MMB Chapter 1456 The mastermind behind the scenes
Chapter 1456 The mastermind behind the scenes
Chapter 1456 The mastermind behind the scenes
"Could we use a different boat next time?"
Art raised his arm and smelled himself; a strong smell of feet.
Honestly, he often mingled in the more complex environment of North Africa, and even slept in pigsties.
But! No pigsty smells as bad as a closed ship cabin.
Especially the mixed smell of fish, shrimp, and foot odor.
He had never tasted pickled cabbage, so he couldn't describe the flavor, but he had smelled the feet of women who liked to wear stockings and leather boots, and it seemed similar.
"You're here on vacation?"
Ji Weidong sniffed in disgust. Only after getting ashore and his sense of smell readjusted to the fresh air did he realize how nauseous he felt.
Yes, he felt like he was already pickled in that smell, and it couldn't be removed with a bar or two of soap, but he still had to maintain his composure.
Look at that kid, Art, he has no self-respect at all. He can't let Master Jing down.
"啕——"
Having just finished mocking At, Ji Weidong hadn't even turned around when he was vomited by a foul odor.
Breakfast was laid out on the gravel path between them today; it was a small fish that he hadn't had time to digest yet.
Art, who was being glared at, was also innocent, unsure of where to put his hand, which was holding his waistband.
It's better not to explain; explaining makes it even more disgusting.
Ji Weidong stared at him as if he were an idiot and emphasized, "It's not allowed on the mainland, otherwise you'll be shot."
"That dangerous?!"
Art was stunned and looked at him blankly, saying, "Although I've only been here a few times, don't try to fool me into thinking I'm inexperienced."
"Try it if you don't believe me—"
Ji Weidong glanced sideways at the boy's crotch, then grinned and turned his head away.
What an animal!
Art hesitated for a moment, then looked up at the sun overhead, felt the dry autumn breeze, and looked down at his secret weapon.
"How about... we rest for a while? I'd like to stand here and enjoy the sea view for half an hour."
He emphasized earnestly, "I haven't seen such a beautiful sea view in a long time."
If possible, Art would like to bury his secret weapon in the hot sand so that it can evaporate moisture faster, kill bacteria and disinfect, and relieve itching and kill fleas.
"You'd better think carefully about how we got here; every second counts."
Ji Weidong glanced at the Red Star Antelope car that had been waiting for a long time at the dock, and gave Ate a serious reminder.
Seeing him like this, Art complained, "I told you that if we had come by plane or even by train, we wouldn't be in such a sorry state."
“Oh, I forgot.” Ji Weidong curled his lips slightly and said sarcastically, “How could the conscience of North Africa stand this kind of environment?”
"Perhaps you should come here on a royal cruise ship to purchase weapons, accompanied by world-renowned media reporters and dancers, right?"
"If I could, I would absolutely love to have that honor, but alas—"
Art reluctantly puffed out his waistband, letting his secret weapon enjoy the dryness of the autumn wind one last time, then shrugged and followed Ji Weidong's footsteps.
He's here to do something important, not for a vacation, just as Ji Weidong said.
"Oh, right, you still haven't answered the question I asked you on the ship."
Art walked lazily behind Ji Weidong, muttering to himself as he asked, "Why do you have this surname..."
"I'll give you one last reminder!"
Ji Weidong turned around abruptly, staring intently at me as he corrected me word by word: "Don't ask me that question again until you've mastered Chinese!"
"My surname has absolutely nothing to do with that word you know!"
"But who said..."
Art looked at him with some surprise and said, "Biaozi said your surname is awesome, representing both strength and profession."
"Fuck your father—"
Ji Weidong was too lazy to argue with him anymore. He turned and walked towards the jeep, muttering, "None of those who hang out with Li Xuewu are any good—"
"I think I heard you mention Li?" Art took two quick steps, bringing himself level with Ji Weidong. "Is he in Steel City now? Are we going to buy weapons from him?"
“He can sell you his house pitchfork and then tell you it’s Poseidon’s trident.”
Ji Weidong turned around and stared into Ate's eyes, reminding him, "You have to be careful of him, he's a bad guy."
Do you think I'm stupid?
