang Ling's struggle for breath; I wanted to intervene, but Qian Guang glared at me, silencing me. I stared out the window, feigning ignorance.

Sometimes, men cannot afford to be merciful...

Sang Ling's struggle intensified; she couldn't breathe, yet Qian Guang held firm, showing no mercy, his cruelty exceeding that towards men.

Seeing her face turn crimson, he released her, delivering a harsh slap.

Sang Ling glared at me, furious. "Zhao Fei, are you even a man? You watched your woman get beaten, abused? What kind of man are you?"

My disgust for her was profound. Such beauty, yet such a venomous heart. Even now, she tried to sow discord between Qian Guang and me.

"One minute to decide. Who bought the jade? If you don't speak, you'll never have the chance," Qian Guang said coldly.

Fear flickered in Sang Ling's eyes, yet she smiled. "Want to know? Fine. I'll tell you. Just hope you don't regret it..."

A/N

Heyy, you reading, thanks for reading this far please don't stop, support me in any way that youcan. Your reviews, your comments, your criticism, all of it, l would appreciate them. l love you.

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