Chapter 67 Xi Rong and Cheng Tie Niu have gone missing.
Fang Che sat on the sofa in He Hongsheng's reception room, feeling unsteady on his feet.
This place is very spacious.
The crystal chandelier was dazzling, the carpet was heavy, and he couldn't understand the paintings on the wall, but he estimated that one of them could buy the entire Portland Street.
Li Hanzhou sat next to him, his posture relaxed, as if he were in his own living room, sipping tea served by a servant.
"Mr. He, you flatter me." Li Hanzhou put down his teacup. "It's just a small business."
Stanley Ho sat in the main seat. He was nearly seventy years old, in good spirits, and had sharp eyes.
He smiled, twirling his sandalwood prayer beads in his hand: "Brother Li is too modest. To be able to intercept three hundred boxes of goods right under Jiang Tianqi's nose, and even have Zhou Wenxuan cover for you, there aren't many people in Hong Kong with that kind of skill."
Fang Che felt a tightness in his chest.
Li Hanzhou remained expressionless: "Mr. He is well-informed."
“At my age, my hearing has to be sharp.” He Hongsheng changed the subject and looked at Fang Che, “This is Fang Che? I heard that you were the one who started ‘Dragon Tiger Club’. Jiang Tianqi lost face that day.”
Fang Che sat up straight: "Hello, Mr. He. I was just messing around and relied on Brother Li for support."
"He knows how to speak." Ho Hung-sang's eyes showed approval. "It's a good thing that young people know when to advance and retreat. However..."
He paused, then continued, "Jiang Tianqi lost face, and his father, Jiang Kun, won't let it go. Do you know where Jiang Kun is?"
Li Hanzhou's eyes narrowed slightly: "Please enlighten me."
“Bangkok,” Ho Hung-sang uttered two words. “I went there last month and met General Somchai. He’s a newly emerging warlord in the Golden Triangle who has several drug production lines and is short of a market.”
Fang Che felt a chill run down his spine.
“Jiang Kun is getting old,” Ho Hung-sang continued, “and he wants to pave the way for his son before retiring. He has his eye on the drug trade route between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia and wants to use the Tung Sing Society as a shell to do business throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The shipment you intercepted was just a test.”
Li Hanzhou was silent for a moment: "Mr. He told me all this because he wanted to..."
“Cooperation,” Stanley Ho said bluntly. “I can’t stand Jiang Kun’s ways. Once you’re hooked on drugs, you can’t get rid of them, and sooner or later he’ll drag Hong Kong down with him. Ten years ago, he seized the dock and killed my nephew. I’ll remember that.”
He got up and walked to the window, looking down at the night view of Macau: "Brother Li, you are young, courageous, and your men are clean. I want to give you a hand and help you to run the Wo Yee Tong business properly. Casinos, hotels, real estate... these are the things that last."
Fang Che's heart raced.
Li Hanzhou did not immediately agree: "What does Mr. He want?"
“Simple.” Ho Hung-sang turned around. “First, keep a close eye on Jiang Kun’s movements in Southeast Asia. Second, there’s a plot of land in Macau’s New Port area that’s up for auction next month, and Jiang Kun wants it too. Help me stop him. Third…”
He glanced at Fang Che. "Consider this a personal request. My grandson, He Shirong, is a good-for-nothing. I'd like him to spend three months on Portland Street learning from you. Washing dishes, handing out flyers, anything is fine."
Fang Che was stunned.
Li Hanzhou pondered: "I agree to the first two. As for the third... it depends on what A-Che thinks."
He Hongsheng looked at Fang Che: "What do you think, young friend Fang?"
Fang Che's mind raced. He glanced at Li Hanzhou. Li Hanzhou's eyes were calm, but Fang Che understood.
“Alright! Mr. He thinks highly of me, so I won’t hold back. But Portland Street is tough. If your grandson can’t handle the hardship, I’ll really make him wash dishes and sweep the floor. Don’t feel bad about it then.”
