15: In Chapter 15, a single sentence led Xu Jiang to suspect that Chen Tai intended to harm him.

The box was filled to the brim with crisp, new banknotes, emitting the distinct scent of ink and money.

Click!

Xu Jiang snapped the box shut and held it out to Meng Dehai. "Director Meng, are you satisfied?"

Meng Dehai sized up Xu Jiang before reaching out to take the suitcase. "Good. This matter is behind us."

Seeing him accept the money, Xu Jiang's Face immediately broke into a wide smile. "Director Meng, if you have some free time, why not come sit for a while at the Platinum Palace?"

Meng Dehai gave a disdainful snort. "What's there to sit around for in such a tacky place? If you need me for something, call this number."

After speaking, he handed Xu Jiang a slip of paper with a phone number on it, then turned and left with the suitcase in hand.

Xu Jiang stared blankly at his retreating back. "Hey... Director Meng!"

Meng Dehai turned around. "Xu Jiang, do you have something else?"

"It's nothing much." Xu Jiang gave a sheepish laugh. "Today... are you really not going to come sit for a bit?"

Meng Dehai frowned and turned away without a word.

Xu Jiang watched awkwardly as Meng Dehai walked away, then spat indignantly. "Damn it! He took my money and still acts so arrogant?"

Just then, the sound of a motorcycle roared, and Zhao Yang pulled up beside Xu Jiang. "Finished the meeting?"

"Yeah..." Xu Jiang said sullenly. "He didn't give me much Face."

"He didn't take the money?"

"He took it!"

"Then isn't that enough?"

"I asked him to come to the Platinum Palace, but he refused."

Zhao Yang let out a scoff. "Are you stupid? With his status, can he just walk into your place all casually? Besides, what's so fun about the Platinum Palace?"

He paused, his mind racing as he made something up on the fly. "When the elders in my family entertain guests, they only ever go to three places—Holland to taste the local flavors, Macau to try their luck, or if they can't travel far, they head out to sea on a luxury cruise. Which of those isn't more high-class than your crappy Platinum Palace?"

"The elders in your family?" Xu Jiang's eyes lit up. "What's their background?"

"Relatives," Zhao Yang said dismissively. "Don't go poking around."

Xu Jiang had a strange expression on his Face. "Are you saying Meng Dehai has seen the world too?"

Zhao Yang rolled his eyes. "What's his level? He's not fit to be compared to the ones in my family. But... he's likely heard of such things, which is why he looks down on your Platinum Palace."

Xu Jiang stroked his beard. "Holland and Macau are out of reach, but going out to sea isn't impossible."

"The point isn't just going to sea. Do you want to take him fishing on a broken old trawler?" Zhao Yang asked disdainfully.

"Is it not just a cruise ship? I have one too!" Xu Jiang tugged at his jacket. "Brother Shen Mo, do you want to go?"

Zhao Yang frowned. "I just set my sights on a girl..."

"You mean Sisi? Bring her along!" Xu Jiang's eyes darted around. "The more, the merrier."

Zhao Yang pondered for a moment. "Based on what I know of Meng Dehai, you'd better make separate arrangements for him."

Xu Jiang laughed. "You mean a private room? I'll arrange it! It's his first time on a ship, so he'll definitely be a bit stiff. I get it, I get it! Everyone's like that!"

Zhao Yang patted Xu Jiang on the shoulder, then suddenly changed the subject. "What kind of person is Bai Jiangbo?"

"Eh?" Xu Jiang was taken aback. "Bai Jiangbo? Why are you asking about him?"

"Is he ruthless in his dealings?"

"Hahaha!" Xu Jiang roared with laughter. "He's just a turtle hiding in his shell, a total coward! If he had even half my ruthlessness, would he have let me push him into this corner?"

"I thought so too." Zhao Yang nodded. "By the way, have you checked your son's electric fishing gear lately?"

Xu Jiang froze. "Why are you asking that?"

"I've been staying at your place and heard some of your underlings gossiping, saying there might be a problem with your son's electric fishing gear. I'm just asking—if there's a power leak while he's fishing, it could be fatal."

