If one was used to Chen Yi’s usual carefree demeanor, seeing him now in a suit and tie, full of vigor, made not only Miao Jing but also Bo Zi’s entire gang feel that Chen Yi was rapidly transforming. He was becoming sharper, more cutting, with ambition lurking in his eyes.
Zhai Fengmao had invested and started businesses in Teng City. Besides various capital partnerships, he had connections in both political and business circles. After developing deep roots for over a decade, many of his behind-the-scenes operations relied on Zhang Shi’s group. This brotherhood naturally had its organizational discipline, adhering to hierarchical order and respect for rank. They were required to maintain a low profile and not arbitrarily bully others. They attended each other’s celebrations and ceremonies, and of course, Zhai Fengmao was generous with his rewards—giving houses, cars, and year-end bonuses. The nightclub’s parking lot was filled with luxury vehicles, mostly Cadillacs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Hummers.
Chen Yi, working under Zhang Shi, proved clever. Despite his young face, he could adapt remarkably well, handling everything from joking and cursing to putting on airs. Zhang Shi initially just used him as a driver, running errands and delivering messages. The nightclub frequently entertained powerful figures, and he could handle them better than those rough characters while being bolder and more skilled than the hospitality managers. He managed the social occasions quite well. Zhang Shi also had investment and trading companies, sometimes handling engineering projects or other ventures. Chen Yi tagged along but never took any benefits for himself, instead constantly doing favors for others. Zhang Shi observed this coldly for a while, noting how he neither sought gain nor acted impatiently and recognized him as truly talented. Zhai Fengmao had heard about him too, and once when he returned to Teng City, he even accepted a toast from Chen Yi.
Though Chen Yi had gained a bit of influence, he had to guard against jealousy from his peers. Mainly because of his young age and lack of major accomplishments or foundation, he relied on his quick wit. In a short time, he had risen from security to becoming someone everyone at the nightclub had to show respect to, which naturally drew envious eyes.
That Spring Festival, Chen Yi received several tens of thousands in bonuses, probably the largest sum he’d ever gotten. Of course, it was quickly spent, mostly on taking care of people around him, with just enough left to treat Bo Zi’s gang to a festive New Year’s celebration.
He booked a seafood restaurant and a luxury KTV room, planning a full day of activities. Chen Yi dragged Miao Jing along to eat and have fun, though she refused with a cold face. After they argued, Miao Jing was pulled out the door. It was her first time sitting at the same table with Huanmao and the others, watching expressionlessly as the group smoked, drank, and boasted. She sat beside Chen Yi, even her chopstick movements showing her detachment from the world. Everyone felt awkward and tried to engage Miao Jing in conversation, but this only caused trouble. Chen Yi’s face grew increasingly dark as he told everyone to leave the bookworm alone. Miao Jing’s face darkened, and the siblings exchanged barbed words at the dinner table, leaving others stunned.
Finally, Miao Jing put down her chopsticks, saying she was full and needed to go home to work on test papers. Her high ponytail swayed as she walked out of the restaurant, strolling alone on the empty Spring Festival streets.
Shortly after, Chen Yi chased after her, calling her name furiously from behind.
“What are you making a fuss about? It’s New Year’s, can’t you give me some face in front of my brothers while having a meal?”
“I’m not making a fuss. I’m just a bookworm, and I need to go do my homework.”
“Miao Jing, are you having another episode?”
“You’re the one having an episode! You’re the sick one!”
“How am I sick?” he shouted. “Look at yourself, why are you treating me worse and worse? I provide for your food and clothes, shouldn’t you treat me better?”
“Right, you provide my food and clothes, and someday, I’ll pay back every cent!”
“Here you go again with that.” He grumbled, then his eye caught sight of a string of red, “Want some candied hawthorns?”
“No.”
“Then what’s going on with you?”
“Nothing’s going on.”
“Those things said at the dinner table were just jokes. None of those things have anything to do with me. I know my limits, and I won’t touch anything I shouldn’t.”
Chen Yi quickened his pace, reached out to grab her waist, and pulled her to his side. He pushed her against the nearby railing, holding her in his arms, and pointed: “Look, there are lantern boats on the river.”
