The truth cannot remain hidden forever. At this juncture, honesty is our only recourse.
"Xiao Jing, I'm sorry. I deceived you. I'm not actually working at the grain and oil store; I... I am a tomb raider."
Upon hearing this, Shi Jingxia staggered, and the twin-tub washing machine trembled violently, the sound of "clatter, clatter" echoing.
She stared at me, her gaze complex, tears streaming down her face.
"Why did you keep it from me all this time?"
"Xiao Jing, let me explain..."
Before I could finish, she threw herself into my arms.
"I don't blame you, I don't blame you. But you shouldn't have kept it from me."
In truth, she had long suspected. My reluctance to seek medical help for my burned leg, my keen interest in the Yongling excavation case, and the two hundred thousand yuan—all of it defied logic.
All she wanted was trust, nothing more.
When I spoke the truth, both of us found solace.
Shi Jingxia remarked that in this world, though many might pay lip service, none truly treated her sincerely. Regardless of my profession, she chose to stand by me, without regret.
One evening, a week later, I received a sudden call from Lin Canghai.
"Guangting, come to Botong Hall immediately. There's an urgent matter to discuss."
"Lin La-"
Before I could finish, I heard the beeping sound of the blind tone. Lin Canghai had hung up.
It must be something significant.
Without delay, I hailed a taxi and rushed to Botong Hall. Upon arrival, I handed the driver a hundred yuan, telling him not to bother waiting.
The driver beamed, asking when I'd be returning so he could pick me up. Ignoring him, I strode inside with my suitcase.
In the banquet hall on the second floor.
Zhang Ling and Duan Huairen were chatting, but there was no sign of Zhang Wenjie and Chen Duoyu.
"Ling, Lao Duan, it's such a relief to see you're both okay. Where are they?"
Zhang Ling replied, "Mr. Zhang is talking to Mr. Lin."
"What about Old Chen? Is he in the restroom?"
I tapped the suitcase and continued, "He's all about the money. There's three million here. If he knew, he'd drop everything and come running without even wiping his butt."
They exchanged glances but said nothing, the atmosphere growing eerie, filling me with foreboding.
"Ling, is something wrong?"
Zhang Ling raised her eyelids, glanced at me, shook her head, and sighed.
"What's going on? Will someone please say something? This suspense is killing me."
Footsteps approached, and Lin Canghai and Zhang Wenjie slowly walked over. Lin Canghai gestured for us not to be overly formal.
The veins between his brows flickered intermittently, revealing inner turmoil.
After a moment, he sighed and disclosed something that left me utterly stunned.
"Chen Lao-da has been sentenced to death, immediate execution."
Under Lin Canghai's arrangement, Chen Lao-da's departure was relatively dignified—he was executed by lethal injection, a swift and painless process akin to falling asleep.
In accordance with his will, Chen Lao-da acknowledged his guilt, having donated his organs for medical research, recognizing the justice of his punishment.
Of the Chen brothers, only Chen Duoyu remained. Contemplating retirement, Lin Canghai did not insist, providing him with a sum of money and letting him go.
"When is Chen Lao-da's funeral? I'd like to pay my respects."
Lin Canghai categorically refused, "That would be tantamount to courting death. You're not allowed to go."
"Lin La, I feel terrible about this."
"Guangting, remember this well, in our line of work, we must remain calm at all times, never act impulsively."
"I..."
Lin Canghai slammed the table, angrily declared, "Don't be rash."
My chest tightened, unable to catch my breath, feeling suffocated.
Zhang Ling nudged me with her toe, while Duan Huairen kept signaling me to stop speaking.
With three million in cash, each of us received one hundred and fifty thousand. The remaining money was distributed to the Chen brothers and Ding Laotou's family.
Zhang Wenjie picked up a stack of banknotes, ran his fingers over them, making a pleasant sound. Taking a deep breath, he exclaimed, "This is so satisfying," then returned the money.
"For our fallen brothers, I've decided not to take a single penny. Let it all go towards their final arrangements."
With that, he pushed the hundred and fifty thousand yuan forward, leaning back against the sofa.
Duan Huairen immediately followed suit, "Mr. Zhang is right, I won't take mine either."
"Who do you think you're disrespecting?" Zhang Ling also pushed the money forward.
Duan Huairen patted my shoulder, "Guangting, you're not even married yet. Keep the money for yourself."
Zhang Ling gave Duan Huairen a disapproving look, "Guangting, remember, in our line of work, if you're short on cash, just tell sis. I'll support you."
Lin Canghai sighed, turned away, his body trembling slightly.
After a moment, he waved his hand to indicate we should leave. As we exchanged glances, preparing to depart, I blocked their way.
"Please, everyone, stay. I have something to address."
Pausing, I stared at Zhang Wenjie. "Mr. Zhang, don't you have something to say?"
Zhang Wenjie looked puzzled, "Guangting, are you confused? Didn't you have something to say?"
I sneered, "Zhang Wenjie, what have you been up to? Why don't you tell everyone yourself?"
With those words, tension filled the air instantly. Lin Canghai turned to me, then to Zhang Wenjie.
Zhang Wenjie's mouth twitched slightly, then he regained his composure.
"Guangting, in front of Mr. Lin, be clear with your words. Don't spout nonsense here. Our gang won't tolerate such behavior."
"Humph, you're really stubborn. You've pushed your luck too far. Today, everyone will see your true colors."
I took out my phone and displayed the photos I had taken from Bai Ruoxue's phone. Everyone was dumbfounded after seeing them.
Veins bulging on his forehead, Lin Canghai's face turned livid. With a "slap," he threw the phone in front of Zhang Wenjie.
"Wenjie, do you have anything else to say?"
Zhang Wenjie picked up the phone, his face pale. With a thud, he knelt on the ground.
"Mr. Lin, let me explain..."
Duan Huairen kicked Zhang Wenjie down while scolding, "So it's you! I'll kill you, avenging our fallen brothers."
Zhang Ling shook her head, heartbroken. "In our gang, we're as close as brothers. Why did you have to do this?"
Lin Canghai roared, "Speak up!"
Zhang Wenjie wiped the blood from his mouth, glaring at me fiercely. "It's all your fault."
This is how it went down.
Within the gang, Lin Canghai highly favored Zhang Wenjie, grooming him as his successor. However, everything changed with my appearance. My grandfather was the previous gang leader, and Lin Canghai was ready to step aside whenever he saw me. Zhang Wenjie knew he had no chance anymore.
The huge blow made it hard for him to accept. Just then, Bai Ruoxue found him and, with sweet words, convinced him to betray the gang.
Bai Ruoxue was only using him; otherwise, she wouldn't have blown up the tomb after killing Ding Laotou, intending to bury him alive as well and wipe out our gang completely.
"Guangting, it's all your fault. I regret not killing you back then."