Chapter 508 - 508: 508
After a few drinks, Chen Laojiu was also a bit drunk, and his mind wasn't as clear. Listening to Da Fei's words, he had no guard up at all, instead looking at Da Fei, he said, "What strategies and timing? The Fu Bang is so powerful, with so many people, where can we find strategies and timing?"
"With perseverance, opportunities will always arise for those who seek them!" Da Fei said with a smile while picking up his drink, "Come on, Brother Jiu, let's have another!"
Chen Laojiu waved his hand, "Ah, no way, I've had too much to drink, if I drink any more, I'll need to go to the bathroom."
"Then just go, after all, they aren't letting you into the meeting right now, don't worry about it too much." Da Fei said, "If worse comes to worst, I'll help you to the restroom later."
"Really?" Chen Laojiu looked at Da Fei with a touched expression, "With what you've just said, brother, what else is there to say, drink up, come on, let's keep drinking!"
The two once again started to clink glasses and drink in their private room, while in the meeting room, Shangguan Qing finally arrived late. Unlike Yue Gaoyang, he didn't apologize at all upon entering; he just casually took a seat at the table and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's start talking about whatever there is to discuss!"
The members of the Fierce Tiger Gang looked at Shangguan Qing indignantly. When Yue Gaoyang came in, at least he said a few words of courtesy. Shangguan Qing simply didn't regard anyone else as worth noticing. Moreover, many of the members' territories had been snatched by the Tianqing Gang, and now their looks were filled with hatred. However, after Chen Laojiu's earlier incident, nobody dared to lose their temper so casually, worried that Pi Junchao wouldn't give them face either.
"No hurry," Ye Qing said with a faint smile, "Today, we're just here to talk, there's no other implication. Let's not make the atmosphere too tense. Everyone, have some tea first, let's chat slowly."
"What's there to drink? My time is valuable, there's no need to waste it on trash like these," Shangguan Qing said, casting a disdainful glance at the Fierce Tiger Gang members.
"What the hell, who are you calling trash?" the Fierce Tiger Gang members were instantly infuriated, with the more hot-tempered ones starting to shout.
"Bastard, if you dare, let's have a one-on-one fight outside, I'll fucking kill you!"
"What the fuck are you? Think you're the richest man in the world with such precious time?"
The Fierce Tiger Gang members kept shouting, and Pi Junchao frowned tightly, looking coldly at Shangguan Qing. As the Eldest Brother, of course, he couldn't speak up at this moment, but his stance was quite clear.
"Hmph!" Shangguan Qing let out a cold laugh, turning to Ye Qing and said, "Mr. Ye, you see, they're obviously not ready to talk. Well, we all mix in the underworld based on our own abilities. I think there's no need for this talk, let's just see whose methods are tougher."
With that, Shangguan Qing kicked his chair forward and said, "Mr. Ye, I'm sorry, but I'll be taking my leave now!"
Yue Gaoyang sat leisurely at the table, sipping his tea as if everything had nothing to do with him. He knew Shangguan Qing's temperament; the man was explosive and was bound to cause a scene upon arriving. Yue Gaoyang was here precisely to see how Ye Qing would handle the situation and to understand his stance.
"Gang Leader Shangguan, this matter is primarily to make things easier for Director Zhao. Since everyone is here, if there are any unsatisfactory issues, feel free to bring them up, let's discuss them." Ye Qing looked at Shangguan Qing, "Gang Leader Shangguan, I don't think you'd want to make things difficult for Director Zhao, right?"
"Hmph, Director Zhao?" Shangguan Qing sneered, "Are you talking about that Zhao Chengshuang? Sorry, I usually don't have much to do with such low-level police. If there's anything, have their superior come to me, these deputies should not bother me!"
Shangguan Qing and his brother Shangguan Tian were completely different people. His domineering and arrogance were very obvious, and he left no room for others in his actions and speech.
Pi Junchao and Yue Gaoyang watched Ye Qing, as Shangguan Qing put it so bluntly, they were curious to see how Ye Qing would react.
"Haha..." Ye Qing chuckled, stood up, and slowly walked to Shangguan Qing's side, "Gang Leader Shangguan, are you saying you look down on Director Zhao?"
"Wasn't I clear enough? These low-level police officers aren't worth my respect, they don't even exist in my eyes!" Shangguan Qing cast a side glance at Ye Qing, "Anything else? If not now, then never."
As Shangguan Qing got ready to leave, before he could take a step, Ye Qing suddenly grabbed his shoulder and twisted him around to face himself, then without warning, slapped him across the face. The action was so quick that everyone present was caught off guard. The force was so strong that it sent Shangguan Qing tumbling to the ground, with blood trickling from his mouth.
"How dare you hit my brother!" A few men next to Shangguan Qing immediately lunged over, aiming to hit Ye Qing with all they had.
Ye Qing dodged their attacks effortlessly and floored them all. At the same time, dozens more rushed in from outside. Mad Dog, leading his brothers, shouted as they entered, "Fuck, drag out anyone causing trouble!"
