In April, Beijing experienced a rare rainfall.

Around noon, the rain grew heavier in the suburbs. Spring rain, precious as oil, sprinkled wetly on the dirt paths of the compound. Not far away, the small trees planted last year were sprouting tender green buds.

Under the gray eaves of the old factory area, Zhao Pingjin lowered his head to light a cigarette. His hand trembled slightly, causing the lighter to slip and fail to ignite.

Gong Qi noticed this and immediately walked over, using his body to block the rain threads falling from the iron roof onto Zhao. He cupped his hands around Zhao’s lighter. As the small blue flame flickered, Gong Qi leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Just got the news that the matter has been handled.”

Zhao Pingjin removed the cigarette and calmly nodded.

Gong Qi asked respectfully, “Brother Xiao Min is returning from Hebei this afternoon and wants to know if you—”

“Tell him to report to me in person.”

“Understood.”

That night, Gao Jiyi received the news at around three in the morning.

A friend called his mobile. He answered groggily, took a while to understand what he was hearing, hastily dismissed the caller, and then sat on the edge of his bed thinking for a long time before breaking into a cold sweat.

Outsiders didn’t understand—they enjoyed watching the drama unfold. But Gao Jiyi was part of this circle and could easily piece everything together. He lit a cigarette, sat at the bedside wearing his pajamas, held his phone for a moment, then made a call.

“Zhouzi, is that you?”

Zhao Pingjin replied flatly, “Still awake.”

Gao Jiyi’s heart pounded, “You’ve become quite powerful.”

“I’m telling you, this isn’t over.”

Gao Jiyi’s wife was awakened by the noise. She rolled over and mumbled, “Can’t you brothers talk after daybreak?” Gao Jiyi stood up and walked toward the master bathroom. “Be careful. Take people with you when you go out.”

Zhao Pingjin answered, “Got it. Go back to sleep.”

Shen Min had spent the entire night at Park Hyatt. The two of them had returned home after ten, but Zhao Pingjin showed no particular emotional reaction. He showered and even reviewed some documents in his study. Around two o’clock, he emerged from the study, and Shen Min was sitting on his sofa brewing tea. Zhao Pingjin remained silent, took a cup, and drank. Both men lit cigarettes, with Zhao Pingjin occasionally taking a puff to stay alert as he placed his on the ashtray.

Shen Min glanced at his watch—almost three.

The early arrangements had all been made according to Zhao Pingjin’s instructions. Everything that could be done had been done; now they could only wait for results.

The call came before four o’clock.

After hanging up, Shen Min turned and exchanged a glance with Zhao Pingjin. Both felt a weight lifted from their shoulders, with fatigue rushing in almost instantly.

Now Shen Min’s phone rang again. He looked at it and said, “It’s Brother Lang Qi.”

Fang Langqi had also been awake all night. Zhao Pingjin answered the phone and they spoke briefly. Originally, regarding Sun Kehu’s matter, Zhao Pingjin hadn’t wanted to burden others and had planned to handle it himself, but Fang Langqi had firmly refused to let him. Huang Xitang’s incident had occurred on the upper floor of the hotel where they had held their wedding banquet. Zhao Pingjin understood his concern and said into the phone: “Brother, thank you.”

Fang Langqi was silent for a moment before answering, “Hang up.”

Zhao Pingjin told Shen Min, “Dawn is coming. Don’t go back—sleep in the guest room.”

Both men had bloodshot eyes from staying up all night.

Shen Min nodded, took his phone, and headed toward the room, looking back at Zhao Pingjin once more: “Call me if you need anything. Get some rest.”

Shen Min knew Zhao had been suffering from severe insomnia lately. The afternoon when Xitang held her press conference in Beijing, Shen Min had instructed Secretary He to stop Zhao’s work, but he hadn’t left the company, just stayed in his office. When Shen Min finished his work and knocked on Zhao’s office door, he saw a lawyer accompanying her leave on the online video.

Shen Min thought the lawyer looked familiar and suddenly exclaimed, “Is that Old Xiu?”

Zhao Pingjin nodded.

“Don’t be too upset.”

Xiu Lianmian was a member of the Beijing Lawyers Association’s Professional Committee. In recent years, he has handled domestic military, energy, land, and other litigation and arbitration cases. Moreover, he maintained a low profile and didn’t seek the spotlight. For an ordinary civil injury case involving the entertainment circle, even if Huang Xitang offered an exorbitant price, it would be nearly impossible to hire him.