Ho Hung-sang laughed: "Swish! Let him swish! But let me make this clear beforehand! If Sai-wing loses even a single hair, I will hold you responsible."
"Absolutely!" Fang Che patted his chest. "He's with me; I'll protect him with my life!"
The negotiations went smoothly.
Stanley Ho agreed to invest five million to help Wo Yee Tong open two legitimate nightclubs in Tsim Sha Tsui, with profits split 30/70.
In return, Li Hanzhou was to find out Jiang Kun's plans in Thailand within a month.
It was already 10 p.m. when we left the He Mansion.
Macau's night view was dazzling, but Fang Che felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
Once inside the car, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Li, how much of what He Hongsheng says can be trusted?"
"Seven out of ten." Li Hanzhou started the car. "It's true that he wants to use us to deal with Jiang Kun, and it's also true that he wants to build up his own power. He's only helping us because we're easier to control now."
Fang Che understood: "Once we grow bigger, will he...?"
“Yes.” Li Hanzhou said calmly, “That’s how the martial world is. They cooperate today and turn against each other tomorrow. So, A-Che, we must be strong enough to make him afraid to turn against us before he does.”
The car drove onto the cross-sea bridge.
Fang Che looked out the window at the sea rushing by and suddenly thought of the child: "Brother Li, do you think He Hongsheng's grandson will really come to the school?"
“Yes.” Li Hanzhou glanced at him. “He Hongsheng is shrewd. Sending his grandson here serves three purposes: first, as a hostage to show sincerity; second, he genuinely wants him to learn something; and third…”
What is it?
"I'll give you a protective charm." Li Hanzhou's voice was lower. "The He family's grandson is with you. If Jiang Kun wants to touch you, he'll have to think twice."
Fang Che felt a warmth in his heart.
It turns out that Brother Li agreed to this because he was considering his feelings.
"Thank you, Brother Li."
"No need to thank me." Li Hanzhou turned the steering wheel with one hand and ruffled his hair with the other. "You're my person, who else would I protect if not you?"
Fang Che was taken aback by how naturally the words were spoken.
By the time I realized it, my face was already burning.
He stole a glance at Li Hanzhou; the man's lips were slightly upturned, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore.
Fang Che leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Anyway, Brother Li won't harm him.
As the car drove to the middle of the bridge, a loud bang suddenly came from behind!
Bang!
Fang Che opened his eyes and saw in the rearview mirror that a black SUV had crashed into the rear of their car.
"Hold on tight!" Li Hanzhou's eyes turned cold as he slammed on the gas pedal.
But it was too late.
Two more SUVs flanked them from both sides, sandwiching their vehicle in the middle.
With a screeching sound of brakes, several vehicles forced them to a stop in the middle of the bridge.
The car door opened, and a dozen burly men wielding machetes and clubs got out.
The leader was bald and had a scar on his face that ran from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth.
"Boss Li, Boss Fang," the bald man grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, "Young Master Jiang invites you."
Fang Che's heart sank slightly.
Jiang Tianqi's men?
Their trip to Macau was a last-minute decision; even Ah Gui didn't know the itinerary.
Unless... someone leaked the information.
Li Hanzhou pushed open the car door and got out of the car, his movements unhurried.
Fang Che quickly followed, clutching the folding knife that Li Hanzhou had given him.
Where is Jiang Tianqi?
"You'll see when we get there." The bald man waved his hand. "Please, gentlemen."
Li Hanzhou didn't move: "What if I say no?"
"Then don't blame me for being impolite." The bald man's eyes hardened. "Young Master Jiang said, if we can't bring them back alive, dead is fine too!"
Before he finished speaking, he charged forward, brandishing his knife.
Li Hanzhou dodged to the side and kicked him in the back of the knee.
The bald man screamed and fell to the ground, and the others surrounded him.
"Ache, lean against my back!" Li Hanzhou whispered.
Fang Che immediately turned around and pressed his back against Li Hanzhou's back.
The two were surrounded by more than a dozen people.
