Tool Man

Tool Man

Huang Ji left the warehouse, and the three of them went their separate ways.

But after seeing Lao Wang off, Huang Ji went to his private apartment, took out 2.4 million, and handed it to Lin Li.

That was almost all the money he had.

"What the hell?" Lin Li opened the case by the roadside, took one look, and immediately snapped it shut. "Holy shit!"

He stared at Huang Ji in shock, silently swearing that he would not betray Huang Ji's trust.

When he heard Huang Ji tell everyone last night that his name was "Hua Xu," he had known that he was probably the only one who knew Huang Ji's real name. That trust moved him deeply.

"Tomorrow, give 500,000 to Zhang Junwei. Because of what happened last night, and because one of the brothers was dealt with, given his personality, he'll definitely split all the money among the remaining ten brothers. At that point, take another 100,000 from your own money and give it to Zhang Junwei," Huang Ji said.

"Why?" Lin Li asked.

"Don't ask why. Just do it. Remember, that 100,000 is from you personally to Zhang Junwei. You can hesitate a little, then make it look like you're taking 100,000 out of your own share for him."

"He'll definitely ask you why too. You don't need to say much. Just force him to take it."

Lin Li nodded and silently memorized it.

Huang Ji added, "Also, he'll definitely ask about me..."

Lin Li hurriedly said, "Don't worry, I won't say anything."

"No, no, you have to tell him. Tell him Lao Wang and I are both international thieves, that we were being hunted because we pissed off American arms dealers..." Huang Ji went on to make up a long string of backstory for Lin Li to memorize.

Lin Li nodded along and no longer asked why. He merely asked curiously, "What about me? What's my background?"

Huang Ji gave him a sidelong glance. "You have cancer."

"Uh..." Lin Li scratched his head.

"Tell him directly that your days are numbered and you don't have long to live."

"After saying all that, you can take out the list and have him help purchase the items."

"What list?" Lin Li asked.

Huang Ji spoke while Lin Li wrote. It was mainly medical equipment.

Aside from specialized equipment such as an Enzyme-labeled Instrument, Decoction Device, Weighing Bottle, burette, Culture Dish, Laser Therapy Device, and Multifunctional Therapy Device—

There were also all kinds of tools, including a Dissection Table, scalpel, Tissue Scissors, Pipe Wrench, Hand Tweezers...

Of course, Huang Ji did not want the Multifunctional Therapy Device because he believed it was especially effective. He only needed the 80MT-300MT high-frequency pulsating magnetic generator inside it.

The same went for the Laser Therapy Device. He did not believe the manufacturer's exaggerated claims about its therapeutic effects; he simply needed its Medical Frequency Laser Generator.

There were also large quantities of medicine, ranging from various antibiotics to Receptor Antagonists and Benzodiazepines. Huang Ji had Lin Li write down a full two pages.

"My god, a lot of this stuff can't even be bought, can it?" Lin Li said.

"Zhang Junwei will definitely say the same thing. Just tell him to use every connection he has. No matter what, he has to get it."

"Then he'll definitely complain. Remember, don't say anything. Leave the cash case behind, tell him it's the initial procurement fund and that more money will be delivered tonight. Once you've said that, turn around and leave. Stay cold. You don't need to listen to any of his explanations or complaints."

"Repeat it to me."

Lin Li stammered through it.

"Again! Watch your expression. Stop blinking all the time."

"Stop, stop, stop. Don't tense your mouth so much."

Lin Li scratched his head with a silly grin. "How am I supposed to act cold... I don't know how, haha."

"Did you ever see your mother scrub crabs with an iron brush when you were little, then tie them up and steam them alive?" Huang Ji asked.

"Yes, yes, yes. My mom was great at cooking crabs," Lin Li said with a smile.

Huang Ji nodded. "Think back to that scene. What was going through your mind at the time?"

Lin Li blanked out for a moment, then said, "I remember one time when I watched my mom cook crabs. I stood beside her staring at the crabs, and in my head... right! I was thinking about how badly I'd screwed up an exam and how I was supposed to tell my mom!"

"Exactly. That expression was the coldest you've ever been in your life. You just didn't realize it."

"Recall it. Recall your state of mind then. Don't force the expression too much..."

Before long, Lin Li's demeanor turned cool and detached.

His jaw was neither clenched too tightly nor too loose, and the muscles beneath his cheekbones were in just the right state.

His eyes stared fixedly at the rearview mirror ahead. He seemed to be looking at it, yet also seemed to be looking straight through it, past the other person, his focus fixed somewhere unknown.

Lin Li's entire bearing became indifferent.

This was the coldest expression Huang Ji had found in Lin Li's life. If he directed that gaze at someone else, it would send chills through their heart.

"Remember how you are right now. Go home and practice in front of a mirror," Huang Ji said softly.

Lin Li immediately broke character and nodded dumbly. "Oh, oh!"

After that, Huang Ji gave him many more instructions.

He taught him in meticulous detail how to deal with that group of people.

