"If you leave now, it's an insult!" Shen Shan deliberately frowned and made a face, then laughed and said, "Or do you think my place is too low-class? The beauties and wine here aren't good enough for you, little brother?"
I shook my head: "No, no... If you say this place is low-class, then there are probably very few places in Shanghai that are better than this."
"Then sit down and relax!" Shen Shan seemed to have transformed into a hospitable host, eager to keep his guest, completely forgetting that he had invited me here today with the sole purpose of "sending" me away from Shanghai.
In this situation, I really couldn't just walk away on the spot, otherwise I would be disrespecting Shen Shan.
I sat down, made up my mind, and decided to stall for a while before making an excuse to leave.
Less than five minutes later, the door to the private room opened, and a young and beautiful woman walked in. She looked to be only in her early twenties, and was quite striking, especially her eyes, which held a captivating allure. She wore a blue, form-fitting, mid-length coat that revealed a pair of shapely, firm thighs—long, straight, and undeniably alluring. Although not tall, her figure was remarkably well-proportioned, with a full bust and a slender waist, and a faint smile played on her lips.
This woman, in terms of appearance, was beautiful, but I've seen many beautiful women, so I didn't usually pay much attention to her. But when I saw her, a feeling stirred within me; I felt as if I'd seen her somewhere before, vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite place her.
Looking at the small earpiece hanging on her delicate ear, that's standard equipment for a manager or hostess in a nightclub. A beauty like her working in a place like this probably means she's Shen Shan's mistress.
So I only glanced at her a few times before immediately looking away. She, on the other hand, seemed to glance at me more, but didn't say anything.
"How about it, little brother?" Shen Shan laughed and said, "Xiao Xuan is a real talent here! But you won't get a chance to see her. She's my second-in-command's darling, practically my sister-in-law. Haha!" He pointed at me and said, "Xiao Xuan, this is my honored guest... You can just call him Fifth Brother."
I clearly saw that when the woman named "Xiao Xuan" heard the words "Brother Xiao Wu," a strange light seemed to flash in her eyes. However, due to her angle, Shen Shan didn't see this look.
"Hello, Fifth Brother." She smiled sweetly at me, the strange look in her eyes gone.
"Has the second brother arrived yet?" Shen Shan smiled.
"No." Xiaoxuan smiled lightly: "I just called him. He's on his way and should be here in a few minutes."
"Give him another call and urge him!" With outsiders present, Shen Shan seemed to laugh heartily, putting on his rough and unrefined demeanor again: "We're drinking together, how can we manage without a few people! Hurry up and urge him!"
He turned back to me and smiled, "My second-in-command is good in every way, except he's always a bit too cowardly. He's so timid, he walks as if he's afraid of stepping on an ant! And he's always scheming and calculating! Unlike me, I like to be decisive! When something happens, I cut it off cleanly! He's an educated man, so he's naturally different from a roughneck like me! Damn! But this guy drinks quite readily. I'll introduce you to him later, so we can all get to know each other better."
Seeing my somewhat puzzled look, Shen Shan smiled slightly and added, "He's been my good brother for many years, one of us."
I nodded, smiled, and said nothing.
Indeed, it wouldn't be good if word got out that Shen Shan and I were drinking too intimately.
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter Sixty: Assassination
Xiao Xuan was quite sensible. She looked at me, sat down next to me, and smiled sweetly: "Brother Xiao Wu, what kind of beautiful woman do you like? Tell me, and I'll arrange something for you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
I waved my hand: "Whatever, I'm just chatting and drinking with Boss Shen. Women and such don't matter to me..."
Before I could finish speaking, Xiaoxuan covered her mouth and smiled, then immediately and obediently replied, "I understand. I'll go find a few well-behaved and sensible children to come in and keep you company."
After saying that, she stood up: "Brother Xiao Wu, please wait a moment, I'll be back in a bit."
Shen Shan waved his hand dismissively: "Hurry up, hurry up..."
After Xiao Xuan left, Shen Shan's expression returned to normal. He smiled faintly and said, "How was it? This Xiao Xuan is quite nice, isn't she?"
I didn't understand what he meant, so I didn't respond. Shen Shan, however, said, "I took a liking to this girl as soon as she arrived, but my second-in-command acted faster than me. Hehe... This woman is very good at charming men, and my second-in-command is completely infatuated with her. That's why she's been put in charge of managing such a big establishment. You know what? Behind her back, everyone calls her 'Boss Lady'."
