"There's only one path. If you don't do it, plenty of people will be vying to. Mr. Song is just giving you a chance to rebuild your prestige in the underworld. Harmony Heroes's men, you can only muster thirty or forty right now. I've prepared fifty more for you, so that's barely a hundred. That'll make the scene look less ugly. A hundred or so people causing a little trouble will be enough for the police to take action against the Shui Fong. Besides, it's not like I'm asking you to betray your fellow underworld members. It's just that you step forward to take revenge, and then the police will come out to arrest people. There will absolutely be no scene of the police and your men appearing at the same time. And you and your men are guaranteed to be safe and sound. At most, they'll arrest a few of Harmony Heroes's small fry to deal with the reporters." A Wai twisted his neck a few times, making a cracking sound.
Hearing that A Wai had prepared manpower for him, Chen Tai's eyes lit up. "Is there any news about my brother A-Su...?"
"A-Su covered for you that night, and then jumped into the sea himself. There's no news of him yet. He's strong enough and skilled in martial arts, he shouldn't be dead." A Wai leaned back in his chair, glancing sideways at Chen Tai, and said, "A-Tai, we've known each other for so long, but sometimes you think too simply. You clearly have a strong tree sheltering you from the wind and rain, yet you insist on risking your life to make a living. Look at Zhao Wenye, who's now a senior Marine Police officer, ready to be promoted to second-in-command at any time. You and he are both Mr. Song's cousins..."
A Wai's words only made things worse. Chen Tai coldly interrupted, "I'll walk my own path. Song Tianyao wants me to work for him tonight for one million Hong Kong dollars."
Zhao Wenye became a policeman and rose through the ranks. When A Wai talked about Zhao Wenye, his tone was full of envy. But Chen Tai felt that there was nothing to envy about Zhao Wenye. He had made his way in the world with his fists and had now made a name for himself. He was no worse than Zhao Wenye. Most importantly, unlike Zhao Wenye, he had not borrowed a single bit of Song Tianyao's fame or money.
"What the hell are you talking about?" A Wai was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.
Chen Tai examined the knife wounds on his body himself, tearing off the few ineffective bandages and wrapping the one still bearing faint pink bloodstains around the back of his hand. He said, "Let me tell you, if you want me to lead a group to Sai Wan tonight and cause trouble, make Song Tianyao bring one million Hong Kong dollars. I've lost so many brothers; I need money for medicine and resettlement. Don't mention that I'm his cousin anymore. I am Chen Tai, the Chen Tai of Harmony Heroes. Tonight, I'll do what I'm paid for. If I don't get paid, don't even mention being my cousin; even my parents are out of the question."
A Wai Wei spat on the ground and said, "You idiot, fine, I can raise the money for you anytime, but I'll also tell Mr. Song what you just said."
"Song Tianyao! How dare you come to see me..." Seeing Song Tianyao walk in from outside accompanied by Ji Wenming, Lin Xiao qia, whose hands were handcuffed to the table, slammed his fist on the table, wanting to lash out.
Song Tianyao gestured for silence and sat down opposite Lin Xiao qia: "Is it strange that you see me?"
Lin Xiao qia glared at Song Tianyao resentfully. Song Tianyao put his arms on the table and said, "Actually, I originally wanted to see Billy Zai, but after thinking about it, seeing him always felt too awkward, and I didn't want to waste the opportunity to visit him, so I thought I'd see you instead."
"You feel you've done so many bad things that you're afraid to see him?" Lin Xiao qia snorted upon hearing Song Tianyao's words.
Song Tianyao held up three fingers, then withdrew them one by one as he spoke, "Billy Zai, I gave him three chances. The first time, he got involved in the fake business, and I advised him to stop. The second time, the Tang family stole business from me, and I gave him another chance to go back to United States. The third time, the Lin Family was planning to use him as cannon fodder, and I gave him another chance, advising him to go back to United States. But he chose to stay, wanting to see what I would do in the end. Now he's seen it all. I can only say that I fulfilled his wish. He chose his own path, and he did what he did; it has nothing to do with me. I gave him three chances, I've done more than enough. He's not my son; I can't keep patting him on the back every time, right?"
"Then why didn't you say these things to that kid surnamed Tang in person?" Lin Xiao qia still had an expression that suggested he didn't want to talk to Song Tianyao.
Song Tianyao scratched his head. "Whether I see him or not is irrelevant now. Lin Xiaohe specifically asked me to come see you so he could tell you that I've reached an agreement with him. He's prepared to take all the blame for everything that happened this time—smuggling contraband, shooting union members, even the murder of Lin Xiaokang. You'll pin all the blame on him, so at least the Lin Family won't be thrown into chaos. And you should know that now that things have come to this point, someone in the Lin Family has to step forward. Although you're older than him, you're not qualified. Lin Xiaohe sees this very clearly. If he dies, the Lin Family will still have a chance to recover. It's worth it."
"You want me to accuse A He? Dream on." Lin Xiao qia wanted to reach out and slap Song Tianyao, but his hands were handcuffed to the table. He could only reach halfway before the handcuffs held him back tightly.
Clearly, he did not receive the same treatment as Lin Xiaohe.
Song Tianyao sighed softly, saying helplessly, "It doesn't matter. I'm even happier if you don't do as he says, because that way you two will stay in custody, and I'll have an easier time. I'm pointing out a clear path for you, but you don't even know how to choose. You're no different from Billy Zai. You can continue to endure it here. Anyway, colluding with United States Americans to traffic contraband, given the way those investigators at the United States consulate operate, it won't be a year or two before you can even see a lawyer, let alone tell anyone. Goodbye."
After speaking, Song Tianyao stood up and prepared to turn around. Lin Xiao qia stared at Song Tianyao and said:
"Why did A He do this? What's going on outside?"
"Once you get out, you'll naturally know what's going on outside. What's the use of knowing if you're not planning to go out? In short, you have two choices: either you both stay locked up, or only one of you can live. You're lucky Lin Xiaohe chose death. Now it's up to you whether you're going to leave or stay and be buried with him." Song Tianyao turned around, revealing his wristwatch. "Within thirty minutes, you can still pin everything on Lin Xiaohe. After thirty minutes, no one will believe you. At least for now, everyone still believes that only Lin Xiaohe in the Lin Family could have done all this. Actually, the Lin Family should have chosen you as the head of the family. Many of the old servants who work for the Lin Family have a lot of faith in you. Oh, right, and also, after Sister Xiang's husband passed away, her heart was entirely with you. She suffered so much for you by my third aunt's side for so many years. Aren't you going to comfort her after you get out?"