Chapter 99

On February 23, Sunday, temperatures rose slightly, the weather was excellent, the sky utterly cloudless, a deep, clear blue—after more than a decade, such a clear sky would be impossible to see in the city.

At the city hospital, Sun Dahai and two others lay in a single ward; all afternoon yesterday, they had been anything but quiet, enduring police interrogations and numerous media interviews.

None of the three had slept well all night, replaying the day’s events as if in a dream—especially the police questioning and the reporters’ questions, which matched almost exactly what Zhou Andong had told them, deepening their admiration and trust in him.

Just as dawn broke, the three finally drifted into a drowsy sleep; it seemed they had barely closed their eyes when a commotion erupted in the corridor, followed by the ward door being shoved open.

The three opened their eyes to see a group entering, including cameramen—clearly reporters—and in the center, surrounded by them, was Zhao Jianlong, someone they knew well.

As soon as Zhao Jianlong stepped in and saw the three lying in their beds, his eyes reddened; he hurried to the bedside, shaking each of their hands, his voice trembling with emotion.

“I’m truly sorry, truly sorry—you’ve suffered unjustly. To be honest, I was stunned when I learned the arcade was involved in gambling and had minors playing. I never imagined it.”

He squeezed out two tears. “You may not believe me, but it’s the truth. You know the arcade is mine, but you don’t know I’m only one of the shareholders, with no involvement in management.”

“So I was unaware of the gambling. But as a shareholder, I must shoulder the responsibility. Whatever demands you have, speak freely—I’ll do everything in my power to meet them.”

The three exchanged glances; Sun Dahai had become the spokesperson for the other two: “Your arcade nearly destroyed our family. Our son’s been missing for over two months—we don’t know if he’s alive or dead. The psychological torment drove my wife insane; she doesn’t even recognize me anymore.”

Zhao Jianlong’s eyes flickered with impatience, but his face remained filled with regret. “The damage is done. The company’s legal representative—the actual manager—turned himself in to police yesterday. He’ll soon face legal punishment, and that will give your wife justice.”

Sun Dahai snorted inwardly: “My son was thirteen. You lured him into gambling, stole everything from our home, then went out to steal more—you ruined his life. My wife needs expensive treatment. So we each demand ten thousand.”

The ward fell utterly silent, as if even breathing had stopped. Everyone, including Zhao Jianlong, was stunned—these three had dared to make such an outrageous demand: ten thousand.

Not only was ten thousand a fortune in an era when ten-thousand-yuan households were rare, even twenty years later, it remained an astronomical sum for most people.

Zhao Jianlong’s breath hitched; a flash of anger crossed his eyes, but his face remained calm. He took a deep breath and smiled. “I understand your demands. I’ll study them, then send my assistant to discuss with you.”

Zhao Jianlong had no patience to stay longer. These country bumpkins were pushing their luck—thinking he was a fool who’d hand over ten thousand at the drop of a hat? Didn’t they fear they’d get the money but not live to spend it?

Outside the hospital, Zhao Jianlong shook hands with the reporter behind him: “Brother Gao, thank your boss Kong Tai for me. When I have time, I’ll treat him to dinner.”

“Got it!” The reporter nodded, shouldering his camera and climbing into a minivan.

At that moment, Huo Xing stepped out of a BMW: “How’d it go?”

Zhao Jianlong spoke coldly: “Do you know how much they asked for?”

Huo Xing asked curiously: “How much?”

Zhao Jianlong sneered: “Ten thousand.”

Huo Xing froze. He’d assumed two thousand each would satisfy them—ten thousand? How could they dare?

Zhao Jianlong cursed: “Fuck, they think they’re entitled. Let’s go.”

Huo Xing said: “Negotiate with them.”

Zhao Jianlong stared, incredulous: “Xingzi, what are you saying? You don’t actually mean to pay ten thousand?”

Huo Xing replied: “Money can be earned again, but your reputation can’t.”

Zhao Jianlong’s eyes flashed with malice: “Then make them disappear.”

Huo Xing shook his head: “This has gotten too big. More reporters came yesterday. If they vanish, we’ll be the prime suspects.”

“So we just let them extort us?” Zhao Jianlong’s face turned livid. For years, he’d been the one extorting others—when had he ever been the one extorted?

Huo Xing sighed: “You’ll have to swallow this bitter pill. Wait until the storm passes.”

Zhao Jianlong was furious, but knew Huo Xing was right. Their position was weak; even if he raged inside, he had no choice but to be controlled.

“You handle the negotiations. I’m going back.”

“Fine,” Huo Xing said. “But we let them cool off for two days first.”

As Zhao Jianlong was about to get in the car, he saw Zhou Andong stepping out of a yellow taxi. He lowered his raised leg—wherever he went, this disgusting creature showed up.

“Oh my, if it isn’t Boss Zhao?” Zhou Andong feigned surprise. He’d expected Zhao Jianlong to visit Sun Dahai’s ward, but not this soon.

“Zhou Andong!” Zhao Jianlong growled coldly. “Jiangzhou is too small—you’re everywhere.”

Zhou Andong chuckled: “The arcade’s shut down. Come on, Boss Zhao, tell me how you feel right now.”

The men behind Zhao Jianlong surged forward, surrounding Zhou Andong, ready to strike.

“What now?” Zhou Andong smiled sweetly at Zhao Jianlong. “Want to hit me? Zhao Jianlong, think carefully. This is a hospital—everyone’s watching. If they lay a hand on me, you’ll never wash your name clean.”

“Back off!” Huo Xing called them back. “Zhou Andong, let’s agree: no interference, no trouble. We go our way, you go yours.”

“Why didn’t you say that earlier?” Zhou Andong sneered. “Zhao Jianlong, the day I divorced Jiang Yuyue, I warned you: don’t stir up trouble. Otherwise, I won’t kill you—I’ll make you piss yourself. You didn’t believe me.”

“When the Americans ignored warnings and bombed the Yalu River, they paid a terrible price for their arrogance. Later, South Vietnam kept provoking, and got beaten to tears. This proves one thing: without strength, blind arrogance is suicide. I’m telling you this: if you don’t have the power, stop pretending.”

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