Chapter 299

As Xiao Fang said, Xiang Wentian had indeed considered it. The Northern Hongmen was aggressively expanding its strength, at a pace that was astonishing. He wasn’t unwilling to disrupt them, but he hadn’t found the right opportunity yet. Xiang Wentian sighed and shook his head. “A sneak attack? That’s likely very difficult. With Xie Wendong’s intelligence, he’d surely anticipate such a move and be well-prepared. Even if we go, there’s a high chance we’ll return empty-handed.” Xiao Fang recalled everything he had experienced in Nanjing and couldn’t help but shiver. He no longer had the confidence to take the initiative and said with deep emotion, “Xie Wendong is so cunning and unpredictable. We should prepare ourselves to counter his schemes.”

Xiang Wentian laughed heartily and said, “Xiao Fang, aren’t you scared?” Seeing Xiao Fang’s face turn red as he opened his mouth to argue, he waved his hand and said seriously, “You should get rid of the shadows in your heart as soon as possible.” After saying that, Xiang Wentian nodded and turned to leave.

Storms were gathering on the horizon. Although neither the north nor the south had taken any major actions, they were both building up their strength and gathering allies. The Red Leaves of the Tai Hongmen, unwilling to stay idle, sent a large number of members to Shanghai. But they were no longer as close to Xiang Wentian as they had at first and tended to maintain a neutral stance. It was obvious that the Red Leaves’ confidence in Xiang Wentian was waning, and they chose to wait and see. The Soul Group, with its persistent spirit, naturally wouldn’t miss any chance to kill Xie Wendong. Their elite fighters arrived in batches, but their situation wasn’t much better either—the Northern Hongmen saw them as mortal enemies, and Xiang Wentian never had a good impression of the Soul Group; it was already good enough that he didn’t deliberately cause them trouble. Among the local gangs in Shanghai, only the Loyalty Gang was active, recruiting heavily. Their members retreated near their headquarters, seemingly forming a united front ready to strike at any moment. Hidden currents were swirling in Shanghai, but on the surface, everything appeared eerily calm. Yet this couldn’t hide from discerning eyes; even those in the underworld could smell the scent of gunpowder in the air.

Under these circumstances, the Bai family’s birthday party was held on a grand scale. As Bai Ziyi said, almost all the top figures in Shanghai’s underworld gangs had been invited. In fact, even if he hadn’t invited them, they would have come anyway—just to see the legendary Xie Wendong and Xiang Wentian sitting at the same table, as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

7 p.m., the Bai family’s residence. Shanghai is a place where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold; owning a house over a hundred square meters in a bustling area already qualifies one as wealthy. Yet the Bai family seems determined to prove they are richer and more powerful than others. Their three-story villa, covering no less than five hundred square meters, is sufficient proof of this. The first word that came to Xie Wendong’s mind upon arrival was “imposing.” The main part of the villa was covered with ivory-white tiles, as clean as jade. Even though it was dark, the green rooftops still reflected the moonlight, glowing as if made of liquid. Up close, the two-meter-high black iron gate was adorned with golden dragons, intricately carved and lifelike. On either side of the gate stood four tall men in dark blue uniforms, carefully checking everyone who entered or left.

Xie Wendong was accompanied only by Jiang Sen and Dong Xinlei, with several members of his team in another car behind them. Dong Xinlei glanced through the window for a while, then said with a smirk, “Does the Bai family really think people won’t know they’re rich?!” Jiang Sen had investigated Bai Ziyi before and learned some information from Liu Bo, so he knew a bit about the Bai family. He said, “Before the liberation, the Bai family was indeed prosperous for a while, involved in both light and heavy industries, and was considered one of the leading families in Shanghai. But after the liberation, as the red flag rose, the Bai family gradually declined. Yet their aristocratic mindset hasn’t disappeared—they’re afraid of falling behind and being looked down upon, which is why they like to make a big show and stand out in everything. This time, Bai Ziyi invited Brother Dong and Xiang Wentian here to show off his status.” Dong Xinlei sneered and said, “It’s not his status that’s big—it’s just good timing.”

Xie Wendong smiled silently, got out of the car, and walked toward the villa’s courtyard. Before he could enter, the men at the gate reached out to stop him, mechanically saying, “Please show your invitation.”

