Chapter Summaries

Tang Boqi sent Hong Kong’s first shipment of wigs to the United States by air and flew after it to secure payment and new orders. Song Tianyao and Lei Yingdong arrived in Macau to visit He Xian, where they found Ho Hung-sang and Huang Liu waiting at the pier.

• Tang Boqi submitted the wigs’ inspection documents and received approval from the United States consulate’s embargo prosecutor.
• Tang Boqi sent 2,600 wigs by air to San Francisco and booked the fastest passenger flight to the United States to collect payment and arrange further orders.
• Song Tianyao traveled to Macau with Lei Yingdong and brought Nine-Tattooed Dragon for protection.
• Song Tianyao and Lei Yingdong arrived at Black Sand Bay Pier, where they saw Ho Hung-sang and Huang Liu waiting.
• Song Tianyao’s face darkened when he saw Huang Liu.

Song Tianyao and Lei Yingdong arrived in Macau and learned that Ho Hung-sang was taking them to meet Mr. He at Green Island, where he was helping residents oppose a government relocation plan. The chapter ended as Song and the others entered the community hall and saw Mr. He speaking with the residents.

• Ho Hung-sang picked up Song Tianyao, Lei Yingdong, and their companions and explained that Mr. He had gone to Green Island instead of attending Fifth Madam's birthday gathering.
• Ho Hung-sang told Song Tianyao that the Portuguese Macau Government planned to demolish Green Island's shacks without providing adequate housing for the residents.
• Ho Hung-sang explained that Mr. He had brought Bista to Green Island, where seeing the residents' conditions stopped him from pushing forced relocation.
• Huang Liu's companions called Song Tianyao “Bastard Song,” prompting Huang Liu to claim it was a term of endearment.
• Song Tianyao and the others entered the community hall and saw Mr. He seated among the Green Island residents.

Song Tianyao and Lei Yingdong visited He Xian in Macau, where He Xian promised Green Island residents water pipes and other aid before welcoming his Hong Kong guests. He praised Song Tianyao for his actions in Hong Kong and received Lei Yingdong’s thanks for supporting his business.

• A Green Island resident asked He Xian to help after the government filled in two of the shantytown’s three water reservoirs.
• He Xian ordered the Macau Water Supply Company to connect two water pipes to Green Island within a week and put the cost on his account.
• He Xian promised to arrange a charity fundraiser and help build a public toilet and provide disinfectant and lime powder.
• He Xian left the shantytown and greeted Lei Yingdong and Song Tianyao, teasing Lei Yingdong for bringing a guest to cultivate a friendship.
• Song Tianyao thanked He Xian for helping him in Hong Kong, and He Xian praised him for handling the situation well.
• Lei Yingdong thanked He Xian for speaking on his behalf to the South China Company.

He Xian took Song Tianyao, Lei Yingdong, and Ho Hung-sang to eat privately at the Cao Family mansion in Macau, avoiding the crowds at his wife’s birthday banquet. After learning that Taiwanese gunmen had planned to attack him, He Xian revealed that his men had already dealt with them and continued the meal.

• He Xian explained how his protection and support had helped the South China Company and Lei Yingdong operate in Macau and Hong Kong.
• He Xian avoided his wife’s birthday guests and asked Huang Ziya to arrange a discreet meal at the Cao Family’s mansion in Tianshen Alley.
• He Xian, Song Tianyao, Lei Yingdong, Ho Hung-sang, and their guards entered the mansion under strict security precautions.
• Lei Yingdong questioned why He Xian needed such heavy security, and Huang Ziya passed him news from a bodyguard.
• He Xian said his men had found Taiwanese spies planning to attack him on Green Island and had dealt with two gunmen hiding among his birthday guests.

Song Tianyao met He Xian in Macau and thanked him for backing him against a British official. After accepting thoughtful gifts from Song Tianyao and Lei Yingdong, He Xian returned to his duties at the Macau Bankers' Union.

• Song Tianyao toasted He Xian and thanked him for helping him deal with the British official.
• He Xian dismissed the matter as minor and praised Song Tianyao for doing a good deed.
• Huang Ziya brought in the gifts Lei Yingdong and Song Tianyao had sent for He Xian.
• Lei Yingdong presented He Xian with Gao Jianfu's painting, “Goshawk in an Autumn Tree.”
• Song Tianyao gave He Xian a matching set of seven seated figures by Liu Huisheng, completing his collection.
• He Xian thanked them, had the gifts sent to his office at Tai Fung Bank, and left for business at the Macau Bankers' Union.