Just as I thought Shen Shan was getting lustful, I heard him change his tone and then sneer, "However... hehe! Women! It's certainly boring if they don't know how to coax men. But... if they're too good at coaxing men... hmph, that's not necessarily a good thing either!"
But my mind was still racing... Where have I seen this woman before? Why does she look so familiar?
Just as I was thinking about it, there was a sudden movement on the wall behind me in the private room, and then a piece of the wall slid open—it turned out to be a door!
This large, luxurious private room actually had more than one door. The door at the back was a hidden door. After pushing open this hidden door, two waiters in uniforms came in and brought in two cases of Royal Salute cannons.
"How about it?" Shen Shan laughed. "This door is quite well designed, isn't it? Among the guests who come here, there are bound to be some important and influential people. Most of these guests have wives and children at home. Sometimes, when the wives come out to catch their husbands cheating, they inevitably rush here. This private room with two doors is quite useful! The one in front can catch the adulterer, while the one in the back can escape through the hidden door... Hehe!"
Two waiters opened two bottles of wine and then left. Less than half a minute later, another waiter came in through a hidden door.
The waiter came in carrying a large metal ice bucket. At first, I didn't pay much attention. But soon, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine!
wrong!
My gut tells me there's danger!
I instantly sensed the direction the danger was coming from! When the waiter walked in, he moved so lightly, so quietly, that he made no sound at all! He was carrying an ice bucket, but his head was bowed, obscuring his face… More importantly, the way he walked immediately reminded me of someone!
I suddenly jumped up and shouted, "You are..."
I had barely yelled when I grabbed a large crystal ashtray from the table and smashed it at him. It was the only thing I could grab that I could use as a weapon!
My reaction was already very fast! But he was even faster than me!
The waiter, who was walking very slowly, suddenly straightened up! Instantly, he exuded a fierce aura like a cheetah! He simply turned his head to dodge the ashtray I threw at him, and then suddenly threw the ice bucket he was holding at me!
At the same time, he suddenly sprang forward, shooting towards Shen Shan like a sharp arrow!
Hurry! Everything happened so suddenly!
Shen Shan was completely taken aback, and even I...
A metal ice bucket flew towards me, and I punched it open. But the countless ice cubes and icy water inside immediately splashed all over me! I saw a blinding white blur in front of me and instinctively dodged. Years of adventure had ingrained my body into an instinctive movement of avoidance and self-protection!
Shen Shan suddenly roared like a tiger and started fighting with the waiter!
Two strikes, only two strikes!
Since Shen Shan was on par with Fatty Fang and Uncle Seven and Uncle Eight, his skills must be quite impressive. However, it was obvious that years of pampered living had made him somewhat overweight. Although he jumped quickly, he was still a beat slower than the waiter who had suddenly attacked him!
Moreover, Shen Shan's opponent happens to be a true master!
After Shen Shan jumped up, he kicked the teapot on the table, sending it flying towards the other person. However, the other person simply raised a hand and lightly deflected it, yet his body still collided directly with Shen Shan! The two were very close, and Shen Shan was standing next to the sofa; the space was too small, and there was nowhere to dodge!
I heard Shen Shan let out a muffled groan. He mustered all his strength and struck the waiter in the chest. The waiter staggered from the blow, but suddenly spun around, like a waltz, and glided past Shen Shan like a ghost...
When I rushed over, Shen Shan had already collapsed. I could only raise my hand to support him, but the waiter had already quickly retreated!
A dagger was embedded in Shen Shan's chest, right up to his heart, all the way to the hilt! But even more terrifying was his neck!
A clear red line of blood was visible on his neck! Crimson blood beads quickly seeped out, and then the line burst open, spurting out fresh blood!
"Uh..." Shen Shan made a strange sound, and his neck slumped to the side.
Blood splattered all over me, but I didn't care anymore. I grabbed Shen Shan and threw him onto the sofa, but made a defensive gesture and stared intently at the waiter!
Our eyes met briefly in the air, and then I gritted my teeth:
"Golden... River!"
"Xiao Wu." Jin He, dressed as a waiter, glanced at me, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes! He slightly stuck out his tongue, a razor blade between his teeth!
I finally understand what that blood line on Shen Shan's neck was all about!
Judging from the murderous intent on his face, it seemed he wanted to kill me as well.
