Thirty-eight: Conditions

“Mr. Ruan, there’s no need to belittle yourself like that! Only my friends truly know how much someone like you is needed. We sought you out precisely because we know you’re an upright soldier. Mr. Ruan, why don’t we find a quiet spot to sit and talk? Hear me out before you make your decision—it’s not too late.”

After hearing Wei Hua’s words, Ruan Wenyong pondered for a moment, then turned and led Wei Hua and A-Liang into a smaller room. Once seated, he addressed them.

“Mr. Wei, you may speak now.”

“Mr. Ruan, a friend of mine recently offended two violent Japanese organizations—the Black Dragon Society and the Yamaguchi-gumi. My friend fears retaliation, so he wants to hire bodyguards. However, he doesn’t trust those so-called bodyguard agencies, saying their people are nothing but show. That’s why he wanted battle-hardened, real warriors like you as his guards. My friend is generous—if you accept, you can name your own price. This is a long-term job; as long as you don’t request to leave, you can keep working. And if you wish to leave, you can do so anytime. Furthermore, Mr. Ruan, I’m aware your family is still in Vietnam. The situation for the South Vietnamese Army is worsening by the day—even Saigon is at risk of falling. If you agree, we can use our connections to get your family out of Vietnam and settled somewhere safe, ensuring they live comfortably. What do you think?” Wei Hua laid out his conditions.

Hearing that his family could be brought out of Vietnam, Ruan Wenyong was clearly tempted, but he didn’t immediately accept. Instead, he replied, “Mr. Wei, to be honest, your offer moves me, because you’ve found my weakness—my family. Because of me, life in Saigon hasn’t been easy for them. If you can really get them out and settle them well, then my life belongs to you, Mr. Wei. But let me be frank: you must get my family out and settled first. Only then will I risk my life for you.”

“I understand your feelings, Mr. Ruan. Rest assured, we accept your terms. Let’s make a deal: if we get your family out, you become our bodyguard. In fact, my friend needs more than just you. You can contact your old subordinates and colleagues—there are many families, so we need quite a few bodyguards. Please help us connect with them; they’ll receive the same conditions as you. For specific details, you can discuss directly with my friend. I have other matters these days, but after I’m done, I’ll return to the US and work with our contacts in Vietnam to get your family and those of your men out, so my friend can be at ease as soon as possible.”

“That’s good, Mr. Wei—I believe you! I’ll write to my colleagues and old subordinates right away. I hope you’ll help us reunite with our families soon!” Ruan Wenyong said gratefully.

Wei Hua had already scanned Ruan Wenyong’s body with his spiritual sense; Ruan’s physical condition was excellent. Clearly, he hadn’t neglected his training since arriving in Hong Kong. As for loyalty, Wei Hua already had a solution in mind.

After finalizing terms with Ruan Wenyong, Wei Hua and A-Liang left the refugee camp. Wei Hua planned to leave the follow-up to A-Liang, as his attention was now on Onozō. By his calculations, the time for Onozō’s operation was approaching. This time, Wei Hua intended to play the role of a master thief.

Onozō had prepared ten million US dollars for this batch of drugs, the money stored right in the villa where he was staying. Wei Hua planned to steal it, ruining Onozō’s deal and putting him in a world of trouble.

After nightfall, Wei Hua took a taxi to Kowloon Tong and got out more than a mile from Onozō’s villa. Under cover of darkness, he slipped inside. The villa had plenty of guards, but they were just for show, patrolling without any real vigilance. Wei Hua entered the villa effortlessly. The suitcase containing the ten million dollars was in the study’s safe. Using his spiritual sense, Wei Hua unlocked the safe with ease, grabbed all the cash and documents inside, closed the safe again, and left the villa without incident. He didn’t even look at the documents, instead tossing them into a nearby police station under cover of night. Then, carrying the suitcase stuffed with ten million dollars, he swaggered back to the orphanage.

Two days later, Wei Hua left Hong Kong by plane. He entrusted the suitcase to Father James for safekeeping—not that he didn’t want to use the money for the orphanage, but he feared it would bring unnecessary trouble. Ten million US dollars meant little to him now.

Wei Hua left Hong Kong in high spirits, but Onozō was in deep trouble. The Hong Kong branch shifted all blame for the missing drug money onto Onozō. While he could theoretically replace the ten million with his own money, doing so would be tantamount to admitting his involvement in the loss. The headquarters would then suspect him of betraying the Yamaguchi-gumi, and his problems would escalate far beyond a missing ten million dollars. The inexplicable loss made Onozō wary—his people were useless, and if an assassin had come instead of a thief, he would already be dead. Clearly, he needed to strengthen his power as soon as possible. As for the consequences, he’d let the headquarters decide. He doubted they would do anything severe—perhaps just a reprimand. Ten million wasn’t much to the Yamaguchi-gumi, but his standing within the organization would slip again, and his elder, Asano Yamauchi, would no doubt be pleased.

Wei Hua returned to Cambridge and found Jessie, Mary, and Celine. After greeting each with a kiss, he said, “I’ve found the person we need in Hong Kong, but we still have a few matters to resolve. Let’s think them over together. Once we’re done, the bodyguard issue will be settled, and I’ll be able to rest easy.”

Please, dear readers, click, recommend, and add to your favorites!