Two lives were lost in quick succession.

Zhang Jiandong certainly deserved to die, but Cui Yiru had chosen to end her own life – the atmosphere remained heavy.

Zhang Jiandong’s subordinates were either subdued or had already switched sides; these weren’t matters for Xia Xiaolan to handle. A Los Angeles city councilor dying on a cruise ship would certainly alert the Hong Kong government… With so many witnesses, Zhang Jiandong’s death by Cui Yiru’s hand, followed by her suicide, was a homicide case involving family conflict. Du Chenrong had someone call the police before even disembarking.

With deaths occurring, the island-circling cruise ship had to return to port early.

“Let’s go, we can’t help with the aftermath anyway.”

Zhou Cheng held Xia Xiaolan’s hand as they disembarked.

Xia Xiaolan knew it wasn’t appropriate to say anything – what could she say to Xu Zhongyi? Express condolences?

If it were Du Chenrong, he might have set off firecrackers in celebration – the enemy was dead, and the unfaithful woman too. Truly a cause for universal celebration.

He also called Du Zhaohui to disembark, “Now you’re willing to leave?”

Du Zhaohui was still angry, “Did you make a deal with Zhang Jiandong? If he hadn’t mentioned blowing up the ship at the end, would you have just sold me out?!”

Du Zhaohui was so angry he forgot to maintain his act as the filial son.

Du Chenrong dismissed this casually:

“The Du family’s glory is your glory. Whether it’s you or Zhaoqi, your foundation is the Du family. For the family’s sake, I could make Zhaoqi sacrifice his interests – what do you think?”

Du Zhaohui suddenly remembered the American production line incident.

That bastard Du Zhaoqi wanted to buy the production line, and so did the Chinese inspection team. Later, Xia Xiaolan advised the Chinese team to contact the old man through connections in China. Considering greater benefits, the old man had forcefully made Du Zhaoqi abandon the purchase – only now did Du Zhaohui truly empathize; this old man didn’t care about father-son bonds, his sons were far less important than business!

Du Zhaohui had always known this.

He just had never felt it so deeply until now.

“Ah Hua, let’s go!”

Du Zhaohui had wanted to ask Xia Xiaolan about her next plans, but in front of the old man, he didn’t want to appear too friendly. He left with Ah Hua!

Du Chenrong nodded to Xia Xiaolan and the others, then left.

Back at the hotel, Zhou Cheng told Xia Xiaolan to sleep:

“You’re exhausted today. Go rest first. Third Brother and I will stay right outside the room, not going anywhere. You can sleep peacefully.”

Xia Xiaolan was indeed very tired.

Zhou Cheng and Pan Bohua probably couldn’t sleep soundly; they still had to eliminate the hidden dangers Zhang Jiandong left behind.

Some of Zhang Jiandong’s subordinates had betrayed him, but having been boss for many years, he still had loyal followers. Until these people were thoroughly eliminated, Zhou Cheng wouldn’t feel at ease.

If Zhang Jiandong’s men wanted revenge, they’d target Xu Zhongyi.

But what if some unstable ones came after Xiaolan?

Zhou Cheng stayed in the bedroom with his wife until Xia Xiaolan fell asleep and her breathing became steady. Only then did he quietly close the door and come to the living room.

“Third Brother.”

Pan Bohua waved his hand, “We’re brothers, no need for formalities. Isn’t Xiaolan my sister-in-law too? Staying in America a few more days is nothing.”

Zhou Cheng knew that Pan Bohua’s involvement in this matter wasn’t just about staying a few extra days.

The explosives had indeed been planted.

Pan Bohua had his men cooperate with Xu Zhongyi’s people to remove them.

Those antique dealers couldn’t match the expertise of Pan Bohua’s trained men in such matters.

Du Chenrong had kicked Cui Yiru at the last moment to create an opportunity, but before that, his attitude had remained ambiguous. In the recreation room, while both sides confronted the truth of the past and dealt with personal grudges, outside, Xu Zhongyi and Zhang Jiandong’s forces were competing.

Du Chenrong was a spectator who would never help the weaker side, only adding flowers to the brocade once victory was nearly decided!

The key was Pan Bohua’s intervention, which broke the stalemate.

Of course, Zhou Cheng had also brought some men to help.

“Xiaolan seems to have hired a detective in America. He was previously hunted by Zhang Jiandong’s men, and your people saved him, Third Brother?”

When Zhou Cheng mentioned Jim, Pan Bohua laughed heartily: “That fat guy was quite interesting. His martial skills weren’t much, but he did have some investigative talent. He’d uncovered quite a bit of explosive information, which is why Zhang Jiandong’s men wouldn’t leave him alone. I gave everything he discovered to Xu Zhongyi – let him handle how to convict Zhang Jiandong’s gang.”

This was Xu Zhongyi’s business anyway; if not for Xia Xiaolan, Pan Bohua wouldn’t have bothered.

Now that Zhang Jiandong was dead, Pan Bohua needed to attend to his affairs.

Zhou Cheng couldn’t help asking: “Third Brother, do you not plan to return to the unit?”

Pan Bohua was very relaxed about it, “I used to want to go back, but now I feel it’s not such a big deal. I’m not fixated on it; let everything follow its natural course. If the unit needs me, if the country needs me and recalls me, I’ll follow orders!”

If they didn’t need him, he’d remain on standby, not neglecting his affairs either.

Without Jiang Wu that annoying pest, Pan Bohua’s life had become more comfortable.

Zhou Cheng didn’t press further.

What right did he have to decide how Pan Bohua should live? As long as Third Brother Pan was content, that was best!

Pan Bohua extended his hand, Zhou Cheng did too, and their palms clasped tightly.

Then Pan Bohua gave Zhou Cheng a bear hug:

“I think I won our earlier contest – my shot to the right side of Zhang Jiandong’s neck was perfectly placed!”

Zhou Cheng couldn’t help responding, “Third Brother, we can’t settle it like this. Brotherhood is a brotherhood, but who won needs further verification. My shot to the left side of his neck was equally precise – any more would have killed him, any less wouldn’t have immobilized him.”

They both laughed after speaking.

Since they couldn’t determine a winner, what to do? There’s always next time!

After all, they would be colleagues and brothers for life – always chasing and competing, there would be plenty of opportunities!

…

Early the next morning, when Xia Xiaolan woke up, Pan Bohua was gone.

On the suite’s living room table sat many empty bottles and some uncollected plates.

Zhou Cheng came out of the bathroom, water droplets still clinging to his hair.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help laughing, “Did you and Third Brother drink and chat through the night? Where is Third Brother?”

The number of empty bottles on the table showed they’d drunk quite a bit. Zhou Cheng had just showered and looked energetic – Xia Xiaolan didn’t know whether to praise his youthful constitution, his recovery ability was remarkably fast, showing no signs of being drunk.

Zhou Cheng kissed her cheek:

“Third Brother went to handle his own business. We did drink some, but if you don’t like me drinking, I’ll absolutely follow the leader’s orders and never drink again!”

“As long as I don’t have to take care of a drunk, it’s fine.”

Xia Xiaolan was completely unbothered.

Whether drinking or smoking, these were Zhou Cheng’s own choices. Adults should know their limits – too much smoking or drinking isn’t good for health, but Zhou Cheng was someone who knew his boundaries. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t raising a son; why should she try to control Zhou Cheng?

Seeing she wasn’t upset, Zhou Cheng couldn’t help kissing her again, and then little Zhou Cheng stood at attention-

Zhou Cheng was slightly embarrassed and abruptly changed the subject:

“Let’s hurry back, Aunt Liu and the others must be anxiously waiting.”