Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 109: A Difficult Path Ahead
The phone rang again, its sound echoing in the room. It lay on the floor in front of Shen Lingchen, the caller being Zhang Jun. Shen Lingchen's finger twitched, but he did not answer Xiao Mu's call. He shook his head, and Guo Wei understood the cue, heading to the bathroom to pull out the trembling Zhang Jun, warning him, "Do you know what to say?"
Zhang Jun, terrified into silence, nodded quickly.
After a mix of instructions and threats, Guo Wei pressed the phone to Zhang Jun's ear. A rough voice came through, "What the hell are you doing? Why haven't you answered your phone?"
"Brother Qing, I was just busy," Zhang Jun replied as instructed.
"You idiot, you're going to get yourself killed one day," the voice retorted.
Shen Lingchen gestured; he was holding Zhang Jun tightly with one hand while the other was poised to cover his mouth. With a signal, Zhang Jun asked, "What's up, Brother Qing? Need help? I'm free right now."
"Nothing important, just keep smoking until you drop dead," the caller said before abruptly hanging up.
The strange call left even suspect Zhang Jun confused, but Shen Lingchen was more certain than ever that it was a test call. He pushed Zhang Jun back into the bathroom and met Guo Wei coming out. "Master, they didn't notice anything, right?"
"No, let's pinpoint Xiao Mu's location... and check where this call originated from... Also, find out where those two idiots under him are," Shen Lingchen instructed.
Guan Yiqing quickly redialed and reported several numbers back. Soon after, location information was sent via text message. Upon seeing it, he nearly bit his tongue in shock; the location indicated that Xiao Mu's phone number was in the same place as the one that had just called—almost overlapping.
"He’s been controlled again," Shen Lingchen said wearily as he sat down. Guan Yiqing continued reporting, "Master, it's strange; those two idiots are in the Fifth Squad of the Criminal Police."
"What? What's going on?" Guo Wei was bewildered.
"Forget about them for now. Xiao Mu's situation is very delicate; local police consider him a suspect and will arrest him sooner or later. The criminal gang also hasn't ruled out his involvement but can't find any evidence. That call just now must have been... looking for a flaw. We need to proceed carefully."
Shen Lingchen said as he handed the phone to Guan Yiqing...
In a speeding business car, a man sat in the darkness, holding a phone in one hand. He was dialing the number of Xiao Mu, going through the call log one by one. Each time a call connected, a respectful voice would answer:
"Brother Mu, what’s up?"
"Wood Master, what arrangements do you have?"
"Wood Master, is there something you need me to do?"
"Brother Mu, what’s going on at this hour? Feeling lonely? Should I send a couple of girls over?"
"Wood Master..."
Hearing this, the co-driver was puzzled and muttered to himself, "Wow, it’s only been a few days, and he’s already become such a big shot. He’s got everyone calling him 'Sir.'"
"Are you done yet?" the driver asked; it was Nie Qifeng's voice.
"There are a few numbers that didn’t connect; they are..." He listed off several numbers.
"Those are acquaintances—Old Cripple's two idiots. Where's that 137 number from?" Nie Qifeng inquired.
"Suzhou and Hangzhou," the caller replied.
"Dial it again," Nie Qifeng instructed.
He redialed the number, and this time it connected. He remained silent as the caller on the other end was a woman who immediately asked, "Brother Mu, did you remember me? Hey, why are you acting all high and mighty? Speak up! Hello? Are you dead? Hello…"
Click. The caller hung up and muttered in frustration, "What an annoying person."
The car came to a sudden stop, parked by the roadside. Nie Qifeng pulled out his phone, sent a text message, and continued on his way.
In the dimly lit cabin, someone asked, "Brother Nie, I heard Panzi got into trouble?"
"He's done for. What’s it to you? Do you want to go see him?" Tongs replied.
"Done for" meant he had been caught by the police. The cabin fell silent for a moment before someone asked, "Then why did they call us back?"
"Yeah, if Panzi is done for, aren't we just walking into a trap?" another person chimed in.
"But Panzi got caught because of a woman... Besides, the more dangerous the place, the safer it is. If you want to join in on the fun but are scared, you can leave now," Nie Qifeng said calmly.
Everyone in this group was involved in illegal activities; there were no cowards among them. After his words hung in the air for a long time, no one dared to question further.
………………………
………………………
Rong Wu gently set down his phone and smiled at Xiao Mu. They held each other's gaze for a good five minutes. Xiao Mu felt uneasy; when he saw that smile reappear on Rong Wu's face, he felt a weight lift off his heart.
Fortunately, he hadn’t noticed. Shen Lingchen was a slippery character but usually manageable.
"Are you interested in taking a walk with me?" Rong Wu invited, giving an expression that left no room for refusal.
