He shook his head: "Don't be angry. I don't need anything from you. Given the current situation, it's hard to say whether we'll be friends or enemies in the future. But right now, I know you've been in contact with that guy Ouyang. He helped you settle things in Shanghai, so you must have had some private dealings. As for the content of those dealings, I think it's nothing more than the Big Circle's business in Shanghai. Ouyang is quite good at business, wielding both weapons and sweet talk. Hmph... But the Green Gang isn't all-powerful under him. Everyone knows the Human Gang has no future. As for you, you're someone I've never been able to understand. You've been manipulating things so much that the Big Circle is almost completely crippled by you. Their drug business has been greatly affected recently, yet you've gone into hiding... To be honest, I've always suspected that someone as shrewd as you wouldn't be so easily paralyzed. And at a time like this, I don't believe you can hide in North America! You must still be in the country. Since I'm interested in you, I might as well lure you out for a meeting."
"Ha! Your way of meeting is quite 'unique'!" I sneered.
“I know you’re angry,” Sun He said calmly. “I don’t expect to be friends with you. There’s no need for me to flatter you. I just need to achieve my goal. It seems you’re a bit impulsive, but you’re also quite cunning. And then there’s business. Even if we’re not friends, we can still do business. I think given our positions, neither of us is someone who acts on emotions.”
"Really?" I chuckled. "I wonder what kind of business the Crown Prince would like to do for me?"
His eyes flickered, he looked at me for a moment, and then uttered two words: "Ye Huan?"
A thought struck me as I looked at the guy I disliked in front of me.
Various thoughts flashed through my mind like lightning, and I quickly sorted out a clue.
"You're interested in the territory Ye Huan currently occupies, aren't you?" I sneered.
Sun He didn't deny it, but instead readily admitted, "That's right. Ye Huan's territory was originally the territory of the Qinghong Renzitou (a branch of the Qinghong gang). I think you're a smart man; after this incident, the Renzitou will definitely be swallowed up. So the most important question now is: how to divide the spoils!" He sneered, "Don't you find it strange... Ye Huan caused such a big commotion, yet we're still letting him live. Qinghong has already spread the word that the three families are going to join forces against Ye Huan. But there's been no movement for so long? Can't we suppress Ye Huan even if we join forces? It's not that we're not going to act; the problem is, after the fighting, how will the territory be divided? The profits haven't been properly divided..." "Right now, neither side wants to suffer a loss and make the first move. Ye Huan currently occupies Qinghong territory in Jiangsu. Taking him down isn't difficult. But the key issue is who will own Jiangsu after we reclaim the territory. Let's be frank. Shanghai, this prime location, has been almost completely swallowed up by Ouyang, and we've reluctantly accepted it. But Jiangsu… we can't let Ouyang have it anymore. However, if we directly attack Ye Huan, Ouyang will definitely try to take it from us. It's not good for either of us to fall out. So everyone is holding back from making the first move, but dragging it out like this isn't a long-term solution. Therefore, we need someone to help us break the deadlock."
I sighed: "This person... is it me?"
"It's you." He laughed. "You and Ye Huan have a grudge, and you both want the other dead. So... since neither we nor Ouyang are willing to make the first move, why don't we let you do it? You kill Ye Huan, then take over the territory... After that, we'll set our terms, and you'll give it up. Everyone's happy, how about it?"
A happy ending for everyone?
A happy ending for everyone, my foot!
I cursed inwardly: Isn't he just plotting against me?
They want me to take the lead against Ye Huan first? A clever plan! The fact that Ye Huan could force the three leaders of the Qinghong gang to join forces against him shows his power is considerable. Me? Risk losing manpower and resources? Even if I succeed and seize Ye Huan's territory… what then? Then I'll have to face the two giants, the Tian leader of the Qinghong gang and the Di leader of the Ouyang gang!
Even if I didn't care about the territory and was willing to give it up, who would I give it to? Giving it to one family would offend another... It's such a foolish and thankless task. I'd never do it!
Seeing my expression, Sun He naturally knew what I was thinking. He couldn't help but smile: "I understand, this matter is not easy to handle..."
"It's not that it's difficult to handle, you just want to put me on the fire to roast," I sneered.
