Chapter 269

Peng Ling awkwardly stepped away from Xie Wendong’s embrace, her face flushed with shame. He said sadly, “Have you made up your mind?” Peng Ling nodded firmly. Xie Wendong understood that she was the same kind of person as him—once a decision was made, it was hard to change. He couldn’t stop her either. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Since it’s your decision, I won’t object. I’ll send people to protect you both.” Hearing this, Peng Ling’s expression turned gloomy. The person she most wanted to have by her side to protect her was Xie Wendong, but sadly, she knew it was impossible.

This trip to the United States would likely take some time, so she needed to prepare her usual necessities. Xie Wendong accompanied Peng Ling to her home first to pick up some personal clothes. They intended to return to the villa, but when they checked the time, it was already past eight o’clock. With no choice, they went to the small hospital where Wendong’s organization would be established. It wasn’t an exaggeration to call it small—two floors, less than 300 square meters in total. The first floor had outpatient clinics, operating rooms, and regular rooms, while the second floor consisted entirely of premium wards, each with just one hospital bed and various medical devices beside it. Peng Shulin was in one of the rooms further in, guarded by several strong men outside. Through the large glass windows, Peng Ling saw her father for the first time since he was injured.

The old man lay calmly on the bed, eyes closed, wearing an oxygen mask, with needles of various sizes inserted in his arms. Her nose stung, and tears welled up. Gently calling out, she said, “Dad!” Xie Wendong wrapped his arms around her shoulders, letting her lean against him, and comforted her softly, “Don’t worry. Uncle Peng will be fine.” After a while, he released Peng Ling, pulled the doctor beside him aside, and asked, “How is he now?” The doctor replied helplessly, “There’s nothing we can do. We can only try to maintain his current condition.”

Xie Wendong stared at the doctor intently, his gaze sharp as a knife, and said slowly, “I want to send him to the United States. The journey might take some time. I only ask you to guarantee one thing: that he stays safe throughout the trip.” The doctor hesitated. “Well… Mr. Xie, I’m paid to solve problems. Since I’m working for you, I’ll do my best to help, but things can change in an instant. No one can guarantee what will happen next second. So, I’m afraid I can’t give that guarantee…”

“Hmph, no need to tell me such nonsense,” Xie Wendong sneered, reaching into his pocket. The doctor was startled—he knew what kind of person Xie Wendong was and thought something bad would happen to him. But instead, Xie took out a check, waved it between his fingers, and stuffed it into the doctor’s pocket. Smiling, Xie said, “This is one million. I’m giving it to you now. If Director Peng is safe during the journey, you can spend this money freely. But if something happens to him, well, I doubt you’ll even have the chance to spend it.” After saying that, he tapped the doctor’s forehead with his finger and turned toward Peng Ling. One million—for a doctor, that was enough to last a lifetime. To get more, of course, one would have to pay more. The doctor pondered for a long time, then took out the check from his jacket pocket, glanced at it, and carefully tucked it away before hurrying toward Xie Wendong and Peng Ling. He said cautiously, “Mr. Xie, rest assured. I guarantee Director Peng’s life will be safe within three days!”
Peng Ling was stunned by the doctor’s words and didn’t understand what he meant. Xie Wendong understood. He laughed lightly, patted the doctor’s shoulder, and said, “That’s right! Go to the United States as if it’s a vacation. Have fun, and all expenses will be covered by me.” “Thank you so much, sir!” The doctor’s face lit up as he bowed respectfully. “Then I’ll go prepare now!”
Xie Wendong checked his watch and said, “You have only one hour. I don’t like waiting.” “Understood!” The doctor nodded and rushed off.
After he left, Peng Ling asked, “Wendong, is this doctor coming with us too?” Xie Wendong nodded. “Of course. With all the rough rides, if my uncle has any adverse reactions, how will you know how to take care of him?” Peng Ling was deeply moved by Xie Wendong’s thoughtfulness and said softly, “Thank you!” Xie Wendong smiled and said, “Why be polite with me?”
Time flew by, and 10 p.m. approached quickly. Xie Wendong checked his watch and said, “It’s almost time. We should leave now.”

