Chapter 1215: Chen Hao's Revenge

"Brother Yan, you haven't gone and caused trouble again, have you?"

Shen Xing called, saying, "Someone just came to the construction site asking Xiao Guo and me about you."

"It's a minor trouble, nothing serious for now. Rest assured, they wouldn't dare touch you."

Wang Yan replied with a smile, "How about you? Everything going well lately?"

"Ha, going well? Brother Yan, I feel you were truly right; this time things are likely to get difficult. News of Sang Kang's defeat and expulsion is spreading everywhere. The construction site is in an uproar; no one can work steadily. My uncle is frantic."

"I'll say what I said before: transfer the construction site to me, and I'll give you a sum of money sufficient for you to return home and live peacefully for several years."

"Brother Yan, you know my uncle; he's extremely stubborn and won't listen to advice. He still treats me like a child and ignores whatever I say. If my words carried weight, Brother Yan, you wouldn't have had to leave Xiao Monong."

"If I hadn't left Xiao Monong, how could I experience the glittering world of Sanbianpo? Let me tell you, Daqulin is quite nice. You should visit sometime and experience it yourself."

"I couldn't afford such an experience; I don't possess capabilities as great as yours, Brother Yan."

After exchanging a few jokes, Wang Yan asked, "Is Li Min with you?"

"Yes, he's here. Li Min, Brother Yan wants to speak with you."

"Hello, Brother Yan? Are you alright? That group earlier clearly weren't good people; they looked very fierce."

"Stop worrying about me," Wang Yan said with a laugh. "How is your mother's condition?"

"The surgery is scheduled for tonight; we still don't know the outcome."

"Alright, I understand. If you're short on money, tell me, and I'll lend it to you. Remember, this is a loan, not a gift; don't mishear me, you must repay it later."

Guo Li Min said, "Brother Yan, even a lifetime of repayment wouldn't be enough."

"Did you read the books I told you to?"

"I'm reading them, but I can't understand them."

"It's fine; read more and ponder deeply, and eventually you'll understand. That's all for now; call me if you need money. Hanging up."

With that, Wang Yan hung up the phone.

"You're quite loyal," said Susu, who was drawing nearby.

"When did I ever give you the impression that I wasn't loyal?"

"Just yesterday."

"Aren't you two sisters worried about being kidnapped?" Wang Yan shook his head with a smile. "Chen Hao is already terrified; he wouldn't dare."

"So you're just waiting, doing nothing? Isn't that sitting idle and awaiting doom?"

"There's only one thing I can do."

"Kill Chairman Chen?"

"No." Wang Yan shook his head. "Kill his entire family! Uproot the weeds and remove the roots, leaving not one alive! I am a man of my word; since I accepted ten million US dollars from someone, I must deliver. Let him fire the first shot."

While speaking, Wang Yan typed furiously on the keyboard, shaking his head and sighing, "The internet here is truly terrible."

Susu also shook her head slightly, said nothing more, and continued drawing with her head bowed.

"I think you should stop doing these things."

"Then what should I do?"

"You're a millionaire; converted to red banknotes, that's nearly eighty million. You should read more books and learn how to manage and operate a business."

"Survival comes first. I enjoy drawing; it allows me to immerse myself completely and think of nothing else."

Wang Yan smiled, said nothing further, and continued fiddling with the computer...

In a place like Sanbianpo, Wang Yan's life had rarely become so regular.

Apart from occasionally visiting the Jincui Singing Hall for pleasure under Susu's scornful glances, he stayed obediently at the Not Only Tattoo Shop, enduring Zhao Ziying's seduction and manipulation, engaging in shameless antics with Susu, preparing three meals daily, decocting medicine for Zhao Ziying's treatment, and later employing acupuncture techniques.

It was precisely this tranquility that gave Susu and Zhao Ziying different feelings; Susu told Wang Yan that Zhao Ziying had secretly mentioned feeling as though they had a home...

During this period, Guo Li Min called to borrow money, stating that his mother's surgery had not proceeded smoothly and required a second operation, with post-operative expenses constituting a significant expenditure.

