From the very beginning, Bai Zheng treated Yang Jian as an equal, a peer, and spoke directly about cooperation when it came to opening a casino.
Yang Fan played a significant role in this, recounting Yang Jian's exploits in Han City to Bai Zheng. His incredible luck at gambling meant that any house or casino he participated in flourished. He was also extremely loyal, treating his brothers well and never hogging the spoils, which was a key reason his disciples were willing to follow him devotedly. Yang Fan also promised to invest if Yang Jian decided to start a business in Dongjiang.
On the other hand, Yang Jian and his group arrived in a Q7, indicating that despite being on the run, they were not destitute. Such individuals would not be willing to be subservient subordinates.
"Brother Zheng, while we have experience managing casinos, we don't understand any of the gambling games you mentioned."
Yang Jian was somewhat surprised by Bai Zheng's proposal but also intrigued. Opening a casino was far more stable than running a loan shark operation. It was essentially a guaranteed profit, a lucrative business. Most importantly, the gamblers were Hong Kong and Taiwanese businessmen, wealthy individuals worth billions. The capital flow would far exceed that of the casino by the Xunsi River. Even a ten percent stake would be very substantial. Coupled with Bai Zheng's powerful connections in Dongjiang, security concerns from the police would be greatly reduced. This venture had potential.
Afeng and the other two were clearly interested, looking expectantly at Yang Jian, afraid he would refuse outright, yet not daring to voice their opinions. In Bai Zheng's eyes, they were juniors, and such important matters were not for them to comment on.
Since Yang Jian had raised the issue, Bai Zheng knew he was interested. He smiled and said, "It's okay if you don't understand. Once this is finalized, I'll arrange for Afeng and the others to go to the casino city to learn about their casino management. We'll operate here based on their model."
Just as Yang Jian was about to ask another question, a clear voice came from the doorway: "Godfather, when are we leaving? It's almost ten o'clock, and it takes over an hour to get to the city. Won't that delay the negotiation?"
"What the heck, isn't that Meng Meiyun's voice? Why is she here?"
Yang Jian's mind couldn't process it; he was extremely surprised.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Don't you see I have important guests? Go wait in the living room."
Before Bai Zheng could finish speaking, he saw Yang Jian stand up, staring at Meng Meiyun.
"Yang Jian? What are you doing here?"
"Meng Meiyun, what a coincidence!"
They both exclaimed at the same time. Everyone was stunned; it was truly a coincidence to run into an acquaintance in such a place. Bai Zheng was even more surprised. "You two know each other?"
Meng Meiyun walked over, arm in arm with a well-dressed middle-aged woman. "Godfather, not only do I know him, but we're also high school classmates."
"Oh, I remember now. Your hometown is also Han City. This is truly a case of 'Qiao Qiao's mother gave birth to Qiao Qiao,' a coincidence upon a coincidence, haha."
Bai Zheng burst into laughter, but Yang Jian was thinking, "There's an even bigger coincidence coming." It was now clear that Bai Zheng was Meng Meiyun's godfather, and according to Fo Ye's instructions, Bai Zheng was also Fo Ye's behind-the-scenes boss.
The situation was now very awkward. He had not only kidnapped Bai Zheng's capable subordinate but also crippled his leg. How could they cooperate now? He might even make an enemy of Bai Zheng.
Bai Zheng, oblivious to Yang Jian's changing expression, said, "Little Yang, come, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Li Li. You can call her Sister Li."
Yang Jian quickly nodded and smiled, "Hello, Sister Li. I'm Yang Jian."
Li Li, around forty, was well-maintained, elegant, and dignified. She looked at Yang Jian with a smile. "You must be Yang Jian. Yang Fan has told me about you for a long time. You truly are a talented young man. Please sit, sit. Make yourself at home here."
"Thank you, Sister Li."
As soon as Yang Jian sat down, Afeng, Anan, and Junjun stood up and lined up to bow to Li Li.
"Hello, Auntie."
Li Li was startled and looked at Bai Zheng. "Whose children are these?"
Bai Zheng laughed heartily. "These are Yang Fan's disciples, Afeng, Anan, and Junjun. According to their customs and way of addressing people, I am their martial uncle, and you are their aunt."
"Oh, quickly, sit down, sit down. I have so many handsome nephews all of a sudden. This is wonderful news. Don't leave, I'll personally cook to welcome you."
Li Li said as she sat next to Bai Zheng.
Meng Meiyun walked over to Yang Jian and patted him. "How do you know my godfather?"
"Brother Zheng's junior brother, Yang Fan, is my elder brother. I came to visit him today, and I didn't expect to run into you here."
Yang Jian felt very awkward, unsure how he would explain the matter of Fo Ye to them later.
Meng Meiyun scratched her head. "That's not right. You call my godfather 'Brother Zheng,' which means there's a generation difference between us. Do I have to call you uncle?"
"No, no, no. Let's just call each other as we are, just like Afeng and the others. I call their master 'Brother Fan,' and they call me 'Brother Jian.' That way, it won't be awkward."
"That's more like it. But this world is too small. The day before yesterday, I was having supper with you, and today we meet at my godfather's house. Novels wouldn't even dare to write something like this; it's too bizarre."
"It is quite a coincidence. Sit down and have some tea." Yang Jian felt a bit uneasy.
Junjun chuckled from the side. No wonder Brother Jian didn't let him hit Meng Meiyun that night. He had recognized her long ago and had kidnapped her husband. Let's see how he would handle this.
Meng Meiyun shook her head. "There's no time for tea. My godfather and I have to go to the city for some business. We might not be back until after lunch."
Bai Zheng glanced at his watch and said, "Little Yang, Meiyun's boyfriend has been kidnapped. I need to go negotiate with the other party now. I won't be with you this morning. You have lunch here, enjoy the sea view, and in the afternoon, I'll take you out on a yacht for a spin."
Bai Zheng was so enthusiastic and treated him like an insider. Yang Jian felt he could no longer keep silent.
"Brother Zheng, don't rush off. I have something to tell you."
"Tell us when we get back. Godfather, we can't delay any longer, let's go quickly."
It had been three days since Fo Ye was kidnapped, and Meng Meiyun was getting anxious. If Fo Ye wasn't brought back soon, Phoenix Street would be taken over by the Xichuan Gang, and her interests would suffer greatly. Bai Zheng, in his current capacity, would not personally get involved in such petty street turf wars.
Bai Zheng stood up and smiled apologetically at Yang Jian.
Yang Jian had no choice but to get straight to the point. "Brother Zheng, you don't need to go negotiate. I know where Fo Ye is."
Bai Zheng was taken aback. "You know Cheng Kai too?"
Meng Meiyun immediately understood. "Yang Jian, was it really you that night? I kept feeling something was off. So you were in disguise. No wonder you didn't let your companions hit me. Now I understand."
"I'm sorry. I really didn't know Fo Ye was your boyfriend beforehand."
"But at the nightclub, you clearly recognized me. Why did you still go ahead with the kidnapping?"
Meng Meiyun was furious, her liver aching. It turned out her old classmate had smashed her nightclub, kidnapped her boyfriend, and what was even more infuriating was that he had denied being the kidnapper when they had supper that night.