Special District 9

“I’m certain of it. I saw someone greeting him,” Liu Zishi said. “How? Should I get him?”

“No, don’t make a move yet,” Ma Lao-er instructed urgently. “Duke Carnival is no pushover either. If we cause a fuss, we might not be able to get out unscathed either. Just eye him for the time being. I’m coming over to the entrance now.”

“Alright,” Liu Zishu replied with a nod.

The two of them ended the call. Ma Lao-er dialed Qin Yu’s number right away, but the line was busy.

…

On the streets of the city.

Qin Yu was holding onto his phone, speaking with a frown, “Yes, we are out of the barracks now. No matter what, I need to thank you and your brother for this matter.”

“… After what happened yesterday night, it’ll be difficult for me to come out and find you anymore,” Lin Nianlei said. “Take care of yourself. According to my older brother, it seems like that Xing Zihao guy is the scion of a large pharmaceutical company in Fengbei, and he’s quite well-connected.”

“Un, I know,” Qin Yu replied with a nod. “I still have some urgent things to attend to. I’ll fill you in on the details later.”

“Qin Yu.”

“What’s wrong?”

“That… Um, did my older brother say anything overboard to you?” Lin Nianlei asked hesitantly.

Qin Yu was taken aback for a moment before replying with a light chuckle, “Nay, I just thanked him in the office. That’s all.”

“Oh, that’s good…” Lin Nianlei replied with a smile. “My older brother is quite a clumsy guy. He speaks very straightforwardly, and he likes to meddle in my business too.”

“Sounds like he cares for you quite a bit.”

“Alright, you should go and settle your business. Let’s talk another day.”

“See you.”

The two of them ended the call there. In her room, Lin Nianlei sat down on her bed, and she suddenly felt like there was an inexplicable distance between her and Qin Yu and the others. They were so courteous that it felt as if they were strangers who had just met one another.

By the roadside.

Old Cat looked at Qin Yu and said, “This works fine too. It never ends well when two brothers fight over a woman.”

“Who’s fighting with you over a woman?” Qin Yu scoffed.

“You should take a look in the mirror. It’s already all over your face, it’s just that you are refusing to admit it.”

Qin Yu touched the bandage on his thigh before changing the topic, saying, “Has Uncle Ma and the others called yet?”

“They called a moment ago,” Old Cat said as he glanced at his watch. “They went to get some weapon.”

“Let’s wait a little longer till they return then. We’ll head over to find Ma Lao-er together,” Qin Yu said as he cast a sweeping gaze across the street. Then, he beckoned Old Cat to move as he said, “Let’s go and grab something to eat.”

…

In the Duke Carnival’s employee resting room.

Wen Tao opened his personal locker with his key and took out a bunch of clothes and papers out. He tossed it on the table and said, “I just bought the uniform last month. Anyone who fits in it can just take it. This is a list of clients that I’ve compiled over the years. You can take one of them each. You just have to tell them that I’m the one who introduced you when you call over.”

“Are you really going to quit? This is too sudden!” the friend on the left asked. “Did you find a better deal elsewhere?”

“Nah, it’s just that a friend called me to help him with his company,” Wen Tao replied.

“Thanks! These are some good stuff.” Another lad in the room picked up one of the paper on the table and quickly copied down the contact number on his own notebook.

“No probs,” Wen Tao replied with a smile as he sat down on the bed. “Although I’m leaving, let’s stay in contact, alright? You have taken good care of me during my time here, so we should gather together from time to time.”

“Sounds good!”

“OK, I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

“…!”

While they were trading pleasantries, a middle-aged man walked into the room with a white envelope in his hand. He handed the envelope into Wen Tao’s hand with a smile as he said, “This is your pay for the month.”

“Aiyo, thanks a lot, manager!”

“What are you thanking me for? It’s what you earned with your own hard work!” the manager replied with a chuckle. “You must make sure to live well on the streets. Who knows, I might need your help for something one day!”

“Haha, as expected of the manager. Your words sound like music to the ear.”

“Heh. Alright, I’ll get back to work now. See you around!” the manager said before leaving the room.

Wen Tao stood up with the envelope of money in hand before clasping his fist jokingly and saying, “Fellow brothers, I’ll be taking my leave now. May we meet again one day in this pugilistic world!”

“Have a safe trip!”

“Come, let me walk you out.”

As they spoke, the group of people left the resting room and headed toward the lobby.

By the corner of the gambling table, Liu Zishu casually took out his phone and spoke softly, “He’s heading out now.”

Meanwhile, in Wen Tao’s house.

Little Qu was lying on the bed, looking at his watch every now and then as he muttered beneath his breath, “Why is it taking him so long just to get his stuff?”

…

Ten minutes later.

Wen Tao was standing at the entrance of Duke Carnival. He waved all of his colleagues goodbye before heading toward the left of the parking lot with the friend who was driving him.

The sun was already descending at this moment, and the sky was starting to darken. Amidst chatter, Wen Tao and his friend finally arrived beside the car.

It was at this moment that one of Wen Tao’s colleagues suddenly walked over in his direction. This colleague was about to call for him when a figure wielding a dagger suddenly rushed out from behind—Ma Lao-er.

As Ma Lao-er made his way over, he shouted out loud, “Wen Tao!”

Wen Tao immediately turned around, and it was through this gesture that Ma Lao-er confirmed that this was the target they were aiming for.

Pah!

Without any hesitation, Ma Lao-er grabbed Wen Tao and pressed his sharp knife against him.

“What are you all doing?!” the friend who was with Wen Tao hollered furiously.

Peng!

Liu Zishu and Little Liu pounced forth at this moment to press down the friend’s head while pushing a gun against his waist. Liu Zishu whispered harshly into the friend’s ear, “Say another word, and I’ll kill you.”

“Lower your heads and get onto the car,” Ma Lao-er ordered Wen Tao.

Wen Tao was completely unguarded. He looked at his surroundings, and he happened to see the friend who was going to call out to him a moment ago.

“Xiao Lu!” Wen Tao shouted over.

The colleague saw how those people who were nabbing Wen Tao had guns and knives on them, so he instinctively backed away before turning around to flee.

“Shit! He got away!” Little Liu spat as he began to chase the friend.

“Don’t chase him! Come back!” Ma Lao-er shouted over. “Once he spreads the word, Duke Carnival will send their people over. Let’s leave first!”

Even if Ma Lao-er didn’t shout, Little Liu would have also stopped as well. There was over ten meters between them, and he wasn’t familiar with the surroundings too. So, he knew that there was no way he would be able to catch up.

“Get on the car, quick!” Ma Lao-er said as he stuffed Wen Tao into the car.

Little Liu quickly turned around and got onto the passenger seat.

A ringtone sounded at this moment. Ma Lao-er scanned everyone inside as he shouted, “Whose phone is it?!”

Wen Tao’s left arm was held firmly in place by Liu Zishu, but his right hand was still free. He quickly pressed a button on the phone, and the ringtone stopped.

“It’s his phone!” Liu Zishu shouted in response.

“Take it out now!” Ma Lao-er urged anxiously.

…

Back in Wen Tao’s house.