Shangguan Qing might as well have mirrored Yue Gaoyang in his approach, entering with more than twenty men. However, his men were no match for those on Mad Dog's side and were quickly subdued.
Shangguan Qing, covering his face, staggered to his feet and glared at Ye Qing, bellowing, "Ye, we agreed to talk peace, but you fuckin' hit me. Alright, you're ruthless. Since you don't keep your word, there's no need for more talk, let our abilities do the talking!"
"Shangguan Qing, remember this." Ye Qing coolly watched Shangguan Qing and said, "I hit you because you insulted my brother. I'm someone with a bad temper. If anyone insults my brothers, I find it hard to restrain my hands. If you're not convinced, you're welcome to seek revenge anytime. But, since you've come tonight, if we don't come to an agreement, no one's leaving this room!"
As Ye Qing spoke, he reached for a chair nearby and smashed it onto Shangguan Qing, knocking him down to the ground.
Seeing Ye Qing act this way, Yue Gaoyang and Pi Junchao were momentarily taken aback; they were unable to understand what Ye Qing meant by his alternating domineering and tranquil demeanor. However, those surrounding Pi Junchao, especially the ones who had their turf stolen by the Tianqing Gang, were thrilled with Ye Qing's actions, practically idolizing him now. As for Pi Junchao, since entering the room, he had scarcely spoken a word, just scolding his own men, which greatly disappointed everyone present.
Yue Gaoyang glanced at Shangguan Qing and said, "Mr. Ye, we all came here with sincere intentions to talk. Gang Leader Shangguan didn't mean to insult Director Zhao; he's straightforward and speaks his mind. Why should you be so angry about it!"
"How convenient, I'm also quite direct with my 'enthusiasm.' Even if he didn't mean to insult my brother, since he did, there has to be a price!" Ye Qing looked coldly at Yue Gaoyang and said, "Gang Leader Yue, do you have a problem with my approach?"
Yue Gaoyang truly didn't want to provoke Ye Qing, but since Fu Bang and Tianqing Gang were allied, he had to stand firm for Shangguan Qing at this moment.
"Mr. Ye, I think, since we're all here to negotiate, we should prioritize peace. Let's not have any more violence here; haven't we fought enough outside?" Yue Gaoyang paused, then continued, "If you think we haven't fought enough, then let's go outside, keep fighting until we're satisfied, then come back to talk, how about that?"
Clearly, Yue Gaoyang was implying to Ye Qing that if he wanted to keep fighting, then there was no point in talking; they would settle it with a fight first.
Ye Qing chuckled, waved his hand, and said, "Please, have Gang Leader Shangguan take a seat. Let's forget the unpleasantness just now and start discussing the serious matters."
Shangguan Qing's followers, in a flurry of panic, helped him to a seat at the table while the extras brought by Shangguan Qing were taken out by Mad Dog's crew. Shangguan Qing himself was still in a daze from Ye Qing's beating, too weak even to speak, let alone oppose Ye Qing here.
Yue Gaoyang, seeing Shangguan Qing in this state, felt somewhat depressed, aware that the evening's proceedings were now far beyond their control. Ye Qing's behavior was incredibly peculiar tonight, switching between aggressive and subdued; what exactly was he trying to achieve?
As everyone took their seats, just as Ye Qing was about to speak, Yue Gaoyang suddenly changed his expression, leaped up, and exclaimed, "Hold on!"
"What's the matter?" Ye Qing looked at Yue Gaoyang and asked, "Gang Leader Yue, are you really not intending to talk anymore?"
"No, it's not that..." Yue Gaoyang's face turned the color of soy sauce as he said, "I need to use the restroom!"
This statement immediately sparked discontent among many from the Fierce Tiger Gang; going to the restroom at such a time seemed disrespectful to those present.
Ye Qing frowned slightly but still gestured with his hand and said, "Then let's wait here for Gang Leader Yue!"
Yue Gaoyang, not waiting for anyone else to speak, clutched his buttocks and hurried out—he was in real urgency. For some unknown reason, a sudden colic struck his belly, making him desperately need to relieve himself.
Elsewhere, Da Fei was still drinking with Chen Laojiu in the private room. All of a sudden, Da Fei, unsteady on his feet, stood up and said, "Can't handle it, I need to... make a trip to the washroom..."
"Good brother, let's go together!" Chen Laojiu stood up, slung an arm around Da Fei's shoulder, and staggered, saying, "I... also need to go..."
"Big brother, I'll support you!" A subordinate approached.
"No need, I'm going with my brother. It's all good!" Chen Laojiu, still holding onto Da Fei, both swaying, made their way to the restroom.
The restroom was at the end of the hall, and as the two entered, they happened upon Yue Gaoyang washing his hands by the sink. Yue Gaoyang had squatted in there for a while and now felt much relieved.
As Da Fei and Chen Laojiu came in, Yue Gaoyang glanced over Chen Laojiu mockingly and sneered, "Well, if it isn't Brother Jiu from the Fierce Tiger Gang. What's the matter, still in the mood for drinks? Your son alright?"