“Although it’s challenging, we certainly won’t let you work for nothing,” Sun He said frankly. “We don’t want to break ties with Ouyang, so we need a mediator to act as a buffer, and you’re the most suitable one. Everyone wants to take over Ye Huan’s territory, but they’re all wary of each other. You’re the only one suitable to handle things between them. Based on the information I’ve seen, you’re very good at navigating the cracks between several major powers, and your growing power today is thanks to these skills. We’ll offer you very good terms, at least enough to make up for your difficulties…”
As he spoke, he glanced at his watch and chuckled, “Alright, that’s enough for today. Consider this our first meeting. As for the specific details, such a significant matter should be discussed when both sides have the opportunity to sit down and talk. I’m afraid Wu Gang’s men are coming soon. Although I’m not afraid of him, it would be awkward to meet under these circumstances… Oh, by the way, Fang Nan is in the stadium’s broadcasting room. She’s perfectly safe. You can go and pick her up anytime.”
After saying that, he stood up. Before leaving, he smiled at me and said, "Actually, I'm also not happy with you, but it's a private matter if we don't like each other. In business, interests come first... Let me say this privately, I really hate you."
"Me too!" I retorted without backing down.
Sun He left, and not long after, Wu Gang's men indeed tracked him down; their influence was considerable. They subsequently found Fang Nan unharmed in the sports stadium's television broadcasting room.
The only troublesome person was my super bodyguard, Tu. He used the taxi to distract the police pursuers, and then almost recreated the kind of high-speed chase scene from Toronto in Nanjing, driving the police around the ring road, then speeding from the south to the north of the city. Fortunately, Tu didn't cause too much trouble or clash with the police, but his super driving skills became news that local racing enthusiasts would never forget for years to come.
Of course, with Wu Gang involved, this matter wasn't difficult to resolve. Wu Gang simply sent someone to pick up Tu. As for how to explain things to the police, that was Wu Gang's problem to solve; I didn't need to worry about it.
The only one who... made me a little embarrassed was Fang Nan.
When I kicked open the door and rushed into the stadium broadcast room, Fang Nan was pleasantly surprised to see me. But she quickly realized what was happening and then looked at my legs strangely.
This is a problem.
The clever Nan didn't say much. Wu Gang, however, was much more direct. Seeing me standing there, he flew into a rage, wanting nothing more than to kick me a few times and yell, "You bastard, you've tricked us so badly!"
I don't need to explain anything to Wu Gang, but I still owe Fang Nan an explanation. After all, when I was "paralyzed," Fang Nan stayed by my side and took good care of me for several days, crying every day with red eyes and a heartbroken look on her face.
But just as I was about to explain, Fang Nan sighed and said softly, "Alright, I know you must have your reasons. No need to explain, I understand."
Fang Nan's expression then turned somewhat strange: "Don't you have anything to ask me?"
"What do you mean?" I knew exactly what she meant, but I pretended not to understand.
"Sigh..." Fang Nan sighed softly, "He's the one who brought me out, so you should know who he is. Don't you have any questions for me?"
I thought about it for a while. I told her very honestly, "Actually, I really want to ask. After all, I'm a man, and men are always curious about these kinds of things. I really want to know what your relationship with him was like in the past, and so on. But then I thought, so many years have passed. What's the point of asking? Asking would just be asking for trouble, so it's better not to ask."
Fang Nan softly hummed in agreement. In the car, she leaned her head on my shoulder and said gently, "Chen Yang, I was just worried about what you might think. I'm completely devoted to you now. As for him… when I saw him again, I only saw him as an old friend. I…" She suddenly blushed and whispered, "Actually, there wasn't anything between us before…"
I smiled and said, "No need to explain, I understand."
Fang Nan's eyes were gentle, but then she looked troubled and said, "Although he caused this trouble and even took me out of the house... he didn't use any violence against me or really hurt me... So, Chen Yang, I think we should just let this matter go. I don't want Wu Gang and the others to pursue this any further. You... you won't blame me, will you?"
I understood that this was perfectly normal. Fang Nan is kind and compassionate, and it's in line with her personality that she didn't want to break ties with this old friend. I didn't intend to force her to do anything, so I naturally nodded immediately.
