Cao Yang saw him and immediately recognized the name—it was indeed someone familiar.
Back when he was running with Tang Shaojie, he'd fought a skirmish at Li Kun's villa against Liao Dongxing's bodyguards. That guy? Du Hao, standing right in front of him now.
If Cao Yang hadn't held back back then, Du Hao would've been dead already. And now, he still dared to stand on the same stage?
Cao Yang's lips curved into a faint, cold smile.
Du Hao felt awkward and wanted to turn around and leave, but his brothers pushed him onto the stage. There was no escape.
"Long time no see. Healed up?" Cao Yang greeted with a smile.
Du Hao scratched his head, embarrassed. "Six months lying down… yeah, thanks for sparing me back then."
"Just because I spared you then, doesn't mean I'll spare you today."
"Uh… I yield! I support you as our boss!"
Du Hao turned and shouted, "I yield to Cao Yang! I support him!"
"I've made my stance clear. No fighting needed, right?"
Cao Yang patted him on the shoulder, a faint grin on his face. He wanted to ask how Du Hao even got to America—but this wasn't the right moment.
Du Hao's voluntary surrender left some people unconvinced. They tried to egg Wu Xin into competing with Cao Yang, but Wu Xin refused, choosing instead to yield voluntarily as well.
The crowd was puzzled.
Chen Wei lost—fair and square.Du Hao surrendered—understandable, they had a past connection and didn't want unnecessary conflict.But Wu Xin? Why yield?
Wu Xin just shook his head.
These idiots didn't understand the situation. Cao Yang was Sitou Meixin's choice—no one else could lead. Chen Wei lost, Du Hao surrendered—both top guns in this temporary gang. If even they submitted, what right did anyone have to resist?
Better to yield gracefully than to fight and risk injury. Even winning? Then what—just another ragtag crew?
Smart man Wu Xin chose to yield.He didn't compete. Cao Yang was pleased; intelligence contests weren't really his thing anyway.
"Since both of you yield, can I call that a win?"
"Naturally." Sitou Meixin applauded first.
"Since everyone respects it, I hereby announce: the first leader of the Hongmen Loyalty Hall will officially be Mr. Cao Yang!"
Sparse applause rippled through the crowd.
"Leader Cao, say a few words to the team. Lay out the plan, inspire morale."
Cao Yang took the microphone, cleared his throat, and began.
"Gentlemen, I know why you're here. You got in trouble back home and were forced to flee abroad. I'm the same—also forced into exile because I pissed off the wrong people."
"But there's one difference."
"Even in exile, I have more dollars than I can spend, more beauties than I can sleep with. Unlike you, who struggle day to day, relying on… other means to satisfy needs at night!"
"Damn it!""Stop flexing!""Show-off!""Bragging to hell!"The crowd yelled, cursing. Cao Yang didn't flinch.
"Don't think I'm lying. Everything I say is true—you'll see soon enough."
"Before I brag about how awesome I am, let me ask: do you know why a new Loyalty Hall was created?"
The crowd murmured. They had an idea, but with Sitou Meixin watching, no one dared speak.
"No worries, I'll say it for you!"
"The higher-ups didn't want you. You didn't fit in with the local Chinese community. So they created an organization for you… to basically fend for yourselves."
"I heard from Sitou Meixin—Loyalty Hall will provide one million dollars as startup capital. Do you know what one million means in Hongmen terms?"
"One million is shit!" Ji Mao jumped up and shouted.
Cao Yang nodded. "Wrong. It's not just shit—it's a drop in the ocean. Plainly put, it's for beggars. And you… you are those beggars!"
The crowd went silent, shocked.
They knew the situation but hadn't expected Cao Yang to announce it so openly—especially with Sitou Meixin present. Awkward.
Eyes shifted to Sitou Meixin. Sure enough, her face had gone black.
Cao Yang continued: "Don't stare at Sitou Meixin's watch—it's just a Patek Philippe, worth barely over a million. Big deal?"
She silently took off the watch and put it in her bag.
"Did I say a million is for beggars? Offended? Don't be—because you are beggars!""Even worse, you're beggars who don't even beg properly!""Real beggars at least call someone 'sir,' say some nice words. You? You don't. You demand respect and meals, so you can't even beg properly!"
"Don't blame Hongmen, don't think they're stingy. Abroad, in a foreign land, giving even this much is already generous. You've contributed nothing but trouble!"
Some turned red with anger.Some hung their heads, ashamed.
"But one million is too little. I personally invest ten million as the start-up fund for Loyalty Hall!"
"Really?" Some doubted—did he really have ten million? Would he even spend it?
Cao Yang smiled. "Tomorrow, you'll know."
He continued his speech, gradually getting more animated. Ah-Tiger brought in dozens of beer boxes. Drinks in hand, Cao Yang spoke louder, more energized.
The crowd went from apathetic, to angry, to blood-pumping excited.
Only Sitou Meixin stayed black-faced, burning with indignation.
She had recommended him for leader… and the first thing he did was slap her in the face! Ungrateful bastard!
Cao Yang opened a beer, chugged it in one go.
"My point is simple: stay loyal, fight hard, I guarantee you'll be counting money until your hands cramp, and enjoying women until your legs go weak!"
"Hahaha!" laughter echoed across the hall.
"Finally, one last thing. Being your leader isn't just my honor—it's your luck from past lives. Don't think I'm bragging. From now on, I'm your bragging rights!"
Applause erupted, loud and hearty. Whether true or not, whether he could deliver or not, everyone felt exhilarated.
"Sitou Meixin, I'm done. Any words from you?"
Sitou Meixin strode over, grabbed her bag, tossed the microphone aside, and whispered into Cao Yang's ear:"I'm not saying a word!"