Chapter 249: The Price of Dignity is Very Expensive
Bang!
The things on the table fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
"Damn bastard!"
Lam Wai Lok's eyes were bloodshot.
A small boy wearing glasses walked out of the bedroom and silently picked up all the shattered items.
Lam Wai Lok composed himself, suppressing his anger, and said:
"Go to sleep. You have school tomorrow."
The little boy didn't say anything and went back to his room on his own.
Lam Wai Lok raised his hand and slammed it hard on the sofa, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"Damn bastard~"
Lam Wai Lok had completely lost it!
Just attending one banquet had cost him nine million!
He had directly lost half of his family fortune!
Heaven knew how difficult it had been for him to accumulate these assets; he had fought for them with his men.
Collecting them bit by bit, how incredibly difficult it was.
Yet, one banquet, and he lost half!
It was too hateful!
"Damn Lin Feng!"
"Damn Lin Ho-tung!"
"Even more damned Lok Chi-ming, Chuen Bo, Big D, Hu Xu Yong... you all just wait, I'm going to kill every single one of you!"
Lam Wai Lok wished he could go back four hours in time. He would definitely travel back and slap his past self several times, then tell him, absolutely, absolutely do not make any bets.
Lin Ho-tung's boastful demeanor was too damn intimidating.
He had thought Lin Ho-tung was a king-level player, but who would have thought he was worse than even a piece of Black Iron!
That was nine million!
Just gone, poof?
Lam Wai Lok wished he could go find Johnny Wang to buy some firearms and then just shoot Lin Ho-tung.
If you don't have the skills, why take on such a challenging task?
Why tell such big lies?!
It was simply speechless!
But as soon as Lin Ho-lung came to mind, Lam Wai Lok's anger slowly dissipated. He slumped onto the sofa, sighing heavily.
After a long while, he looked up and suddenly saw the little boy watching him from outside the door.
Lam Wai Lok forced a smile:
"Aren't you going to sleep? You have school tomorrow."
Bang!
The little boy with glasses slammed the door shut.
Sigh~
Lam Wai Lok sighed inwardly, but in the end, he shook his head.
Nine million was definitely gone.
What needed to be given still had to be given.
These were all real Triad bosses; if he didn't return the money to them, the consequences would be unbearable for Lam Wai Lok.
This was a very realistic situation.
Big D, Hu Xu Yong, Hon Ban, Lok Chi-ming, and the others were all powerful hall masters. Most importantly, they all had people under them and were not to be trifled with.
If these few people ganged up, let alone Lam Wai Lok, even Wo Luen Shing probably couldn't afford to provoke them.
Besides giving them money, what other option was there?
But Lam Wai Lok was unwilling.
Every single cent and dollar of that money had been acquired through cunning and force; losing half of his family fortune in one go meant his self-control was truly profound if he hadn't gone mad on the spot!
"Damn Fat Deng!"
"Always instigating me to do such things."
"This isn't over!"
Lam Wai Lok's temper flared up!
It was too infuriating!
If it weren't for Fat Deng, would he have thought about becoming enemies with Lin Feng?
If it weren't for Fat Deng, would he have thought about instigating all the Triad bosses?
If it weren't for Fat Deng, would he have been so idle as to bet with Hon Ban to embarrass Lin Feng… Now look, the other party is perfectly fine, but he himself has lost face.
It was truly infuriating!
Lam Wai Lok's eyes were about to spit fire!
However, what was done was done, and no amount of thinking could change anything.
"I'll settle accounts with you sooner or later!"
Lam Wai Lok was not a magnanimous person; he was the epitome of narrow-mindedness.
However, he cared deeply about his image. Even if he wanted revenge, he would choose the right opportunity and would never allow others to criticize him morally.
On this point, Lam Wai Lok greatly agreed with Lin Feng's approach.
When you're in the Triad world, it's all about "loyalty" and reputation.
Regardless of whether this "loyalty" is real or not, at least the persona must be established.
They say to raise a banner to recruit soldiers, and to make a name for oneself.
If your reputation is bad, who will follow you?
Even if you recruit people, what kind of people would they be?
Look at Lin Feng; his loyalty is so well-established that everyone has to give him a thumbs-up and say he's good.
He, Lam Wai Lok, also had to establish his own benchmark, otherwise, it would be difficult to make a name for himself in the underworld.
Fat Deng... he had to be dealt with slowly, not rushed.
