A middle-aged white doctor lifted my eyelids to take a look, then asked me in a low voice, "How are you feeling?"
"It's alright." I moved my lips slightly, "I just feel like I'm a little slow."
The doctor looked at me and said, "That's because the effects of the injected medication haven't worn off yet." Then he muttered a few words, "It's strange. No one would expect you to wake up so quickly. Most people don't wake up until at least eight hours after receiving the medication."
He then left the room, and Yang Wei walked in from outside.
Her face was pale, but when she saw I was awake, she breathed a sigh of relief, sat down by my bedside, and said in a deep voice, "What exactly happened? Were you ambushed?"
"No." My voice was weak, but I gave a bitter laugh: "I ran into an old acquaintance and fought with him, but he beat me badly."
"Aren't you supposed to be very strong?" Yang Wei frowned. "You beat yourself up like this by yourself?"
I sighed: "How badly am I injured?"
Yang Wei glanced at me: "It's alright, not too serious. You were lucky this time, you didn't break any more bones, just a few fractures. Besides that, you have quite a few superficial injuries. I didn't know what happened, so I didn't dare to let you stay in the hospital. Instead, I spent a lot of money to have you stay in the hotel for treatment... It's safer here than in the hospital. The hospital is too crowded with all sorts of people."
"Mm." I nodded.
Yang Wei is always so thoughtful.
"Now, tell me, what exactly happened!" Yang Wei said in a deep voice, "Didn't you leave with that little girl? She should be the girl you mentioned, the one who made you flee for your life, right? Her name is Ni Duoduo, Ye Huan's daughter, right? I remember you telling me that." She stared at me: "Did you run into Ye Huan? Were Ye Huan's men trying to kill you?"
I'm not surprised that Yang Wei would think that way. In fact, she knows Ni Duoduo's identity, so it's only natural that she would make this connection.
"No... I didn't run into Ye Huan. I only ran into his subordinate, Jin He," I told Yang Wei.
Yang Wei frowned slightly: "Jin He? Is he the man who always follows Ye Huan around...? I remember seeing him before. Hansen also saw him. Hansen said that Jin He is a very dangerous person."
I gave a wry smile: "He is indeed very powerful. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been beaten so badly... In fact, if I hadn't run fast, I probably would have died at his hands."
A fierce glint flashed in Yang Wei's eyes as she said angrily, "Even now, Ye Huan and the others still won't let you go? They're still resorting to such cruel methods against you!!"
“My existence is a threat to them.” I forced a smile. “Because in China, Ye Huan faked my death to appease his boss. If people find out I’m alive, Ye Huan will be in trouble. So, unless he can’t find me, he will definitely kill me. That’s how he silences me.” Then I smiled. “Actually, Jin He already let me go once. Meeting him this time was just an accident.”
Yang Wei tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly her expression turned somewhat strange: "An accident? Do you think this was an accident?"
"What do you mean?"
“Chen Yang,” Yang Wei said slowly, organizing her thoughts, “According to what you’ve told me before, Ni Duoduo was also sent abroad by Ye Huan to hide here. Because this place is far from the domestic spotlight… and Ye Huan gave her a large sum of money. And I think, for safety reasons, Ye Huan rarely contacts his daughter… this is for safety reasons. At most, he’ll only occasionally visit her when the opportunity arises. Therefore, Ni Duoduo has no one protecting her here. This can be seen from the fact that she was tricked into attending that orgy last time. Jin He isn’t protecting Ni Duoduo. Because it’s a secret, Ye Huan won’t send anyone to protect his daughter to keep it confidential! He’s afraid that if the person he sends is unreliable, they’ll leak the secret. And the only person he can trust is Jin He.”
I nodded and thought for a moment: "Well, that further proves it was an accident. The fact that even the princess dared to bully Ni Duoduo means that Jin He wasn't by her side before. Otherwise, given what the princess did to Ni Duoduo, Jin He would have intervened long ago."