Just then, the door to the private room was flung open with a bang! Tu rushed in like a whirlwind! Without a word, he charged straight at Jinhe!
When Jinhe saw Tu Jinru's movements, a strange and solemn look flashed in his eyes, but he went to meet him without hesitation!
The two collided immediately, then quickly separated. Jinhe took a step back, and a spray of blood erupted from his shoulder. Tu, like a wild beast, stood in front of me, a dagger in his hand!
Jinhe snorted, "What a formidable black man!"
After saying that, he stopped arguing, quickly retreated, and ran out through the hidden door.
"Tu! Chase after him! Bring him back!" I shouted. Tu glanced at me and said, "Boss..."
"I'm fine, go after them!"
Tu stopped talking and immediately rushed out.
Only Shen Shan, who was sprawled on the sofa, and I were left in the room!
This happened so suddenly that I hadn't even had time to react, but I immediately ripped off a cushion from the sofa and used it to cover Shen Shan's neck!
Shen Shan lay there, blood flowing, with a dagger stuck in his heart; he was clearly not going to live!
"Shen Shan! Shen Shan!" I pinched his philtrum hard and then covered his wound, but I couldn't stop the bleeding.
Shen Shan struggled a few times, trying to open his mouth to breathe, but his throat had already been cut by Jin He! No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get any air into his lungs, and his face quickly turned purple as he struggled...
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and two or three burly men rushed in. The one in the lead was a man in his forties, wearing glasses and with a cold expression.
I recognized these men as Shen Shan's subordinates and immediately said, "Someone is trying to assassinate Boss Shen... Call a doctor quickly!"
"How is Boss Shen?" The bespectacled man's face seemed to darken, and he quickly took two steps closer.
"Quick! Get him to the emergency room right away... I'm afraid..." I stopped mid-sentence.
As soon as I looked up, I saw three dark gun barrels pointed at me!
"How is Boss Shen?" The bespectacled man suddenly smiled... As soon as he smiled, my heart sank.
"Let me introduce myself..." The bespectacled man smiled slightly: "I'm Boss Shen's subordinate... the second-in-command here."
After saying that, he shook his head: "It seems that Boss Shen is beyond saving."
After saying that, he raised his hand and fired two shots!
Puff puff!
The gunshot, delivered with a silencer, grazed my face but pierced Shen Shan's chest! Shen Shan remained motionless, instantly dead.
“Now, I think he doesn’t need emergency treatment anymore.” The second-in-command smiled at me. “You must be Chen Yang, right?” He said calmly, “We didn’t expect you to be here. But catching you was an accident… Hmm, I think Brother Huan would be very happy to see me bring you back.”
In that instant, I understood!
Huan-ge! Ye Huan!!!
Ye Huan's attempt to win over Shen Shan through Cang Yu failed... but Shen Shan's second-in-command had already been bribed by Ye Huan!
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter Sixty-One: Taking the Blame
Thinking about this, I calmed down and relaxed my body. I turned to face the second-in-command and said with a wry smile, "It seems I really am destined to be a troublemaker... I'll be in trouble wherever I go." I looked at him and said, "You colluded with Ye Huan to kill Shen Shan... Aren't you afraid of being held accountable by the Qing Hong?"
"Hmph... I didn't kill Shen Shan... Ye Huan's men killed him... As for me... I'm the second-in-command who arrived late because of some business... With the first-in-command dead, it's only natural that I took over the business from Boss Shen." The second-in-command smiled and blew on the muzzle of his gun: "However, now I have a better candidate to take the blame."
I shook my head with a wry smile and pointed to my own nose: "Yeah, no need to ask, the scapegoat you're talking about is me."
"Hmph... No wonder the people around Ye Huan all say that you, Xiao Wu, are a smart person. It seems that this is indeed true." The second-in-command looked at me and sneered, "You are Chen Yang. You have a grudge against Qing Hong. You killed Qing Hong's big boss in Shanghai. If this gets out, I'm afraid not many people will doubt it."
I sighed, "Not bad, not bad... I never expected that Ye Huan would actually bribe you. Sigh... It seems that Shen Shan's death was not unjust."
“Shen Shan is out of touch with reality. The Renzi gang is almost finished, but he’s still clinging to this big tree.” The second-in-command shook his head: “I didn’t want to be so ruthless. But he drove Cang Yu away, which forced me to do this.”