I said seriously, "Yang Wei, we've known each other for a long time, and I'm the kind of person who's most open with his friends! I'm genuinely seeking your advice now, and I won't mind whatever you say."
Yang Wei's eyes lit up: "Are you really not angry?"
"never."
"Alright!" Yang Wei sat up straight. She glanced quickly at the clock on the wall, did some quick calculations, and said in a deep voice, "I can't think of much right now, and I don't have any brilliant ideas, but I have three strategies: superior, medium, and inferior. You can choose one."
I touched my nose and gave a wry smile: "Three strategies? You're really something, coming up with three solutions in such a short time. I haven't come up with a single one."
"Hmph." Yang Wei deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Don't say nice things too soon. I've finished speaking. I just hope you're not angry."
Then she held up a finger: "The best strategy, huh? Hehe, Little Five, as I said before, this is a crisis for Fang Ba, but for you, it's a rare opportunity! If I were you, this is the time when Fang Ba's forces are completely wiped out, and he has no one left to command! I would find a suicide soldier to carry out the 'Zhuan Zhu' and 'Jing Ke' actions right now! If we can succeed in one fell swoop, with Fang Ba dead and all the other leaders gone, leaving only you, then the overall situation will be settled! As for the cooperation with Solin, whether we advance or retreat, there's a lot to be gained! Fang Ba values the cooperation with Solin, believing it's a way to clean up the Great Circle's image, but both Fang Ba and Solin have taken the wrong path. I don't need to tell you that; I already discussed this with you last time. Therefore, the Vietnamese need to get the opportunity to cooperate with Solin..." "Let them do it, even if it's a waste of manpower and resources, they won't achieve much! After you take power, keep a low profile, focus on internal stability, and externally, focus on alliances! We're friends, and if you become the head of the big circle, I'll naturally help you. Thorin is old now, and I don't think the Hells Angels have any outstanding talents. You are decisive and resilient, and with my support, in less than ten years, will anyone in the Canadian underworld be able to compete with you?" Yang Wei sighed, "This is the best way, but the matter of Tu Fangba must be done discreetly. You absolutely cannot do it yourself; you need to find a skilled, reliable, and absolutely loyal assassin! Don't you have a good brother named Xiluo? If you can sacrifice him..."
"Alright!" Yang Wei's words made my face darken. "Is this your best strategy? Don't mention this again... I won't do it."
I know I look terrible, but to my surprise... I don't actually feel very surprised or angry.
That's what scares me the most!
Why?
I know very well that if it were me a year ago, hearing this suggestion to kill my boss would have made me turn on him on the spot!
But now, hearing these words from Yang Wei, I don't feel much resistance.
Or have I become cold-hearted? Or have I long harbored ambitions for the Eighth Prince's position?
I shook my head and gritted my teeth, saying, "That's impossible! I would never do such a thing. Besides, Xiluo is my brother. It's impossible for me to sacrifice my brother like that!"
Yang Wei wasn't surprised. She just sighed and said slowly, "I knew you'd react this way, and I guessed you'd most likely refuse. I only said it just out of a sliver of hope. Alright, since you refuse, then I'll offer a middle-ground solution."
"Okay." I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that I was more at ease since Yang Wei hadn't brought it up.
To be honest, my heart was pounding when Yang Wei mentioned the "best strategy"!
Especially those words: "With internal restructuring and external support from Yang Wei, given Thorin's advanced age, within ten years, Canada will have no one to rival us..."
What she said really made me a little upset... because I understand that what Yang Wei said is very likely!
For a man, burdened by hatred, unable to return home, and consumed by ambition, what temptation could be more alluring than this?
I know, I'm actually tempted! That's what scares me the most! Yang Wei is truly an extraordinary woman. Just a few words from her and she's stirred up the devil within me!
