"Who here is the boss?" Xiao Wu's face was stern as he addressed the room. Due to the dim lighting, he had yet to notice Xiang Ri, who was seated quietly in the corner.
The monkey, who had been lamenting the disruption caused by the police during the bar's opening, knowing that business would now be difficult, was quickly reminded of his position by a subtle cough from Wolf. He immediately stood up. "I am. May I ask what the matter is?"
Before the monkey could finish, Xiao Wu cut him off, his tone serious. "Do you know there's drug trafficking going on here?"
The monkey feigned shock. "Impossible, officer. I run an honest business here."
"Honest business?" Xiao Wu snorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't think I don't know who you are. You're Monkey, from the Hungry Wolf Gang, Wolf's subordinate. Do you mean to tell me that a gang like yours is involved in honest business?"
"Officer, please don't get the wrong idea. We're a legitimate organization," Wolf interjected calmly.
Xiao Wu turned toward the voice, and only then did he realize the person he had just spoken about was present. His gaze shifted to Grizzly, and a smile crossed his face. "Oh? It seems the big shots from the Hungry Wolf Gang are all here."
Xiao Wu had not expected that a mere tip-off about drug trafficking would lead him to such prominent figures. His eyes then moved to the man seated next to Grizzly, the one wearing sunglasses. Though unfamiliar, his proximity to Grizzly indicated that his status was at least on par with the other. But the man sitting next to Wolf... there was something familiar about him. Just as he was about to take a closer look, the man spoke.
"Xiao Wu, it's been a while."
Xiao Wu froze, the voice striking a chord deep within him. "You are...?" he stammered, recognition dawning. "Are you... Boss Xiang?"
It was a nickname that had stuck after their time playing cards together in the interrogation room. Xiang Ri had always won, earning the informal title of "Boss Xiang" among the few who had played.
To the others, this was more than a casual title. In the world of crime, anyone referred to as "Boss" was someone of considerable standing. And now, to hear a police officer address him as such was all the more intriguing.
Wolf and Grizzly exchanged a glance. Though the lighting was poor, they both saw the flash of interest in each other's eyes. Both had been trying to figure out Xiang Ri's background, and now that someone had brought it up, they were all ears.
Only Buck, the man wearing the sunglasses, remained silent, though one could not rule out the possibility that his eyes were discreetly studying Xiang Ri.
Xiang Ri rose, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he walked toward Xiao Wu. "I didn't expect to run into you here."
"Boss Xiang, you're here too?" Xiao Wu's two younger colleagues stepped forward, their faces lighting up with delight. Their joy was palpable, as seeing him was more than a surprise—it was an honor.
After all, these young officers had once been relegated to the humdrum task of serving tea and running errands at the station. But after a game of cards with Xiang Ri, they had been promoted several levels, no longer relegated to the background. Their salaries had even increased substantially.
They never suspected that Director Tie's motives were more complex than they realized. In their eyes, Xiang Ri was the reason behind their rise, and their gratitude toward him was immense. Now, seeing the man they credited with their newfound success, they could hardly contain their excitement. Perhaps if they impressed him, they could earn even more favors—maybe even a coveted government-issued apartment reserved for those with certain ranks.
Unaware of their inner calculations, Xiang Ri smiled and greeted them before turning his attention back to Xiao Wu.
"Boss Xiang, what brings you here?" Xiao Wu couldn't quite gauge Xiang Ri's mood. He had come here, clearly on good terms with the crime lords, but was he still willing to investigate? Did the situation warrant further probing?
"I'm here to congratulate a friend on the opening of his bar," Xiang Ri replied smoothly. "By the way, Xiao Wu, is this part of your routine work?"
In truth, Xiang Ri hoped the police wouldn't escalate things with the people present. If it weren't for Buck, he would have gladly remained a passive observer. However, after hearing the report from a certain female officer, he knew Buck would not surrender easily. A thug like him would fight to the bitter end, especially considering the armed bodyguards hidden in the shadows. If anyone claimed they weren't carrying heavy weaponry, it would be a lie.
If a shootout broke out, Xiang Ri predicted that the police would suffer heavy casualties, possibly even be wiped out entirely.
This was not a scenario Xiang Ri wished to see, and he feared the collateral damage could even affect him. Furthermore, as Xiao Wu and the others had approached, he noticed a subtle gesture from Buck, one that, while innocuous to most, seemed out of place in this context. It was clearly a signal to his hidden men to prepare for something.
The moment Buck completed the gesture, Xiang Ri felt the same chilling sensation one gets when a venomous snake locks its gaze on its prey. It was as if he could see the cold, dark barrels of rifles all pointed in his direction.
