Old friend

We've pretty much seen all of the Songzanlin Scenic Area, stopping and exploring at our own pace.

Around two or three o'clock, Lu Min and Sang Qi had a meal nearby, and then drove back to Dukezong.

On the way back, Sang Qi wanted to take a nap, but he couldn't fall asleep for most of the journey. Seeing that there was still half the journey left before returning to the ancient city, he simply decided not to sleep.

Lu Min was a little sleepy and yawned several times.

Seeing that Lu Min was genuinely tired, and knowing that driving while fatigued was dangerous, Sang Qi suggested, "Why don't you pull over for a bit and have a smoke?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Min smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

The car drove forward and stopped at a place where it could be parked.

Lu Min rolled down the car window, lit a cigarette, and propped his hand against the window to prevent the smoke from drifting in. However, Sang Qi could still smell the smoke as he puffed away inside the car.

Seeing that Sang Qi was covering her mouth and nose, Lu Min said, "If you don't like the smell, get out of the car and get some fresh air."

"Need not?"

Lu Min curled his lip.

After smoking two cigarettes, Lu Min rubbed his face with both hands, forcing himself to wake up.

The car started moving again.

"Go back to the inn and get some sleep. You still have to drive tonight," Sang Qi said casually with concern.

"I know," Lu Min replied lazily, "like a dutiful wife."

Sang Qi clicked his tongue.

Lu Min smiled when he saw Sang Qi in the rearview mirror, but Sang Qi looked away in annoyance.

After a while, Lu Min said, "When I get back, we'll go for a boat trip around Napa Lake."

Sang Qi calculated the journey and said, "After we pass Napa Lake, we should be heading to Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng."

"Yes." Lu Min kept his eyes fixed on the car in front, wanting to overtake but not having the chance, feeling somewhat frustrated.

"The journey is almost over," Sang Qi said.

Lu Min's roguish laughter rang out: "The journey is over, but ours has only just begun."

Sang Qi frowned: "Stop talking nonsense."

"I'm just telling the truth."

"Shut up, I don't want to talk to you right now."

"No way," Lu Min said, acting like a rogue. "What if I get sleepy if you don't talk to me? Hurry up and talk to me to wake me up."

Sang Qi said angrily, "Who wants to talk to you when you're so improper?"

"Damn, what did I do wrong?" As he spoke, Lu Min finally found an opportunity to overtake, stepped on the gas, accelerated forward, and successfully passed the white SUV in front of him.

After overtaking, Lu Min was heard cursing: "Damn it, driving like a snail and blocking the lane to prevent overtaking, you can tell he just got his license and is driving on the road."

Looking at the scenery flashing past the car window, Sang Qi said, "What's so serious about you?"

"You're good-looking, so whatever you say is right." Lu Min didn't intend to continue this topic with Sang Qi.

Even if he were willing to continue arguing, Sang Qi would not want to pay any more attention to him.

...

Back at the inn in Dukezong Ancient Town, Lu Min smoked a cigarette at the entrance. Sang Qi didn't wait for him and went upstairs alone.

She went back to her room to take a nap, but unexpectedly slept until late at night. When she woke up, it was already past eight o'clock in the evening.

She groggily got up, looking rather listless. She went to the bathroom to wash her face before she finally felt a little better.

Sang Qi patted her cheeks a few times, then took out a tissue to wipe the water droplets off her face. After wiping the water off, she stared at herself in the mirror, lost in thought.

These past few days outdoors in a high-altitude area with strong ultraviolet radiation have really damaged my skin. I can only wait until after the trip to get back and then slowly work on repairing and maintaining it.

Sang Qi finished getting ready and went downstairs. The public area downstairs was bustling with people and packed with customers.

She had originally intended to sit on the sofa in the common area for a while, but seeing so many people, she had to give up.

As I walked out the door, I saw Zaxi walking in right in front of me, and the two met face to face.

"Hey beautiful, wanna go eat?" Zaxi greeted her warmly.

"Let's go for a walk," Sang Qi said with a smile.

Zaxi looked around the street, which was bustling with people and somewhat chaotic: "Be careful, the people here come from all over the country, and there are quite a few bad people with ulterior motives."

Sang Qi smiled and nodded: "Okay, I understand."

"That's fine then."

"By the way, where's Lu Min?" Sang Qi didn't see Lu Min anywhere.

