It seems I've gotten ahead of myself; back then, I had no idea what computers were. All information had to be meticulously recorded by hand.
I needed to focus on the present. I wondered if Qing Ge or Bo Gang would make a move at the banquet, and if I needed to be there.
I picked up the phone and called Jing Lei. She was likely busy, as the ringing went on for a while before she answered.
Jing Lei sounded a little anxious. "I was just about to call you. You called first. The situation here is a bit tense. Although everyone appears outwardly calm, I can feel the animosity between Qing Ge and Bo Gang. I'm worried that if they drink too much, one of them might lose control and start something. If you're not too busy, please come over. Da Kui can't handle it alone if things get physical."
This was exactly what I was worried about. Two sworn enemies, drinking in the same room. No matter how rational they were, alcohol could change everything.
I told her I was almost done and asked Wen Siqiang to pick me up and take me to the hotel.
I locked up and called Wen Siqiang to meet me downstairs.
As we drove, I prayed that these two rivals wouldn't come to blows. If they fought, our plans for tomorrow would fall apart even without the Prince's interference.
I urged Wen Siqiang to drive faster. There weren't many pedestrians, and traffic lights weren't as heavily monitored as they are now. As long as there were no cars around, running a red light wouldn't attract attention and wouldn't result in a penalty.
It was so different from today, where surveillance equipment is everywhere. Not only on the streets, but even in hidden corners, any wrongdoing is recorded, leaving no room for illegal activities.
We sped along and arrived at the hotel in a few minutes.
I didn't go inside, instead standing by a floor-to-ceiling window to observe the scene.
There were about six tables of guests in the hall. Bo Gang and the Burmese government officials were seated at the center of the first row. Qing Ge's table was on the side of the second row. This was clearly a deliberate arrangement by Lan Ya and her team to keep them separated.
Brother Bao, along with Lan Ya and Jing Lei, were going around toasting guests. Jing Lei saw me standing outside the window. I quickly gestured for her to stay quiet, indicating I wasn't coming in yet so I could rush in immediately if any unexpected events occurred.
Wen Siqiang stood beside me and asked if I wanted him to get the weapons we had in the car.
I told him no. If a fight broke out, we wouldn't be able to help. The people they brought were all ex-special forces; we wouldn't even be able to get close. Bringing weapons would be useless.
Our task was to prevent such a situation from happening. If it did, our priority would be to evacuate innocent bystanders to prevent them from getting hurt.
The atmosphere at the banquet was warm and friendly. Everyone was politely sipping their drinks and chatting. When Brother Bao and his group approached each table, everyone politely stood up. The scene was one of complete harmony.
There was no sign of the storm before the battle.
I almost felt as if they were all one big family, with no conflicts, no disputes, and no divisions.
It hadn't been that long since we had narrowly escaped Bo Gang's gunfire in Yangon. At that moment, life and death had hung by a thread. Yet, here they were, smiling and raising their wine glasses, their inherent killer instincts still very much present.
Therefore, all of this was an illusion. Regardless of whether it erupted now, war was inevitable.
I watched as Bo Gang, along with several others, raised their glasses and, like Brother Bao, began to toast other tables.
My heart sank. Toasting was common, but this would bring the two groups closer. Who knew if it would lead to a spark?
I glanced at Qing Ge's table. He was laughing and talking animatedly, discussing something amusing. Sister Xiang was giggling uncontrollably, her body shaking with laughter. Others chimed in with laughter, raising their glasses frequently, showing their determination to drink until they dropped.
Bo Gang had already toasted two tables. In two more tables, he would reach Qing Ge's.