Wasn't this perfect?

Gu Sheng returned to the car and lit a cigarette.

After waiting a while, he saw police cars and an ambulance arrive. Tall Guy Keung was handcuffed and bundled into the ambulance too.

"When we get back, have someone dig into that landlord's background. Keep an eye on him; don't let him run. If everything checks out, bring him and that blond punk to me." Gu Sheng flicked his cigarette butt out the window as he gave his orders.

"Also, have someone look into Wang Bao."

"Got it, Brother Sheng," Ah Tung replied.

Gu Sheng remembered Wang Bao as an arrogant, overbearing bastard without a shred of humanity. He was utter scum whose only contribution to the world was driving up the price of rice.

Since they had crossed paths, he might as well look into him first.

If he remembered correctly, Wang Bao's stash was in a villa.

As for stealing his business, Gu Sheng would never touch that stuff. Going a little too far in other matters was one thing, but once he got involved in that, he would never wash the stain off.

Even Officer Wei would be on his case then.

After dropping Kong Sang off at the company, Gu Sheng made another call and had someone bring a few men to guard the entrance downstairs.

He figured Wang Bao would not target anyone besides him. After all, Wang Bao had a wife, and they seemed pretty devoted to each other.

Still, he had to guard against some unruly underling of Wang Bao's taking matters into his own hands.

He then went to the Luo Shaoyang Law Firm and signed a one-year agreement. For the next year, the lawyer would handle all Gu Sheng's lawsuits, starting with the one involving Tall Guy Keung.

Afterward, Gu Sheng headed to North Point.

The incident had spoiled his mood, but he still had to see Fat Lai.

After Gu Sheng and his men left, Axehead Tung flew into a rage, overturning every table and loudly declaring that he would make Hongxing pay.

"Uh... Brother Tung." The middle-aged man forced a smile. His name was Liu Kei.

"What?" Axehead Tung snapped. He was already seething with nowhere to vent his anger, and seeing the man who had started all this only made him angrier.

"Brother Tung, will he come after me?" Liu Kei asked worriedly.

"You scared?" Axehead Tung glared at him.

Liu Kei wanted to say no, but he could not get the words out.

He had known gangsters hacked people down in the streets, but he had never imagined they could be so vicious and utterly lawless.

Mostly, the only gangster he had known before was his wife's younger brother, Ah Wah. He was always hearing Ah Wah brag about slashing people and the like, yet after getting into trouble, Ah Wah had hidden in his house for half a month.

That was why he had always felt a little contempt for them.

But just now, he had watched a car plow straight into the place, and quite a few people had been carried away in ambulances.

And the way Gu Sheng had spoken with that smile on his face sent chills down his spine. He was terrified he would get run over the moment he stepped outside.

"You're scared of him? Then are you fucking scared of me?" Axehead Tung roared.

"You two started this mess. Three hundred thousand for medical expenses. One cent short, and I'll skin you alive." Axehead Tung pointed at Liu Kei and Ah Wah as he cursed them out.

"Remember, bring me the money tomorrow!"

"Fuck!" Rage surged through Axehead Tung, and he kicked over a nearby cabinet.

"Let's go." Axehead Tung called his remaining men and stormed off.

"Didn't you say you could handle it? How did it end up like this? If I'd known, I'd have just paid them. Those people have no humanity!" Liu Kei covered his face and complained to Ah Wah.

"What's the point of saying that now? Weren't you the one who couldn't bear to part with the money?" Ah Wah snapped.

"Forget all that. Get me three hundred and fifty thousand first. I'll take three hundred thousand to Brother Tung. You've already offended Hongxing. If you offend Brother Tung too, you'd better watch out, or someone will hack you to death in the street."

"I brought all those people over, too. I've got to give them something for their trouble."

"Relax. Hongxing humiliated Brother Tung and Boss Bao like this; it's not over. Soon nobody will have time to bother with you. Once that Hongxing bastard gets hacked to death, how's a dead man going to cause you trouble?"

"Could we find someone to mediate?" Liu Kei asked through gritted teeth.

