A test! Indeed, this is also a test for me!
Of course I don't think it was because I brought a large number of police officers that I saved the princess! Since old Thorin had set up this scheme, he certainly wouldn't let his daughter be in real danger! Because his daughter is his heir, if his daughter dies, then this scheme will be meaningless.
Therefore, even if I didn't return with a massacre, old Thorin definitely left behind a foolproof plan to deal with Eren! He would never allow his daughter to be harmed!
But at the same time, this is also a test for me... Although whether I return or not makes no difference to the safety of the princess, for me... the difference is huge!
“If…” Old Thorin looked at me and slowly smiled, “My friend, I can tell you very clearly, if you didn’t come back, but instead broke your promise to me and fled back to Vancouver alone… then I will be very disappointed in you. And the result will be that, in the two months before I die, I will do whatever it takes, no matter the cost or loss, to uproot your influence from Canada! I might even immediately cooperate with the Asian powers! In any case, I cannot leave a dangerous ingrate to threaten my daughter!”
I snorted, but said nothing.
Although I was somewhat angry, deep down I really agreed with old Thorin's "test"!
Indeed, although I had an "agreement" with old Thorin that I would support his daughter and help her in the future.
But how could a shrewd strategist like Thorin possibly trust me completely based on just a mere "agreement"? Of course, he'd want to find a way to fully confirm whether I could truly keep my promises! Therefore, his test was entirely justified!
If he trusts me without any tests, then he doesn't deserve to be the head of Canada's underground industry!
"Alright." I suppressed my displeasure and said calmly, "Since it's a test, if I fail, there will naturally be a punishment. As for how to punish me, you just mentioned it... But, since I passed the test, there should be a reward, right? Old friend, what reward do you plan to use to calm my anger?"
I deliberately stared into old Thorin's eyes.
I know now is the time to blackmail them!
But the old fox's smile was even more cunning than mine: "Oh, a reward... Well then, let me propose one... For example, you become Thorin's son-in-law, how about that reward?"
"No way." I refused without hesitation: "First, I have no intention of incorporating my power into the Thorin family! If I become your son-in-law, then you'll be easily swallowing me up! Heh heh... Second, we've already discussed this issue a long time ago, and being friends with someone like you is already a huge risk! Who knows when you'll sell me out! Let alone being related to you! You might eat me alive, leaving not even bones! No way! I'd rather die than do it!"
As I spoke, I deliberately avoided looking at the princess's unpleasant expression, but I finally said something conciliatory: "Besides, you wouldn't really want to marry your daughter to a paralyzed disabled person like me, would you?"
Old Thorin shook his head: "Do you really think I want you to be my son-in-law? From my own standards, you don't meet my criteria. But objectively, among the people I can find in reality, you are the most suitable. My suggestion just now was sincere, but since you refused, I won't force you. Alright... I can promise you a reward."
"What promise?"
"As long as the Hells Angels organization exists... then you, Chen Yang, will always be our friend! Provided that our fundamental principles and interests are not compromised, we will support you at any cost and stand by your side!"
Such a promise had already made the princess standing nearby change color!
But I still seemed unsatisfied, shaking my head and smiling dismissively: "Old friend, that's not very sincere! Your words are too abstract, without any real benefit."
What do you want?
I looked at the ceiling and said calmly, "Since you mentioned 'support,' then you should do something concrete..."
Old Thorin's pupils contracted slightly. He looked at me quietly for a moment, then smiled and said, "Good! That's more like the kind of friend I, Thorin, value."
The largest internal conflict involving the Hells Angels in Toronto was quelled in a bizarre manner. Although the details of the event were kept under wraps, some fragments have leaked out, adding a touch of legend to the story.
Of course, the aura of legend belongs to old Thorin. As a wise leader, he used his superior wisdom to crush the ambitious within his ranks, playing a brilliant game that subdued everyone. And I, in this legend, am merely a supporting character to highlight the greatness of old Thorin.
Of course I don't care about any of that, because I got what I wanted most!
Three days later, the representatives from the Asian community who had come to Canada to meet with old Thorin were shot dead in the street; each of them was shot at least twenty times!