Art shook his head and said dismissively, "If Poseidon's trident really exists, it should be in Europe, not in his hands."
You're hopeless!
Ji Weidong stared speechlessly at this bastard. He deserved to be the sucker!
If Li Xuewu dared to deceive even him, how much more so would he deceive the relatively simple-minded At?
Of course, he wasn't looking down on Art; someone who could break through and stand out in international trade was no ordinary person.
But! Li Xuewu is inhuman!
Art suddenly appeared in the port city and took the initiative to contact him, wanting to purchase a large quantity of weapons.
Ji Weidong also has this kind of side business in Gangcheng, the kind that's a middleman business, he'll make money whenever he can.
Art had dealt with him before, had some acquaintance, and had even collaborated with him, so he frankly gave him the purchasing list.
Ji Weidong glanced at it and wasn't surprised by anything else, except that there was a helicopter option on the list.
At that time, he asked, "Let's not even talk about whether we can buy the helicopter. Will anyone fly it after we buy it?"
Artedo is amazing. I asked him if he was the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and he managed to meddle in so many other people's business.
Ji Weidong was so angry he wanted to curse, but he had a tolerance for big clients. The bigger the client, the more he could tolerate them, and he would pretend not to understand.
Getting helicopters is not difficult. Only one aircraft manufacturing plant in the country has achieved mass production of helicopters, and there are even two more advanced helicopter models undergoing equipment testing, which will be ready for mass production next year.
Meanwhile, the arrogant Art was not very satisfied with the price offered for Ji Weidong's other weapons.
Aside from being picky about prices, Art came prepared this time, targeting Red Star brand advanced weapons, especially the new types of weapons.
Ji Weidong had no grudge against Li Xuewu, nor against Hongxing Steel Group, so there was no need for him to stop their clients.
However, he was furious at Art's stubbornness in believing that Li Xuewu was the best weapons seller in the country.
Do you really think Li Xuewu can fool people?
"Hey, is this a new model?"
Ate deliberately sat in the passenger seat, wanting to experience the changes in the new Antelope.
The driver in the driver's seat glanced at him sideways, but seeing that Ji Weidong didn't say anything, he ignored him.
Art seemed oblivious to the situation, chattering incessantly the whole way, asking questions and completely unaware of the driver's increasingly faster speed and the ever-widening windows.
Standing on the roadside, it looked as if a thick plume of smoke was billowing out of a speeding jeep.
That was a smoke bomb that the driver barely managed to endure.
-
"How's the chubby boy?"
Xiao Bai, carrying a washbasin, pushed open the door, glanced at the kang (a heated brick bed) in the inner room, and asked Er Ga Zi, who was sitting on a stool by the kang.
Ergaizi glanced back at him, and the sunlight from outside slipped in, making his head throb.
"Why don't you take over watching over him?"
"It can't be that bad—"
Xiao Bai, with a white towel draped over his shoulder, approached the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and carefully examined Jia Geng lying on it.
His teeth were freshly brushed, and the taste of toothpaste lingered in his mouth, mixed with the premature chill of autumn, giving Jia Geng a refreshing sensation.
"Isn't this turning us into living dead?"
Xiao Bai took out a towel to wipe the fine sweat from his face and sat down on the stool that Er Ga Zi had given him.
Last night's events did not affect his sleep at all. On the contrary, Erga was being mischievous and was punished by Ge Lin to stay here all night to take care of the chubby boy.
"I'll bring you breakfast, so you don't have to do anything else. You can keep an eye on things during the day, and I'll go to rest after breakfast. You can take over in the evening."
Erga gave a few words of advice, yawned, and left. The door closed, and the light in the room dimmed.
Even without comparing it to the small villa in the steel city, this house seems too simple compared to my home in Beijing.
What you can see with the naked eye is blue soil and exposed logs; there isn't a single red brick in sight.
Yes, in remote and impoverished areas, having a place to shelter from the wind and rain is considered a luxury.
The spiderwebs fluttering on the beams and the wallpaper flapping in the cold wind that occasionally seeped in through the window cracks... nothing in the room could attract Banggeng's attention. Just as Xiaobai said, he was now a living dead.
Are you asleep or not?
