After not seeing each other for more than ten days, we both vented our inner passion to the fullest. However, Yang Wei was still mindful of boundaries. Seeing that our emotions had reached their peak and that continuing would inevitably cross the line, she finally gently placed her arm on her chest, separated from me a little, and said breathlessly, "Okay... I still have something to say to you."
"No." I shook my head stubbornly, deliberately acting spoiled, "Nothing is more important than kissing you right now."
Yang Wei chuckled, quickly kissed me on the cheek, and then slipped out of my embrace. I lowered my arms dejectedly and said helplessly, "Okay, what's wrong?"
I was really upset. Yang Wei also felt a little guilty. She came over, hugged my arm, and pulled me to sit down. "Okay, darling, I really have something to tell you. It's about the Mafia!"
Only then did I gather my thoughts and get serious.
Goch hasn't made any moves lately. While it's true that Spielberg's presence has made him hesitate (one Spielberg might not be enough to frighten Goch, but the Jewish group behind Spielberg is a truly terrifying force!!), I'm not naive enough to think that Goch will just let it go!
The thought that there is such a formidable enemy in the shadows, constantly watching me... is, of course, a very unpleasant feeling.
Yang Wei stood up, took a bottle of Rémy Martin and two wine glasses from the liquor cabinet, placed them in front of us, and poured two glasses. She handed me one first, then slowly said, "This time back in Las Vegas, I first gave my uncle my share of this year's smuggling profits, and then I attended the family's regular meeting. At the meeting, my brother said quite a few bad things about me... Sigh, but it doesn't matter. My uncle is a smart man after all. Although he favors his son, he won't be ambiguous when it comes to the family's interests. After the meeting, I talked to my uncle privately and told him about our situation here, mainly the unfriendly actions the Gambino family has taken against us."
Yang Wei looked at me: "I originally wanted to persuade my uncle to step in... After all, my uncle is the head of the Clover family, and he also has some connections with several Mafia families. If my uncle could act as a mediator, perhaps he could mediate the conflict between us and Gao Qi... Chen Yang. Don't look at me like that. I know it's difficult to get you to back down, but right now we don't have the power to fight against the Gambino family."
“But the Gambino family wants to drive us out of business. This conflict is irreconcilable. Unless we pack our bags and leave now,” I said bluntly.
“Yes.” Yang Wei nodded. “But in the long run, this doesn’t contradict our plans. We don’t intend to settle down in Hollywood! After filming this movie, do we plan to continue investing in movies? After all, this movie was born out of that huge accident! But such miracles don’t happen every day! We’re here to make a lot of money, and that’s enough! Then, leaving is the smartest thing to do. And wasn’t that exactly our original plan?”
I nodded. Although I was unwilling, Yang Wei was telling the truth. Our goal was to make money, not to build a career.
"So, I think in the long run, there's no need for us to go head-to-head with the Gambino family. As long as we have a mediator to mediate between us, and we can buy some time for the Gambino family to remain neutral and not interfere... once we've made our money, we can sell the company and leave Hollywood. Our goal is to make money, not to fight with anyone. Chen Yang, you need to understand that."
"..." I didn't say anything.
I admit Yang Wei is right. But... the problem is, what happened that night!!
That night was an absolute humiliation for me! It was a trampling of my self-esteem!! No man could tolerate that kind of insult! And I didn't tell anyone about what happened that night, not even Yang Wei... because the scene was just too embarrassing. I took a deep breath, and reason prevailed over my desire for revenge. I said with difficulty, "Um... please continue."
“But I can’t persuade my uncle.” Yang Wei sighed. “My uncle doesn’t want to get involved in this matter. At the same time, he forbids me from helping you in the name of the family. I helped you before with my own strength, without using any family power… but this is already the limit of what my uncle can tolerate.”
Looking at Yang Wei's expression, I realized she seemed to have something else to say, so I asked, "Anything else?"
Yang Wei glanced at me cautiously for a moment, then handed me the wine. I took it and took a sip, and then Yang Wei whispered, "I told you, you can't be angry."
"Huh?" I looked at her strangely.