Sorin only subtly announced one thing to the public: "I have only one friend, and that is Mr. Chen Yang. And loyalty to my friend is my life motto."
Although such an announcement is hypocritical, it is at least enough to make the Hells Angels' stance in this struggle clear!
My goal has been achieved. Now, the real headache is dealing with the larger Asian region!
Part Three, Chapter 103: Mr. Yang's Warning
I arrived at Toronto Airport again, ready to leave the city. This time, however, old Thorin didn't personally see me off. In fact, since our late-night conversation last night, he hadn't shown up again today as I was leaving.
This old fox, with whom I have a complicated relationship—sometimes an enemy, sometimes a friend—has reached the end of his life. This suppression of the internal strife was the last brilliant display of his career, and after that, all that remains is a dying old man.
That's all.
After entering the airport, we were escorted to the VIP lounge by people arranged by Sorin. Sorin's private jet was already preparing for takeoff. While we were waiting, someone came in from outside the VIP lounge. It was one of Sorin's men, who told me that someone wanted to see me.
I was stunned for a moment. Could it be that the princess or Thorin came to see me off?
But when the person came in, I was stunned. He was a young man, about twenty or thirty years old, wearing a very well-fitting dark suit. He was of mixed Chinese and Western descent, with a clean appearance that gave people a comfortable feeling at first glance.
“Mr. Chen Yang.” He first bowed slightly, then said in a very polite tone, “Hello, my name is Yang Wen. I was sent by Mr. Yang Er. Mr. Yang Er knows that you have finished your business in Toronto. He is wondering if it would be convenient for you to go to Las Vegas. He would very much like to meet you.”
"Oh?" I couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Mr. Yang Er? He actually knew I was in Toronto and even sent someone to find me? What purpose does he have in wanting to see me at a time like this?
After a moment's hesitation, I frowned and said, "Mr. Yang Er is looking for me. Didn't he say why?"
"No."
My doubts deepened, because as far as I knew, Yang Wei wasn't in Las Vegas; she should still be in China. At this time… Mr. Yang the Second…
Perhaps sensing my confusion, the young man named Yang Wen continued very politely, "Mr. Yang knows your time is precious, so he specially sent his private plane to facilitate your trip. Please do us the honor of making the trip if it is convenient for you."
I thought about it for a moment and nodded.
The Yang family sent a small business jet, and the crew members were all employees of the Yang family. The young man sent, Yang Wen, was a nephew of Mr. Yang Er, of the same generation as Yang Wei, though from a collateral branch of the family. I quite liked this young man who spoke politely, was well-groomed, and behaved very courteously. I chatted with him for a few minutes on the way. However, he seemed overly polite, or perhaps it was due to the strict rules of the Yang family; while he was polite, he said very little.
When the plane landed at Las Vegas airport, I walked out of the airport terminal. To my surprise, Mr. Yang Er actually came to pick me up in person.
I met Mr. Yang Er in a luxury car. Just as Yang Wei had said, he seemed a bit older; perhaps the matter of his beloved son had really affected him greatly. However, Mr. Yang Er's demeanor remained as charming as ever; he chatted and laughed all the way, and his refined manner was like a gentle breeze.
Since he didn't directly say that he wanted me to come, I wasn't in a hurry to ask. Instead, I patiently exchanged pleasantries with him.
After saying a few words, Mr. Yang suddenly asked me, "Chen Yang, what are your thoughts on the city of Las Vegas?"
"Hmm?" I didn't expect him to ask such a question. After hesitating for a moment, I still went with the conservative approach and said, "Well, this is a gambling city, a paradise for gambling enthusiasts. Or rather, a home for adventurers who love thrills. There are casinos, beautiful women, fine wines, the ultimate in luxury, and all sorts of bizarre things. If I had to describe it, it's a fantasy city!"
"The City of Fantasy?" Mr. Yang smiled slightly, savoring the words carefully.
I arrived at a luxury hotel run by the Yang family. The casino was downstairs. Mr. Yang Er personally led me to a room to rest. Soon after, a professional nurse helped me take a bath and change my clothes. Then, someone invited me to have dinner with Mr. Yang Er.
It was already evening, and Mr. Yang and I were in a room on the top floor of this hotel.