Xiao Bai stretched out his hand and waved it in front of Bang Geng's eyes; he had been staring at the kid for quite a while.
His gaze was vacant and unfocused, staring only at the fortress. If it weren't for the blinking motion, Xiaobai would have suspected that he had gone mad.
"Ugh—is it really that serious?"
He let out a sigh of relief, shook his head, and said, "Erga Zi told you to stab him in the neck, not to hit his dermatitis..."
"Hiccup—" Suddenly, Banggeng, who was lying on the kang, seemed to have a psychological reaction. He sat up with dry hiccups and vomited by the edge of the kang.
He hasn't eaten or drunk anything since last night, so what could he possibly vomit up?
He came back from the beach last night looking like a living dead person; he and Erga had to help him wash his body.
He was tired, and Erga was even more tired, but neither of them complained at all when faced with Ge Lin's reprimand.
It was Ergaizi's idle teasing that provoked the kid. He's so young; how could he possibly handle such stimulation?
Ge Lin wasn't afraid of trouble. Li Xuewu must have been mentally prepared to let this kid come to the camp to broaden his horizons.
He had no grudge against Jia Geng and was simply acting according to plan; Jia Geng was just there by chance.
However, I must say that the chubby kid did a great job. Luring the snake out of its hole is not a complicated strategy, but as long as it works, that's fine.
My knowledge has increased, but I'm afraid I'll become useless.
Ge Lin wasn't afraid of what Li Xuewu said about him; what he feared was not being able to return to the capital. Bang Geng's mother was no pushover.
It's good for a little guy to wrestle in the mud and water; it's beneficial for his growth. But I didn't say he should actually wrestle in the mud and water. Banggeng was freezing last night.
You've been startled so much, I hope you don't go crazy.
Sometimes people are really fragile; they can go crazy if they can't get over just one hurdle.
Why did Ergaizi keep an eye on Banggeng all night? It was because he was afraid that Banggeng would have a relapse in the middle of the night and run away.
In this day and age, at this temperature, you'll be collecting corpses within three days; something terrible is definitely going to happen.
So, Ergaizi is mentally prepared to work the night shift again, because he's such a smart aleck.
"Here, have some water. You're thirsty, there's nothing to eat." Xiaobai patted Banggeng's back helplessly and earnestly comforted him, "He's just teasing you, he won't take it to heart."
Banggeng blankly let him help her drink a sip of water, then casually lay down on the pillow.
Seeing him like this, Xiaobai could only put down the water bowl and hold his upper body to help him lie down again.
Everyone encounters setbacks in life, which are commonly referred to as hurdles.
Having overcome this hurdle, there's no need to fear encountering similar challenges in the future.
If a person can't overcome this hurdle, then he's ruined. He'll back down at the first sign of difficulty and will never amount to anything.
He didn't know Jia Geng's background, only that the chubby boy came from Steel City.
Xiao Bai had never been to Gangcheng before, and this was his first time in Fengcheng. If it weren't for Ge Lin leading the way, he might never have been able to leave that mountain in his entire life.
"Look, isn't that the fork you brought back for me in the middle of the night?"
Seeing his still dazed expression, Xiaobai reached out and took the clean shavings from beside his pillow, handing them to the stick. The leather sheath was spotless.
The standard equipment for Beijing's tough guys: scrapers are usually made from bicycle frames or thick steel bars.
Only Banggeng was different. He found an alloy pipe left over from the workshop in the scrap heap and begged the young worker to forge a high-end scraper for him with a forging hammer.
This thing looks like a good one. The owner plays with it all day long and even made a leather cover for the handle, which makes it feel more substantial in your hand.
At this moment, Bang Geng couldn't remember his baby anymore; his mind kept replaying the scene of him stabbing someone last night.
"Don't be so fragile, you didn't even get hurt."
Seeing that he still didn't speak, Xiaobai put down the scraper in his hand and said, "Gelin is very careful."
"He's not a good person either."
Banggeng suddenly spoke, his eyes still somewhat vacant, but they had regained a little sparkle.
Disgust and hatred can also awaken a person's mind, at least preventing them from getting trapped in a vicious cycle of memories.
"Hehe—you're right."
