Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Hong Weiguo had trouble organizing his thoughts as he looked at the country bumpkin in front of him. “You are…” By rights, only the truly influential people of Tianjing City could be here today. Even if they had some eccentricities, it was unthinkable that they would dress like a beggar. The important thing was, Hong Weiguo had absolutely no impression of this man in front of him.
Yao Tianhao spoke with some difficulty. “I’m Yao Tianhao.” The tightly restrained manner of the man before him was putting him under great pressure. “That, that is, I was the pre… the previous head of the Cabinet Society…”
Although they were not on friendly terms previously, there must be a reason for him to appear here. “Well, welcome.” Hong Weiguo was able to maintain a cordial manner and said, “Come, this way please.”
Yao Tianhao was slightly stunned. “O… Okay.”
The middle-aged man before him was obviously upper class from top to toe. It seemed as if he were facing a high mountain, but when the man spoke to him in a friendly manner, it felt like he was very gentle. Although Yao Tianhao used to be a triad boss, in front of Hong Weiguo, he still felt like he was unable to extend his full potential.
They arrived at a quiet corner.
Hong Weiguo held his pipe in his hand and wore a smile on his face. “Please, have a seat. May I know the reason you are here?”
Yao Tianhao sat down uneasily and quickly explained the situation from beginning to end. “Ah, it’s like this. I have a good-for-nothing henchman who plotted against Young Master Dali’s people behind my back. Young Master Dali then brought a significant number of people and came looking for me. The outcome, as CEO Hong can see, is that I got beaten up rather badly.”
His words matched with his current appearance, causing Hong Weiguo not to know whether to laugh or to cry. It appeared that Yao Tianhao was quite comical…
No matter what, Yao Tianhao was a triad boss. This was not something to be proud of. He said awkwardly, “I got beaten up, but I had no idea why until everything was over. Then I realized what happened and that I deserved the beating. It’s my bad luck. There’s nothing to be done about it, though. For those in our world, whoever has the biggest fist has the upper hand. I accepted my fate. However, Young Master Dali asked me to follow him in the future and be his henchman…”
It was Hong Weiguo’s turn to become stunned. “Eh…” He never thought his son would bring a triad boss into his employ. What mischief was he planning…
Hong Weiguo asked, “Erm, Mr. Yao, you mean…”
Before Hong Weiguo could finish his sentence, Yao Tianhao quickly waved his hand. “CEO Hong, please do not call me that. I’m unworthy of that. Sir, please call me Tianhao or Big Yao. Better if you just call me Biggie. That’s what I was called since young.”
Hong Weiguo asked, “Okay, Tianhao, you mean to say you will be our Dali’s henchman in the future? Like the other people around him?”
Yao Tianhao simpered as he scratched his head. “Erm, I don’t think so. Young Master asked me to look for you when I get here to ask if there was anything you need me to do. Young Master does n’t intend to get involved in the triads. He took me in just for fun, so I’m actually quite troubled too. I don’t know what I can do here, and the benefits Young Master offered me were quite significant.”
Hong Weiguo had no objections to any of Hong Dali’s endeavors. “So that was what happened.” He thought about it and said, “There’s nothing I need you to do. I think you can just do whatever you want to at the moment while waiting for his further instructions.”
Yao Tianhao was taken aback. “Ah? In that case, o… okay. I will go ask Young Master if he has anything planned.” He walked away with a troubled expression on his face. Sometimes, it was not a good thing when the benefits were too good and there was nothing that needed to be done. He didn’t feel comfortable about it.
…
On the other side of the hall, where Hong Dali’s classmates were gathered.
Hong Dali walked over with Tang Muxin. “Wahahaha! I can finally take a break!” Hong Dali said, laughing, “Everyone waited till they are impatient? What are you all playing here? It looks fun!”
Ling Yi said, “Brother Dali, you’re here? Du Xinzhen is hitting on a girl. It’s the most crucial timing now!”
This was exciting news. Hong Dali looked towards the two people surrounded by his classmates. “Du Xinzhen is looking for a girlfriend?!” There was nothing to be said about Du Xinzhen, but the girl who was sitting next to him looked delicate and pretty. Hong Dali stared at them with his eyes wide opened. He said, “Du Xinzhen’s target this time looks pretty good. She looks delicious—she’s even holding a stalk of rose in her hand. Has she accepted his confession of love?”
Ling Yi said, “No, the lady says she wants to use the rose to see if she should agree.”
Hong Dali decided to stay and watch. “Wow, wow. That’s super!”
Soon, the girl started to pluck off the petals—
“No, yes, no, yes, no, yes… No. ” The girl plucked out the last rose petal and spoke to Du Xinzhen sadly, “It’s heaven’s will. We’re not compatible.”
Hong Dali watched with his mouth agape. “That’s so sad. There should at least be a fifty percent chance!”
Du Xinzhen was at a loss. “Xiao Lan, it doesn’t count this time. Let’s try again!”
The girl, whose name was Xiao Lan, thought about it and nodded. “In that case… okay.”
Du Xinzhen saw Hong Dali making his way toward them and rushed over to ask for help. “Big Bro Dali, please help me think of something. Your brother’s lifelong happiness depends on you!”
