Chapter 35: The Money is in Hand

The man with the crew cut was stunned. He hadn't expected this kid to dare challenge him for the goods at a time like this, nor did he expect such a cocky tone. Did the kid not understand the situation, or was he always this reckless?

"Hand the bag over," he sneered, reaching out.

Cao Yang completely ignored him. Instead, he picked up Fatty Qi’s bag, taking both the money and the merchandise inside. Seeing him about to leave without showing any respect, the crew-cut man signaled with his eyes, and the group of men in black surrounded Cao Yang. Without a word, they threw punches, and a fight broke out instantly.

They were all bare-handed, but Cao Yang was unfazed, taking on ten men at once. Screams erupted as he kicked one man flying, sending him crashing heavily into a wall. That was only the beginning. One after another, men were sent airborne by his fists and kicks; people were flying everywhere.

Lei Yu stared in shock. Lei Dian had told her Cao Yang was tough, but she hadn’t expected him to be this capable. The crew-cut man was equally stunned. Having seen the thugs lying on the ground earlier, he had known the kid had some skills, but he hadn't realized the extent of them. The men he brought were battle-hardened gangsters, not on the same level as street thugs, yet to Cao Yang, there was no difference at all.

"Bang!" A gunshot rang out.

A bullet grazed Cao Yang’s scalp. He smelled something burnt—his hair had been singed. Cao Yang broke into a cold sweat; this was his first time facing a firearm and his first time feeling real danger. He stopped and looked back at the crew-cut man, while those he had knocked down scrambled to their feet.

"You think you’re a good fighter? Being a good fighter is useless. In this life, it’s all about connections and background. If I pull this trigger, your head will be blown open."

"Is that so?" Cao Yang noticed a piece of rubble by his right foot. As he spoke, he kicked it with force, sending it flying like a sharp blade toward the man's wrist. The crew-cut man was completely off guard, and the projectile, moving with speed and precision, struck his wrist. He felt a sharp pain, and the pistol slipped from his hand.

Before the gun could even hit the ground, Cao Yang flashed to the man's side and slammed his shoulder into him, sending him flying backward. Cao Yang seized the pistol in mid-air and pointed it at the man, pulling the trigger.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Continuous gunfire rang out. Terrified, the crew-cut man scrambled and crawled, hiding behind a load-bearing pillar, not daring to poke his head out. Cao Yang had never handled a real gun before, but he was a natural. His speed, strength, reflexes, and learning ability were astonishing (academic subjects notwithstanding). He wasn't missing the man; he simply had no intention of hitting him.

"Why are you hiding? Weren't you very arrogant just now? This 'Yihe Society' of yours is nothing but a bunch of small-time losers."

He tossed the chip bag to Lei Yu, kept Fatty Qi’s wallet for himself, and nodded to her. The two exited the unfinished building, and no one dared to stop them.

"Hurry," Cao Yang urged. He was worried the gang might have more than one gun, and he didn't want to get shot in the back. Fortunately, his worries were unfounded, though the area was so remote that it took them over ten minutes to hail a taxi.

"Do you know anything about the Yihe Society?" Cao Yang asked Lei Yu in the car. Since he had offended them, he needed to understand who they were. Lei Yu nodded, then shook her head. "I've only heard of them; I don't know the details."

"I know the Yihe Society! They're a very big organization in Hong Kong," the taxi driver chimed in, being quite chatty. "If you've offended them, you’d better hurry to the train station and buy a ticket back home."

"Driver, tell us more," Cao Yang said, lighting a cigarette for the driver. Ignoring Lei Yu’s frown, the two started puffing away.

"The history of the Yihe Society is a long story. Its predecessors go back a hundred years, but its current form started twenty years ago. During the early days of the Reform and Opening-up, many Hong Kong and Taiwanese businessmen came to the mainland to invest, and some Hong Kong organizations quietly set up branches. The Yihe Society was the one that developed the best."

"They have thirteen branch halls in the mainland now, and each branch leader is a powerful boss. They are much stronger than groups like the Wo Shing Wo or the 14K. Speaking of these thirteen leaders, the one I admire most is our Dongguan branch leader, Tang Shaojie. He’s handsome, young, and acts with boundaries and good judgment. Many young people idolize him and consider it an honor to be his underling."

*Pfft...*

Cao Yang felt disdain. Lei Dian and his people had helped him move goods, only to have two men captured and then be forced to pay for the losses—what kind of vision was that?

"Young man, do you know about the Guangdong Hongmen?" Cao Yang nodded.

"This Yihe Society has a bit of a connection to them. A hundred years ago, a branch of the Hongmen in Hong Kong was called the Triad; the Yihe Society members were originally part of that. Strictly speaking, the Yihe Society moved from the mainland to Hong Kong, and then back to the mainland again."

"But the Hongmen have declined. Aside from some overseas Chinese communities, you don't see them on the mainland anymore. The Yihe Society, on the other hand, grew better and better, but they’ve forgotten all the chivalry and patriotism of the old Hongmen. Forget about national sentiment; they’ve completely devolved into a mafia."

The taxi driver talked the whole way. The more he spoke, the heavier Cao Yang’s heart felt. He had gotten himself into a major mess.

The car dropped them off at Lei Yu’s building. Cao Yang wanted to invite her to hide at his place, but Lei Yu didn't like Li Yan, and after hearing the driver’s stories, she was frightened and decided to return to her hometown instead.

"You keep the stuff," Lei Yu said, handing the chips back to Cao Yang. She was too scared to touch this hot potato. Cao Yang was in a bind; it was a shame to lose the goods, but they were dangerous to hold. If he really threw them away and the gang came looking, he’d have to go find them again. If he’d known, he wouldn't have taken them in the first place—maybe they would have let it slide if they’d just gotten the goods back.

But what was the use of thinking about that now? Was he supposed to return them? What a hassle.

"Do you have any money?" Cao Yang called out to Lei Yu as she was leaving.

"I... I have a little."

Seeing her hesitant tone, Cao Yang knew she was broke. He opened the bag, took out two stacks of cash, and gave them to her. "Take this for travel expenses."

"I..." Lei Yu waved her hand to refuse, but she really didn't have any money, and she was tempted—after all, who doesn't like money? Although they had agreed to split the proceeds if the goods sold, the goods hadn't sold, but the cash had been recovered. This money was essentially stolen by Cao Yang; it had little to do with the sale, and she hadn't dared to ask for it. Now that Cao Yang had offered, she lowered her head and whispered her thanks.

"Stay safe on your way. Give me a call when you get home to let me know you're safe."

"Okay," Lei Yu nodded softly.

Cao Yang turned and walked away.

"Cao Yang..." Lei Yu called out.

"What?"

"Will we see each other again?"

Cao Yang looked back and smiled. "I thought you didn't like me?"

"I..." She stuttered, then stomped her foot and walked away.

When Cao Yang returned to the small shop, Li Yan ran over. "How was it? Did you sell it? Did you get the money?"

She asked three questions in a row, snatched the bag from Cao Yang’s hand, and opened it. Seeing only electronic chips inside, she was instantly disappointed. "You didn't sell them?"

Cao Yang tossed the other bag to her and smiled bitterly. "The goods didn't sell, but I got the money."

The money-grubbing Li Yan opened the bag, and her eyes were instantly blinded by the golden glow of the cash.