Chapter 36 — Chapter 035: Ye Chen’s Instructions

“Brother Chen, you were looking for me?” Feng Zhi Xiao was just about to go out for dinner when he ran into Ye Chen knocking at his door.

“Yes, gather those few little brothers of yours for me,” Ye Chen said with a smile.

“What’s this, Brother Chen planning to get the boys together for some action?” Feng Zhi Xiao was surprised, then grinned. He immediately dialed up his little crew. In no time, over a dozen young men slipped into the Xinhai residential area and began wandering downstairs. Feng Zhi Xiao led Ye Chen down, and as soon as the group saw him, they called out, “Brother Zhi Xiao!”

“Pah, call me big brother!” Feng Zhi Xiao snapped.

“Of course, big brother!” The little brothers laughed cheerfully. Usually, Feng Zhi Xiao hung out with this bunch so much that age and hierarchy barely mattered; all of them were neither too young nor too old. Standing aside, Ye Chen couldn’t help but curse—this kid’s name truly was a headache.

“All right, let me introduce you. This is your real big brother, hurry up and call him Brother Chen!” Feng Zhi Xiao quickly pushed Ye Chen forward.

“Ah, I know him!” The Red Scarf Kid widened his bright eyes and smiled, “Brother Chen, I remember you—back at the gate of Jianghuai University, you took on more than a dozen all by yourself. That was unforgettable!”

His words instantly reminded everyone of Ye Chen, and they all started calling him big brother.

“Straight to the point—this time I need you to help me secretly gather some intel,” Ye Chen beckoned, and the dozen or so boys crowded around. “This mission is serious, and it’s a matter of life and death. If the word gets out, it could cost us our lives. Are you in?”

A collective hiss went up as everyone sucked in a breath. Damn, life and death? Who’d dare? They all shook their heads, and Feng Zhi Xiao was furious. “Damn, how are you all so cowardly? If you keep acting like this, don’t go around using my name!”

“But big brother Zhi Xiao, this could get us killed! It’s risking our lives!” One named Qiangzi trembled as he looked at Feng Zhi Xiao.

“Damn, when we’re out in the streets, isn’t our heads always hanging by a thread?” Feng Zhi Xiao spat. “Hasn’t Brother Chen always looked out for us? Listen, that ten thousand yesterday came from Brother Chen!”

The boys stood uncertainly, not knowing what to do. After all, when you’ve accepted favors and money, it’s hard to refuse.

“Forget it, no need to force you,” Ye Chen chuckled and turned to leave. Feng Zhi Xiao, ever loyal, was suddenly enraged—Ye Chen had always treated him well, and now, needing help, he couldn’t get it. He shouted after Ye Chen, “Brother Chen, I’ll help you! If they won’t, so be it!”

“I’ll help too!” The Red Scarf Kid, barely over five feet tall and not fully grown, stepped forward, matching Feng Zhi Xiao in stature.

“Brother Zhi Xiao, we’re in!” The other boys grinned. Feng Zhi Xiao had always been good to them, so if they didn’t step up now, they’d lose face.

“Good,” Ye Chen nodded. “Of course, though this is dangerous, as long as you’re careful, there shouldn’t be a problem. Once it’s done, five thousand each as a reward. How’s that?”

“Awesome!” The mention of money had them buzzing with excitement, practically jumping for joy.

Afterward, Ye Chen explained the plan—they were to secretly find out where Zhang Bold’s next deal was happening. Such information usually leaked from Zhang Bold’s crew; though they guarded their secrets fiercely, alcohol often loosened tongues.

Zhang Yantong was at home sleeping, and Feng Zhi Xiao was off searching for clues. Ye Chen suddenly felt redundant; if he went home, there’d be a beautiful woman sprawled on his sofa without underwear, and if he slipped up, he’d end up in jail the next day. Ye Chen had no intention of risking that, especially before recovering his memories.

Beep beep beep…

Just as Ye Chen was about to go downstairs for a stroll, his phone rang—unknown number.

“Ye Chen, it’s Demon Moon. Did you receive that package I sent last time?” Demon Moon’s voice, when not angry, was as ethereal as a cuckoo’s song.

“Yes, I got it. Who was that person?” Ye Chen asked curiously.

“That’s the one behind the Grand General,” Demon Moon replied coldly. “Did you offend some big shot before you lost your memory? Otherwise, how could you provoke someone even the Grand General obeys? Honestly, your life’s hanging by a thread.”

“Heh, Little Moon, aren’t you looking out for me?” Ye Chen chuckled.

