Chapter 178: Citywide Martial Law

Alright, don't get excited; we still don't know what the outside situation is like. You still need to buy another TV—we can learn outside news through the TV. I told Shi Yong.

Shi Yong said: "Okay, I'll go handle it now. We don't have a car yet—how about buying another car?"

"First buy a tricycle—I felt okay riding it yesterday; you come buy it together later. Do you have money on you?" I asked.

"Yes, I have plenty of money." Shi Yong said.

After arranging these, Shi Yong hurriedly left the room.

Today I came back to Lanling again, never expecting to return in this way.

Damn it, Kong Shi is too ruthless, insisting on killing me; I guess he'll have me arrested and taken to another city, then someone will finish me off in the detention center.

I experienced something like this before; I know how serious it is. This is no joke—it could be fatal. I must run.

If we didn't have to rely on people from another city, I wouldn't need to run. After all, we still have Niu Ju as a backer who can hold things off.

My life is not currently threatened. But once I go to another place, it's different.

Unfamiliar with the people and place,

Once inside, given my current health condition and the initiation rites in the detention center, I might not even survive.

Back then, because there was a problem with housing construction in the Lanling demolition department, I took the blame for Liu Xian and Zhang Zong; in the detention center, I certainly didn't get off lightly for that crime.

I don't want to spend another lifetime in there.

It seems Niu Ju no longer has Kong Shi's trust.

This time we're playing for real; I don't know if Niu Ju can hold up.

The forced demolition in Wan Zhang Village was done by Sun Dajun. Of course, I am the chairman and bear the main responsibility.

But Sun Dajun is the main perpetrator, along with Zhao Xiaohua.

See if Niu Ju can protect Sun Dajun.

Regarding the bribery of Li Xingzhang, that crime is also serious, involving large sums. Li Xingzhang fled, so I must bear the responsibility.

When Kong Shi had me turn against Zhu Sheng, I strongly disagreed; at that point he already had a grudge against me. Later, I also forced the sale of houses.

Kong Shi and I have completely broken ties.

I took out a cigarette,

sitting on a bench, thinking about these things,

I have now run away; I don't know if Kong Shi will implicate the innocent.

Will they act against Brother Li Ming?

Brother Li Ming has so much real estate.

Those properties are enough to let him spend half a lifetime locked up inside.

My heart tightened again all of a sudden.

If that's the case, I won't run.

Anyway, I'm already like this; implicating Brother Li Ming would be the end.

Thinking this, I stood up from the room.

If it really doesn't work, I'll go back to Zaocheng and let the Da Heng Group handle it however they like.

But just as I reached the door, I turned back.

Even if I went in, Brother Li Ming couldn't be saved—that would be even more troublesome.

They just want to wipe us all out in one sweep.

My hand on the door knob, I drew back again.

I am now important; many matters at the Group Company need my handling.

I sat on the bench again and started smoking,

puffing away nonstop.

I realized that now, besides smoking, I can't do anything.

I didn't expect things to come so suddenly.

Not the slightest preparation.

I placed my hope in Niu Ju, but this Niu Ju is utterly useless.

What should be the next step,

I stood up from the bench again,

and began to walk aimlessly around the room.

from the bedroom to the living room, then back again.

I don't know how long I walked,

until Shi Yong came back.

After Shi Yong came back, he first checked outside to see if anyone was following.

then he entered the house.

After entering the house,

he said to me, "Brother, this matter is serious."

"Now the whole city is under martial law, mainly targeting us."

"As soon as I got to the phone shop, someone gave me up. Damn it, you say how this happened."

"Am I just too easy to recognize?"

"Time is tight; I only bought an old-person's phone and a SIM card—I didn't dare buy anything else."

"You say with my identity, wearing a big hat, I have to hide from anyone I see—what has this become?" Shi Yong finished speaking and took off his old-man hat from his head.

I hurriedly asked, "Did you get recognized?"

Shi Yong said, "This isn't fake; selling phones is my distant relative's nephew, no matter how far, he calls me Brother Yong. I can't refuse."

"You Shi Yong, why pick someone you know to buy a phone?" I said angrily.

"It's really not me being brother, just a coincidence. We're all from Lanling; who in Lanling doesn't have a few relatives?" Shi Yong explained.

"Are people talking about our matter?" I asked.

"Not yet; the news hasn't reached Lanling. My cousin said Zaocheng Xin Cheng is under citywide lockdown, saying they're catching some fugitive. Lanling is still quiet." Shi Yong said.

"Shi Yong, we can't be together now; we must split up. You've been exposed." I said.

"What should we do? Where should I go? We've become fugitives; where can we run?" After saying that, Shi Yong plopped down on the bench.

"Who let you have that black face, too easy to recognize. Like this, go to Shanghu and find Xiao Wu, first lay low. I'm hiding here."

"It's better we split up; they can't catch us both, otherwise we can't get anything done." I said.

Shi Yong sighed,

"All right, I'll go to Shanghu first. Brother, you stay in Lanling for now; that way they'll all chase to Shanghu." Shi Yong said.

I said, "Shanghu, we have a guesthouse there; just go stay there for now. Leave now."

Shi Yong looked at me and said, "All right, brother, once I'm safe over there, you figure out how to come over." Shi Yong said.

I nodded.

Shi Yong then took out two packs of cigarettes from his pocket and threw them to me,

then hurriedly left the room.

I had hoped there would be a TV to listen to the news, but that hope came to nothing.

After Shi Yong left, I suddenly felt fear.

This fear rose from my heart,

If they catch me, they'll surely kill me.

Because behind this is Liu Shiru.

Between Liu Shiru and me there is hatred over my father's killing.

His father Liu Hong was sent to prison because of my report; in prison he couldn't bear the harsh life and committed suicide.

Liu Shiru and Kong Shi are colluding; I had Kong Shi arrested, which is tantamount to letting Liu Shiru catch me.

Is there still hope of survival?

I never expected that at middle age I'd face such a huge crisis.

I always thought the Da Heng Group was their target, but actually I am their main target.

They wanted to catch me but couldn't find the right time or opportunity. Finally they couldn't hold back and started acting.

Fortunately, I have a good relationship with Secretary Li. Kong Shi doesn't know this; otherwise I'd be struggling in the group.

I guess Liu Shiru is probably looking at me and laughing now.

I have no sleepiness at all,

walking around the room nonstop, smoking nonstop, thinking nonstop.

The more I think, the more confused; the more I think, the less I can find a clue.

The less I can figure out a clue, the more anxious I become.

I grabbed my hair with both hands and pulled hard,

What kind of fate is this.

My wife is unconscious, and I've suddenly become a fugitive.

Not to mention saving the Da Heng Group; even saving myself is a problem.

The cigarettes Shi Yong left me, I smoked them all quickly.

My mouth is already numb from smoking.

Really out of cigarettes, I picked up a cigarette butt from the ground and started smoking it.

The chairman of the prestigious Da Heng Group now can only rely on cigarette butts to sustain his life.

Just think how ridiculous that is.