Yang Wei shook her head: "No, that's not what I meant. I don't suspect Ni Duoduo of deliberately luring you there to ambush you. This matter has nothing to do with this little girl... I'm talking about Jin He!!" Yang Wei looked at me: "Indeed, it might be a coincidence that Jin He met you here... But have you thought about it... Jin He is always inseparable from Ye Huan! If Jin He is here..."
My expression suddenly changed!
Yang Wei took a deep breath and slowly said, "...Then, Ye Huan is very likely in Canada, perhaps even in Toronto!!"
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 111: Interlocking Links
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My face must have looked terrible... Only that name kept replaying in my mind... Ye Huan!
Ye Huan…the man I used to call “Brother Huan”! The elder I once regarded as my father and brother, my most trusted senior, my eldest brother, my boss, my benefactor…
All these identities were entrusted to that one person. In my heart, he was a mountain! A towering mountain! A mountain worth serving and risking my life for!
This person once gave me the kinship, kindness, and loyalty I craved most… He was even my most admired idol! He single-handedly promoted me, gave me status, and gave me opportunities… and in the end, he personally pushed me into the abyss…
This feeling is very difficult to describe, extremely difficult.
Now, perhaps rationally, I should tell myself that he is now my enemy, my adversary! It was his relentless pressure that forced me to leave my homeland, to abandon my family and travel across the ocean...
So, should I hate him?
Yes, I do hate him now... So what should I do? Kill him?
I was stunned by the word "kill" that flashed through my mind. Then, I began to ponder...
I am not an indecisive person... Although I used to be somewhat bound by principles, since I went further and further down the dark path, I can now be considered a ruthless person.
But facing Ye Huan, I suddenly realized that in my heart, besides hatred, there seemed to be so many other things remaining...
I can't forget how good Ye Huan was to me... that kind of affection was like that of an older brother. I can't forget his hearty laughter as he asked me to practice boxing with him; I can't forget us going to the sauna together, and then, like close brothers, we'd rub each other's backs... I can't even forget his boast to all his men: "You're mine, I've got your back!!"
"To settle scores with swift retribution..." These four words are so easy to say! So easy to say!! But when you really face your former family members, can you really do it?
Without Ye Huan, I wouldn't be who I am today. Without Ye Huan, I'd probably still be a lowly waiter in Nanjing, working at the very bottom of society!
"Xiao Wu." I don't know how long I was stunned, but Yang Wei called my name softly from the side. I turned my head to look at her blankly.
Yang Wei looked into my eyes. Her gaze was clear and rational, and her tone was calm: "What are you thinking about?"
"...It's nothing." I closed my eyes.
“I know. I know how much Ye Huan means to you,” Yang Wei whispered in my ear. “But you also need to understand that the past is the past. Your relationship with him has become one of enmity! There’s no going back! And you’d better understand one thing… I’ve worked with Ye Huan before, and I know his character very well. He’s a true ruthless tyrant. When it’s time to be merciful, he can be more merciful than God… but when it’s time to be ruthless, he can be ruthless enough to sever all ties! This person has always made me somewhat wary. So… you need to understand that what’s going on between you and him can’t be resolved peacefully… and if Ye Huan is really in Canada right now… then now is your best chance to deal with him! Once he returns to China… that’s his territory. Given that you have no connections in China, your only chance to deal with him is here!”
"I know." I suddenly opened my eyes, and even smiled slightly. Looking at Yang Wei, I said, "Yang Wei... do you know what? I'm going to tell you something... a secret."
"What?"
I sighed softly, then looked at the ceiling, my face calm, my tone even more even, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, and said softly, "In my entire life, I have never truly hated anyone... Well, yes, it seems like never."
