Chapter Seventeen: The Monkey and the Fox

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After “Monkey” and “Fox” came out, Long Kun assigned them to follow Wang Zhenguo, ready to make their move at any moment. They’d been tailing him all day, and aside from a few sips of water, hadn’t eaten a thing. By this point, “Monkey” was nearly faint with hunger.

“Fox, if we pull this off, do you think it’ll count as a major achievement?” Monkey thought to himself, pleased. It’s worth clarifying: “Monkey” and “Fox” are not the ones from the zoo. “Monkey” was actually named Hou Fei, and he really did look rather simian; his surname Hou was fitting. “Fox” was Hu Li, an orphan since childhood, who, rumor had it, started pilfering as soon as he could walk. The two of them worked technical jobs for Long Kun—after all, these days, you needed a skill to get by.

Hu Li, hiding in the shadows, his sharp eyes glinting, whispered, “Of course it’s a big deal. This job is on Brother Nan’s orders. Whether Brother Nan gets out or not depends on us.”

The thought of Zhuo Nan made Hou Fei break out in cold sweat. Brother Nan might be young, but he could really fight. To them, Long Kun was already a figure of legend, but Zhuo Nan had taken him down—making him the boss of legends, a god among gods.

“Hu Li, look, the fat guy’s leaving,” Hou Fei called out.

The two exchanged a glance—time to act. Under cover of night, they slipped into the apartment building.

Wang Zhenguo was in high spirits. Ha! Wang Liru had agreed to come tonight. He could almost sing: “Today, we ordinary folks are going to be happy…”

This was the apartment Wang Zhenguo had bought specifically for secret meetings with women. Hou Fei and Hu Li had tailed the old man all day, finally discovering his hideout. Whether or not they managed to steal anything tonight, their top priority was not getting caught.

Wang Liru had been in a daze all day. Zhuo Wengang didn’t pay it much mind, assuming she was just worried about Zhuo Nan. He’d gone out borrowing money during the day, had some success, and after a quick dinner, hurried off to the workshop for overtime. His work had been on hold for days, and he couldn’t afford to fall behind any further.

After coaxing Lanlan to sleep, she looked at the clock—already past ten. Tonight was Wang Zhenguo’s deadline. Zhuo Wengang wouldn’t be back all night. If she left now and returned before Lanlan woke up, it should be fine.

She truly didn’t want to go. What woman wants to be used by a man, unless her body is her livelihood? But if she didn’t, what if Wang Zhenguo really went through with his threats and did something to Zhuo Nan? She’d considered calling the police, but who would believe her? And Wang Zhenguo surely would have anticipated that move. She was the meat on the butcher’s block. Tonight, she’d just have to grit her teeth and get through it. She grabbed her bag and slipped quietly out.

On the way, she found a payphone and called Wang Zhenguo. When he heard her voice, he was overjoyed, quickly gave her an address, and told her to take a cab—he’d pay the fare.

That was why Hou Fei and Hu Li had seen Wang, the fat man, leave.

There are many kinds of thieves—some high-level, some low. Hou Fei and Hu Li were on the higher end. They didn’t climb drainpipes or squeeze through windows like in the movies—that was far too crude…

These two, looking respectably ordinary, swaggered up to the third floor. Hou Fei pulled a bunch of odd-shaped keys from his back pocket, fiddled with them, selected one battered key, and slid it into the lock. A quick jiggle—click—the door was open. Without hesitation, the two men strode in as if they owned the place, closing the door behind them.

“Monkey, you take the study. I’ll check the bedroom. We split up,” Hu Li said, assigning tasks as soon as they were inside. They didn’t care who was in charge, as long as the job got done.

Hou Fei grunted and headed for the study. Both moved quietly, returning items to their original place after searching them, careful not to alert Wang Zhenguo. If they didn’t find anything tonight, there would be other chances. If Wang Zhenguo was truly corrupt, he was bound to leave traces somewhere.

Hou Fei rummaged through the study for a while but found nothing of value. However, in a drawer under the bookcase, he did find something unusual. “Damn pervert, watching animal stuff…” Hou Fei was tempted to take the item for further study, but tonight’s mission allowed for no distractions. He made a mental note to come back for it another day.

Hu Li’s luck was clearly better than Hou Fei’s. “Hou Fei, come see this—what is it?” Hu Li had found a 3.5-inch floppy disk in a hidden compartment under the floor. Hu Li’s experience was evident—there weren’t many hiding spots in a bedroom, but someone determined would always find a way.

