Chapter 174

Seeing that no one spoke, Xie Wendong smiled and said, “What? Don’t you want to sit, or are you too afraid? There are no timid brothers in our Wendong Club!”
Hearing Xie Wendong’s words, the subordinates under the club leader raised their heads, but after thinking for a moment and glancing at their direct superior, they lowered their heads again. The hall was dead silent, leaving Xie Wendong somewhat embarrassed. With a wry smile, he asked, “Yanjiang, who do you think would be suitable to sit here?”
Zhang Yanjiang glanced at Xie Wendong and then at the others, feeling extremely conflicted. How could he choose? First, he wasn’t sure what everyone thought; suggesting one person would surely upset another, and suggesting another might displease still another. Moreover, if he chose the wrong person and trouble arose later, he would also bear responsibility. Sighing, he thought to himself, “Brother Dong, why did you pass this tough task to me?” He raised his head and happened to see Li Shuang sitting across from him. An idea struck him, and he said, “I think Brother Shuang would be great!”
Li Shuang was drinking tea. Although he didn’t really like it, he believed that people of status liked tea, and since he considered himself such a person, he was trying to get used to its bitter taste. He had just taken a sip before swallowing when Zhang Yanjiang’s words made him spit out the tea. He said urgently, “It’s fine for me to take the lead in battles, but managing the two outer provinces? I don’t have the brains for that.” Li Shuang shook his head vigorously.
Xie Wendong sighed. Li Shuang indeed wasn’t up to the task. At that moment, Gao Qiang raised his head and said, “Actually, the only one here with the strength to be the club leader is Brother Three-Eyes.”
This was true. Three-Eyes’s abilities were widely recognized, and he was the second most important figure in the Wendong Club after Xie Wendong. Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing Gao Qiang’s words.
Three-Eyes smiled indifferently and didn’t express an opinion. Xie Wendong turned to him and asked, “Brother Zhang, what do you think?”
Three-Eyes smiled and said, “Of course, I’ll follow Brother Dong’s decision. If he asks me to do it, I’ll do it; if someone else is chosen, I’m still in favor.”
Xie Wendong pondered for a moment before saying, “Qiangzi is right. I’m more at ease with Brother Zhang taking over. But you’ll have to work harder from now on—managing Longtang and taking care of the new club. Brother Zhang, can you handle it?”
Three-Eyes smiled proudly and said, “A little hard work isn’t a problem for me. If I had nothing to do, I’d even feel restless.”

Xie Wendong said, “That’s settled then. The name of the new hall will be Xiaolong Hall. There’s one more thing regarding our legitimate businesses.” As he spoke, Xie Wendong looked at Yu Chao, who was sitting at the back. Although Yu Chao was also under Xie Wendong’s command, he was mainly in charge of the legitimate businesses and had no interest in gang affairs. If Xie Wendong hadn’t specifically asked him to attend, he wouldn’t have come to this meeting.

Xie Wendong smiled and said, “Old Yu, how’s our business doing lately? I really don’t know anything about it!”

Yu Chao sighed. Xie Wendong rarely asked about this aspect and hardly paid attention to it, leaving all matters to him alone. It would be strange if he knew anything. Of course, he wouldn’t say that out loud. Instead, he replied calmly, “The growth rate is average—neither fast nor slow. The income is far less than what we can make from the gang.”

Xie Wendong laughed and said, “It seems Old Yu isn’t very satisfied with the current situation!” Yu Chao shook his head and said with a bitter smile, “It feels like I’m in the most remote corner of the world. There’s a lack of talent and no substantial investment. Dongxing Group is the slowest-growing company I’ve managed. Brother Dong, how could I be satisfied with the status quo?!”