Similarly, Hon Ban, Big D, Lok Chi-ming, Hu Xu Yong, Axe Jun, and others also had to be dealt with slowly.
Because these people, if they all ganged up, could severely cripple him, and to whom could he complain?
On the other hand, Lam Wai Lok was confident he could defeat Chuen Bo and Fai Wong.
But even if he could defeat them, Lam Wai Lok didn't want to fight them.
There was no reason to fight them.
He, Lam Wai Lok, was never the type to charge head-on; that was for reckless fools. He, Lam Wai Lok, was a strategist.
"A gentleman's revenge, ten years is not too late!"
"Let's take it slow."
Lam Wai Lok gritted his teeth inwardly.
Who doesn't have their ups and downs? Temporary success means nothing; lifelong success is what truly matters.
Lam Wai Lok secretly reminded himself.
"Lok Siu, you are the best. They are merely small-minded people who are temporarily successful."
"Only you are the boss who controls the situation."
After repeating this to himself twenty times, he finally suppressed his anger.
Lam Wai Lok's face was once again filled with smiles.
The smile was gentle and warm.
It instantly made people feel good.
Just as he was composing his expression, the phone suddenly rang.
Picking up his phone, Lam Wai Lok frowned slightly; he didn't recognize the number.
"Hello, this is Ah Le."
"Is this Lam Wai Lok, Wo Luen Shing's Jordan Hall Master? The Officer wants to see you!"
A pleasant female voice came through the receiver.
Lam Wai Lok's heart tightened:
"I don't know any officer…"
Just as he was about to hang up, the other party spoke again,
"Our Officer is George from the Police Force's Political Department. Are you sure you want to hang up?"
Police Force, Political Department?
Alarm bells rang in Lam Wai Lok's heart.
Why were they looking for him?
He wanted to refuse, but he couldn't now.
Lam Wai Lok gritted his teeth and said:
"Address!"
The other side naturally told him the address.
"Alright, I'll be there in half an hour."
After hanging up the phone, Lam Wai Lok was just about to leave… Bang, the bedroom door was pushed open, and the little boy with glasses stared at him blankly.
Lam Wai Lok's mouth twitched, and he said softly:
"Something came up at the company, I'm going out for a bit."
The little boy with glasses sneered:
"What company business? Isn't it just your Triad business?"
Bang!
Without waiting for Lam Wai Lok to explain, the other party had already closed the door.
Lam Wai Lok's mouth twitched again, but he eventually shook his head.
Besides being a bit frail, his son really had no other faults.
Sighing slightly, Lam Wai Lok quietly opened the door and walked out. After going downstairs, a car was waiting for him.
His pupils contracted slightly, and he was surprised to find a Foreigner standing by the car.
"Mr. Lam Wai Lok? The Officer wants to see you."
Lam Wai Lok smiled and replied:
"Lead the way."
It wasn't that he wanted to see some damn officer, but that the Foreigner's hand was constantly tucked inside his suit jacket, and that area was bulging, clearly indicating a gun.
Obviously, he had no choice.
The Foreigner relaxed and handed him a blindfold:
"Please put this on."
Lam Wai Lok cursed his bad luck and had no choice but to put it on.
People in the underworld must always be sharp. The Foreigner seemed to give him a choice, but in reality, there was none.
If he didn't choose, it was simple: the other party would probably pull out their gun.
After putting on the blindfold and getting into the car, Lam Wai Lok's heart sank. He could clearly feel that something was amiss.
There were people escorting the car on both sides. Lam Wai Lok immediately suppressed his restless thoughts and calmly waited to meet the "Officer" the Foreigner spoke of.
Time seemed to pass very slowly. After Lam Wai Lok counted several thousand numbers in his head, the car stopped.
"Mr. Lin, please get out of the car and follow me."
Someone was helping him from behind, and Lam Wai Lok didn't dare to move at all.
As an old hand in the underworld, an old fox, his personal safety was paramount.
He would absolutely not take risks without certainty. He was a strategist.
After walking a long distance and even going up some stairs, a pleasant female voice reprimanded:
"This is Mr. Lin. How dare you put a blindfold on him?"
"Where is your gentlemanly conduct?"
"That's so rude!"
The Foreigner repeatedly apologized:
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth waved her hand:
"You may withdraw."
Lam Wai Lok felt a pair of small hands remove his blindfold.
The glaring light made Lam Wai Lok feel disoriented for a while.
Only then did he clearly see the scene before him.
This was a typical Anglo-Saxon style small building, with everything in sight being European style.