Seeing that he had spoken, Xiao Bai felt a little relieved and joked, "Can a good person do this kind of work? You're still young, your journey has just begun, and you have plenty of choices."
"What to choose..." Bang Geng said, his dry, cracked lips moving slightly. "I'm no longer clean."
"Hey—what kind of talk is that?"
Xiao Bai said with a laugh, "If Green hadn't blocked your way, you would have been dead."
So, I should thank him?
Banggeng rolled over and sat up, his forehead instantly covered in a fine sweat, showing that he was extremely exhausted.
She just stared stubbornly at Xiaobai and asked, "You all planned this all along, didn't you?"
Xiao Bai avoided his gaze and coughed as she explained, "Actually, I only found out when I got here."
"Heh—" Banggeng chuckled weakly, "Whose arrangement was this? Green? Or..."
"If you don't want to do this job, I can arrange for someone to send you back to Steel City right now."
Green's voice came through the door, followed by the creaking of the door and the sound of footsteps as a bear walked in.
Banggeng turned his head and looked at the big guy. He was more intelligent than he had imagined, and didn't seem like a fool.
-
"Were you sent by Li Xuewu to pick us up?" Art looked at the old man in front of him with feigned suspicion and said, "I've never seen you before."
"Let's go, stop talking nonsense—"
When Ji Weidong saw Nie Liansheng looking at him, he reached out and patted Ate on the shoulder, signaling him to get in the car.
He certainly knew Nie Liansheng; he had met him when Li Xuewu led him to cause trouble in Steel City.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. Everything has changed. Who would have thought that the old man in front of me is actually the same person from back then...
"I can't take you back to Steel City."
Nie Liansheng said softly to Ji Weidong, "Mr. Li asked me to ask you, are you ready to explain to him?"
"What's there to explain! What do I have to explain! It's ridiculous—"
Ji Weidong was like a lit firecracker, just short of jumping up and exploding into the sky.
Nie Liansheng only asked him one question, and he couldn't take it anymore; his face turned bright red.
At this moment, Art stopped talking and stopped pretending to be stunned. His gaze shifted between the two of them, and he had an expression of watching the show.
"I was just relaying Mr. Li's original words, and I didn't mean anything else."
Nie Liansheng calmly watched him jump up and down until he calmed down before continuing, "If you have anything you want to say to Mr. Li, you can tell him after you get to Steel City. That's all."
Why should I listen to him!
Ji Weidong stood by the car, pacing anxiously, and said, "He said I have to go to Steel City, and he said I have to wait for him in Steel City?"
“I won’t—” he said stubbornly, “I’m going back to the capital, right now!”
"Okay, then... goodbye."
Nie Liansheng remained calm as he watched his maniacal performance.
This puzzled Ji Weidong, who looked at Nie Liansheng suspiciously and asked, "Didn't he tell you anything else?"
Nie Liansheng shook his head slightly and remained silent.
"What if I don't go to the steel city?"
Ji Weidong looked at Nie Liansheng and asked, "What if I want to go back to the capital now?"
Nie Liansheng seemed not to understand the meaning behind his words, and even less aware of the matter between him and Li Xuewu.
Do you need me to buy you a ticket?
"What kind of ticket would I use to buy it—"
Ji Weidong glanced at him, but still asked warily, "You won't threaten me?"
"You're joking. I'm a good person now."
Nie Liansheng smiled faintly and looked at him, saying, "I'm just doing a small, insignificant thing for Mr. Li. Please don't misunderstand."
"I can't misunderstand. There's nothing he's incapable of, hmph—"
Ji Weidong grumbled to himself in dissatisfaction, then turned to At and said, "Okay, you go to Steel City first. I have some things to take care of, and I'll come find you there later."
Are you avoiding Li?
Whether it was intentional or due to a lack of understanding of Chinese social etiquette, Art asked the question so bluntly.
Why should I avoid him?!
Ji Weidong raised his voice again, emphasizing, "Why should I hide from him? Really!"
“Have you noticed?” Art lowered his eyebrows and looked at him as he spoke, “When you’re at a loss for words, you start to act aggressively.”
