Chapter 286

Xiang Wentian nodded. He knew Bai Ziyi well—on the surface, he seemed carefree, but in reality, he was very shrewd. He valued loyalty but was also adept at handling matters tactfully. The Bai family was a native Shanghai family that looked down on outsiders at heart, and this habit had naturally been passed down to Bai Ziyi. Their good relations with the South Hongmen were more out of self-interest; in a life-or-death situation, the Bai family could not be relied upon. Xie Wendong had just arrived in Shanghai, and his influence was not yet strong enough to shake the South Hongmen, but the North Hongmen was no less formidable. Bai Ziyi had already tried to get close to them to secure more options for the future. Xiang Wentian said nothing and turned to Xie Wendong, smiling and asking, “Brother Xie, you’ve gone to such lengths to invite me here—surely it’s not just for a meal, right?!” Xie Wendong snapped his fingers and said with a smile, “Brother Xiang is right. I just want to get thoroughly drunk with you. It seems a long time has passed since we last drank together.” With that, he waved his hand, and Jiang Sen and Ren Changfeng wisely stood up and stepped aside. Seeing this, Bai Ziyi gave a signal to his subordinates, and everyone else also stood up to make room. “Brother Xiang, please sit!” Xie Wendong gestured politely, inviting Xiang Wentian to sit down. At that moment, only three people remained at the large round table—three people who appeared close but each harbored their own secrets. Xie Wendong poured drinks for Xiang and Bai, then raised his cup and said, “It’s fate that we can meet here in Shanghai. Let’s drink to that.” After saying that, he downed his drink in one gulp. Xiang Wentian smiled slightly and also drank his drink in one go. Bai Ziyi glanced at the two of them and shook his head, saying, “You two are really generous. I’m not good at drinking; it’s better for me to sip slowly.” He forced himself to finish the drink in his cup, his pale face instantly turning red. Neither Xiang Wentian nor Bai Ziyi enjoyed this drinking session, and the happiest one seemed to be Xie Wendong, who kept raising his cup to urge them to drink. Within an hour, Bai Ziyi surrendered.

Bai Ziyi left with Xiang Wentian. On the surface, he seemed drunk, but in reality he was perfectly sober. As they walked outside, Bai Ziyi wondered if Xiang Wentian might suspect something after seeing him drinking with Xie Wendong. If Xiang Wentian guessed that they were colluding secretly, things would get complicated. Actually, he had come here because of Bai Yan, and it was Xie Wendong who insisted he stay for a meal. But he couldn’t explain that right now—it would only make things worse. He had his own worries, and Xiang Wentian also had his, feeling somewhat dissatisfied with Bai Ziyi. He had risked his life for his sister only to see him drinking with his greatest enemy—feeling like a fool, played by others. Even though he knew it was Xie Wendong’s trick, he still felt uncomfortable and oppressed. The two walked side by side, lost in their own thoughts, with no one speaking. The atmosphere was tense. Bai Ziyi’s followers, behind him, dared not breathe loudly, silently following along.

When they stepped outside, a crowd gathered around them suddenly, startling Bai Ziyi. Upon closer inspection, most of them were from the Nan Hongmen, along with several police officers. He chuckled and said, “So many people! Brother Xiang, you really know how to make a show! It’s still early—how about coming to my place?” Xiang Wentian was in a bad mood and simply shook his head, asking, “Is Yanzi okay? Did Xie Wendong do anything to her?!” “She’s fine!” Bai Ziyi replied with a smile. “As for Xie Wendong, he’s not too bad as a person.” His meaning was that Xie Wendong hadn’t taken advantage of Bai Yan’s beauty or forced anything on her. But to Xiang Wentian’s ears, it sounded different. “Not too bad?!” He nodded slightly, smiled faintly, waved at Bai Ziyi, and said, “I have other things to do. I won’t go this time. Let’s meet another day!” With that, he got into his car without looking back. The Nan Hongmen members and police officers also got into their cars and left. Bai Ziyi watched the departing convoy for a long time, then slowly clenched his fist. He glanced at his subordinates, shook his head, and said, “Let’s go!”