Hong Kong was very warm, yet there was a fireplace in this room.
The room was huge; the office alone was as large as his mansion—Lam Wai Lok lived in a thousand-square-foot luxury home.
A Foreigner man and woman were speaking to him.
The man was handsome, the woman beautiful, both extraordinary.
"Mr. Lam Wai Lok, this is my superior, Officer George; I am Elizabeth."
Lam Wai Lok was all smiles, about to greet George, but the other man was completely engrossed in cutting his beef, not paying him any attention.
Indeed, ever since Lam Wai Lok had his blindfold removed, he had seen George cutting beef in the enormous office.
This sight made Lam Wai Lok quite angry.
However, he was a man of deep thoughts, so even his displeasure didn't show.
George ignored him, but he showed no irritation, instead saying softly:
"It's a pleasure."
"What do you wish to do, having summoned me here?"
Elizabeth said earnestly:
"Lam Wai Lok, male, 43 years old, widowed."
"He has one son, Lin Wei."
"Wo Luen Shing's Jordan Hall Master..."
Lam Wai Lok stopped smiling and said coldly:
"You investigated me?"
Elizabeth paused, suddenly becoming cold:
"We are the police, you are a criminal. Isn't it natural for the police to catch criminals?"
"Why are you so surprised?"
Lam Wai Lok was momentarily stunned by the words. He was, after all, a fox, and quickly reacted, saying:
"As the old saying goes, the common people do not contend with officials. Why don't you just state what you want clearly?"
"I will cooperate with whatever is needed."
Elizabeth clapped her hands and laughed:
"Mr. Lin is straightforward!"
"Our Officer's purpose in inviting you here is simple. Our Political Department needs a collaborator within the Triad, and Officer George thinks highly of you."
"Therefore, we choose you as our partner."
Lam Wai Lok forced a smile:
"Miss Elizabeth, this isn't good."
Elizabeth asked with a smile:
"What's not good about it?"
Lam Wai Lok said directly:
"The Police Force doesn't allow officers to cooperate with Triads. The Security Bureau and the ICAC are watching."
Elizabeth burst into laughter:
"Mr. Lin, you're so amusing!"
Lam Wai Lok's smile widened:
"I don't find it funny."
"In this line of work, the most important thing is to understand the situation."
"Although your Political Department is powerful, you are ultimately police, not the Governor."
"You can't cover the sky with one hand."
"If I cooperate with you, I'll become a thorn in everyone's side."
"Whether it's the Police Force, the Security Bureau, or the ICAC, they can easily take you down."
"And with such an unreliable backer, the Jianghu (underworld) won't tolerate me either."
"You also can't provide me with any substantial help."
"I'm not like that fool Ah Tim from Sun Luen Shing, who was scared into cooperating with you by a few words from Richard."
"He ended up losing his life for nothing, and became a laughingstock in the underworld."
At this point, Lam Wai Lok stopped smiling, his expression turning grim:
"How did Richard die?"
"Everyone in Hong Kong knows—he committed suicide by execution..."
"It's absolutely ridiculous. A Foreigner from the Police Force gets killed, and the Police Force labels it a suicide..."
"You can't even protect your own people, yet you dare to tempt me with various words?"
The mockery in Lam Wai Lok's eyes was completely undisguised.
There's no such thing as an airtight wall in the underworld; to survive long, one must be well-informed.
Ah Tim of Sun Luen Shing died mysteriously, but the news from Sun Luen Shing was that he was disciplined by family rules.
Anyone with a bit of curiosity could find out what really happened.
This served as a warning.
The longer a person had been in the underworld, the more they adhered to the black and white forest agreement. This thing, while seemingly humiliating, actually genuinely protected the interests of the Triad bosses.
Additionally, many unspoken unspoken rules within the black and white forest agreement also had to be followed.
For example, communication between the black and white was necessary, but collusion and harming fellow members was absolutely forbidden.
Anyone who colluded to harm their comrades truly deserved to be punished by everyone.
Ah Tim was a cautionary tale.
Such things emphasized tradition; older Triads understood the rationale behind it better, while upstart Triads simply couldn't comprehend.
For instance, Chung Ching Society didn't understand this principle, which is why they fell.
Elizabeth stopped smiling, turning her head involuntarily.
George put down his knife and fork, wiped his hands, and walked forward, looking at Lam Wai Lok indifferently.
Suddenly, his gaze turned fierce, like a hungry wolf, his green eyes devoid of any emotion!