Song Tianyao was shot while helping He Xian escape an ambush in Macau, and He Xian rushed him to Kiang Wu Hospital. As Song learned Huang Liu’s kicks had been meant to protect them, the car reached a guarded building behind the hospital.

• A gunman fired at He Xian, and Huang Ziya shot him, but Huang Liu spotted two more attackers and kicked Song Tianyao and He Xian toward the car before returning fire.
• Song Tianyao was shot in the shoulder, and He Xian’s bodyguard pushed him and He Xian into the car as Huang Ziya drove them away.
• He Xian pressed a handkerchief to Song Tianyao’s wound and ordered the driver to take him to Kiang Wu Hospital.
• Huang Ziya treated Song Tianyao and explained that Huang Liu’s kicks had forced the gunmen to target him instead of He Xian.
• Song Tianyao reached Kiang Wu Hospital with He Xian, but two men blocked the car outside a building behind the main hospital.

After Song Tianyao was shot in Macau, he recovered in the hospital and prepared to call Hong Kong. He Xian judged that Song’s threat against Huang Liu had been spoken in anger, though Huang Ziya remained worried that Song might retaliate.

• Huang Ziya escorted He Xian away while Song Tianyao was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.
• Song Tianyao woke after surgery and checked that his mind was unaffected by asking Lei Yingdong to raise all ten fingers.
• Song Tianyao told Lei Yingdong he needed to call Hong Kong to reassure his family and report that he could not attend to business.
• After receiving guests at the Macau Bankers' Union, He Xian told Huang Ziya that Song Tianyao’s threat against Huang Liu was likely an angry outburst.
• Huang Ziya worried that Song Tianyao might still make trouble for A-Liu.

He Xian understood that Huang Liu wanted to leave Macau and make his way in Hong Kong by attaching himself to Song Tianyao, so he decided to give him a chance. In Hong Kong, Lou Fengyun learned that Song Tianyao had been shot in Macau and rushed from the factory.

• Huang Ziya told He Xian that Huang Liu had been shot twice in the chest but had survived because he wore a bulletproof vest.
• He Xian explained that Huang Liu had kicked Song Tianyao toward the bullets to save He Xian and hoped to carry that favor with him to Hong Kong.
• He Xian decided to give Huang Liu a pistol and let him go meet Song Tianyao, leaving Song Tianyao to decide whether to kill him or take him along.
• Lou Fengyun hurried out of the factory after telling Sister Xiong that Song Tianyao had been shot in Macau.
• Sister Xiong dropped her cleaver, while Ning Zikun and Brother Xiong stopped playing chess and stood up in alarm.

At Song Tianyao’s factory, Ning Zikun convinced Brother Xiong that the news of Song being shot was likely a scheme. In Macau, Huang Liu offered Song a chance to shoot him and asked to join him in Hong Kong, but Song refused.

• Sister Xiong silenced the workers’ gossip and insisted nothing would happen to Song Tianyao.
• Ning Zikun reasoned that Song’s supposed shooting was probably false news meant to trick rival factories, reassuring Brother Xiong.
• Huang Liu sent Nine-Tattooed Dragon out of Song’s hospital room and placed his pistol beside Song’s hand.
• Huang Liu revealed he had worn a bulletproof vest when he was shot twice and invited Song to shoot him or spare him and take him to Hong Kong.
• Huang Liu explained that he wanted the opportunities he believed Song could offer, and admitted he had used Mr. He’s favor as leverage to improve his chances of being accepted.
• Song Tianyao declined to take Huang Liu with him and told him to keep working for Mr. He.

Song Tianyao let Huang Liu go to Hong Kong as his bodyguard after firing a shot to settle the debt between them. Huang Liu arranged to bring Song Tianyao’s two girlfriends from Hong Kong, while his future with Song remained uncertain.

• Huang Liu explained that Song Tianyao’s words about making his own fortune had persuaded him to leave He Xian’s side and seek a future in Hong Kong.
• Song Tianyao fired a shot past Huang Liu, then gave him the pistol and told him to rest at the hospital before returning to Hong Kong.
• Huang Liu revealed that he had sent Yan Hung and two Macau friends to bring Song Tianyao’s girlfriends to him.
• Huang Liu mocked Nine-Tattooed Dragon as an unreliable bodyguard, and Song Tianyao reminded him of the time Nine-Tattooed Dragon had been stripped and hung at the docks.
• Song Tianyao decided to let the matter with Huang Liu go and considered using him as a driver in Hong Kong.

