The Second Prison in Han City.
Wu Laizi was released from prison after serving three years. As he walked out of the prison gates, he took a deep breath of free air. It felt so good, and he vowed never to return to this damned place again.
A black car pulled up beside him, and Shen Bing got out.
"Brother Wu, you're out. Get in the car."
Wu Laizi looked around and saw only Shen Bing there to pick him up. He felt a pang of disappointment. He used to be someone of importance on the streets, with many brothers under him. Now, not a single one had shown up.
"Bingbing, why are you alone? Where's your brother and Baoguo?"
"Brother Wu, let's talk in the car. Don't look, no one else is coming."
Shen Bing's expression was dejected. After Hong Xing died, he stopped associating with the underworld. However, remembering his good relationship with Wu Laizi, he had come to pick him up.
Wu Laizi got into the car, feeling disgruntled. "Bingbing, you're still in Nan Hai, right? Are the casinos still running there? Has Xing Xing returned?"
During his three years in prison, except for the first year when Hong Xing sent brothers to check on him and give him some money, and Baoguo visited occasionally, in the last year or so, only his parents had visited him. None of his underworld brothers had. He knew nothing of what had happened outside.
Starting the car, Shen Bing answered his questions. "Brother Wu, my brother and Brother Xing are both dead."
Wu Laizi was shocked. "Bingbing, don't scare me. How could they be dead?"
"My brother was setting up a sand quarry in Xinqiao. He was shot in the head in front of over a hundred brothers. He died horribly."
Wu Laizi's body trembled involuntarily. "Xinqiao, it wouldn't be a conflict with Yang Jian, would it?"
"It was, but Yang Jian didn't show his face."
Shen Bing recounted the details of Shen Hua's murder with deep sorrow.
"What about Xing Xing? How did he die? Is it also related to Yang Jian?"
Cold sweat began to break out on Wu Laizi's body.
"My Brother Xing was kidnapped and then buried alive by the Dongjiang seaside. By the time we found him, his body had already decomposed. Whether Yang Jian did it remains a mystery, but Yang Jian was indeed in Dongjiang during those years."
"How could Yang Jian be so ruthless? He actually killed people. Haven't the police caught him yet?"
"Hmph, Yang Jian has regained his freedom. He surrendered himself six months ago, was detained for over four months, and was eventually acquitted by the court. Yang Jian is quite influential now. Not only is his lumber factory growing, but he also spent tens of millions to build a park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held a few days ago, and district leaders attended."
Wu Laizi's face changed drastically. "Yang Jian is back, and he's this powerful? What about your brothers? Are they not planning revenge for Xing Xing? Can your uncle tolerate Yang Jian's arrogance?"
Shen Bing sighed. "After Brother Xing died, the brothers scattered. My uncle, because his son was murdered, lost his mind. He not only offered a high reward for the killer of Brother Xing but also made a scene in Chengguan. Eventually, he was investigated by higher authorities and hasn't been released yet. He'll likely go to prison too."
"What about Brother Mao and Baoguo?"
"As soon as they heard Yang Jian was back, they immediately ran. They even sold their houses in Chengguan and dare not show their faces."
Wu Laizi slumped onto the passenger seat. "Bingbing, what should I do? I beat Yang Jian's sister within an inch of her life. He definitely won't let me go. Why don't we go all out and take him down to avenge your brother and Xing Xing?"
Shen Bing looked at him with pity, then gave a wry smile. "Brother Wu, forget that idea. Don't you know what kind of person Yang Jian is? Even my Brother Xing couldn't deal with him. How can the two of us kill him?"
"Even tigers have their sleepy moments. No matter how strong he is, he can't withstand firearms."
"Stop dreaming. To kill a ruthless person like Yang Jian, you need millions, or no one will take the job. Do we have that much money? We can't do it ourselves, can we? That would be no different from seeking death. For someone like Yang Jian, even if you succeed in an assassination, it's hard to get away unscathed. You'll either be injured by him or captured by his brothers. There are rumors now that Yang Jian is a shareholder and head of security for the Xintai Casino in Dongjiang. No one in Dongjiang dares to provoke him. Even a big shot from Gangcheng spent five million to assassinate him and failed. Do you think the two of us are stronger than the big shots from Gangcheng or more formidable than the underworld forces in Dongjiang?"
Shen Bing's words plunged Wu Laizi into complete despair. "Bingbing, what then? I can't go on the run again after getting out, can I?"
"You injured Yang Jian's sister and served three years in prison. You've paid the price. As long as you keep a low profile, Yang Jian probably won't bother you."
"Impossible. Yang Jian is vengeful. Not only did I hurt his sister, but I also threatened his girlfriend. He won't let me go."
Wu Laizi was very clear-headed. He knew that as soon as Yang Jian found out he was released, he would retaliate. Prison wouldn't appease Yang Jian's anger.
Shen Bing drove for a moment, then said, "Brother Wu, you're right. Yang Jian is too ruthless. He's become successful now, with a net worth of over a hundred million. He doesn't need to do anything himself; he can eliminate you with a little money. Your personal grudge with him is indeed significant, and he's very likely to seek revenge. I have two suggestions. See if you can accept them."
"Bingbing, tell me. My mind is very confused right now."
"Brother Wu, since neither of us can deal with Yang Jian, we can only surrender. One option is to avoid him, leave Xinhe, and develop elsewhere."
Before he could finish, Wu Laizi quickly shook his head. "No, no. I'm not well-educated, I don't know how to do business, and I don't have any skills. I don't have much money either. There's no future for me developing elsewhere. The last time I went out, if I hadn't gone to your place, I wouldn't have survived. So, I don't plan to go out and mix."
"Alright, then there's only the other option: go to his door and apologize."
"Go to his door to apologize? Will that work?"
"Whether it works or not, we have to try. Yang Jian, although ruthless, isn't completely unreasonable or illogical. On the contrary, he's a person with great vision and broad-mindedness. If you can humble yourself, apologize proactively, and seek his forgiveness, I think he won't make things too difficult for you."
"What if he doesn't forgive me? Wouldn't I be walking into a trap?"
"Don't be too pessimistic. If you go to him openly to apologize, at most he'll scold you a few times or beat you up. He definitely won't cripple or kill you, because he's now a celebrity in Xinhe District and won't openly do illegal things. Yang Jian is now a successful underworld figure who has gone legitimate. He values his reputation and has learned to protect his image. He won't ruin his hard-earned legitimate status just to deal with you. If your sincerity in apologizing is sufficient, I think he will let you go."
Shen Bing had spent a long time in developed coastal cities, giving him a broad perspective and insightful analysis of human nature.