Lam Wai Lok was startled, just about to speak, when George's hand had already clasped his neck. The strength of that hand was so immense that Lam Wai Lok couldn't even struggle.
Elizabeth suddenly heard George command:
"Isa. I'll speak, you translate."
Elizabeth quickly said:
"Yes, Officer!"
George's hairy hand fiercely gripped Lam Wai Lok's neck. He was so forceful, as if he wanted to strangle Lam Wai Lok.
"Don't compare the Political Department under my leadership to Richard; he's worthless in my eyes."
"In Hong Kong, no one can stop us."
"Police Commissioner cannot, the Security Bureau cannot, the Governor cannot, and the ICAC certainly cannot."
Elizabeth was a competent translator; her speech was quite nimble, almost simultaneous translation.
Lam Wai Lok used all his strength to pry open George's hand, falling to his knees, clutching his neck, and gasping for air.
He was filled with endless fear.
Just now, he could genuinely feel that George truly wanted to kill him.
Lam Wai Lok panted heavily for a long time, and the other party allowed him to catch his breath. After a while, he said with difficulty:
"Your actions don't convince me that you have sufficient ability."
"You are the police, we are criminals. Bullying just me shows no real skill."
George burst into laughter:
"Lam Wai Lok, you are a smart fellow."
"I like dealing with smart people."
"But your worries are a sign of foolishness."
"Let me tell you who we are."
"We are from the Anglo-Saxon Military Intelligence Agency."
Lam Wai Lok's pupils constricted: Anglo-Saxon Military Intelligence Agency?!
George looked at him contemptuously:
"You actually thought of using the Security Bureau and the ICAC to restrain me? How naive."
"What the Security Bureau dares not do, we dare to do."
"Cases the ICAC dares not investigate, we dare to investigate."
"Things the Governor finds inconvenient to do, we do with equal impunity."
"Oh, by the way, I heard you had a conflict with some people this afternoon?"
"Let me also give you a piece of news."
"After your Dragon Head meeting with Liang Kun today, Sun Luen Shing changed its Dragon Head."
Lam Wai Lok's pupils constricted:
"Sun Luen Shing changed its Dragon Head?"
George laughed loudly:
"I heard you had a big conflict with someone and lost nine million money."
"You're very unlucky."
"However, even worse luck is coming. The new Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing, why don't you guess who it is?"
Lam Wai Lok frowned:
"Does one need to guess the Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing? Isn't it Yiqi Hu Lok Chi-ming of Sun Luen Shing?"
George shook his head regretfully:
"It's not him. Let me tell you, the Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing is Chuen Bo."
What?
Lam Wai Lok was startled, followed by an infinite surge of anger.
If Lok Chi-ming had become the Dragon Head, he would have nothing to say; even people from other Triads would give a thumbs-up when Yiqi Hu of Sun Luen Shing was mentioned.
But Chuen Bo... on what grounds?
Lam Wai Lok suddenly recalled Chuen Bo's instigating manner at Liang Kun's banquet.
"How can a guy like that become a Dragon Head? Are Master Jin and Lam Yiu-cheung of Wo Luen Shing just sitting around doing nothing?"
"Isn't this a joke?"
"If a guy like that can become a Dragon Head, then why can't I?"
A sudden impulse surged, and Lam Wai Lok said coldly:
"To cooperate, you must demonstrate your strength."
"Anyone can talk big, but the key is to deliver."
"I need to see your strength, otherwise, I will not cooperate with you."
George tilted his head and asked with a smile:
"What do you want us to do?"
Lam Wai Lok clenched his fists:
"Didn't you say you don't care about the ICAC, the Security Bureau, or the Governor?"
"Then, do you dare to eliminate Chuen Bo?"
George burst into laughter and said something Lam Wai Lok didn't understand:
"Freedom comes at a high cost."
+++
Chapter 250: Brotherhood in the Underworld
Chuen Bo's dance hall was bustling with noise.
Everyone cheered loudly, congratulating Chuen Bo on being elected the new Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing.
Chuen Bo's face was beaming, and he enthusiastically responded to his subordinates while embracing his wife, who was eight months pregnant.
Lok Chi-ming watched quietly from a distance.
His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
At this moment, he didn't know what to say.
After returning from Liang Kun's Dragon Head banquet, Master Jin had advised Lam Yiu-cheung to hold a Dragon Head election.
The timing was quite delicate.