The doctor directed several nurses to push Peng Shulin’s hospital bed outside. A large van had been waiting outside for a while; its back door was opened, and the bed along with Peng Shulin was carefully placed inside. With a screech of brakes, two more cars stopped at the hospital entrance. The doors opened, and seven men and one woman got out, nodding at Xie Wendong. These people were brought by Xie Wendong. The woman was quite young, in her early twenties, expressionless and cold-faced—she was Wen Zi, the one who had rescued Peng Ling from danger. The seven strong men were under Jiang Sen’s command, elite members of the Blood Killers. With these eight people to protect Peng Ling and her father, Xie Wendong felt somewhat reassured. If those five from the Five Elements could join them, he would be even more confident, but right now those five were in Shanghai, helping Dongxin Lei against the Nanhongmen. They couldn’t be moved, and even if they could, there wouldn’t be enough time.

The group got into the car and headed straight for the station. Not far after leaving, scouts reported that the Security Bureau had mobilized everyone, and the military and armed police had imposed a city-wide curfew, especially on the roads leading to the airport, with multiple checkpoints. Upon hearing this, Xie Wendong immediately understood—Huang Zhen must have gotten information from the doctor, realizing that China’s medical skills were insufficient to treat Peng Shulin’s injuries and fearing he might take him away, so they had sealed off the airport completely. It seemed choosing the “black belt” approach had been the right decision. He smiled coldly and said to the driver, “Take the main road and let the cars behind follow us.” While the military and Security Bureau were trying to track Xie Wendong’s movements, his own scouts were constantly sending back updates on their actions.

Nearly three cars, similar in style, color, and license plate to Xie Wendong’s, were driving around the city, distracting the military’s attention. Taking advantage of this, Xie Wendong rushed into Station H. As he had expected, no one, not even Huang Zhen, thought he would take the train route. The station security was lax, with only four or five police officers wandering around the platform. From a distance, they saw a group pushing a hospital bed onto the platform, finding it strange—was someone sick at the station? But that didn’t make sense; if someone was sick, they should be leaving, not arriving! One of the police officers said doubtfully, “Could it be… could it be that the person the military is looking for is the one we just saw?”
“Maybe!” Another older police officer quickly pulled the others aside and turned to leave, whispering, “Don’t look. Pretend you didn’t see anything.”
“Why?” A young man who had just graduated from police academy snapped his arm and demanded, “Why shouldn’t we intervene? That could very well be the person they’re asking us to find.”

“You know nothing!” The old police officer gritted his teeth in anger. Whether the young man liked it or not, he pulled him to a quiet corner and said, “Maybe… even if that man is Peng Shulin, what can you do? Do you know who’s hiding him? It’s Xie Wendong! If you report this, not to mention you, all of us might lose our lives. You’ve just graduated—what do you know? Is Xie Wendong someone you can afford to provoke? Even our boss (the chief) treats him with respect.”

“Can’t he just act lawless?” The young police officer retorted angrily. “Lawless?!” The old officer smiled bitterly. “You’re still young. You haven’t seen what true lawlessness looks like. You still have a lot to learn. It won’t hurt you!” “That’s right! Learning from experienced officers is never a bad thing!” A voice came from behind the police officers. The five officers were startled and turned around to see a cold-faced young man standing not far behind them, like an iceberg radiating coldness. His face was sharply angular. The experienced old officer recognized him immediately and stepped forward with a smile, saying, “Oh, isn’t this Brother Gao? What are you doing here, idle today?”

It was Gao Qiang. He ignored the old officer, his eyes fixed on the young man, and said coldly, “Forget everything you just saw.”

Gao Qiang’s presence was overwhelming—far beyond an ordinary person. The young police officer immediately felt inferior. Instinctively, he reached for the pistol he had just taken out of his belt, gaining some courage. He snapped, “Who are you to speak to a police officer like that?” Gao Qiang remained expressionless, slowly unbuttoning his coat, and said coldly, “Xie Wendong’s man, Gao Qiang!”

“No, no…” Realizing things were going wrong, the old officer hurriedly said, “He’s new and inexperienced. Brother Gao, please show some leniency…” “What leniency do I need to show him?!” The young police officer pushed the old officer aside, drew his Type 54 pistol, and said angrily, “I don’t believe he can do anything to me! Why be afraid of him? We’re police…” Before he could finish, Gao Qiang suddenly rushed forward. The young police officer, having trained at police academy, reacted quickly. Seeing a shadow flash before him, he dodged quickly. Just as he tried to raise his gun, he felt numbness in his wrist, and the pistol flew from his hand. When he looked up again, Gao Qiang was standing in front of him, a steel knife pressed against his neck. Whether it was the coldness of the knife or the murderous intent, his neck immediately covered in goosebumps. Gao Qiang repeated, “Forget everything you just saw!”

