Chapter 72: He’s A Dog
Hes A Dog
Xia Lei went to the bank to withdraw 200,000 the next day and brought it to Thunder Horse Workshop. The employees had already started working earnestly though they were just some small orders.
Zhou Xiao-Hong did not listen to him and was not resting. She was holding a painting brush and metal ruler, drawing on the steel plate for Ma Xiao-An and the others, making it more convenient for them to cut the materials and save time.
Seeing her work hard reminded Xia Lei of the situation last night when he was bandaging her wound for her. That white thigh, that gap that appeared because of the bandaging
I really need to find myself a woman. Its not good for me to be so sensitive all the time. Xia Lei shook his head and smiled wryly as he chased the images in his head away. This wasnt the first time hed thought of getting himself a woman but it seemed to be just a mantra. It was easier said than done to find a woman to love and to be with.
He thought of Shentu Tian-Yin for no apparent reason; that haughty, queen-like woman. He smiled wryly again, and thought I keep thinking of her for no reason. Does this mean that she is the woman I want? What a joke. I really should know my limits
Zhou Xiao-Hong was the first to see Xia Lei enter the workshop and she got to her feet, Ill make you tea, Big Brother Lei.
Didnt I tell you to rest? Why are you working? asked Xia Lei.
Zhou Xiao-Hong gave a small laugh, Nah, Im not doing heavy work. Im just drawing. Its no different from resting.
Be careful. Dont get hurt again, Xia Lei cautioned.
Mm, Zhou Xiao-Hong made a sound of agreement and went to make tea for Xia Lei.
Ma Xiao-An and the others greeted Xia Lei and he smiled as he greeted them back. What had happened yesterday definitely affected them but life was life. They were people who needed to earn money for their families so work was most important; they didnt care so much about other things.
Zhou Xiao-Hong made tea for Xia Lei, then went back to the metal board to draw.
Xia Leis phone rang before he could take a sip of tea.
The call was from Qin Xiang. His voice was soft but sharp and very sissy, Xia Lei, Ill wait for you at Ju Shan Garden Teahouse.
Okay. Ill be right there. Xia Lei hung up and went straight out.
Ma Xiao-An came over and pulled him by the hand, then spoke in a low tone, Lei, what are you doing?
Nothing, said Xia Lei.
Tell me if somethings up. We can handle it together, said Ma Xiao-An.
Xia Lei smiled as he said, Theres really nothing. You just have to help me take care of the workshop. Ive actually been busy registering us as a company. We wont be just a workshop in the future.
Ma Xiao-An paused, then said in delight, Really? Thats great! You have to appoint me as Workshop Director or I wont let you off.
Is that all you want? Just Workshop Director? Ill make you a Deputy Head, smiled Xia Lei.
Ma Xiao-An shook his head instead, Im not cut from that cloth. Ill be a Workshop Director.
Xia Lei patted Ma XIao-An on the shoulder, Lets not talk about this yet. We can tell them when theres a positive outcome or well be laughed at if it doesnt work out.
I know. Dont worry, I wont tell. Im not a blabbermouth, said Ma Xiao-An.
Xia Lei nodded and left the workshop.
Ma Xiao-An sent Xia Lei out the door, and turned around, guffawing, You guy know what? Lei is preparing to start a company! Were going to to be founders and doyens of the company!
Cheers sounded from Thunder Horse Workshop and it was very lively.
Xia Lei watched Ma Xiao-An and the others cheer as he sat in the ratty-tatty Polo. He shook his head, then started the engine and entered traffic, heading towards Ju Shan Garden Teahouse. He did not tell the truth to Ma Xiao-An but it was for his own good. It was a dangerous affair to go up against He Lao-Qi so he did not want Ma Xiao-An to get involved. Lying to him was for his own good; it was a kind lie.
Xia Lei received another call before he got to Ju Shan Garden Teahouse. It was not from Qin Xiang but from an unknown number.
Hello? Mr Xia? It was a womans voice, gentle and pleasant.
Yes. Who is this? Xia Lei could not tell who it was and he was curious.
Cant you tell? Im Liang Si-Yao. Remember me? said the woman.
Oh, so its Miss Liang. Of course I remember. Hello. What did you call me for? Xia Lei found it surprising that Liang Si-Yao would call him.
Nothing much. Just wanted to ask why you didnt come to the school to practice today, said Liang Si-Yao.
Im sorry, Im busy with something at my workshop and I cant make time. Ill be there tomorrow, said Xia Lei.
Mm, okay. Oh right, have you thought about what Id talked to you about yesterday? said Liang Si-Yao.
Xia Lei remembered Liang Si-Yao calling him to Liang Zheng-Chuns office to ask him to consider giving up his workshop and concentrate on Wing Chun before he left the school. This seemed to be Liang Si-Yaos true motive in calling him. He thought for a bit before replying, This isnt a small matter. How about this, Miss Liang let me think about it some more and well talk at another time, okay?
Mm, okay. I wont disturb you any longer. See you tomorrow, said Liang Si-Yao.
Goodbye, Miss Liang. Xia Lei hung up.
Saying that he would think about it was just polite talk. Hed never thought about becoming a true practitioner of martial arts.
Xia Lei was no stranger to Ju Shan Garden Teahouse. He had followed Li Qing-Hua from Ju Shan Garden Teahouse and recorded a compromising video of him. That was also his first time using his X-ray vision to solve a problem.