Xiao Mu began to feel apprehensive; he was genuinely intimidated now. This was a gang that might be heavily involved in serious crimes, far different from what he had imagined about the Hideout.
Feeling anxious, Rong Wu smiled and pulled him along. "I won’t force you; it’s just a walk. Let’s go."
Xiao Mu followed him out of the room. It was an unremarkable little inn. As they stepped outside, they were greeted by a sky full of stars—a rare good night. Checking the time, it was already close to midnight. Xiao Mu cautiously said, "Brother Wu, about your sister... I'm sorry... Should we talk about it another day? I... I..."
"Go ahead, speak freely," Rong Wu said with a smile.
"I'm just getting by here. If not, I might as well stick around. If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll make it happen," Xiao Mu replied, preparing to play both sides. He thought to himself that it would be best if no one stirred up trouble.
"Haha," Rong Wu chuckled. "You're doing quite well for yourself, collecting protection fees for the relevant departments, haha, even organizing extortion at shopping spots... What else? The area around Zhengmin Road is practically your territory now... Haha, I can hardly believe it; with a simple turn of events, you've taken care of everything concerning Ma Yubing and the others."
"Just wait for Lame Brother to come back; doesn't that give us a place to regroup?" Xiao Mu deflected.
"Wrong. They left and dispersed their people intentionally to turn this place into a chaotic zone. Soon enough, small gangs will rise up, fighting over profits, and the police will be drawn to them. They'll quickly be forgotten... And you, foolishly gathering all their people back together, haven't you thought about how all their accounts will fall on you? At the very least, the police will keep an eye on you until they find your weakness and take you down," Rong Wu said lightly.
This had already reached a high level of insight. Xiao Mu pondered; this line of thinking was well-intentioned. This ragtag group wouldn't last long. He glanced at Rong Wu unexpectedly and felt that there was some sincerity in his words, making him think that this person was somewhat decent.
"Do you agree with what I'm saying?" Rong Wu asked.
"Yes, you're right," Xiao Mu replied.
"Thank you. Some people know what's right but don't stick to it or get blinded by profit. They mistake your goodwill for ulterior motives. They've become so rich that they've forgotten about danger; it's true what they say: 'Born from worry, die in comfort,'" Rong Wu said with a smile as he put his arm around Xiao Mu like an elder or a wise man—though more accurately, he was preparing to lead him onto a treacherous path like a Pioneer.
Up until now, Xiao Mu hadn't realized how much he had gained favor. Indeed, he had been very low-key, just wanting to make some money and leave without treating this as a career. He had never lacked money before; now he only lacked cash. Xiao Mu was no longer as pure as when he was a Red Line Informant in the Pyramid Scheme.
They walked in silence down the street—was it just a stroll? Certainly not. The true intent was something Xiao Mu was trying to decipher but couldn't quite grasp. After a moment, Rong Wu changed the subject: "It seems you don't like this way of talking... How about we discuss the future?"
"Does someone like me even have a future?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Whether you have one or not needs to be fought for. Do you remember when you guessed about me? You really surprised me with some of your guesses," Rong Wu said.
Xiao Mu felt embarrassed and replied, "I was just making random guesses."
"No, you guessed quite accurately, especially regarding my father... Haha, do you know what he does?" Rong Wu asked.
"This is really hard to guess," Xiao Mu said humbly. That was a Death Row Inmate, likely a source of concern for Rong Wu.
"He used to be a thief, living off stealing. He has a saying: if I get caught stealing, then I'm committing a crime; if I don't get caught, then it's just earned income... What do you think of that?" Rong Wu asked.
Nonsense, Xiao Mu thought. "Any income requires effort, even if it's labeled as illegal."
"Exactly. On this point, we share the same view. You should consider your future more seriously. You don't belong to this world. I think you're already prepared to leave at any moment, right?" Rong Wu inquired.
Xiao Mu's heart skipped a beat as he looked at him nervously. Damn it, how could his actions be seen through by someone else? Even Shen Lingchen had been kept in the dark about this, so how did Rong Wu know?
"Don't be surprised. You can reach this conclusion if you think about it. Life for you seems more like a way to retaliate against mediocrity rather than a means of survival. Perhaps you're tired of that glamorous lifestyle filled with excess and indulgence," Rong Wu said.
On this point, both seemed to resonate with each other. Xiao Mu smiled and said, "Yeah, sometimes I wake up alone at night and deeply loathe the person in the mirror. I can see everything around me clearly, yet I can't figure out what kind of person I truly am."
"Right. For most people, when they lack money, money becomes the meaning of life; when they have enough money, life loses its meaning. We're all searching for that layer of meaning in being alive... Unfortunately, what we find doesn't seem to be correct," Rong Wu remarked.
