Li Xinxin, Madonna, Satisfying the Urge to Collect

The next morning, the sky over Hong Kong Island was still veiled in a thin layer of mist.

Feeling content, Lin Yao had just sat down in Starry Security's office when his trusted aide, Li Kit, pushed open the door and entered, lowering his voice as he reported:

"Boss, Chai Pa's wife was arrested last night while picking up a shipment at the docks. She's being held at Western Police Station now, and his men are in complete chaos."

Lin Yao's eyes flickered at the news. Two pieces of good news at once. He slowly brought the cigarette between his fingers to his lips.

"Got it."

After taking a drag, Lin Yao spoke softly. He then rose and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the endless stream of traffic below.

Sunlight pierced through the mist and fell across his sharply defined face, leaving one half in the light and the other hidden in shadow.

A moment later, Lin Yao picked up the phone on his desk and dialed the number of the Swiss Bank's Asia regional director, giving a few instructions in fluent French.

After hanging up, he pulled a gray jacket and a pair of faded jeans from the wardrobe, then put on a baseball cap and black-rimmed glasses. In an instant, the sharply dressed big shot had become an ordinary office worker.

The 330 million USD Chai Pa had hidden in the Swiss Bank was now his for the taking.

After handling the transfer, Lin Yao had only just returned to the company when Jimmy called, his voice brimming with barely concealed excitement.

"Brother Yao, it's done. All the Wo Luen Shing elders voted for me. From now on, I'm the boss."

"Congratulations."

Lin Yao's tone remained calm.

"Now that you're in that position, it's time to put what we discussed before on the agenda. The mainland is in desperate need of foreign currency, and I happen to have some spare funds. Make the connection, and we'll take our business over there."

Jimmy quickly agreed.

"No problem. I'll contact the mainland investment promotion department right away. I guarantee everything will be handled properly."

Not long afterward, Jimmy brought members of a mainland investment promotion team to meet Lin Yao.

The two sides talked in Starry Security's conference room for the entire afternoon. The amount of foreign currency Lin Yao offered made their eyes light up, while the preferential policies provided by the mainland were exactly what he wanted.

"Mr. Lin, if you're willing to invest in factories on the mainland, we can not only provide low-cost factory buildings, but also help solve issues such as worker recruitment and logistics."

The investment promotion director spoke enthusiastically.

Lin Yao lifted his teacup, gently blew away the foam floating on top, and said unhurriedly:

"Setting up factories is fine, but I have one condition: give priority to recruiting family members of Starry Security employees."

He paused and looked at them.

"These employees have risked their lives alongside me. I need to secure some real benefits for them. As for the rest, there's no need for you to ask."

Naturally, they did not refuse, and the two sides signed a cooperation agreement on the spot.

Over the next few days, Lin Yao sent people to inspect locations throughout the mainland, eventually selecting more than a dozen cities as factory sites.

When word of the factories breaking ground reached Hong Kong Island, the employees of Starry Security erupted in excitement and thanked Lin Yao one after another.

Knowing their families could have stable jobs made them feel far more secure.

But Lin Yao knew clearly that this was not merely a benefit. It was also a restraint. Once the employees' interests were firmly tied to his, no one would dare betray him lightly.

After leaving the factory matters to his trusted aides, Lin Yao began worrying about Starry Security's manpower shortage again.

Ever since forces such as Wo Luen Shing and Golden Prosperity International had signed employment contracts with him, the security teams had practically been rented out completely.

Whenever a new assignment came in, they had to scramble to reassign personnel.

"Li Kit, put out recruitment notices. Give priority to veterans. Those who can fight and value loyalty can also be considered."

Lin Yao sat behind his desk, lightly tapping his fingers against its surface.

Li Kit answered and was about to turn away when Lin Yao added:

"Be strict during screening. Don't recruit every random stray.

Also, have the training department develop a new assessment standard. Anyone who fails goes straight out."

After arranging these matters, Lin Yao took Port Birth and the others back to Hong Kong Island.

The moment he returned to the Causeway Bay headquarters, someone informed him that the secondary schools in the district wanted to work with them.

They planned to hold an anti-bullying awareness campaign, and the person in charge of coordinating it was a teacher named Li Xinxin.

The following afternoon, Lin Yao arrived at the secondary school as promised.

At the school gate, a young woman in a white dress with a ponytail stood waiting for him. A gentle smile rested on her face. It was Li Xinxin.

"Mr. Lin, thank you for making the trip."

She politely held out her hand.

Lin Yao shook it and found her hand slender and warm. He calmly withdrew his own and said:

"It's only right. Protecting students is also the responsibility of our headquarters."

Over the next few days, Lin Yao accompanied Li Xinxin as she carried out awareness activities at the school.

He explained legal knowledge to the students, taught them how to protect themselves when facing danger, and occasionally discussed educational ideals with Li Xinxin.