"Huh?"

Xu Jiang's body stiffened, and he quickly pulled out his phone to make a call. "Quick! Bring Xiao Lei's fishing gear to the Platinum Palace, and find an electrician!"

After hanging up, Xu Jiang hurriedly got into his imported BMW and sped toward the Platinum Palace.

The corner of Zhao Yang's mouth quirked up as he twisted the throttle and followed behind.

...

Platinum Palace Office.

Xu Jiang stared at the electric fishing gear with a grim expression, saying nothing.

More than one electrician had just confirmed it—anyone using this thing to fish would be dead for sure; the moment they hit the water, the whole village would be attending their funeral feast.

"That bastard Bai Jiangbo!" Xu Jiang hissed through gritted teeth. "He actually had the nerve!"

Zhao Yang gave a faint smile. "Didn't you say he didn't have the guts?"

Xu Jiang pointed at the gear. "But the evidence is right in front of me!"

"Eyes can only see what's right in front of them." Zhao Yang's fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa. "Suppose you hadn't discovered the problem with the gear. What would have happened?"

Xu Jiang looked terrified in hindsight. "Then Xiao Lei would have been in danger."

"Exactly. If something happened to your son, would you let Bai Jiangbo off?"

"No! I would kill him!"

"You would kill him in a fit of rage. But when people act out of anger, it's hard not to leave traces behind. If someone were to get a hold of those traces, they'd have leverage over you—and leverage involving a murder case, at that."

"This..." Xu Jiang's pupils constricted slightly. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman reaps the rewards." Zhao Yang said with a smile. "Tell me, in Jinghai, besides Bai Jiangbo, who else can't stand the sight of you?"

"Chen Tai!"

Xu Jiang's eyes widened, but then he felt it was unlikely. He suddenly pointed a finger at Zhao Yang. "You're trying to drive a wedge between us!"

"I have no grudge against you or Chen Tai, so what reason would I have?" Zhao Yang said calmly. "It's just that my living expenses in Jinghai are being paid for by you, Xu Jiang, so I'm lending a hand. If you don't believe me, it doesn't matter—I'm heading to Myanmar next month anyway, and Jinghai's affairs will have nothing to do with me."

"What are you going to Myanmar for?"

"What else? To kill that Lawyer Feng, of course." Zhao Yang curled his lip. "By the way, has Feng Lvzi changed his name yet? I don't want to mistake him for someone else again."

Recalling the incident where Zhao Yang found the wrong person, Xu Jiang couldn't quite keep a straight Face. He cleared his throat. "It's being processed. He's older, so the name-change procedures are a bit complicated."

"Mhm." Zhao Yang nodded. "Some things have answers if you just think about them carefully. Your attitude toward Chen Tai... he's not unaware of it. He doesn't give all the business to either of you, but keeps you divided—it's not hard to guess what he's planning."

Xu Jiang let out a long breath. "I'll investigate this thoroughly. Anyone who dares to target my son... I'll make their life a living hell."

...

Three days later, the night of the full moon.

The bright white moonlight spilled over the surface of the fishing harbor, creating ripples of shimmering light.

Vroom, vroom, vroom—

Amidst the low roar of a high-powered motorcycle, Zhao Yang pulled up to the pier with Chen Yan.

Feng Lvzi immediately came forward to meet them. "Brother Mo, Sister Sisi, you're here. The regular guests are already on board. What about the VIP?"

Zhao Yang got off the bike, his arm around Chen Yan's waist as he glanced at the yacht at the pier. "Where's Xu Jiang? Are you even worthy of greeting a VIP?"

Lights flashed in the distance. Feng Lvzi looked over and saw a small car parked in the shadows. He quickly grabbed his walkie-talkie and lowered his voice. "Boss, the VIP has arrived."

He then put down the radio. "The boss will be here in a moment."

A short while later, Xu Jiang came jogging over from the pier with a Face full of smiles—

"Brother Shen Mo, where is Director Meng?"