The young police officer was so frightened that he stood there stunned, nodding in shock. Gao Qiang smiled satisfactorily, revealing two rows of white teeth. He put away his knife, nodded at the old police officer, tightened his clothes, and walked away slowly.

By then, Xie Wendong had already spotted Lilia. With her slender figure, long wavy golden hair, and the several Russian men who stayed by her side, it was hard not to notice her. After greeting her, Xie Wendong asked, “Is Miss Lilia ready?” Lilia smiled sweetly and said, “As long as I promise something, I’ll do it. We Russians are always trustworthy.” Xie Wendong smiled back, hoping they would remain so in the future. Nodding, he said, “Since my friend is seriously ill and needs someone to take care of him along the way, a few more people will have to accompany us.” Lilia was surprised and asked, “How many?” After calculating briefly, Xie Wendong replied, “A dozen or so.”

Lilia fell silent for a moment before saying cheerfully, “No problem!” By the time Peng Shulin was carried into the VIP compartment arranged by Lilia, departure time was approaching. The long horn sound made Peng Ling’s heart ache; with tears in her eyes, she looked at Xie Wendong with pity, feeling reluctant to part. Goodbyes are full of sorrow! Xie Wendong sighed deeply, hugged Peng Ling tightly, and whispered in her ear, “As long as I have time, I’ll definitely go to the United States to find you.” “I’m afraid…” Peng Ling said worriedly, “I’m afraid I’ll never be able to come back.”

Xie Wendong’s heart trembled, but he forced a smile and said, “How could that be?” In truth, he understood very well that once Peng Ling left, her chances of returning were slim. Given how anxious the authorities were about Peng Shulin, they surely wouldn’t let Peng Ling go once he disappeared. He said cheerfully, “Maybe by the time you arrive in the U.S., I’ll be there too.” Then, looking up, he sighed, “Life is unpredictable. Today I might have great power, but tomorrow I might be worth nothing. Things in this world change constantly.” His words made sense—now that Peng Shulin was gone, the authorities’ attention would undoubtedly shift to him, especially Du Tingwei’s father, who surely wouldn’t let him go. Having clashed with high-ranking officials before, he wasn’t sure he could win this time either. The former “Fourth Lord” of City H was a living example. He wouldn’t say this to Peng Ling, fearing she’d worry or feel guilty.

Peng Ling didn’t understand his meaning, thinking he was expressing his weariness from the gang wars. She said happily, “Wendong, then come with us!”

Looking at Peng Ling’s joyful face, for a moment Xie Wendong really wanted to agree to her request. But he quickly shook off that impulse and shook his head. “Sometimes, when one person does something, they only realize later that it isn’t just them doing it—there’s a whole group involved. By then, it’s too late to give up. If nothing comes of it, countless people will be affected, including his friends.” The joy on Peng Ling’s face faded gradually as she sighed, “It seems you really can’t give up after all.”

Xie Wendong replied calmly, “This is my fate, and the path I chose myself.” Another long horn sounded, and Liliya stepped forward, saying politely, “Mr. Xie, if we delay any longer, I’m afraid your friend might miss the train.” As she spoke, she glanced at Peng Ling intentionally or unintentionally, her eyes showing disdain. This didn’t escape Xie Wendong’s notice. He smiled lightly, ignored her, patted Peng Ling’s delicate hand, and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s get on the train.” Peng Ling lowered her head and said, “Goodbye.” Then, without looking back, she got on the train. Only she knew how much effort it took for her to avoid looking at Xie Wendong—she feared that one glance would take away her courage to leave.

The train slowly started moving. Xie Wendong waved, but Peng Ling was already out of sight. It wasn’t until the train disappeared completely on the horizon that he lowered his hand. He took a cigarette from his pocket and took a deep drag. “She’s gone,” Liliya said, having appeared beside him at some point, still wearing her enchanting sweet smile. Xie Wendong turned, blew a wisp of smoke in her face, raised the corners of his lips slightly, and said calmly, “She’s someone I like. I hope she’s safe. And you and your Black Belt group had better pray she’s safe too. Otherwise, I won’t mind sending Wen Dong’s post to Russia.” With a smile, he gently pinched Liliya’s delicate cheek—so soft and smooth—then turned and walked away. Though he smiled brightly, his heart was filled with the sorrow of Peng Ling’s departure.