The second wife was a little different from what I had imagined. While she appeared graceful and elegant in public, she transformed at home, donning comfortable pajamas with her hair down and makeup removed. Still, for a fifty-year-old, she was well-preserved and didn't look her age.
When I arrived, the second wife was feeding cats. Two felines, whose breeds I couldn't identify, rubbed against her legs.
"My husband likes cats, but he's too busy, so he left them to me. When they first arrived, they'd meow when they were hungry. But now, it's better. I told them not to make noise, and it seems they understand."
Feeling a bit awkward, I smiled and said, "Cats are naturally quite intelligent."
"Everyone thinks dogs are smart, but cats are too. Mr. Tang Nan, what brings you here?"
The second wife realized she had been rambling and steered the conversation back on track.
"I received word that someone intends to harm Mr. Gao Xiaoqing."
"Who?"
"Gao Zihui."
Upon hearing Gao Zihui's name, the second wife showed neither surprise nor anger. Her demeanor now was entirely different from her state in the hospital. Perhaps due to the cats, she exuded a calm and amiable aura, with an unseen hint of authority beneath the surface.
"My husband's flight to Hong Kong is scheduled for around six this evening. Could you pick him up for me?"
"That might not be appropriate."
"You are the Schemer my father-in-law handpicked, and I trust your capabilities. Be careful with everything."
...
Accompanied by bodyguards, I met Gao Xiaoqing at his private jet. Unlike his brother, Gao Xiaozhi, he didn't possess the look of an older man; he appeared to be an elite professional with a stylish beard and a sharp gaze.
"I understand. Thank you for the warning. What's your name?"
"Tang Nan."
"You are Tang Nan?" Gao Xiaoqing's expression shifted upon hearing my name.
"You know me."
"My father often mentions you. I've heard much about you. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Gao Xiaoqing."
Of course, I knew he was Gao Xiaoqing, but his earnest introduction signified his respect for me, which immediately elevated my perception of him.
"You are in danger!"
Gao Xiaoqing chuckled lightly. "My wife mentioned it on the phone. My nephew always has wild ideas. He wants to kill me? He's a long way from that."
"You should still be cautious."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Gao Xiaoqing was remarkably confident. I couldn't help but examine his bodyguards: two Black men and one White man. Their physiques were exceptionally well-defined, clearly indicating they were no ordinary individuals. On the way back, this security detail demonstrated formidable professional competence. Witnessing their performance, contrasted with Gao Zihui's crude plan for a car accident, I was struck by the importance of expertise and the respect due to professionalism. Their protective capabilities left me in awe.
No wonder both the second wife and Gao Xiaoqing appeared so composed about the assassination attempts. With such a security team, I had no qualms about being targeted. Under the protection of this group, Gao Zihui's actions would be utterly futile. I began to believe that in this struggle for inheritance, Gao Zihui would be the first to be eliminated.
That evening, Gao Xiaoqing invited me to join him for dinner. He touched upon the distribution of the family fortune, lamenting his father's masterful planning while also praising Old Ghost.
"Regarding the inheritance of the family assets, I reached an agreement with Mr. Cao Shi several years ago. Once Father passes on, I will inherit the family business."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. Tonight, you can inform Mr. Cao Shi that I will personally purchase his 7% stake."
"Will Old Ghost agree?"
"If Mr. Cao Shi's state of mind is the same as when we reached that consensus, I believe he will agree to my terms."
"I will certainly relay the message."
...
Upon returning to Old Ghost's residence, I was once again impressed by his resilience. All the Gao family members were fixated on his 7% share, yet he remained unperturbed, even making dumplings with a contented heart.
Seeing me, Old Ghost offered a genuine smile. "Have you eaten?"
"I've had a little."
"Dumplings and wine, the more you drink, the richer you feel. Care for a drink with me?"
"I'll risk my life to keep you company."
There was no Erguotou today, but Old Ghost had a good bottle of national liquor. We poured ourselves generous amounts and drank heartily.
In Hong Kong, Old Ghost was the person I trusted the most. I had no reason to hide anything from him. I unhesitatingly revealed Gao Ji's threat to me and the drops of blood that had splashed from the flying arrow.
"Old Gao is feigning death to pit his descendants against each other."
"Yes."
