I have no desire to go head-to-head with Qian Guang, yet he treats Xiao Mi as less than human. Truly, even in this rigid hierarchy, his unrestrained brutality goes beyond any acceptable limit. His loathing for disloyalty reaches an extreme that I can sense, but his cruelty borders on venomous.
Wang Gui pulled me aside as Zhuzi restrained Qian Guang. We stood there, silent, exchanging looks. After a long pause, I lowered my gaze and finally said, "I'm sorry, Brother Guang. It was my fault…"
"Do you have any idea how worried I was? You ignored my calls for so long, I thought something terrible had happened! I almost sent everyone out searching for you!" Qian Guang's voice was laced with genuine concern, though it was masked by anger.
His frustration weighed heavily on me—I knew he acted out of care, and I understood that I was at fault. But if I hadn't helped Xiao Mi, she would have been left to rot, completely forgotten.
Pointing at Xiao Mi, Qian Guang spat, "Worthless! I asked you to keep my brother company, to relax him, not to cling to him! You pathetic wretch—can you not survive without a man? You ruined everything; I should kill you for it."
His words struck with cruel precision, and Xiao Mi staggered as she tried to rise. I reached out to steady her, but she pushed me away, murmuring a trembling "Understood, Brother Guang…"
Xiao Mi's voice was shaky yet devoid of feeling, a mechanical obedience that was more tragic than death itself. Her spirit had withered, sustained only by hatred. This was the despair she had spoken of—what purpose was there in life if the person you cherished most didn't care whether you lived or died? Without the fuel of vengeance, she would have succumbed long ago.
As we stood there, Qian Lao Wu looked on, his lips quivering and his eyes red, unable to act on his unrequited love. The three of us stood in uneasy silence, feeling the ties that bound us harden into a dark knot.
"Oh, Qian Guang, bullying women now? Is that the extent of your abilities? Isn't this girl Brother Zhao Fei's?" Liu Qiang's voice echoed mockingly behind us. Turning, we saw him swaggering over with a gang in tow, his eyes glinting maliciously.
Qian Guang unbuttoned his suit and growled, "This is none of your business."
Liu Qiang stopped before me, sneering, "Your boss is harsh, brother, even hitting your woman. Who's to say he won't turn on you? Join me; I promise your woman will be treated well."
He reached out, but I sidestepped and replied coldly, "Thanks, but no thanks. Let's go."
I pulled Xiao Mi along, intending to leave, but Liu Qiang scoffed, "Watch your back, Zhao Fei…"
I glanced back at him—yes, those words applied to him as much as they did to me. Ignoring Qian Guang's orders, we continued upstairs. None of us had anticipated Liu Qiang's return.
When we entered Boss Wei's office, he looked up from his phone, noting our grim faces. "Nothing unpleasant happened, I hope?"
Qian Guang laughed lightly, "Nothing serious, Boss Wei. Zhao Fei here just got a bit carried away. It's nothing."
Boss Wei nodded, turning his gaze to me. "Zhao Fei, it's normal for men to indulge now and then, but remember—there's a time and place for everything."
"What's the big plan? Can I get involved?" At that moment, Liu Qiang barged into the room, ignoring the guards' attempts to block him. He was openly defiant, flanked by his entourage.
We were all visibly annoyed by his audacity, but Boss Wei, unperturbed, offered, "Liu Qiang, feel free to amuse yourself upstairs or downstairs. Shall I arrange some company for you?"
Liu Qiang waved dismissively, settling into a sofa with a smug grin. "Boss Wei, you know I'm a gambling man; people call me the 'God of the East' in gambling circles. Word has it you're heading to Myanmar. I'd like to join you."
"The road is wide; no one's stopping you," Boss Wei chuckled.
"Come on, Boss Wei," Liu Qiang smirked. "I've been on a losing streak. Surely, as a friend, you could help me out. Let's pool our resources—I'll put in ten million, and we split the winnings. Not a bad proposal, is it?"
Boss Wei joined in his laughter, but I felt the tension beneath the surface, their smiles as sharp as knives. Suddenly, Boss Wei's expression darkened. "Not interested, Liu Qiang. I already have a partner, and I prefer not to deal with lowlifes."
Liu Qiang stood, rubbing his hands together, his face flushed with anger. "Some people don't realize when they're just riding a lucky streak, Boss Wei. Luck runs out eventually. Work with me, and we'll get along. Cross me, and I assure you, it won't end well."
