First the Green Gang, and now the Yellow Leopard has appeared. Whether it was the serious injuries and even deaths at the coffee shop earlier, or the golden chain man’s attempt to commit indecent acts in broad daylight just now, all point to one thing.
The police in Shangjing are like a mere formality to them.
It seems as if they can control everything in Shangjing, doing whatever they please.
“Or perhaps it's just that previous latent troubles happened to erupt just as I encountered them?”
Li Chonglou’s heart skipped a beat. If that were the case, it was highly possible that he had fallen into a trap, becoming someone else’s pawn.
“It seems I still need to get a clear picture of Shangjing from Sister Xia first.”
Originally, Li Chonglou didn’t need to concern himself with these matters, nor was it necessary. After all, he had no intention of developing his career in Shangjing. As long as he investigated what he needed to find out, he could return to Qin Province. But now, as he interacted with more people and his social circle became increasingly complex, there were some matters he could no longer avoid.
In this regard, a clear situation was essential.
Otherwise, if he truly became someone else’s pawn, he would inevitably be led by the nose, unable to act of his own free will.
However, Li Chonglou did not contact Li Meixia immediately. Since he was scheduled to meet with Fourth Master tomorrow, he might as well directly question this Fourth Master, who held a higher position and greater power, at that time.
Therefore, Li Chonglou returned to the hospital.
Seeing Li Chonglou return so quickly, several people assumed he hadn't found the person and consoled him, “Brother Li, there’s no need to rush this. We have already consulted with lawyers and reported it to the police. There is surveillance evidence in the underground parking lot. This scoundrel will definitely not escape legal sanctions.”
Li Chonglou didn’t say much, only nodded.
Feng Zheng and Zhang Yu exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief. They had witnessed Li Chonglou kill someone, and his cold expression then was very similar to how Li Chonglou looked when he left. They were truly afraid that Li Chonglou might lose control and commit illegal acts.
Meanwhile, Fourth Uncle, with the comfort and support of everyone, had shaken off his gloomy mood and was even chatting and laughing with them. Seeing this, Li Chonglou’s cold expression gradually faded.
But he was unaware that as he left the foot massage parlor, in a dark corner of the street, someone quietly took his photograph.
In a luxurious room, a man looked at the picture in his hand. It not only showed Li Chonglou entering the foot massage parlor but also the situation inside the private room, including the brutal state of Chi Biao. The man sneered, “It seems his skills are indeed good. Is this the hired help Fourth Master brought in? But his brains are lacking!”
At this moment, a refined man wearing glasses beside him asked, “Young Master, should we hand this over to the police now?”
The man chuckled lightly, “Not yet. Let's utilize that good-for-nothing Huang Bao again and gather more evidence to ensure he’s permanently out of the picture.”
After speaking, the man casually tossed the photos onto the table, picked up a glass of red wine, and took an elegant sip, disdainfully remarking, “There are always brainless brutes who think the Shangjing police are powerless, unaware that they are simply waiting for you to fall into their net. For such people, I, this young master, will naturally lend a hand, letting them understand who the true master of Shangjing is.”
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.
Li Chonglou received an early notification from Li Meixia, asking him to go to the Shangjing City Center Building to meet with Fourth Master.
When Li Chonglou actually met him for the first time, he discovered that the so-called “Master” was merely a title of status. In reality, Fourth Master was not an elderly man with white hair but a man in his late forties or early fifties.
“You are Steward Xiao, aren’t you?”
Upon meeting, the man greeted him very politely.
Li Chonglou had always used the name Xiao Fang in the Green Gang, and his current position was that of a steward in the Yian area.
Li Meixia, standing beside him, quickly gestured for Li Chonglou to return the greeting.
“Greetings, Fourth Master.”
“No need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle Wang.”
In the spacious living room, there were only four people: Li Chonglou and Li Meixia, Fourth Master, and a man in a black suit standing behind him.
After exchanging greetings, Fourth Master gestured for them to sit down and personally poured them a cup of tea. Li Chonglou, observing Li Meixia’s natural demeanor, understood that this Fourth Master was likely a straightforward person.
“It’s all thanks to Steward Xiao for breaking the foreign capital’s conspiracy ahead of schedule. I heard from Xiao Xia that Steward Xiao only recently arrived in Shangjing?”
This was clearly an attempt to inquire about his background. Li Chonglou pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, “Actually, my name isn’t Xiao Fang. My surname is Li, and my name is Li Chonglou.”
Li Chonglou chose to reveal his identity directly because he knew that with the Green Gang’s influence, if they wanted to investigate him, many things would inevitably be discovered. It was better to make a statement now.
“My primary purpose for coming to Shangjing is to find someone, but I am unable to disclose the specific details. I also hope that no one investigates me. If Fourth Master can trust me, I can guarantee that the Green Gang will not face any trouble because of my identity.”
Li Chonglou got straight to the point. He intended to leverage the Green Gang’s influence, which would be of considerable help in his subsequent investigation of Shi Biaoqiong’s leads or the Wu family. In return, he would do whatever he could within his capabilities for the Green Gang, as long as it was not illegal, such as maintaining peace in his managed area.
But that was all.
If the Green Gang required him to explain his background and intentions because of this, Li Chonglou would no longer consider the matter. Although the Green Gang was influential, Li Chonglou also sensed its disarray. He did not want this to affect his plans later.
Thus, the subsequent conversation completely surprised Li Meixia.
When they finally left, Li Meixia couldn’t help but tease him, “You’ve been hiding yourself quite well, kid. I’ve been calling you Brother Xiao all this time.”
Li Chonglou smiled, “One is helpless in the Jianghu. I just wanted to keep a low profile. I never expected to become the deputy supervisor.”
Yes, his status in the Green Gang had risen again, only half a rank below Li Meixia.
Speaking of which, Li Meixia sighed, “It’s a pity that First Master is putting pressure on us. Otherwise, with the merit from this matter, you would at least be at the same rank as me.”
The hierarchy of positions in the Green Gang, from top to bottom, was: Leader, Supervisor, and District Manager. Li Chonglou’s position as deputy supervisor was an ad-hoc addition, as the original supervisor had not yet retired.
Li Chonglou didn’t feel much about Li Meixia’s regret. For now, his power was sufficient.
Through the conversation just now, he had not only gained an understanding of the overall situation in Shangjing but also a more comprehensive grasp of the Green Gang’s current state.
As a deputy supervisor, apart from obeying the supervisor’s orders on important matters, he possessed almost the same power as the supervisor and would be assigned subordinates to manage.