Hu Qing let out a cold laugh. "You don't listen to a word I say, but you still want to spend my money?"
"It's borrowing, not spending," Cao Yang corrected immediately. "Or treat it as an investment. Once I make money, I'll pay you back tenfold—hundredfold."
"Not interested."
"Come on, lend me just a little. I already bragged in front of everyone…"
Cao Yang began his signature tough-guy-acting-cute routine.
Hu Qing rolled her eyes. "Cut it out. You look like a damn woman when you do that."
"I can give you the money," she finally said, "but you have to promise me—stop coming here if there's nothing important. I don't want you dragging trouble to me and the child."
Cao Yang nodded furiously. "I know, I know. I'll be careful. I'll assign a few men to protect you two."
"No need. I'll hire my own bodyguards."
Hu Qing watched his departing figure and silently shook her head.
She had been living alone for years. Plenty of men pursued her, but none ever made her heartbeat quicken.James had been a good candidate. She was just about ready to accept him, to start fresh…
And then Cao Yang barged back into her life—and even dumped a child into her arms.
Hu Qing had once considered marrying him, living a peaceful, wealthy, three-person life.But this man… he wasn't someone who could sit still.
She had given up that thought.Cao Yang was good to her—exceptionally good—but that depended on the role.
As a sister-in-law, he was perfect.As a husband? As a lover?He was definitely bad news.
Tang Shaojie abandoning her was already unforgivable in her heart.But compared to the fate of the women who tangled with Cao Yang…Tang Shaojie seemed almost like a decent man.
Hu Qing no longer entertained the idea of marrying him.Once you don't want something, your expectations grow.
And even if she wanted… Cao Yang didn't.Every time she hinted at marriage, he'd dodge the topic.He had knots in his heart.
The next day, Cao Yang walked into the Baoguo Martial Arts Gym with two huge bags in hand.All the brothers were already seated, straightened up, waiting for him.
To his surprise, Situ Meixin was also there—sitting on the platform, beside a pile of cash that easily totaled one million dollars.
"Miss Situ, what's this?" Cao Yang asked.
Situ Meixin said calmly, "I applied to the Elder Council last night. One hundred thousand was indeed too little. I worked hard for it, and managed to secure one million."
One million wasn't a small amount. She had talked her mouth dry to convince the elders.
The brothers below whispered among themselves, praising her generosity.
But Cao Yang shook his head. "Miss Situ, no need. I have money. I can pay out of my own pocket. Please take this back."
He opened the bags—thick stacks of bills instantly piled up on the table.
Situ Meixin frowned. "The Zhongyi Hall is part of the Hongmen. How could we possibly let you pay with personal money? Put yours away."
The two of them began arguing over who would pay, leaving the men below swallowing hard.
The blunt-tongued Chicken Feather raised his hand. "Why don't we… take both? More money, easier business!"
Everyone nodded vigorously.
Cao Yang barked, "Shut up. Miss Situ has already done more than enough. We can't take her money. Have some damn dignity and stop being blinded by cash!"
Chicken Feather instantly shut up.So did everyone else.
Situ Meixin leaned close, whispering coldly, "If you don't take the money, you're trying to steal credit from me. Do you understand the consequences?"
Cao Yang whispered back, "What credit? I don't understand."
She sneered. "So you refuse?"
He nodded. "I refuse. I've got this."
"Fine. So now you want to distance yourself from the Hongmen? Ask these men if they agree."
Silence.
Cao Yang planned to borrow Hongmen's banner first, grow his power, then break away later.If he accepted the money now, the Zhongyi Hall would officially be part of Hongmen—any future income would have to be handed over.
"What, cat got your tongue? You really want to do it this way?"
"Fine. If the Falbolo gang comes for you, don't come begging me."
Cao Yang rubbed his nose. He had actually forgotten that part.Without connections, he would need help dealing with local trouble.
He sighed. "Miss Situ, you're joking. Of course we're all working for Zhongyi Hall's future. If you support us, I'm extremely grateful. I only hesitated out of politeness. But since you insist, then… refusing would be disrespectful."
So fast—he already called himself Hall Master.Yesterday he acted reluctant; now he was full of vigor.
Situ Meixin suddenly felt she was lifting a stone just to smash her own foot.
Cao Yang clapped his hands."Brothers, I personally will contribute one million. Miss Situ, representing the Elder Council, is also contributing one million. Applause for her generosity."
Thunderous applause filled the gym.Situ Meixin finally managed a faint smile.
But Cao Yang wasn't done.
"I may have only given a million—half of the total—but everyone should know… the Elder Council originally gave only one hundred thousand. Why did it suddenly increase to a million? I won't say anything, but I'm sure you all understand."
Below, the brothers murmured knowingly.Situ Meixin's smile instantly froze.
That damn bastard.Even after she brought money, he still had to throw shade, implying he was the reason they got nine hundred thousand more.
Annoyingly… it was true.But still—did he really have to say it aloud?
Situ Meixin left with a stomach full of anger.
Cao Yang handed each brother a thousand dollars for living expenses, then stuffed the remaining cash into his own bags.
The two million wasn't for distribution—this was startup capital.Road money.
If he ran off with the money right now, he thought,Situ Meixin would explode.
He grinned at the thought.Tempting…But no—his ambitions were bigger.
That evening, Cao Yang brought Chen Wei, Wu Xin, Du Hao, and Chicken Feather to the Modelhaven neighborhood—one of the most chaotic parts of New York.
Junkies everywhere.Some shooting up in the open.Some collapsed on sidewalks, dead or alive who knew.
They were scouting the area.He had big dreams, but you had to start somewhere.
They couldn't touch Chinatown business—that was the agreement with Situ Meixin.Touching Chinatown meant touching the Old Guard's interests.
So they needed opportunities outside.
Fastest money?Sex, gambling, drugs, extortion.
But they were foreigners.Illegal immigrants.What could they realistically do?
Sex?A bunch of grown men selling themselves?Sure, there was a niche market…But none of them were willing.
Gambling?Possible. Cao Yang knew the trade well. Money flowed fast.But that required reputation and contacts.Right now, who would visit a casino opened by undocumented foreigners?
Drugs?Cao Yang hated drugs.Back home, he helped Dongdong with drug busts.If Dongdong knew he was dealing drugs abroad…
But he had no choice.He needed something to anchor these men, or they'd cause trouble.
The brothers had done drug business before—small scale.Buy from Mexicans, sell here.Which resulted in a bloody conflict with the local Juterei Black Gang.That was why Situ Meixin moved them to New York.
Just as they were walking…
A roar came from behind them.
"Yellow pigs, get the hell out of here!"
A curly-haired black man shouted.Within seconds, more men streamed out.Twenty or thirty people surrounded them.