Liang Kun's ascension to Dragon Head of Hung Hing, with all Top Ten Gangs attending to congratulate him, gave him unparalleled prestige.
Tung Sing, on the other hand, was almost self-destructing due to the chaos caused by three traitors like Crow.
The election for Sun Luen Shing's new Dragon Head was almost unnoticed.
While it was said to be an election for Sun Luen Shing, in reality, Master Jin was asking Lam Yiu-cheung to step down as Dragon Head—
The Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing would not leave the lineage of Master Jin and Lam Yiu-cheung. After Lam Yiu-cheung, only Lok Chi-ming, Chuen Bo, and Fai Wong had the capability to take on this position.
Fai Wong had no interest in running, only wanting to live his life with his mahjong parlor.
Lok Chi-ming openly supported Chuen Bo.
Therefore, there could only be one person to serve as Dragon Head, and that was Chuen Bo.
Chuen Bo had just won money and gained many friendships that afternoon, thinking he was lucky enough for the day. He never expected that true luck was still to come.
During the day, he attended someone else's Dragon Head banquet, and at night, he received congratulations from his Sun Luen Shing brothers in his own bar, becoming the Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing after Lam Yiu-cheung.
It couldn't be more wonderful.
Lok Chi-ming was slightly lost in thought, a smile playing on his lips, but his mind was on Master Jin.
Master Jin was a bit too decisive… It was only after dealing with Lin Feng that Lok Chi-ming realized what kind of person his Boss Ding was.
Unmatched in foresight, discerning in judging people.
This was the underworld's evaluation of Master Jin.
In the underworld, there were only mistaken names, never mistaken nicknames.
Like Chui Gei, the Dragon Head of Wo Luen Shing, his only purpose was to 'Chui Gei'—to gather associates for meetings.
And Chuen Bo, too, had a distinct personality—calculating too clearly.
Lok Chi-ming knew that the Wo Luen Shing Dragon Head Master Jin favored was not actually Chuen Bo, but him.
However, with him unable to run, Master Jin decisively persuaded Lam Yiu-cheung to let Chuen Bo inherit the position of Sun Luen Shing Dragon Head. The calculations behind this couldn't help but make Lok Chi-ming ponder deeply.
Ho Ka-Kui, Chuen Bo's right-hand man, walked over with a wine glass.
"Brother Lok, you are as dashing as ever."
When Ho Ka-Kui said this, his expression was very complex.
Lok Chi-ming was once an undercover officer like himself. Because of the demolition incident three years ago, people died.
Therefore, he willingly took the blame for Lam Yiu-cheung.
Thus, he earned the title of Yiqi Hu.
After getting out, he became even more free and unrestrained, absolutely refusing to contend for power and profit with Triad members.
Unexpectedly, his reputation rose even further.
Thinking about it, it made sense; those who mix in the underworld are like hungry wolves. When they encounter profit, earning a little less feels like a loss, and when they encounter someone who doesn't contend for power and profit with them, they naturally worship him from a high position.
Who would want to make an enemy of such a person?
Ho Ka-Kui asked himself, if he were Ah Tim, he would definitely not want to make an enemy of Lok Chi-ming—after all, the man had no interest in the Chairman position.
Who would have thought that Ah Tim would inadvertently elevate Lok Chi-ming's reputation even further.
Inspector Cheng Guobin and Ho Ka-Kui had discussed Lok Chi-ming's trajectory and both found it baffling.
How exactly did Lok Chi-ming rise to power?
Looking at his actions, he clearly didn't do anything, he clearly didn't fight for anything, yet those matters, whether they were achievements or not, seemed to rush to him, and Lok Chi-ming couldn't refuse them even if he wanted to.
Just like today, even though Lok Chi-ming had completely taken over Ah Tim's territory, even though he had become the most powerful of the three tigers, he still didn't think about becoming Chairman.
If Chuen Bo wanted to be Dragon Head, then he would definitely help him.
He could clearly be the Dragon Head Chairman himself, yet he politely declined.
Ho Ka-Kui truly didn't understand what Lok Chi-ming ultimately wanted to do.
Lok Chi-ming glanced at him:
"When you're in the underworld, do whatever makes you comfortable, otherwise, why would you join a Triad."
Ho Ka-Kui scoffed.
Who was he trying to fool with that?
How could a lowlifes at the bottom rise to power by doing whatever they wanted?
Wouldn't they have to fight desperately?
The mortality rate for newcomers joining the underworld each year was the highest.