"That's Old Gao's style – toying with people's emotions. He loves to present irresistible bait and then control others like puppets."
"Like he controlled Zhu Guang back then?"
"Precisely. When he learned of Wen De's whereabouts, he chose Zhu Guang among Zhang Si, Wang Ren, and Zhu Guang. Zhu Guang was highly optimistic about the stage Gao Lao provided him and dedicated himself wholeheartedly. But Gao Lao never intended for Zhu Guang to assist him. Among his disciples, he actually wanted Li Jiu."
"Didn't Zhu Guang realize?"
"No. Senior Brother Zhu Guang was immersed in his own world back then. He believed his unusual cases were enough to impress anyone."
"Gao Lao didn't value him."
"He truly didn't. Even when Zhu Guang staged a comeback, his attempt to brainwash the global conglomerates with the idea that 'one should not serve oneself if not for the sake of others' was met with Gao Lao's ridicule. It was like an adult watching a child earnestly preach. How could conglomerate executives control the world through finance if they weren't selfish?"
It seemed Old Ghost had a clear understanding of the current state of conglomerate leaders and of Gao Lao himself. This was another instance of Gao Lao using bait to manipulate people. He was truly selfish, willing to watch his descendants slaughter each other for the future of the Gao family.
I sighed, "Why must they make their descendants kill each other? Isn't the pirate division of gold method effective?"
Old Ghost looked at me with a smile. "The pirate division of gold isn't applicable to everyone. In that case, there was a crucial condition: all those pirates were intelligent individuals. The descendants of the Gao family are not all intelligent."
"Gao Zihui is certainly not intelligent."
"It's not just him."
"Indeed, his father, Gao Xiaozhi, isn't intelligent either."
"Gao Xiaozhi is intelligent. His outward appearance is a facade. He might seem foolish, but he's quite difficult to deal with."
"Then who are you referring to? Ziming, you shouldn't speak about your own son like that."
Old Ghost sighed. "It's not Ziming. Although Ziming is young, he's intelligent and sharp. Don't underestimate a twenty-year-old. When you were twenty, didn't you play the boss of Xieli, Mr. Xie, like a fiddle? Don't forget, Ziming grew up in a large family."
"Gao Xiaoqing? That can't be, he doesn't seem unintelligent."
"His disposition is straightforward, his methods are open. He might appear astute due to his position, but the hidden dangers are insidious and difficult to guard against."
"You don't think highly of him, yet he intends to buy your 7% stake?"
"I'll sell."
"The Gao family's wealth is like a flood and a beast to the nation. If they harbor any ill intentions, it could impact the local economy and even national unity. It's a good thing for such wealth to be in Gao Xiaoqing's hands."
I understood Old Ghost's intentions and reminded him, "Senior Sister mentioned that Gao Lao knows about your secret cooperation with Li Jiu. He's making a move now, perhaps to lure you out and eliminate you."
"No, Gao Lao has a hundred more direct ways to kill me if he wanted. His plan isn't for me; we can add insult to injury and solidify Gao Xiaoqing's claim to inheritance."
"Will that work?"
"When things reach an extreme, they reverse. The best strategies are often simple and direct. Since Gao Lao set the rules, we will use those rules to defeat him."
This was indeed Old Ghost's style: "The world does not belong to me, but I can make use of everything in the world." Old Ghost, fully aware of Gao Lao's machinations, unhesitatingly chose this simple and direct approach.
There was a hidden condition to this plan that Old Ghost didn't mention, and I didn't ask. That hidden condition was that once everything was ripe, Gao Lao's assassination attempt would become a reality, and he would not only be gravely wounded but lose his life. I believed Old Ghost also had a hundred direct ways to kill Gao Lao.
...
This evening's drinking session wasn't as relaxed as the previous days. I woke up startled several times during the night. Old Ghost's plan was sound, but I still felt uneasy, though I couldn't pinpoint why.
Upon waking in the morning, I saw Old Ghost receive a phone call. "I understand, Ziming. Don't be afraid. Hold your head high, I'll be there shortly."
"What's wrong?" I asked Old Ghost.
"Gao Xiaoqing is dead."
"What about his bodyguard team?"
"They were bypassed by the other party. Let's go, you'll come with me to take a look."