"How much you earn depends on the business. If we make a lot, you get more; if it's slow, you get less. I won't shortchange you."
"Are you just trying to sweet-talk me?"
"I'm not sweet-talking. I just know if I offer too little, you'll refuse. Too much, and if the business doesn't do well, I can't pay."
Liang Feng nodded. "Alright, for your sincerity, I'll take it."
Cao Yang patted him on the shoulder happily, then turned to ask Leidian if there was any money left.
Leidian said that after buying machines and renting the place, they had spent over fifty thousand, leaving about forty thousand in operating funds.
"Give me twenty thousand."
Leidian pulled twenty thousand from the counter. Cao Yang immediately handed it to Liang Feng.
"Thanks," Liang Feng said gratefully.
Cao Yang waved it off. "No need, consider it an advance on your salary."
Both of them laughed, while Leidian glared at the Guangxi guy with obvious displeasure.
Liang Feng spoke with a distinct Guangxi accent, his missing teeth making him look comical.
"Is there water? I need to take some medicine," Liang Feng asked Leidian.
Leidian frowned, thinking: The store hasn't even officially opened, and this guy's already coming in to take medicine — how unlucky!
Still, he pointed to the water kettle at the front desk, letting Liang Feng get it himself.
Liang Feng took his medicine to the front desk, while Leidian opened his bag and peeked inside — full of medical records and bottles of medication.
"Bro, are you sure you want this sickly Guangxi guy running the arcade?"
Cao Yang nodded.
"Look at him! Small and sickly! I could take ten of him on my own. You really want him to manage the arcade?"
"He said he's a master."
"You believe him just because he said so? Look at him! No front teeth — clearly beat up! You think he's really a master?!"
"You're definitely being duped — a total fake!"
"Hmm… maybe you're right. Why don't you try him out?"
"Sure!" Leidian rubbed his hands together and approached Liang Feng. He had been itching to show off in front of Cao Yang. His own fighting skills were top-notch, just overshadowed by Cao Yang. Today, he'd make this Guangxi guy his target.
Liang Feng had just finished taking his medicine when he saw Leidian's dark expression approach.
Without warning, Leidian swung a punch at him.
"BANG!"
A scream followed.
And a flying figure.
Leidian crashed into the wall and rolled to the ground, struggling to get up.
The group of girls nearby froze. The manager just flew into the air out of nowhere!
…
Xia Dongdong was furious!
She had never met someone so infuriating!
Trying to dominate her was one thing — but on their first meeting, he'd already sent someone to the hospital! And it was a girl, no less.
Even worse, after taking her to the hospital, he had just vanished!
"Cao Yang! Where the hell are you?!" she yelled into the phone, outraged.
No sooner had she shouted than Cao Yang appeared before her. "Why so loud? You're disturbing other patients."
"Where the hell have you been?!"
"I took care of some personal business," he replied.
"Can you even work in this state? Maybe you should rest for a couple of days," Cao Yang said, pointing at the white bandage on her head.
"No, it's a minor injury. Let's get started on the investigation!"
"How do we investigate? Give me a direction," Cao Yang said.
"Isn't this your lead now? Why are you asking me?" Xia Dongdong had no clue, conveniently shifting responsibility to him.
Cao Yang chuckled. "Now you admit I'm in charge?"
He pulled out two sheets of A4 paper.
"These two took 700,000 yuan in cash to exchange for chips at the Lushan International Casino. After losing 50,000, they cashed out 650,000 successfully. First, we find them and recover the stolen money, then trace the source of their counterfeit cash."
Xia Dongdong nodded. "Where do we start?"
"The Chaozhou Gang's casino," Cao Yang said, turning and leading the way.
Jie had given him information: these two were clients recruited from a small Chaozhou Gang casino. He'd go there first.
The Chaozhou Gang had a unique history. Many Chaozhou people fled to Hong Kong last century, making a name for themselves in the underworld. They eventually became one of the top five gangs.
(The number five is just my invention, don't take it literally.)
The most iconic figure was Yi Qun's crippled boss. After he fell, Yi Qun weakened, and many members joined other gangs.
Today, the Chaozhou Gang is mainland-based, with little connection to Hong Kong, but they've been active lately, hinting at a possible resurgence.
The two arrived at a small Chaozhou Gang casino. From outside, it looked like an ordinary mahjong parlor. Only by going deep inside could one reach the real casino.
Cao Yang weaved through the alleys and saw two men guarding the entrance.
Naturally, they blocked him. Outsiders couldn't enter without a contact.
"Ah Hua sent me," Cao Yang said — referring to the card handler.
One of the men shook his head, frowning. "Tell Ah Hua to personally escort you."
They wouldn't let a stranger in based on words alone.
No matter. He wasn't here to play.
"Call your boss. I have something to ask."
The other man pointed at Cao Yang. "who are you?"
Cao Yang froze. He understood most Cantonese now, but this Chaozhou dialect threw him.
He looked at Xia Dongdong. "You're local, right? Can you translate?"
A small smile appeared on her lips. "I'm not local. I'm Chaoshan."
"Perfect… they're Chaoshan too. Translate what he just said."
"He's basically saying: 'Who the f*** are you?'"
"Just translate! Do you have to curse at me?"
"I'm not cursing. That's the translation."
"You're sure?" Cao Yang's face darkened.
"Sure."
Enraged, Cao Yang struck. The man didn't even react before a slap sent him flying.
The other man drew a cleaver from his waist and rushed him, yelling for backup. Seven or eight others came out quickly.
Before they could reach him, the first man lay at their feet, groaning in pain.
Shocked and enraged, the gang thought: a man and a woman dared to storm Chaozhou Gang territory?
Xia Dongdong was equally shocked. Cao Yang was impulsive — cursing was one thing, but fighting? On someone else's turf? Ridiculous!
She reached for her pistol, ready to reveal her police identity if necessary. This guy might be annoying, but she wasn't going to let him get killed.
Before she could decide, the fight was over. Seven or eight men lay sprawled on the ground.
Xia Dongdong was stunned. When Cao Yang had fought her, he claimed to only use two layers of force. She had thought he was exaggerating — now she realized he was being modest.