Only after layers of brutal fighting, surviving the 'raising of gu,' could one hope to glimpse the Chairman position.
As for others… just forget it.
Even he, an elite police cadet, wanting to go undercover with Chuen Bo, didn't he also fight his way up step by step from countless battles?
Ho Ka-Kui wanted to retort, but then he thought of Lok Chi-ming's experiences and suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.
Given Lok Chi-ming's experiences, he had the right to say such things.
It was truly headache-inducing.
Ho Ka-Kui was quite speechless.
After a long while, he said:
"Brother Lok, your vision is too grand; I can't compare with you."
Lok Chi-ming said indifferently:
"Chuen Bo has already become the Sun Luen Shing Dragon Head. What do you intend to do?"
"Continue to be his assistant?"
Ho Ka-Kui stiffened and smiled bitterly:
"Do I have any other path to take?"
Lok Chi-ming said expressionlessly:
"Then you'd best be disciplined. You are no longer a Young and Dangerous, and you should know what the black and white forest agreement is."
"The authority of the Police Force is ineffective in certain situations."
Ho Ka-Kui's smile became even more bitter:
"I know."
This black and white forest agreement, if one wasn't at a high enough level, one truly wouldn't know such a thing existed.
Ho Ka-Kui didn't know it when he was a police cadet, nor when he went undercover into Wo Luen Shing as a small-time hoodlum, and even when he first became Chuen Bo's Tau Pei, he still didn't know.
It was only after being a Young and Dangerous for a long time that he realized such a thing existed between black and white.
To be honest, when Ho Ka-Kui learned about it, his hair stood on end.
His worldview was violently shaken.
It nearly shattered his pride as a police officer—how could the Police Force have such an agreement with the Young and Dangerous?
Wasn't this a joke?
But the facts proved that it was no joke; it truly existed.
And the black and white forest agreement, in essence, was just one sentence: do not cause social unrest, and keep to your own business.
Therefore, sending undercover officers violated the Black and White Agreement.
If a Triad ever caught a police undercover, they would either be given three knives and six holes or cemented into the sea; there would be no other method of disposal.
Ho Ka-Kui's situation was already an exception among exceptions.
No, perhaps it wasn't an exception, but merely because Ho Ka-Kui hadn't done anything detrimental to Sun Luen Shing, so Lok Chi-ming could tolerate him.
If Ho Ka-Kui were to make a move, then Lok Chi-ming would certainly make Ho Ka-Kui disappear.
Ever since Lok Chi-ming declared he couldn't return to Sun Luen Shing, Ho Ka-Kui knew that the other party would definitely do this.
Lok Chi-ming showed a slight smile:
"Chuen Bo is our Sun Luen Shing's Dragon Head, so you must assist him well."
Ho Ka-Kui gritted his teeth and said:
"Brother Lok, I'll remember that."
As soon as his voice fell, Chuen Bo's voice rang out:
"Ah Lok, you truly are my good brother."
It turned out that Chuen Bo had walked over with a wine glass.
Ho Ka-Kui tactfully left, giving the two big bosses enough private space.
Lok Chi-ming clinked an aluminum can with him:
"Congratulations on your election."
Chuen Bo clinked his glass contentedly and said:
"Isn't that because you supported me?"
"If you didn't support me, it would be very difficult for me to become Chairman."
Lok Chi-ming chuckled:
"I'm free and easy in all matters, and Fai Wong's attitude towards Triad affairs is similar to mine. Among the three of us, only you are interested in building the Triad, so if not you, then who would be chosen for this position?"
Chuen Bo put away his smile and shook his head:
"No, we know our own affairs. If it weren't for your help behind the scenes, I really wouldn't have been able to take this position."
He pointed outside,
"Ah Lok, let's take a walk."
Lok Chi-ming stood up and turned to see Chuen Bo's wife, heavily pregnant, watching them.
"Sister-in-law is very worried about you."
Chuen Bo put his arm around Lok Chi-ming's shoulder:
"Today is my big day; she knows that too."
"I'm working so hard, isn't it because I want to give her and our child a good life?"
"Don't worry, she's used to it."
Lok Chi-ming nodded kindly to Chuen Bo's wife, then followed Chuen Bo out of the dance hall entrance.
The two clinked their glasses and drank them dry.
Chuen Bo said sincerely:
"Ah Lok, thank you so much this time."
"I know that without you, I wouldn't be able to take this position."
"Thank you for supporting me."
