Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Official Transaction

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At the main entrance of the department store, Wang Zhenguo’s portly figure appeared, dragging two leather suitcases. Judging by the strain on his face, the cases were obviously heavy—most likely containing a solid one million in cash.

Long Kun currently had four reliable men; counting himself, that made five. Since Monkey and Hu Li had previously had direct contact with Wang Zhenguo—even though their faces were covered at the time—Zhuo Nan, fearing their identities might be compromised, hadn’t assigned them to the front line.

Zhuo Nan had posted another underling at the main entrance to keep watch, mainly to check if anyone was tailing Wang Zhenguo. For today’s operation, Long Kun had even rented six mobile phones to enable instant communication. Yes, rented. In 1998, many couldn’t afford a mobile phone but still wanted to look impressive; most would opt to rent one, though the fees and deposit were steep. But Long Kun hadn’t left a penny for the deposit—his face alone was collateral. He’d just stand in the shop and ask, “Are you renting or not?” If not, he’d threaten to smash the place.

At that moment, Zhuo Nan and Long Kun sat in a teahouse opposite the department store, a pot of fragrant new tea before them. Suddenly, one of the mobiles on the table rang with a sharp tone—particularly jarring to Zhuo Nan’s ears.

Long Kun, tense, answered the phone, while Zhuo Nan, seemingly at ease, lifted his teacup and took a slow sip.

“Yes, I know. Is anyone following him?” Long Kun asked gravely into the phone.

“Alright, keep watching…” He hung up and looked at Zhuo Nan. “Nan, that bastard’s here. So far, no sign he’s being followed.”

Zhuo Nan smiled nonchalantly. “Relax, have some tea. Let him stew for thirty minutes first.”

Seeing Zhuo Nan’s calm composure, Long Kun found his own nerves settling. This was the biggest job he’d ever pulled—his past work was mostly about collecting debts or protection money, never anything involving sums in the millions. Even if he’d had the nerve, he never had the opportunity.

In stark contrast to Zhuo Nan’s easy manner, Wang Zhenguo was like an ant on a hot griddle, pacing anxiously. After arriving at the department store, nobody approached him, and his phone remained silent, which only added to his agitation. All he wanted was to meet the other party, hand over the disk, and verify its authenticity—he’d even brought a laptop for this purpose.

Wang Zhenguo stood foolishly at the entrance with his two suitcases. After half an hour with no sign of anyone, he fished out his phone to check if he’d missed a call amid the noise—nothing, not even a peep.

Every move Wang Zhenguo made was relayed to Zhuo Nan, who, collecting the updates, quickly analyzed Wang Zhenguo’s current state of mind.

Zhuo Nan checked his digital watch—it had been half an hour. He nodded to Long Kun, who dialed Hu Li’s number. On receiving the order, Hu Li called Wang Zhenguo.

At last, Wang Zhenguo’s phone rang. That familiar voice came through: “Director Wang, getting impatient? Sorry, had a bad stomach and had to hit the restroom…”

Wang Zhenguo ground his teeth in silent fury. “Damn you, why didn’t you just die in there… The money’s here. Where are you? Where do we make the exchange?”

A sly chuckle followed. “Director Wang, you seem anxious. As you wish—go to the alley behind the building now. Hurry up…” With that, Hu Li hung up.

Oddly, the call calmed Wang Zhenguo. What he feared most was the other party staying hidden—now that they’d shown themselves, he’d be able to get a grip on them. He quickly dialed another number. “Leopard, they’ve shown themselves. I’m heading to the alley for the exchange… Yes, yes, don’t worry, the money’s all here, but I must walk out alive…”

As he spoke, Wang Zhenguo’s expression grew increasingly sinister.

On the roof of the department store, Zhuo Nan had stationed another lookout with binoculars to observe the area from above. Long Kun’s phone rang again. “Yes, yes… I understand. Stay sharp…”

“Nan, a van just parked at the east end of the alley… Can’t tell how many people yet,” Long Kun said worriedly.

Zhuo Nan smiled, “Don’t worry. Let Shi Yang check it out.”

Shi Yang, with a tattered backpack, wobbled over to the van on his creaky bicycle—everything on it rattled except the bell. It was spring, and the van’s front windows were rolled down. Shi Yang feigned curiosity, peering inside and quickly taking note of the number of occupants. Suddenly, a burly man in the driver’s seat snapped, “What are you staring at, kid? Get lost!”

Shi Yang glared right back. “So what if I look? Who are you trying to scare?”

“Damn brat, I’ll get out and crush you…” The man reached to open the door, but a voice intervened, “Quiet. We’re here for business, don’t stoop to a kid’s level.” It was Leopard himself. The burly man, chastised, muttered, “Yes, boss.”