“I…I went to see Li Wenjing afterwards.” Yang Wei sighed, “The Li family has considerable influence in the upper echelons of American society. They are also involved in the arms trade and have a good relationship with the Locke family, the largest arms manufacturing family in the United States! Moreover, the Li family also has many connections with the Capone family of the Chicago Mafia…so…”
Yang Wei stopped speaking here because she had already noticed that my expression was very unpleasant.
I'm really annoyed! Extremely annoyed!!
Go ask Li Wenjing for help?!
A feeling of indescribable bitterness and annoyance welled up deep inside me!
Li Wenjing?! Of course I know! Li Wenjing is deeply in love with Yang Wei! Without a doubt, he's an exceptionally talented and outstanding young man! Among all the people I know, and among my peers, I've never met anyone more outstanding! His distinguished family background, excellent education, and his demeanor, talent, and abilities are all truly admirable… and even in the past, I had quite a few favorable feelings towards him…
But! Things are different now!!
Li Wenjing loved Yang Wei deeply, and even almost proposed marriage to her through the Yang family! If it weren't for Qiao Qiao's absurd "kiss" in public...
Now that my relationship with Yang Wei has been made clear, no matter what, I consider Yang Wei my woman! My possession!!
At times like these, my relationship with Li Wenjing becomes delicate!
To be fair: now, he and I have become rivals in love!
Even if we compromise, even if we don't completely break ties... but if any man faced a major crisis in his career, would he accept help from a man who deeply admires his wife?
Bang!
I slammed the cup down on the table, my face grim: "You really went to see Li Wenjing?"
“Yes.” Yang Wei took a deep breath: “This was the only way I could think of. I went to see him. He quickly agreed to my request. Then he flew with me to Los Angeles.”
I didn't say anything.
Yang Wei continued, "I... have already told Li Wenjing about our relationship... and then, to avoid awkwardness for everyone, Li Wenjing didn't meet with you. So he'll go see Gao Qi and make an effort... after that, he'll leave directly. He won't run into you."
I became an instant sensation!
I jumped to my feet, glaring at Yang Wei: "Hmm, not meeting me is to avoid making me feel awkward... This was your idea, wasn't it?! Ha!! I'm in big trouble. And now I have to rely on my love rival for help!! To be considerate of my feelings, he even had the nerve to not meet me... Humph! You're really thoughtful! Are you worried that I'll be too embarrassed to express my gratitude to him?!"
"No...it's not what you think!" Yang Wei tried to grab my hand, but I shook her off.
Suddenly, without warning, the fire in my heart burst forth!
I roared at Yang Wei, "It's not what I think! What is it then?! Yes! You want to help me! But what about me?! Haha!! How can I face Li Wenjing after this? How can I have any face at all?! Yes! What am I, Chen Yang?! I'm in trouble, and I have to rely on a woman to beg my rival for help to get it sorted out!! Yang Wei! Did you even consider my feelings when you did this?!
Smash! In my anger, I overturned the cups and bottles on the table with one hand, then paced back and forth in the room without even glancing at Yang Wei.
I ignored everything Yang Wei tried to say.
"Hammer!!!" I suddenly roared, "Hammer! You get in here!!!"
A few seconds later, Hammer burst through the living room door. He was holding a gun and looked tense: "Fifth Brother, what's wrong?"
My face was grim, my expression murderous: "Call back to Vancouver!" I said coldly, enunciating each word clearly: "Have Ciro gather his men, call all the capable brothers back home, and then... have them all come to Los Angeles!!"
Yang Wei's expression changed drastically, and she cried out in a trembling voice, "Xiao Wu!!!"
I ignored her, staring intently at Hammer, and gritted my teeth, saying, "This time I'm not relying on anyone! Hmph... the Gambino family, huh? This time I'm going to wipe out Los Angeles!" After saying that, I glared at Hammer and shouted, "What are you waiting for?!"
Yang Wei cried out and tried to stop Hammer... but in my rage, how could Hammer dare to listen to Yang Wei?
I stared coldly at Yang Wei. She was clearly unprepared for my outburst of anger. She just glared at me, gritting her teeth, and said, "Xiao Wu! You're crazy! You're really crazy! Do you even know what you're doing?!" Suddenly, Yang Wei pointed at me and shouted, "Is your pride that important?! Is Li Wenjing really worth this much anger?! Are you really going to make everyone go crazy with you just for your ridiculous male pride?!"
I lowered my eyelids, my tone icy cold: "Yang Wei, I have something to tell you!"