"You... thank you. But please don't overthink it. I..." Fang Nan's eyes welled up with emotion: "My whole heart belongs to you now, please don't misunderstand my intentions. This time, you risked your life to come back, and I was really worried... but seeing you come back, I felt both scared and happy. Scared that you might encounter danger, happy that... you truly care about me."
As we spoke, our eyes met, and I was momentarily captivated. Seeing Fang Nan's gentle, watery gaze, I couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her cheek. But just then, Wu Gang, who was sitting in the front seat of the car, coughed loudly and said with a stern face, "Hey! You two, can you tone it down a bit? Even if you want to be affectionate, don't do it in front of me."
Fang Nan and I both glared at this third wheel, annoyed. Wu Gang, however, became even more self-righteous, glaring back at me and shouting, "You're getting cocky now? Kid, when you hit me with your car before, you were really ruthless! You almost killed me."
I chuckled coldly, "Wu Gang, stop pretending. My car may have crashed hard, but it only managed to break your car apart. You didn't even get a scratch, so what are you yelling about!"
Wu Gang chuckled twice and then said, "Alright, Fang Nan is fine now, but it's so late, there's no need for you to rush back to Shanghai tonight, is there? Sigh, this whole mess has exposed your whereabouts, there's no point in rushing back to Shanghai now. I'll find you a place to rest for the day. Hmph, just stay in the military area, I doubt Ye Huan would dare send anyone to cause trouble there! I'll arrange for someone to escort you back tomorrow, there definitely won't be any problems. Nannan was really angry with me for your safety."
Before I could say anything, Fang Nan suddenly straightened her face and said, "Why would you stay at the military base! Xiao Wu is here, of course he'll stay with me!"
"..." Wu Gang's face immediately changed, and he couldn't help but plead, "My dear lady! I'm begging you! I understand that you two lovebirds are more excited after a long separation... But, you can do whatever you want outside, but in Nanjing... Please, the old man definitely knows about this, and he definitely knows Chen Yang is in Nanjing! Right under his nose, you openly let Chen Yang spend the night at your place... With the old man's temper, I'm worried that he'll get angry and shoot this kid dead!"
Fang Nan's face immediately turned cold: "Wu Gang, in the end, do you Wu family members care about me? You only care about your own face! Hmph... If he wants to execute someone, let him execute me! Chen Yang is staying at my place tonight!!"
Fang Nan's tone was extremely firm, leaving no room for negotiation whatsoever.
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter 119: Returning Home
Wu Gang immediately started giving me meaningful glances. But to be honest, I didn't have a good impression of Wu Gang's family either. Their domineering approach of forcing Fang Nan to give up her career made it very difficult for me to like them. Moreover, they were using my help in returning to China as leverage to blackmail Fang Nan.
Thinking of this, I simply pretended not to see Wu Gang's look and said indifferently, "Okay, I'll stay at your place tonight. I'm tired. So many things happened today, and I even got punched twice by Sun He. Could you help me put some medicine on it later? I need to get some rest tonight."
Wu Gang was quite frustrated the whole way, but he couldn't say anything more and could only send us back with a bitter face. However, after this incident, Wu Gang dared not be careless again that night and sent two more groups of people to guard outside Fang Nan's residence.
Actually, that's unnecessary. After all, people as audacious as Sun He who dares to mess with Fang Nan are few and far between. Moreover, Sun He's situation is special; he's confident that as long as he doesn't go too far, Fang Nan won't make things difficult for him. But apart from him, it's really unlikely that anyone else would dare to touch Fang Nan. Although this is Nanjing, Ye Huan's territory, Ye Huan would absolutely not go looking for trouble by provoking Fang Nan's family. And Wu Gang leaving people behind is mostly for my protection.
Tu was brought directly by Wu Gang's men, and he seemed quite relaxed. I didn't say much, just patted him on the shoulder: "Thank you." That night, staying at Fang Nan's house, I wasn't feeling too at ease. In the end, I actually suffered a small loss today. At least, I was forced to reveal my whereabouts, and even my plan to feign weakness and paralysis was ruined by Sun He. Presumably, that news has spread by now.
Fang Nan noticed my bad mood. That evening, she was naturally extra gentle with me. After a refreshing shower, Fang Nan even had some drinks with me.
