Although the group of people were sitting outside the barbecue restaurant, looking like they were there for a late-night snack, there was nothing on their tables.
Not only that, but most of these people were holding weapons like machetes and steel pipes.
It was clear that this was a group of thugs waiting for a job to do at any moment.
Seeing this, I immediately turned to Cheng Minglang and said, "See those thugs? They're most likely waiting for the two of us."
"You say, if we had rushed over to save Han Jinlun just now, we would have been chopped into mincemeat in an instant?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Minglang snorted dismissively.
Although his expression was no longer as angry as before, he still retorted stubbornly, "Don't speak too soon! How can you be so sure they are definitely waiting for us by sitting there?"
"What if these people are waiting for companions, or for someone else? You'll be eating your words then."
"Heh heh. You don't believe me?"
"If you don't believe me, follow me!"
After saying these words, I quickly glanced around the surroundings and then directly beckoned Cheng Minglang to follow me to the top floor of a unfinished building…
In the early 1920s, with the rapid development and growth of China's economy, real estate developers began to enter major county-level cities.
Only a small portion of these developers could barely be considered conscientious enterprises.
Although they were also corrupt and greedy, at least they genuinely built the houses.
As for other developers, they mostly played games of using borrowed chickens to lay eggs and pulling rabbits out of a hat.
Therefore, during that time, unfinished buildings were commonly seen in cities all over the country.
The one I took Cheng Minglang to was a dilapidated building that had reached five stories and was about to be topped off, but had suddenly been abandoned.
Upon arriving at the rooftop, I found that the scenery on both sides of Fengyang Street could be clearly seen.
So, I beckoned Cheng Minglang to the side near the mahjong parlor and the barbecue restaurant, and we leaned out to overlook the upcoming events below.
Calculating the time, Su Liuli should be making her move by now, right?
No matter how Zhang Zifeng got involved in this matter, if he wanted to lure me out by using Han Jinlun, I would make sure he wouldn't get his way!
I might as well take this opportunity to directly shift the blame to the issue of catching cheats, and let Su Liuli rescue the person for me.
As for me, I would sit firmly on the fishing platform and watch the show from the shore!
………………
Meanwhile.
On the second floor of the brightly lit mahjong parlor.
Zhang Zifeng, holding a glass of expensive high-end liquor with his right hand, which was missing three fingers, turned to the three people beside him and said, "It's been over an hour, and that kid still hasn't shown up!"
"If I'm not mistaken, he must have asked Su Liuli for help!"
"Let him ask for help! Ever since we got back, we've been nursing our hand injuries. The only reason we took this job was because of that scumbag!"
"As long as he dares to come, I'll make sure to chop off both his hands and feet!" Brother Wu, sitting to Zhang Zifeng's left, said angrily while wiping his greasy mouth.
"That's right!" Xiao Shan said gloomily after taking a sip of white wine, "If we can't deal with him in Anhai, we'll still deal with him in Longxi…?!"
"Hey, hey, hey, I say, can you all calm down a bit?"
Qian Xin, sitting on the right, suddenly raised his wine glass and said in a deep voice, "Although that kid has a grudge against us, and it happens that he's the one catching cheats for Su Liuli this time, but…"
"Brothers, don't forget, we are currently working for a boss surnamed Xiao."
"That kid is someone Boss Xiao specifically requested, so we absolutely cannot forget the main business because of our personal grudges!"
"If that kid comes later, let's put our personal grudges aside for now and just give him a little lesson."
"After handing the person over to Boss Xiao, and once Boss Xiao has also negotiated with Su Liuli, we can then ask Boss Xiao to get the person back. Are we afraid we won't have a chance for revenge?"
"Personal grudges are minor, doing the job well is major. And seizing this opportunity to get close to Boss Xiao is even more important!"
"As long as we can gain Boss Xiao's favor, our brothers will have truly made it in the world of cheating and gambling!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zifeng nodded in agreement, "Well said, Ah Xin!"
"To be honest, I've been thinking about our brothers' future lately!"
"Considering that after losing my fingers, it's highly unlikely I can continue in the profession of cheating and gambling."
"After all, this is a profession that requires the most use of hands."
"But if we switch to other professions, which one can make money faster than being a cheat?"
"So this time, let's put revenge aside and make sure to complete Boss Xiao's tasks beautifully!"
Seeing the varied expressions on their faces, Zhang Zifeng paused slightly and continued, "Do you know why Boss Xiao wants to mess with Su Liuli's establishment?"
"Because she's ignorant of current affairs!!!"
"Relying on the reputation accumulated by her deceased father, she looks down on everyone."
"But the dead are just the dead!"
"No matter how high Su's prestige was during his lifetime, and how great his influence was, once he's dead… that prestige and influence will inevitably vanish."
"Nowadays, the only person who can make the entire cheating and gambling world of Longxi tremble with a single word is Boss Xiao Tianci!"
"The market in Longxi is only so big. Without Boss Xiao's approval… anyone who secretly operates casinos will eventually be shut down due to various problems!"
"This is also why Su Liuli didn't dare to find someone in Longxi to catch cheats."
"Long before I took on this job, I had already inquired about many things in secret."
"In the entire cheating and gambling world of Longxi, Su Liuli and Boss Xiao are currently causing the most trouble!"
"As long as we choose the right side this time and do the job beautifully, we will have at least one foot in Boss Xiao's big boat."
"From now on, only we brothers will chop off others' fingers, and we will never let others… touch half of our fingers again! Come, cheers!!!"
"Hahahaha~ Cheers, cheers!!!"
"Follow Brother Feng, and you'll have meat and wine at every meal!"
"Damn it! Let's just tolerate that little brat for a while longer! After Boss Xiao and Su Liuli's business is settled, we'll settle the score with him. Come, cheers!"
Zhang Zifeng and the other three smiled and then raised their wine glasses.
While drinking heartily, they each fantasized about a beautiful future.
They did not notice the faint sound of footsteps coming from downstairs in the mahjong parlor.
A young man with dyed yellow hair, wearing a Chinese dragon t-shirt, silently infiltrated the second floor…