I paused, then continued, "For example, the princess. Although I loathe that woman now, and she even tried to harm me before… I only loathe her. And then there are the Vietnamese men I killed, Da Nguyen and Xiao Nguyen… I just know very well they are my enemies; it's a life-or-death struggle, and one side will inevitably fall." My voice grew softer, then my tone shifted, and I whispered, "But Ye Huan is an exception… You might find it hard to believe, but the person I hate most in my life is him! Yes, you heard me right… I said hatred! Every time I think of him, I can't help but feel a surge of anger, an anger that makes me lose my mind, makes me go crazy! I fantasize about grabbing him in front of me, making him look pathetic, making him see how successful I am now! I even imagine spitting in his face, cursing him, and demanding to know why he betrayed me! I also fantasize about him crying and begging for forgiveness… I fantasize about ruining his reputation, making him lose everything…"
I gritted my teeth, but with a hint of helplessness: "Yes, I hate him so much... But every time I get angry, it's not just my anger towards him... I also hate myself at the same time... Do you know why?"
"I don't know," Yang said softly, while gently taking my hand in hers.
I shook my head, lowered my eyelids, and gave a bitter laugh: "I hate myself because... even when I hated him so much and fantasized about those scenarios, I never thought of killing him... never. I even suddenly realized that even now, even if I hate him so much, deep down I still have no desire to kill him."
At this point, I looked at Yang Wei and asked, "Don't you think I'm strange?" I shook my head and said, "I think it's strange myself... because it's not that I'm afraid to kill. In fact, if it were anyone else, if they were on my opposing side, even if I didn't hate them, I would kill them without hesitation! But Ye Huan... I don't know. I don't know if I could bring myself to kill him when I face him one day."
Yang Wei didn't speak, but held my hand tightly, offering me the greatest silent comfort possible. Her eyes were gentle and calm. She gazed at me, then reached out her other hand and gently stroked my forehead.
“Yang Wei, perhaps you can’t understand this feeling… But do you know? Actually, back then, I could have died for Ye Huan without hesitation!” My tone was full of mockery: “Back then, if Ye Huan hadn’t used those methods and had rushed to kill me… If he had just found me and told me face to face that he needed me to die for him… Given my personality back then and my feelings for him, I probably would have willingly committed suicide for him!! Unfortunately, he chose the most foolish method to betray me, to sell me out…”
“My hatred for him isn’t because he wanted me dead, or because I suffered so much afterward, or because I sacrificed so much for him… I hate him entirely because of the sorrow and anger of being betrayed by the person I love most… That’s all I have to say.” I said this in a low voice, then shut my mouth.
Many people may not understand this kind of feeling. It's like a young man who was deeply in love with a girl, but one day she suddenly betrays him and abandons him. He might hate her intensely, to the point of wanting to say the most hurtful and cruel things, and he might even imagine the most ruthless and vicious ways to take revenge on her…
But when she actually stands in front of you one day, you'll find that the hatred you've been preparing in your heart for so long can't truly be expressed! Simply because she was once your closest person!
I know this analogy is a bit odd, but Ye Huan held a place in my heart that was once my closest person!
"Alright, Xiao Wu." Yang Wei smiled gently, a smile that was so tender it silently touched me. "Don't think about this for now... I was just guessing. Sorry, if you don't want to talk about this..."
"No!" I suddenly spoke with unusual determination. I looked at Yang Wei and said resolutely, "Your analysis just now makes a lot of sense... Meeting Jin He this time was indeed a coincidence... But if Jin He is here, then Ye Huan is also very likely in Canada!" I took a deep breath and looked at Yang Wei: "Weiwei, help me check... I need to know the definite information... If he is really in Canada..." I thought for a moment and slowly said, "Well, I don't know what decision I will make... But please help me check now."
Yang Wei nodded in agreement, but then she added, "You're a VIP guest of Sorin's. Now that you're in trouble, Sorin already knows. He's sent people over, and he even has several bodyguards staking out the hotel lobby. Besides, he might come to see you later today... Hmm, should we tell Sorin about this? Or should we find an excuse to brush him off?"
What do you think?