"Fuck, you started this. Mediate? If you make peace with them, where does that leave us? Brother Tung won't let you off, and he sure as hell won't let me off.

"And you think Hongxing will let you go? Skinning you won't be enough. They'll crack your bones open and squeeze out the marrow," Ah Wah cursed.

Liu Kei felt like crying but had no tears left. Gritting his teeth, he withdrew three hundred and fifty thousand. This was no longer about money, but how to get the whole mess settled.

That evening, the more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. He made several calls in a row, trying to find someone who could mediate.

At last, someone agreed to meet and talk. Liu Kei hurriedly got dressed, went out, and drove over.

He had barely arrived and stepped out of his car when someone pulled a sack over his head. A club struck his skull, and he knew nothing more.

"Brother Lai, what a warm welcome! Looks like you're trying to smother me to death here."

The two women beside him were both "models" from Fat Lai's Pornographic Magazine Agency, with shapely figures, large breasts, and pretty faces. They might have fallen a little short of Miss Hong Kong contestants, but they were still more than attractive enough. Fat Lai was clearly making an effort.

"You said you were coming over for tea, Sheng. Of course I had to treat you properly. Once we've finished, I'll take you to see how we shoot the magazine photos," Fat Lai said with a smile.

"Besides, there's not much else in North Point worth showing off. It's just like Yuen Long!" Fat Lai said.

"Brother Lai, just say what's on your mind." Gu Sheng pulled his hand free, picked up his tea, and drank a cup.

"Relax, it's nothing big. I just want to open a bar in Causeway Bay. It's your turf, so naturally I had to let you know first," Fat Lai said with a smile.

Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly. Was it really as simple as opening a bar?

Could Fat Lai already be colluding with Tung Sing?

If he remembered correctly, this bastard had teamed up with Tung Sing's Lui Yiu Yeung.

"Of course there's no problem. We're in the same gang, and you backed me back then. Your business is my business. Of course you can open a place in Causeway Bay." Gu Sheng's thoughts turned, and he immediately burst out laughing.

"Since you're opening a place, Brother Lai, I ought to contribute too. How about this? You put up the money, I supply the manpower. You take seventy percent, and I take thirty."

"Fuck, I put up the money, and I only get seventy percent?" Fat Lai immediately slapped the table.

This bastard was demanding a king's ransom!

"Brother Lai, you're only putting up money. I'm supplying the men, and I'm only taking thirty percent. If you're not happy with that, how about fifty?" Gu Sheng drawled.

"You bastard, don't push your luck! Without my support back then, would you have gotten this position?" Fat Lai pointed at his nose and cursed.

"Brother Lai, don't get so worked up. Those are separate matters. You got something out of it too."

"We go into business together, and as long as it's in Causeway Bay, I guarantee you'll be fine, no matter what happens." Gu Sheng then pointed at his head.

"As long as the bar does things my way, I guarantee you'll make more than you would keeping all the profits yourself. You need brains to make money."

Fat Lai's expression shifted darkly. "You two, go outside."

Once the women had left, Fat Lai lowered his voice. "You know, Hongxing has certain rules..."

"Brother Lai, don't talk to me about rules. I don't know anything about them. All I want is thirty percent of the bar's revenue," Gu Sheng cut him off.

He was inwardly amused. If you don't cause trouble, how am I supposed to deal with you?

Then you'll have paid for it, but the place will be mine.

I wanted to open a bar, and now someone's delivering one right to me. Isn't this perfect?

Fat Lai exchanged a look with Gu Sheng. He knew Gu Sheng understood what he was about to say and had tacitly agreed.

Sure enough, this bastard didn't follow any rules at all. But that was just what he needed.

Fat Lai immediately laughed. "Fine, we'll do it together. You get thirty percent of the bar. Here's to the money rolling in."

"Of course. But there's no point thinking small. Brother Lai, if we're opening a bar, let's make it the biggest in Causeway Bay!" Gu Sheng said bluntly.

"The biggest in Causeway Bay! Get the name out there, and customers will come pouring in. We'll double our money in six months."