Yu Chao wasn’t wrong. Usually, when Xie Wendong was around, he rarely asked him questions. Since he left, even fewer people in the gang paid attention to him. Everyone was busy with gang affairs, and the legitimate businesses were just a formality, a cover. They could be used for money laundering, not for making profits—just as long as they could survive. Xie Wendong nodded and said, “We can’t abandon the legitimate businesses. Maybe in the future, our main source of income will come from them. Old Yu, from now on, you can take whatever money you need from the gang without my permission. Also, find whatever people you need—whether from the gang or from society. If you like them, bring them all here!”

After hearing Xie Wendong’s words, Yu Chao was stunned. He didn’t understand why Xie Wendong was suddenly showing such interest in him. He said nothing, just looking at him in confusion. Xie Wendong laughed and added, “Of course, I have requirements for making such a big investment. Your goal is to build factories for me. I hope that in the near future, every city in the Northeast will have a Dongxing Group factory—regardless of the type, and regardless of whether it will lose money. As long as it’s large and has many workers, that’s fine.”

Sanyan was also puzzled, not understanding what he meant. He asked, “Brother Dong, why build so many factories?”

Xie Wendong smiled upward and said, “These days, there are especially many workers who have lost their jobs, and it’s hard to find work. Although we belong to the underworld, we should still contribute something to the country! By the way, the factory only wants workers who have lost their jobs.”
Contribute to the country? No one in the hall believed Xie Wendong’s words. No one knew what he was really thinking. Since he said so, there must be a reason. Yu Chaozhen also didn’t believe that Xie Wendong would truly be kind enough to benefit the country and the unemployed workers. Otherwise, he would have stopped dealing in heroin long ago. Yet his words sparked Yu Chaozhen’s ambition. Every city could have its own factory—just the thought excited him greatly. Fearing that Xie Wendong might change his mind, he quickly said, “There are quite a few cities in the three northeastern provinces. We need to build factories in each one, and the cost will be astronomical. Brother Dong, can you afford it?”
Xie Wendong pointed at him with his finger and smiled narrowed-eyed, “You’re trying to outwit me. But I never go back on my word. Whatever amount you need, I’ll give it. If the gang’s funds aren’t enough, we’ll earn more. If that still isn’t enough, we’ll steal or rob. In short, from now on, the gang will fully support you and revolve around you!”
The others were stunned, unable to process what they heard. Yu Chaozhen was even more shocked, unsure whether to feel happy or afraid. His heart was pounding fiercely. Xie Wendong glanced around, realizing everyone was struggling to understand. He stood up, narrowed his eyes, and said, “No matter when or by whom, the country will never allow criminal forces to become too powerful. If the Wendong Gang continues to grow at this pace, I think it won’t be long before the central government turns its blade against us. If we want them to ignore or overlook us, we must make them see our usefulness. Once society can’t function without us, then you and I can rest easy and watch the world unfold.”
Everyone inwardly sighed. Brother Dong was truly Brother Dong—always thinking ahead of others. If what he said came true, and the Wendong Gang had factories in every province and city across the country, it would solve the unemployment problem for many workers and spare the country a lot of trouble. Of course, it would also make it harder for the central government to eliminate the Wendong Gang easily.

Li Shuang stood up and said, “Brother Dong is absolutely right. From now on, we in the gang should help Old Yu more, after all, we’re all on the same side! Old Yu, if you plan to buy land and build a factory in a certain city in the future, just let your brothers know, and I guarantee everything will go smoothly, and you’ll save a lot of money too.” The others nodded in agreement, saying they would definitely lend full support if needed. Yu Chao could only smile bitterly inwardly. Xie Wendong’s words had changed everyone’s attitude toward him. He used to not understand why such a young man could gather so many people willing to follow him to the death, but now he seemed to understand a bit—this young man truly had that kind of charisma. Even he himself had to admire his intelligence and couldn’t help but want to follow him to see what amazing things he would accomplish.

After this meeting, Xie Wendong’s group’s legitimate businesses truly began to take off, laying the foundation for his future economic strength and creating favorable conditions for future transformation. To such an extent that even Xie Wendong himself couldn’t help but exclaim: Economy determines everything! It’s even more powerful than force.

