Everyone said the Yi He Society was powerful, but the local gangs didn't care.The Foshan branch of the Yi He Society was constantly suppressed by the local factions.
The real power wasn't the society itself—it was Tang Shaojie, his connections, and his backers.Without those ties, in a straight-up fight, they might not even be able to stand against the local gangs.
…
She Zhishan and Cai Xudong left the restaurant with dark expressions.
"Boss Cai, what are we going to do? You're not really going to let this slide, are you?" She Zhishan asked, standing by the car.
"Let it slide? Never! Once we get back, I'll make sure he pays!" Cai Xudong's tone left no room for compromise.
"But Boss She, you need to play a part too. Cao Yang is from Hunan, and so are you. You can't let someone visit his hometown? If you hold leverage there, he'll fall in line."
She Zhishan shook his head."In the underworld, you don't harm family. That's a line I won't cross."
Cai Xudong gave him a sidelong glance, scoffed, and got in the car.
She Zhishan followed, sitting in the backseat, replaying Cai's words in his mind.Outwardly, he spoke of protecting family, but in truth, he had already sent people to Cao Yang's hometown. The mission failed, and he didn't want to admit it out of embarrassment.
They discovered that Cao Yang's father had died early, leaving only his mother. They thought it would be easy to strike, but nearly died in the village.
The villagers of Langlang Village were united. Only the Li and Cao families lived there. Any outsider entering was immediately stopped and questioned.
The village had not always been called Langlang. Its original name startled She Zhishan so much that he quickly recalled his men. He didn't dare mess with the village anymore.
Years ago, the village was notorious in Hunan due to a violent conflict.A drought hit the province, and an upstream village cut off the river to irrigate their fields, leaving Langlang Village dry.
The village chief went to negotiate, only to be beaten by the other side. The men of Langlang could not tolerate the insult. Cao Yang's father, Cao Chao, led the villagers to demand justice.
He forcibly dug up the blocked river and beat some guards, escalating the conflict. At the time, Cao Yang was very young. That night, all the women and children gathered at the village office while the young men, led by his father and the chief, armed with guns and homemade cannons, marched to the upstream village.
Gunshots and explosions filled the night. By morning, Cao Yang's father returned wounded.
Shortly after, thousands of riot police stormed the village, arresting many, including Cao Yang's father. That night, over a dozen villagers were killed, hundreds injured. The case made national headlines.
Cao Yang's father was executed as the ringleader.
Because of this, Cao Yang grew up without a father. His mother constantly warned him not to fight or stand out, to stay behind the scenes.
But Cao Yang couldn't remember. He kept fighting. Every time, his mother slapped him as punishment. The frequency was so high he became numb to it—it didn't help.
From the beginning of the story, he got into trouble from fighting, owing others a lot of money. The villagers helped cover it, as Cao Yang's father had contributed to the community. They took care of him and his mother.
…
Back in Henan, Cai Xudong called a meeting with the gang's heads to report the day's events.
"Tang Shaojie has gone too far! We must strike!" Cai fumed before anyone could respond.
"Calm down, Boss! We can't fight," a subordinate advised. "Tang's backing is strong; he could use the law against us."
"Exactly, Boss. I think this is his plan.""How so?" Cai asked.
"Think about it. Tang Shaojie has no connection to Cao Yang. Why would he risk two major gangs for him? I suspect he wants to provoke us into attacking, so he can use legal forces against us, take advantage, and seize our territory."
Cai Xudong raised an eyebrow. The reasoning was weak—their assets weren't Tang's target at all.
Feigning shock, he said, "I didn't expect such scheming! I almost fell for it."
"Exactly, Boss, don't be fooled!"
"But if we don't act… what about Cao Yang? Are we just letting it go? Tiger Ge's death—do we leave it unpaid?"
"Boss, a gentleman waits ten years for revenge. Tang Shaojie won't stay untouchable forever. When his downfall comes, that will be his and Cao Yang's end."
"Yes, Boss. If not openly, then in secret."
Cai Xudong paused to appear thoughtful, but he was inwardly pleased. He had no personal grudge against Cao Yang. Liu Zhenhu's death didn't concern him. If not for gang pride, he wouldn't care.
"Then let's vote. Who supports striking him?"
Out of a dozen heads, only A Fa raised his hand, with two others following.They were Liu Zhenhu's loyal men, eager for revenge.
Seeing just three hands, A Fa sneered and withdrew his hand, silently mocking Cai Xudong for putting on a show—he didn't want to fight, but had to pretend otherwise.
"Looks like the vote's clear. We'll postpone for now. But Hu Ge's grudge will be repaid eventually! Meeting adjourned."
Had Cao Yang witnessed this, he would have been awestruck at Tang Shaojie's foresight. He predicted they'd make excuses, and they did.
Afterward, Cai Xudong visited Liu Zhenhu's villa, meeting his young widow and son.
"Madam, in a few days, Tiger Ge's case may be classified as an accident. Don't cause a scene."
The widow's eyes widened."You mean my husband just… died for nothing?"
"Not at all. Revenge will come, but the other side is strong. No rush."
"If you act rashly, both you and the child could be in danger."
Hearing this, her heart sank. She quietly sobbed.
Cai Xudong felt pity."Liu Zhenhu, though you opposed me in life, I will care for your wife, child, and estate in your absence."
He led the widow inside, leaving the little boy to play outside.
Half an hour later, he emerged, satisfied.
The boy ran up, asking, "Uncle, what were you doing inside?"
Patting the child's head, Cai smiled warmly."I was eating lemons. From now on, you can call me Dad."