Xiao Mu chuckled and said, "So I want to change my environment and look again."
"But everything comes at a price; it's not that easy to escape everything. I want to help you, but I wonder if that might lead to misunderstandings?" Rong Wu asked as he stopped and looked at Xiao Mu, as if seeking his opinion.
Xiao Mu smiled and countered, "Is there also a price for that?"
"Yes. I'm quite stingy and rarely lend a helping hand. Most of the time, I don't think someone is worth my help," Rong Wu replied with a smile, looking at Xiao Mu with interest.
"What do you want to help me with?" Xiao Mu asked.
"In two ways. The first is this card; it has some money on it—not much—just take it and leave," Rong Wu said as he pulled out a bank card, pinching it between his fingers and offering it to Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu hesitated to take it, staring in disbelief as Rong Wu smiled and added, "Don't doubt my intentions. I don't want to see you playing with fire; street business is the most dangerous. If you stay in that whirlpool too long, no one can remain unscathed. Your fate here will only get worse—either you'll be betrayed and hunted down by your peers or caught by the police and thrown into prison."
Xiao Mu was stunned, suddenly feeling quite embarrassed. Rong Wu was genuinely looking out for him. So he wondered—how could it be that the police led him into a pit of fire while these people were trying to pull him out? It was too illogical.
"Look, I just said that there will always be someone who doubts your goodwill and sees it as ulterior motives. Have you been on guard against me all this time?" Rong Wu asked with a smile.
"No free lunch; I wouldn't dare to take it," Xiao Mu replied.
"We are quite similar in some ways. Sympathy, pity, and charity are insults to people like us. However, I still want to give you a piece of advice: don't linger in this chaotic environment... Yes, you've done well. Parking fees, sanitation fees, protection fees, and hush money—all wrapped in a legal guise. I understand your intentions; perhaps you can't bear to see those rascals you interact with daily go hungry. But have you considered that human greed far exceeds the benefits you can provide them? Do you really expect everyone to play by the rules?" Rong Wu questioned.
He pointed out the flaws in Xiao Mu's design model directly—it could rise but not last long. These loose organizations, combined with these rabble, would inevitably lead to an uncontrollable outcome, just like how Big Gourd and Erhu Lu were quickly arrested after he left for just a few days.
Rong Wu continued with a smile, "Do you know how my father died? He got impatient being a thief, complained about slow earnings, and went robbing with others. In the end, he was shot dead... Believe me, no matter how strong one's self-control is, they may not be able to suppress their inner greed. Even if you can, it doesn't mean everyone else can."
Xiao Mu was at a loss for words. In front of him stood a master criminal who had thoroughly rebutted him. Xiao Mu awkwardly said, "Thank you, Brother Wu."
"You're welcome. You must have heard about Brother Five, right? The fifth in one, two, three, four, five," Rong Wu asked.
"I've heard Lame Brother and Ma Ye talk about him," Xiao Mu replied.
"Do you think it's me?" Rong Wu asked.
Xiao Mu nodded but then shook his head again. Rong Wu curiously probed further as Xiao Mu explained, "A symbol or a legend always inspires others."
Just like the legendary golden boy or ghost hand in stock trading; or the godfather of pyramid schemes. Every profession has its myths; they are essential for motivating future generations. Rong Wu smiled and said, "Exactly. Understanding this layer makes you extraordinary. In fact, anyone can be Brother Five. For example, in the eyes of Old Cripple and Panzi, the Brother Five who saved them isn't just one person. Many believe I am Brother Five, but who knows that in my eyes, there is also a Brother Five... This leads me to my second choice: I'll give you an opportunity to be Brother Five for once."
"Huh? I... can't do that," Xiao Mu exclaimed in shock. If it meant breaking into places like those gangsters did to steal, it would be too much for him.
"What you're lacking is skill, and skill is the most basic level. It's like what they say about the sharpness of a blade; the sharpness is skill while the essence is understanding—one is technique and the other is principle. There are many with extraordinary skills; however, those who grasp the principle are rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns," Rong Wu explained.
"I don't feel that way; do I really have principles?" Xiao Mu was stunned; he hadn't expected such high praise of himself.
"Believe me, your ability to recognize talent and delegate tasks is unmatched. You could even get those fools under Old Cripple to steal something back; gathering all the lost people from Suzhou and Hangzhou under your command in just a few days is already remarkable. Even if Ma Yubing and his crew returned, they probably couldn't reach that level... I'm even a bit curious: you're not from this world and don't quite understand its rules yet manage to navigate through it so adeptly—how do you do it?" Rong Wu asked with curiosity.