He had studied advanced courses with Li Shu’an in Chengdu, and after coming to work in Beijing, he maintained good relations with the Qian family. As a result, Zhao Pingjin and Shen Min saw him only two or three times a year.

The next day, Li Shu’an’s secretary delivered the complete video to Shen Min’s office. Zhao Pingjin was resting at home that day when Shen Min brought it over. Zhao Pingjin came out of his room when he heard Shen Min arrive: “Was it sent by Shu’an?” Shen Min nodded.

Zhao Pingjin said, “I called him yesterday asking for it.”

Shen Min glanced at his complexion and asked, “Has Dr. Fu been here?” Zhao Pingjin nodded.

Zhao Pingjin observed Shen Min’s expression. Shen Min stood in the living room, unsure whether to stay or leave. Zhao Pingjin pointed to the sofa: “Sit down, let’s watch it.”

The moment Shen Min saw the complete corridor surveillance video, he knew Sun Kehu was finished. Huang Xitang had been carried out—they said her internal organs were damaged, and people didn’t dare lift her. Ni Kailun’s people had pulled a carpet from downstairs and placed her on it.

The living room was completely silent. The player stopped, and the computer screen turned black. Shen Min couldn’t bear to watch anymore and manually closed the player. Zhao Pingjin’s entire body had stiffened. Shen Min raised his hand to support his shoulder. Zhao trembled slightly, his jaw clenched tight.

Shen Min tried futilely to comfort him: “It’s all over now. She’s fine now.”

Zhao Pingjin trembled uncontrollably. After a while, he managed to speak: “Let me be alone for a bit.”

Shen Min gritted his teeth, holding back until his eyes reddened, knowing his shock and pain couldn’t compare to a fraction of Zhao’s. He didn’t dare leave, fearing Zhao might harm himself.

Zhao Pingjin said, “Xiao Min, please.”

Shen Min was startled and dared not stay any longer. He got up and left.

On the weekend, Gao Jiyi invited Zhao Pingjin to play cards at a club. The entire Beijing circle was discussing the Old Sun’s downfall. When Gao Jiyi entered, Zhao Pingjin was already seated at the south table, facing Cui Tengfei K, who lived in the same compound as Sun Kehu.

Gao Jiyi sat down at Zhao Pingjin’s right. Young Cui was in the midst of an animated discussion, spraying saliva: “Old Sun has brought disaster upon himself this time. I heard that all police forces were diverted that night to prevent leaks. They went in around three in the morning, and everything was resolved in less than an hour.”

Gao Jiyi glanced at Zhao Pingjin, who seemed not to have heard, leaning back in his chair, looking somewhat tired as he impassively arranged his cards.

Across from Gao Jiyi sat young Wu from the Garrison District: “The Sun family has been declining these past few years. With those two in power, it was only a matter of time for the Sun family. Hey, Zhouzi, last time Old Sun’s driver in that 600, whose car did he scrape in front of Zhongzhi Building?”

Zhao Pingjin tossed a nine to Gao Jiyi and replied indifferently, “The Su family’s old Crown.”

Young Wu grinned: “Not only did Old Sun’s driver scrape someone’s car, he got out and beat up their driver. That angered old Su—the office secretary’s complaint calls reached to my father.”

Gao Jiyi found this highly amusing.

Just then, a waiter approached with drinks. The conversation paused. Cui Tengfei looked around: “Zhouzi, you’re drinking milk here?” Zhao Pingjin didn’t even raise an eyelid: “It’s my choice. What’s it to you?”

Gao Jiyi quickly covered his cup, preventing the waiter from pouring alcohol: “Ah, his poor stomach. We’re all brothers here, and I’ve recently been diagnosed with fatty liver. Hey, waiter, bring me orange juice!”

The evening Xitang returned from Beijing, Ni Kailun called Liu Qianping.

When Ni Kailun made this call, Xitang sat beside her with red, puffy eyes. Liu Qianping’s assistant answered the phone and naturally wouldn’t admit anything, just kept smiling obsequiously and saying Ni Kailun was mistaken.

Ni Kailun laughed coldly and said, “Let Qian-ge take the phone. I won’t scold him—why is he feeling guilty?” Ni Kailun said a few words, and before hanging up, coldly dropped a line: “Tell Liu Suixin that our Xitang has been a fan of hers for many years.”