“What the hell is that? Looks like something for a computer?” Hou Fei wasn’t sure, but both men knew immediately that anything hidden here was important. They’d found their prize.

They exchanged a glance. “Let’s go,” they said in unison.

But just then, footsteps and the sound of keys at the door. “Shit, why’s he back so soon? Quick, find a place to hide.” Their eyes met and, without another word, they both dove under the bed.

Wang Zhenguo was in a state of anticipation that words could barely describe. With the beauty so close at hand, his heart pounded with excitement. Even though Wang Liru hadn’t dressed up tonight, just looking at her curves, he was already imagining what would happen next. He’d even bought two adult tapes earlier that day, just for the occasion.

Wang Liru was filled with turmoil and unease. She had no idea if coming here was right or wrong. As a married woman, she understood the dealings between men and women all too well, but to betray her husband with another man tormented her conscience. Yet she had no choice—Zhuo Nan’s fate was in Wang Zhenguo’s hands.

As soon as she entered, Wang Zhenguo’s large hand grabbed her behind, making her cry out in fright. She knew what she’d come for, but still hoped she could beg Wang Zhenguo for mercy.

She pleaded, “Director Wang, please let me go, let Zhuo Nan go. We’ll do anything, work ourselves to the bone for you—just please…”

Wang Zhenguo’s face darkened, “You slut, you’re already here and still spouting nonsense? Take off your clothes! Once I’m satisfied, your bastard can go free tomorrow.”

They were speaking in the living room, but their voices were loud enough for Hou Fei and Hu Li to hear everything from under the bed. “Damn, this is serious. Brother Nan’s mother is being threatened—at this rate, she won’t leave here unscathed. We have to do something to stop this.”

Normally, they just picked locks and broke in, but saving a good woman from a scoundrel was an honorable deed—especially since this was Brother Nan’s mother.

“Got stockings?” one whispered.

“Where would I get stockings…”

“We can’t just rush out there—what if we mess up Brother Nan’s business?”

“Are you stupid? That’s Brother Nan’s mother. Nothing’s more important. Rescue her first.”

“No, we have to save her and finish the mission. That’s a real achievement.”

“When did you get so smart… good point. But what about masks?”

“Use underwear…”

“Screw you…”

While the two argued under the bed about what to use as a mask, Wang Zhenguo had already forced Wang Liru into a corner.

“Liru, you know I’ve liked you since you first started at the factory. Be good for me tonight, and tomorrow Zhuo Nan will be free. After that, you’ll enjoy wealth and comfort—no need to live in hardship with that loser Zhuo Wengang.”

“Director Wang, don’t come any closer or I’ll scream,” Wang Liru cried.

“Go ahead, scream all you want in my house. No one will believe you…” Wang Zhenguo said lecherously.

Under the bed, both men cursed silently, “Animal.”

“Director Wang, I beg you, please let me go…”

Slap! Wang Zhenguo struck her. “Stupid bitch, refuse a toast and you’ll drink a forfeit.” With that, he grabbed her and dragged her into the bedroom. Wang Liru fought back desperately, but as a woman, her strength was no match for his.

With a thud, Wang Zhenguo threw her onto the bed and pounced, tearing at her clothes. Wang Liru struggled as he assaulted her. With a ripping sound, her outer garment was torn apart.

“We can’t wait any longer—if we do, Brother Nan’s mother will lose everything.”

“Liru, let me take good care of you…”

“Take care of your damn self!” Hou Fei burst out from under the bed, startling Wang Zhenguo. Before he could react, Hou Fei kicked him hard between the legs. Wang doubled over, clutching himself, and Hu Li grabbed the bedside lamp and smashed it over Wang’s head.

With a hollow thud, the fat man collapsed, unconscious.

Wang Liru was terrified. The two intruders had wrapped their coats around their heads, exposing only their eyes, looking like mummies—fierce and intimidating.

They’d searched in vain for something to mask their faces, finally settling for wrapping their jackets around their heads.

Hou Fei checked Wang Zhenguo, then looked up. “He’s out.”

“Let’s go. What are we waiting for?”

Wang Liru sat frozen, stunned by the sudden turn of events. Where had these two come from? Seeing her still in shock, Hu Li called out, “Ma’am, sir, aren’t you leaving?”

She finally snapped out of it and, following the two men, fled Wang Zhenguo’s apartment in panic…