To create a rift between Xiang Wentian and one of his main partners in Shanghai, Bai Ziyi, was Xie Wendong’s goal. Although it wouldn’t be achieved overnight, Xie Wendong felt the start today was quite good. To deal with the powerful Nan Hongmen, he needed to not only strengthen his own position but also weaken their strength. If other gangs offered help, Nan Hongmen would undoubtedly become even more formidable, making it even harder to bring them down. Conversely, things would be much simpler. Standing outside, Xie Wendong could see from afar Xiang Wentian’s convoy leaving. He smiled slightly as his fingers traced slowly across the window as the convoy moved forward. San Yan asked behind him in a low voice, “Brother Dong, what’s the purpose of doing this today? It can’t just be to embarrass Xiang Wentian, right?!” “Of course not!” Xie Wendong sneered. “I just want to lay a solid foundation for the Bai family to turn against us in the future.” “The Bai family turn against us? Is that possible? I heard Bai Ziyi and Xiang Wentian have a very special relationship!” San Yan was surprised. Xie Wendong waved his hand lightly and said, “Between gangs, there can never be brotherly feelings—only unchanging interests. The only way to make other gangs listen to you is through conquest!”

In the evening, Xie Wendong received a call from Yu Xiaohuan, who hoped he would visit Tianyi Bar again. Upon hearing this, Ren Changfeng clapped his hands excitedly and said, “Brother Dong, this is almost done!” Xie Wendong took a slow drag on his cigarette and mentally calculated the time. Yu Xiaohuan’s call came earlier than he expected. Although he had only met him once, Yu’s loyalty and integrity had left a deep impression on Xie Wendong. Making a decision so quickly seemed unusual. Being meticulous, Xie Wendong considered it carefully before deciding to go, but he brought only his elite men, dividing them into several groups who hid around Tianyi Bar, some openly and some secretly. Only Gao Qiang, Jiang Sen, and Ren Changfeng accompanied him. The car slowly stopped in front of the bar. As soon as they got out, a young man in his eighteen or nineteen years rushed out, bowed respectfully, and said, “Mr. Xie, please come in!”

Xie Wendong smiled slightly and thanked him gently. The casual courtesy startled the young man; he hadn’t expected the head of the North Hongmen to be so polite. He had met many important people before, but someone like Xie Wendong was the first he’d encountered, and he immediately felt a good impression of him. He warmly invited them in. The bar was crowded today, with all six floors filled with guests. Yu Xiaohuan was still sitting in the corner where they had drunk last time. Seeing Xie Wendong arrive, she quickly got up to greet him, repeatedly saying welcome. Xie Wendong responded with a smile while sneaking glances around. Near the back of the bar, there were seven or eight men in dark suits. As they drank, bulges could be seen on their backs—either guns or knives hidden under their clothes. He sneered inwardly; if Yu Xiaohuan thought to ambush him with such people, she greatly underestimated the name “Xie Wendong.” After exchanging a few polite words, Xie Wendong and Yu Xiaohuan sat facing each other. As soon as Xie Wendong was about to ask a question, Yu Xiaohuan started talking nonstop about trivial matters, avoiding important topics.

Xie Wendong smiled, pretending to listen, nodding from time to time. He could still bear to listen, but Ren Changfeng couldn’t stand it anymore. Ignoring everything, he stepped forward, placed his hand on the table, leaned in at Yu Xiaohuan, and said coldly, “Brother Yu, I have to tell you—Brother Dong is very busy. He came all the way to Tianyi not just to listen to your endless nonsense!” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone around to hear. The seven or eight men by the bar also stiffened, put down their glasses, reached under their clothes, and turned their faces toward Ren Changfeng with grim expressions. Yu Xiaohuan’s smile didn’t fade; instead of paying attention to Ren Changfeng, she looked at Xie Wendong and asked, “Mr. Xie, is this your subordinate?!” Clearly, she meant to imply that Ren Changfeng lacked manners and didn’t know his place. Xie Wendong nodded indifferently and smiled, saying, “He’s my brother.” Seeing that Yu Xiaohuan was about to speak again, he replied cheerfully, “Generally speaking, what my brother says is exactly what I would say.”

Yu Xiaohuan’s mood shifted; she nodded silently and raised her thumb. A true leader should be like this—always protecting the interests of those under him, no matter when or who they are facing. Some bosses, in order to show off their authority and status, treat their subordinates like dogs; such people will never achieve greatness, and their achievements will remain limited to what they have now. Deeply moved, Yu Xiaohuan murmured, “I’ve been wondering how someone as young and without any background as Mr. Xie could reach his current position.” “Oh?” Xie Wendong said with a smile, “I doubt even I know. Let me know when you figure it out.”

As they were talking, the bar door opened, and a group of people came in. The leader had light yellow hair stuck flat to his head, giving his head the appearance of a large egg. His bulging eyes and hands in his pockets made him look strange. Upon entering, he scanned the room around him. A waiter stepped forward and asked, “Sir, how may I help you?”

