After leaving the small villa, Maodinglun drove up in a seven-seater extended Honda Odyssey.
"Supervisor, please get in," he said. I quickly pushed his hand away and opened the back door.
Liu Shiyi poked my face with his finger and said with a sly smile, "Hey, I like the front seat, you go to the back."
Man, the way he said "front" and "back" sounded so inappropriate.
With a stern face, I opened the back door, let Swallow get in first, then climbed into the last row and sat next to Wrench.
Then I saw Abu driving a military off-road vehicle, bringing along four armed henchmen.
After Liu Shiyi got in the car, he said seriously, "Let's go to the Golden Casino first, we'll pick up Mr. Ning and then decide."
"Got it!"
Maodinglun glanced at me through the rearview mirror, started the engine, and drove out of the park.
The atmosphere in the car was a bit awkward. I didn't know where to put my hands and felt like I was sitting on pins and needles.
I thought about meditating, but was afraid Maodinglun would think I was acting weird. Chatting with Swallow and Wrench could make Liu Shiyi suspicious.
It was really a tough situation.
Wrench was fine, holding an AK and daydreaming while staring at the road.
Swallow was touching up her makeup, just to pass the time.
I...
"Little Bottle, be polite when you meet Mr. Ning. This time, you're going to be his bodyguard. React quickly if anything happens, and make sure to keep him safe. Don't embarrass me, understand?"
Liu Shiyi broke the silence, whispering his instructions.
I couldn't stand his soft voice, it gave me goosebumps. "Understood."
"Good. And don't even think about running away. You can't escape, and if you're caught, you'll wish you were dead.
Just do your job well here. If you get a chance, you might become Mr. Ning's personal bodyguard. There'll be luxury cars and beautiful women."
Liu Shiyi started brainwashing me again. I despised it, but had to pretend to be grateful.
So I went along with his nonsense, forcing a smile and making small talk.
As the car passed the spot where Screwdriver and I assassinated Boss Cai, I felt a mix of emotions.
That was the closest I'd ever been to escaping...
After more than half an hour, we arrived outside the Golden Casino.
Remembering my encounter with Old Mo here a few nights ago made me feel sad. I wondered when I might need his help.
Help to escape alive.
The note he gave me had Yun's address and phone number. I memorized it and swallowed the paper.
I didn't know what Mr. Ning had planned for us today. If we were going to the 4th Special Zone, that would be great. I could gather some information.
Maodinglun got out of the car and opened the door for Liu Shiyi, "Supervisor, Mr. Ning is coming out."
"Okay, wait for me here."
Liu Shiyi nodded and got out of the car, walking towards the casino entrance.
Maodinglun stood tall, watching Liu Shiyi the whole time. Very professional.
But given the chance, I would still kill him.
Outside the casino, about twenty soldiers in green uniforms stood guard.
Professor Ace and a medium-built, round-faced, plain-looking middle-aged man in luxurious clothes were chatting.
When Liu Shiyi approached, the man smiled, shook hands with Professor Ace, and then walked down the steps to get into a black Audi A8.
In front, a domestic military off-road vehicle led the way, followed by another for protection.
Each off-road vehicle seemed to have four armed soldiers, plus a driver.
The soldiers standing guard got into a military truck and drove away.
Liu Shiyi got back in our car and told Maodinglun to follow Mr. Ning's convoy.
Professor Ace stood at the casino entrance, gave me a meaningful look, and pushed his gold-rimmed glasses...
Liu Shiyi rolled up the window, "Alan, head to the 4th Special Zone."
So we really were going to the 4th Special Zone. I was secretly happy.
Getting out and seeing the area would be great. Understanding the terrain could help with a future escape.
Myawaddy is about 130 kilometers from the 4th Special Zone's capital, Xiao Mengla.
Taking a shortcut from the casino, it's about 110 kilometers.
In China, that distance would take an hour on the highway, and less than two hours on regular roads.
But in the rugged mountains of Myanmar, with rough roads, it would take at least three hours to reach our destination.
I didn't understand why Mr. Ning wanted me to come along. Except for Maodinglun, everyone else wore green uniforms. Why did he make me dress like I was attending a wedding?
Was he planning to use me as cannon fodder?
With that thought, I became distracted, staring blankly at the desolate scenery outside...
I thought the 4th Special Zone would be poor, but it was much wealthier than Myawaddy. As we drove down the mountain, the scenery was beautiful.
The roads were wide and smooth, and the houses had a Chinese style.
Mengla, also known as Xiao Mengla, is named to distinguish it from Mengla County in Yunnan Province, China.
It's the capital of the 4th Special Zone in eastern Shan State, Myanmar. It borders Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, and is controlled by the Eastern Shan State Nationalities People's Democratic Alliance Army with high autonomy.
It borders Laos to the east and the 2nd Special Zone (Wa State) of Shan State to the west. It's basically a Chinese community.
China has invested billions here, building smooth cement roads, setting up base stations, gas stations, using China Telecom and China Petroleum...
Chinese shops were everywhere along the streets, and many Chinese merchants were around.
Everything looked so harmonious.
It was a stark contrast to the crime-ridden Myawaddy.
The car quickly left the city and headed towards the quiet suburbs. Liu Shiyi said Mr. Ning was meeting a local mine owner.
He wanted to buy some newly unearthed Myanmar jade to smuggle out of the country, but the owner had a bad reputation and was known for double-crossing.
Mr. Ning wanted the jade but feared being cheated. Weighing his options, he decided to negotiate face-to-face.
They agreed to bring only bodyguards to the mine for the deal, no armed forces.
The amount involved was at least seven figures.
That number tempted Mr. Ning because reselling the jade would earn him at least two extra figures.
Soon, the convoy arrived at a mine on the outskirts.
This area was newly developed, and Mr. Ning wanted to acquire the land.
Otherwise, he wouldn't bother with the jade.
He planned to pretend to sell jade, then use the funds to invest in real estate, make a fortune, and find an excuse to sell off or flee. That was his final card and usual tactic.
Liu Shiyi had Maodinglun park the car, and we got out immediately.
"Follow Mr. Ning inside. We'll stay outside. If something happens, just shout."
"Understood."
I stood beside him, looking at the Audi A8 in front, feeling uneasy.
Liu Shiyi strode forward, smiling, "Mr. Ning, this is the Chinese Tai Chi expert I recommended."
"Well, he looks good."
Mr. Ning, hands in his pockets, walked over, looked me up and down, and then asked me to follow him into the mine.
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