The Hong Kong woman’s voice on the phone was forceful—this grudge was firmly established. Liu Qianping sat on a nearby sofa, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

This time he had been thoroughly fooled. Sun Kehu and that Wang guy had played him, selling him half of the video at an exorbitant price, only saying that Huang Xitang had killed someone and fled, which was why she had disappeared from the entertainment circle for several years.

He had no idea there was a second half to the video.

After Ni Kailun finished the call, Huang Xitang still sat on the sofa, lost in thought. Many, many years ago, Xitang first saw Liu Suixin backstage at an awards ceremony in Beijing. Liu Suixin was young then but already nominated. Xitang loved her performances so much but didn’t dare approach her. She never imagined that one day she would fight tooth and nail over practical interests with her childhood dream and idol.

One by one, the lights dimmed before her eyes. Stars were nothing but puppets manipulated by others. The real battle behind the entertainment circle was between various interest groups—truly cruel and terrifying.

She was the spokesperson for branded jewelry and watches and the darling of Paris fashion social circles. People had said early on that she would replace that Korean actress to become the first Chinese mainland female star to serve as the Asian regional spokesperson for the full line. No one expected Phoebe the Great to suddenly take an interest in Huang Xitang.

Ni Kailun had lost this battle, and she and Su Yan were most resentful about it. Su Yan was a loyal supporter of that Paris brand, and losing this endorsement hurt the two of them more than it hurt Xitang. The press conference was canceled, and Phoebe left Shanghai that night. Ni Kailun called Su Yan, and the two vented their frustration, chatting in English for over ten minutes, with about ten minutes of various profanities. Xitang covered Jaden’s ears and closed the door to the children’s room. Who knows what they did afterward, but a week later, the brand held a new watch multi-dimensional experience event in Shanghai, with many big-name stars in attendance. In the joint interview area, a reporter got hold of the microphone and asked Liu Suixin, who was dressed formally for the event: “Ms. Liu Suixin, I heard that you leaked the story about Huang Xitang stabbing someone to reporters because Huang Xitang was about to become the brand’s Greater China full-line spokesperson?” The media area immediately erupted in an uproar, and the noise in the venue was so uncontrollable that the host who rushed to save the situation stood in place for two minutes.

Going on stage to take a bow was no longer her choice. In just a moment, all the golden dust and fine sand of the entertainment circle’s glory seemed distant from her again.

After Xitang returned from Beijing, since the person involved, Sun Kehu, had directly left the country and did not file a lawsuit, and Xitang was unwilling to cause more trouble, the police never filed a case for this chaotic episode. News has its cycle—five days later, Zheng Youtong publicly announced his marriage to the famous actress and beauty Wu Meici, who was three years his senior. Both parties were highly renowned, and the various romantic details of the proposal spread like wildfire, quickly burying Huang Xitang’s news.

Xitang called Zheng Youtong from home. Before she could speak, he said, “Xitang, thank me.”

Xitang said, “Thank you.”

Zheng Youtong said, “Come to Bali for the wedding. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange a table of bodyguards to protect you.” Xitang knew he had been concerned about her news and just said, “Get lost.”

More than a month after the incident, Xitang dismissed her new assistant. She had barely left the house lately and didn’t need a driver. Without income, continuing to pay the driver’s salary was difficult. Driver Huang told her, “Miss Huang, I shouldn’t be receiving your salary in the first place. The salary Mr. Zhao gives me is already more than enough.”

Xitang knew that the wage she offered Brother Huang was just that of an ordinary celebrity assistant, and with A Kuan, it was an injustice to his skills.

He worked meticulously and diligently, but this loyalty wasn’t dedicated to her.

Xitang lent assistant A Kuan to He Luofei.

A Kuan had accompanied her for over two years. The young man had a good temperament, greeting everyone with a smile and maintaining good relationships with all kinds of film crew staff. The bigger the star, the harder they were to serve—not because big stars were more demanding, but because artists who reached the top of this industry often suffered from psychological distress when truly getting into character. Several times during filming, Xitang herself had been extremely gloomy, maintaining a sullen face and ignoring everyone after finishing a scene. At such times, even her agent didn’t want to deal with her. A Kuan’s most valuable quality was his companionship—regardless of her emotional changes, he never pried, just continued to brew various nutritious soups and porridges for her daily.

Xitang was reluctant to part with him.