Song Tianyao refused He Xian’s offer to stay in Macau, choosing to return to Hong Kong once he recovered because he saw little opportunity there. Meanwhile, the Tang family learned that Song had been shot and concluded that he had sent Lou Fengyun back to keep his factory workers calm.

• He Xian visited the injured Song Tianyao, apologized for the poor arrangements that led to his injury, and urged him to stay in Macau until he healed.
• Song Tianyao explained that his Hong Kong business needed him and accepted He Xian’s gift of expensive tonics, while planning to return after recovering.
• He Xian left after asking Huang Liu to take care of Song, and Huang Liu revealed that He Xian’s missing cat had put him in a bad mood.
• Tang Jingyuan told Tang Wenbao that Lou Fengyun had returned to the factory and reassured the workers that nothing had happened to Song Tianyao.
• Tang Jingxian reported hearing that gunshots had been fired in Tianshen Alley, and Tang Wenbao and his sons inferred that Song had survived the shooting and sent Lou back to steady the workers.

While Song Tianyao recovered in Macau, the Tang family and nine other factories formed the Wig Manufacturing Industry Association, giving Tang Wenbao control over the growing industry. Song returned to Hong Kong and headed to the association’s meeting to confront them.

• Tang Wenbao and Tang Jingyuan planned to establish the association while Song Tianyao was away, and Tang Jingyuan argued that the factories could defend their actions against any objections.
• Tang Wenbao invited the other factories to form the Hong Kong Wig Manufacturing Industry Association after rumors spread that Song Tianyao had been shot.
• Song Tianyao left Macau with Lei Yingdong and returned to Hong Kong, where Lou Fengyun told him the factories had formed the association without him.
• Song Tianyao sent Meng Wanqing home with Nine-Tattooed Dragon and went with Lou Fengyun and Huang Liu to the meeting at Enyun Restaurant.
• Tang Wenbao became chairman, Luo Jiabao and Huang Siqun became vice chairmen, and the other factory owners became directors.

Tang Boqi returned to Hong Kong with payments and new orders for the wig factories, then questioned whether Song Tianyao had deliberately stayed away from the association. He searched Hong Kong stock market materials for signs of Song Tianyao’s investments but found no clear lead.

• Tang Boqi returned to Hong Kong with more than two million Hong Kong dollars in sales payments and orders worth 800,000 US dollars for the ten factories.
• Tang Boqi accepted that his uncle had become chairman of the Wig Manufacturing Industry Association, believing he could reclaim the position through Kimei International Trading Company’s business.
• Tang Boqi grew suspicious of the coincidences that had kept Song Tianyao away from the factories and wondered whether Song had arranged them himself.
• Tang Boqi examined Hong Kong stock market materials to find which shares Song Tianyao might be buying, but he found no clue.

Tang Boqi considered inviting Song Tianyao to dinner to discuss making peace, but Gu Linshan arrived first and invited him out to celebrate his return from the United States. Tang Boqi liked Gu Linshan and appreciated her business knowledge, leaving their relationship poised to develop.

• Tang Boqi dismissed the idea that Song Tianyao had invested in real estate stocks, judging the uncertain political situation too risky.
• Tang Boqi decided to contact Song Tianyao and suggest they meet to discuss doing business peacefully.
• Tang Boqi's secretary announced that Gu Linshan wanted to see him, and he welcomed her into his office.
• Gu Linshan invited Tang Boqi to French dinner to celebrate his return from the United States.
• Tang Boqi reflected that he liked Gu Linshan's cheerful nature and business insights.

Tang Boqi tried to discourage Gu Linshan from pursuing him, but she cheerfully proposed they date and do business together. At the pier, Lou Fengyun collected Indian braids from Xia Harry, who was secretly planning to sell those goods to Song Tianyao while supplying the ten factories with Thai stock.