"What the hell -"
Ji Weidong tried to reach out and grab At, but At, who had just finished mocking Ji Weidong, had already turned around and gotten into the car, and the car door slammed shut.
"I'm completely speechless! I'm being aggressive? When did I ever act aggressively!"
"Get down here and explain yourself!"
……
"Drive, he won't go to the steel city."
Art gripped the car door tightly, looking out the window at Ji Weidong, who was jumping up and down cursing as he went back inside. He turned to the little old man in the driver's seat and said, "His bluffing is really ugly."
"You always hit the nail on the head."
Nie Liansheng praised At, then glanced at Ji Weidong, who could have gotten into the passenger seat but was still standing at the back door cursing, before gently pressing the accelerator and driving away.
Ji Weidong watched the departing car and sighed for no apparent reason, then squatted down on the ground.
He completely disregarded his leather shoes and trousers, and plopped down on the ground.
The exhausting performance did not save face; instead, it put him in an awkward situation.
Should I go to Steel City to see Li Xuewu? That scoundrel is clearly trying to profit at my expense.
Are you betting that you won't dare go to the steel city?
Or perhaps they already knew about their predicament and deliberately allowed themselves to fall into a vicious cycle.
Damn it, that brat!
Ji Weidong really hadn't figured out how to explain what happened in Gangcheng to Li Xuewu.
He couldn't very well say that he knew nothing and just stood by and watched the show.
Even he himself didn't believe this. Li Wenbiao had been killing people all over Hong Kong and settling old scores. Didn't he have any old scores to settle?
From the port city to the steel city, although it is thousands of miles away, in today's information age, distance is no longer a barrier to communication.
He dared not presume that Li Xuewu was completely ignorant of, or even only had a superficial understanding of, the affairs of Hong Kong.
The equity structure of Oriental Times Bank reveals that Li Xuewu never fully trusted Lou Xiao'e, nor did he trust anyone else.
Of course, that includes him too.
If he doesn't even trust his own woman, what kind of guy is he?
Whenever he inadvertently mentioned Li Xuewu, Lou Xiao'e would remain silent.
Later he realized that it was inappropriate to mention this name in Hong Kong, so he remembered it.
However, this name is an obstacle that none of them can get around. It will eventually appear in Hong Kong one day, and then how will they deal with it?
It's easy to see Li Xuewu fooling others, but it's incredibly difficult to fool Li Xuewu.
"Do we really have to go back to Beijing?"
Ji Weidong scribbled at the pebbles at his feet and muttered, "Going home is not as good as going to see Li Xuewu. At least he won't give me the cold shoulder."
Just as he dared not hope that Li Xuewu knew nothing about what was happening in Gangcheng, he also dared not hope that Han Yating knew nothing about his work and life in Gangcheng.
Hongxing Steel Group has an international business division in the steel city, as well as business cooperation with banks.
Almost every week, mainland staff members can openly and legitimately travel to the port city through the border.
It was unexpected that they would abandon their identities and flee overseas; these people were all carefully selected.
Although the salary at Hongxing Steel Group is not as high as that in the steel city, the meaning of life is different.
No one can guarantee that they will be worry-free and can stay as they wish once they go to the port city.
They might get deported, and then they'd be in even worse shape.
Han Yating had once sent him a letter through a bank clerk, which was also a form of warning.
The things he did in the port city will eventually reach Han Yating's ears.
What will people think of her then?
But were those things he was willing to do?
-
Can I entrust him to you?
Nie Liansheng looked at Ge Lin in front of him; it was the first time he had ever seen such a fierce man.
People from Northeast China and Shandong are generally taller than people from other parts of China, and are often referred to as "Shandong giants" or "Northeast giants."
This Green shouldn't even be called a "big man"; "giant man" would be more appropriate.
"Either you stay and take care of him, or you send him back to Steel City, if you don't want to leave."
Green looked at him in a deep voice and said, "My task is to train him and broaden his horizons. Mr. Li has no other plans."
"One of my tasks is to ensure his safety until I am sure he can adapt to life here."
Seeing him say that, Nie Liansheng also used his tone to emphasize his own mission.
Green glanced at him, pushed open the door behind him, and asked, "Do you want to go in and see him?"