“The best course of action is for you to withdraw now.” Yang Wei sighed, her gaze sincere as she looked at me softly. “Xiao Wu, you are skilled, ambitious, resolute, and adaptable. You know how to handle situations and when to advance and retreat—truly a great talent. But within the Big Circle, especially under Master Fang, your chances are extremely slim. I’ve calculated it all; as long as Master Fang lives, you have no chance of turning things around! In that case, it’s better to withdraw as soon as possible. The Big Circle has made too many enemies in Canada in the past. The atmosphere is too murderous; it’s not a good place for you to develop. If you were to rise to power and have authority, everything would be easier, and you could calculate things more carefully. But you are under Master Fang… I know a bit about Master Fang. He’s old but resolute, though somewhat stubborn. And look at his old subordinates and brothers in recent years—some have died, some have retired! I don’t need to say more; you should understand! Since you’re unwilling to use your brain against him, it’s better to withdraw now… Xiao Wu…”
Finally, Yang Wei gently called my name, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. Her tone softened deliberately as she whispered, "If you're willing to listen to me and leave the Great Circle, come back with me! Our family is quite powerful, and although I'm just a woman, I still have a place in the family. With my recommendation, I'll ask my uncles to take you into our family. You'll naturally have your own opportunities in the future! I'll be there to support you, and you'll eventually rise to prominence... Besides..." Yang Wei suddenly blushed, her voice even gentler, "Our family isn't thriving in terms of men this generation, and we don't have any outstanding talents. If you... um, do you remember what I said before? Any organization like ours, with a family-style development model, will naturally seek to absorb new blood from outside if it encounters a shortage of internal talent, which is nothing more than intermarriage..."
When she spoke the last few words, Yang Wei's voice was almost inaudible.
My heart skipped a beat! Seeing Yang Wei's downcast head and flushed face, I was speechless for a moment.
Yes, Yang Wei is taking this opportunity to recruit me... and it's not just a simple recruitment... but a recruitment that uses herself as a bargaining chip!
What she meant was clearly that if I were willing to marry into her family, I would have no trouble having the opportunity to take power and be in charge in the future...
As for intermarriage, and with whom... that goes without saying. It's both far away and right before our eyes!
At this critical moment, Yang Wei unexpectedly pulled off this gentle stunt, leaving me completely flustered...
After a long while, seeing Yang Wei's cheeks flush with shyness and her eyes seemingly about to overflow with tears, I forced a breath, opened my mouth, and managed to say, "You...you mean..."
"Hmm." Yang Wei nodded gently, glanced at me, a hint of clarity flashing in her eyes, her shyness slowly fading: "You...you don't think that because I took the initiative to bring this up, you look down on me, do you?"
I quickly shook my head: "No... Ah, that's not what I meant."
Yang Wei sighed again, looked at me, gritted her teeth as if she had made a decision, and slowly said, "Chen Yang, it is naturally inappropriate for a woman like me to say such things. But I, Yang Wei, have always held myself in high esteem since childhood. Hmph, although I don't consider myself exceptionally intelligent, I have seen countless talented young men around me over the years. Hmph, it's just a pity that I haven't taken a liking to any of them. There are those who are smarter than you, those who are richer and more powerful than you, those who are more handsome than you, but they all lack one thing that I value most!"
"What?" I blurted out, then immediately regretted it. Wouldn't asking that make it seem like I actually had feelings for Yang Wei?
Yang Wei gave me a complicated look, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes, but she said softly, "It's all about 'truthfulness'! You're not exactly a perfect 10 out of 10 in intelligence, maybe 7 or 8 at most. Your abilities aren't perfect either, maybe 7 or 8 out of 10. Your perseverance is a strength, but you're a bit too stubborn. Being principled is a strength, but it's sometimes out of place. If others were like you, I, Yang Wei, would naturally look down on them. But you have that extra bit of truthfulness! You're incredibly loyal to your friends, you keep your promises and are trustworthy. What's even more rare is that although you also pursue profit, you place righteousness above profit in your heart... Just for that, you surpass everyone I've ever met."
