"Crack!" The pipa in the hands of the long-legged, mature woman produced a broken note!
Song Tianyao turned to the woman whose cold, aloof expression had crumbled, and who now wore a look of astonishment. "Played the wrong note, or your reward will be docked."
He was joking with the Songstress, while Golden-Tooth Lei Shou beside him was trembling uncontrollably. Four yellow croakers, four yellow croakers! Song Tianyao had insulted them, saying they were only fit to be given to prostitutes! But Song Tianyao was right. Tonight, Fuyixing's territory was supposed to be there at the docks—a place where they could openly smuggle, traffic opium, recruit disciples, and build connections under the guise of a trading company, right under the noses of other gangs at the docks! And now he was just going to watch it all vanish like a bubble?
"Secretary Song, I... Lao Fu is willing to offer ten more yellow croakers! To Secretary Song, so you can use them to reward the ladies!" Golden-Tooth Lei said this almost by biting his lip.
He is indeed the leader, and he is indeed the most Big Brother in the Fuyixing triad. However, the triad does not belong to him alone. Fourteen gold bars are all he can give. If he gives any more, someone might really jump out and complain about him, and then he might not even be able to keep his own position.
As long as Song Tianyao can represent Chu Xiaoxin and agree to let Fuyixing enter the docks, take over the business of Likang Trading Company, and occupy a piece of land, the gang can earn back the fourteen gold bars. However, the land is permanent. As long as their gang doesn't fall and they don't offend the second young master of the Chu Family and Secretary Song again, they will never lose it.
"Where's that Black-Hearted Wah I stabbed? Where's that woman who wanted to pick a fight with me?" Song Tianyao took out a cigarette, lit it, and asked instead of responding to Golden-Tooth Lei's question.
Golden-Tooth Lei felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Why couldn't Song Tianyao talk to him the way he had suggested?
"Bring him up!" Golden-Tooth Lei turned to A-Lok and said.
A-Lok stood at the railing and waved to the fishing boats below. One of the four fishing boats had two thick ropes floating in the sea. When it saw A-Lok's action, it immediately pulled back the ropes. The ends of the two thick ropes were tied to Black-Hearted Wah and Lou Fengyun.
Fortunately, the thick rope was only tied around their waists, not their hands and feet. After Lou Fengyun was dragged onto the boat, she lay on the deck, shivering and vomiting seawater. Black-Hearted Wah, who was next to her, was already dead. He had been stabbed by Song Tianyao, which severely injured his kidneys and chest cavity. He had just been bandaged up when he was thrown into the sea. The cold water caused the seawater and cold air to seep into his body through his wounds. His already weak body could not withstand it and he was drowned.
A woman and a corpse were carried up by Fuyixing's men. Black-Hearted Wah's body was already somewhat stiff, lying stiffly on the ground. Lou Fengyun's mind was also frozen, and she was curled up in a ball, dazed and confused. A-Lok walked over and said to Golden-Tooth Lei, "Big Brother, Black-Hearted Wah couldn't hold on, he's dead."
"The dead man has nothing to do with Secretary Song. He committed suicide by jumping into the sea out of guilt. As for the living man, hand him over to Secretary Song." After stating his terms, Golden-Tooth Lei's face no longer showed any hesitation. In any case, whether Song Tianyao agreed or not, this was all he could offer.
"I didn't intend to kill anyone, but since you're so impartial, Brother Lei, I can reconsider the dock matter. Brother Ju, thank you for your help. Go to the first floor and call A-Yip over." Song Tianyao turned his head and smiled at Rotten-Life Ju.
It was only then that Rotten-Life Ju realized why Song Tianyao had kept him here: he was waiting for him to see the price offered by Fuyixing so he could go down and report to his Big Brother, Chan Ah-sap.
To gain access to the docks, Fuyixing offered fourteen gold bars, a price equivalent to a human life.
If Chao Yong Yi cannot come up with a higher price, then he can expect Chao Yong Yi to take over the business of Likang Trading Company, and a group of people named Fuyixing will appear on his dock territory.
Such an arrogant and cunning price gouging Rotten-Life Ju my more than ten years of experience in the underworld. Businessmen are indeed more ruthless than those in the underworld.
Even as he walked down the Rotten-Life Ju couldn't help but wonder, wasn't Secretary Song Tianyao really afraid of being crushed by all that gold? How dare the secretary of the Chu Family's powerless second young master accept fourteen gold bars?
Chapter Forty-Three: The Feast (Part Two)
After the Rotten-Life Ju descended the third floor, Song Tianyao smiled at the astonished Golden-Tooth Lei and Yan Hung, and pointed to the two empty seats beside him. "Sit down and eat slowly."
Golden-Tooth Lei sat down in a daze, staring at Song Tianyao. He had never seen such an arrogant young man before, sitting openly at this dining table, conducting an auction in front of two gangs? He had bid fourteen gold bars, and Song Tianyao didn't even need to ask him to leave, instead ordering Rotten-Life Ju to go down and inform Chan Ah-sap? Did he think this was some kind of Hong Kong auction held by some big shot?
However, Song Tianyao naturally didn't need to consider Golden-Tooth Lei's expression. He said to Yan Hung in a friendly tone, "Brother Hung, Young Master Shun you can rest assured in Sha Tau Kok. He will remember you. Also, it was Fuyixing who offended me, Song Tianyao, not Brother Hung. I won't hold you responsible for today's incident because of Brother Hung Young Master Shun. Don't worry."
Even as he spoke to Yan Hung in this manner, Yan Hung carefully considered his options before making sure that this young man was unlikely to set a trap for him again. Only then did he manage a weak smile and say, "Thank Young Master Shun Xin. I will need Secretary Song to Young Master Shun in a good word for me with you."
"Thump!" Lou Fengyun, who had been slumped on the ground, slumped down next to Black-Hearted Wah's corpse. A-Lok hurriedly went over to check her breathing and said to Song Tianyao, Golden-Tooth Lei, and Yan Hung, who were looking over, "Big Brother, she's frozen unconscious. Her body is so hot you could boil water on it."
After being submerged in the sea for so long, being suddenly pulled out, and learning that her man had died, coupled with the sea breeze blowing on her, caused Lou Fengyun to faint on the spot.
Golden-Tooth Lei didn't speak, but looked at Song Tianyao. He had just made it very clear that the dead Black-Hearted Wah had nothing to do with Song Tianyao, and that the living Lou Fengyun was to be dealt with by Song Tianyao.
"I'm not as impartial as Brother Lei. I can't stand seeing people die. Brother Lei's brothers, please take this woman to the clinic. Also, drag Black-Hearted Wah's body out. I'll pay for his funeral expenses," Song Tianyao said to Golden-Tooth Lei.