Chapter 95: Two Matters, a Storm of Public Opinion

Wang Jianming looked at me with a smile and said, “I heard my granddaughter has been going to see Luo Feng quite often lately.” He was smiling as if the tense confrontation earlier had never happened. I didn’t deny it—there was no way such a trivial matter could escape Wang Jianming’s attention—so I simply nodded. He then asked me what Wang Yazhuo was doing with Luo Feng.

After a brief consideration, I replied, “I don’t know.”

Wang Jianming questioned me again, “You don’t know?” His skepticism was evident.

I repeated, “I’m not Luo Feng, nor am I Wang Yazhuo. How could I possibly know why she goes to see him?”

Wang Jianming suddenly let out a cold snort. “You think I wouldn’t know if you don’t say anything? From what I’ve learned, Yazhuo has been helping you investigate a Taoist priest lately and even sent people to Chongqing. One night, you all even went to an old mansion rumored to be haunted on the outskirts, which ended up being linked to two major recent cases in the capital. Am I right?”

As expected, Wang Jianming knew everything.

He stopped beating around the bush. “You know what I do for a living. The police know too, though they can’t do anything about me. Do you realize how many eyes are watching me at all times? Yet you had the nerve to ask Yazhuo to help you with something that’s bound to attract police attention?”

Wang Jianming was angry. He was an extremely cautious man, and even in anger, he never spoke too plainly. I knew he was referring to his identity as a drug lord. I thought for a moment, then smiled wryly. “Master Ming, when Luo Feng and I came here, we wanted to ask for your help. But you weren’t around, and Miss Yazhuo volunteered to assist us. If she hadn’t wanted to, who among us could have forced her?”

Wang Jianming’s voice rose a few notches. “So you mean to say it’s Yazhuo’s fault?”

I smiled slyly. “Or should it be mine?”

After a moment’s silence, Wang Jianming told me that, out of respect for Luo Feng, he would overlook what had happened so far, but from now on, the Wang family would no longer help us. The people Wang Yazhuo had sent to Chongqing had already been recalled. Although I was displeased, I said nothing.

I hadn’t expected Wang Jianming to be so dismissive of Luo Feng’s face—after all the help we’d received, he would abruptly cut us off halfway.

“Is this all you wanted to say to me?” I asked.

“There’s one more thing,” Wang Jianming replied. “Tell Luo Feng that I am grateful for his fondness for Yazhuo, but it’s impossible between them.”

I was taken aback. I hadn’t expected Wang Jianming to say such a thing to me.

Wang Jianming went on. Wang Yazhuo had never shown such enthusiasm for anyone else, but whenever Luo Feng asked, she mobilized so many people to help him, even slipping away from her own men to seek him out multiple times. Clearly, she had some feelings for Luo Feng, and for that reason, Wang Jianming would not allow her to see him again.

At this point, I truly couldn’t read Wang Jianming anymore. Luo Feng had mentioned before that many suitors had come to propose to Wang Jianming, but he had never been so clear in his refusal, always leaving the choice to his beloved granddaughter. In the end, it was always Yazhuo who frightened them off.

But today, Wang Jianming’s attitude had departed from his usual reputation several times over.

I stood up and replied that I would deliver his message to Luo Feng. But just as I turned to leave, Wang Jianming called me back. He said this was only the first matter he wished to discuss; there was a second he wanted to negotiate with me. I forced myself to sit back down.

Before speaking, Wang Jianming asked once more, “Are you certain you can speak on Luo Feng’s behalf?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Wang Jianming smiled—his demeanor now entirely different from his earlier severity. I had to admit, he was a cunning old fox.

“I like straightforward people. Originally, Luo Feng should have been sitting here today, but since you say you can represent him, I’ll get straight to the point—I want to cooperate with Luo Feng,” he said with a grin.

I frowned, uneasy, and asked what kind of cooperation he meant.

Wang Jianming pointed to his head, asking if I’d noticed the gray hairs. He said he was getting old and planned to retire in the next few years. Before quitting everything, he wanted to open up one more route. By ‘route,’ he meant a drug trafficking line, and I understood immediately what he was proposing.

“The mainland is getting stricter with its investigations, and the police are closing in. I want to set up a new line between the mainland and Hong Kong. Luo Feng is the best man for the job,” Wang Jianming continued, laughing dryly. “As for payment, you may ask whatever you like.”

Wang Jianming was playing a shrewd game. Just moments ago, he’d refused to help us and barred Wang Yazhuo from seeing Luo Feng; now, before his words had even faded from my ears, he was proposing a partnership with Luo Feng. But he seemed quite confident, watching me expectantly for my answer.

At last, I saw through his intentions. Most gangs engage in all sorts of criminal activities for profit. Wang Jianming was already a major drug lord with abundant resources and a careful approach. An ordinary person would have been tempted—he believed Luo Feng had no reason to turn down such a profitable deal.

What he didn’t know was that Luo Feng was different, and I myself loathed drug trafficking.

“I refuse,” I said.

As soon as the words left my lips, Wang Jianming’s expression darkened. He asked if I was sure, and I replied firmly that it was absolutely impossible. His face grew even more unsightly, the wrinkles deepening suddenly. He said he would speak directly to Luo Feng, but I just smiled. “Even if you see Luo Feng, his answer will be the same.”

I stood up, took my gun in hand, and walked out of the Wang family’s courtyard. Wang Jianming didn’t send anyone to stop me.

I returned smoothly to Luo Feng’s home, where he had been anxiously waiting for me. When he saw me return safely, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. I told him both things Wang Jianming had said. Luo Feng was so angry that his chest wound began to ache. I told him not to worry—after all, we already knew Xuan Yi had gone to Chongqing; once the case in the capital was over, I intended to go there myself.

As for my refusal of Wang Jianming’s proposal, Luo Feng wasn’t concerned at all. He had promised me long ago that he would never touch that business. In fact, even when Luo Feng was in Hong Kong, he had always acted on principle; after he took over his organization, aside from fighting with other gangs, his business could just about be considered legitimate.

What Luo Feng was really curious about was why I had met Wang Jianming before, but I didn’t answer him.

Luo Feng speculated that Wang Jianming would probably try to find him again. Setting up a new route in Hong Kong wouldn’t be easy—Wang Jianming wasn’t familiar with the place and would have a hard time finding someone else; Luo Feng truly was the most suitable candidate.

Night had fallen, so we both decided to rest.

The next day, Luo Feng did indeed receive a call from Wang Jianming, who said he wanted to visit in person. However, on the phone, Wang Jianming made no mention of what he had discussed with me the day before.

Luo Feng wanted to settle the issue once and for all, so he agreed. They arranged to meet late at night to avoid police attention.

Wang Jianming was always careful in his dealings, so Luo Feng wasn’t worried about the police finding out and didn’t give any special instructions.

While waiting for Wang Jianming to arrive, news came from Hong Kong. Luo Feng’s men reported that, just as I had predicted, a huge public uproar had erupted there after a long period of calm, and a certain actress was about to become available for interviews once more...