“Idiot! Call me Little Moon again and I’ll hunt you down in Jianghuai tomorrow!” Demon Moon’s tone turned sharp, making Ye Chen shrink back, silent. Demon Moon never made idle threats—if she said tomorrow, it wouldn’t wait till the day after. When Ye Chen stayed quiet, her voice softened. “Anyway, I’ll do what I can to stall things here in the Golden Triangle. Be careful yourself—another assassin’s been sent by the Grand General. I can’t shield you. Stay sharp.”

“Don’t worry, after a year of your training, I’m as crafty as a mouse. Maybe I can’t beat them, but I can definitely outrun them!” Ye Chen nodded.

Demon Moon laughed softly.

“Demon Moon, honestly, you’re much more beautiful when you smile,” Ye Chen sighed. Demon Moon was the kind of woman whose beauty bordered on the otherworldly; in the entire Golden Triangle, few could rival her. If not for the powerful shadowy organization behind her, countless men would try to take her home as their queen.

“Hmph!” She snorted and hung up.

Ye Chen was used to Demon Moon’s coldness. If she suddenly became warm, that would be a true miracle. He wandered downstairs, heading along Binhai Avenue toward Jianghuai University.

Screech—

A fiery red BMW sports car stopped beside Ye Chen. He turned, and the car’s aggressive front made the Z4 look intimidating. Driven by a man, this model would have every woman’s attention, but inside was a goddess. The convertible was open, and Li Ruo sat in a flowing summer dress, pale white chiffon, cool attire that made Ye Chen’s eyes light up. Paired with pink sunglasses, her waterfall-like hair fluttered in the breeze, making her even more stunning.

Wow.

What a beauty, Ye Chen thought.

“Get in,” Li Ruo said coolly.

“Uh, are you the daytime President Li, or the nighttime Li Ruo?” Ye Chen blinked, curious about the beautiful CEO before him.

“Quit dithering, just get in!” Li Ruo shot him a glare, her delicate features flawless as if sculpted by the divine. Ye Chen shrugged and climbed in.

Li Ruo floored the accelerator, speeding away.

“Where… are we going?” Ye Chen asked, surprised.

“To claim my prize,” Li Ruo replied, then fell silent.

The car sped off, disappearing down Binhai Avenue, racing along the mountain road. On the eastern slope of Xiangming Mountain was the Elite Racing Club. Young Master Wei spent his days here with rich heirs, studying the performance of GHK cars, occasionally closing off Xiangming Mountain for races. The traffic police managing the mountain had long been bribed; as long as nothing major happened, they let it slide.

“Wei, we can’t find any info on that kid from last time!” A red-haired guy approached, arm around a tall beauty, his hand inside her short top, squeezing her ample curves.

“Why?” Yang Wei asked, curious.

“No idea, it’s like he appeared out of nowhere!” The redhead’s father was the director of the civil affairs bureau, and he had close ties with the staff there. He often went to play, acting like a good kid, handing out candy to the uncles and aunties, earning their favor. When he tried to investigate Ye Chen, they agreed without hesitation, but ultimately found nothing—Ye Chen’s file was empty.

“How can that be?” Yang Wei frowned. If the civil affairs system couldn’t find him, there were only two possibilities: either the file was highly confidential, or he was an illegal immigrant—not a local at all.

Screech—

Outside, a fiery red sports car stopped. Li Ruo stepped out gracefully, Ye Chen following. Speak of the devil, and here he was. Yang Wei was surprised, then smiled and went over, “Hey, spending your precious day off here?”

“That’s right. I’m here to claim my prize,” Li Ruo’s lips curled into a cold smile. In the last race, Yang Wei had lost all face, trailing by almost a minute—a snail’s pace.

“What prize?” Yang Wei was baffled.

“Heh, Wei, don’t try to back out!” Li Ruo said coldly. “You were way behind at Xiangming Mountain. Don’t tell me you won’t honor your promise?”

“Haha…” Yang Wei laughed, pointing at the black 599 behind him. “If President Li likes the car, take it. I’ve got two more good ones—interested?”

“Sorry, not at all. I only care about what’s mine,” Li Ruo said, her eyes shining with excitement as she gazed at the black Ferrari 599. She walked over, slowly backed the car out of the garage, then rolled down the window and smiled at Ye Chen. “Drive my car, follow me!”

Ye Chen was puzzled, glanced at the crowd, and met Yang Wei’s gaze for a second. He immediately turned and jumped into the Z4. Li Ruo floored the accelerator, racing down the mountain road. Ye Chen followed at a steady pace—she truly had no fear when it came to driving. Midday, with traffic heavy, one mistake could be fatal.

Remember: strive to provide the most exhilarating reading experience!