In the warm room, we sat embracing each other. Fang Nan's cheeks were flushed from the smell of alcohol, and her eyes sparkled.
Filled with tenderness, she suddenly spoke again, "Chen Yang... do you remember when you came to my house before?" I thought for a moment and smiled, "I remember... um. Back then, you deliberately called me over and assigned me, your little driver, to help you with the housework. I was busy running around, and you were secretly watching from the side. Wasn't that right?"
Fang Nan sighed softly. Her arms tightened around me, and she said gently, "Back then, I just felt empty and lonely inside. I lived alone in this house every day. No one talked to me, no one kept me company. Whether I was happy or sad, there was no one to share my emotions with." She paused, then smiled and whispered, "Do you still resent me for making you do all those chores? Hmm… if you're still angry, I'll make it up to you. I'll take good care of you from now on. Okay? I'll do everything."
I chuckled and said, "The way you talk makes it sound like I treat you like a little maid." But after everything that's happened, being back in Fang Nan's house, holding her in my arms like this, I reminisced about all the funny things that had happened before. I remembered being her driver, our ambiguous relationship, helping her with housework, taking care of her when she was drunk, getting into a fight and ending up in the police station, and so on… It all felt like it happened just yesterday. The atmosphere was so subtle.
Wu Gang had joked with us, saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But tonight, in the warm, cozy room, I held Fang Nan's soft body in my arms, whispering to her as we reminisced about the past, and I felt a deep sense of peace, joy, and contentment.
At this moment, I had no desire to possess her at all. Instead, I found this tenderness quite enjoyable, and I felt happy just holding her and talking to her like this.
As we reminisced and recounted our experiences, the conversation naturally led to my running away after causing such a huge mess. "That night I went to see you, and when I came out I ran into Cang Yu. Knowing you'd gotten into such serious trouble, I was so worried..." Fang Nan shook her head and whispered, "At that time, our relationship had just started to take a step forward, and then that happened to you. I really felt like the sky was falling..."
“That’s just how life is. If I hadn’t gotten into that big trouble and fled my hometown, none of this would have happened. And if none of this had happened, maybe I’d still be your driver, living a peaceful life in this city…” I laughed self-deprecatingly. “It’s just a pity that I don’t even know which is better. I’m rich and powerful now, and I can decide the life or death of many people with a single decision. I have many brothers who would risk their lives for me at any time. But I always feel that this kind of life isn’t really that happy…” Fang Nan looked at me with a comforting gaze.
I smiled and said softly, "Sometimes, I even dream. Or rather, I worry that I might be dreaming. Everything that's happening to me now, my brothers, my friends, and all that Huaxing, Daquan, Qinghong, and so on, and... you, all of you. I worry that it's all just a dream. Maybe one day I'll suddenly wake up and find that I'm still just a small manager in a tiny nightclub in Nanjing, living in a rented apartment, just wasting my days, with no ambition..." I shook my head and continued, "But... sometimes, I can't help but wish that it was all a dream. Because... even going back to the way things were before, living that simple life, might not be such a bad thing." Fang Nan listened quietly, without saying a word.
I sighed, and suddenly felt my mood start to become strange.
This is actually normal.
After all, this is Nanjing, my hometown.
I lived here, grew up here, and all my experiences began here...
This is my memory, and also my starting point!
After returning to China, things were fine in Shanghai. But today, suddenly coming back here, I have a strange feeling and a strong urge to come to me.
This place has left me with so much.
During the day, I was so worried about Yu Fangnan that I didn't have time to think about these things. But once I had some free time at night, all sorts of emotions welled up again. I couldn't help but start telling Fangnan about it...
It wasn't anything really. I just told her about my life in Nanjing before.
When I was a child, I was a bad student, naughty, and liked to fight. Later, I left Nanjing to study in another city.
How did they learn martial arts, and after returning, how did they end up struggling in the lower rungs of society, racing cars and fighting?
In the end, they even sold the property that my parents left me.
How did I end up working at Ye Huan's nightclub, starting as a waiter, and how did I unintentionally catch Ye Huan's eye, get promoted, and rise to a managerial position? Then Ye Huan led me step by step into a circle I never even imagined before…
Actually, perhaps even I didn't realize that Ye Huan was the person I mentioned most often in my memories. And in the end, it was also this person who brought about a huge change in my life.