“I often find myself here… Oh, this is also our family’s first casino in Las Vegas.” Mr. Yang took a sip of his wine and smiled, “Now that it’s dark, you can take a good look at the night view outside. The night view of Las Vegas is very beautiful.”
As instructed, I turned my wheelchair to the window and gazed into the distance.
Indeed, the view of Las Vegas at night from the hotel's rooftop was truly extraordinary!
Neon lights flashed everywhere, transforming the entire city into a magical metropolis! A dazzling spectacle, lights shimmering, a vibrant tapestry of lights and colors—even just standing there watching, without hearing a thing, you could almost feel the city's immense prosperity! On nights like these, beneath those shimmering neon lights, who knows how many lovers roamed, how many revelries raged, how much decadence and debauchery unfolded…
"Did you see that?" Mr. Yang Er slowly walked up behind me and asked me with a gentle smile.
I nodded: "Yes, I saw it."
"Now, what are your feelings about this city?"
"..." I was speechless.
Mr. Yang gently placed a hand on my shoulder and sighed softly, "If you ask me, I'll tell you, this is a bloodsucking city!"
"Blood sucking?"
“Yes.” Mr. Yang’s expression was calm. The excellent bloodline of the Yang family gave him a handsome appearance, and his wise eyes added to his mature man’s charm. I turned my head and looked at him from the side. Mr. Yang squinted and looked out the window: “Actually… you might not believe it if I told you. I’ve been tired of this city for a long time.”
He tilted his head back and downed the drink in his glass in one gulp, then smiled faintly: "This is indeed a bloodsucking city! Those tourists coming and going, those adventurers who come here with dreams of getting rich, those gamblers—everyone is giving this city a lifeline! They inject their blood into this city, which is what makes it so vibrant! Here, getting rich overnight is just a mythical miracle for a tiny minority, while the vast majority of people who come here with dreams end up emptying their pockets and bleeding their last drop of blood! If you ask me, this city is nothing more than a man-eating monster!"
I never expected Mr. Yang Er to say such a thing.
Seeing my expression, he smiled slightly: "Surprised? Hmm... Perhaps you're thinking that even if I'm right, this is indeed a city that sucks blood, and I, as one of the vampires in this city, am not qualified to say these hypocritical words of compassion, right?"
I was speechless.
Mr. Yang patted my shoulder again and laughed, "It's alright. If I were you, I would find it laughable to see myself making such a remark." He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Look, this is a city built in the desert! And the surrounding desert is constantly shifting sands. Every year, this city has to spend an astronomical amount of money to clear the shifting sands! If it weren't for the endless clearing every year and every month, this city would have been buried by the shifting sands long ago! In other words, the place where you and I are standing now was also built with money and blood."
I lowered my head and thought for a moment, then looked up and stared directly at him, slowly saying, "You're right, Mr. Yang. This is indeed a bloodsucking city... But isn't the world the same? Everyone is sucking blood, everyone is desperately grabbing. Everyone is sucking the blood of others, while being sucked by others! You and I are both in this circle, so I think your statement, while correct, is meaningless."
He looked at me, smiled, and then slowly pushed my wheelchair away from the window. We sat down facing each other. He took out a cigar and handed me a pack of cigarettes: "I remember you don't like cigars. Luckily, I have some cigarettes here too."
"Mr. Yang, now you can tell me why you called me here, right?" I lit a cigarette and then looked at him quietly.
Mr. Yang's gaze lingered on my face for a moment, and he smiled: "You are outstanding... I have always admired you. But I also thought you had many weaknesses. Of course, those weaknesses are valuable qualities for ordinary people! For example, loyalty, or kindness. But for someone who has embarked on the path you are on now, they are weaknesses! Those weaknesses may not have a big impact on you before you reach the top, but as you become a true leader, those weaknesses will become your fatal flaws! So, when I saw you last time, I thought that although you were excellent, you were not outstanding."
He paused for a moment, as if deliberately observing my expression, but he didn't see anything on my face, before continuing, "But seeing you today, I feel you've changed. Your weaknesses seem to have faded a lot, and your progress and growth surprise me."
"Thank you for your compliment," I said casually.