The machete reflected the light under the streetlights.
Fang Che's palms were sweating, and he forced himself to calm down.
Northeastern men are fearless! They just go for it!
The first person to rush forward had his knife snatched by Li Hanzhou, who then slashed him on the shoulder with a backhand.
Amidst the screams, Fang Che also moved. He was short but agile, specializing in attacking the lower body.
A thug swung a stick at him, but he ducked to dodge. His folding knife popped out and pierced the thug's thigh.
"Damn it!" the thug cried out as he fell to the ground.
But there were too many people.
Although Li Hanzhou was skilled in combat, he couldn't fight against four opponents, and he also had to spare some attention to protect Fang Che.
Soon, he was hit on the back with a stick, letting out a muffled groan.
"Brother Li!" Fang Che's eyes reddened.
"It's nothing!" Li Hanzhou said fiercely, snatching a machete. With a flash of light, he took down three people.
But even more people flocked to it.
In a moment of quick thinking, Fang Che suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs, "Help! Murder! Police, come quick!"
He spoke in a loud, Northeastern accent, which was particularly jarring on the quiet bridge.
The thugs were all stunned.
In that instant, Li Hanzhou cut down two men and pulled Fang Che out of the encirclement.
"run!"
The two ran wildly toward the bridgehead.
Footsteps followed closely behind.
Fang Che was out of breath from running, and the wound on his left shoulder started to hurt.
Li Hanzhou was in even worse shape; the stick on his back was heavy, and his movements were stiff when he ran.
If this continues, they'll be caught up sooner or later.
Just when I was in despair, I heard police sirens ahead!
Two Macao police cars sped towards them, their lights piercing the night.
Seeing this, the thugs scattered, cursing, and jumped into the car and drove away.
The police got out of the car to inquire.
Li Hanzhou explained in simple Cantonese, omitting He Hongsheng's part and only saying that he had been robbed.
After taking the statement, the police left.
The two stood by the bridge, looking utterly disheveled.
Li Hanzhou's white shirt was stained with blood; it was unclear whether it was his or someone else's.
Fang Che had scratches on his face, his suit was torn, and he didn't know where his silk scarf had fallen.
"Brother Li, on your back..." Fang Che's voice trembled.
"Just a superficial wound." Li Hanzhou lit a cigarette, his hand trembling. "And you?"
"I'm fine." Fang Che looked at his pale face, his eyes stinging. "Brother Li, I'm sorry, I've dragged you down again..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Li Hanzhou flicked his forehead. "If it weren't for your shout just now, we'd still be fighting right now."
Fang Che wanted to laugh, but he didn't.
The night breeze carried the scent of the sea.
Li Hanzhou suddenly reached out and pulled Fang Che into his arms.
Very hard.
“A-Che,” his voice was low in the wind, “I thought just now… I was going to lose someone important again.”
Fang Che's nose tingled, and he hugged him tightly: "Brother Li, I won't die. I'm tough, even the King of Hell won't take me."
Li Hanzhou didn't say anything, but just hugged her tighter.
After a long while, he finally let go and looked into Fang Che's eyes: "I have to go back to Hong Kong immediately."
"Now?"
“Hmm.” Li Hanzhou’s eyes turned cold. “The fact that Jiang Tianqi was able to block us in Macau means that something might have happened in Hong Kong.”
Fang Che's heart sank.
Children!
Xi Rong! Tie Niu! A Ming!
He hurriedly pulled out his mobile phone and dialed the number of the barbecue restaurant.
No one answered the phone.
I dialed Xi Rong's pager again, but there was no response.
Fang Che's hands began to tremble.
Li Hanzhou pressed his hand down: "Calm down. Let's go back to the hotel to get our luggage and go straight to the pier. We can call on the way."
Li Hanzhou slammed on the gas pedal.
The car sped through the streets of Macau.
Fang Che bit his lip, his nails digging into his palm.
Xi Rong, Tie Niu, A Ming... you must all be safe.
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