Facing Meng Meiyun's questioning, Yang Jian didn't know how to answer. His feud with Fo Ye wasn't something that could be explained in a few words.
From their brief conversation, Bai Zheng had a general understanding of the situation.
"Little Yang, you were the one who kidnapped Chen Kai?"
Bai Zheng's expression was calm, not showing the anger one might expect.
Yang Jian nodded. "Brother Zheng, I apologize. I genuinely didn't know Fo Ye was your man, nor that he was Meng Meiyun's boyfriend."
"So, you are that Yang Wu?"
"Yes, that's the name I use here."
Bai Zheng glanced at his watch. "Alright, first tell me where Chen Kai is now, and I'll arrange for him to be brought back. Your grievances can be discussed later."
Yang Jian wasn't sure what Bai Zheng's intentions were. If he intended to side with Fo Ye and turn against him, Yang Jian would accept it. After all, he had plenty of enemies, and adding one more wouldn't matter.
However, out of respect for Yang Fan, Yang Jian didn't intend to make Bai Zheng lose face directly. He told him the location where Fo Ye was being held, which wasn't far, about a twenty-minute drive.
"A Bao, take your men there immediately and bring Chen Kai here. And remember, don't make it too difficult for those holding him."
Bai Zheng made the arrangements without consulting Yang Jian.
A Bao nodded and was about to leave when Yang Jian spoke again. "Brother Zheng, Fo Ye might not be able to come here."
"Why not? Did you kill him?"
"No, I didn't kill him, but I did cripple his legs. He needs to be sent to the hospital first."
"Alright then, A Bao, after you bring him out, give me a call and take him directly to the orthopedics hospital for treatment. We'll visit him later."
"Understood."
A Bao responded and quickly exited.
Yang Jian expected Meng Meiyun to follow, but he noticed she remained calm, seemingly unconcerned about Fo Ye's injuries, as long as he was found.
Bai Zheng sat back down. "Little Yang, don't be nervous. I know Chen Kai's character, and I've learned about you from Yang Fan. You're not someone who seeks trouble; he must have provoked you. Tell me, what exactly is your grievance with him?"
It seemed Bai Zheng was quite reasonable. Yang Jian didn't hold back and recounted the entire process, starting from Old Ma's gambling losses being rigged, Ma Yuan slashing the convenience store owner, to him kidnapping Fo Ye and breaking his legs.
"Brother Zheng, I warned him twice. I told him to be his boss, and I'd be my migrant worker; we'd mind our own business. But he repeatedly tried to kill me. I had no choice but to cripple him."
After explaining the events, Yang Jian reiterated his stance, waiting to see how Bai Zheng would judge the situation. The worst outcome would be a complete falling out, which wasn't a big deal.
"Little Yang, Meng Meiyun actually told me about this yesterday. The only difference is the cause of the incident. Chen Kai claims you were bribed by Fang Zhicheng to deal with him, while you say it started with Old Ma's gambling.
I tend to believe your account more. Chen Kai is too arrogant. If it were me, I would have killed him directly. Crippling one of his legs is letting him off too easily."
Bai Zheng finally made his judgment.
"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Zheng."
Yang Jian had wanted to say he spared Fo Ye out of consideration for Meng Meiyun, but he felt it wasn't appropriate and kept it to himself.
Bai Zheng then changed the subject. "Little Yang, Chen Kai is, after all, Meiyun's boyfriend and also my brother. For the sake of both of us, can you consider burying the hatchet and putting your grievances behind you?"
"Brother Zheng, I will definitely give you face. As I said, if he doesn't provoke me, I won't do anything to him. But if he targets me or my brothers again, it won't just be a matter of crippling a leg."
Yang Jian's response, neither subservient nor arrogant, earned him more respect from Bai Zheng.
"Good, your word is enough. Honestly, I don't like him much either. Chen Kai's character is too poor. The reason I keep him around is partly because of Meiyun.
Another reason is that he's very organized and can gather a large number of Henan people to work for him. He's also ruthless and employs brutal tactics, which helps me solve many problems.
Of course, he also generates significant profits for me. After all, in this line of work, one cannot survive without ruthlessness. You understand that, don't you?"
"I understand, Brother Zheng. If I may ask, at your level, haven't you considered transitioning? With the gradual improvement of the country's legal system, people like Fo Ye who organize large-scale armed conflicts for territory will surely face severe punishment. He will drag you down."
Bai Zheng nodded and smiled. "You're absolutely right. I'm planning to scale back my operations by opening casinos. I'm prepared to let go of my established subordinates like Chen Kai, no longer collecting from them, and letting them develop independently and fend for themselves."
Meng Meiyun was alarmed. "Godfather, you're giving up on Chen Kai? What about me then?"
"Meiyun, I know you don't actually like Chen Kai, and you're just using my connections to control him and make money. That Blueberry nightclub has earned you tens of millions in the past two years. You should be content."
"Godfather, you can't just close down the nightclub like that."
"You can continue to run it, but I will no longer interfere with Chen Kai's conflicts with the Xichuan Gang. This is the last time I'm saving him. Whether he can hold onto the territory on Fenghuang Street from now on will depend on his own abilities."
"You're even giving up on Fenghuang Street?"
"Yes, I'm no longer interested in fighting for territory or monopolizing markets. I've offended too many people, and trouble is bound to happen sooner or later. I plan to focus entirely on casinos now, earning money from foreign investors and the wealthy."
With the support of the Hong Kong triad and guidance from an expert, Bai Zheng decided to completely sever ties with his previous businesses that were widely resented and condemned by the public.
Meng Meiyun was unwilling. "Godfather, can I do something with you too?"
Bai Zheng frowned and looked at her. "Meiyun, it's not impossible for you to work with me, but the prerequisite is that you completely separate yourself from Chen Kai.
I'm building a new team, and I won't be using people like Chen Kai anymore, nor will I have any financial or business dealings with them.
Therefore, your strategy of using me to pressure Chen Kai to make money for you won't work. I will spread the word that these minor faction leaders with some influence, like Chen Kai, are no longer my people."
Slightly uncomfortable at having her hidden intentions exposed, Meng Meiyun asked, "Then what can I do for you?"
"I'm operating my casinos in an entertainment city model, providing comprehensive services to customers. You have experience managing nightclubs, so you can be responsible for the recruitment and management of female hostesses."
This clearly implied management of services that catered to clients' sexual needs. Meng Meiyun dared not refuse. Without Bai Zheng's protection, she would find it difficult to survive in Dongjiang. Given Fo Ye had offended so many people, it was possible someone might seek revenge against her.
Furthermore, Fo Ye might not tolerate her. Unless she was willing to genuinely become his mistress, which she found repulsive, seeing his pig-like physique made her feel sick.
She had grown accustomed to life in Dongjiang, with her parents and siblings all there. Moving away suddenly was unrealistic. Staying by Bai Zheng's side was the most sensible option.