He pecked her neck and said softly, “Don’t be angry on New Year’s.”
Miao Jing’s heart skipped a beat as she suppressed her irritation, frowning as she looked at the river before her.
His arms held her tightly, his tall body pressed against her back, his breath rich and strong. His chin nuzzled her hair several times, and Miao Jing could feel his Adam’s apple and neck sliding against her hair.
“There are only a few months until the college entrance exam. After you leave and we can’t see each other, are you going to call and scold me every day?”
“Other girls don’t treat me like this. Can’t you be a bit nicer to me? I remember you weren’t like this before.”
Miao Jing leaned on the railing, looking at the river ahead with melancholy and confusion.
After Spring Festival came the final semester of high school. The pressure was high for students at key high schools, and Chen Yi knew this was a crucial period, so he didn’t want to anger her again. When he did things or talked with his brothers, he intentionally or unintentionally avoided Miao Jing.
His days weren’t particularly peaceful either, as some people tried to trip him up. Among Zhang Shi’s circle of brothers and followers, numbering around a dozen or so, there were various ranks. Though they all appeared to follow Zhang Shi on the surface, they looked to Zhai Fengmao for leadership. There were plenty of private conflicts and schemes, mostly maintaining surface cordiality. Some had issues with Chen Yi, and because they were all at the nightclub, occasionally created trouble for him, causing unpleasantness.
Chen Yi wanted to take down everyone who stood in his way.
It started with the “high packages” at the nightclub. This path was laid very discreetly, and whether due to the nightclub’s powerful connections or some other reason, it had never been discovered during regular inspections. Chen Yi knew police had been conducting undercover investigations since the end of the previous year. Later, when an undercover officer’s investigative traces were discovered, Chen Yi secretly helped cover it up, allowing the officer to escape safely, and directed suspicious traces to a rival who had some conflicts with Zhang Shi—a notorious northeastern gang in the area. The two groups fought over territory and business, and black eating black was normal; they were all cut from the same cloth, none cleaner than the others.
Chen Yi was too insignificant to draw attention, his status unremarkable, spending each day honestly working at the construction site. The fire didn’t reach him, and he enjoyed watching the chaos, hoping the two groups would stir up more trouble. If those hot-tempered people got into some fighting and killing, it would make Zhai Fengmao and Zhang Shi spend more effort managing their subordinates, such as sending them to rest at the headquarters on the Yunnan border.
This reorganization was no small matter; they found several people making private moves. Zhai Fengmao rarely showed his face, but this time he came to the nightclub, his usually mild expression showing traces of displeasure, and dealt with several ungrateful troublemakers.
At this time, Zhou Kang’an was still investigating “Brother Han’s” shooting case and got involved in this fighting case.
Zhai Fengmao likely had drug business connections, but he didn’t handle it directly. This line was managed by two old-timers who had been with him since the early days, and even Zhang Shi wasn’t involved. Everything was done very quietly and discreetly. This time when someone got into trouble, Zhang Shi picked two clever ones and pushed Chen Yi in front of Zhai Fengmao.
Chen Yi rubbed his fingertips; the severity of this matter was extraordinary. Once in, there would be no possibility of backing out. Standing before Zhai Fengmao, he said he was timid and didn’t want to do it.
Zhai Fengmao smiled faintly and asked, “A hundred thousand a month, and you don’t want to do it?”
“I’m greedy. I’m afraid that once I enter this door, even a hundred thousand won’t satisfy me. By then, I might dare to think about millions or tens of millions. When people are too ambitious, they’re likely to stumble.”
“You’ve got quite the mouth on you, talking about millions and tens of millions,” Zhai Fengmao mocked him. “You should know your capabilities better.”
Chen Yi lowered his head.
Zhai Fengmao didn’t force him on this matter, but Chen Yi had caught his eye and couldn’t stay clean. In the end, he still fell in.
As Chen Yi’s boat rose with the tide, the gang of younger brothers behind him also rose to prominence, walking with their heads held high. The nightclub also prepared a special car for them, which they used to cruise around and pick up girls, feeling particularly prestigious.