Hong Dali mumbled, “Oh… Okay…” He plucked a four-leaf clover from somewhere and handed it to the girl. “No need for a rose this time. Let’s use this!”
The girl was touched as she accepted the four-leaf clover. “Okay! Yes, No…”
Hong Dali hugged Du Xinzhen. “Brother, Big Bro can only help you this much…”
Du Xinzhen hugged Hong Dali too and cried bitterly as he said, “I yield to my fate…”
All the onlookers broke into side-splitting laughter.
The two of them stood together forlornly for a while. Just then, Yao Tianhao came over. As soon as he saw Hong Dali, he bowed and asked, “Young Master, don’t you think I should be doing something? I will feel bad otherwise…” Yao Tianhao might have been a triad boss in the past, but he was still of a totally different level when compared to the Hong Family. Now that he had connections to the affluent Hong Dali, it was inevitable that he wanted to please his master.
Hong Dali was only thinking about his heartbroken friend at that moment and was in a bad mood. He answered flippantly, “If you have nothing to do, bring some men and go play a game or something!”
Yao Tianhao was a triad boss, it would be more normal if he were to bring his men out to fight over territories. But to bring his men out to play games, that would be ridiculous. “Eh…” However, since Young Master had given the order, he had to agree to it. He asked carefully, “Then, Young Master, what game should we play?”
Hong Dali huffed impatiently. “How would I know what game to play?” Suddenly, he had an idea. “Go play Draconic Continent with your men. This game is quite popular lately, and I heard it’s not bad.”
Yao Tianhao couldn’t do anything about it, but playing games was not a hard task. So, he agreed. “This… O… Okay… In that case, I will go back and gather some manpower, and fight for glory in the game!”
Hong Dali waved his hand. “Fine, whatever. Just go.”
Yao Tianhao walked away, perplexed. He was a triad boss, but the first thing he was supposed to do after following Young Master was to play internet games. Sigh, it was like going from fighting in real life to fighting in the virtual world. It was just as well, let the little brats see what the Axe Gang was capable of!
As they watched Yao Tianhao leave somewhat dejectedly, the classmates asked, “Big Bro Dali, what does that man do?”
Ling Yi said, “Maybe he’s the head of the Beggar Sect!”
Du Xinzhen said, “Just by looking, I can guess that this man knows martial arts. Eh, Big Bro Dali. Tell us, what does he do?”
Hong Dali sniffled and laughed. “He was actually a triad boss who had a run-in with me. He was unlucky and happened upon Chuyin visiting me. After that, all of you should be able to imagine what happened.”
Ling Yi said, “My god, he’s really pitiful… He’s lucky to be still able to walk after meeting the Blood Consort.”
Du Xinzhen said, “Yes, yes. If it were anyone else, they probably would have been completely screwed over.”
Hong Dali said smiling, “Actually, he was. I saw that he was down on his luck and so took him in as a henchman. You have no idea. When I was in the car, he showed me his body. It was covered in bruises. Chuyin’s Gatling Gun is too powerful, hehe!”
Ling Yi said, “That goes without saying! If the Blood Consort wants to kill someone, she has a thousand ways to do it. Although she has no feelings, she understands she cannot overdo it. Otherwise, this triad boss would really be dead. Speaking of which, Big Bro Dali, how does it feel to take a triad boss in as an underling? He is a triad boss with hundreds of men under him, after all!”
Hong Dali rubbed his chin. “What kind of feelings should I have? It’s just like that. Once they met Chuyin, the hundred men didn’t even have the chance to attack before being obliterated. Speaking of which, Chuyin’s full missile launch is really too cool. You guys have no idea, the situation was explosively exciting!”
Everyone roared with laughter. “Haha, that goes without saying!” While they were laughing, Du Xinzhen’s smartphone rang. He held it up to look who was calling and mumbled, “This lassie has been bothering me the past two days…”
A girl! Everyone immediately crowded round to see.
The girl: “What are you doing?”
Du Xinzhen: “Attending a gathering with friends.”
The girl: “Are there many people? Is there good food?”
Du Xinzhen: “Of course. There are many people and a lot of good food.”
The girl: Can I go too?”
It was just the wistful request of a little girl. Du Xinzhen, however, decided to shut her down and delete her from his life. He even scolded, “You want to freeload at such a high-class event? No way!”
Hong Dali kicked him to the ground angrily. “Serves you right if you’re single your whole life!”
Du Xinzhen finally came round. He pounded his chest, crestfallen. “Damn, how is it I didn’t think of that? She practically threw herself at me! Ahhhhhh!”
Everyone was dumbfounded.
While everyone was laughing away, Ling Yi suddenly cried out, “Everyone, watch out. Here comes the Blood Consort!”
As soon everyone heard that, they shushed and turned their heads to look. Blood Consort Lin Chuyin was slowly walking toward them!
The crowd turned silent in an instant.
Lin Chuyin stopped in front of Hong Dali and asked, “Are you free tomorrow?”
Hong Dali was temporarily shocked but quickly nodded. “Eh? Free. I will make sure I’m free!”
Lin Chuyin continued, “Mm, okay. In that case, come to the laboratory tomorrow. I have a newly installed setup.”
