55: To share the burden of Director Li

10:00 AM, Xinrui Entertainment Center.

Li Zhan and Old Zhou had been training in the fifth-floor gym for two hours.

After showering in the newly built bathroom and changing clothes, they returned to the second-floor office.

Li Zhan pushed open the office door.

Shaking his damp hair, he grabbed a cigarette pack from the desk and flicked one into his mouth.

Old Zhou walked in carrying a teapot; as hot water poured into the purple clay pot, the aroma of tea immediately filled the room.

He asked while pouring, "What are your plans for the territory in the South City?"

Li Zhan lit his cigarette. "That old geezer Seventh Uncle doesn't have many cards left now."

He narrowed his eyes. "If he wants to counterattack, he only has two options."

"One is the connection at the Sub-bureau."

Li Zhan flicked the ash.

"But since Shu He was caught red-handed with the evidence, they won't dare to move rashly for fear of getting themselves dirty."

Old Zhou pushed a teacup toward Li Zhan. "And the other direction?"

"Borrowing soldiers from abroad."

Li Zhan sneered. "Seventh Uncle has been in the underworld for so many years; he's bound to have some channels. "

"Didn't he bring over an expert from Thailand before?"

Old Zhou took a sip of tea and shook his head.

"In our domestic environment, even a dragon from overseas has to coil up. However, we need to keep a close eye on the Sub-bureau."

Li Zhan nodded. "Director Zhang least wants to see Changan fall into chaos during the last two years of his term."

"Retiring peacefully is his plan."

His gaze turned cold. "But Director Li can't wait, and neither can I."

He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "AZu, get Golden Tooth Sheng and come over together."

After hanging up, Li Zhan looked at Old Zhou.

"Assign more men to Shui Sheng. We must tear a hole in their defenses as soon as possible."

Old Zhou set down his teacup, his gaze sharp. "This can't be delayed any longer."

"I'll take a team over to coordinate with him."

Li Zhan nodded slightly. "Mm, I'll be more at ease if you go."

He stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the street scene of Changan.

"Seventh Uncle must be thinking of enduring for a while and finding a chance to make a comeback later."

"I won't give him that chance."

"Now that such a rare opportunity has appeared, I'm going to finish him off with one blow."

—

A short while later.

AZu pushed the door open, followed by Golden Tooth Sheng.

As soon as Golden Tooth Sheng entered, he put on a big smile.

The gold chain around his neck was blindingly bright, and his mouth full of gold teeth sparkled under the lights.

He rubbed his hands together, his waist slightly bowed. "Brother Zhan, you were looking for me?"

Li Zhan looked up at him and casually flicked a cigarette from the pack toward him.

"The welcome banquet last time was well-handled."

Golden Tooth Sheng scrambled to catch the cigarette, his smile growing even brighter.

"Thank you, Brother Zhan!"

"Last night's fight was beautiful. Now everyone in the Changan underworld is talking about you..."

"I have a job for you."

Li Zhan interrupted his flattery directly.

Golden Tooth Sheng immediately straightened his back. "Just say the word! I guarantee it'll be done beautifully!"

Li Zhan exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Go tell the people in South City that I want to buy their venues. Have them name a price."

The office suddenly fell silent.

Old Zhou and AZu both turned to look at Li Zhan at the same time.

Seizing territory isn't within the rules, but one can certainly buy it.

The cigarette Golden Tooth Sheng had just lit almost fell from his mouth. "B-Brother Zhan... this..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Li Zhan chuckled. "Everyone in South City who can fight is currently lying in the hospital. Do they dare touch you?"

"Just deliver the message."

Golden Tooth Sheng swallowed hard and gritted his teeth. "Alright! With Brother Zhan backing me, I'll go right now!"

Li Zhan turned to Old Zhou.

"Have the security company men split into three shifts and take turns 'patrolling' the South City territory."

"I want to make it impossible for them to do business."

Golden Tooth Sheng's eyes lit up, his gold teeth gleaming. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

"Once they can't hold out anymore, they'll have to beg to sell their venues to us!"

Li Zhan didn't respond and said to AZu,

"In these next two months, visit the hospital often to see which floor boss is about to be discharged."

He paused. "Let Old Zhou go 'give them some extra lessons'."

AZu and Old Zhou looked at each other and almost laughed out loud; Brother Zhan was still as wicked as ever.

Li Zhan flicked his cigarette ash and continued to AZu,

"Find a few more brothers to scout some good locations in the south and west of Changan Town, and..."

He narrowed his eyes. "...in the town center."