Qian Guang stepped forward, the air thick with tension as Liu Qiang's men edged closer. But Boss Wei intervened, "I'm a businessman, Liu Qiang; peace is my preference. Let's keep my place a hands-free zone."
With that, Qian Guang stepped back, every one of us gritting our teeth, aching to land a blow on Liu Qiang. But it wasn't the right time.
Boss Wei met Liu Qiang's defiant gaze and said coldly, "If you think I'm afraid of you, Liu Qiang, feel free to try me. Let's see who's stronger."
Liu Qiang's face twisted with irritation, but he laughed it off. "See you in Myanmar, Boss Wei."
On his way out, he delivered a final insult, smashing Boss Wei's prized feng shui fish tank to the floor. As he strolled out laughing, "Peace be with you, Boss Wei!" I looked at Boss Wei, his face contorted with rage, yet he held it in. His patience was remarkable—a testament to the trials he had endured.
After Liu Qiang left, Boss Wei muttered, "That was a warning. He underestimated us last time and attacked impulsively. This time, he's prepared, with allies in Myanmar. If we don't cooperate, he's making it clear—our lives will be forfeit."
Qian Guang added, "We have limited resources in Myanmar, with only a few guns. Our only hope is Khun San's support."
Boss Wei paced the room, visibly anxious. We shared his concern—Liu Qiang was not only arrogant but dangerous, with detailed knowledge of us, while we knew little of him.
"Zhao Fei, any ideas?" Boss Wei asked suddenly.
I furrowed my brow, "Liu Qiang's power isn't insurmountable; his alliances in Myanmar are driven by money. My plan was to let a gambler die at the table, but we'll need Khun San's help to ensure our safety, secure that particular stone, and gather intel on Liu Qiang's manpower. We could start by questioning Siyan. Also, we must convince Liu Qiang the stone's value is astronomical—but that will be difficult. He's cunning and might prefer to seize it than buy."
Boss Wei nodded thoughtfully. "The first three points seem doable, but the last is tricky. Gamblers' nature is to take, whether they're broke or wealthy. To make him pay a fortune, he must believe that stone is priceless, that he'd risk everything for it."
A plan of action in place, we left Boss Wei's establishment. I intended to take Xiao Mi back, but Qian Guang insisted I join him. In the car, he was silent for a long time before finally sighing, "Do you care for Xiao Mi?"
I shook my head. Qian Guang met my gaze. "Zhao Fei, women are the poison that corrodes men, their downfall. If lust keeps you from advancing, I'll sever it myself. Xiao Mi isn't deserving of sympathy; she's nothing but a base creature. Choose someone like Miss Ma Er if you must. Always reach higher, do you understand?"
His tone was cold but sincere, ruthless yet insightful. I understood and nodded, stepping out as he drove away. If Qian Guang couldn't be successful, no one could; he was utterly merciless.
Boss Wei's meeting room grew silent as the echo of Liu Qiang's threats faded. I glanced at Qian Guang, who was watching me intently, an unspoken resolve in his eyes. Liu Qiang's intrusion was a warning shot, a deliberate disruption to assert his dominance and sow discord. But Boss Wei wasn't one to be rattled.
Once we were alone, he began outlining the next steps. "We need a plan that leverages every strength we have—and every weakness they've shown us," he said firmly.
The tension in the air was palpable as I spoke up. "Liu Qiang thinks he's put us in a corner, but he's left openings. His partnership in Myanmar is likely just a financial stake, meaning he doesn't control the local players. He's buying influence, not loyalty. We can use that."
Boss Wei nodded. "Precisely. And Khun San's support is essential. We'll negotiate an alliance—leverage our investment with him for a shield against Liu Qiang's hired muscle."
As we continued strategizing, Qian Guang interjected. "We need a way to neutralize Liu Qiang's belief in his own invincibility. He's arrogant, yes, but he's cunning too. To make him falter, we need something that shakes his confidence."
I thought about it for a moment. "Then let's draw him into a situation where he feels overconfident, but underestimates us. A wager—a game he believes he can win, but where the stakes are beyond his control."
Boss Wei's eyes gleamed. "Precisely. A gambler's greatest weakness is the illusion of control. We'll construct a scenario that lures him in, one that he can't resist."
By the end of the discussion, a plan had taken form. The risks were high, but it was the only way to turn Liu Qiang's threats back on him. He thought he was playing a game with us; little did he know, we'd crafted a trap within the very game he prided himself on mastering.
The night was deep as we left Boss Wei's office, each of us burdened with the gravity of what lay ahead.