Xia Lei found Qin Xiang in a private room after walking into the hall. The way Qin Xiang was dressed made Xia Lei speechless he was wearing womens pencil-trousers, matched with a ripped T-shirt. The two little pink dots on his flat chest were stood out like sore thumbs. This way of dressing and his made-up face, which was more beautiful than a womans, really accentuated his existence as a tranny.
Xia Lei stopped using his X-ray vision and walked into the private room QIn Xiang was in.
Qin Xiang looked at the bulging leather bag in Xia Leis hands. Youve really brought the money.
Xia Lei sat opposite Qin Xiang and put the leather bag on the table.
Have you thought about it? If I take your money and dont help you then your money would be lost, you know? said Qin Xiang.
Xia Lei pushed the money to Qin Xiang and spoke indifferently, Ive promised to give you 200,000. Im not afraid that youll con me. I wouldnt give you the money either if it wasnt for your mothers treatment. If you want to con me, you can take this money and leave right now. I wont stop you.
Qin Xiang pulled the string of the bag open and looked inside. He didnt say anything and lifted the bag, headed towards the exit.
Xia Lei just sat there, not even looking at Qin Xiang.
Qin Xiang walked to the doorway of the private room, then suddenly turned back. He sat himself on the sofa, smiling, You really can hold it in, huh. Not worried Ill take your money for nothing?
Youd be an unredeemable fool if you did that. Im helping you, not using you, said Xia Lei.
Qin Xiang pursed his lips and smiled, Youre really special, arent you? Thanks for your money. Its important to me.
Take it for your mothers treatment. Shes the one who needs it most, said Xia Lei.
Dont worry about that. This money is for saving my mothers life. I wont spend it frivolously. After a pause, he added, I thought about it the whole night yesterday and Ive sorted it out. We are indeed in the same boat. Ill help you. What do you want to do?
Tell me about He Lao-Qi first. Id like to understand more about him, said Xia Lei.
Hes the Gu clans dog, said Qin Xiang.
Xia Lei was surprised. Hed thought that He Lao-Qi was working for the Gu Ke-Wen because she paid him. He did not expect that He Lao-Qi would be related to the Gu clan in this way.
Qin Xiang continued, If you want to talk about He Lao-Qi, you have to start with the Gu clan. You know that the Gu clan is one of the most powerful families in Jing-Du, right? The Gu clan controls North Group, which is worth billions and has a wide reach. What you dont know is that the Gu clan actually started here in Hai-Zhu. Gu Ke-Wens grandfather, Gu Ding-Shan is actually a figure in the underworld too. Nothing in the Gu clans coffers is clean. The Gu clan has always been vicious. Anyone who goes up against them would have a bad end.
Xia Lei thought of Liu Ying she was also one of the victims of the Gu clans capital expansion. He didnt understand why a rich young lady like Gu Ke-Wen used such underhanded methods to snatch Liu Yings company and patent away back then but he understood now after hearing what Qin Xiang said. Gu Ding-Shan was a man of the underworld who stepped on the corpses of his opponents to reach higher would his descendents be good, kind people?
Qin Xiang went on, He Lao-Qis father was an underling of Gu Ding-Shans back then and he took a bullet for Gu Ding-Shan and died. From then on, He Lao-Qi became the Gu clans dog and ran errands for them. Nobody dares to disrespect He Lao-Qi here on Hai-Zhu territory because he has the backing of the Gu clan. He runs rampant here, terrorising and oppressing people.
Can the police do nothing to him? Hes been committing evil crimes for so many years, said Xia Lei.
Qin Xiang smiled wryly, The police need evidence to make an arrest. What can they base their arrest on without evidence? He Lao-Qi is very slippery. Hes never done bad deeds personally and always sends his underlings. Like me. He has dirt on me. I had to go steal Liu Yings patent because he told me to. Would I dare say that he had instructed me to steal it if I got caught?
He Lao-Qis way of doing things seemed to have come from the Gu clan. When Gu Ke-Wen wanted something bad done, she made He Lao-Qi do it so that she wouldnt get into any trouble herself.
Xia Lei was silent for a while before he spoke, What dirt does he have on you?
Qin Xiang looked at Xia Lei, seeming to be observing him.
Xia Lei smiled, Arent we sort of friends now? You can just not tell me if you dont trust me.
Qin Xiang sighed. Telling you is better than He Lao-Qi holding onto my strings. He paused, then said, Im a burglar. Two years ago, I burgled a gold shop I didnt know it belonged to He Lao-Qi. I was recorded on a well-hidden camera when I did it and he managed to track me down even though my face was covered. He didnt report me to the police, though. He gave me a copy of video. Hes been sending me to steal whatever he wants ever since.
Youre quite skilled. Didnt you think of stealing that video?
Qin Xiang smiled wryly, Would that help? He knows its me. Hell send someone to kill me. Living and being used by him is better than death.
Where does he live?
Qin Xiang didnt say anything. He took out a piece of copy-paper from his gaudy handbag and held it out to Xia Lei.
Xia Lei glanced at the paper He Lao-Qis address, family members names, age and schedules of some bodyguards were written on it. It was quite detailed.
How do you want to deal with him? probed Qin Xiang.
I have no plan now. Lets leave it at this first. Ill contact you if I need your help with anything. Xia Lei put the copy-paper away.
Okay. Im going to the hospital to pay the fees. Bye. Qin Xiang took the leather bag and left.
Xia Lei still sat in the private room, thinking deeply.
He Lao-Qi was actually the dog of the Gu clan. They were one entity. How can he fight them?