Nie Liansheng hesitated as he looked at the open door. The thought of hiding in the dark to monitor a child made him feel ashamed.
Although the order came from Li Xuewu, and the purpose was explained to him.
He doesn't need to get involved in the training and development of the terrier; he only needs to make sure the terrier is safe.
Just like last night, he suddenly appeared, startling Green and the others.
Unlike Bang Geng, who walked barefoot and silently on the ground, Nie Liansheng truly had a knack for it.
"Forget it, let's just leave it at that."
It seemed as if Nie Liansheng could see the chubby boy's eyes through the mud wall, but he still gave up.
"I will call Mr. Li back. He's in your hands now. See you again sometime."
"Have a safe journey and best of luck."
Green seemed to understand his hesitation, but still said calmly, "See you another time."
Nie Liansheng waved his hand, turned around and left.
From Gangcheng to Yingcheng, Nie Liansheng did not show himself. As instructed by Li Xuewu, he only kept an eye on Banggeng in the dark to make sure nothing happened.
If Banggeng is eighteen years old, Qin Huairu is willing to sacrifice her son, and he will spare no effort to provide strong labor.
But the current situation is different. Li Xuewu hasn't decided to use him yet, so naturally he won't hurt him.
It was Bang Geng who decided to go out and do things; it wasn't me who forced him.
Li Xuewu wanted to show him what it meant to be a gangster by shouting and leading the way.
A person with a toothpick in their mouth in the alley is not a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world), nor is someone who walks around the streets performing martial arts tricks.
Those who survive at the bottom of society, struggle bitterly, and display ruthless courage are the true heroes of the martial arts world.
If there's a way out, who would be the vanguard?
These are Xiaobai's words of advice to Banggeng, and also the words that made Banggeng sit on the kang (heated brick bed) all day thinking.
He ate breakfast, which Ergaizi brought him. He didn't glare at him angrily, nor did he curse.
He calmly accepted the steamed buns and pickled vegetables offered by the other party and ate them with cornmeal porridge.
He already had a big appetite, and being hungry, he ate four steamed buns in one go.
Xiaobai was worried he was eating too much, so she persuaded him to stop.
He ate like that in the morning, and he also ate a lot at noon and in the evening, and he finally survived.
Xiaobai told him a lot, including things that happened on the mountain, things that happened down the mountain, and strange and unusual things.
Just as Xiaobai was telling him about the ups and downs of the martial world, the sound of Ge Lin talking to someone came from the doorway.
Xiao Bai clearly noticed Bang Geng's surprise, but his chatter continued unabated.
He didn't even notice when the door was pushed open, and continued to recount the story of how he had chopped down an entire street back then.
"Do you want to go in and see him?"
"Forget it, let's just leave it at that."
……
Bang Geng already knew who was standing outside the door; he had seen what the person looked like before.
But things are getting more and more complicated. Why did the other party appear in Yingcheng with me?
If that's the case, then why hasn't he seen the other person yet? What is he doing in Yingcheng?
Until the lights were turned off and everyone went to bed at night, Green, who had come to his room, never explained what the little old man who had suddenly appeared and disappeared was doing.
"Xi Yongzhong is dead, and they buried him."
In the darkness, Ge Lin, lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), suddenly spoke, as if talking to himself, or as if sharing the matter with him.
Bang Geng remained silent. After experiencing this, he seemed to have truly become calm and mature.
"There are still some things to settle in Yingcheng. The message has been sent to Gangcheng and Fengcheng."
Green continued, “You can go back to Steel City now, or go to Fengcheng to broaden your horizons.”
"To broaden one's horizons, like this time?"
Bang Geng leaned against the pillow and said in a calm voice, "Or do you want me to go see Xi Yongzhong?"
"It's up to you. Mr. Li hasn't given any specific instructions, so you can go wherever you want."
Green's tone was equally casual and indifferent as he said, "You even want to go back to the capital."
"I didn't miss home, and I didn't miss my mom either."
Banggeng stubbornly said, "I just don't understand why you had to keep it from me."
He tried to hold back, but his trembling voice betrayed him, and his choked tone perfectly conveyed the tears welling up in his eyes.