Dong Xinlei stepped forward, his two-meter-tall frame standing like a small mountain. The men felt as if the light was blocked by him. He took out an invitation from his pocket and handed it over, saying, “Tell your Bai family boss that the leader of the Hongmen has arrived.” The man took the invitation, opened it, and saw the three characters “Xie Wendong” clearly. His hands trembled slightly. A person’s name carries weight—no matter how unimposing Xie Wendong might seem, his status as the leader of the Northern Hongmen was enough to overshadow everything. The man quickly brought the microphone under his ear to his mouth, turned around, and whispered, “The leader of the Northern Hongmen, Xie Wendong, has arrived.”

Not long after the tall man spoke, Bai Ziyi, dressed in a white suit and smiling broadly, rushed out of the villa accompanied by a group of people. From a distance, Xie Wendong couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. As the saying goes, “To look beautiful, one must show filial piety.” Bai Ziyi was already strikingly handsome—his skin as fair as jade, thick eyebrows arching sharply toward his temples, piercing eyes radiating intensity. Coupled with his well-fitting white suit, he appeared exceptionally elegant. If it weren’t for his unsatisfactory character, Xie Wendong might have genuinely wanted to befriend him. Before Xie could speak, Bai Ziyi spread his arms wide and stepped forward to give Xie Wendong a hearty hug. “It’s really not easy! Old Xie, you’ve managed to spare some time from your busy schedule to bring honor to my humble abode!”

Jiang Sen and Dong Xinlei frowned. Bai Ziyi’s words sent chills down their spines as they stood further away; they were relieved it wasn’t them who were hugged, otherwise they might have collapsed on the spot. Xie Wendong kept a smile on his face and affectionately patted Bai Ziyi’s back, saying cheerfully, “Brother Bai, you’re being too polite. No matter how busy I am or how important things get, nothing matters more than Brother Bai’s birthday!” These words flattered Bai Ziyi greatly, leaving him beaming with joy. Given the current situation, Xie Wendong indeed valued his relationship with Bai Ziyi highly. In terms of power, the Northern Hongmen might not be stronger than the Southern Hongmen, and even with the elite members of the Wendong Club, the balance wouldn’t change much. After all, the Bai family was an old and influential family in Shanghai, with considerable strength and prestige. If the Bai family sided with Wen Tian, it would be extremely difficult for Xie Wendong to gain an advantage.

Before they could finish their polite exchanges, the lights flickered, and another convoy of cars arrived. There were over a dozen cars in total, all black Audi models, gleaming under the lights, creating a grand spectacle. The cars slowly stopped by the roadside, their doors opening simultaneously. Dozens of men stepped out almost at once and lined up on both sides. These men were all in their twenties or thirties, muscular and robust, dressed in uniform white suits and black leather shoes. With their hands behind their backs and backs straight, they exuded an imposing aura. One man stepped out slowly from the middle car. Under thirty, he too was dressed in white, standing nearly 1.8 meters tall, with a handsome face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a strong nose. His every move revealed the demeanor of a leader. Xie Wendong and Bai Ziyi didn’t need to see his face clearly—they already knew who he was from the sheer presence.

Xiang Wentian let out a hearty laugh after asking about the car and said to Bai Ziyi, “Congratulations, Brother Bai! You’ve grown another year older.” Bai Ziyi’s face lit up, but he deliberately put on a sad expression and said, “What’s there to be happy about? I’ve just gotten older.” Xiang Wentian laughed heartily and turned to Xie Wendong beside him, asking, “It’s been days since we last saw each other. How have you been, Brother Xie?”
Xie Wendong shook his head and said, “Not well.” “Why? You’ve settled into a new home in Shanghai—shouldn’t you be happy?” Xiang Wentian blinked and looked at him with a smile. Xie Wendong imitated Bai Ziyi’s expression and also put on a sad face, saying, “A new home? Wolves in front and tigers behind—how can I sleep peacefully? What’s there to be happy about?”
Xiang Wentian glanced at one and then the other, exclaiming, “You two have ruined what was originally a nice mood. Brother Bai, if I’m not mistaken, today is your birthday, right?” The three of them paused for a moment before bursting into laughter. Holding hands, they walked together into the villa’s courtyard. Those unaware of their relationship might think they were old friends, but in reality, they were bitter enemies who wished each other death. Though they appeared affectionate on the surface, they each had their own ulterior motives. Standing together, they each had their own distinct charm: Bai Ziyi was handsome and graceful, the epitome of a wealthy young man, but he didn’t stand out as much when alongside Xie Wendong and Xiang Wentian. The latter was like a blazing flame, full of masculinity, so captivating that one couldn’t look away, while the former exuded a gloomy and eerie aura, like a black hole that could swallow everything, chilling to the core. Of the three, Xie Wendong smiled the most, his eyes narrowed into slits. Even Bai Ziyi found it strange, unsure of what he was so happy about—it seemed as if it was his birthday. But out of courtesy, he didn’t ask. As soon as they entered the villa’s hall, the once noisy room fell silent, so quiet that one could hear their own heartbeat. Everyone was familiar with Xiang Wentian, but most had never seen Xie Wendong before. Seeing this young man in his early twenties standing side by side with Xiang Wentian and Bai Ziyi, though smiling, his cold aura still made people shiver, and they quickly guessed what was going on.

