Chapter 49: I Don

Either the money or the man must be taken back.

Wang Tai only found out recently that Zhui Ya had already left; by the time he tried to chase after him, the man was long gone.

Moreover, when Zhui Ya left, he took over a hundred men from the Wang Family Gang with him.

It was already a small gang; the departure of over a hundred men was a crippling blow to the Wang Family Gang.

And.

In the past, the Wang family truly had the courage to fight hard, but after growing accustomed to power and luxury for so long, they had long lost that fierce determination.

With Zhui Ya's departure.

Most of the Wang Family Gang's territories were immediately seized by other gangs.

If not for Wang Tai's decades in the underworld and his network of contacts, he might not even have kept his last territory.

He had always known that Zhui Ya and his group had been marginalized and suppressed within the Wang Family Gang; Wang Tai had seen it all, but never cared.

He had been Bāngzhǔ for too long.

He naturally assumed these men only ate because they followed him—that alone was a favor, and even if they were suppressed a little, what did it matter?

Wasn't that what they deserved?

He never imagined Zhui Ya would just flip the table.

It was a clear message: I'm done serving you.

The moment he thought of Zhui Ya taking away the tens of thousands of taels meant for the monthly dues, Wang Tai felt a sharp, pulsing pain in his chest.

Today, no matter what.

Even if he couldn't get the men back, he had to get the money back.

"Pay back the money? No problem!"

Hearing Ye Tian say that, Wang Tai felt a wave of relief—he was still afraid.

He thought Ye Tian had conceded.

But the next moment.

He saw Ye Tian casually raise one hand toward him.

"?"

What does that mean?

"Where's the IOU? You said you'd pay back the money—there must be an IOU."

He said it as if it were obvious: if you don't give me the IOU, how am I supposed to know you owe me money?

"..."

IOU? How the hell could there even be one?

He finally realized: Ye Tian was just messing with him.

"Ye Tian, are you truly determined to make an enemy of the Wang Family Gang?!"

In fury, he slammed his cane hard against the ground twice.

Ye Tian said nothing, but Tie Qian and Gui Jiao both stepped forward two paces, glaring at Wang Tai with murderous intent.

In contrast, the few young men beside Wang Tai now looked timid—the memory of Tie Qian's brutal display, crushing that man's hands, was still fresh.

Their strength wasn't much greater than that man's.

"Wang Bāngzhǔ, you're exaggerating!"

He chuckled lightly, waving his hand as if he felt no tension in the air.

"I don't care what Zhui Ya did before, but now he's my brother. If you touch him, you're slapping my face. I've heard the Wang Family Gang has been having a rough time lately—I wouldn't advise adding more fire to your flames!"

As he finished.

Ye Tian's gaze toward Wang Tai had turned utterly icy.

A gang built from a family workshop dared threaten him? Who the hell did they think they were?

"..."

If he'd known Ye Tian would be this aggressive,

Wang Tai never would have come—only to lose face for nothing.

"We'll see who wins!"

Seeing no benefit in staying longer, Wang Tai gave Ye Tian one final threatening glare, then led his men away—taking the man with the crushed hands with them.

"Boss?"

The Wang Family Gang meant nothing to Ye Tian, and Mei Yongning beside him didn't care either.

But seeing Ye Tian stare silently at the direction Wang Tai and the others had left,

Mei Yongning grew curious.

"I don't like the look in his eyes."

Thinking of Wang Tai's final glance as he left, Ye Tian said simply.

Then he turned to Xiao Cao.

"The Wang Family Gang now has only this one pillar—still one hundred taels. Eliminate him. Don't let anyone see it. I want to see who, without Wang Tai, will step forward to lead them."

Daring to come bother me just because of your seniority?

If I don't do something, they'll really think I'm easy prey.

Wang Tai probably never imagined that his casual threat alone had stirred Ye Tian's killing intent.

"Um..."

Xiao Cao looked hesitant.

"What, scared?"

He glanced over with a teasing tone; Ye Tian didn't believe Xiao Cao would be afraid of Wang Tai, not after daring to touch Wang Hu.

"No! No!"

Indeed, Xiao Cao shook her head vigorously in denial.

Then she said hesitantly.

"You've already given me so much money—let's just forget about this one."

It seemed she intended to work for Ye Tian for free.

This sparked Ye Tian's interest.

"Oh? The little money grub isn't greedy anymore?"

Everyone had seen how much Xiao Cao loved money—she treasured even a single silver coin, yet now she refused a hundred taels.

"Besides, you've always taken good care of me, I..."

She hesitated for a long time, unable to finish a full sentence.

Ye Tian knew some of Xiao Cao's past—she had once been a displaced refugee, unable to afford a single full meal, then sold to a brothel; luckily, her luck held, and she never encountered twisted souls, spending her days doing menial chores there.

Just one full meal a day had already been a luxury.

With Ye Tian, Xiao Cao felt for the first time the warmth of being cared for—something more precious than money.

"Hahaha!"

That little look of hers made Ye Tian laugh outright.

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry—I don't need your money. Stay by my side, rest assured. As long as I'm here, no one can bully you."

"Mm-hmm!"

Hearing those final words, Xiao Cao nodded earnestly.

,,,

Meanwhile.

At Wang Tai's end, he left still wearing that dark, unpleasant expression.

Just then, Zhui Ya arrived with Haozi and the rest of the brothers, heading this way; though Yiyong Bang controlled only two streets, it was still territory gained and expanded.

They had to come tell Ye Tian.

Along the way, everyone wore joyful expressions.

"Boss Zhui Ya!"

At that moment, Haozi noticed something and quickly whispered to Zhui Ya beside him.

"Hm?"

As he puzzled over it, Zhui Ya followed Haozi's suggestive glance and looked over.

Just then, Wang Tai also noticed Zhui Ya's group approaching; his already sour expression turned even more hostile.

Zhui Ya immediately wiped the smile from his face, growing serious.

"Boss Zhui Ya, do you think Big Brother might...?"

Wang Tai's appearance here clearly meant he had just gone to see Ye Tian—and everyone could guess his intent: he was here for them.

Some began to worry: would Ye Tian sell them out?

After all, they had only just joined Ye Tian, and Wang Tai, as Bāngzhǔ of the Wang Family Gang, had come in person—he must have a reason.

"Shut up!"

Before those words could continue, Zhui Ya raised his hand to cut them off.

"I trust Ye Big Brother's character."

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