Wang Yan transferred two hundred thousand into the account Guo Li Min provided; Guo Li Min expressed endless gratitude, vowing to follow Wang Yan forever and even claiming he would kill for him.

After Wang Yan left Xiao Monong, Guo Li Min also learned the truth from Shen Xing, discovering just how fierce his so-called good brother truly was...

It was also at this time that Jiandong Construction encountered problems...

When the time came to pay wages in the second month, the workers finally could not hold back. They all knew the hotel belonged to Sang Kang, and they also knew Sang Kang had suffered defeat and been driven away.

That they had held out until the second month was solely due to Shen Jiandong's repeated promises and delays. During this period, work efficiency had clearly declined; the workers were merely going through the motions, and no amount of Shen Jiandong's earnest persuasion proved useful.

It was also at this time that, just as in the original drama, Shen Jiandong finally contacted Sang Kang, learning that Sang Kang had money but could not send it out. Immediately afterward, contact was lost again.

Realizing that failing to pay wages would cause the construction site to collapse, Shen Jiandong gritted his teeth, steeled his heart, and disregarding both Shen Xing's dissuasion and Wang Yan's suggestion, impulsively drove alone into the mountains to find Sang Kang.

Shortly after, he found Sang Kang and obtained the money, but he could not get out.

Because the government army knew that Banlong and Sang Kang, two major warlords, were fighting in earnest and risking their lives, they directly blockaded the external roads, letting the two fight like dogs biting each other. In such times, unless one possessed extraordinary influence or was an incredibly powerful figure, no one could expect to escape.

Thus, Shen Jiandong disappeared without a trace.

Shen Xing, remaining at the construction site, could not control the situation; simultaneously worried about his uncle's safety, he was truly like an ant on a hot pan, frantic and unsure what to do...

Watching Shen Xing smoke cigarette after cigarette without proposing any solution, Guo Li Min grew anxious on his behalf.

"Brother Xing, if there are no wages, I don't mind; I still have some of the money Brother Yan gave me, enough to live on. But the other workers are growing anxious."

"Oh, do you think I don't know? I'm just waiting for news from my uncle!"

"It's been six days already, Brother Xing..."

"Get out, get out! Don't say such unlucky things! My uncle is a blessed man protected by heaven; he's definitely still alive."

"Yes, your uncle is a blessed man with heavenly protection, and you are here. But if you can't produce money, they won't wait any longer, and then you'll be in danger, Brother Xing."

"Isn't that what I'm trying to figure out?"

Guo Li Min, sharing his anxiety, urged, "What else is there to think about, Brother Xing? Call Brother Yan! He previously said he would take over the construction site and continue the work. Brother Yan has plenty of money; it's only a few hours from Daqulin to Xiao Monong; wouldn't that solve the problem?"

"This construction site represents my uncle's life's work; I cannot..."

Just then, shouts from the workers rang out from outside again.

"Shen Xing! Get out here!"

"Hurry up, Brother Xing; Uncle Ma can't hold them back anymore."

Wang Yan hung up the phone with a chuckle, turned to look at Su Su, and said, "I'm heading back to Little Monastery Lane; coming with me?"

"Do I have a choice?" Su Su sighed. "Once I settle this shop, I might still get a hundred or two hundred thousand out of it."

"No need. I'll call Chen Hao and have him bring me five hundred thousand in cash."

"Wait, aren't you afraid he'll arrange an ambush on our way back and riddle us with bullets?"

"It's just to tell him I'm leaving."

While Su Su stared in stunned disbelief, the call to Chen Hao connected.

"Mr. Wang, wasaali," Chen Hao said, greeting Wang Yan with a smile.

"President Chen, wasaali," Wang Yan replied with a smile, then added, "President Chen, you've been so quiet for over a month; I'm starting to feel a bit uneasy."

"Ah, what kind of talk is that, Mr. Wang? It was our Chen family who were at fault initially; the matter with Xianglong International was all a misunderstanding. Since Mr. Wang keeps his word, naturally I, Chen, keep mine as well."

Wang Yan smiled scornfully. "I'm returning to Little Monastery Lane and won't be coming back unless something comes up. I need to settle my girlfriend's tattoo shop. Thinking it over, the only person I know in Daqulin is President Chen; could President Chen lend a hand?"

