Chapter Sixteen: Someone Has Offered Money

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Long Kun’s attempt to show off in front of Zhuo Nan ended with him being taken in as a follower—a stroke of luck for him. But Sang Qiang wasn’t nearly as fortunate; his posturing almost cost him his future generations. Old Wu, his face dark with frustration, glanced at Zhuo Nan and shook his head helplessly. Then he turned to the four men sprawled on the ground and bellowed, “You bastards, causing trouble the moment you arrive, huh? Get your asses to the isolation room—no dinner for you tonight.”

This was all Old Wu could do. He knew why the Four Enforcers had been sent in; the higher-ups had briefed him. But Zhuo Nan’s presence had disrupted things, and now there was no way he could allow them another chance. If anything happened to Du Fanhao after this, no one would be able to explain it away. The real trouble was that Zhuo Nan had muddied the waters, and to top it off, Old Wu had his own interests to consider. The higher-ups might have told him to turn a blind eye, but in the end, people make decisions… The ones you sent failed, and now I'm the one cleaning up your mess...

Old Wu was inwardly shocked as well. He knew exactly who the Four Enforcers were. For Zhuo Nan to go up against all four and come out on top—there could only be a handful of people in all of Deqing with that kind of strength. And the boy was only fifteen. Give him a few more years—who in Deqing could be his match?

Enough, enough—this wasn’t something he should be thinking about. “Move, you four! What, are you crawling? Useless dogs…”

Du Fanhao was pale, his hands and feet still trembling—he’d barely avoided being scared out of his wits. “B-b-big brother, thank you…”

Zhuo Nan tilted his head and glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “Brother Du, calm down, will you? This is really nothing…”

Du Fanhao felt a little embarrassed by Zhuo Nan’s words. It was true—Zhuo Nan had dealt with everything for him, and from start to finish he hadn’t lifted a finger. Not that using his fists would have changed anything; he was just built for taking blows.

A little scolding did seem to help. Du Fanhao no longer stammered, and his expression grew more natural. “Big brother, I really have to thank you. These guys came for me—if it wasn’t for you, I’d be finished today.”

Zhuo Nan waved it off, sauntering over to sit on his bunk. “No need for that. You and I are in the same boat—both framed. If I get out first, I’ll help you find evidence to clear your name.”

Holy crap, is this guy a saint? Du Fanhao couldn’t help but curse inwardly. Not only had this guy saved his life, he was even offering to go outside and look for evidence for him. Where in the world could you find such luck? As the saying goes: “There’s always a benefactor nearby.” The first part about family everywhere could be left out, but the rest fit perfectly. He wondered which wise man had come up with such a “precious” saying.

“Big brother, you saved my life today. I, Du Fanhao, know how to repay a debt. I may not have your reputation in the underworld, but I know what loyalty means. My life is yours now.” With righteous fervor, Du Fanhao declared these lofty words, a far cry from his previous cringing self.

Zhuo Nan stared at him, wide-eyed, as if he’d just encountered an alien. He almost wanted to say, “Buddy, Earth is far too dangerous for you—go back to Mars.” Turns out, the guy wasn’t as hopeless as he’d seemed.

“Brother Du, don’t mention it. I just did what anyone would—saw injustice and stepped in. As long as I’m in here, even if they send more people, I’ll shield you. Only, if I get moved to another cell, things could get tricky.” Zhuo Nan said this deliberately.

Du Fanhao tensed up at once. “Big brother, is there anything you can do?”

Zhuo Nan struck a thoughtful pose for a long moment before speaking. “The only way is to find evidence proving you were framed—solve the root problem. But I’m inside now, I can’t direct my people outside. If I could, it’d be done in no time.” Not that Zhuo Nan had any real connections, but in the past few days, Long Kun and his crew had pledged themselves to him, all calling him “Brother Nan.”

“When will you be able to get out, big brother?” Du Fanhao asked anxiously.

A heavy sigh… the kind of sigh that only a hero persecuted and powerless to defend himself could make. Du Fanhao grew even more anxious. “Big brother, say something! If you need anything, let me know. Didn’t you say we’re brothers now?”

Du Fanhao understood now—if he wanted to stay safe in this cell, he’d better cling to Zhuo Nan like a lifeline.

“Brother Du, sit. Let me tell you my story.” Zhuo Nan patted the spot beside him, signaling Du Fanhao to come over.

Du Fanhao obediently took a seat, saying, “Big brother, just call me Little Du. By the way, I don’t even know your name.”

Yet another one asking his name. Zhuo Nan grinned. “Just call me Zhuo Nan.”

