Chapter 507 - 507: The Overly Familiar Da Fei
The men from the Fierce Tiger Gang present here had been consistently defeated by the Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang over the past few days, reaching a point of extreme hatred towards members of both gangs.
What Chen Laojiu had just shouted essentially represented everyone's sentiments—they all wanted to fight the members of Fu Bang to the death. However, Pi Junchao's actions greatly disappointed everyone present. Although Chen Laojiu's actions were certainly incorrect, he was, after all, a member of the Fierce Tiger Gang, and his son had been injured; his impulses were somewhat understandable.
Yet, not only did Pi Junchao fail to support Chen Laojiu, but he also rebuked and even slapped him in such a scenario. This was not what a leader should be doing!
Seeing that no one made a move, Pi Junchao grew even angrier and roared, "Throw him out!"
Finally, a few of Pi Junchao's confidants escorted Chen Laojiu out of the meeting room. It was then that Yue Gaoyang let out a cold laugh and said, "I thought the Fierce Tiger Gang had no rules left, huh, this seems more like it. Wise Nephew Pi, you've done well; I appreciate it. You will definitely have what it takes to inherit your father's mantle!"
Pi Junchao's father had originally been the founder of the Fierce Tiger Gang, and Yue Gaoyang's words seemed to be praising Pi Junchao, but they were actually mocking him. Because the current Fierce Tiger Gang was essentially an empty shell; even if Pi Junchao became the Gang Leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, what of it?
Pi Junchao furrowed his brows, his voice grave as he said, "Gang Leader Yue, stop with the pointless talk. We should discuss our issues properly today. Although Fu Bang is powerful, we of the Fierce Tiger Gang are not necessarily afraid of you."
"Really?" Yue Gaoyang gave a light smile and said, "If you're not afraid of us, why bother talking? Let's just keep fighting then!"
While speaking, Yue Gaoyang turned to Ye Qing, bowed slightly, and smiled, "Mr. Ye, as you can see, it's not that we refuse to talk, they simply have no intention to negotiate. But rest assured, Mr. Ye, I promise that everything will be resolved in a couple of days; I won't make it difficult for Director Zhao. It's getting late, my wife has simmered some soup, and I should head home to have some!"
Ye Qing smiled faintly and said, "Gang Leader Yue, perhaps you could wait a moment. Gang Leader Shangguan is still on his way; if you leave now and he arrives afterward, wouldn't it be a missed opportunity?"
Yue Gaoyang laughed and said, "No worries, if he arrives, just tell him I've gone home for some soup, and we can talk another day. Gang Leader Shangguan and I are good friends; he surely won't be upset."
"Gang Leader Shangguan might be your friend, but I'm not," Ye Qing slowly stood up, walked towards the members of Fu Bang, and said, "Gang Leader Yue, since I've declared today a day for negotiations, it's best if we finish talking before anyone leaves. Your sudden departure doesn't sit well with me!"
Yue Gaoyang's brow creased slightly. From the time he had been invited by Ye Qing until just a moment ago, Ye Qing had always maintained a calm and mediator-like demeanor. But now, Ye Qing suddenly changed his tone, even threatening him. Could it be that Ye Qing was truly preparing to support the Fierce Tiger Gang?
Yue Gaoyang chuckled to himself; if Ye Qing really intended to support the Fierce Tiger Gang, they would welcome it. The Fierce Tiger Gang now only had a few venues left, just a hollow shell. If Ye Qing were to absorb the remaining members of the Fierce Tiger Gang, he would face big troubles afterward. First, the money he earned would likely all have to be spent on these people. Moreover, between the former members of the Fierce Tiger Gang and Ye Qing, it remained a question of who would be the leader.
The reason the Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang had teamed up and taken over so many of the Fierce Tiger Gang's venues was precisely for this result—to leave the remnants of the Fierce Tiger Gang with nowhere to turn. There were only two possible outcomes: either the Fierce Tiger Gang would disband, or Ye Qing would absorb it. If Ye Qing absorbed the Fierce Tiger Gang, with his current manpower, it was impossible to assimilate them properly. And with Ye Qing's assertive nature, inevitable conflicts with the former members of the Fierce Tiger Gang would keep him busy enough without any interference from the Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang!
Last night, since Ye Qing's position was unclear, Li Wenyuan had sent Yue Gaoyang to gauge his intentions. Ye Qing's attitude delighted Yue Gaoyang; it seemed their plan was successful, and Ye Qing truly intended to swallow up the shell of the Fierce Tiger Gang. How could the members of the Fierce Tiger Gang led by Pi Junchao willingly submit to Ye Qing?
"Since Mr. Ye has put it that way, it would indeed be rude for me to leave now!" Yue Gaoyang said with a light smile, "There are faces one can refuse, but I must respect Mr. Ye, don't you agree?"
