These henchmen had joined the Red Gang purely for a livelihood and were clueless about who their boss was collaborating with. Now, finding themselves in dire straits, on the verge of being sent to the detention center and facing the barbed wire, they had no reason to protect Hong Fei. Their own lives were paramount.
"Shut up! Everyone who doesn't want to die, shut up! You don't know how the Tang family operates. If they find out you're the one who sold him out, the entire Red Gang will be finished."
Hong Fei, who had remained silent, was shocked, angered, and fearful upon hearing these words. He was truly taken aback by how much his subordinates knew and how easily they had started talking. Especially the one who claimed to know his secret. Had they discovered his hidden stash? If so, this subordinate had to die.
"So you're indirectly admitting a connection between the Tang family and you? And why are you in such a hurry? Are you afraid they'll spill something and you'll miss out on the chance to take credit?"
Zhang Liunian, noticing Hong Fei's anxiety, grew even more curious about the secret. He walked over to the "secret comrade" and smiled, "If this secret you're about to tell is useful, I'll let you go right now."
Just as the secret-spiller was about to speak, he caught Hong Fei's warning glare, causing him to hesitate. Zhang Liunian followed the gaze of the young man with the secret and saw Hong Fei twitching, ready to silence him. With a cold laugh, Zhang Liunian stepped forward and kicked Hong Fei, sending him curling into a shrimp-like ball clutching his body.
Zhang Liunian withdrew his leg, returned to the side of the secret-spiller, and gestured for him to continue. The man leaned close to Zhang Liunian's ear and whispered a few words. Zhang Liunian's eyes lit up, and he then released the young man.
"This piece of information is indeed very useful to me. You may go!" Zhang Liunian openly released the man in front of Hong Fei and the others.
The secret-spiller was initially disbelieving. Only when he was several steps away and Zhang Liunian didn't pursue or make a move did he break into a run. Once he left, the others began racking their brains, trying to recall anything useful they had seen in the Red Gang to tell Zhang Liunian. In the end, Zhang Liunian gained two more pieces of information and released two more people before taking Hong Fei and the others to the Jiangcheng police station.
On the way, Hong Fei tried to change his statement, but Zhang Liunian gave him no further opportunity, sending him in. During this process, two young boys followed closely behind Zhang Liunian, their eyes filled with admiration and respect.
"How long are you two going to follow me?" Zhang Liunian asked, stepping out of the police station and finding the two "tagalongs" still behind him. He stopped, turned around, and asked directly.
When the two boys saw Zhang Liunian stop and question them, their faces flushed, and they stammered, "Do you take apprentices?"
What? Zhang Liunian was confused but quickly understood their intent. They had likely witnessed his skills and wished to become his disciples, but he wasn't interested. He waved his hand, "No time, no interest."
"Please take us! We can pay tuition," said one of the boys, dressed in a blue Zhongshan suit, as he suddenly clasped his fists and bowed in supplication.
Zhang Liunian's lips twitched. While he knew of the reverence for martial arts among Chinese youths, this was the first time he'd encountered someone so eager to become a disciple after such a brief encounter.
"Get up. I really don't have time. I still haven't found my truck," Zhang Liunian said. Knowing these two were also from the bus, he didn't hide it. He indeed needed to find Du Ziteng and the others, and also visit Huang Da and the other injured man. He was very busy.
"You mean the truck that was hijacked? I've asked my dad to help you look for it, and we should have news soon," the boy in the blue Zhongshan suit said excitedly, straightening up.
Zhang Liunian looked him up and down, about to ask who his father was, when the officer who had handled his report approached. Smiling, he said, "Your truck has been found. It's already at the entrance of the shop that caught fire yesterday."
Was this man the blue-clad boy's father? Zhang Liunian was speechless. But then he realized that the father and son didn't look alike at all. Could there be some past infidelity involved? Bah! Zhang Liunian shook off his wandering thoughts, only to hear the blue-clad boy say, "Uncle Yang, I'll be home late. Remember to tell my dad."
"You kid, always out of the house. Aren't you afraid your dad will send you to the base?" Officer Yang patted the boy fondly before returning to the bureau.
Zhang Liunian shifted his gaze and headed to the Jiangcheng Health Center to visit Huang Da and the other man. With his truck now found, he wasn't in a rush and had time to visit them. Seeing him leave, the blue-clad boy, with his companion, followed again.
After inquiring about the ward at the health center, Zhang Liunian smoothly arrived before Huang Da and Li Shu.
"Boss Zhang, you're here! Has the cargo been delivered? Has anyone come to pick it up?" Huang Da, who had woken up over an hour ago, was worried about the shipment. Seeing Zhang Liunian arrive personally, he immediately inquired. In reality, his injuries weren't severe, and he only needed a few days of hospitalization. As for Li Shu, he was even better, having only suffered from smoke inhalation and could be discharged now.
"I didn't go to the shop. On my way, I ran into the Red Gang boss hijacking the truck, sent them all in, and then came here. However, the truck should be at the shop now," Zhang Liunian replied, putting down the fruit.
Upon hearing this, both Huang Da and Li Shu were touched. Zhang Liunian prioritizing visiting them over ten thousand yuan worth of goods truly warmed their hearts. However, they were still concerned about whether the goods could be sold smoothly, as each of them would receive over three thousand yuan if they were sold. Missing out on such a large sum would be more painful than having their hearts dug out.
"As long as Zhang Li and the others go to the shop, they'll definitely move the goods. I'll account for all of this for you. You should rest assured and focus on recovering," Zhang Liunian said, knowing Du Ziteng and the others' personalities. If they discovered many people waiting for the goods, they would certainly sell them. He just didn't know how many people were waiting.
"You rest for two more days. I'm fine now. I should go and see for myself. Zhang Li and the others don't know the price." Li Shu stopped Huang Da from getting up, tidied his clothes, and prepared to open for business.
"Yes, Old Li, you go. Hurry up," Huang Da said, fully supportive.
"You don't need to be so rushed. I'll go later," Zhang Liunian tried to dissuade them. But Huang Da and Li Shu valued the money they were about to receive so much that they couldn't wait a minute longer. Finally, Zhang Liunian agreed to Li Shu's discharge.
"Boss Zhang, why don't you come with me?" As Li Shu was about to leave, he remembered that Zhang Liunian, as the boss, had never been to the shop and stopped to invite him. Zhang Liunian glanced at Huang Da, who strongly encouraged him to go. The result was that Huang Da would recover alone, while the others went together to the Zhang Family Pickles shop in Jiangcheng.