The man snorted, waved his hand to push the waiter away, and strode to the center of the bar. With a swift kick, he overturned the nearest table and shouted, “All outsiders, get out! This place is closed today!” The customers in the bar were confused and stared at him blankly. The man laughed sneerily, spreading his hands out. Those who had come with him quickly handed him an iron rod about two fingers thick. He walked up to a group of customers, swung the rod, and it hit the table with a loud crash, sending bottles scattering across the floor. His bulging eyes widened in anger as he yelled, “Are you deaf? Can’t you hear me?!”

The customers realized what was happening and quickly got up, pushing their way out of the bar in panic. Yu Xiaohuan’s expression changed; she stood up, sized him up, and asked coldly, “Friend, who are you? Do you know what place this is?” “Hah!” The man sneered, pointing the iron rod at Yu Xiaohuan’s nose. “Aren’t you the leader of the Tianyi Club? What’s the point of putting on an act in front of me? Let me tell you—today is the last deadline given by our Zhongyi Gang. You’ll hand over the bar, whether you like it or not. Hehe, if you’re not satisfied, we’ll have to take matters into our own hands.” Yu Xiaohuan’s face hardened as she said, “You’re from the Zhongyi Gang?”

“Exactly!” the toad-eyed man said proudly. Yu Xiaohuan’s expression darkened; he didn’t move or speak, but the seven or eight burly men at the bar had already stepped behind him, each holding a weapon, staring at these unwelcome guests with an air of imminent violence. “Oh my!” The toad-eyed man rolled his round eyes around and sneered, “Yu Xiaohuan, you think bringing a few lackeys makes you something special, right? Think carefully—enmity with the Loyalty Gang comes with serious consequences.”
“I know!” Yu Xiaohuan said with a smile, “You’re just a bunch of thugs who bully others with their strength!” The toad-eyed man’s face turned dark instantly. He nodded, clicked his tongue, turned around, facing away from Yu Xiaohuan, and kept saying, “Good, good, good!” He snapped his fingers and said softly, “Today, if nothing happens, no one the hell is leaving!” At that, his twenty-plus subordinates also unbuttoned their clothes, drawing weapons—knives and sticks—creating an atmosphere of menace that filled every corner of the bar.
Xie Wendong watched with a smile in the corner. Ren Changfeng whispered, “Brother Dong, they’re from the Loyalty Gang. It seems their goal is the same as ours.”
“Hehe!” Xie Wendong laughed. “Yu Xiaohuan is very cunning. He brought us here today—now do you understand what he means?!” Jiang Sen asked, “He wants to use us to take on the Loyalty Gang?” “Mm!” Xie Wendong nodded. “That’s just one aspect. I guess his main goal is to test our strength and use the Loyalty Gang to figure out if we’re a force worth relying on!” “Oh! I see!” Ren Changfeng let out a sigh, snorted, and sat down angrily. “I was thinking of going up to help them, but it seems unnecessary. Why would someone as smart as him need outsiders’ help?!” Jiang Sen curled his lips and shook his head with a bitter smile.

Seeing the man below draw his weapon, Toad Eye didn’t hesitate either. With a shout, he swung his stick in response. The attack was sudden, and since he was facing away from Yu Xiaohuan, it was as fast as lightning—within an instant, the iron stick was less than five inches from Yu Xiaohuan’s head. Yu Xiaohuan was momentarily stunned, but relying on the intuition developed through years of combat, he instinctively dodged, allowing the tip of the stick to scrape past his forehead. This strike marked the beginning of the chaotic fight. Together, there were no fewer than thirty people fighting fiercely inside the bar. Blades flashed, blows exchanged, and the sound of sticks crashing together filled the air, creating a lively scene. With more members, the Loyalty Gang had an advantage from the start, surrounding Yu Xiaohuan and his companions to attack them. Many others couldn’t get close and paced anxiously behind them. At that moment, two people at the periphery noticed a few people still sitting in a corner. Without thinking, they rushed forward shouting. Assuming those in the corner must be weak and timid, they swung their sticks at them without taking a closer look. “Damn!” Ren Changfeng cursed. There really were people seeking death. He quickly stood up, grabbed a wine bottle from the table, and swung it at the first attacker’s head. Although he acted later, his speed was much greater than the attacker’s. With a crack, the bottle shattered, and the man’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed unconscious. Before the second man could understand what was happening, Ren Changfeng kicked him in the stomach—like being hit by a train. He moved fast, even faster in retreat, stumbling back eight or nine steps before finally collapsing against someone else, his body convulsing and foam coming from his mouth.