Lok Chi-ming waved his hand:
"Brother Chang choosing you as Dragon Head means you are competent enough. There's no need for other words."
"We are brothers. If I don't support you, then who will I support?"
Chuen Bo shook his head and laughed, "That's definitely your style, Ah Lok."
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"Speaking of which, when I first met you, I didn't have a good impression of you."
Chuen Bo sighed with emotion,
"I never thought we would become the best of brothers."
Lok Chi-ming was stunned: "Didn't have a good impression of me?"
Chuen Bo teased, "Of course I didn't have a good impression."
"Back when I first met you, you were too aloof, handsome, and arrogant."
"I thought, we're all lowlifess out here making a living, why are you so arrogant?"
Lok Chi-ming chuckled wryly.
This truly reflected the real situation of many lowlifess.
When you're out making a living, there's no need to hide your emotions; if you don't like someone, you just don't like them.
We're all out here making a living, what's there to be arrogant about?
"Then how did you change your mind?"
Lok Chi-ming was very curious.
Chuen Bo said in surprise, "Did you forget?"
Lok Chi-ming wondered, "What should I remember?"
Chuen Bo sighed, "Do you remember when Brother Chang asked us to do something, which was to smuggle some goods by sea?"
"A wave crashed down, and I was swept into the sea. It was you, Lok Chi-ming, who held my hand tightly. Your wrist was chafed, but you still wouldn't let go."
"If it weren't for you, I'd be gone."
Lok Chi-ming wondered, "Such a thing happened?"
Chuen Bo sighed, "Can you not be so arrogant?"
"You saved me, and you really don't remember?"
Lok Chi-ming shrugged, "When you're out making a living, there are plenty of times you fight with people. Either you save me, or I save you. Isn't that normal?"
Chuen Bo shook his head, "No, saving people is too rare."
"Let's not talk about Sun Luen Shing; let's use Hung Hing as an example."
"The brotherhood between Liang Kun and Lin Feng is enviable, because it's something rarely seen in other Triads."
"The number of times these two saved each other is countless."
"Is that possible in other Triads?"
Lok Chi-ming thought for a moment, then nodded, agreeing with Chuen Bo's view.
Chuen Bo said seriously, "My opinion of you changed not just because you saved me, but because I realized you are a human being."
Lok Chi-ming looked at him sideways, "Let's not insult people, how am I not a human being?"
Chuen Bo sighed, "Do you think I'm insulting you?"
"No!"
"There are too many people in the Triads who don't act like humans."
"Those who act like humans are few and far between."
"Which of the things we do doesn't challenge our moral values? Which of them isn't inhuman?"
"You are a human being, and I am willing to associate with you."
Lok Chi-ming laughed heartily, "Then I haven't disappointed you, have I?"
Chuen Bo patted his shoulder heavily, "Of course not."
"Good brother, please continue to support me in the future."
Lok Chi-ming smiled, "You are the Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing, if I don't support you, who will I support?"
Chuen Bo chuckled, "Brother Chang really hit the nail on the head."
Lok Chi-ming was puzzled, "What does this have to do with Brother Chang?"
Chuen Bo whispered, "Brother Chang said that if you support me to complete this term, I must transfer one-third of the Triad's properties to you."
Lok Chi-ming was startled, "This doesn't follow the rules, does it?"
Chuen Bo scoffed, "Rules?"
"If we were to go by seniority, it wouldn't be me sitting in this position right now, but you."
Lok Chi-ming said seriously, "You are now the Dragon Head of Sun Luen Shing; you shouldn't talk about such things too much."
"Talking about it too much will affect your prestige."
Chuen Bo laughed heartily, "Good brother!"
"You are still thinking of me as always."
"In my life, I have a good boss, a good wife, a good brother, and a good group of subordinates—it's worth it!"
Lok Chi-ming quickly interrupted him, "Bah, bah, bah!"
"Today is your big day, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Chuen Bo gently patted his mouth, "My mistake."
Lok Chi-ming didn't want to talk about these things, so he quickly pulled out a Camel cigarette and shared one with Chuen Bo.
The two puffed away.
After smoking for a while, Fai Wong walked over. Lok Chi-ming threw him a Camel cigarette and lit it for him.
Fai Wong said seriously, "Chuen Bo, congratulations on being elected Chairman. I support you."
Chuen Bo laughed so hard he almost couldn't keep his glasses on, "It still comes down to us Three Tigers."