“Scram, kid. Don’t hang around here,” the man barked again.

Shi Yang rolled his eyes, made a face at the man, then pedaled away to a secluded spot and pulled out his phone—a device he’d barely learned to use, thanks to Zhuo Nan’s crash course. “Kun, there are six men in the van, all around thirty—look like underworld types…”

“Underworld? Got it, I’ll tell Nan. Good job, come back now,” Long Kun replied.

He hung up and whispered to Zhuo Nan, “Nan, there are six men in the van, all look like gangsters.”

“Only six?” Zhuo Nan mused. “Not what you expected, is it?”

“Well… Plans never keep up with changes,” our brilliant mastermind replied sheepishly.

“So what now?” Zhuo Nan asked.

“Relax, I’ll scan them with my brainwaves… they’re all within my area of control anyway…” With that, the mastermind got to work.

Long Kun, seeing Zhuo Nan deep in thought, dared not disturb him and waited quietly.

Two minutes later, Zhuo Nan smiled and said, “Plans have changed. We move now.”

Long Kun was taken aback. The change meant all previous arrangements were for naught, but since Zhuo Nan had spoken, he would follow orders. “Nan, I’m heading out then…”

Zhuo Nan grinned, “I’ll await your good news.”

Long Kun nodded and left. Only after he was gone did Zhuo Nan allow himself a chuckle. “I really didn’t expect that bastard Wang Zhenguo to have ties to Ghostman Chao. But now, with Ghostman Chao nursing a broken arm, he’s in no position to help—heaven is on my side…”

The mastermind, ever ungracious, scoffed, “If it weren’t for me, would it be this easy?”

Zhuo Nan agreed readily, “Right, right, our teamwork is flawless. Without you, I’d get nowhere…”

“So what are you waiting for? Go collect the money!” the mind urged.

“Haha, time to collect!” In high spirits, Zhuo Nan stood up just as Shi Yang arrived. “Nan, where are you off to?”

“Come on, we’re collecting our payment…” Zhuo Nan threw an arm around Shi Yang’s shoulders as they left the teahouse.

The alley behind the department store was an isolated spot—few would choose to walk through it, for obvious reasons: filthy water ran everywhere, the stench was unbearable.

Wang Zhenguo cursed inwardly. Why bring him to a place like this? Looking at the sewage at his feet, he nearly gagged. Just then his phone rang. It was Hu Li. “Director Wang, isn’t this a nice spot?”

Wang Zhenguo snarled, “Damn you, get out here and take the money. I don’t want to spend another minute in this dump!”

“Don’t be angry, Director Wang. I’m coming…” Hu Li emerged from a corner, wearing a mask over his face.

“What’s the rush, Director Wang? I’m here. Did you bring the money?” Hu Li’s voice was odd behind the mask.

Wang Zhenguo’s heart skipped—clearly this man was no amateur, taking care not to reveal his identity.

“The money’s here…” He hefted the two suitcases.

“Open them. I need to check…” Hu Li said calmly.

But the shrewd Wang Zhenguo wasn’t about to comply so easily. “Where’s the disk? Show it to me first…”

Hu Li thought, Nan was right—this old fox won’t play it straight. He took out a floppy disk and waved it before Wang Zhenguo. “Here’s your disk—now open the bags…”

Wang Zhenguo sneered inwardly. Don’t blame me for being ruthless, kid. I offered you a hundred grand, but you demanded a million…

Instead of opening the cases, he pulled out his phone. Hu Li watched with a cheerful smile as Wang Zhenguo dialed—he wasn’t bothered at all. But when Wang Zhenguo saw that same smile after hanging up, he felt a jolt of unease—something told him this man was not so easy to fool.

Meanwhile, inside the van, Leopard had received Wang Zhenguo’s call and realized the other party had arrived. He immediately ordered his men to drive straight into the alley. They hadn’t parked there before because of the unbearable stench.

The van roared into the alley at eighty kilometers an hour, engine howling louder as it drew near. Wang Zhenguo wore a triumphant grin, but Hu Li stood there with his hands in his pockets, his masked expression impossible to read, but his posture exuded absolute calm.

The van hurtled closer—then, with a screech of brakes, a deafening crash followed. The van had slammed into a garbage truck that had, at some point, been pushed from a side lane to block the way. The force of the impact sent the garbage truck flying and scattered trash everywhere. The van fared no better—its windshield shattered, garbage poured into the cabin, and the driver slumped over the wheel, blood streaming from his head, unmoving—his fate uncertain. The men in the back, though not seriously injured, were stunned by the violent collision…