I took two steps closer to her, pressing her against the wall. I pressed her hands against the wall, staring into her eyes: "Some things are a man's business! Women will never understand!!"
After saying that, I turned away from Yang Wei and strode up the stairs.
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 172: A Wake-Up Call
Yes! Perhaps it's a bit of an overreaction that my help to Li Wenjing made me so famous!
But Yang Wei doesn't know... and I probably don't even know it myself right now. The anger I'm suddenly erupting with is something I've been suppressing for a very, very long time!
Ever since that day I left Gaoqi's manor, this anger within me has been suppressed! Like a flame, it burns ever brighter in my heart!
Today, Yang Wei took it upon herself to ask Li Wenjing to mediate between us, even though it was out of kindness...
However, it was precisely this incident that became the trigger in my heart!
My anger stems from two things: First, my male pride makes it impossible for me to accept help from my rival!
More than anything, it was hatred towards Gao Qi!
The day I left Gao Qi's manor, I swore I would never compromise! And I would repay Gao Qi for the humiliation he had inflicted upon me! I will never forget that day at Gao Qi's manor, being held at gunpoint and forced to perform oral sex in front of everyone!
But now, Yang Wei has taken it upon herself to have Li Wenjing mediate for me... Doesn't that mean I'm bowing down to Gao Qi?
No! Absolutely not!!
After rushing up the stairs, I grabbed a pair of boxing gloves and ran down into the gym in the house.
I stripped off my shirt in the gym and started punching the punching bag relentlessly. Even though I was wearing gloves, my knuckles were still aching. That shows how intensely I vented!
I was panting heavily when I noticed the gym door open and Yang Wei walking in.
Her face was somewhat pale. She looked at me with a gloomy gaze and walked to my side. I was still angry at the moment, so I deliberately avoided looking at her, then jumped up and continued to punch the sandbag twice, making it swing violently from side to side.
"Chen Yang!" Yang Wei's voice was deep: "Have you gone crazy enough?"
I snorted and turned to stare at her: "Crazy? Haha! In two days, I'll show you what real madness is!"
Without warning, Yang Wei suddenly charged at me! She pounced into my arms like an enraged female leopard, her head slamming into my shoulder. Then, she shoved me hard in the chest with both hands and roared, "You think you're so brave, huh?!"
She seemed about to lunge at me, scratching and biting, but I pushed her away and yelled, "Are you crazy!"
Yang Wei was furious: "You're the one who's crazy!! You bastard, you simple-minded idiot!! Can't you even use your brain a little bit to think about things?!" She was breathing heavily, her face flushed: "Yes! I did ask Li Wenjing for help! I guessed you'd be unhappy about it... but you didn't have to react so violently! Chen Yang, I know this might upset you! But did you have to make such a big fuss! Just because you can't accept it, you're going to..."
"I've already told you, you don't understand!" I said proudly, "Let me tell you, I might be able to tolerate Li Wenjing's matter! But I will absolutely not tolerate the Gambino family, I will absolutely not bow down to Gao Qi!!!" I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, "I swore long ago! Now, I will never let anyone suffer such humiliation again!!"
Yang Wei paused for a moment, looking at me with disbelief, then gave a weak smile: "So...so that's why you did this, that's why..."
"I'm telling you, Yang Wei!" I roared, "I'm a man, and there are many things about men that you women will never understand! I've had enough of being bullied! I won't swallow this anymore! I can't bow down to Gao Qi! No matter what, this time I'll stand my ground!!!"
"..." Yang Wei stared at me in disbelief, and disappointment gradually appeared in her beautiful eyes. It was an undisguised disappointment, a disappointment that she felt was not living up to her expectations.
Her gaze pierced my heart and fueled my anger.
Sure enough, Yang Wei suddenly pointed at me, a contemptuous smile on her face: "Chen Yang! I think you've lost your mind!"
I retorted without backing down: "Dazed? How am I dizzy? I just don't want Gao Qi to ride roughshod over me anymore! This time, I'll stand my ground!"
Just then, Yang Wei suddenly moved closer to me, and a complicated look flashed in her eyes... Before I could react, I saw Yang Wei suddenly raise her slender hand and slap me across the face!
Snap!
The sudden slap stunned me!
