The house deal was finalized quickly. They paid 200,000 in cash upfront, with the remaining 200,000 due after the property transfer.
That night, Cao Yang and Li Yan moved into their new home. Originally, they planned to complete the transfer the next day, but the seller suddenly threw a wrench in the works. He claimed the property certificate was lost and needed two days to reissue it.
At first, they thought he was trying to play games, but it wasn't the case—the certificate had been stolen by his ex-wife, who wanted the house transferred to her child and forbade him from selling it.
Cao Yang and Li Yan didn't care about his marital drama. They just wanted him to get the paperwork done quickly.
...
That day, Li Yan returned to the convenience store to grab something. As soon as she opened the door, a group of people surrounded her.
The leader showed his badge. "We are from Qinghe Village Police Station. You are suspected of running a casino. Please come with us to assist in the investigation."
After speaking, his men handcuffed Li Yan and loaded her into a police car. They also took the two slot machines as evidence.
Cao Yang had no idea. When he returned home that evening, Li Yan was gone. He called her immediately.
A man answered and coldly told him Li Yan had been arrested for operating a casino. He asked about Cao Yang's relationship with her, warning that if he was an accomplice, he should turn himself in immediately.
Cao Yang slammed the phone down, his face dark as iron.
So many people ran slot machines, yet they chose to arrest Li Yan, even though she hadn't been operating recently.
He rushed to Qinghe Village Police Station that night, intending to get her out. But the officers refused to budge—they were determined to deal with her strictly.
Cao Yang even offered money, throwing up to 100,000, but they ignored him.
Desperate, he grabbed a passing policeman and shoved 2,000 into his pocket for information.
The officer looked around carefully and whispered, "Young man, this isn't easy. The chief has ordered a strict crackdown. That girl might be in for two years. You'd better get a lawyer."
Cao Yang's face darkened further.
Slot machines were illegal, yes, but in the whole city, no one else was being arrested. Only Li Yan.
Normally, police would just smash the machines and fine the operator—rarely would anyone be arrested. Even then, it would only be for a short detention.
This case, however, involved arresting her for running a casino—a rarity. And bribes didn't work. It was obvious: she was being targeted.
Li Yan had no enemies, no grudges. It was Cao Yang who had inadvertently dragged her into trouble.
"Iron Bear! Damn you!"
Killing intent flared in Cao Yang's eyes. He had once told Li Yan he wanted to kill Iron Bear—not a joke. He truly wanted to.
He knew Iron Bear would cause trouble, yet he had foolishly waited for it, a very stupid move.
Sitting outside Qinghe Village Police Station, he lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, and thought fast. What should he do next?
He wasn't too worried about Li Yan—she might suffer a little, but nothing worse. He didn't believe she'd face jail time.
Iron Bear just wanted him to obey, help with underground boxing, and earn money.
Cao Yang wasn't opposed to underground boxing per se, but he hated being treated as a tool, hated being threatened into doing something he didn't like.
If Iron Bear had respected him from the start, calmly negotiating a fair share, Cao Yang might have agreed. But now… no chance.
He would be worse, meaner—he would not allow threats anymore.
Determined, Cao Yang set his mind: go all in, no turning back.
He hailed a taxi and headed to the Mingzhu Nightclub. The place was packed, with cars lined up outside and scantily-clad women inside.
In the VIP meeting room, Iron Bear saw Cao Yang arrive. He feigned surprise, though he had expected him.
"Cao Yang, little brother! How come you're here?" Iron Bear greeted warmly.
"My sister was arrested," Cao Yang said coldly.
"Oh? That's… serious. Let me check what's going on," Iron Bear acted concerned and pretended to make phone calls. Cao Yang just watched quietly.
"Little brother, this is tricky. I checked with friends in the bureau. They said there's a crackdown on slot machines. Your sister just got unlucky—picked as an example to scare others."
Cao Yang said nothing, just stared.
"What's with that look?"
"You wouldn't be the culprit, would you?"
"Last time we had a rough patch, but I wouldn't stoop to this," Iron Bear protested.
"Enough talk. How do I get my sister out?" Cao Yang demanded.
"Well… it's not easy, but not impossible. I have some connections in the bureau. I can pull some strings, but it'll cost a price."
Iron Bear knew Cao Yang saw through his act, but he continued—he didn't want a full confrontation, just a show of posture.
Cao Yang smirked coldly. "Money, then? How much?"
Iron Bear held up one hand. "Fifty thousand?"
"Five hundred thousand!"
Iron Bear thought fifty thousand would shock him. It did—just enough to see that this wasn't about money. Cao Yang knew Iron Bear just wanted leverage to make him fight. If he paid, Iron Bear would invent another excuse.
"Little brother, I know you don't have this money, but it's fine—your brother has it. After all, we're brothers!"
"But this money is from the gang. I can temporarily use it, but it must be repaid."
"Let me guess—you want me to help you earn it back with fighting?"
"Yes, that's it."
"I'm not taking advantage. I just think your skills are wasted. You shouldn't let them go to waste."
Cao Yang cursed Iron Bear silently. Last time he promised 50,000 for one fight—now, nothing. Free.
Iron Bear also smirked. Last time he advised gently, Cao Yang refused. Now he had to beg for him to fight. And the cost of "saving your sister" would be on him.
"Fine, I'll do it. But first, get my sister out."
"Brother, after I get your sister out, you won't run, right?"
Cao Yang smiled inwardly. Before running, I'll deal with you first!