Xiong Feng took a deep drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke. He wiped his moist eyes and spoke in a dejected tone, "You know, in this group, the philosophy for upper management is that salaries must increase every year, but we don't keep any dead weight. You two have been with me for many years, and I don't want to lose you. Hu San, you have a family to support, and Saihu... well, you're single with no attachments..."
Lu Saihu stared at Xiong Feng, understanding the unspoken meaning behind his words.
In despair, he said, "Boss Xiong, you're like a father to me. All the good food, the luxury, the women—it's all thanks to you. Please, let me punish myself. You're my father."
Xiong Feng looked at him in surprise. "Funny, how now you're speaking clearly, without stuttering."
Lu Saihu had, in that moment, accepted his fate, feeling a sense of release.
Xiong Feng remained silent, looking between Hu San and Saihu. The atmosphere in the office felt like it had solidified.
After a long breath, Xiong Feng finally broke the tension. He walked over to Lu Saihu, handed him a stack of tissues, and said, "Get up. I'll handle everything from here. Considering your loyalty and dedication, I'll give you a break. After all, I'm the majority shareholder."
Hearing these words, both men felt a true sense of relief.
Xiong Feng then pulled out a tea canister from his drawer, instructing Hu San to brew two cups of tea. He sent Lu Saihu to the restroom to clean up.
As they sat around the desk, Xiong Feng's mind was racing. Fortunately, none of them had been recognized; otherwise, they would be worthless to him.
After a moment of silence, Xiong Feng shifted his gaze to the small Buddha shrine in the corner. "You know, I'm a devout Buddhist. A friend told me that this relic we're after is extraordinary—it glows in the dark and has special powers to ward off evil. If we could 'acquire' it, it would bring great fortune to Xiongfeng Fitness Club. This matter cannot end here. Think—what else can we do?"
Upon hearing this, the two men's hearts sank. Was this nightmare never going to end?
Lu Saihu, still shaken, couldn't think of anything useful.
Hu San, however, was deep in thought: A single relic is worth millions, maybe even tens of millions. The whole idea of warding off evil is just nonsense. And with six relics, who wouldn't want to keep them for themselves?
Xiong Feng, thinking quickly, muttered, "If real martial artists are involved, stealing those relics, then finding them would be like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Suddenly, Lu Saihu remembered something and hurriedly pulled a torn piece of paper from his pocket, handing it to Xiong Feng. "There's a signature at the bottom."
Xiong Feng looked at the paper, noticing three small handprints, and smirked cunningly, "Well, this confirms it. It's a mark used by martial artists."
Hu San, sensing something, blurted out, "It's not over yet, Boss. If you give me more time, I'll thoroughly investigate this 'Three Palms'."
"Investigate what?"
Xiong Feng, having had his fun, bluntly stated, "This whole thing is just a prank by that guy named Lei Tianlai!"
The two were left speechless, utterly confused as to how Xiong Feng was so sure and where he had gotten his information.
"Hu San, let me ask you something!"
Xiong Feng slammed his hand on the table, his anger flaring. "You're usually sharp, always completing tasks with excellence. So why is it that when you run into this kid, your IQ drops to zero? Your professional skills turn to crap, and you turn into a coward?"
"Boss, how can you be so sure this prank was also his doing?"
"Do you think I could sit in this chair if I were as stupid as you?"
A lightbulb suddenly went off in Hu San's mind—Xiong Feng had informants everywhere in the city, and even at Leiyin Temple. Hurriedly, he flattered Xiong Feng, "Boss, you're brilliant, wise, and omniscient."
At that moment, Xiong Feng's office phone rang. He answered it, his brows furrowing as he grew increasingly annoyed.
"Idiots!"
"What do you need so many people for? To scare them off? Even two of you are too many."
He then ordered, "There's still time for action. Don't rush it, and whatever you do, don't alert them."
A few minutes later, the phone rang again.
Xiong Feng answered it, irritated. "Now what?"
A sinister voice came through the phone. "Boss Xiong, it's me."
Xiong Feng immediately changed his tone. "I've arranged everything. You can sleep soundly."
"How can I sleep? This kid is crafty. You should prepare multiple backup plans and send more men."
"Alright, alright, I'll make sure of it."
"We're all in this together—your success is my success, and your failure is mine."
"You don't have to remind me. You know my reputation and my ability. Since you're worried, I'll personally oversee the operation."
"Then I'm counting on you. I look forward to hearing good news."
"You're too polite." Xiong Feng checked the phone, realizing the other party had already hung up.
When he looked up, he saw Hu San and Lu Saihu holding their breath, listening intently.
He commanded, "Saihu, take six men to the 'Good Again' inn and secure the front and back entrances. You'll be responsible for patrolling the area. No action without my orders."
"Yes, Boss!" Lu Saihu left without another word.
Hu San asked timidly, "Boss, what about me?"
"You? Go to the rest area and check the equipment. Eat, drink, and rest well. Wait for my command!"
Hu San hesitated, then asked, "Boss, I saw that kid at the hospital today. He was leaving with two monks. How could he be at the 'Good Again' inn now?"
Xiong Feng coldly replied, "I said your IQ is zero, and I was right. You're too clever for your own good. If you saw him, why didn't you tell me immediately?"
Hu San, nervous, tried to change the subject. "I haven't had dinner yet. I'll go to the rest area."
Xiong Feng waved him off in exasperation.
Hu San quickly left, eager to get away.
Xiong Feng leaned back in his swivel chair, weaving a complex web in his mind. "Catching fish in a barrel is safest after midnight, when no one expects it. That's how you catch them without a trace."
Meanwhile, Alai and his group had left the "Good Again" inn after dinner and headed to the bus station. So why were they heading back now?
As it turned out, when they reached the bus station, they found that all the buses to Leijia Village had already left. They had missed the last one.
Frustrated, they had no choice but to return to the "Good Again" inn.
Alai suggested that Fangfang return home for the night to stay with her mother and meet up again tomorrow.
But Fangfang stubbornly refused, explaining, "There's no need. My mom plays mahjong day and night, so she has company." She insisted that her tasks were to study for her graduate exams and help Alai prepare for his college entrance exams.
Alai looked up at the overcast sky, feeling a twinge of guilt.
He thought to himself that having Fangfang around in the courtyard might not be so bad—at least he'd enjoy home-cooked meals every day.
Little did they know, as they returned to the inn, that a meticulously planned ambush awaited them…