"Easy enough. I know about Ms. Su's situation; it hasn't been easy. Here's what I'll do: I'll have someone deliver one million in red banknotes as cash, considered travel expenses from me, Chen. As for the house, I'll arrange for people to keep an eye on it; if you ever want to return and revisit old haunts, you'll have a familiar place."

"President Chen is generous; then it's settled."

Twenty minutes later, Zhou Bin arrived alone by car.

"Mr. Wang, wasaali."

"Wasaali," Wang Yan replied with a smile.

Zhou Bin stood at the doorway, lifted the case, opened it in midair, and displayed the red banknotes inside.

Wang Yan waved his hand. "No need for such caution; I know President Chen has seen reason. Just leave it here."

Zhou Bin respectfully set the case down. "Then I'll be off. Mr. Wang, I wish you a smooth journey."

Wang Yan stepped in front of Zhou Bin, looked into his eyes, and said, "Tell me, has President Chen truly let me go? Or has he already arranged for people to set out and intercept my path right now?"

Zhou Bin swallowed hard. "Mr. Wang, what I know, I swear absolutely nothing of the sort exists. What I don't know, I simply don't know. I'm just a small fry running errands; please don't make things difficult for me, Mr. Wang."

Wang Yan patted his shoulder. "Go on, and pass my regards to President Chen."

"Yes. Goodbye, Mr. Wang." Zhou Bin turned and hurried away.

Once in the car, he floored the accelerator and shot off as if afraid Wang Yan might change his mind...

Wang Yan turned back to look at Su Su. "Am I that terrifying?"

"You must have terrified him."

Only now, having accepted Wang Yan's imposing presence, did Su Su come to her senses; what she said made perfect sense...

Wang Yan smiled, walked over, and patted her butt. "Go pack; we're leaving shortly. No need to take everything. If Chen Hao doesn't cause trouble, his word will certainly hold. If he does cause trouble, our luck is bad, and taking any amount of belongings won't help."

Su Su exhaled a long breath, gave a response, then turned and went upstairs to pack.

She had no choice.

She dared not stay behind with Zhao Ziying, yet going out with Wang Yan might not mean death...

That, of course, was her perspective; for Wang Yan, it was absolutely safe. Right now, Chen Hao's life or death rested solely on Chen Hao's own whim...

With a hint of reluctance, Su Su turned to gaze at the closed doors of the Reluctance Tattoo Shop, reaching out to touch the signboard.

Wang Yan sat in the driver's seat, a cigarette dangling from his lips; he did not rush her.

After a while, Su Su exhaled a long breath, opened the car door, and climbed into the passenger seat.

Wang Yan started the car, left Daqulin, and headed back toward where they had come from...

Su Su was very nervous; looking in the rearview mirror, she said, "It seems like someone is following us."

"It's not 'seems like'."

"President Chen?"

"Who else could it be?"

Su Su said nothing; in silence, she lit a cigarette, then turned to look at Zhao Ziying, who was dozing as usual in the back seat.

After a long while, she sighed. "It's all fate..."

Wang Yan smiled. "No need to be so pessimistic."

"There are definitely more people ahead; do you have any other plans?"

"Do you think I'm out of my mind?"

"Yes!" Su Su nodded very seriously.

In her view, anyone with a normal brain would never think of crossing Chen Hao, let alone someone like Wang Yan, who had actively gone looking for trouble.

She believed Wang Yan had actively gone looking for trouble...

Wang Yan gave a faint smile, offered no argument, and said, "Hold on tight!"

With that, he floored the accelerator; the engine began to roar, the off-road vehicle's powerful torque spinning the tires rapidly, churning up the earth in clouds of smoke as it shot forward.

Wang Yan drove like a madman, heading straight for the wilderness beyond Daqulin.

As he accelerated, the cars behind pursued with desperate fury; they had already begun firing guns.

They continued like this until reaching the wilderness, where Wang Yan drove the vehicle into a lush thicket within the jungle and concealed it.

He took out a gun, clicked the slide to chamber a round, and slapped it into Su Su's hand. "This feeling might not be pleasant, but I believe you can endure it. If you see anyone, shoot; if you can't win, don't suffer needlessly."