"Ha ha, you probably won't believe this, but during my ten years abroad, I moved houses and changed schools more often than I changed clothes. Every unfamiliar environment had its own little cliques, some people who were hostile towards you, some who coveted what you had, and others who just took pleasure in your misfortune. If you don't keep your wits about you, it can be quite disastrous, especially among the blonde-haired, blue-eyed crowd or a group of black folks. A yellow-skinned Chinese person doesn't have any superiority," Xiao Mu said with a smile, vaguely explaining his adaptability.
Rong Wu chuckled and patted his shoulder in comfort, asking with a smile, "I understand. We have much in common. After my father passed away when I was still a minor and my sister was young, I had to live through the disdainful gazes of others since my teenage years. Perhaps I have a deeper understanding than you do. What we share is a rejection of mediocrity, and it was forced upon us. The only difference is that I've suffered a bit more... Oh, I'm sorry."
Just then, the phone rang. Rong Wu smiled apologetically and answered it. As he listened to the voice on the other end, his calm demeanor faded. "President Wang, I understand. You wouldn't be calling me at this hour just to ask for more stock, would you? Have I borrowed money from you... Alright, alright, I have something to attend to outside; let's talk tomorrow."
He hung up the phone and put it away, giving Xiao Mu an awkward smile. "See? Even the rich have their troubles."
Xiao Mu smiled sheepishly and didn't dare to respond. At that moment, Rong Wu stopped and looked at him with a smile. "Now you can make a choice. Trust me; don’t stay here any longer; you'll regret it."
"But I really can't," Xiao Mu said hesitantly.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you! I'll give you a group of talented individuals to accompany you on an exhilarating journey of rejecting mediocrity. Ha ha, it'll be much more thrilling than gathering this bunch of misfits," Rong Wu replied with a grin.
"Is it dangerous?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Of course! But the danger won't fall on you; you'll need to use your brain instead of your hands... It won't be harder than stealing luggage at the airport," Rong Wu said.
This means... going to be a thief? And even leading them? Xiao Mu looked at Rong Wu with difficulty—should he accept or decline?
Accepting would likely lead to disaster; declining seemed like an invitation to leave. He inhaled sharply, his mouth making a thudding sound as he struggled to make up his mind. Just then, Rong Wu smiled and glanced behind them as a car slowly pulled up not far away. At that moment, Rong Wu slid a bank card into Xiao Mu's front pocket and told him compassionately, "Looks like I overestimated you. Take this money and go; there's fifty thousand inside—enough for you to get by for a while. This is all I can do for you after our acquaintance; take care of yourself from now on."
Slowly putting his hand in his pocket, he turned around and walked toward the car.
In that instant, Xiao Mu closed his eyes and recalled the hardships he faced upon arriving in Suzhou and Hangzhou—the terror of being stuffed into a suitcase for an entire night—and the painful tears shed over Xu Gang's disappearance. And then... the aimlessness of returning to a mediocre life. He bit his lip hard as he watched Rong Wu bend down to get into the car and inexplicably called out, "Brother Five!"
Rong Wu hesitated for a moment before turning back with a smile. "Are you coming along?"
Xiao Mu quickly stepped forward and returned the card to Rong Wu with seriousness in his tone. "I don't accept charity."
Rong Wu looked at him, and Xiao Mu added, "However, I can accept an opportunity like this."
"Not only is there an opportunity, but there's also a large sum of money—one job could earn you what you'd make in a year here." Rong Wu smiled as he opened the car door. Xiao Mu bent down and took a seat in the back.
The driver was Li Derli, who remained silent as they drove straight to the dock. Rong Wu pointed to the waiting boat, and Xiao Mu rushed toward the pier, stepping onto the gangplank to board. It seemed they had been waiting for him; in the darkness, several figures were silhouetted. As soon as Xiao Mu boarded, a horn sounded, and they set off away from the shore.
"Xiao Wu, is he capable?" Li Derli asked while driving, rubbing his head as if he had a slight toothache. This person seemed a bit inexperienced to him.
"He's a genius when it comes to crime—he has a unique perspective and clever ideas. If we keep him here in Suzhou and Hangzhou for too long, he'll dig up Old Cripple's secrets before we know it," Rong Wu replied, his tone shifting.
"You’re a genius too for managing to convince him to do this," Li Derli remarked.
"No, I didn't convince him; he doesn't even know what he's getting into. People like him have a strong aversion to mediocrity. What he craves is adventure and excitement; I merely nudged him in that direction. As for what happens next..." Rong Wu chuckled slowly, "Once he's on that boat, it's out of his hands."
"I hope he helps us avoid this disaster. I'm on edge every day," Li Derli said.
"As long as Brother Five is around, we are safe. His life is worth more than ours; why are you worried? Let's go," Rong Wu replied.
The car made a turn and headed toward the coastal highway. At that moment, the sea stretched dark and vast before them; the dim yellow light of the mast was no longer visible...
Comment 0 Comment Count