He couldn't help thinking of Hu Qing, the woman who had tried to recruit him last time, which he politely declined. When he left, she had given him a business card and said he could reach out if he ever got into trouble.
"Should I go find her?"
"Maybe it was just a polite gesture."
"Can she even handle the mess I've gotten myself into?"
"Even if she could, why would she help me?"
"Just because I'm skilled, would she go against the Henan and Hunan gangs for me?"
Cao Yang thought it unlikely. Besides, it wasn't the gangs that scared him—it was the police.
But since he was here already, maybe fate had its own plan. He decided to give it a try.
He strode into Lushan International Water Club. At the entrance, sixteen long-legged beauties in qipao stood, as they had last time.
"Welcome," they said, bowing politely. Their beauty and manners could easily overwhelm anyone not used to the world.
"Welcome, esteemed guest. How many in your party?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"Who?"
"Hu Qing."
"You know Ms. Hu?"
"Yes, I came here before."
"Please wait a moment, I'll make a call."
The staff seated Cao Yang on a sofa, offering tea and snacks.
…
On the rooftop of the seventh floor, in the sky villa, Tang Shaojie and Hu Qing relaxed on lounge chairs, enjoying the breeze and sipping tea.
"The streets have been chaotic lately," Tang Shaojie said casually, gazing at the moon.
"You mean the recent Hunan and Henan gang conflicts?" Hu Qing asked, also looking at the moon.
"No," Tang shook his head. "I just received news—the Henan Gang leader, Liu Zhenhu, was killed."
Hu Qing's eyes widened. "The Hunan Gang did it?"
"No," Tang replied. "Apparently, some reckless young guy—very capable—killed ten people alone."
"That's impressive," Hu Qing said, sipping her tea.
At that moment, her phone rang.
"Ms. Hu, someone is here looking for you. He says his name is Cao Yang. You know him."
"I understand," she said, hanging up and instructing A-Le to bring Cao Yang to her office.
"I'm going down to see someone, be back shortly," Hu Qing said, giving Tang a peck on the cheek.
"Who is it?" Tang asked curiously.
"The young man I mentioned last time. Skilled—he single-handedly took out ten of A-Le's men."
Tang smiled and nodded. Last time, Hu Qing had wanted to recruit a skilled young man as a bodyguard. He had declined, preferring familiar people, though he hadn't refused her gesture. Unexpectedly, the young man had refused.
…
After waiting a while, Cao Yang saw a short-haired man approach—A-Le, the one he had beaten last time.
"Madam asks you to come up," A-Le said, leading the way to the elevator. Cao Yang followed.
In the elevator, A-Le glanced at him. He looked a mess—ill-fitting clothes, pale face from blood loss, burnt hair smelling faintly of smoke.
"What are you staring at?" Cao Yang tilted his head.
"Just… noticing your state," A-Le replied provocatively.
"Looking for trouble again?" Cao Yang remained unfazed.
"This isn't the place—try anything, see what happens," A-Le warned.
Cao Yang raised his hand. A-Le immediately protected his head. But Cao Yang only scratched his own hair.
"Why hide? Scared?" Cao Yang teased.
A-Le's face darkened, and he ignored him.
Cao Yang entered the office, seeing Hu Qing again. She was as beautiful and elegant as ever.
"Hu Jie," he said respectfully, lowering his posture.
Hu Qing smiled. "I still like your defiant attitude."
Cao Yang's face flushed—he thought, I wasn't defiant last time…
"Hahaha, just joking. So, what trouble have you gotten into?"
Her hearty laughter carried a rare, spirited aura. Seeing his disheveled state, she knew he was in trouble and had come seeking help.
"I killed someone."
"Oh? Accidentally?"
"No, intentionally."
Hu Qing nodded. One life meant little to her. With proper compensation to the family and some connections, even a serious incident could be minimized.
She sipped her tea. "Who was it, and why did you kill him? Tell me in detail."
"The man's name is Liu Zhenhu, head of the Henan Gang. He first—"
"Pfft!"
Before Cao Yang could finish, Hu Qing spit out her tea. Just moments ago, she had been discussing the reckless young man with her husband, and now he appeared before her eyes.
Cao Yang paused, watching her. Hu Qing wiped her mouth, expression serious.
"Explain everything. What exactly happened?"
Cao Yang recounted the full sequence: forcing Tie Xiong to fight, killing Liu Yilong, then Tie Xiong, provoking the pursuit by the two gangs, and his subsequent retaliation—leaving nothing out.
Hu Qing listened silently for a long time.
Finally, she shook her head. "Sorry, I can't help you with this."
The Yihe Association and local gangs kept to themselves. The Henan and Hunan gangs were major powers; antagonizing them over a single man like Cao Yang wasn't worth it.
Cao Yang felt slightly disappointed, though it was expected. He wanted to say he didn't fear the gangs and didn't need her help, only the police. But since she had refused, he didn't press. He nodded and left.
Hu Qing watched his awkward gait, suspecting he was injured. She sighed and went upstairs.
…
"That was quick?" Tang Shaojie asked.
"No," Hu Qing shook her head, sitting beside him.
"That kid shouldn't be called Cao Yang—he should be Cao Cao."
"What do you mean?"
"'Speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives.' That reckless young man we just talked about—that's him."
"He killed Liu Zhenhu?" Tang was surprised at the coincidence.
"Yes," Hu Qing nodded.
"Where is he now?"
"I didn't plan to help him, so I let him go."
Tang thought for a moment, then said to A-Le, "Check if he's gone far. If not, bring him back."
"Are you crazy? Why bring him back?"
"I'm curious, want to see if there's a spark."
"You didn't want him last time, why suddenly interested?"
"Don't you think he's resourceful? People who can cause trouble usually can get things done."
"Bah! Recruiting a troublemaker just brings headaches."
"Haha… I was a troublemaker when I was young. You didn't mind me, did you?"
"Compared to him, you're nothing. He can fight better than you."
"Fighting is a plus, but not key to success. At least I'm smarter."
"I handle problems many ways. Even my worst approach wouldn't land me in the mess he did—he's reckless!"