At that moment, Fang Nan was the best listener in the world. She was the only one in my arms who listened carefully to what I was saying, never interrupting or asking any questions.
I would only smile occasionally, and then softly say, "Oh. And then what happened?" Before I knew it, it was already quite late.
I held Fang Nan tightly, wide awake. "Actually, I really miss this place, I miss my hometown. It's been so long since I left. I really want to see so many places. To go back to the bar where the four of us used to hang out, to see my old friends there. To go to the riverbank, to the Ming Dynasty city wall, to my home… I even want to see some of my old friends from the nightclubs… Sigh…" I sighed, then smiled, "But that's not possible for now. My current identity isn't suitable for me to be showing up everywhere in Nanjing. This is still Ye Huan's stronghold… Hmm…" I couldn't help but frown, but soon, Fang Nan reached out her hand, her soft fingers gently stroking my brow, smoothing away my furrowed brow, and said softly with a smile, "Do you really want to go out and see the world? Then let's go out and see the world now… I'll go with you, okay?"
“Now? I’m afraid… it’s not a good time.” I shook my head: “Today’s events caused quite a stir, and Ye Huan probably already knows I’m in Nanjing. He’s determined to kill me, so it’s not safe for me to go out and about now.”
"It's alright, it's already midnight." Fang Nan smiled and said softly, "Ye Huan might not even know you're back. And even if he does know you're back today, he won't know where you are. He certainly wouldn't expect you to be out and about. Besides, we'll go out quietly, without making a scene. Ye Huan isn't a god; Nanjing is such a big city, how could he possibly know where you are? And besides, Wu Gang's men are there..." Fang Nan's last words were quite subtle, but the underlying meaning was clear. The men Wu Gang left to protect me are all from the military. No matter how bold Ye Huan is, he's still just an underground force, a criminal organization. He absolutely wouldn't dare openly provoke the military.
If Ye Huan still dares to send people to kill me even with the military providing protection, that would be tantamount to openly provoking and defying the military! I doubt he would have the guts to do such a thing.
Hearing that, I couldn't help but be tempted. After hesitating for a moment, I said, "Okay, let's go out for some fresh air then. Just be careful not to make any noise."
I've always been a reckless person, and having been away from home for so many years, I was filled with an urge to go out for a walk. Soon, Fang Nan and I got dressed, called Tu, and we went out together.
Wu Gang had deployed two groups of people outside, one group of visible sentries and one group of hidden sentries. As soon as we came out, someone came up to communicate with us. The person who came up clearly knew Fang Nan. Fang Nan simply told them that we wanted to go for a walk. The other party didn't make things too difficult, but only offered to follow us around for protection, which I naturally didn't refuse.
Tu was still driving. After I got in the car, Fang Nan asked me, "Where are we going?" I suddenly felt a little lost.
Where to go?
There are so many places I want to go.
I want to go to the bar to see old friends, I even want to see Ah Wei, the security guard who used to hang out with me in the nightclubs, and my loyal madam Mary, and so many others...
But at this moment, as if possessed, only one sentence popped into my head: "Go home and visit. Go back to my home in Nanjing." The "home in Nanjing" I'm referring to is the house where I lived with Yan Di and Xiao Caimi when I was in Nanjing.
That house was the place I rented after leaving Ye Huan's nightclub. In my memory, that period was the most tender and homey time I had in Nanjing. Those peaceful days lasted until I ran away from Nanjing. This time when I came back, the first place I wanted to go was this place, and it just popped into my head.
Fang Nan nodded. She recognized my old place too. She then pointed out the address, and Tu easily drove there.
It was quite late, and this place was a rather nice residential area. I drove all the way down to the building. Looking at the familiar buildings around me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
Most people have a sentimental attachment to the past.
Standing downstairs, I stepped out of the car and easily found a window upstairs. It was the place I used to live. "It's a pity, I rented the place back then, it must be rented to someone else now," I sighed and shook my head.
Fang Nan smiled slightly and said in a low voice, "That's not necessarily true. Do you really want to go up and take a look? Then go and take a look." "Hmm?" I glanced at Fang Nan.