Sure enough, Bai Ziyi stepped forward, cleared her throat, pointed at Xiang Wentian, and spoke first: “Everyone, Brother Hong… Brother Hong of the Southern Hongmen, I believe most of you know him, so there’s no need for me to introduce him, right?!” Then he pulled Xie Wendong’s arm and said loudly, “This is the leader of the Northern Hongmen, Xie Wendong!” “Wow…” Even though they already had an idea, hearing it confirmed by Bai Ziyi still caused a stir among the crowd. If the underworld were compared to the entertainment industry, then Xie Wendong and Xiang Wentian were undoubtedly superstars—no one’s name had surpassed theirs in recent years, or even decades. Xie Wendong’s youth once again became a topic of discussion. Seeing the big bosses whispering among themselves, Bai Ziyi felt proud—probably only he could invite both giants of the Northern and Southern Hongmen to Shanghai at once. Xie Wendong slightly opened his eyes and looked around. He was used to being the subject of comments, so he coughed to get everyone’s attention and said loudly, “I’m Xie Wendong, newly arrived in Shanghai. If I’ve offended anyone, please forgive me.” “Ah, Mr. Xie… you’re too kind,” the others replied politely. They were all big bosses in their own domains; local strongmen might not fear outsiders, but there was no need to offend them either. Xie Wendong smiled upon hearing this, glanced at Xiang Wentian, and added, “I shouldn’t be so polite. In the future, we might ‘collaborate’ with each other. I’m from the Northeast and don’t like beating around the bush. If there’s a pie, we eat it together; if there’s money, we make it together. That’s always been my principle.” With that, everyone in the room laughed. Who wouldn’t want to establish ties with the Northern and Southern Hongmen? Who wouldn’t want a powerful ally? People’s impression of Xie Wendong changed significantly in an instant.

Xiang Wentian silently moved closer to Xie Wendong’s ear and said in a cheerful whisper, “Brother Xie, you’re really telling lies. With your character, you’d never share your cake or spare a penny.” Xie Wendong’s smile remained unchanged; he didn’t even blink. Instead, he said through a grin, “There’s no choice. I just arrived in Shanghai, don’t know anyone here, and with you as a fierce rival eyeing me, how can I establish myself if I don’t win over people’s hearts?” “Hmm! Brother, you’re getting smarter by the day!” Xiang Wentian admired him sincerely. “It’s your fault for forcing me,” Xie Wendong replied with a slight raise of his eyebrows. While the two smiled at each other, those below mistook their conversation for whispering, feeling greatly surprised. The North and South Hongmen factions were sworn enemies—how could their leaders be so friendly? Had there been some easing of tensions between them?

Enmity between the North and South was real, and easing it was even harder than defying heaven. At that moment, Sanyan was sitting in a van, gently tapping the knife hidden beneath his ribs as he waited for Liu Bo’s signal. Beside him were Li Shuang, Ren Changfeng, Lingmin, and others. Yongsheng Shopping Mall wasn’t the largest in Shanghai, but it was quite famous. The entire building was designed in a semicircular shape, with transparent steel glass walls. At night, the lights inside shone brightly as if it were day, making the building look like a glowing sphere—extremely spectacular. The van where Sanyan and the others were sitting was parked by the roadside near the mall. Gazing at the brightly lit building, Sanyan sighed, checked his watch, and leaned back in his seat. “It’s still early. Old Liu won’t call so soon. Let’s rest for now.” With that, he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Lingmin said worriedly, “Should we go over the plan again? I’m afraid if something goes wrong, the consequences could be disastrous!” Sanyan smiled with closed eyes. “Go wrong? Haha, we don’t need to worry about that. Dongge has already thought of everything we could think of.” Ren Changfeng took out a roll of paper from under his seat and carefully unrolled it. It showed a detailed floor plan of the mall. With a proud smile, he said, “There are only a dozen or so night guards here usually. What plan do we need to deal with them?!” Lingmin frowned and said, “It’s not easy to take care of all those people at once.”