"Recently, Hong Kong has been selecting new heads again. There's been bloodshed over the leadership."
Tang Shaojie nodded calmly, sipping his tea, without replying.
"It's about time we did the same here on the mainland. I've been the head for nearly twenty years; it's time to step down."
Tang Shaojie exhaled a plume of smoke, still silent.
"Ah Jie, among these lieutenants, I have my eye on you. If you want to take over, I'll step down anytime."
"No need. I don't want to," Jie Ge firmly refused.
Li Kun wanted to persuade him further, but at that moment vehicles arrived downstairs. Other lieutenants had arrived. Li Kun patted Jie Ge on the shoulder and went down to greet them.
After he left, Cao Yang leaned in and whispered, "Jie Ge, why don't you want to be the head?"
Tang Shaojie smiled, patting Cao Yang's shoulder. "You don't understand. The mainland is different from Hong Kong. Here, being the head is just a title. You can't control anything, and you'll be constantly monitored from above."
"When you grow up, you'll understand. Everything on the mainland must be low-profile. So-called big brothers and bosses are, to some, just gloves—dirty ones get replaced, torn ones get thrown away."
Cao Yang nodded, half-comprehending.
Tang Shaojie stood up and went downstairs. Cao Yang hurried to follow.
Downstairs, many people had already arrived, including lieutenants from other cities. They exchanged greetings with Jie Ge, chatting about various topics.
Ale pulled Cao Yang aside. "This is private business for the boss. Little brothers stay out of it."
The two wandered around the estate. Staff and chefs were preparing the evening banquet, while beautiful waitresses carried drinks through the estate.
Groups of people gathered, holding glasses of red wine, chatting quietly—just like a ballroom scene in a movie.
Ale brought two glasses of wine and hid with Cao Yang in a corner, scanning the scene with sly eyes.
"Cao Yang, look at that girl's butt! So big!"
"And that one… big chest too. I really want to touch her!"
Cao Yang shot him a sidelong glance. "Aren't there plenty of beauties at Lushan International?"
"You don't get it. Women out for hire lose value and class. These girls aren't for sale—they're the daughters of big brothers or wives of businessmen. Totally different taste. Not like those cheap girls!"
Cao Yang considered this and watched along with Ale.
Li Lu appeared in front of them. Ale nudged Cao Yang. "That's Kun Ge's daughter. She's still in college. If we could get her, we'd be set for life."
Cao Yang frowned. He thought Li Lu was just average—definitely not as attractive as Li Yan.
"You said Kun Ge wasn't capable, couldn't even control these lieutenants, but look at the turnout today."
"A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if he's down, he's still the nominal head. Years ago, his birthday party probably couldn't even fit all the guests in this villa."
"Don't underestimate him. He's been a true boss for a few years, and the money he earned back then is unimaginable. Marry his daughter, and once he's gone, you're financially free."
While chatting, another convoy arrived at the estate. At the front was a Rolls-Royce with a striking license plate.
The door opened. A group of people stepped out, led by a man in his forties, walking arrogantly toward the lieutenants.
Ale's face darkened. "What's wrong?" Cao Yang asked.
"That's Liao Dongxing, Shenzhen's city lieutenant. He and Jie Ge don't get along. Last time, he sabotaged my smuggling deal."
Worried about a conflict between him and Jie Ge, Ale guided Cao Yang toward Tang Shaojie.
…
"Dongxing, why are you so late?" Li Kun smiled, scolding him. This guy was the last to arrive locally, showing off.
"You must be old and forgetful. When have I ever arrived early?" Liao Dongxing said, pulling out a chair and sitting casually.
Li Kun's face turned awkward. Liao Dongxing was becoming more and more outrageous. After all, he was the boss, yet this guy didn't even show basic courtesy.
The other lieutenants either sneered quietly or, like Tang Shaojie, acted as if nothing had happened.
"Why are you all frozen? Let's eat. Nobody should be later than me, right?"
Li Kun sat with a solemn expression as the staff began serving dishes.
They ate and drank while chatting.
Liao Dongxing's voice was the loudest at the table, cursing back and forth, especially targeting the Hunan gang, dragging all Hunan people into his tirade.
The Hunan gang in Dongguan might have been slightly suppressed by Tang Shaojie and the Sichuan gang, but in Shenzhen, they were top-tier.
Not just the Yihehui, any gang encountering the Hunan gang in Shenzhen had to back off.
There were so many Hunan people that a saying went: a Hunan boy's coming-of-age ceremony is a train ticket to Shenzhen—this was the real capital; Changsha was fake.
Liao Dongxing had clearly clashed with the Hunan gang and suffered losses, which explained his angry tirade.
"The Hunan gang wanted to encroach on my smuggling business—I won't allow it. When I fight them, I don't expect anyone here to help, but don't make trouble for me!"
He scanned the room, lingering on Tang Shaojie for a few seconds.
"If outsiders want my business, fine, negotiate or fight! But if insiders try to take it, I won't tolerate it! Last time was just a small lesson—next time, I won't be polite!"
Everyone present glanced at Tang Shaojie. Though Liao Dongxing didn't name him, everyone knew he was talking about him.
Last time's smuggling chips incident wasn't big, but internally, everyone knew it was Tang Shaojie's job.
Jie Ge calmly lit a cigar, exhaling smoke as he looked at Liao Dongxing.
"Since you've said it so openly, let me ask—was that gambling ship on the high seas yours?"
"No, that was Hong Kong's. Nothing to do with me."
"Even if it were mine, so what? Do you want to monopolize gambling and prevent others from running it?"
"Everyone here has one or two casinos, right? Aren't you being too greedy?"
Jie Ge sneered. "I don't care who runs casinos. As long as you can attract customers, do whatever you want. It's none of my business."
"But if someone steals my regular gamblers to their casino, that's unacceptable!"
"Hahaha… seriously? If they make more money elsewhere, the gamblers will go there. If you're worried about losing people, just give a little more profit. Then they won't take your gamblers away."
"By your logic, smuggling clients can go wherever. Why block others? If you're worried about losing clients, just offer them a discount. They won't leave."
"Hahaha… Tang Shaojie, am I giving you face or not?"
"This is Shenzhen, not your turf. Watch your words!"
"I talk like this everywhere. Only in your mom's bed will I be gentle."
"I f***ing…" Liao Dongxing exploded, grabbing a ceramic bowl and smashing it toward Tang Shaojie's head!