Chapter 60 Fang Che and Li Hanzhou Join Forces to Set a Trap
At six o'clock in the evening, the Jin Yue Restaurant was brightly lit.
Fang Che, dressed in a black suit, stood at the entrance of the restaurant to greet guests.
He was already handsome, and with a little dressing up, he attracted the attention of many passersby.
"Congratulations, Mr. Fang!"
"Young and promising!"
Those who came were all prominent businessmen in Tsim Sha Tsui. Some were there to offer their sincere congratulations, some were there out of respect for Li Hanzhou, and some were there just to watch the spectacle.
Who doesn't know that Fang Che is Li Hanzhou's man?
Who doesn't know that Jiang Tianqi and Li Hanzhou don't get along?
This banquet tonight is interesting.
By 7:30, most of the guests had arrived.
Jiang Tianqi hasn't arrived yet.
Fang Che's heart was pounding, but he wore a smile as he moved between the tables, offering toasts.
At 8 o'clock sharp, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the restaurant.
Jiang Tianqi has arrived.
He is not alone.
He was accompanied by four bodyguards, each of them burly and imposing.
He himself was dressed in a white tailcoat and leaning on a gold-plated cane, looking as if he had just come from some noble ball.
“Boss Fang,” Jiang Tianqi walked up to him with a bright smile, “I’m sorry, I was stuck in traffic and I’m late.”
"It's an honor for me that Young Master Jiang is here." Fang Che raised his glass. "Please take a seat."
"No rush." Jiang Tianqi didn't move, his gaze sweeping over Fang Che. "Boss Fang is... quite dazzling today."
The words were ambiguous, and everyone around looked over.
Fang Che's smile remained unchanged: "Young Master Jiang, you flatter me. Compared to what you're wearing, this is just ordinary work clothes."
“You look good in work clothes too.” Jiang Tianqi took a step closer and lowered his voice. “Fang Che, are you really not considering being with me? What Li Hanzhou can give, I can give double.”
Fang Che took a half step back: "Young Master Jiang, today is the opening banquet, let's just talk about romance."
"Alright, let's just talk about romance." Jiang Tianqi laughed and finally took his seat.
The banquet begins.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.
Fang Che went from table to table toasting, but when he got to Jiang Tianqi's table, Jiang Tianqi stopped him.
"Mr. Fang, let me toast you." Jiang Tianqi handed over a glass. "Wishing you booming business."
"Thank you, Young Master Jiang." Fang Che accepted the drink and downed it in one gulp.
"Great!" Jiang Tianqi clapped his hands, then suddenly changed the subject, "By the way, I heard that little girl by your side was frightened at the dock a few days ago? Is she alright?"
They've arrived.
Fang Che's heart tightened, but he pretended to be puzzled: "Young Master Jiang, are you talking about Xi Rong? She's fine. She's been following me around doing renovations these past few days, and she's been lively and energetic."
"Really?" Jiang Tianqi narrowed his eyes. "But I heard that she saw something she shouldn't have seen at the dock and was so frightened that she didn't leave the house for several days."
"Rumors." Fang Che waved his hand. "Xi Rong is just being playful. She sneaked off to the dock at night and got chased by wild dogs. She's just a kid, easily scared."
He spoke so naturally that Jiang Tianqi stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled: "I see. Then I'm relieved."
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Jiang." Fang Che raised his glass. "Let me toast you again."
Another cup down.
Fang Che's alcohol tolerance is actually not very high; after two glasses of baijiu, he felt a little dizzy.
He excused himself to go to the restroom and slipped out into the hallway for some fresh air.
The night was deep outside the window.
They should have already taken action at the dock, right?
Just then, I heard footsteps behind me.
Fang Che turned around, and Jiang Tianqi followed him out.
"Boss Fang, hiding here to slack off?" Jiang Tianqi approached with a smile.
"Let me get some fresh air." Fang Che backed away warily.
Jiang Tianqi pressed on relentlessly until he cornered him by the window.
"Fang Che," he said in a low voice, "do you really think Li Hanzhou can protect you for the rest of your life?"
"What do you mean by that, Young Master Jiang?"
