"Should we escape then?" Wu Xiong asked, nearly falling for the black ape's trick.
The black ape looked at Xie Sui. "You decide, you're the boss."
Xie Sui squatted down, lit a cigarette, and watched the two of them, finding them amusing and remarkably calm. They even joined him for a smoke without a hint of panic.
While they were unbothered, the driver hiding in the shadows was frantic. This was the perfect opportunity, shouldn't they be trying to escape?
After finishing his cigarette, Xie Sui asked, "How long do you guys need to squat?"
"Who dares squat for that long? Five minutes at most, you can't just sit there for half an hour and expect no trouble." The guards wouldn't stand for it either, and everyone else waiting for the restroom would curse you out.
"What if someone has constipation? Do you think our driver friend here has constipation?"
Xie Sui's words made them understand. His prolonged absence meant it was a trap. If they left now, they'd be caught and then charged with attempted escape, adding years to their sentences.
Xie Sui continued, "Isn't it true that escaping prisoners can be shot without consequence? I think this is a setup for our lives."
Both of them looked horrified. How sinister!
Xie Sui flicked his cigarette butt away and stood up to walk back. "Most freebies are poisoned. Learn your lesson."
"Brother Xie is brilliant. From now on, you're our big brother."
"Get lost. With your looks, you'd scare my parents. I can't handle that."
The three of them returned, and everyone's expressions shifted. They thought something would happen, but nothing did.
Gan Houer said, "Brother Xie, Brother Wu, Brother Hei, you're back."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing really, are you guys okay?"
"What could happen to us? We went to take a bath, we reek of slop."
Zhang Hu's face turned grim. He hadn't taken the bait, and now he had no opportunity to act. This was dire for him. Don't think Li Junhao's money is easy to get. If you take his money and don't deliver, the consequences are worse. Killing him would be a minor issue; he feared for his entire family. Li Junhao was perfectly capable of doing that.
When Zhang Hu switched shifts, he was in a daze, almost walking into a pillar. His colleagues knew he was in deep trouble. He'd taken money and failed to deliver, and misfortune would surely follow. However, they couldn't help him, as he hadn't shared any of the bribe money with them.
Xie Sui's life became increasingly comfortable. He got to know everyone in the detention center. Later, a few troublemakers were sent in, arranged by the Li family. Xie Sui dealt with them so severely that his position as the detention center's boss wasn't for nothing.
Li Junhao, enraged, smashed a cup and sent a message to Zhang Hu: if Xie Sui wasn't dealt with, Zhang Hu would die.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanwan had revived the company. In just half a month, she was a changed woman. Her initial nervousness had transformed into confidence, and she became a familiar face at various social events. She wasn't in a rush to see Xie Sui anymore. With the help of Sheng Ruyi and Guan Zhizhi, she was even starting to enjoy her current life. Business was intoxicating, whether for men or women; having a career made one appear younger.
Du Feiyang came to visit Xie Sui. Seeing him in good spirits, he remarked with emotion, "Brother Xie, you and your wife truly are a perfect match. You can make a good life for yourselves anywhere."
Xie Sui asked, "What do you mean? What happened to Wanwan?"
"Nothing, she's doing great. Better than great. Banquets every day, I'm not as busy as she is. The company is running smoothly. That Sheng Ruyi is also quite capable. With her help, you don't have to worry."
Xie Sui felt a pang of anxiety. "So, whether I get out or not, it's not important anymore?" He knew Lin Wanwan wasn't a wilting flower, but he hadn't expected her to perform so much better than he imagined.
"Well, it seems, possibly, that it should be." Du Feiyang also looked a bit flustered and gave him a sympathetic glance. "Are you saying your wife doesn't want you anymore? She has money and a career; she could even afford a toy boy."
"Is there another man around her?"
"Not that I know of, but with so many young male actors in your film company, you can't avoid interacting with them. Their physiques, their looks, they're much better than yours, Brother Xie."
Xie Sui: "..."
"Are you here to annoy me? Let's talk business. When can I get out?"
Du Feiyang apologized, "My father isn't intervening, so I'm not qualified. Your wife, however, has managed to connect with Li Hongze, but he's also useless, much like me. He can't make decisions for the Li family."
Xie Sui said, "It's fine. By my calculations, my external support should arrive soon. What is there to fear? The Li family might be dominant in Hong Kong, but globally, they're nothing."
Xie Sui's confidence piqued Du Feiyang's curiosity, but he said nothing. Du Feiyang had no choice but to leave. Before leaving, he topped up Xie Sui's account with five million, spending money like water. To win over subordinates, one had to be generous. Du Feiyang was also given many odd jobs that required help within the detention center, keeping him incredibly busy and solidifying Xie Sui's position as the boss. Brothers are meant to be taken advantage of; Du Feiyang regretted knowing this one.
...
Lin Wanwan had been very busy lately. By the time she returned home, the children were asleep. Her eldest sister, Xie Lan, was worried. She was a traditional woman and found it improper for Lin Wanwan to be out so late every day, socializing and drinking. Lin Wanwan had even started wearing makeup, which made Xie Lan even more disapproving, seeing her as a flashy temptress.
"Wanwan, does business really require you to stay out so late?"
Lin Wanwan replied, "Business is all about connections. I need to maintain my network so that my subordinates can work effectively. Sister, I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, I have my limits."
"Sister doesn't understand these things. She just wants you and Xiao Sui to be well. We have four children. If something happens to you two while they're so young, what will happen to them?"
Lin Wanwan said, "Sister, I know. I'm doing this for our family. I'm sorry to have troubled you with the children. Once this busy period is over, we'll go back."
Xie Lan brightened a little. "That's good. Are you hungry? I'll make you a late-night snack."
"I am hungry. No banquet can fill me up. Nothing is as delicious as the noodles you make, Sister."
"I'll make them for you right away. Go wash up, and they'll be ready when you come out."
Lin Wanwan smiled wryly, not blaming Xie Lan. She was also doing this for their family. The two children were asleep, their peaceful, chubby faces a sight to behold.
A new day dawned, and Lin Wanwan woke up early. She first read the newspaper. A piece of news caught her attention: the American Smith family was visiting Hong Kong today, with intentions to invest. Countless wealthy individuals flocked like sharks smelling blood, eager to establish connections with the Smith family. Lin Wanwan wasn't particularly interested; she hadn't learned English yet, and while Sheng Ruyi could translate, direct communication would be more convenient. Currently, the company needed stability rather than rapid expansion; maintaining the current situation without disruption was a success.
She wasn't interested in the Smith family, but they actively sought her out. This stunned the wealthy elite of Hong Kong, leading to widespread speculation about the relationship between Xie Sui and Mr. Smith.