“I think you'd better not see him.” Yang Wei thought for a moment. “I’ve already had Hammer call back, and they’ll be sending people from Vancouver later tonight. Although Sorin said he’s willing to send people to protect you, it’s still safer to use your own men. Besides, although you and Sorin have a good relationship now, it’s still a partnership of interests, and we can’t be complacent. Also, if Ye Huan is in Canada, I need to find out what he’s doing there. Sorin is the biggest mob boss in Canada! If Ye Huan comes here, he might be connected to Sorin. Who knows what Sorin’s attitude will be if he finds out you and Ye Huan are enemies! What I mean is, it’s better to rely on yourself than others. I think you shouldn’t let Sorin know about your grudge with Ye Huan… and I think Ye Huan himself won’t tell… If Ye Huan knows Sorin at all, then Ye Huan is smart enough not to say anything.”
I understand what Yang Wei meant.
To Ye Huan, I am a "dead man," someone whose identity has long since died. Although I am doing very well in Vancouver, Ye Huan back in China probably has no idea about it. After all, no matter how famous a Vancouver underworld boss is, his fame won't reach China.
Now, because of my unexpected encounter with Jinhe, Ye Huan will definitely know that I am also in Canada... Ye Huan will definitely investigate me, and in that case, he should be able to find out my current situation in Canada. I suppose it won't take him long to find out that Xiao Wu, who used to be under his command, has now become the Fifth Master of Vancouver and the controller of West Coast trade!
Even so, Ye Huan absolutely dared not let anyone know that he knew me! Because he absolutely could not let anyone know that I was the person who had "died" in China. For him, keeping my identity a secret was even more important!
Otherwise, if his boss finds out I'm not dead, Ye Huan himself will be the first to suffer.
It's a very subtle trap, with each link connected to the next.
Yang Wei seemed to know all the details of the feud between me and Ye Huan. While pondering, she offered me advice: "Furthermore, even if I criticize you, don't openly confront Ye Huan… I even think it's best if you maintain a tacit understanding with Ye Huan right now. Even if you fight each other to the death in secret, absolutely do not make it public! Because once it's public, if the boss of the Qinghong gang in China finds out you're not dead… you have a deep-seated hatred for the Qinghong! You crippled the only son of a big boss; if he finds out you're alive… Xiao Wu, don't think that just because you're a powerful figure now, you…" Your power is far inferior to that of the Green Gang. Even if you're a local tyrant, the Green Gang is too far away to truly suppress you... But if they really want revenge, endlessly sending gunmen to harass or assassinate you will be enough to give you a headache! Furthermore, the Green Gang's influence has already penetrated deeply into Asia; who knows what other special connections they have? You know, most of our smuggling business is done with Asian countries... In short: your business is currently in a developmental stage, and right now, it's not advisable for you to establish a formidable enemy like the Green Gang.”
I had slept soundly all night, and by the time I finished talking with Yang Wei, it was already the afternoon of the next day. I talked for a while, feeling somewhat exhausted, and then the doctor came in to examine me and perform some basic treatments. I didn't have any particularly serious injuries this time, but my body was covered with countless minor cuts, including more than twenty cuts from broken glass alone. The other fractures were enough to render me temporarily bedridden and unable to move. The doctor also diagnosed some internal organ damage, fortunately not serious.
In the afternoon, Sorin sent someone to visit me. Yang Wei stopped them at the door. Old Sorin even called; he originally wanted to come see me in person, after all, I'm now his close ally. However, Yang Wei politely declined, citing that I was resting after my injury and shouldn't be disturbed. Sorin couldn't refuse Yang Wei's request.
Moreover, Sorin felt incredibly embarrassed… after all, I was his VIP, and in Toronto, Sorin's home turf, I was humiliated like this. Old Sorin even sent people out to investigate who injured me. But I suspect he won't find anything.
After I woke up, Yang Wei had already sent Hansen to investigate. Hansen went to the place where I had the accident, which was Ni Duoduo's residence. There was only a mess left there, and neither Ni Duoduo nor Jin He were there. According to Yang Wei's guess, after this incident, Ni Duoduo probably won't stay in Toronto anymore and will definitely be taken away by Ye Huan.
The excuse I gave old Thorin was that I had been ambushed by my enemies. This excuse was vague, but it left no room for old Thorin to find fault. Moreover, since it involved my enemies, it was essentially my privacy, and it wasn't appropriate for old Thorin to inquire further.