“What I mean is…” Jiang Tianqi reached out, his fingertips almost touching Fang Che’s face, “The game should end. After tonight, Li Hanzhou will be in trouble himself. And you…”
He laughed, a chilling laugh: "I'm giving you one last chance. Come with me, and I'll keep you safe. Otherwise..."
Before the words were finished, the faint sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance!
The direction is right towards the dock!
Jiang Tianqi's expression changed, and he suddenly looked out the window.
Fang Che's heart also tightened—had the plan succeeded? Or...?
Jiang Tianqi took out his mobile phone and quickly dialed a number.
No one answered the phone.
I dialed again, but still no one answered.
His face grew increasingly pale.
Fang Che tried to slip away, but Jiang Tianqi grabbed his wrist!
"What did you do?" Jiang Tianqi's eyes were ferocious.
"Let go, Young Master Jiang!" Fang Che struggled. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Don't know?" Jiang Tianqi sneered. "Then why did the police go to the dock tonight? Why are all my men missing? Fang Che, you're ruthless enough to cooperate with the police to get me?"
"I don't……"
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Tianqi had already pinned him against the wall and grabbed his neck!
"I originally wanted to be gentler with you," Jiang Tianqi gritted his teeth, "but now... I've changed my mind. You're coming with me tonight, and I want to see if Li Hanzhou can snatch you back from me!"
He was extremely strong, and Fang Che was choked until he couldn't breathe.
At that very moment—
"Let him go."
A cold voice came from the end of the corridor.
Li Hanzhou stood there, dressed in black, holding a baseball bat that was still dripping blood.
He had abrasions on his face and his clothes were torn, but his eyes were sharp as knives.
Jiang Tianqi's pupils contracted: "Li Hanzhou? How could you..."
"How did I get here?" Li Hanzhou approached step by step. "Jiang Tianqi, your goods are gone, and your men have either been arrested or escaped. Now, it's time to settle accounts."
Jiang Tianqi released Fang Che and turned to face Li Hanzhou: "You think you've won?"
“At least for tonight, you’ve lost.” Li Hanzhou stopped five steps away, baseball bat slung over his shoulder. “Now, you have two choices. First, get out of Tsim Sha Tsui yourself. Second, I’ll help you get out.”
Jiang Tianqi laughed, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Li Hanzhou, you underestimate me,” he said. “You won this round tonight. But the game… has only just begun.”
He suddenly raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
The doors on both sides of the corridor opened simultaneously, and more than a dozen thugs wielding knives and sticks poured out!
It turns out he was prepared all along!
Li Hanzhou's eyes darkened, and he pulled Fang Che behind him: "Hide well."
"Brother Li, there are too many of them—"
"It's nothing." Li Hanzhou flexed his wrists. "A-Gui!"
"They're here!"
Ah Gui led seven or eight brothers up the stairs and instantly engaged Jiang Tianqi's men in a fierce battle!
The corridor was narrow, and a chaotic battle broke out!
Li Hanzhou protected Fang Che as they retreated towards the stairs, but Jiang Tianqi followed closely behind.
"Li Hanzhou! Neither of you are leaving here today!"
He swung his stick at Li Hanzhou, who raised his hand to block it, the sound of metal clashing was ear-piercing!
Fang Che was pushed into a corner by Li Hanzhou. He looked around, grabbed a fire extinguisher from the corner of the wall, and pulled the safety pin.
"Jiang Tianqi! Look this way!"
Jiang Tianqi turned around instinctively.
Fang Che pressed the switch, and the dry powder gushed out, covering Jiang Tianqi's face!
"Cough cough cough! You—"
Before he could open his eyes, Li Hanzhou kicked him in the stomach, knocking him to the ground!
"Walk!"
Li Hanzhou grabbed Fang Che and ran downstairs.
Behind them, Ah Gui led his men to cover their retreat, fighting as they went.
The group rushed out of the restaurant and into the car.
The car sped away.
In the rearview mirror, Jiang Tianqi stood at the entrance of the restaurant, his face covered in white powder, his eyes filled with resentment.
"Li Hanzhou! Fang Che! You just wait!"
The roar was swallowed up by the sound of the wind.