We were already close to each other, and I never expected that this woman would suddenly hit me. With my skills, even if Yang Wei was very close to me, she wouldn't be able to hit me. But I was completely unprepared for her and never expected that the woman I love would suddenly take such action at this moment!
My left cheek was burning with pain. Although Yang Wei's slap was not hard and did not hurt much, the blow was not physical, but more importantly, it was a blow to my self-esteem!
I was stunned for a moment, and after a few seconds of blankness, I was like a piece of gunpowder that was ignited!
"You...you actually?!" I was furious! I had never been so openly humiliated by a woman in my entire life! Especially not by Yang Wei, whom I trusted and loved implicitly!
Yang Wei raised her hand again, but this time I was prepared and wouldn't let her hit me. I reached out and grabbed her wrist, and with a little force, I pinned her against the wall and pressed her hand against it.
Yang Wei's face was stubborn, glaring at me fearlessly: "Chen Yang, you really are an arrogant and stupid bastard!!" This woman was furious, yet her gaze still held disdain and contempt. Then, glaring into my eyes, she shouted: "Hold on to the end? Hmph! What a joke! You, you can't even hold on!!!"
"I originally thought you were a man of courage and integrity, a loyal friend who would keep his word! Now I never expected you to be such a foolish and arrogant idiot!!" Yang Wei became angrier as she spoke. He simply pointed his finger at my nose and yelled, "You're going to stand up for me? What are you going to stand up for? Your brothers' lives? Just for your own selfish reasons? Just for your pride as 'Fifth Brother,' just for your 'Fifth Master' self-esteem, just for your face! You're going to make your brothers bleed for you, fight for you, kill for you, sacrifice for you? So in your heart, the lives of your brothers are not worth as much as your face?! Stand up for me? You have the nerve to even say the word 'stand up for me'! What do you mean by 'stand up for me'? If you were willing to go to great lengths for your brothers, I, Yang Wei, would give you a thumbs up! But now, because of your own dissatisfaction, you want a bunch of brothers to risk their lives for you, to bleed for you! Are you even a man?! Stand up for me? You're not standing up for yourself, you're using your brothers' lives to stand up for me! You have the nerve to even say the word 'stand up for me'!!"
I was stunned by Yang Wei's scolding.
In my memory, this woman had never been so emotionally agitated, much less so out of control! Yang Wei's expression was furious, her eyes filled with endless disappointment and anger, and her body trembled. She didn't even notice the insults directed at me so close to her, the spittle spraying onto my face.
I'd risk my brother's life to save him...
Those words were like an awl, piercing deep into my heart! It felt as if it had instantly created a hole, and all my passion and anger flowed away with that hole…
As I held Yang Wei's hand, I unconsciously relaxed it a little.
Yang Wei noticed the change in the strength of my grip, suddenly flung my hand away, and took a step closer, pointing her finger at my nose and shouting, "I think you've gotten a little too cocky! You think you're so great now? Hmph! Fifth Master of Vancouver! The smuggler of the Canadian West Coast! Worth hundreds of millions of dollars... Heh heh! You think that's all there is to it? That makes you so arrogant? That makes you look down on the world? Chen Yang! Let me tell you! You're still a long way off!!!"
"What is the Gambino family's identity? Do you even understand what that name means to the entire American underworld? Hmph! You know absolutely nothing!! Bloodbath in Los Angeles? Haha! What a big mouth! What an arrogant attitude! What a ruthless method!! Chen Yang. I fucking despise you now!! Bloodbath in Los Angeles? Who do you think you are? How do you plan to bloodbath in Los Angeles? With whom? With your hundred or so men? A hundred or so guns? It's utterly ridiculous!! What gives you the right to be so arrogant? What makes you so cocky? Where do you think you are? Vancouver?" "What? Hmph, what do you think the Gambino family is? Those Vietnamese monkeys you can just toy with? Hmph!!" Yang Wei gritted her teeth, as if she wanted to bite me: "In Vancouver, what did you rely on? You relied on keeping a low profile, on scheming and plotting, on having Doug as your protector in the police! You barely managed to deal with the Vietnamese! And you dare challenge the Gambino family? What right do you have to challenge them? How much more powerful is Thorin than you? He was even obediently driven out of Hollywood! You think you can do better than Thorin?!"