But the facts were in front of him, and Ba Yi had no choice but to believe it.
After work, Yang Lianting talked to me, and judging by the swollen face of that woman, it was obvious why.
Silence.
Everyone fell into an awkward silence, with only the sound of me chewing on my bread breaking the quiet.
"We're going out for a patrol, to walk off the food."
After finishing my bread, I immediately left the dorm with Wrench and Chen Weiqiang.
We left Screwdriver behind to keep an eye on Ba Yi, to prevent him from causing trouble later on.
We avoided the cameras and made our way to the back hill in the dark, then sat down next to a big tree.
Looking at the pitch-black sky, I smiled bitterly and said, "Could Er Pang be trying to trick me?"
A dark, windy night, perfect for murder—it felt fitting.
"He wouldn't dare, he's not stupid. In the Victory Park, he's always been neutral and doesn't want to offend anyone."
Wrench checked his AK, leaned against the tree, and continued, "If we can't escape in a few days, we'll prepare to fight back on the day of the match. We'll die together if we have to."
Chen Weiqiang took out a cigarette, then put it back down, "We're ready. Killing a few of the top dogs from the park won't be a loss."
I immediately stood up and grabbed them, "Are you crazy? There are only a few of you with a few guns. Liu Shiyi could wipe you out in minutes!"
Wrench laughed nonchalantly, "What are we afraid of? Everyone dies eventually. We've been living like rats here for three or four years. If we have a chance, why not go out with a bang?
Even in hell, I want to face my dad and tell him I'm not a coward, that I'm not afraid of dying!"
Chen Weiqiang patted my shoulder and smiled faintly, "We're brothers. If we're destined to die together, then so be it. Why are you so worked up?
Do you think if you die, we'll manage to survive? Ace the old fox will take us out one by one, squeezing out every last bit of value before he moves to Malaysia to live it up and start fresh!"
Ace's plans to immigrate were something Chen Weiqiang discovered by chance when he was helping him with some offshore accounts. Ace was applying for citizenship, though it wasn't clear if it had been approved.
Long before he tricked me into fighting underground matches, he was making his final preparations for escape.
Last week, he sent his family to Malaysia under the guise of a vacation, but they wouldn't be returning to Myanmar.
Behind the scenes, he'd already bought a private estate through various means and moved his family there.
Rumor had it that he was transferring his wealth little by little. Last time, thanks to Chen Weiqiang's hacking skills, he transferred over a hundred million...
A hundred million RMB, earned with the blood and sweat of countless Chinese people.
Hearing this, my heart turned cold.
The old fox had been setting me up from the start. I was just another tool for him to squeeze money out of before his escape...
They had already set a trap, and I had no way out.
Even Ning was keeping Yanzi close to monitor my every move, binding me to his service.
As for the golden casino in Myawaddy, Ace might sell it to Ning for cash before he leaves...
"Before I die, I want to take out Lulu, Ace, and Liu Shiyi. Otherwise, it'd be too lonely in hell without someone to punish."
I plopped down on the ground and lit a cigarette, feeling utterly hopeless.
The KK Park was like a devil's lair. No matter who took over, I couldn't escape.
This lifetime, I might be stuck as a tool in this hell.
If that's the case, I might as well take one last shot.
"Whoosh"
Wrench and Chen Weiqiang didn't speak anymore. They sat on either side of me, silently smoking, staring at the dark sky...
Soon, there was a rustling sound from the bushes ahead.
Wrench and Chen Weiqiang immediately hid behind the tree.
"Little Bottle, is that you?"
It was Er Pang, alone.
I stubbed out my cigarette and flicked it away, whispering, "It's me."
Er Pang quickly ran over and sat beside me, "You got here early, right on time."
"Just tell me what you want. I don't have time for small talk; I have a killing to do later."
"K-killing..."
Er Pang was clearly frightened, thinking I meant him.
"That Northeast woman. Weren't you with her in Yang Lianting's office this afternoon?"
"Oh, her! She did tattle, saying you and Ba Yi planned to escape and demanded to be a team leader. It enraged Yang Lianting, who then beat her up..."
Er Pang paused and leaned closer to whisper in my ear, "Let's make a deal. You help me kill Yang Lianting, and I have some shocking information for you!"
My interest piqued, "Let's hear it. Killing Yang Lianting is easy, but your information better be worth his life!"
"In a few days, a medical ship on the Mekong River will come to the park to buy people and organs. You could disguise yourself as a corpse or a medic to escape."
"Oh? How do you know this, and why won't you run with me?"
"I'm not running. Even if I return home, I'll go to jail. I'm used to life here. I just want to kill Yang Lianting and become the boss, forever Liu Shiyi's lapdog!"
"You..."
I was stunned. There are men so lowly they'd willingly be Liu Shiyi's dog?
He was tormented by Yang Lianting this afternoon and now wanted to be Liu Shiyi's lackey.
Damn... my heart couldn't take it.
"Honestly, I like Liu Shiyi. He's more attractive than a woman, more elegant, and his manly grace drives me crazy."
Without light, I couldn't see Er Pang's lovestruck face, but his infatuated tone made his twisted obsession clear.
Ugh, as a man, I couldn't feel his perverse tastes.
Pity the bread I just ate; it was churning in my stomach...
"You help me kill Yang Lianting, and I'll help you escape. I have access to the operating room, so I can disguise you as a corpse and smuggle you out."
If Yang Lianting hadn't roped me in, I would have agreed. Weighing my options, I decided working with Yang Lianting was more reliable.
If Er Pang had a change of heart and sold me out to Liu Shiyi, all my efforts would be wasted.
"Let me think about it for a couple of days." I tried to calm him down and changed the subject, "Do you really have a crush on Liu Shiyi?"
"Yes, every time I see him with Maodinglun, I get jealous. At first, I thought you were also into Liu Shiyi, but then I realized you hate him. That made me so happy.
Let me tell you, when I become the boss, the first person I'll kill is Maodinglun!
After you escape, we can do business together. There's a lot of money to be made here. If you go back to China, you're an idiot for going to jail!"