With that, he exited the vehicle, leaving behind Su Su, awake and trembling with tension, and Zhao Ziying, unconscious and unaware.

Su Su gripped the gun tightly with both hands; even though her palms were slick with sweat, she did not let go. She sank her body almost beneath the car seat, lying on her back to avoid exposure through the windows.

She didn't know what was happening; she only heard that shortly after Wang Yan exited the car, dense gunfire erupted all around, with some bullets even striking their vehicle. She heard violent explosions; some detonated nearby, sending gravel flying that pattered against the car.

Even faintly, amidst it all, she heard agonized, desperate screams and pleas for mercy...

The gunfire lasted for a long time, finally shifting from intense to sparse, yet it never stopped; only occasionally would a single shot ring out. The surroundings were quiet, utterly quiet. Only the intermittent crack of a gun broke the silence, each shot seeming to strike her heart, making her tremble uncontrollably.

After quite a while longer, she heard the sound of grass being rustled nearby; tensely, she raised her gun, aiming the icy barrel in that direction.

"Don't be nervous, it's me. If you blow my brains out, you won't have a man left."

At the familiar voice, Su Su suddenly relaxed; her entire body was drenched, as if she had just been pulled from water.

The car door was pulled open, and only then did she see Wang Yan covered in traces of blood, while the sharp scent of gunpowder filled her nostrils.

"Are you hurt?"

"It's all splattered from others; I'm fine." Wang Yan waved his hand, pulled out a cigarette, lit one, and didn't forget to offer one to Su Su.

"Scared you badly, didn't it?"

Wang Yan smiled, "I told you there'd be no problem."

As he spoke, he started the car and reversed out.

Only once they had a clear view did Su Su see the horrific state of the battlefield.

Yes, a battlefield.

As far as the eye could see, there were corpses, even some severed limbs and broken arms.

Su Su covered her mouth, but unable to suppress it, she yanked open the car door and began vomiting heavily.

Wang Yan thoughtfully parked the car and handed her a bottle of mineral water.

After quite a while, Su Su leaned weakly against the seat, waving her hand and saying, "Drive away quickly!"

Wang Yan laughed heartily, then suddenly slammed on the accelerator, speeding away from the scene.

Su Su asked in surprise, "The one I saw just now, was he a foreigner?"

"Mercenaries, and veterans of the United States Marine Corps at that." Wang Yan nodded with a smile, explaining, "This time, Chen Hao really went all out to kill me. Over a hundred men, three mercenary squads, rumored to be somewhat famous too; long-range sniping, close-quarters assault, grenades, even rocket launchers. Damn it, I knew that bastard had no honor."

Su Su listened dumbfounded; after a moment, she realized something and cried out in alarm, "Why are you driving back?"

"To seek revenge, of course!"

Su Su hurriedly said, "I beg you, let's just go; we barely survived..."

"Don't worry, I have it under control; this time you're even safer than before."

What else could Su Su say? She just took a deep drag on her cigarette, turned to look at Zhao Ziying, who was still sleeping soundly; only then did she remember to check if her good sister had been shot.

After confirming, she sighed, "Knowing nothing can be a kind of happiness too."

And so, Wang Yan drove straight back to Daqu Lin, parking the car not far from Xianglong International.

He got out of the car alone and walked straight inside.

At this moment, Wang Yan was covered in quite a bit of blood, looking clearly like someone come to pick a fight.

But the people of Xianglong International dared not approach.

There are no secrets in this world; on that ordinary day, more than twenty people died, a reception hall was smashed to pieces, yet the person who openly dragged Mao Pan in walked out unscathed, striding away confidently. This explained many things.

Those twenty-plus people were either acquaintances of theirs or under their protection; how could such a matter remain completely sealed?

Perhaps this was also the reason Chen Hao was determined to kill Wang Yan; for big shots, it's all about face, not right or wrong. Wang Yan, single-handedly, had made Chen Hao tremble with fear, causing him to lose great face; naturally, he had to retrieve it and uphold his authority...

But seeing Wang Yan arrive covered in blood, radiating killing intent, everyone knew their boss must have taken action, and that action had failed...

