Chapter 39

"Enough."

Chiang Tin-sang silenced the two men, swept his gaze around the room, and said with a smile:

"What does everyone else think? If you have a candidate, speak up."

Big B sat down resentfully, his gaze toward Teem-Kwan growing even more hostile.

Uncle Hing exchanged a glance with Fat Lai and Ah Kei before speaking. "LS is a good choice. It takes someone strong to hold down Causeway Bay."

Big B's pupils contracted, and his expression darkened further.

When had LS gotten together with Teem-Kwan and Uncle Hing?

His own subordinate was being put forward by other people. Where did that leave his dignity?

Now everyone could see that he couldn't even control his subordinate's subordinate.

"I never knew you all thought so highly of my subordinate's subordinate," Big B said with a hollow smile.

"We're judging him on his merits. Being the boss of Causeway Bay is no easy job," Uncle Hing said evenly.

The others looked between Big B, Uncle Hing, and Teem-Kwan, their interest in this LS piqued.

"I put in over ten years and earned this position through all the work I did for the society. What makes LS qualified? How long has he even been a member? What has he done for the society? I nominate Chan Ho-nam," said Ah Chiu, who had only recently become the boss of Tsz Wan Shan.

"If seniority is what counts, I have a subordinate who's been with me for almost twenty years. Can I nominate him?" Teem-Kwan sneered.

"If he can make a contribution to the society, of course," Chiang Tin-sang said evenly.

"Any other candidates?" Chiang Tin-sang asked again.

Chan Yiu, the White Paper Fan, had been sitting in a corner studying the others. Only when no one spoke did he say, "LS has been very impressive lately, but he's still too green. I nominate Chan Ho-nam."

Everyone knew Chan Yiu was the boss Chiang Tin-sang's man. His words represented Chiang Tin-sang's wishes.

Naturally, the others had no objections-or swallowed whatever objections they did have.

After returning to his car, Uncle Hing kept his expression neutral, but inwardly he was startled.

Clearly, LS had known what would happen and that Chiang Tin-sang favored Chan Ho-nam. He had never intended to compete with Chan Ho-nam at all.

He had only wanted to establish himself as the alternative.

Then, if Chan Ho-nam failed, choosing him for the job would be perfectly natural.

The question was, how had he known all this?

As for Chan Ho-nam... Uncle Hing knew the score. Someone had set him up this time. There was no way he would succeed.

"Guess how much we took in today!" As soon as they got home, Kong Sang jumped onto Gu Sheng, unable to hide her excitement.

"A hundred thousand?" Gu Sheng considered it.

They didn't have enough staff to handle much more.

"A hundred and forty thousand! Rents in Causeway Bay are much higher than in Yuen Long."

"And quite a few people have hired us to help sell their properties. Someone expressed interest today, but we haven't closed the deal yet."

"Not bad at all. A strong opening," Gu Sheng said, nodding.

Yuen Long couldn't compare with Causeway Bay's prosperity, but the real money wasn't in rentals. It was in sales.

Closing a deal on any property would bring in a hefty sum.

As their reputation spread and people came to trust them, this one flagship store would bring in more than all their Yuen Long branches combined.

That evening, GS was sitting on the sofa when Uncle Hing called.

"Thanks, Uncle Hing. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After chatting for a while, he hung up.

Kong Sang sat beside him, peeling an apple as she watched television.

"Open up." Kong Sang put a piece of apple into GS's mouth.

"To build your strength back up."

"Fuck, you're feeding me apples for that?"

GS thought for a moment, then called Teem-Kwan. "Brother Kwan, thanks for backing me."

"What could I possibly think? Big B wants to back his son."

"If you ever need anything, Brother Kwan, I'll back you for sure. You know me. Nobody values loyalty more than I do, LS."

After a few casual remarks, GS hung up again.

Now all he had to do was wait and watch everyone put on their performances.

It didn't matter whether things followed the plot.

If Chan Ho-nam sorted things out in Macau, he might get hit by a car crossing the street.

That would be such a shame.

Cut down in his prime.

"Big-Eyed Hua, I told you to send people to Macau to look into Funeral Biu. Any news?"

Meanwhile, Big B went straight to Chan Ho-nam. "How are your injuries?"

"No problems at all. Fully healed." Chan Ho-nam smiled and thumped his chest twice, though a shadow still lingered between his brows.

While he had been in the hospital, LS had risen at a terrifying pace.

By now, even Big B's forces might not be much stronger than LS's, let alone his own.

Remembering the knee strike that had sent him to the hospital filled Chan Ho-nam with bitter resentment.

"Good, as long as you're all right. Come see Mr. Jiang with me tomorrow."

"Boss, can you give me a hint what it's about?" Chan Ho-nam asked.

"Something good. Uncle Hing is retiring, so you need to get a job done first. I worked hard to get you this chance." Big B patted him.

Chan Ho-nam understood immediately, and delight spread across his face.

The next day, Chan Ho-nam brought Chicken along and accompanied Big B to Chiang Tin-sang's villa. Chan Yiu, the White Paper Fan, was already waiting there.