"Set up Gambling Dens, hotels, and nightclubs for me."

AZu was stunned. "Brother Zhan, the town center is Ninth Master's territory..."

A playful smile curled on Li Zhan's lips. "I just want to see his reaction..."

AZu immediately understood and nodded. "Understood, I'll arrange for people to handle it right away."

He turned to leave but was called back by Li Zhan.

"Remember, don't be in a rush to make a move. Just keep an eye on the places for now."

Old Zhou smiled from the side. "Those old guys all seek stability, but you..."

Li Zhan didn't speak.

He simply stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, the sparks extinguishing instantly.

—

A while after Old Zhou and AZu left.

Sister Hua leaned against the doorframe and knocked.

Today, she was rarely wearing low-waist jeans that outlined her firm, rounded curves.

On top was a low-cut knit sweater under a long trench coat; her whole being exuded the sexiness and charm of a mature woman.

She walked straight to the sofa opposite Li Zhan and sat down.

Crossing her legs, she fished a slender lady's cigarette from her bag and lit it.

"You were quite impressive last night."

She exhaled a cloud of smoke, her red lips curving slightly. "Now your name is being spread everywhere outside."

Li Zhan sighed with feigned helplessness. "It seems it'll be impossible to stay low-profile from now on."

Sister Hua burst out laughing and gave him a playful glare.

"Which nightclub were you talking about earlier? The one in South City?"

Li Zhan stood up and sat beside her, his palm naturally resting on her thigh.

"No, the one in Xiagang."

Sister Hua slapped his hand away, only for him to catch it in his grasp.

Li Zhan lifted her hand to his nose and took a light sniff. "So fragrant."

"You rogue."

Sister Hua poked his arm reproachfully and took a deep drag of her cigarette.

"Isn't the one in Xiagang owned by the Bai Family? Were you involved in the Bai Family's incident too?"

Li Zhan planted a kiss on the back of her hand.

Leaning back into the sofa, a faint smile played on his lips.

"There is no more Bai Family from now on."

He paused. "Anyway, that place is mine now. You handle the arrangements."

"Does it need redecorating?"

Sister Hua pondered for a moment. "I've been to that place a few times."

"The area is large enough and the decor is decent. Just a bit of rearranging will do."

Li Zhan patted her thigh. "Then find someone to rearrange it."

"We need to open as soon as possible. You handle the staff;"

"Keep those who are useful, and tell the useless ones to get lost."

As they were speaking, Li Zhan's phone suddenly rang, the screen lighting up—[Captain Zhao].

He raised an eyebrow and turned the screen toward Sister Hua. "Captain Zhao?"

Sister Hua's red lips curled slightly as she tilted her chin at him, signaling him to answer.

Li Zhan pressed the speakerphone, and Captain Zhao's voice came through,

“A-Zhan, there's something I need you to cooperate with...”

Li Zhan glanced at Sister Hua and asked in confusion,

"Captain Zhao, what happened? You need my cooperation?"

On the other end, Captain Zhao suddenly coughed twice, his voice becoming a bit strange.

"Uh... it's like this."

"The Sub-bureau... wants to send an undercover agent to your side."

Li Zhan was stunned. "Send an undercover to my side? And you want me to cooperate..."

His brain couldn't process it for a moment, while Sister Hua was already covering her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Captain Zhao gave a dry laugh. "It's like this..."

For the next three minutes,

Captain Zhao used his fastest speaking speed to dump out Lin Xia's background, why she was being pushed over,

and the requirement that "nothing must happen to her."

After listening, Li Zhan didn't feel good at all.

"And then... you guys just kicked this young lady over to me?"

"Captain Zhao, my place is... not a shelter for problem girls."

Sister Hua finally couldn't hold it back and burst out laughing.

Captain Zhao's voice suddenly became serious. "A-Zhan, this is Director Li's trust in you!"

"If you make excuses over such a small difficulty, how can we cooperate in the future?"

He added in a lowered voice, "No matter what, you must ensure Comrade Lin Xia's safety, otherwise..."

His tone suddenly collapsed. "Otherwise, we'll all be in big trouble..."

He hung up immediately, not even giving a chance to object.

Li Zhan stood frozen in place, holding his phone.

Sister Hua hugged his arm, her chin resting on his shoulder, laughing uncontrollably.

"I think... you should just use some 'male charm' and take this young lady in."

"Having a police flower in your harem, how wonderful—"

Li Zhan's mouth twitched. "Sister Hua... I'm in the underworld."

"Such a high-ranking official's daughter..."

He rubbed his temples.

"Do you think I'm not dying fast enough?"