Lin Li carefully memorized all of Huang Ji's instructions, planning to recite them all after going home and practice them repeatedly.

And all of this was clearly within Huang Ji's expectations.

Huang Ji did not need him to be clever. That was precisely what he valued in him: his test-taking ability!

A good memory was no match for a bad pen. The reason this guy had gotten into Fudan University was through frantically taking notes and drilling practice problems...

The next morning, Lin Li arrived at Zhang Junwei's used car recycling market with a backpack on his back and a cash case in hand.

Zhang Junwei had not paid much attention to Lin Li last night. Most of his attention had been on Huang Ji, with Lao Wang second, while Lin Li had seemingly only said one indifferent sentence when Huang Ji introduced him as his full representative: "I'm Lin Li."

"This is 500,000. My big brother promised it to you guys." Lin Li opened his backpack and took out 500,000.

Zhang Junwei smiled. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

"Xiao Zha!"

"Boss, what is it?" Xiao Zha hurried over.

"Take the money and split it among the brothers," Zhang Junwei said.

"How do we split it?" Xiao Zha asked.

"There are ten of you. That's exactly 50,000 each! I don't need any," Zhang Junwei said.

"How can that work?" Xiao Zha froze.

"Quit talking nonsense. Go split it up. I handled this deal poorly. I got too greedy, nearly screwed everything up, and dragged you guys into it."

After saying that, he kicked Xiao Zha and sent him off to distribute the money.

Lin Li watched from the side, secretly astonished. Huang Ji had Zhang Junwei figured out perfectly. This guy really did not keep a single cent for himself and distributed it all to his subordinates.

Remembering Huang Ji's instructions, Lin Li gave a faint laugh, drawing Zhang Junwei's attention.

Zhang Junwei looked over and saw that Lin Li was not speaking. He seemed to be thinking, hesitating over something.

He did not hesitate for long. After collecting himself, Lin Li took another thick stack of cash from his backpack and placed it on the table.

"This is..." Zhang Junwei was stunned.

"Take it," Lin Li said.

"What money is this?" Zhang Junwei asked hesitantly.

"My own money."

"Huh?"

"Quit talking nonsense. Take it," Lin Li ordered.

Zhang Junwei pursed his lips. He realized that Lin Li already saw him as one of his own men and could not bear to see him walk away with nothing after joining them.

"Hua Xu ordered 500,000, and Lin Li was responsible for delivering it. But I didn't keep a cent and used it all to placate my men."

"Lin Li didn't interfere with how I divided the money. He just took out another 100,000 of his own to make it up to me. Heh, that actually suits my taste."

The discomfort Zhang Junwei had felt about Lin Li being placed between him and Huang Ji as an intermediary began to ease.

There was no doubt that he respected Huang Ji. But Huang Ji had appointed Lin Li to manage him, so of course it rubbed him the wrong way.

Yet unexpectedly, although Lin Li spoke coldly, he was actually the same kind of person as him—someone willing to secure benefits for his subordinates and lead everyone toward making money together.

Compared to serving Huang Ji directly, a man who was mysterious and unfathomable, who seemed able to see through people's hearts and put enormous psychological pressure on them—

Having an older brother like this in the middle as a buffer was not bad at all.

"Who would turn down money? Big brother, then I won't stand on ceremony." Zhang Junwei smiled.

Lin Li waved impatiently, and Zhang Junwei happily accepted the money.

After taking the money, Zhang Junwei became more familiar with Lin Li. After chatting for a couple of sentences, he brought up Huang Ji.

He was extremely curious about Huang Ji and the others' identities. He did not dare ask Huang Ji directly, and Lao Wang was too shrewd and slippery. Asking Lin Li was perhaps the best option.

Lin Li said, "Lao Wang and my big brother are both international thieves. They're capable of anything and often pull off big jobs."

"Then what's the background of '666'?" Zhang Junwei asked.

"American arms dealers. Lao Wang ripped them off, and now they're hunting him all over the world," Lin Li said indifferently.

"Damn!" Zhang Junwei felt his teeth ache. These people even dared provoke arms dealers? They were way too fierce.

But since he had already decided to follow Huang Ji, the fiercer they were, the better.

"What about you, then?"

"Me? Just a man waiting to die. I have stomach cancer. My days are numbered. I don't have long to live."

Zhang Junwei pursed his lips and hurriedly offered a few words of comfort.

So he's another desperado.

At the same time, he understood why Lin Li was so cold. A man about to die probably only wanted to accomplish a few big things in his final days. Then Lin Li took out two sheets of paper from his pocket and handed them over. "This is the procurement list. Big brother ordered it. It must be handled."

"This..." Zhang Junwei's face turned green after one look. Too many of these things could not be bought. Some he did not recognize, while others were clearly prohibited drugs.

"These two lines of medicine, and the items on this page—where am I supposed to buy them?"

"Use every connection you have. No matter what, get them," Lin Li said coldly.