He Luofei officially signed with Ni Kailun. That day in Xitang’s study, He Luofei received a brand new Kelly bag from Huang Xitang on the spot and took two of Xitang’s films. Her contract with National Vision would expire in mid-year, and National Vision had given all the good resources to Zhang Zhiyin, leaving her dissatisfied for years. She didn’t want to renew and asked to sign with Ni Kailun.

With increased visits, He Luofei gradually became familiar with Xitang. One day, Ni Kailun teased her, “Where’s your Beijing boyfriend?” He Luofei pouted, “It’s over.”

Ni Kailun showed a schadenfreude expression: “Did he know how you were using him?”

He Luofei put her hands on her hips: “He was driving on the Fifth Ring Road and got robbed by a group of ruffians. How is it my business that his bag with important documents was stolen?” Ni Kailun continued, “I heard that early in your career you were about to get married, but Zhang Zhiyin stole your boyfriend and made you have an abortion. Is that true?” He Luofei, angry, was a vivid beauty: “Why do you care so much about other people’s business? Why don’t you tell me who your child’s father is first?”

Xitang laughed heartily from the side.

In mid-May, it was Gao Jiyi’s father’s birthday.

In recent years, the elders in Beijing have lived very low-profile lives. The banquet dispersed just after eight. Gao Jiyi saw off the few tables of guests, arranged for his wife to accompany his parents home with the children, and strolled back to the private room from the courtyard entrance. Only a few childhood friends remained in the room. Fang Langqi came alone tonight—Qingqing had taken the children on vacation with her parents in Tianjin. Gao Jiyi checked his watch and proactively told Zhao Pingjin, “Zhouzi, Xiaojiang landed half an hour ago and is coming over now. Let’s have some late-night snacks.”

Zhao Pingjin’s expression remained unchanged. He drank half a cup of tea, put down the cup, and said, “I’m heading back.”

Gao Jiyi stood up with him and put his arm around his shoulder: “Come on, must you be like this? Xiaojiang was wrong, but you’ve been upset for over two years—isn’t that enough?”

Qian Donglin smiled and said, “Zhouzi, what exactly did my brother-in-law do to offend you? Calm down—I think I should make him kneel and call you ‘big brother’ next time.”

Zhao Pingjin heard this, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He ignored him, grabbed his car keys, bypassed Gao Jiyi, and left directly.

Shortly after Zhao Pingjin left, Gao Jiyi’s phone rang. It was his father’s secretary, telling him that when his father was leaving, they found several black cars with fake plates outside the hutong, of unknown origin, suggesting that the younger generation disperse and head home early.

Gao Jiyi turned and asked, “Is there a leadership inspection today?” Qian Donglin puzzled, “I haven’t heard anything.”

Fang Langqi asked, “How did Zhouzi get back?” Gao Jiyi answered offhandedly, “I don’t know.”

Simultaneously, both men suddenly felt uneasy. Gao Jiyi raised his head and exchanged a glance with Fang Langqi. Their eyes met for a second, both understanding something was wrong. Gao Jiyi immediately called Zhao Pingjin, who answered.

As soon as Gao Jiyi heard his voice, he asked directly, “Something happened?” Zhao Pingjin’s voice remained calm and flat: “Yes, I’ve been cornered, at the entrance of Fang family hutong.”

Gao Jiyi immediately called for everyone to run outside: “Turn on your location. Langqi and I are coming now. Don’t get out of the car.”

Lu Xiaojiang had just gotten out of the car at the courtyard entrance. Gao Jiyi rushed over in one stride, pushed his driver back into the driver’s seat, and jumped into the back seat with Fang Langqi: “Zhouzi’s in trouble, let’s go.”

The car immediately turned around and drove out.

Fang Langqi rolled down the window and shouted to Qian Donglin, who was following behind: “Donglin, bring another car!”

When Zhao Pingjin left Gao’s banquet, his body felt somewhat tired. He drove slowly. This area was full of single-building courtyards, with tall locust trees obscuring the street lights, making the road appear dimly lit with shifting shadows. He hadn’t gone far—just as the car drove out of Fang family hutong, his mind preoccupied, a white sedan suddenly appeared in front, approaching at high speed and about to crash into him. Momentarily distracted, he instinctively turned the steering wheel, avoiding the oncoming car and entering a side road. He slowed down, trying to find a way out, only to discover this was a narrow hutong with a dark, unlit villa inside. When he tried to reverse out, he found that the car had quickly turned and positioned itself horizontally, directly blocking the hutong entrance.

