Yang Jian’s waist and buttocks had both undergone surgery. The stitches had just been removed, making it inadvisable for him to stand or sit for extended periods. However, upon hearing news about Wu Laizi, he insisted on following Liang Liang to a secluded spot.
“Brother Jian, a friend of mine encountered Wu Laizi at Nong Jia Da Wan Cai about half an hour ago. There were five of them in total. After finishing their meal, Wu Laizi drove off alone, while the other four left by taxi.”
Liang Liang and Biao Biao had many acquaintances in Chengguan, mostly low-level thugs, but also a few close friends.
This time, Liang Liang wasn't making a big show of searching for Wu Laizi, aiming to avoid alerting him. Instead, he had entrusted a few trusted friends to discreetly search throughout Chengguan, which naturally involved a considerable expense.
“Does Wu Laizi have a place in Chengguan?”
“Yes, I’ve already arranged for people to stake it out, but they haven’t seen him go home.”
“What about the other four? Does anyone recognize them?”
“My friend only recognizes one of them, named Yao Ji, who is Wu Laizi’s cousin.”
“Then find Yao Ji too.”
“Yao Ji doesn’t have a place in Chengguan. He might have returned to the lake district.”
Yang Jian pondered for a moment and said, “Whether it’s Yao Ji or Wu Laizi, anyone who provides accurate information about their whereabouts will receive a reward of twenty thousand yuan on the spot. We must find them tonight, no matter what.”
“Alright, I’ll spread the word immediately.”
Chengguan, neither large nor small, had a population of two hundred thousand. Finding two people in a short time wasn’t easy, and relying solely on Liang Liang’s few men would be difficult. More people needed to be mobilized for effective searching.
This approach risked alerting Wu Laizi, but Yang Jian had run out of patience. His sister was racing against death on the operating table, while these scumbags might be enjoying themselves in some entertainment venue.
He couldn’t tolerate it, not for a moment.
The surgery was estimated to take a considerable amount of time. Seeing Yang Jian’s pale face, Lu Yao quickly helped him into the ward to rest. His medical records hadn’t been transferred yet, and the on-duty doctor dared not treat him casually, so he could only wait until tomorrow for examination.
An hour later, Wei Xia entered the ward, looking tired. Lu Yao quickly woke up the sleeping Yang Jian.
“Sister Xia, how is my elder sister?”
Yang Jian, having rested, seemed much better, though his emotions were quite agitated.
Wei Xia sighed, “Her life is saved, but she’s severely injured. Her face will be scarred, she has multiple bone fractures, and may be disabled. Her skull and internal organs are also damaged. It will take a long time to recover. Based on her injuries, it’s at least a Level 2 minor injury. The perpetrator’s methods were too brutal to inflict such severe harm on a woman.”
His poor sister, Yang Jian’s tears streamed down his face.
Lu Yao cried out loud. It was her fault that Sister Hui was beaten and injured, and her guilt was indescribable. She hated Wu Laizi to the point of gritting her teeth, wishing she could stab him twice if she ever saw him again, even if she couldn’t win.
“Sister Xia, can I see my sister now?”
Yang Jian wiped away his tears and struggled to get out of bed.
Wei Xia shook her head, “Don’t exert yourself. Your sister has been transferred to the intensive care unit and will likely be under observation for three to four days. Your brother-in-law is keeping watch there. You should focus on recovering so you can help your sister seek justice.”
As she spoke, Yu Feng walked in. She had learned of Yang Jian’s return from Liang Liang.
“Second Jian, I’ve had people inquire. Your sister was driving normally at the time. Those thugs must have been waiting near your sister’s house. When they saw her car, they charged at her head-on. To avoid them, your sister had to drive her car into a field.
When those people failed to extort money, they directly beat up your sister and smashed her car. Many people were watching, but no one dared to intervene. According to information provided to the police by witnesses, one of the assailants had very distinctive physical features. The one who beat your sister the hardest was over 1.9 meters tall and powerfully built, likely Wu Laizi.”
Without much pleasantry, Yu Feng stated the information she had gathered from the police as soon as she entered.
“Thank you, Sister Feng. Have the police taken any measures against Wu Laizi?”
“No, the assailants all wore masks during the attack, and the license plate was removed. I suspect Wu Laizi myself, but the police have no direct evidence proving that big guy is Wu Laizi.”
“I understand.”
Yang Jian hadn’t expected the police to punish Wu Laizi; that would be too lenient for him. Prison would be a refuge, a way to enjoy life for that scumbag. A fate worse than death was the punishment he deserved.
Liang Liang’s call came in at that moment.
“Brother Jian, someone has found Yao Ji.”
“Where?”
“The informant didn’t say. They want to see the money before they’ll take us there, claiming they can guarantee we’ll see Yao Ji.”
“I’m coming out now. Notify Ah Feng and the others to meet at the hospital entrance.”
After speaking, Yang Jian prepared to put on his shoes. Wei Xia quickly stopped him, “What are you doing? You haven’t recovered yet, you can’t leave the hospital.”
“Don’t anyone try to stop me, or I’ll disown everyone.”
The ferocity in Yang Jian’s eyes sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
Lu Yao, wanting to help him tie his shoelaces, was too afraid to move and could only watch as he held his waist and walked out of the ward. Ah Nan and Ah Zhong followed behind him silently.
At the entrance of People’s Hospital, Liang Liang met Yang Jian with Ah Feng and the others.
Under Ah Feng’s arrangement, the license plates on both SUVs were changed. Liang Liang then notified the informant to come over.
Yang Jian, wearing a mask, met the informant in the car.
The informant was a young man around twenty, thin and gaunt with sunken eyes, appearing to be an addict.
Yang Jian got straight to the point, “Do you know where Yao Ji is?”
“I do. I heard you’re offering twenty thousand for his whereabouts. Is that true?”
“Of course, it’s true. As long as you let us see Yao Ji, I’ll give you the money immediately. But don’t play any tricks, or you’ll have a very unpleasant end.”
Yang Jian worried that the young man might be working for Wu Laizi and lead them into a trap. The martial world was treacherous, and one had to be vigilant.
“Give me the money first, and I’ll take you there. I guarantee you’ll see Yao Ji.”
The other party clearly didn’t trust Yang Jian. Twenty thousand yuan was not a small sum; it could buy a lot of drugs.
Yang Jian nodded at Liang Liang, who immediately produced twenty thousand in cash.
The young man excitedly counted the money. After confirming it was correct, he said, “Let’s go, Yao Ji is at the Cultural Palace.”
Liang Liang patted him, “Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve sent people to search the Cultural Palace. The video arcade, billiard room, and roller skating rink are all empty. Now you’re telling me he’s at the Cultural Palace?”
“You guys follow me, and I guarantee you’ll find him.”
The young man patted his chest, seemingly not lying.
Since it was a crowded place like the Cultural Palace, Yang Jian wasn’t worried about him playing tricks. He signaled Ah Nan to drive.