Chapter 377: Conflict with Shen Honghong

We were tense all night.

That night, I, Shi Yong, and Ding Li got no rest.

Fortunately, we got through that night safely,

At dawn, I sent Ding Li to rent a house.

I didn't expect He Zuming to come running so early.

He Zuming saw my eyes were bloodshot,

He asked, "Jianqiang, what's going on? Your eyes are red."

I pulled He Zuming aside,

"Mr. He, bad news: Kong Shi arrested Shangguan Zhuren in Zaocheng."

That's the news I got when I came back last night.

I feared our rented place had been exposed, so I sent Ding Li to find another place; we can't stay here.

"Fortunately, you've come, so I don't need to specially notify you."

He Zuming frowned tightly upon hearing that,

"I see, Shangguan Zhuren is someone who dares to take responsibility; by staying in Zaocheng, he knew this would happen."

"He certainly won't betray us. Looks like the road ahead will be even harder."

"Yes, Mr. He, we've only just met Wen Han. Sigh, whether he'll help us in the future is unknown."

"I have no confidence now, Mr. He; I want to divinate."

"When will I finally come out on top?" I said helplessly.

"Jianqiang, no need to divine; I've already done it for you. You have auspicious appearance, noble patrons will support you—go ahead boldly."

The ancient saying goes: 'To undertake the utmost difficulty, to aim for the utmost distance.'

Only by taking the hardest road can one go farther.

In the world, nothing is easy—there's no such word as 'easy'.

Hurry up and take them to move; I won't go, I'll stay in the small shop if there's nothing else.

"If anything comes up, come directly to the shop to find me."

I said: "Okay, Mr. He. Thanks for your warning: 'To undertake the utmost difficulty, to aim for the utmost distance.'"

Then I will proceed arduously.

"Mr. He, you usually don't get up early; why are you up so early today?"

"Ah, Xiao Yan from the Fun Fight Hall came early today. He wants the horse hunter to go to the Fun Fight Hall to assist Hongguo Li's work. That's Wen Han's idea."

"So I came early to discuss with you. Are you willing to let that old horse go?" He Zuming asked.

"I already told Wen Han yesterday, so let the horse hunter go. We don't expect to make money from cricket fighting."

"Whatever Wen Han needs, I'll give it all."

"The horse hunter follows me; if something happens one day, he'll still be implicated."

"Better to earn some big money at the Fun Fight Hall."

"That's right. To give is to gain; I most admire this about you, Jianqiang."

Knowing what you want, you never get bogged down in trifles.

Some people even think of using the horse hunter to make a bit more money.

All right, then I'll tell the horse hunter to take the crickets and go.

"You all hurry up and move."

Just as He Zuming's words fell, Shen Honghong came down from upstairs.

"Zhao Jianqiang, others are moving, I'm not; I've already told Xiao Fang I've had enough."

Every day I'm chased around, suffering in Zaocheng; even in Sijiucheng it's the same. I see no hope in you at all.

"If this continues, I'll go to Zhou Renfeng and let him deal with me; anyway, I've lived long enough."

Xiao Fang hurriedly said: "Shen Honghong, don't say that; you need to understand Jianqiang's difficulties. We must absolutely not let them catch us."

"If they catch us, it'll be trouble."

"I'm not afraid; let them come and try to arrest me." Shen Honghong shouted, face full of anger.

At this moment, we absolutely cannot let this woman cause a scene.

Damn. My complexion looks awful.

I took a few steps up the stairs.

I grabbed Shen Honghong's arm in one motion,

I pulled her arm straight,

"Damn, you want to die, huh? Fine, today I'll just kill you outright."

"Hey, what are you doing, Xiao Fang? Did you see? Your brother Jianqiang is just a bandit."

"This is Sijiucheng; I'm not afraid of you at all." Shen Honghong shouted.

Seeing me get rough, Xiao Fang didn't know what to do.

He Zuming watched me pull Shen Honghong and didn't intervene.

I took Shen Honghong from upstairs down to downstairs,

I directly asked her: "You want to go to Zhou Renfeng to turn yourself in, right? Fine, I'll help you."

Then I turned and shouted at Shi Yong, who was snoring on the sofa: "Shi Yong, drive, take her away. We're going together."

Shi Yong sprang up from the sofa,

Seeing me pulling Shen Honghong,

Honghong, I told you not to anger my brother, but you won't listen—oh dear, he's really angry. He'll really be harsh.

He's not like me; I'm harsh in speech but not in heart.

After saying that, Shi Yong prepared to go outside and drive.

"Zhao Jianqiang, you're a liar—you deceived me in Zaocheng, and now you're trying to deceive me again in Sijiucheng. You think I'm easily scared? I'm not afraid of you." Shen Honghong still wouldn't be persuaded.

At that moment I grabbed Shen Honghong's neck with one hand, then struck the back of her neck with the back of my hand.

Shen Honghong went limp like mud against my body.

Xiao Fang turned pale with fright, looking at Shen Honghong slumped against me.

She cried, "Jianqiang brother, how could you kill Sister Honghong?"

I ignored Xiao Fang. Shi Yong had already started the car in the courtyard and opened the door.

I held Shen Honghong and got into the car.

I threw her onto the back seat.

I returned to the villa and told Xiao Fang, "Stop crying quickly. There's no time. Take your things and follow Shi Yong. Shen Honghong just fainted."

Xiao Fang took her luggage and got into the car.

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, contact Ding Li and ask how the house rental is going, go there quickly, and be sure to look after Shen Honghong."

Don't worry, brother, I'll take care of them.

Shi Yong then drove off with Xiao Fang and Shen Honghong.

After they left, He Zuming looked at me and clapped, saying,

"Jianqiang, I'm really impressed with you. You handle things cleanly and efficiently, without dragging your feet."

Those who accomplish great things have no room for romantic sentiment.

Throughout history, many heroes have failed because they were overly cautious and indecisive.

This woman is very important; perhaps she is the most crucial pawn in our plot to overthrow the Zhou family.

"Mr. He, this is unavoidable; that woman is too noisy and troublesome. We must give her a harsh lesson."

Now take Ma Lie Ren and go.

I need to clean up a bit, in case they come and find any traces.

He Zuming said, "If they come here to investigate,"

they will surely go to the intermediary and ask about my identity,

you will soon call that yellow-haired guy at the intermediary, give him some money, and have him figure out how to swap the ID on the contract.

That way, when they come, they won't find anything.

All right, I'll have Ding Li handle this. Mr. He, if you need money, just go to that boss and take whatever you need.

He Zuming nodded,

I don't need money. Jianqiang, after you finish these things, go to the Amusement Hall. Come on, Old Ma, let's go to the Amusement Hall.

After He Zuming finished speaking, he went out and called Ma Lie Ren to follow him.

"Boss Zhao, what am I supposed to do at the Amusement Hall? Is what Mr. He said true?" Ma Lie Ren came over and asked me.

"Older Brother Ma, you go work at the Amusement Hall. I'll go work there too. We're all going." I told Ma Lie Ren.

"Going to the Amusement Hall, we win money there, yet we also have to work there—what on earth is going on?"

No time to explain, Older Brother Ma—just go with Mr. He and leave. From now on, I will never shortchange you. Mr. He, hurry up and go. I said.

At that moment, He Zuming grabbed Ma Lie Ren's arm,

"Come on, Old Ma, bring your crickets—we're going to make big money."