Though Xiao Wu was somewhat puzzled as to why he would associate with members of the underworld, he was certain that Boss Xiang could not possibly be a bad person. His conviction stemmed not only from a belief in Xiang's character but also from his trust in a certain female officer. "I see," he said, his expression softening. "It seems we may have received a false report. Since Boss Xiang's friends run legitimate businesses, it's impossible that they could be involved in drug trafficking."
"Exactly, exactly," chimed in the two card-playing companions behind him, nodding in agreement.
This revelation caused a ripple of astonishment among the assembled company. What they had assumed to be yet another case of Xiang Ri being a "special subject" of police interest was suddenly turned on its head. Judging by the demeanor of the young officers, it appeared that Xiang Ri shared a close relationship with some high-ranking police officials.
As they digested this information, a sense of relief washed over them, but it was accompanied by a renewed respect for Xiang Ri. To have caused the police to abandon their investigation without any results, it seemed likely that he was either the director's nephew or possibly even the director's lover.
The monkey, feeling as though they had narrowly escaped disaster, gazed at Xiang Ri with newfound admiration. He hadn't realized just how influential his "big brother" truly was—able to command such respect that even the police were forced to call him "boss" without so much as a whisper of resistance.
Xiang Ri, for his part, also breathed a sigh of relief. He had been watching Buck's every move, and when he noticed the man making a subtle gesture while he was chatting with one of the young officers, the chilling sensation that had been creeping up on him disappeared almost immediately.
Seeing that there was no immediate danger, Xiao Wu prepared to take his leave, bidding Xiang Ri farewell.
Just then, a middle-aged officer approached, followed by a group of police officers.
"Wan Tou, there's no problem here," Xiao Wu said, giving a respectful nod as he moved toward the newcomer.
"No problem?" The middle-aged officer, momentarily confused, gave him a quizzical look.
"Yes, Wan Tou," Xiao Wu assured him, gesturing toward Xiang Ri. "With Mr. Xiang here, there's absolutely no issue."
"Mr. Xiang?" The officer looked even more confused.
Xiao Wu leaned in and whispered something into his ear, after which "Wan Tou" studied Xiang Ri carefully. His eyes were filled with skepticism, but there was a flicker of recognition, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "I see, Mr. Xiang is here. In that case, everything is fine. Everyone, let's wrap it up."
"Thank you, Officer Wan. I'll be sure to treat everyone to tea another day," Xiang Ri replied courteously, fully aware that his reputation, and perhaps his relationship with a certain female officer, had preceded him, making it easier for him to send the police on their way.
"If the opportunity arises, we'll definitely take you up on that," Officer Wan said, though he seemed disappointed by the lack of action. Still, knowing such a juicy piece of gossip was worth something.
"Boss Xiang is truly impressive!" Once the officers had left, Wolf rose, his gaze lingering on Xiang Ri with newfound respect. The tone that had once been casual, calling him "little brother," was now replaced with one of reverence.
"Nothing extraordinary," Xiang Ri replied, his smile tinged with a touch of false modesty as he realized he had become adept at feigning humility.
Grizzly, too, stood, clearly impressed by Xiang Ri's influence with the police—a person like him was exactly the kind of ally he needed. He was about to speak, but Buck, who had remained silent up until now, suddenly grabbed his arm and turned his gaze toward Xiang Ri. Though his sunglasses obscured his eyes, Xiang Ri could tell that Buck was sizing him up. "Mr. Xiang," Buck said coolly, "I wonder if there is any opportunity for us to collaborate?"
A flicker of thought passed through Xiang Ri's mind. "Oh? What sort of collaboration?" He knew full well that Buck, a notorious drug lord, was likely seeking an alliance to further his illicit business, perhaps hoping that Xiang Ri's earlier display of power would shield him from the police. While Xiang Ri could certainly use this to probe into his criminal activities, he was well aware of the dangers involved in working with someone like Buck. It was something that required careful consideration.
"We can't discuss it now," Buck continued, his voice low and measured. "But if Mr. Xiang has the time, perhaps we can arrange another meeting?"
Just as Xiang Ri was contemplating how to politely decline, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was a call from Chu Xiao Niu. Without hesitation, he answered.
"Hello, what's the matter?"
"Xiang Kui, hurry home, your aunt is looking for you!" Chu Chu's voice was urgent, tinged with a note of worry.
Xiang Ri froze for a moment. "What? My aunt?"
"Hurry up, I'm hanging up now," she said quickly, and the line went dead.
Still slightly confused, Xiang Ri excused himself to the others and stood to leave. Of course, he wasn't rushing home to meet an unexpected aunt; his true intent was to avoid the invitation from the drug lord.
The others had overheard his stunned reaction to the call and assumed something major had happened, paying little mind to his hasty departure as they watched him disappear through the bar's entrance.