No one dared to block Wang Yan; he walked straight into Xianglong International, heading directly toward the core area at the rear.

Zhou Bin approached nervously.

"Mr. Wang, Vasali."

"Have you lived long enough?"

"Of course not, but I have no choice." Zhou Bin spoke cautiously, "Mr. Wang, I guarantee, I truly did not know about the Chairman's actions."

Wang Yan smiled and waved his hand, "No need for guarantees; I hold no grudge against you. You're certainly no good person, but there are too many bad people in Sanbianpo for me to kill them all. Where is Chen Hao? Where did that old rascal run off to? Take me to him, and I won't make things difficult for you."

"Mr. Wang, Chairman Chen has already left."

"His whole family left?"

"They all left!"

"Where did they go?"

"I don't know." Zhou Bin volunteered, "He left after I went to deliver money to you, Mr. Wang. After the last incident, the Chairman no longer trusts me..."

He sounded somewhat dejected.

Wang Yan glanced at him, "Go to his office."

Zhou Bin agreed repeatedly and eagerly led the way.

Chen Hao's office was luxurious, extremely luxurious.

Wang Yan looked here and there, rummaging through everything; he found a gun, discovered a hidden room—essentially a treasury—containing some jade, calligraphy, paintings, antiques, and the like.

There was no legendary secret ledger.

Obviously, something so important, Chen Hao would not leave here; it must be in a more critical location.

Glancing around, Wang Yan picked up a few pieces of jade and flipped through a few scrolls of calligraphy and painting, planning to take them back to boost his own image and perhaps make a bracelet or something for Su Su.

He then cracked Chen Hao's office computer, casually browsing through it, but still found nothing important.

Afterwards, he took out his mobile phone and called Chen Hao.

The call connected very quickly.

"Mr. Wang, misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."

Wang Yan chuckled lightly, "Chairman Chen, why don't you reveal where you're heading? I'm a bit reluctant to let you go and would like to pay you a visit."

"Ai, there's no need for such trouble. Mr. Wang, I think we should turn weapons into jade."

"You damn well hired over a hundred men, elite mercenary squads, and even brought out RPGs, yet you talk to me about turning weapons into jade? Chen Hao, I gave you a chance."

"I think everything is negotiable." Chen Hao's voice came through the phone, "You also know that if I seek help from the federal government, you'll find it impossible to move an inch in Sanbianpo. If I spend money to hire warlords to help, they'd be very willing; although they might not be able to kill you, they can make sure you have no way to live peacefully..."

"Threatening me?"

"I wouldn't dare. It was just a misunderstanding, Mr. Wang, don't you agree?"

Wang Yan chuckled as he tapped the keyboard; Chen Hao waited with great patience, silent, not hanging up the phone.

He wouldn't dare.

With Wang Yan's capabilities, he certainly wouldn't die so easily. As long as Wang Yan didn't die, Chen Hao would never in his life be able to return to Sanbianpo. And given Wang Yan's destructive power, everything Chen Hao had would be utterly and completely destroyed by him.

"You bought a plane ticket from Thailand to Malaysia; you're going to Thailand, right?"

With a single sentence from Wang Yan, Chen Hao felt suffocated.

"Chen Hao, I know about your one hundred and twenty-eight accounts. Shall I list them for you? Better list them, otherwise you might think I'm just bluffing. Standard Chartered Bank... Swiss Bank... Oh, and some of your properties, let me see, in Singapore..."

Over the past month and more, Wang Yan had not been idle.

"You understand computers well enough to know the extent of current technology. Chen Hao, the moment you move a single cent, I'll know where you are. Run, run as far as you can; you'd best grow eight legs."

Having said this, Wang Yan simply hung up the phone.

"What are you looking at? Pour the wine!"

Zhou Bin hurriedly opened the wine cabinet and brought out the whiskey; he didn't know what liquor Wang Yan liked, but he knew about Wang Yan's previous affairs at the Century Casino.

Before Zhou Bin could even open the wine, Wang Yan's phone rang again...

A big shot? What big shot?

Only after it had rung three times did Wang Yan chuckle, set down his wine glass, clamp a cigarette between his lips, and answer Chen Hao's call...