In the evening, people from Vancouver arrived.
To my surprise, in addition to the eight best-skilled guys from my repair shop, my senior brother also came!!
When I saw my senior brother walk in from outside, I was stunned! But he looked solemn, walked to my bedside, stopped me from speaking, and then sat down.
He lifted my blanket, examined my wound closely, and whispered, "Bear with the pain."
He gently lifted my arm and helped me up, examining me carefully. The senior brother frowned. I saw anger flash in his usually calm eyes. He laid me down, suppressing his rage, and said in a low voice, "Chen Yang, tell me, who hurt you?"
"It's... an enemy."
"Hmph!" The senior brother snorted and sighed. He gripped my hand: "Chen Yang, don't hide it from me! Don't think I can't tell, these injuries you sustained were inflicted by a master! Hey! The guy you fought was pretty skilled."
I knew I couldn't hide it anymore, so I told him the truth: "Senior Brother, do you remember what I told you about why I left my hometown and fled to Canada? I ran into one of his men back home. Do you remember the man I told you about named Ye Huan? One of his men is named Jin He. I ran into him here last night and we fought. I was no match for him."
The eldest disciple pondered for a moment: "Oh? Is that Jinhe person very powerful?"
"He's at least stronger than me." I smiled wryly. "I even used a heavy blow on him in the end, right on his chest! But it didn't really hurt him. After taking that heavy blow, he was still able to knock me away in one go."
The senior brother nodded: "Alright, Chen Yang, tell me in detail what happened when you fought him."
I did as he asked. From the moment I started fighting Jinhe, I knocked his gun away with my dagger, and then we engaged in hand-to-hand combat. But my strength was far inferior to his. Moreover, Jinhe's resilience was astonishingly high… It was almost impossible for me to inflict serious damage on him with my punches and kicks, while I could only manage to inflict some damage on him, even though I could shatter a heavy punch on a sandbag…
After I finished speaking, my senior brother's face showed no particular expression, only a cold smile on his lips. He said indifferently, "Hmph, so that's how it is. I thought he was some kind of master. He just knows a little bit of hard qigong." Then, he stood up and looked at me: "Junior brother, I've said it before, from now on, I'll be by your side. I won't let anyone hurt you easily again! These guys treated you so badly back home, and now they still won't let you go here. This is really going too far! Don't worry, I'll definitely help you get revenge."
After saying that, the eldest brother shouted, "Hammer!"
Hammer immediately came in from outside. The senior brother glanced at him: "You'll come out with me for a bit... Hmph, kid, you better behave yourself, answer whatever I ask!"
Now Hammer can be considered half an apprentice of the senior brother. Every day, he is trained to the point of near death by the senior brother in horse stance. Now, the person this hothead is most afraid of is my senior brother. Upon hearing this, he quickly lowered his head and obediently followed the senior brother out.
I lay in bed, unable to stop it, but I thought that since my senior brother didn't know where Jinhe was either, I wasn't in such a hurry.
A few minutes later, Yang Wei came in, closed the door, and came to my side: "Xiao Wu, I found out."
"What did you find? News about Ye Huan?" I was slightly excited.
"Well, old Sorin is still in the dark. But I cleverly investigated some of his recent business dealings through other channels, because I suspected that Ye Huan's trip to Canada was mostly related to him. Sure enough, I found out that old Sorin seems to be doing some business with Chinese people lately, and just yesterday, some guests from China checked into his lakeside resort. At first, I found it strange that old Sorin didn't invite those Chinese guests to last night's banquet... Now I understand, those Chinese guests were Ye Huan and his group!"
No wonder old Thorin didn't let us stay at his lakeside resort this time!
A thought flashed through my mind: "Could it be that Old Thorin already knows that I have a grudge against Ye Huan? Is that why he deliberately didn't invite Ye Huan to last night's banquet?"
Yang smiled and said, "That's not it. Old Thorin knew nothing about you and Ye Huan. However, the reason he didn't invite Ye Huan to the banquet was because of me."