• Tang Boqi told Gu Linshan that he did not want a girlfriend or marriage, but she suggested they could date for decades and work together on business.
• Tang Boqi gave in and agreed to take Gu Linshan out for French food.
• Lou Fengyun collected the records for two hundred thousand braids from Xia Harry and said Song Tianyao would buy them for five Hong Kong dollars each.
• Xia Harry planned to sell the Indian braids to Song Tianyao, then deliver his Thai stock to the ten factories to avoid breaking their contract.
• Xia Harry spotted United States Consulate embargo inspectors inspecting the pier with a Customs employee.

Lou Fengyun and Xia Harry tried to conclude a million-dollar deal for Indian hair, but Customs halted the shipment after news of an infectious disease outbreak in its province of origin. They left the deal unresolved, with Lou insisting she would pay only after the inspection ended and the goods were returned.

• Lou Fengyun finished checking the accounts as she and Xia Harry prepared to complete the transfer.
• Customs officers and Medical and Health Department staff ordered the shipment impounded for an infectious disease inspection.
• Lou Fengyun accused Xia Harry of trying to change the deal, while American embargo inspectors confirmed the shipment’s Indian origin and left the matter to health officials.
• Xia Harry bribed the officials to delay the impoundment for half an hour so he could finish the sale.
• Lou Fengyun refused to pay until the inspection was complete and Customs returned the goods, and Xia Harry asked her to pay part of the price in advance.

Xia Harry agreed to accept 200,000 Hong Kong dollars in advance from Lou Fengyun for the seized goods, expecting to replace money he had borrowed from his brother. Meanwhile, Tang Wenbao and the other factory owners confronted him about selling goods to Song Tianyao and demanded that he stop supplying him.

• Xia Harry sought 500,000 Hong Kong dollars in advance from Lou Fengyun, but she offered only 200,000 and required a new contract.
• Xia Harry accepted Lou Fengyun's offer, planning to use the advance to replace part of the money he had borrowed from Xia Zuoji.
• Tang Wenbao and the other nine wig factory owners summoned Xia Harry to Enyun Restaurant and challenged him over selling raw materials to Song Tianyao.
• Xia Harry said he had sold Song Tianyao a separate batch of Thai goods while keeping the contracted supplies for the ten factories.
• Xia Harry showed the factory owners the supply contracts and said trucks were delivering their goods, then sought payment.
• Tang Wenbao told Xia Harry that the association would require him to stop supplying Song Tianyao if he wanted to keep supplying the ten factories.

Song Tianyao decided to move against the Indian suppliers after the wig business had generated enough orders and profit. The Medical and Health Department then accused the Xia brothers’ hair shipment of carrying infectious pathogens and sealed their warehouse.

• Song Tianyao told Angie Pellis that he was ready to make his move and said he would start with the Indians.
• Medical and Health Department officials inspected the Xia brothers’ warehouse, gathered rejected braids, disinfected the premises, and prepared to seal it.
• A Medical and Health Department official gave Xia Harry a report claiming the latest batch of hair contained pathogens and had been sent to Customs for destruction.
• Xia Harry was stunned by the report and the order to seal his warehouse.

Xia Harry learned that his shipment of Indian hair had been condemned for suspected infection and that Customs was investigating his records. As he accused Song Tianyao of arranging the crackdown, two police officers stopped him before he could pursue the Customs staff.

• A Medical and Health Department official told Xia Harry that the shipment of two hundred thousand braids had been handed to Customs for destruction as a precaution against infectious disease.
• The official ordered nearby warehouses disinfected and fined Xia Harry ten thousand Hong Kong dollars for poor sanitation.
• Customs staff arrived to inspect Xia Harry’s import records and sent men to collect his account books and transaction receipts.
• Xia Harry realized the condemned goods were worth one million Hong Kong dollars and suspected Song Tianyao had retaliated against him.
• Xia Harry ordered his workers to stop the Customs staff and tried to chase after them, but two young police officers stepped in to stop him.

Tang Boqi learned that Xia Harry had been arrested on suspicion of smuggling and realized that the Indian’s hair supply might have come from Mainland China. He ordered Jimei Company’s supplier factories to halt production and investigate their materials.

• A trading-company employee told Tang Boqi that Marine Police had taken Xia Harry away from the docks on suspicion of smuggling.
• Tang Boqi questioned the employee about what she had witnessed and grew alarmed as he considered the report.
• Tang Boqi concluded that Xia Harry’s hair might have been Mainland Chinese hair falsely sold as Indian goods.
• Tang Boqi ordered A-Lian to tell every wig factory supplying Jimei Company to stop production and trace the origins of its raw materials.