Yue Gaoyang then sat down beside the table, immediately adopting a calm demeanor as if truly honoring Ye Qing. Pi Junchao watched, utterly bewildered; he couldn't fathom what Yue Gaoyang was thinking. He had arrived so assertively, yet at Ye Qing's mere word, he had switched to being deferential—was he really that afraid of Ye Qing? It didn't make sense!
Ye Qing smiled faintly and did not say much more. He was well aware of what Yue Gaoyang was thinking. However, he had gathered these people tonight precisely for this matter.
With Yue Gaoyang settled and waiting, the others naturally had nothing else to say, so they returned to their respective seats and began to chat idly.
Outside, Chen Laojiu was being carried out by people, his heart burning with frustration. Luckily, Ye Qing had arranged separate rooms for them, and Chen Laojiu, together with a few of his men, paced back and forth in his private room, seething with anger, yet unable to do anything. With just a few people, he couldn't even get close to Yue Gaoyang, let alone take revenge. What made him even angrier was that Pi Junchao wasn't supporting him.
"Fuck, what kind of bastard is he to act all high and mighty!" Chen Laojiu fumed as he sat on the couch, grabbing a wine bottle from the table and throwing it, cursing, "This bastard Pi Junchao, daring to hit me in front of so many people, does he really think he's the Gang Leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang?"
His underlings watched Chen Laojiu; they were also quite displeased. After all, their boss had been slapped twice by Pi Junchao in public, and that would bother anyone.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. The underlings looked at Chen Laojiu, who slightly furrowed his brows and waved his hand, signaling one of them to open the door.
Da Fei poked his head in from the doorway and said with a smile, "Brother Jiu, I just heard something break in here, everything alright?"
"It's nothing!" Chen Laojiu waved his hand impatiently, thinking something had happened.
"Good to hear!" Da Fei laughed, "Our Eldest Brother instructed that we're mainly here to negotiate today. To prevent any accidents, he specifically instructed us to stay nearby and ensure everyone's safety. Oh, Brother Jiu, how did you spill your drink? Waiter, come over here and clean up the room, and bring over my stored wine while you're at it."
As he spoke, Da Fei entered the room very familiarly and laughed, "Brother Jiu, why smash things when you're upset? Come on, let's have a few drinks. We're all men here, what can't we get over?"
Chen Laojiu looked at Da Fei, astonished. This guy was way too familiar; Chen Laojiu hadn't even allowed it, and he had already come in and greeted all of Chen Laojiu's underlings. After all, he was Ye's man, so Chen Laojiu couldn't just kick him out. Soon enough, a waiter actually brought over a few bottles of good wine.
Da Fei draped an arm around Chen Laojiu's shoulder, as if they were brothers, and they drank three glasses in a row. It was then that Chen Laojiu came back to his senses and looked at Da Fei curiously, saying, "Hey, buddy, I don't even know your name yet?"
"I'm Da Fei!" Da Fei laughed, "Brother Jiu, you probably haven't heard my name. But, I've heard about you. You lived in Shangling Town as a kid, right?"
"How do you know that?" Chen Laojiu asked, amazed.
"I lived in Eryao Town!" Da Fei laughed, "Shangling Town and Eryao Town are so close, and we pretty much know everything that happens there. I've heard about Brother Jiu since I was a kid; you were definitely a big figure there. Later, I heard you moved to Shenchuan City to grow your business, and you did quite well. Brother, I've idolized you since I was a kid, dreaming that I, too, could make it big in Shenchuan City."
Hearing this made Chen Laojiu sigh and say, "Brother, I won't lie to you. Others may think I've had a glamorous few years, but I've been fucking miserable. Take last night, for instance, my brother was chopped and his arm severed, and my son, who isn't even twelve, was stabbed twice and is still in the hospital."
"That happened?" Da Fei's eyes widened in shock, saying, "I heard from Eldest Brother that recently, people from Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang have not been too friendly with the Fierce Tiger Gang. But in this line of work, troubles should never reach the family; how could they have hurt your brother and son? The worst fucking part is, your son is only twelve years old. What kind of person does that?"
Chen Laojiu felt as if he had found a confidant in Da Fei and began to share his troubles. Da Fei, listening by his side, was filled with indignant rage, especially angry at the ruthless actions of Fu Bang and the lack of support from Pi Junchao.
After a long conversation and the wine bottle emptied, Da Fei, with his arm around Chen Laojiu's shoulder, indignantly said, "Fucking hell, the one thing I hate most in this life is people who bully kids. I follow Ye because I really respect him for this. Brother Jiu, we're our own, your problems are my problems. Fucking hell, if Pi Junchao won't help you, I will!"
"Forget it," Chen Laojiu waved his hand, "Fu Bang is too powerful; I see no hope in getting revenge. Brother, having listened to all I had to say, I already feel much better. Fucking hell, if anything happens to my son, even if it costs me my life, I'll tear Fu Bang apart in an all-out fight to the end!"
"Brother Jiu, it's wrong to talk like that," Da Fei shook his head, "Revenge requires careful planning and timing, not just reckless fighting. Listen to me, if anything happens, I will help you!"