Zaxi frowned: "Didn't he tell you he was going to Dali?"

Only after hearing this did Sang Qi belatedly realize what was happening.

Lu Min said he would leave after dinner, and it's already past eight o'clock. I guess he's on the highway right now. But then again, Lu Min really didn't tell Sang Qi that he was going to Dali; he only said he had something to take care of.

"He left at 7:30 and will be going back in a couple of days. You can enjoy your time in the old town these next two days."

“Okay,” Sang Qi replied.

…………

The ancient city of Dali is shrouded in darkness late at night.

A black SUV with orange headlights drove along the quiet road. It seemed to be the only vehicle on the straight road.

The car stopped at a club called Night Garden.

A dozen men in black suits stood at the entrance of the club, each tall and imposing, with menacing expressions.

These kinds of entertainment venues usually have security personnel to maintain order. On the surface, everyone thinks they are just ordinary bodyguards, but Lu Min knows that these are all gang henchmen.

Lu Min got out of the car, lit a cigarette, and walked straight into the club.

The interior was dimly lit, with a depressing and psychedelic atmosphere. As Lu Min walked further in, the music grew louder and louder, almost deafening.

That was the club's bar area, where people were swaying their heads to the music and flashing lights on the first floor, as if they were on drugs.

The booths were filled with young men and women drinking, chatting, and playing games... Cigarettes, profanities, alcohol, laughter—everything was so glamorous and restless.

Lu Min went to the bar and called over the bartender: "Iced beer, please."

The bartender quickly brought over a glass of beer with ice on top. Lu Min tilted his head back and took a big gulp, then asked, "Who's on duty tonight?"

The bartender paused for a moment, then said, "Silver Tooth."

Lu Min nodded.

Suddenly, the sound of a bottle shattering came from outside, followed by a man cursing.

Lu Min put down his wine glass, got up and walked out the door.

After walking a few steps down the corridor, I saw a man kneeling on the ground, trembling in a sorry state. Several men in suits were standing around him, surrounding him.

The man in the lead was wearing a white shirt and black trousers. He was short and thin, with a fierce-looking face. His sleeves were rolled up halfway, revealing large tattoos on his arms.

"I was wrong, I won't cause trouble again, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please let me go." The kneeling man begged for mercy tremblingly, a cut on his forehead that was bleeding uncontrollably.

There were scattered shards of broken wine bottle on the floor next to him, probably from when the bottle hit him earlier.

The leading man stepped on his shoulder and pressed down hard. The man tilted his shoulder under the force, and his voice trembled as he pleaded, "Please, I really won't do it again."

"Weren't you so arrogant just now? Huh?" The man kicked him to the ground.

"I won't dare, I won't dare," the man hurriedly kowtowed and apologized.

The man was about to strike again when he suddenly heard a voice telling him to stop.

"Who the hell is that?!" the man roared, turning his head to look in the direction of the sound.

"Damn it, you little brat, don't you recognize me?" Lu Min strode forward.

The man's eyes widened in disbelief: "Damn, Brother Min, you're back?"

Lu Min smiled, stepped forward and patted Yin Ya on the shoulder: "You're quite something, kid, you've really grown up."

Silver Tooth was both surprised and delighted, and put his arm around Lu Min's shoulder: "Brother, why are you back? I thought you had retired from the underworld and would never come back."

While Lu Min and Yin Ya were exchanging pleasantries, the man who had just begged for mercy quietly raised his head, stole a glance at Lu Min, and looked deep in thought.

"What just happened?" Lu Min raised his chin and pointed at the person on the ground.

Silver Fang said coldly, "This kid is drunk and causing trouble, he needs to be taught a lesson."

Lu Min sighed, looked at the person on the ground, and said slowly, "It's best to be lenient when you can. That's enough."

Silver Tooth let out a "whoosh" and couldn't help but laugh, "Brother, when did you become so soft-hearted? Back in the day, you were the most ruthless among us brothers. You've even cut off people's fingers. You're the one who taught me how to be ruthless."

Lu Min scoffed: "Let's not talk about the past. You think it's something to be proud of?"

Silver Tooth chuckled and changed the subject: "Come on, let's have a couple of drinks, brothers, and catch up."

As she spoke, Silver Tooth put her arm around Lu Min's shoulder and headed towards the members' area.

