C209 Desperation

We drove Zhao Kui home, his life ebbing away. The indomitable man had endured Chen Xi's torment without a single plea for mercy; I admired his resilience.

His suffering justified my actions. We were brothers; everything was worth it.

Chen Xi spared Zhao Kui; a trivial decision for him, yet momentous for me. My lack of gratitude was genuine; this was akin to releasing a tiger. I would kill him.

We returned Zhao Kui to the bar, where a dozen underlings rushed to assist, carrying him inside. Seated on the sofa, a palpable rage filled the room.

"Brother Fei, who did this? We'll avenge Kui-ge…" Laizi roared, seething.

Wang Gui, too, looked to me, demanding, "Brother Fei, was it that bastard Chen Xi? Let's go kill him."

I responded, "Do you have more men than him, or are you better fighters? Enough! Control yourselves."

Their fury simmered, but they obeyed. I looked at Zhao Kui, his swollen mouth and bruised body silent testament to his ordeal.

I declared, "Zhao Kui, rest assured. Shouhou wronged us, we'll destroy him. Chen Xi wronged us, I'll destroy him. I swear before all my brothers: I won't rest until Chen Xi is dead, or I, Zhao Fei, am driven from Ruili."

Zhao Kui, his hand clasped tightly in mine, nodded gravely.

Addressing Wang Gui, I commanded, "Take care of Zhao Kui. Without my say-so, no one leaves to cause trouble. Is that understood?"

Wang Gui's displeasure was evident. "Did you hear Brother Fei? Are you all deaf?"

"Yes, Brother Fei…"

Satisfied, I left with Malan. Silence reigned in the car until Malan broke it: "Ma Qing orchestrated this. We'll start with her."

I lit a cigarette from her pack, the smoke a temporary balm for my turmoil.

"We will," I said, "but we face obstacles: Qian Guang, Lao Qi—they're all obstacles. Chen Xi wants us to fight amongst ourselves. Ultimately, your father is the most manipulative. He uses your sister to win over Qian Guang, colludes with Chen Xi, and uses them both to check each other. He does nothing overtly, yet a word, a promise, can dictate others' actions…"

Malan, lighting a cigarette of her own, added, "What can we do? That's who he is. Under him, you'll never have peace. They're all hypocrites, all vile whores! If I had the power, I'd slaughter them all. That damn sister of mine, sending people to spy on me! I'd tear her mouth apart!"

I intervened, "We need our own strength. Can we find trustworthy people from the Ma Bang to work with us? Lao Qi's greatest asset is the Ma Bang. Though disbanded, the network remains. Twenty years of cultivation by Lao Qi created a strong bond, but it also has its weaknesses. Surely, many like Qian Guang resent Lao Qi's authority?"

"Yes," Malan replied, "He's the Second Boss. After the death of the Grand Boss, he aspired to the top position, but my father refused, constantly undermining him. Now, he does nothing in Dala Village, only opposing my father."

I frowned. "Second Boss? Grand Boss? What does that mean?"

"Old times," Malan explained, "Before the Ma Bang's dissolution, the Grand Boss held supreme authority. The First Boss managed internal affairs, the Second Boss controlled finances, the Third Boss was the enforcer, handling all the dirty work. My father's associate, A Fu, was the Third Boss. The Fourth and Fifth Bosses managed personnel. It was a strict hierarchy. Do you know why there's no Grand Boss now?"

I smiled. "Your father wants to be the Grand Boss."

Malan nodded. "They were sworn brothers, loyal to each other. But that's old-fashioned loyalty. Now it's all about money. Who cares about loyalty anymore? Except for your brothers, they're quite decent."

"I want to meet this Second Boss…" I said.

"I can arrange it," Malan replied, "but don't get your hopes up. He's stubborn, used to handling vast sums, difficult to sway."

I nodded. My understanding of the Ma Bang was limited, a remnant of the Yunnan Tea-Horse Road, still influential in Ruili. Caught in this vortex, I had to participate.

"Handle the jade for me," I said. "Two pieces, worth over ten million, a million profit margin. Sell them as you see fit."

Malan looked at me, surprised. "You trust me?"

"Always have," I said. "I only hit you because you pushed me too far. I'm a man, and you need to give me face in front of my brothers."

Malan, moved, kissed me passionately. "No need," I said.

"Zhao Fei," she said, tears welling, "I'm thirty-something, and even my father doesn't trust me. Only you. But I'm a woman, and you need to give me face. I have some standing in Ruili."

I patted her face. "I know. We'll get through this. It's difficult now. I'm insignificant, unable to control many things. Our success depends on you."

"If I lead the Ma Bang," Malan declared, "I'll give you as many men as you want. No one will dare touch you."

"I'm after money, not gang life," I said.

We had bared our souls. The rest depended on fate.

Chen Xi spared Zhao Kui. I didn't believe I'd swayed him, nor that he'd shown mercy. He likely offered this as a favor. He's shrewd, understanding the consequences of Qian Guang and Ma Qing's alliance. He released Zhao Kui to gain an advantage.

He wasn't afraid of my revenge. Openly, I couldn't defeat him. Secretly, he wasn't worried. To rise, I'd have to surpass Qian Guang, leaving him as my only viable ally.

But I'm stubborn. I never betray my enemies. My knife was already aimed at Chen Xi before Shouhou's death.

I needed a plan, to entangle them all, profit, and escape unscathed. A difficult task. Lao Qi is enigmatic, Qian Guang is no fool, and Chen Xi is exceptionally cunning.

Eighty million. I need eighty million. The jade auction is approaching. Eighty million could multiply many times over. A golden opportunity I can't miss.

The next day, sunlight woke me. Malan was absent. I toured her villa, vast, perhaps an acre or more.

Five stories, each floor unique. The entrance opened to a courtyard, a path of tiles lined with bamboo. Artificial hills of Taihu stones, mirrored in the water, created a picturesque scene.

The house was sparsely furnished, but worth forty-five million. Located in Ruili's most prosperous area, the Wan Ting Bridge Jiugu Street, it backed onto Yingjiang, full of life. Malan certainly knew how to spend money.

But the enormous villa felt lonely with only her inhabiting it.

My phone rang. Qian Guang.

"Zhao Fei, meet me. Bring your men. Today, we reclaim Shouhou's territory. Whoever captures it keeps it. It's up to you how much you take."

Ruili wouldn't be peaceful these next few days. But I'm not a gangster.

"Brother Guang, I only want money. Leave the fighting to you. I congratulate you on your victory in advance."

Qian Guang's silence was long. "Don't play games with me. Don't force my hand."

My temper flared, but I controlled it. "Brother Guang, I saved my brother last night, humbled myself to do it. My brother's life is as valuable as my pride. Nothing is impossible, it's about your willingness."

Another silence. "Zhao Fei, I'd also humble myself for you. Remember who stood by you before Lao Qi. I didn't save him, but I know Chen Xi's character. He spared your brother for a reason."

I recalled my first meeting with Lao Qi, terrified and causing trouble, rescued by Qian Guang, who sacrificed himself for me. I couldn't forget that debt.

I kicked a wall in anger. "I'm coming…"

I hung up. I didn't want to do this, but you can't escape the consequences of your actions. I finally understood that truth.

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.

I do, l don't know you but you are reading, so l love you.