The one who benefited the most from this meeting was naturally Yu Chao. The company he managed had transformed from what he called “the most remote corner of the world” into a place that attracted everyone’s attention. He was naturally very happy, and the people in the gang no longer treated him indifferently.

The second person to benefit the most was San Yan. Now he was the leader of two factions. It was widely recognized that the Dragon Hall had the greatest influence within the Wendong Gang, while the newly established Little Dragon Hall had the greatest potential for growth and power, even rivaling the Dragon Hall. San Yan’s influence within the Wendong Gang grew even greater, making him the second most powerful person after Xie Wendong. People like Li Shuang and Gao Qiang didn’t care about these things; they were happy that San Yan could oversee both factions because they were his brothers as well. But where there was joy, there was also anger. The most resentful was Chen Baicheng. He had had the chance to become the leader of the new hall but failed to seize it, allowing San Yan to reap the benefits. He was so angry he gritted his teeth, hating San Yan and even more so Xie Wendong.

However, Chen Baicheng was cunning and never showed his true feelings. After the meeting, he followed San Yan around, hearing nothing but congratulations and praise. Everyone likes to be praised, and San Yan was no exception. Though he knew that half of what Chen Baicheng said might not be sincere, he still felt happy hearing it. He said, “Enough of these empty words. There will be more tasks in the future. You really need to help me out.”

Chen Baicheng smiled and said, “Don’t worry about that, Third Eye Brother. Since I’ve followed you, when have I ever not given it my all?! ” He paused for a moment before adding, “In the gang, you’re the only person I truly admire—brilliant and talented. It’s just that…” He stopped mid-sentence, waiting to see Third Eye’s reaction. Third Eye smiled calmly and turned to look at him. Understanding what Chen Baicheng meant, he said, “I don’t like that kind of talk, and I don’t want to hear it anymore.” With that, he strode out.

Chen Baicheng stood frozen in place, his face grim, muttering angrily, “What kind of guy is he!”

Peng Ling had been feeling troubled lately. When with Xie Wendong, she often felt exhausted and had a vague sense of insecurity, as if he might disappear at any moment. But after he left, she missed him terribly. Life without his kindness and attentiveness, without his words and smile, became dull and uninteresting. Although there were always people pursuing her, a woman’s heart is small—not only in terms of capacity but also in depth. Once one person fills it, it’s hard for others to fit in. Peng Ling was exactly like that. After a day of work, she habitually went to the rooftop of the police station. Lately, she had been coming here often—no interruptions, no city noise, allowing her to enjoy the peace and reminisce about the moments spent with Xie Wendong.

Sitting on the rooftop, gazing at the sky, a gentle breeze brushed against her face, feeling incredibly soothing, like Xie Wendong’s hand. Xie Wendong often said he was like the wind, and indeed he was. Peng Ling thought he was right—indeed, he was as unpredictable as the wind, arriving silently and leaving without a trace. During the months he was away, he didn’t make a single call, as if he had vanished. Sometimes she wondered if Xie Wendong truly liked her and was as committed as she was. Unfortunately, the wind wasn’t Xie Wendong—it couldn’t give her answers or blow away her worries. The wind remained just the wind.

Back in the office, another stack of beautifully wrapped red roses appeared on her desk. These past few days, someone had delivered red roses to her desk every day, but the delivery boy never mentioned who sent them. Peng Ling guessed it was Xie Wendong. She placed the flowers in a vase and checked her watch—it was time to leave work. Waving goodbye to her colleagues, she left the police station.

As soon as she stepped out of the gate, a eye-catching red sports car sped up and stopped in front of her. The door opened, and a young man in his early thirties stepped out. He was tall, good-looking, with sharp features that exuded a masculine strength. The young man took off his sunglasses from his nose with a wave and said with a smile, “Hello!”