Inside the car, Fang Che, panting, looked at Li Hanzhou: "Brother Li, are you injured?"
Li Hanzhou's left arm was bleeding, but the wound was not deep.
"It's just a minor injury." He tore off the hem of his shirt and hastily bandaged it. "How's it going at the docks?"
Ah Gui, who was driving, chimed in: "It's done! The police seized over two hundred boxes of goods and arrested more than thirty people. Zhou Wenxuan said that's enough to give Jiang Tianqi a hard time. Our 30% will be delivered to the warehouse tomorrow."
Fang Che breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good... Where's Xi Rong?"
“It’s safe at the base.” Li Hanzhou glanced at him. “You did well tonight. You used the fire extinguisher quite skillfully.”
Fang Che grinned: "Absolutely! We Northeastern men can lose a fight, but we can't lose our spirit!"
Li Hanzhou smiled slightly.
The car drove back to Portland Street.
The lights were on at the outpost, and Xi Rong and Cheng Tie Niu were waiting at the door. When they saw the car return, they immediately went to greet it.
"Brother Che! Boss Li! Are you alright?"
"It's nothing." Fang Che got out of the car and rubbed Xi Rong's head. "You did a great job. That notebook helped us intercept a batch of goods from Jiang Tianqi."
Xi Rong's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"Really." Li Hanzhou walked over. "I'll take you to buy new clothes tomorrow as a reward."
"Thank you, Boss Li!"
Everyone went inside.
Uncle Chen had prepared tea and snacks, and seeing that Li Hanzhou was injured, he quickly brought out a first-aid kit.
Fang Che took it: "I'll do it."
He had Li Hanzhou sit on a wooden chair with better lighting, while he knelt beside him and carefully removed the makeshift bandages.
The wound was not shallow, and some of the blood had congealed.
As Fang Che cleaned the wound with a cotton swab soaked in medicine, he subconsciously softened his breathing.
"Speak if it hurts," he said in a low voice, without looking up.
"Hmm." Li Hanzhou responded softly, his gaze fixed on Fang Che's profile, which was very close to his.
The boy's eyelashes were long and trembled slightly as he focused.
His fingertips, cool from the medicine, occasionally and inevitably brushed against the skin around the wound, bringing a subtle yet distinct tactile sensation.
Fang Che was completely unaware of the gaze directed at him.
He picked up the gauze, preparing to wrap it.
To make it easier, he had to get closer, almost touching Li Hanzhou's chest.
The fresh scent of soapberry mixed with a hint of sweat, a warm, youthful energy quietly enveloped the room.
Li Hanzhou's breathing paused almost imperceptibly.
"Raise your hand," Fang Che gestured for him to cooperate.
Li Hanzhou raised his arm as instructed, and Fang Che leaned over, wrapping his arm around Li Hanzhou's waist to reach for the gauze.
This posture almost resembles a cautious embrace.
Fang Che's hair brushed against Li Hanzhou's chin, a slight tickle that went straight to his heart.
The dim light cast their intertwined shadows on the wall, and the air seemed to become thick and quiet, with only their soft breathing audible.
Fang Che finished tying the gauze, tied a knot at the end of the bandage with his fingertips, and his fingertips accidentally brushed against the skin under Li Hanzhou's ribs.
Li Hanzhou's muscles tensed up instantly.
"Alright." Fang Che breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up and smiled, seeking praise. "Brother Li, how was my cooking?"
His smile was bright, radiating the ease of having completed his mission, completely unaware of how close the two of them were at that moment.
Li Hanzhou didn't speak, he just looked at him. The light shone in the boy's clear eyes, and so did his shadow.
The focused expression on his face when he was bandaging the wound, the slightly cool touch of his fingertips, and now his unguarded smile...
A long-suppressed emotion, like a tidal wave bursting through a dam, suddenly crashed against his reason.
His gaze involuntarily fell on Fang Che's lips as he spoke.
"Brother Li?" Fang Che blinked in confusion when he saw that he didn't move.
Li Hanzhou's Adam's apple bobbed, as if bewitched by that soft call, his body acting before his mind...
He leaned forward very slowly, moving closer to the warmth.
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