Chapter 37: Sleepless Zhou Fan
"A year ago, I received intel on the ultimate treasure, the Bodhi Heart…"
Zhou Fan blew out a smoke ring and looked out the window, a flicker of reminiscence in his eyes…
"What a damn bastard, betraying his own brother! People like that should be killed on sight!" After Zhou Fan finished his brief account, the men cursed in unison. Qian Rong even slammed his fist forward, nearly shattering the car window.
"Boss, what are you planning to do next? Are you just going to keep living like this? Don't you want revenge?" Qian Rong hesitated for a moment before voicing the question on his mind.
Instantly, Fan also turned to look at Zhou Fan, ignoring the pain in his body.
"Revenge? What revenge? I was ambushed and injured, and I still haven't recovered. I can only use about half my strength!" Zhou Fan rolled down the car window, letting the night wind blow in as he spoke softly. "Besides, I have a wife, a home, and money now. Life is pretty good!"
The night wind brushed against his face. Under the passing streetlights, Zhou Fan's expression flickered between light and shadow, making it impossible to read.
Although Zhou Fan said as much, he sighed helplessly in his heart. 'It's not that I don't trust you guys. It's just that my plan isn't ready yet. I can't let anyone know for the time being.'
"Since the boss has chosen a quiet life, we'll follow him and live a quiet life too. We've been fighting and killing out there for so many years, it's about time we enjoyed ourselves a little!" Qian Rong shook his head at his two brothers who were about to speak, then turned to Zhou Fan with a smile.
"You can't be serious. All four of you are staying in Nanjiang City? Four heavy-hitters… Nanjiang City is my jurisdiction, don't cause trouble for me. How am I supposed to believe you guys are going to live 'a quiet life'?"
Fan looked like he was about to have a breakdown. While he and Zhou Fan were like brothers, that was all contingent on them not crossing each other's lines. The Nether King of Weizhen International, living in his territory with three powerful subordinates… he wouldn't be able to sleep at night just thinking about it.
"You three can find jobs on your own. Don't think about using me to pull any strings. My wife's company only hires top-tier talent!"
"Boss, you're underestimating us, aren't you? What company does your wife run? We'll go apply tomorrow!"
Zhou Fan and his men chatted on as if no one else was there, completely ignoring Fan's pleas.
The moment Zhou Fan got out of the car and started walking toward his villa, the car fell silent.
"Do you really believe what your boss said?" Fan asked in a low voice. "From what I know, he's not the type to stay quiet. Besides, he killed a lot of people just a few days ago. If I hadn't kept a lid on it, headquarters would've sent investigators long ago."
"It doesn't matter. If the boss wants revenge, we'll fight our way back with him. If he wants peace, then we'll be peaceful," Qian Rong said with a smile. "Just stop when we get to the city. We three brothers will find a place to stay."
When Zhou Fan got home, Lao San and the others left right away, not wanting to disturb him.
"Honey, why are you still up?"
As soon as he walked into the villa, he saw Chu Yan in her pajamas, sitting on the sofa working on her laptop. It was already past midnight.
"I still had a lot of work to do for the company, so I figured I'd get it done while I waited for you to get back." Chu Yan closed her laptop, trotted into the kitchen, and came out with a bowl of soup, which she handed to Zhou Fan. "Here, try it! I followed a recipe. They said online that it's good for helping injuries heal!"
"Honey, what kind of soup is this?" Looking at the murky, black liquid in his hands, Zhou Fan had the sudden, desperate urge to flee.
"It's pork rib and corn soup! Go on, try it. I started simmering it right after you left!" Chu Yan's big, bright eyes sparkled with anticipation as she watched Zhou Fan.
"It's delicious! I never knew my wife's cooking was this amazing!" Zhou Fan drained the bowl in one go, a blissful smile spreading across his face as he gave Chu Yan a thumbs-up.
"As long as you like it! You sit here and rest, there's more in the kitchen!" Hearing Zhou Fan's satisfied reply, Chu Yan beamed like a happy little girl and took the bowl back to the kitchen.
Zhou Fan collapsed onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling, utterly speechless. 'What have I done to deserve this? Who on earth makes pork rib and corn soup that's pitch-black?'
'And how can a soup be bitter, salty, and nauseating all at the same time?'
Seeing Chu Yan emerge with another heaping bowl of soup, Zhou Fan repeated a mantra in his head: 'For the stability of my family, for the harmony of society… I'll do it!'
Facing a mere bowl of soup, Zhou Fan summoned the same grit he'd use to fight an army of foes.
When Chu Yan woke up the next day, she looked at Zhou Fan, who had been tossing and turning all night, running to the bathroom again and again. Her face was filled with guilt and remorse.
But Zhou Fan could have sworn he saw a flicker of schadenfreude deep in Chu Yan's eyes. 'What's that all about?'
"Oh, don't look at me like that! It just means I need more practice, that's all!" Chu Yan tried her best to hold back a laugh, wrapping her arms around Zhou Fan's and acting cute as they headed to the company together.
The moment Zhou Fan reached the entrance to the sales department, he noticed the atmosphere felt off.