Yang Wei was indeed no ordinary woman. The more she spoke, the more composed and serene she became: "The first night we met, we were just casual acquaintances, yet you were willing to stand up for me, risking your life to protect me. The second time we met, I, Yang Wei, humbled myself to see you, but you were cold and indifferent to me because I had harmed Ye Huan. At that time, Ye Huan was merely a disgraced gang leader. The third time we met, you risked your life to protect a little girl for a promise, almost losing everything, yet you did it willingly, without a trace of discouragement in your expression. Just based on these..." "You are truly an extraordinary man among all the people I, Yang Wei, have known! Though I, Yang Wei, am but a woman, I have met countless people in my life, yet you alone command my utmost respect and admiration. I have thought it over and over, and among all the men I have met, none can compare to you. I, Yang Wei, have never loved any man in my life, but you have earned my respect. In any case, I will eventually marry, and rather than marry someone I dislike, marrying someone like you, whom I respect, is not in vain! Perhaps my words today have been somewhat presumptuous and rash. I only hope that you will not look down on me because of this!"
Although her tone was frank, a flush of excitement rose on her cheeks. After speaking, she suddenly stood up, walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and smiled calmly at me, saying, "Alright, I just blurted this out in a moment of excitement. You're not allowed to laugh! Just consider me drunk before I've even tasted anything! I'll drink this cup of tea instead of wine!" With that, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, looking at me with a half-smile.
...
To be honest, I'm a little dizzy!
Yang Wei, standing before me, spoke eloquently and frankly. Although she didn't utter a single word about love or affection, her sincerity and candor deeply moved me! I've met all sorts of women, but Yang Wei is undoubtedly unique! Her genuine nature, frankness, and free spirit truly make her an extraordinary woman!
Her words, seemingly a marriage proposal, actually transcended ordinary romantic love. She possessed a cool and composed personality, yet also a free-spiritedness and exuberance uncommon in most people!
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter Twenty-One: Terrifying Kindness
Yang Wei was still looking at me, but I seemed to have gone mad. I opened my mouth wide and tried several times, but I couldn't utter a single word—to be honest, I didn't know what to say.
Yang Wei's proposal would certainly be extremely tempting to most men in the world, but...
Finally, after we stared at each other for a long time, Yang Wei suddenly smiled and said in a lighthearted tone, "Alright, I already know your answer."
"I'm sorry." I sighed, seemingly wanting to explain something, but Yang Wei gently shook her head, looking directly into my eyes: "Xiao Wu, you don't need to explain anymore, I understand. Originally, when I said those things, I didn't have much hope. We haven't known each other for very long, but I know you quite well. Before I said those things, I already knew that, given your character and personality, you would most likely refuse."
Although she seemed to be smiling freely, I still caught a glimpse of disappointment in her eyes. However, this emotional fluctuation was fleeting, and Yang Wei quickly returned to normal.
"Alright, you're not willing to accept the best option I suggested, and you're not willing to accept the middle option either. It seems we'll have to listen to my worst option from now on." Yang smiled and said quickly, while also quickly changing the subject.
"Hmm." I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved that the topic had been changed, but for some reason, I also had a strange feeling... like, maybe, a little disappointed?
“My worst option is…” Yang Wei’s eyes flickered, then she paused, her expression somewhat strange. Then she slowly said, “Just one word… wait!”
"Wait?" I frowned.
“Yes, wait!” Yang Wei’s tone was calm: “Didn’t Eighth Master tell you not to get involved? Then do as he says! Just ignore this matter and enjoy your freedom in Toronto. As for your brothers, call them immediately. Tell them to protect themselves as much as possible and not get involved. When Eighth Master goes back tonight… well, if things can be resolved properly, although you didn’t contribute this time, now that Eighth Master’s close associates in the big circle are either dead or gone, there’s no one left to compete with you. After this matter is settled, you will naturally be promoted! Eighth Master can’t help but promote you, because there’s really no one else like you!” Seeing that I was about to object. Yang Wei smiled and said, “Don’t be in such a hurry. I know you’re unwilling to stay out of this, but there are two reasons for this. First, this is Eighth Master’s intention. If you forcefully intervene, it will only provoke him to deal with you. Second, how long do you think you can stay out of trouble? Don’t worry! You won’t have to wait long. Eighth Master went back to put out fires. He needs to deal with things in your stronghold first, resolve the conflict with the police, and quell the impact… I guess the next step is to fight the Vietnamese! At that time… Little Five, in your circle, you are now the number one fighter! With someone like you, if you’re not used when the fighting starts, not only Eighth Master, but even your own brothers will be fed up!” Yang Wei’s voice was full of confidence: “Also, the Vietnamese are definitely plotting to cooperate with Mr. Sorin. This matter is twofold! Staying in Toronto might not mean you won’t have room to maneuver!”