Trouble still came from Bo Zi, who had the closest relationship with Chen Yi. As an end-level runner responsible for distribution and delivery, Bo Zi took money from a companion and was supposed to deliver goods to a villa complex in the suburbs at midnight. Chen Yi stopped him, asked a few questions over the phone, told Bo Zi to give him the stuff, and was about to go out to find Bo Zi.
At that time, Miao Jing wasn’t asleep yet. She knew Chen Yi had been mysterious lately, hiding everything from her, and going out every few days in the middle of the night. Hearing those few words in his phone conversation, she suddenly froze, her blood running cold. As soon as Chen Yi went out the door, she chased after him but couldn’t stop his steps.
Miao Jing called the police directly.
The police station responded quickly.
Another timely call went to the Criminal Investigation Team.
“Uh, Captain Zhou… someone reported drug use…”
“This… damn it.”
Chen Yi was released at the police station door thanks to a timely phone call. If he had been one step later and entered the station, the trouble would have been big.
He rushed back home and violently slapped his jacket several times on Miao Jing. It was the first time she had seen such a sinister look in his eyes and such a frightening expression on his face. The jacket’s zipper struck Miao Jing’s cheek, causing a sharp pain. His anger was overwhelming: “Are you fucking crazy? If you want to kill me, just do it directly! I really could strangle you!!!”
“I’d rather raise an ungrateful wretch than you!” Chen Yi threw the jacket heavily on the ground, and kicked several chairs until they broke, leaving a mess everywhere, his eyes bloodshot. “Get out! After the college entrance exam, get out immediately! Get far away and never come back!!!”
Miao Jing’s snow-white arms were marked with long red streaks, and tears in her large eyes as she stared at Chen Yi.
“Miao Jing, I’m warning you, if you dare mention my business again, dare to ask, dare to say anything, dare to interfere, we’ll be enemies for life, with no relationship whatsoever. I, Chen Yi, am putting my words here today, and I mean what I say. If you look down on me, can’t stand me, you can leave now, and I’ll pretend you never existed, that I never knew you in this life.”
His voice trembled as he concluded hoarsely: “Get out!”
The sound of bowls and plates shattering on the ground was crisp, and the scattered porcelain shards hit Miao Jing’s calves. She shrank her shoulders and trembled, seeing his neck red with anger, his Adam’s apple repeatedly bobbing, truly on the verge of explosion.
After scolding her, he turned and left, not returning home for several days.
Miao Jing stayed at home alone, encountering two community police officers who came to register the household registration, followed by a middle-aged man in plain, modest clothes who showed his police badge. His name was Zhou Kang’an, and he also asked about the family situation. Seeing Miao Jing’s silence and that she was alone at home, he gave her a number: “I’m a police officer. If you have any problems, big or small in the future, just call me directly. I’ll help solve whatever I can.”
The relationship between Chen Yi and Miao Jing suddenly dropped to a freezing point. One day when he came back, Chen Yi smoked a cigarette, his face dark, and instructed Miao Jing: “Don’t live here anymore, move to school, focus on preparing for your college entrance exam. If you need anything, go buy it yourself.”
The school had faculty housing, and some teachers would lend out rooms to students. With the college entrance exam approaching, Chen Yi arranged for Miao Jing to move out and found her a place to stay.
He didn’t want to see her at home.
In the bright, warm spring of April, Miao Jing’s eighteenth birthday passed quietly.
Without a sound.
Before the college entrance exam, she met Chen Yi once, meeting at a restaurant outside the school. She saw his expression had become increasingly deep and fierce, he smoked heavily, didn’t even touch his chopsticks, just watched her eat with her head down.
“How’s your revision going?”
“Fine.”
“Your homeroom teacher said you did very well in several mock exams.”
“It’s okay.”
“You called my homeroom teacher?”
“He called me.”
“What school are you planning to apply to?”
“Haven’t thought about it yet.”
“Somewhere far away, the capital or Linjiang would be fine. Choose for yourself when filling out the application.”
“Okay.”
After exchanging these few simple words, he said he had something to do and left hurriedly.
And so this year’s college entrance exam quietly came to an end.