Zhang Junwei complained, "I do have some connections. I can get some of them, but I'm afraid there are some I really can't get my hands on!"

"How about you talk to the boss and tell him to forget these few?"

Following Huang Ji's instructions, Lin Li did not take in a single word Zhang Junwei said.

He merely stared coldly at Zhang Junwei, his thoughts drifting straight back to the time when his mother steamed crabs.

"Uh..." Seeing the utter disregard for life in Lin Li's eyes, Zhang Junwei could not help shuddering.

Their eyes met. Zhang Junwei could not help looking away, while Lin Li continued staring, because he was still thinking about how badly he had failed that exam years ago.

"This is the first batch of procurement funds. I'll bring more money tonight." With that, Lin Li turned and left.

Zhang Junwei followed behind him, speaking nonstop. "Big brother, what if there are a few things I can't buy? Big brother? Help me talk to him, will you?"

At this point, all he could do was beg Lin Li to put in a good word for him.

But Lin Li ignored him completely and left without looking back.

Zhang Junwei sighed. Thinking of the leverage Huang Ji had over him, he could only smile bitterly, take out his phone, and start contacting people to ask about some of the drugs on the list that he could not even understand.

In order to complete Huang Ji's task, he worked all day.

After exhausting himself, he had already ordered most of the items on the list.

But there were still some that exceeded the limits of his abilities.

That night, Lin Li came over carrying another case of cash. Zhang Junwei complained again, repeatedly explaining that money was not the issue. The money could be paid after the goods arrived, but there were some drugs he truly could not get.

In response, following Huang Ji's instructions, Lin Li stood there with a frown and said nothing.

Soon, Lao Wang drove over with Huang Ji, and they arrived at the warehouse together.

The moment Huang Ji came in, he launched into a furious tirade at Lin Li.

"Did I fucking tell you to steal medicine?" Huang Ji cursed.

"???" Zhang Junwei was stunned when he heard that and glanced at Lin Li.

Not only was Zhang Junwei stunned, even Lin Li was shocked inside. Yet he still stood there with a frown, saying nothing.

From Huang Ji's scolding, Zhang Junwei quickly figured out that after Lin Li left that morning, he had gone to scout the warehouses of major pharmaceutical factories, intending to steal the medicine. Huang Ji had discovered it and stopped him.

"Don't think that just because your life is worthless, I'm letting you die," Huang Ji said.

"..." Lin Li stared blankly in earnest.

Huang Ji continued, "Do you think I don't know he can't get some of those drugs? Did I need you to tell me?"

"..." Lin Li kept silent and lowered his head as he took the scolding.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Junwei was already deeply moved...

Huang Ji cursed at him for over a minute before finally stopping. At last, he sighed. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better." Lin Li immediately gave the correct answer.

"Your illness isn't incurable. I'll find a way."

After saying that, Huang Ji looked at Zhang Junwei and asked, "How much did you get?"

"I got everything that's checked off. Some won't be delivered for a few days. As for the rest... I really..." Zhang Junwei said.

Huang Ji stared at Zhang Junwei. "This is enough. Forget the rest."

Then Huang Ji turned and walked to the sofa, where he sat down and beckoned Lao Wang over.

In truth, these were the only things he needed. No one knew Zhang Junwei's limits better than he did.

When Zhang Junwei heard Huang Ji say to forget it, he let out a breath and looked gratefully at Lin Li, thinking it was all thanks to Lin Li's influence.

"Thanks, brother!"

"Quit talking nonsense!" Lin Li said coldly.

Instead of being offended by Lin Li's retort, Zhang Junwei grinned, feeling that this man was truly loyal.

He believed that Lin Li had ignored him coldly during the day on the surface, but had actually taken his request to heart. He had silently tried to steal the drugs Zhang Junwei could not obtain, and after being discovered, had even spoken well of him to Huang Ji.

On the other side, Huang Ji sat on the sofa and softly said to Lao Wang, "You're not worried now, are you?"

It turned out that Lao Wang had privately expressed concern to Huang Ji afterward about having Lin Li manage these people, worried that Lin Li would not be able to keep Zhang Junwei in line.

Now that he saw this scene, Lao Wang could also tell that Zhang Junwei saw Lin Li as someone cold on the outside but warm-hearted within, someone trustworthy.

"You're really something. You actually managed to prop up a rotten log!" Lao Wang said in amazement.

Huang Ji smiled without speaking.

Lao Wang asked again, "This place is safe now, but when are you planning to go to London with me? It's too difficult for them to come here. I still have to go meet up with them."

Many members in other countries were currently under tight surveillance by the Illuminati. The Illuminati could quickly learn exactly which people had left by plane or ship.

Those people were fine as long as they stayed hidden, but the moment they moved, they would expose themselves and could be intercepted and killed along the way.

That way, after Lao Wang arrived, he could quickly disappear again. By the time the Illuminati discovered it, it would already be too late, and they would have to start searching again at the destination.

"At most four months. If things go smoothly, I can finish what I need to do in as little as one month," Huang Ji said.