Half of his pillow was soaked, but he couldn't feel any warmth. Was this the life he wanted?
His brothers call him "Big Brother," but only now does he truly understand how difficult it is to be one.
He wasn't as ruthless as Green.
You'll understand when you grow up.
Green's voice remained calm and even, as if his tone had never changed in his entire life.
Perhaps he had experienced too many life-or-death trials and seen too many demons and monsters, thus cultivating an incomparably strong inner strength.
"I've heard this sentence countless times, but this is the first time it has touched me so deeply."
After a wry smile, Banggeng turned over and looked at Green's large head in the moonlight, asking, "How dare you do that? You just knocked that man's finger."
"This is just my job."
Green turned to look at him and asked, "Are you afraid I'll tap your fingers?"
Banggeng shook his head slightly; he was truly unafraid.
"That's it, because you know I'm not a bad person, I won't do anything reckless."
Green seemed to see him shake his head, and explained, "Of course, I'm not a good person either. Work is work, and you have to do your best."
Where did you go after that?
Banggeng asked curiously, "Xiaobai said you're in Jicheng, who's with you?"
“Cirin, and…”
Ge Lin looked at him for a few seconds before continuing, "Xi Yongzhong and Sun Yongli used to be with us, as well as Zhou Ziqiang who went to Harbin."
"So many people?" Banggeng asked in surprise. "Where is everyone else?"
"You'll have to ask the boss about that."
Green said in a nonchalant tone, "I've been working in Jicheng all along, and that's all I know."
"So you're the one investigating this?"
Banggeng asked curiously, "Just because Xi Yongzhong has been with you for several years?"
"Maybe so. I don't know what the boss is thinking. I just do my job."
Looking at the ceiling, Ge Lin said, "Xi Yongzhong shouldn't have died. He was just too kind."
Why did those people want to kill him?
Banggeng propped himself up and looked at Ge Lin, asking, "Is it because of money? Or because of grudges?"
“Neither.” Green turned to look at him and asked, “Would you repay kindness with enmity?”
-
"You should save those words for explaining to Han Yating and see if she believes them."
Li Xuewu moved the teacup in front of him to a different position and glanced at Ji Weidong sitting opposite him.
Ji Weidong still came. After thinking it over, he decided to come to Gangcheng to see Li Xuewu.
He feared that if he didn't come to Gangcheng this time, he wouldn't have the courage and confidence to meet Li Xuewu next time.
"Of course she wouldn't believe it—"
Ji Weidong said matter-of-factly, "She was known for her sharp eyes when she was in the security department, and you taught her all of that."
Are you blaming me?
Li Xuewu glanced at him and said, "Fine, Director Ji certainly has the right to doubt me."
"If I say I'm innocent, would you believe me?"
Ji Weidong eventually had to face reality. Looking at Li Xuewu with his most innocent eyes, he explained, "I never thought something this big would happen."
"So? How do you intend to explain this?"
Li Xuewu leaned back in his chair, watching him with a leisurely air, giving him a chance to explain.
"Have some fruit, freshly picked grapes."
Zhou Yamei brought in a plate of grapes, glanced at Li Xuewu, and placed the plate on the table.
"Thank you, sister-in-law. You should rest now."
Ji Weidong seized the opportunity, not wanting to miss even the slightest chance to turn things around.
If he could make Li Xuewu somewhat wary of him, it would give him more leverage in his explanation.
Li Xuewu remained unmoved, and Zhou Yamei did not respond to his address. The two did not even exchange glances, both watching his performance.
"Um... is Wen San'er alright?"
After holding it in for a long time, Ji Weidong finally managed to say this.
Li Xuewu curled his lip and said, "How about I call him over, and you two can talk first?"
What do you mean by that?
Ji Weidong got angry and looked at him, emphasizing, "I swear to God, I haven't done anything to betray him. Do you believe me, Li Xuewu!"
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled and looked at him, saying, "You're not even willing to make up a reason, are you?"
You're doubting me—
Ji Weidong spat as he tried to explain, "If I wanted to get rid of him, I wouldn't have risked my life to save him."
"What about Zhang Wanhe? Does he know too much?" Li Xuewu asked, looking into his eyes. "Have you ever said anything like that?"