Li Xinxin discovered that the Causeway Bay boss rumored to be a fierce and vicious god was actually very patient and especially gentle with the students.

Lin Yao, meanwhile, was touched by Li Xinxin's kindness and dedication. During his free time, he would deliberately take a detour to a coffee shop near the school and bring her a latte she liked.

One day, as Lin Yao was about to leave after delivering coffee, Li Xinxin called out to him.

"Mr. Lin, the school is holding a parent-child event next weekend. If you're free, could you come volunteer? A lot of the students really like you."

She looked up at him, anticipation flickering in her eyes.

Lin Yao looked into her sparkling eyes, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously. "Sure. I'll come by then."

After leaving the school, Lin Yao received a call from Wang Fengyi.

"A Yao, Regal View Hotel just opened a dessert shop. I heard their cakes are especially delicious. Will you come try them with me?"

Wang Fengyi's voice carried a coquettish tone over the phone.

Lin Yao smiled helplessly. "All right. Wait for me at the hotel entrance. I'll be there soon."

Half an hour later, Lin Yao arrived at Regal View Hotel. At the entrance, Wang Fengyi wore a long black dress, her smooth hair draped over her shoulders. She carried an exquisite little handbag, and the moment she saw him, she ran over with a smile and linked her arm through his. "A Yao, you finally made it."

The two entered the hotel lobby and found a window seat.

Wang Fengyi ordered several signature cakes, and before long, a waiter approached with a tray.

The chocolate cake was covered in thick cream and sprinkled with crushed nuts, looking especially tempting.

Wang Fengyi picked up a spoon, scooped out a bite, and held it to Lin Yao's lips. Smiling sweetly, she said, "A Yao, try this. It's super delicious."

Lin Yao opened his mouth and ate the cake. Its sweet but not cloying flavor melted over his tongue. Just as he was about to say it was good, his gaze was drawn to the two male guests at the next table.

One of them was burly, wearing a blue jacket and white sweatpants. The muscles on his arms bulged, and his eyes were dull. One look was enough to tell he did not have much going on upstairs.

The other wore a white shirt and beige sweatpants, with a slicked-back pompadour. His face bore a ninety-percent resemblance to the God of Gamblers.

"Hm?"

Lin Yao raised an eyebrow. Just as he was trying to recall what movie these two might be from, a short-haired beauty in a white deep-V dress walked into the lobby.

The woman had snow-white skin and a fiery figure. The curves of her chest in particular were impossible to forget, and she looked ninety percent like Li Zhi.

The instant Lin Yao saw that face, he remembered the relevant plot. This woman was named Madonna, the female lead of Tiger on the Beat.

As for the man with the slicked-back hair, he should have been Li Hui, the film's male lead, a seasoned cop who loved boasting and chasing women.

According to the original plot, Li Hui's superior, Uncle Zhan, had been close to Li Hui's father, so he found him a highly skilled newcomer named Cao Li'ang as a partner. The two joined forces to investigate the murder of a Thai man.

The one who had killed the Thai man was Madonna's brother, Poisonous Snake Bing, a subordinate of drug lord Luo Maosen.

Poisonous Snake Bing had secretly switched out a shipment of "washing powder" and asked Madonna to help with the transaction, only to be noticed by Li Hui and Cao Li'ang.

As Lin Yao was thinking, Wang Fengyi gently tugged his arm, her tone carrying a trace of dissatisfaction.

"A Yao, what are you looking at?"

Although she had not seen lust in Lin Yao's eyes, she could not help acting coquettishly anyway.

Lin Yao came back to his senses and rubbed Wang Fengyi's hair, his tone indulgent.

"Nothing. I just saw two acquaintances."

Only then did Wang Fengyi reveal a satisfied smile and lower her head to continue eating her cake.

Before long, Madonna hurried into the women's restroom. When she emerged a few minutes later, she was carrying a bulging black backpack and left the hotel in a fluster.

Li Hui's eyes lit up at the sight. He grabbed Cao Li'ang beside him and followed her.

He had wanted to strike up a conversation with Madonna for a long time. Now that she was acting suspiciously, he was even less willing to let the opportunity go.

Seeing this, Lin Yao gave Li Kit, who was not far away, a look. Li Kit immediately understood and rose to follow them.

After finishing the cake with Wang Fengyi, Lin Yao took her hand and leisurely walked out of the hotel.

By then, Li Hui and Cao Li'ang had already followed Madonna to Poisonous Snake Bing's hideout.

Poisonous Snake Bing thought his drug dealing had been exposed and pulled a gun on the spot. In the chaos, he took a passerby hostage and escaped.

Although Madonna was taken to the police station, no "washing powder" was found on her, so a lawyer soon bailed her out.