Fai Wong was an old-school Gang Leader. Not only were his businesses old-school, but his thinking was old-school too.
When you're out making a living, you rely on Grandfather.
It doesn't matter if brothers have conflicts; just resolve them. Actions that harm Grandfather are absolutely unacceptable.
Whoever dared to harm Grandfather, he would beat them.
Since Chuen Bo became the Chairman of Sun Luen Shing, he represented Grandfather, and Fai Wong would definitely support him to the end.
Lok Chi-ming raised his hand, Fai Wong was the first to put his hand on it, Chuen Bo spat out his Camel cigarette with a "Pah!" and placed both his hands on top:
"Brothers united, their strength is like cutting metal."
The three slammed their hands down heavily.
Hahahahaha!
The three burst into laughter.
Fai Wong said to Lok Chi-ming, "Ah Lok, I was misled by Ah Tim before and said some offensive things to you. You know, I didn't have any ill intentions towards you."
Lok Chi-ming smiled and shook his head, "Those are all in the past, why bring them up?"
Fai Wong felt completely relieved.
"I'll take that as you not minding."
Chuen Bo laughed heartily, "How could Ah Lok be as petty as you think? And you're supposed to be the strongest among us three, yet you can't even see that."
Fai Wong said plainly, "It's true I can fight, but I don't want to fight with my brothers."
The three laughed again; with things cleared up, the atmosphere became completely relaxed.
Fai Wong remembered something: "Lam Wai Lok of Wo Luen Shing is really jumping around. Later, Ah Lok, you and I will teach him a lesson together."
"Chuen Bo is the Chairman now, so it's not good for him to do such things."
"Lam Wai Lok is just a hall master in Jordan. To dare to jump around like this… he's truly audacious."
Lok Chi-ming smiled, "Wo Luen Shing is full of foxes, and Lam Wai Lok is just another fox."
"He's not worth worrying about."
"Don't forget, he didn't just offend us."
"Axe Head Sheng of Sun Yee On, Hu Xu Yong of Number Gang, Hon Ban of Hung Hing, Big D…"
"We can't go it alone. To take that guy down, we need to contact others to join us."
Fai Wong frowned, "Just a mere Lam Wai Lok, no need for a massive Triad mobilization, right?"
Sun Yee On, Hung Hing, Number Gang, and Sun Luen Shing uniting to cause trouble for Wo Luen Shing—to call it a massive Triad mobilization was indeed not wrong.
Lok Chi-ming shrugged, "Lam Wai Lok's strength isn't really that strong, but it's a critical time, so it's better to be cautious."
Chuen Bo laughed, "Fai Wong, you have to listen to Ah Lok."
"Among us three, Ah Lok has the best brain."
"We definitely have to listen to the smartest person's ideas."
"Don't you agree?"
Fai Wong immediately said, "Alright, I'll listen to both of you. As long as you make a good plan, just let me know when it's ready."
Lok Chi-ming and Chuen Bo exchanged a smile.
Fai Wong had the same style when he was with Ah Tim.
He was too lazy to think and only wanted to listen to the ideas of smart people.
In other words, Fai Wong was simple-minded, had no ill intentions, and just wanted to live his life guarding his mahjong parlor.
He didn't have any deep-seated conflicts with others; even if there were conflicts, they were minor frictions, small misunderstandings that could be resolved.
The three reached an agreement, and their spirits lifted even higher.
Chuen Bo looked forward, "With our three brothers united, Ah Lok for strategy, Fai Wong for combat, I am confident that Sun Luen Shing will reach a new level."
Lok Chi-ming and Fai Wong looked at each other and said in unison, "We support you."
Uncle Qian appeared at the doorway and called out, "What are you three big bosses talking about outside? Hurry up and come in to thank the brothers for their support."
Chuen Bo loudly said, "Coming!"
Lok Chi-ming smiled and waved his hand, "I can't drink anymore, I've had too much."
Fai Wong and Chuen Bo put their arms around each other, "If Ah Lok doesn't drink, I'll drink with you. Tonight, we'll drink until we drop."
Chuen Bo laughed heartily, "Right, right, drink until we drop!"
The two walked arm in arm towards the dance hall.
Just then, a sudden change occurred.
A jeep suddenly sped over, and as everyone watched in astonishment, two dark gun barrels appeared in the car window.
Lok Chi-ming felt his scalp tingle and shouted, "Get down!"
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
Fai Wong and Chuen Bo had already fallen into a pool of blood, completely silent!