Entertainment clubs are usually members-only, and the members' area is naturally hundreds of times more upscale than the regular area.

Silver Tooth led Lu Min into a suite, which was fully equipped with a chess and card room, bar, massage room, swimming pool, KTV and other services.

Lu Min sat down on the soft leather sofa, and Yin Ya handed him a cigarette and lit it for him herself.

"Brother, what have you been doing all these years since you retired?" Silver Tooth asked as he poured wine.

"Busy making money, saving money to get married." Lu Min exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Oh, someone's here?" Silver Tooth handed Lu Min a drink.

"When have I ever lacked women?" Lu Min pulled over the wine, clinked it against Yin Ya's lips, and downed it in one gulp.

"That's true." Silver Tooth curled his lip. "Among us brothers, you're the best looking. Girls are all eager to seduce you. You change girlfriends more often than I wear underwear."

"Alright, stop bringing up those things. I've reformed now and just want to be a good person, make money, and get married."

Silver Teeth shrugged: "So what's the deal with you coming back now? You have time to come back, did you run into trouble?"

Lu Min crushed his cigarette butt: "There really is a big problem."

"If you need anything, just ask your brother. I'll definitely help." Silver Fang is very loyal. If Lu Min asks, he'll go through fire and water for him.

“Qian Kunpeng is not dead,” Lu Min said calmly.

Silver Teeth paused for a moment: "Are you kidding me?"

I'm serious.

"What do you mean?" Silver Tooth became serious.

“In Baisha Ancient Town, Lijiang, he sent people to follow me and lie in ambush at the inn where I was staying, probably to get revenge,” Lu Min said.

Silver Fang's expression changed drastically, a chill running down his spine as he thought about it: "If it's true, he definitely won't let us go."

"That's why I came back to Jin Hai, Yang Hao, and you. I wanted to warn you to be careful. I don't know what Qian Kunpeng's situation is now, or how much influence he has," Lu Min said worriedly.

"I'll call Jin Hai now." Silver Tooth got up to make the call.

A short while later, Jin Hai and Yang Hao appeared at the club.

Jin Hai and Yang Hao hadn't seen Lu Min for many years, so when they met, they couldn't help but hug and exchange a few pleasantries.

After catching up, Jin Hai finally asked, "Are you sure?"

Lu Min nodded thoughtfully: "It should be correct. It would be better if you sent someone to investigate. The enemy is currently in the shadows, so you need to be extra vigilant. I don't think Qian Kunpeng would have let us discover him easily without some certainty. Now that we have discovered him, he will definitely make another move."

Yang Hao frowned: "What you said makes sense. I'll send someone to investigate Qian Kunpeng's matter right now."

"By the way," Jin Hai looked at Lu Min and asked, "Are you leaving again this time you're back?"

Lu Min smiled and said, "I just came back to tell you about this situation, remind you, catch up with everyone, and go back to Shangri-La tomorrow."

Silver Tooth said regretfully, "Brother Min, it would be so much better if you stayed. Then we brothers could face difficulties together, just like before."

Lu Min patted Yin Ya on the shoulder: "The past is the past. Now everyone should have a new life. But we brothers will still be brothers for life."

Silver Teeth lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Jin Hai suddenly asked, "So you're leaving alone? Aren't you afraid Qian Kunpeng will come looking for you? Can you handle it all by yourself?"

Lu Min laughed and said, "So you need to find him quickly and take him into custody so that I can be safe and sound. Otherwise, I will be forced to leave Yunnan to avoid trouble."

Yang Hao pursed his lips: "We will investigate."

"Alright, that's settled then." Lu Min stood up.

"You're leaving already? Didn't you say you'd be going back to Shangri-La tomorrow?" Jin Haiyi stood up.

"I'm going back to the hotel to get some sleep first. I drove for so long, my eyes are blurry, and I almost had a car accident," Lu Min said, cursing.

"I'll send someone to take you," Jin Hai said.

"No need, it's too much trouble. This is fine." Lu Min turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Jin Hai called out to him.

"Um?"

"You lost contact with the brothers after you left. Let's exchange contact information so we can stay in touch in the future." Jin Hai took out his phone and handed it to Lu Min.

Lu Min paused for a moment. He had originally planned to sever all ties with his past after retiring from the criminal life, but the situation was different now. So he entered the number, waved, and left.