Cao Yang sat in the backseat of the black Mercedes, eyes closed as he rested. His injuries still throbbed, but Tang Shaojie had summoned him for a job today, so he had no choice but to come.
Three cars were in the convoy—two Mercedes and a van—led by Sun Xiao.When they drove out of Dongguan, police stopped them for questioning, but after Sun Xiao exchanged a few words, they were waved through without a check.
The convoy sped all the way toward the provincial capital.
Cao Yang didn't know what the mission was. He had asked Tang Shaojie earlier, but Tang only said Sun Xiao would explain in due time.Cao Yang could only assume it involved killing someone—someone difficult to kill—otherwise Tang wouldn't go through all this trouble.
The cars finally stopped near a luxury villa district.
"Brother Xiao, can you tell me what we're doing now?" Cao Yang asked.
Sun Xiao lit a cigarette and handed him one too.
"Nothing big," he said lazily. "We're just kidnapping a girl."
"…That's it?" Cao Yang blinked.They needed him for something like this?
"What else? You think we're taking on a warlord?" Sun Xiao shot him a look.
Cao Yang frowned. "Then her identity must be unusual. Does she have expert bodyguards?"
"Her family's rich, sure. But as far as we know, no big-shot guards." Sun Xiao shrugged.
"Then why call me?" Cao Yang muttered, confused.
Sun Xiao rolled his eyes. "Don't be so full of yourself, okay? Acting like the whole world needs you."
Cao Yang gave a dry laugh, then asked, "So why kidnap her? It's not for ransom, right?"
"Her dad's a real estate boss. Keeps gambling in our casino—lost over ten million and refuses to pay," Sun Xiao said casually. "Not only that, he's been spreading rumors that we tricked him and slaughtered him like a pig. That kind of smear? Boss can't stand it. So we're grabbing his daughter to scare him."
Before Cao Yang could respond, the walkie-talkie crackled. Sun Xiao got out of the car. Cao Yang hurried after him.
"You're injured. Stay in the car," Sun Xiao ordered.
"Ah? I'm not going?"
"You're the big finale, aren't you? If something unexpected happens, then you step in."
Sun Xiao smirked, teasing him. Cao Yang was left sitting awkwardly, alone in the backseat.
Smoking, he suddenly realized—They'd left Dongguan.This was the perfect chance to slip away.
If he left now, he could vanish like a dragon returning to the sea—no one would ever find him.
But he shook his head.Running now would betray Tang Shaojie's trust. And without Tang cleaning up the aftermath, he'd end up a wanted criminal.Not worth it.
Inside the guard booth, the villa's security had already been knocked out. Sun Xiao's men put on guard uniforms and blended in.A large sack wriggled on the floor—mission accomplished.
"Brother Xiao, let's go!" a younger member urged.
"Wait," Sun Xiao said calmly.
They didn't understand, but they didn't question him.
Because the real mission wasn't the kidnapping.Tang Shaojie had ordered him to give Cao Yang a chance to escape.If he ran—kill him on the spot.If he stayed—accept him.
Half an hour passed.Cao Yang never opened the car door.
Sun Xiao waved his men over. They tossed the sack with the girl into the van and headed back.
"We're… going back?" Cao Yang asked, dumbfounded.
What did he even come for?
He'd mentally prepared himself to kill someone, and they'd only kidnapped a girl—without needing him at all.
"What else? You want a second round?" Sun Xiao grinned.
Back in Dongguan an hour later, Cao Yang was summoned by Hu Qing.
"This time, you did well," she praised.
Cao Yang felt embarrassed—he had literally done nothing.
Hu Qing simply smiled, though she knew exactly what "doing well" meant.He didn't run.
She took him out, and soon they were at the city's biggest mall.Cao Yang thought he was there to carry her shopping bags.
Instead, Hu Qing bought two luxury suits and a wristwatch worth over a hundred thousand.
"Go try them on."
"Eh? These… are for me?" Cao Yang was stunned.
"Who else?"
"I—I can't accept something this expensive—"
"Too expensive? That's because you're poor."
The words stabbed him straight in the heart.
"Take them," she said, annoyed. "Don't act like some shy little girl."
"Tomorrow your Brother Jie is holding a ceremony for you at Fulin Restaurant. If you show up looking sloppy, you embarrass all of us."
Cao Yang changed into the suit and nearly didn't recognize himself.
"Not bad." Hu Qing adjusted his collar. "Now you look human."
"Thank you… Sister Hu."
"Don't call me that. Call me Sister-in-law. After tomorrow, we're family."
She paused, then added:
"Your Brother Jie knows you've got a bit of pride. He knows you're not the type to bow easily."
"He's been in the game for years, and he's only ever taken six true followers—each one accepted after long tests."
"But once he takes someone in, as long as you don't betray him, he treats you like his own blood."
"So don't overthink it. A lot of people would kill for the chance you're getting."