“Oh—Brother Nan.” The look of admiration on Du Fanhao’s face was deeply satisfying to Zhuo Nan.

Outside the window, stars scattered across the night sky, a crescent moon hanging low above the treetops. These two unfortunate souls poured out their tragic stories, Du Fanhao sniffling and wiping away tears, while Zhuo Nan, in a manly gesture, patted him on the shoulder. “Brother Du, don’t take it too hard. Fate decides our lives—nothing is certain.”

Zhuo Nan was certainly qualified to say this. Fate had once run out for him, yet Heaven had given him a second chance. If this wasn’t destiny, what was?

Somehow, Du Fanhao understood the depth of Zhuo Nan’s words. What surprised him most was not the content, but Zhuo Nan’s maturity and steadiness—so out of place for someone his age.

“Brother Nan, I have an idea that could get you out,” Du Fanhao said earnestly.

Zhuo Nan looked at him in surprise. “What do you have in mind?”

Du Fanhao thought for a moment before replying, “I’ll have my girlfriend raise a hundred thousand yuan and give it to your second uncle and the others, so they can use it to approach Wang Zhenguo.”

Zhuo Nan stared at him in disbelief. A hundred thousand yuan—in 1998, that could buy two apartments in Deqing. Compared to ten years later, when that sum would barely buy you a restroom, it was a fortune.

“Brother Du, I can’t accept that. You worked hard for your money—I can’t just take it…” Zhuo Nan put on a righteous face and refused.

But Du Fanhao wouldn’t give up so easily. Never mind that Zhuo Nan had saved his life—his supposed influence was also formidable. In truth, Zhuo Nan didn’t have any real influence, but he had managed to bluff Du Fanhao thoroughly. The word “bluff” hadn’t yet become popular nationwide in 1998.

“Brother Nan, you’re looking down on me, aren’t you?” Du Fanhao put on a wounded look, playing his part well. Zhuo Nan found it amusing. Saving him and letting him pay a little in return—no harm done. Still, he couldn’t be too obvious about it.

Zhuo Nan looked deeply moved. “Brother Du, don’t say that. I appreciate your kindness, but a hundred thousand is too much—I can’t accept it in good conscience.”

Du Fanhao grew frantic at Zhuo Nan’s persistent refusals, nearly ready to drop to his knees and beg him to take the money. He was counting on Zhuo Nan to get out quickly and find proof of his innocence.

“Brother Nan, if you say that, you’re wrong. My life belongs to you now—what’s a hundred thousand yuan? Take it as my filial gift to you,” Du Fanhao said urgently.

“Brother Du, I truly understand your intention. But as you just said, you’re having a hard time yourself—how can I take your money?” Zhuo Nan shook his head.

Now Du Fanhao really regretted saying so much earlier. Brother Nan was a man of principle, famous for his loyalty, upright and honorable… All these were just things Du Fanhao had imagined for himself.

“Brother Nan, I’m counting on you to clear my name. You have to take the money—only if you get out do I have any hope at all!” He was sobbing fit to burst—more pitiful than if he’d lost his father.

Zhuo Nan figured he’d played the part enough and put on a conflicted expression, though inwardly he was laughing. “Brother Du, I understand. Once I’m out, I’ll do everything I can to find evidence for you.”

Hearing Zhuo Nan’s promise, Du Fanhao immediately wiped away his tears, his mood brightening. “Brother Nan, don’t worry. I’ll request to see my girlfriend right away and have her get the money to your second uncle as soon as possible.”

“Brother Du, there’s no rush. The police are off duty now—who’s going to help you? Leave it for tomorrow. For now, tell me in detail what happened before and after you were framed, so I can analyze it and come up with a plan. Also, before I get out, I’ll have two people assigned to protect you in here.” Zhuo Nan smiled.

With his spirits lifted, Du Fanhao was more energetic and coherent, recounting every detail to Zhuo Nan. There wasn’t much of note, except for the crucial detail: how did Du Fanhao’s semen end up on Wen Xia’s underwear—Wen Xia being Zhang Xinhong’s girlfriend?

There were only two possibilities. One, the police had been bribed and tampered with the lab report—in which case, overturning the case would be almost impossible. Two, Zhang Xinhong had somehow obtained Du Fanhao’s semen beforehand and placed it on Wen Xia’s underwear before Du Fanhao arrived. But that seemed far-fetched—who would collect his own semen and hand it over to someone else? What kind of idiot would do that…

Zhuo Nan frowned, pondering for a long time but could make no sense of it. This was just too bizarre. Then he laughed at himself—what could be stranger than coming back to life after dying? Since he couldn’t figure it out, he’d just have to ask for help…

*****There will be another chapter at midnight*****