That evening, Li Kit returned to Lin Yao's villa and reported:

"Boss, after Madonna was released on bail, she went back to her rented apartment in Yau Ma Tei. Poisonous Snake Bing's whereabouts are unknown, and Luo Maosen's people are looking for him too."

Lin Yao sat on the sofa, idly playing with a jade thumb ring as he said blandly, "Got it. Keep watching Madonna. Report any movement immediately."

He knew that, according to the plot, an even better show was about to begin.

Early the next morning, Li Hui and Cao Li'ang indeed arrived at the gym where Madonna worked.

The moment they entered, they saw several fierce-looking women blocking Madonna at the entrance to the women's lounge.

These people were Luo Maosen's subordinates. They forced Poisonous Snake Bing's whereabouts out of Madonna, then turned and left.

When Li Hui and Cao Li'ang rushed into the lounge, they saw only Madonna lying unconscious on the floor, tear tracks still wet on her face.

After Madonna woke up, the first thing she did was call Poisonous Snake Bing. But all she heard from the other end was her brother's scream.

She instantly broke down. Through tears, she agreed to become a police informant and revealed Luo Maosen's next transaction location.

Following the lead Madonna provided, the police laid down an inescapable net at the deal site.

Although they arrested most of the drug traffickers, several still slipped through the net.

Unable to take revenge on the police, those people vented all their rage on Madonna.

The moment Madonna walked out of the police station, several masked men forcibly stuffed her into a van and drove her all the way to an abandoned warehouse in the outskirts.

The warehouse was pitch-black, with only a few battered light bulbs swaying overhead.

Madonna was shoved to the floor, and the hood over her head was pulled off. Seeing the drug traffickers surrounding her, she trembled all over, her legs shaking uncontrollably like sieves.

"W-what do you want?"

Fighting down her fear, she asked in a trembling voice.

A drug trafficker with a face full of flesh stepped forward, grabbed her hair, and snarled, "You sold out our boss and got our brothers arrested. Today, we'll show you what we can do."

With that, he gave the people behind him a look. The other drug traffickers immediately revealed lewd smiles and began unfastening their belts.

Madonna squeezed her eyes shut in terror. Tears streamed down her face, and her heart was filled with despair.

Just then, the sudden burst of gunfire rang out. Dense bullets instantly riddled the drug traffickers surrounding Madonna.

Madonna clutched her head and screamed in terror. Only after the gunfire stopped did she dare slowly open her eyes.

Several people wearing black hoods and bulletproof vests walked into the warehouse. Wong Kin Kwan, who led them, stopped before Madonna and said impatiently:

"Stop screaming. We were sent by the boss to save you. Miss Madonna, come with us. The boss wants to see you."

Two female security guards stepped forward, lifted the limp Madonna from the ground, and followed Wong Kin Kwan out of the warehouse.

The people left in the warehouse quickly piled the drug traffickers' corpses together, poured gasoline over them, and set them ablaze.

The flames shot into the sky, soon burning every trace clean.

Half an hour later, Madonna was brought to Lin Yao's villa. The moment she saw Lin Yao sitting on the sofa, her beautiful eyes widened in shock. "You?"

She still remembered that a few days earlier at Regal View Hotel, a tall, beautiful woman had been beside this man, along with bodyguards. One look was enough to tell he was no ordinary person.

Holding a teacup, Lin Yao took a light sip and looked at Madonna before getting straight to the point.

"I didn't expect Miss Madonna to remember me. Ever since our meeting at the hotel, I've had quite a deep impression of you."

He set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"You've gotten yourself into plenty of trouble lately. If it hadn't been for me tonight, you would already be dead under the drug traffickers' blades. I saved your life, so you should repay me somehow, shouldn't you?"

Madonna's face turned pale. In a low voice, she asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Having gone through a brush with death, she no longer had her former pride. She only wanted to stay alive, along with her elderly mother far away on the mainland.

"Stay in my house and serve as my personal maid."

Lin Yao looked at her.

"I won't mistreat you. I'll pay you a monthly salary, and I'll send someone to bring your mother to Hong Kong Island so she can enjoy her old age in peace. What do you say?"

Madonna froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.

She had no room to choose.

As long as she could receive protection, let alone becoming a maid, she could only agree even if he wanted something else.

"Thank you, Boss."

She spoke softly, accepting her fate.

Lin Yao nodded in satisfaction, stood up, and headed toward the bathroom.

"A wise man submits to circumstance. I like smart people like you. Come on. I'm going to take a bath. Come scrub my back."

Madonna's face instantly flushed red. She bit her lip, but in the end, she still forced herself to follow Lin Yao into the bathroom.

Steam gradually filled the bathroom, blurring the two figures.

Standing beneath the shower, Lin Yao felt the hot water pouring over his body, along with that soft, warm sensation and the satisfaction of his urge to collect. His heart was filled with contentment.

Having money and power really meant doing whatever he wanted. It was far better than being one of those old brothers struggling in other worlds...