"But..." I still felt something was wrong.
"Xiao Wu!" Yang narrowed his eyes. "I know, given your temper, you'd love to go to the hospital right now to find Eighth Master and persuade him to take you back with you. You're worried about your brothers, your men, and your companions... but that's definitely not going to work! If you go to Eighth Master now, he'll be even less likely to let you go back! Besides, there's a reason why I'm asking you to wait here... I just can't say it right now."
"What reason?" A thought suddenly struck me.
Yang smiled with a hint of cunning: "Well, I can't say right now."
I'm a little confused...
If the first two strategies clearly reflected Yang Wei's decisive and even ruthless nature, this inferior strategy seemed rather mundane... It essentially forced me to back down, handing over the initiative to Eighth Master and awaiting his summons. What if he didn't let me go back? What if...
"Chen Yang, trust me this once." Yang smiled and said, "I won't miscalculate this."
"Okay!" I slapped my thigh and stood up abruptly, looking Yang Wei in the eyes: "I believe you!"
Strangely, Yang Wei's expression didn't show much joy. Instead, she looked at me for a long time and sighed softly, "Xiao Wu, this is the first time in my life that I, Yang Wei, have wholeheartedly planned for someone else's affairs. I only hope that you won't blame or resent me in the end."
This made me even more confused, but Yang Wei didn't explain this time. Instead, she waved her hand and deliberately laughed, "Alright, you can go back now. You interrupted me while I was taking a bath. The first thing I need to do now is take a good bath." She smiled bitterly, "You have no idea. Before I came back, I personally put on a good show for that princess and the count's son to solve her problem... Sigh, but I can't let my subordinates do these things, you know... After I finished all that, I felt really uncomfortable. Thinking about those two's peculiar fetishes, I feel like I have some kind of virus on my hands and body. If I don't wash myself thoroughly, I suspect I'll be traumatized."
Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had almost forgotten. Yang Wei had saved me once before, and I still owed her a huge favor for the princess drugging me.
Yang Wei yawned and then stretched. Seeing this, I immediately got up to leave. Yang Wei didn't try to stop me, and saw me to the door, finally saying, "Don't worry, just wait here. Don't fret. Master Fang has been a big shot in the underworld for so many years, and he's encountered much more serious and difficult situations. Although these troubles are tricky, he can handle them. You don't need to worry about the safety of your brothers. Also, what I'm most worried about is... that drug dealer who died. You had a connection with him, didn't you? Xiao Wu, you can't act impulsively now. If you're willing to listen to me, don't rush back today. And you'd better ask to see Mr. Sorin. Of course, I know Sorin probably won't see you now, but you might as well make a gesture and ask a few more times. Be patient... Tomorrow, maybe everything will be different tomorrow!"
Her last words puzzled me, but Yang Wei didn't explain; she just waved goodbye.
I walked down the hillside back to my villa and thought for a moment. Following Yang Wei's advice, I immediately made a phone call and requested to see Mr. Sorin.
Of course. The reply I received was still from Thorin's men in the villa: they would relay the message immediately, and I should wait.
Yang Wei told me that Suolin probably won't see me now, and I'm not in a hurry. I'm just putting on this show.
But time was really dragging on. I tossed and turned in the villa, sitting there listlessly all afternoon. During that time, I couldn't help but want to call Xiluo. But I only made one call. On the phone, Xiluo said that the situation was relatively stable. He didn't know why the police hadn't brought a search warrant yet. It was probably because Eighth Master had used some connections. Xiluo didn't know the specifics, but he said that the people in the repair shop were basically under his control.
As for Lao Huang's nephew, he impulsively rushed out with a gun and was shot in the leg by a police gunman. He was immediately dragged back by several policemen and is presumably taken to the hospital. Of course, he has been temporarily arrested by the police.