“I don’t know what kind of experience caused you to change… but it certainly surprised me.” Mr. Yang smiled faintly. “It’s even a pity… if you had been like this back then, I might not have… well, there’s no point in saying all this now.” He looked at me seriously. “Alright, let’s get down to business.”
I took a deep breath and looked at Mr. Yang.
“I hope you…” Mr. Yang smiled, but then shook his head: “No, no, that’s not the right way to put it. Well… you should already know that I’m preparing to let Yang Wei inherit the family business, right?”
“…Yes.” Mentioning Yang Wei made my heart skip a beat, and I gave a dry reply.
"Hmm," Mr. Yang said slowly, "As the heir of the family, Yang Wei will become the next head of the Yang family after me! And after becoming the head of the Yang family, everything she does will no longer be her own business! Instead, it will become the family's interest!"
"……I know."
“Alright.” Mr. Yang sighed, “Then, as the head of the Yang family, her marriage will naturally be a very important matter! I just regret that Weiwei is a girl. No matter how capable a girl is, she will have many innate deficiencies after becoming a parent. These are not things that can be made up for by hard work or intelligence.”
"..."
"Take her marriage, for example. First, she must have a legitimate marriage. As the head of the Yang family, she cannot be a secret lover of any man, much less do anything that would damage the family's reputation... You should understand this." Mr. Yang looked at me calmly. "Second, even if she is to get married, her marriage partner absolutely cannot have a prominent background!"
“She is a woman. In this male-dominated world, no matter how capable a woman is, she cannot change this fact! Therefore, my requirement for her is that her future marriage partner must be a man without a particularly outstanding background! Because I will not allow my family to be swallowed up by another family! If Yang Wei's future husband has a prominent background, then I have reason to worry that the Yang family will be in danger of being peacefully annexed! Yang Wei is, after all, a woman!”
I took a deep breath: "You mean..."
“What I mean is…” Mr. Yang looked at me and said seriously, “You are eliminated by either of these two conditions! First, you cannot give her a formal title. Second… you already have a certain amount of power, and I cannot allow you to marry my heir! Because I suspect that, at this rate, after I die, a few decades later, this family will probably change its surname to Chen.”
His eyes were already carrying a hint of warning: "This is no joke, Chen Yang. If you were still in the same position I met you over two years ago, I would have been willing to marry Yang Wei to you without hesitation! Because back then, you were still very weak, and I could have integrated you into the Yang family! Make you a member of this family! Even if you and Yang Wei married and had children, those children would belong to the Yang family! But that's not possible now. You are now very powerful, so powerful that the Yang family can no longer integrate you, and I cannot take that risk. In other words, even if I let you marry Yang Wei now, would your children have the surname Chen or Yang? After Yang Wei, who will inherit the family?!"
I shuddered and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I understand. You invited me here specifically to warn me not to make any more moves on Yang Wei, is that right?"
Mr. Yang sighed and said slowly, "I am human, and I was young once too. I know that what I did was inappropriate, or rather, offensive. But my position is that of the patriarch of the Yang family, and I am responsible for the future of the family. Of course... you are someone I admire, and I will give you some compensation..."
"No!" I interrupted Mr. Yang.
He frowned: "Are you refusing?"
“No, I think you’ve misunderstood.” I smiled and looked at Mr. Yang Er in front of me. “First of all, I can tell you very clearly, Mr. Yang Er… Yang Wei is a very rational and intelligent woman. In fact, we already made things clear back in China. She gave up our relationship and chose to inherit the family business. So, your worries are unnecessary… Secondly…” I stared at him and said coldly, “I will not accept any ‘compensation’ from you. My feelings are my feelings. Whether I give up or pursue them is my own business.”
“If this is the purpose of your special invitation to me… I think I understand now.” I slowly moved my wheelchair away, then nodded to Mr. Yang and prepared to take my leave.
"Chen Yang." He called out to me, and then his voice came from afar: "Given my status, I really shouldn't be meddling in the private affairs of a junior, but please understand that Yang Wei's every private matter has now become part of the family's interests. I'm not making a mountain out of a molehill."
"Thank you, I understand." I turned and smiled, then opened the door and left without looking back.