Zhao Pingjin simply stopped the car. By now, several men in black had surrounded his window, gesturing for him to get out.

Zhao Pingjin first called the police, then called his driver and Shen Min. Now Gao Jiyi’s call came through. After hanging up, he just sat in the driver’s seat. His car windows were tinted, preventing those outside from seeing in. He sat there tiredly, watching the men by the car door swing an iron rod at his car.

The window shook once, then again, but the car didn’t budge.

In the instant the final strike of the iron rod created a gap in the driver’s side window, Zhao Pingjin’s hand, resting on the door handle, suddenly pushed outward forcefully, knocking over two men blocking his car door. Using the momentum, he rolled to the rear of the car, opened the trunk, and despite taking a heavy blow to his back, he had already pulled out a golf club from the rear compartment.

Sun Kehu had been taken away for investigation last week and released on bail two days ago. He was finished in Beijing. His wife and children had returned to Australia. Before leaving, he had hired people, offering one million yuan to ambush Zhao Pingjin with orders to “teach him a lesson.”

Suddenly, a flurry of car lights flashed outside the hutong. Gao Jiyi jumped out of the car, kicked over a black-clad lookout by the white sedan, and shouted, “You bastards, if you’ve got guts, don’t run—your grandfather is here!”

When the three brothers rushed in, they saw Zhao Pingjin leaning against the side of his black car, holding a golf club defensively. No one could get close to him. Only the sound of metal striking metal could be heard, interspersed with a sudden scream of agony. Gao Jiyi rushed in, took a glance, and quickly shouted, “Zhouzi, watch out behind you!”

On the roof of the car behind Zhao Pingjin, two men were about to climb up for a sneak attack, the cold gleam of their weapons flashing by. Faster than Gao Jiyi was Lu Xiaojiang, who leaped onto the car’s hood in one bound, grabbed and pulled down one man with a raised hand, and smashed a bottle on his forehead.

A spray of hot blood splattered, immediately filling the air with the strong smell of blood.

A group of men fighting in a dark hutong—Gao Jiyi was excited. The men of their generation were mostly trained, and since their teenage years, they had often fought together against outsiders. He and Zhouzi were feared figures in the surrounding compounds. With Langqi’s good defense and Xiaojiang’s alert lookout, they usually emerged from fights relatively unscathed, cleaned each other up, and carried their schoolbags home for dinner. Now, dealing with a few unemployed vagrants from out of town was just an opportunity to stretch their muscles.

In the darkness came the muffled sound of breaking bones.

The wail of nearby patrol cars began to rise, neither far nor near. A group of ruffians ran off into the darkness.

By now, Shen Min had arrived with his people. Seeing no serious injuries, he left the driver to report to the police and drove them back to Zhao Pingjin’s house in the East City District.

Gao Jiyi got out of the car, cursing. Shen Min entered the house and turned on the lights, returning to find Gao Jiyi standing on the driveway in front of the villa, slapping Lu Xiaojiang’s head: “I told you to stay with me. Tonight you just rushed ahead on your own. Do you have any organizational discipline left?” Lu Xiaojiang raised his injured arm: “Ouch, brother, it hurts.”

Fang Langqi opened the car door, “Zhouzi?” Zhao Pingjin sat in the back seat, raised his eyes to look at him when called, but didn’t move. He spoke in a very low voice: “Get Xiao Min.”

Shen Min hurried forward and held his arm.

When Shen Min used a little force to pull him up, the slight change in his sitting position immediately caused him to shiver in pain. He furrowed his brow and endured it. Fang Langqi noticed that his arm, which had been placed horizontally across his upper abdomen, was now being pressed firmly into his stomach. Remembering that the attackers had aimed all their blows at his abdomen, he realized how vicious Sun Kehu was—this was truly a deep-seated hatred.

Fang Langqi called out, “Old Gao, come give a hand!” Gao Jiyi walked over, grimacing. One look at Zhao Pingjin’s cold sweat-covered head, and he became furious again: “Those bastards hit you?”

Dr. Zhou Ziyu lived in the same community as Zhao Pingjin. He had been called for emergency surgery in the middle of the night. Returning home, he glanced at the neighboring house. Zhao Pingjin seldom stayed at this villa, but now, at three in the morning, the lights in Zhao Pingjin’s house were on.

Just as Zhou Ziyu was about to go check, he received a call from Shen Min.