While they waited for Chiang Tin-sang by the pool, Chicken tugged at Chan Ho-nam and gave him a peculiar grin.

Chan Ho-nam followed his gaze and saw a woman in a bikini swimming.

Chan Ho-nam glared at Chicken. Are you out of your mind? Can't you pick a better time and place to ogle women?

After a short wait, Chiang Tin-sang came out with a gym towel draped over him. "For the past year, I've been getting up at six and going to bed at ten. I skip social engagements whenever I can. My routine couldn't be healthier."

"Mr. Jiang, your businesses are all running smoothly. Of course you don't need to worry so much anymore," Big B said with a smile.

"B, you've worked hard for close to twenty years. It's time to relax and enjoy life. Come play golf with me in Fanling sometime," Chiang Tin-sang said with a smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chiang Tin-sang looked at the two younger men in turn.

"So you're Chan Ho-nam, and you're Chicken."

"These two lads have been with me for ten years. They're reliable. They can get things done."

"The younger generation is formidable. Hongxing will depend on you in the future." Chiang Tin-sang clapped his hands twice.

"I called you here today because I have two jobs for you."

Chiang Tin-sang then explained the Macau Casino matter.

"We know what to do, Mr. Jiang," Chan Ho-nam said, nodding.

After returning, Chan Ho-nam called Big Tony, Foreskin, and Chow Pei over and explained the situation. As soon as Big B arranged their contact, they set off.

But once they were on the ferry, while Chan Ho-nam mulled over the job, the others were fighting over snacks or buying lottery tickets. Chicken had even brought his girlfriend and was laughing and chatting with her. Chan Ho-nam finally snapped. "Are you here to work or have fun?"

Only then did they rein themselves in a little.

After arriving in Macau, they met their contact and split up.

When Chicken came out of the casino, a woman seduced him into following her. He even abandoned his girlfriend.

The next morning, Chan Ho-nam and the others couldn't find Chicken, so they went ahead with the plan, only to walk into an ambush.

Every weapon left for them in the car was junk.

Chow Pei was beaten to death on the spot. The others barely escaped.

Before Chan Ho-nam could regroup with the others, however, someone knocked him unconscious with a club, drugged him, and locked him in a room with Chicken's girlfriend, Ho Yan.

"Everything ready?" Only then did Teem-Kwan emerge.

"All set," said Teem-Kwan's subordinate, Silly Keung.

"Film the whole thing later. Keep your hands steady and get some good footage." Teem-Kwan handed Silly Keung a video camera.

"Brother Kwan, you already sent people to attack them. Why go to all this trouble? Couldn't we just find somewhere to kill them?" Silly Keung asked, puzzled.

"If you could figure out my plans, I might as well retire. What would be the point of being a boss?" Teem-Kwan said disdainfully.

"Going after your brother's woman is a cardinal sin in our world. Once this tape gets out, he'll be worse off than dead." With that, he turned to leave.

"What a vicious scheme," Silly Keung muttered, only for Teem-Kwan to slap the back of his head.

"Don't bad-mouth me behind my back. My hearing is very sharp."

"If the action gets good later, make a copy for my place. Something to get me in the mood."

What followed was only natural. After waking up, Chan Ho-nam hurried to regroup with the others.

Ho Yan couldn't keep her mouth shut and told them what had happened between her and Chan Ho-nam.

Chicken broke with Chan Ho-nam.

As soon as Chan Ho-nam and the others fled back from Macau in disgrace, GS heard about it.

Looks like it followed the plot. Even if a few details were different, it didn't affect the big picture.

GS was in a good mood. Next, it would be his turn.

A few days later, Hongxing's branch bosses met again.

This time, GS attended.

Big B entered with Chan Ho-nam and the others. The moment he saw GS sitting in a corner with Silly Fook, his face darkened.

"Since when did you switch bosses without telling me?" Big B walked up to GS, his expression grim.

"I'm still a member of Hongxing, aren't I? It's not like I'm sitting at the table. Why can't I come?" GS said with a smile. "Brother B, surely you're not that petty? Is Chan Ho-nam really your own son? He gets every good opportunity, and I can't even sit in and listen?"

"What the hell are you saying?" Big Tony snapped from beside him.

GS gave him a contemptuous smile, not bothering to respond.

Big B pointed at GS, then returned to his seat, his face full of anger.

After this, the two had fallen out completely.

"Pretty S, what brings you here?" Teem-Kwan was a little surprised to see GS when he entered.

"Nobody brought me, so I came myself. I should be qualified to sit in, right? Brother Kwan, I heard there's a really popular tape going around lately. I sent my men to buy it, but they couldn't find a copy. Do you have one? Give me a copy so I can take it home and get myself in the mood," GS said with a smile.

"You've got good taste. I happen to have two copies. I'll send you one later. It's outstanding. Perfect for getting you in the mood." Teem-Kwan chuckled in his raspy voice.

Not far away, Chan Ho-nam's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched.

Big B looked at Teem-Kwan and GS, his gaze growing darker.