"Li Wenbiao told you, didn't he?"
Ji Weidong straightened his neck and said, "I don't deny that I said such things, but I'm not a malicious person. You, Li Xuewu, should know that."
"I will not do the thing of 'killing the hunting dog after the cunning rabbit has died'."
He frowned and said, "Zhang Wanhe is the kite in your hand. Why should I cut the kite string? I have no grudge against you."
"That's quite a coincidence—"
Li Xuewu crossed his arms and said, "First, some people said that Wen San was domineering and autocratic in the real estate company, lining his own pockets and squandering money recklessly. Is that true?"
"You're asking me? Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Ji Weidong curled his lip and said, "I'm not going to Hong Kong to be your informant, nor to clean up the messes of your men."
"Why did Oriental Times Bank suddenly check the real estate company's accounts and then quietly leave?"
Li Xuewu frowned and said, "You are the executive director of Oriental Times Bank and the vice president of the real estate company. You don't know about these things?"
“I’m a board member, but I really don’t know any better.”
Ji Weidong explained, "I'm too busy with my own affairs to have time to deal with the affairs of the Oriental Times Bank."
"Yes, I am involved in the management of the real estate company, but it's always Wen San'er who asks me about it."
He frowned and emphasized, "Anyway, he's in Steel City. You can ask him yourself."
"He never called me when he was having a good time, but when something went wrong, it was always my fault."
"One Lai Jiasheng can't accomplish anything."
Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said firmly, "He is a pale-faced scholar."
"You mean there must be a mastermind behind all this?" Ji Weidong asked, looking at him. "Is that a conspiracy theory?"
“You can interpret it however you like,” Li Xuewu said with his head bowed. “Just because I’m not in Hong Kong doesn’t mean I know nothing about it.”
“I know that Wen San’er is a womanizer in Hong Kong, but that’s no reason for him to be beheaded.”
"He ultimately tripped up by a woman's belly, that's an indisputable fact."
Ji Weidong haphazardly grabbed a grape and stuffed it into his mouth, saying, "What happened that night was very strange."
"I was supposed to go to a social event at a tycoon's, but my right eyelid kept twitching, so I didn't dare to go out."
"Hmm, you're bringing up metaphysics again, aren't you?" Li Xuewu glanced at him and said, "Fine, as long as you can explain it."
"How many times do I have to tell you before you believe me? I really didn't scheme against Wen San'er."
Ji Weidong spread his hands and emphasized, "I have no grudge against him, and I have no intention of interfering in the real estate business. I'm too busy with my own affairs."
"what do you mean--"
Li Xuewu squinted at him and asked, "Is there something wrong with Oriental Times Bank?"
"Or rather—" he asked suspiciously, "Did Lou Xiao'e do this?"
"I didn't say that—"
Ji Weidong waved his hand and said, "You have a brother in Hong Kong, you can ask him about anything."
"I'm here to see you today only to talk about my own affairs, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."
He put his hands down and said seriously, "I admit that I don't like Wen San'er's style, and I don't want him to attract attention and use despicable means to run the real estate business, but I guarantee that I have never done anything underhanded to him."
"I can't be suspected of doing it just because I saved him, that would be too unfair to me."
"So you don't deny that you knew Wen San'er was in danger all along, but chose to stand by and watch?"
Li Xuewu shook his chin and said, "Did Lou Xiao'e also discover that Lai Jiasheng had a problem a long time ago?"
Didn't I warn him?
Ji Weidong tilted his head and said, "Call him over now. I dare to say this to his face. Ask me how many times I've reminded him."
"Does he even care about me?"
Ji Weidong patted his knee and said, "That's your brother, not mine. How much deeper can I go about it?"
"I don't want to see him because I feel guilty, but because I feel there's no need to escalate the conflict further."
He spread his hands and said, "I discovered the problem a long time ago, but before the problem arose, did you trust me or your own brother?"
"Or perhaps you should trust the husband of the woman in your bed. Do you think I'm being too harsh by saying this? But what do you expect Lou Xiao'e to think?"
"You think I'm that kind of person?"
Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "Did you bring Lai Jiasheng back? Let him go see Wu Shuping."
(End of this chapter)