In addition, Xiluo told me that Master Ba had called back, and his instructions were similar to mine: his men were not allowed to clash with the police, and he indicated that if the police insisted on coming in to search, he could compromise as appropriate.
Xiluo asked me when I could go back, and I told him somewhat dejectedly that it was impossible for me to get back today at least.
After making that first call, I simply refrained from making the calls whenever I felt like it.
Since things are already like this, and I can't go back anyway, what's the point of making so many phone calls?
Frustrated, I simply took off my clothes, rushed to the back of the villa, and jumped into the lake. I swam for an hour straight, without stopping, reaching a point far from the shore—I estimate it was at least a kilometer away. After this outburst, I was physically exhausted, and the anger in my heart seemed to have been released as well.
Dragging my aching body, I walked back to the villa and saw that it was already getting dark...
By now, Eighth Master has probably arrived in Vancouver. He took the earliest flight this afternoon, so he should be arriving soon.
I made a phone call and asked someone at the villa for two bottles of wine, and someone delivered them very quickly.
I hesitated for a moment, thinking of inviting Yang Wei to have a drink with me. If I had someone to talk to, maybe it would distract me.
But after hesitating for a long time, I gave up the idea.
Because I remembered what Yang Wei had mentioned today about the "middle strategy," namely the matter of incestuous marriage. Instinctively, I felt a little embarrassed. At a time like this, asking Yang Wei to drink with me to cheer me up felt somewhat awkward.
I downed half a bottle of foreign liquor in one go before finally letting out a long sigh of relief, feeling that the frustration in my heart had finally dissipated somewhat.
I didn't use a cup; instead, I just held the bottle and poured it into my mouth, mouthful by mouthful.
Although I have a good alcohol tolerance, if I were to down half a bottle like this on a normal day, I would probably be a little tipsy. But today, I don't know why, perhaps because I was excited, my alcohol tolerance actually increased. The more I drank, the clearer I became. Apart from feeling a little hot, I didn't feel tipsy at all.
My mind was racing with increasingly quick and clear thoughts! The Eighth Master's affairs, the affairs in the lair, the affairs of Thorin... and also, the affairs of Yang Wei.
Thinking about Eighth Master's affair fills me with frustration and resentment; thinking about Solin's affair makes me sneer. And thinking about that fat man Hong Da... I can't help but feel anger and hatred rising within me. And thinking about Yang Wei makes me feel somewhat uneasy.
Amidst all these emotions swirling in my mind, I unknowingly drank more than half the bottle.
Actually, I don't think I'm drunk, but in fact, I'm a little drunk.
I thought I was perfectly sober, but unintentionally, when I got up to go to the bathroom, I was already swaying a bit. I rubbed my eyes hard against the wall and said with a wry smile, "Damn it, it turns out that when people are worried, their alcohol tolerance really does decrease. I thought I was getting more and more sober as I drank, but it was just an illusion."
Just as I finished talking to myself, my phone, which was next to my sofa, suddenly rang!
I picked up the phone. Seeing it was Xiluo calling, I answered immediately.
"Xiao Wu! Hello! Xiao Wu!!!" Xi Luo's voice came through the phone receiver, filled with anxiety, panic, and anger. I could even hear a tremor in Xi Luo's voice!
"Huh? What's wrong?" I was taken aback.
"Xiao Wu!" Xi Luo spoke rapidly, as if on the verge of an emotional breakdown: "Something's happened! Something terrible! Eighth Master was assassinated!! He got off the plane and left the airport half an hour ago, but on his way back, he was attacked! There was a sniper!! Eighth Master was shot twice, one of his men is dead and another is wounded, and he's already in the hospital for emergency treatment!! I just got a call. It was that guy, Little Pig, calling me. He's injured and is in the hospital with Eighth Master. One of the two bullets Eighth Master was shot in the chest! He's currently unconscious..."
Honestly, I was holding the phone in one hand, but I had already slumped onto the sofa!
In fact, after all that rapid-fire talk from Ciro, I barely heard the rest. I was completely stunned! The only thing that remained clear and deeply impactful in my mind was those first four words Ciro uttered…
Eighth Prince has been assassinated!!