Chapter 58: Blackmailing Zhou Jing Hui
Zhou Jing Hui’s face turned deathly pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Just yesterday, he had tipped off Snake, and almost immediately after, Snake’s men suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Chen Xue Wen. It was too much of a coincidence—anyone would suspect that he and Chen Xue Wen were working together.
If Snake believed that, then Zhou Jing Hui was in serious trouble.
Suppressing his rising panic, Zhou Jing Hui forced himself to appear calm. “Brother Chen, what nonsense are you talking about?”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “Brother Hui, I don’t spout nonsense.”
“Think about it—you sold me two shops for five bucks each. Everyone knows we have a good relationship.”
“And now, this happens. What do you think Snake will believe?”
Zhou Jing Hui broke out into a cold sweat, his shirt sticking to his back.
He took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, “Brother Chen, you dealing with Feng Leopard and his crew was… sheer brilliance. What does that have to do with me? Snake—he wouldn’t suspect me.”
Chen Xue Wen smiled faintly. “Oh?”
“He might not think that way now, but… what if I start talking?”
Zhou Jing Hui froze, staring at Chen Xue Wen in shock. “W-What!?”
Chen Xue Wen grinned. “Brother Hui, we’re such good friends.”
“If I were to tell people that you’re my dear brother, that you’ve helped me so much and supported me…”
“What do you think? Would Snake feel like you set him up?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Or maybe, I’ll just tell Snake outright that you sent me after him.”
“What do you think he’ll do to you then?”
Zhou Jing Hui’s face twisted with rage. He grabbed Chen Xue Wen by the collar. “Chen! You bastard, are you trying to kill me!?”
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside. Little Ma burst in, leading a group of men, their faces brimming with hostility.
But Chen Xue Wen remained unfazed. He shot them a glance, sneering. “Brother Hui, we’re the same. Didn’t you try to harm me first?”
“If you hadn’t snitched to Snake, I wouldn’t have had the chance to ‘harm’ you.”
“Too bad, though—you did.”
“And every action has its consequences, doesn’t it?”
He turned his sharp gaze on Little Ma and his men, smirking. “What now? These dogs still not trained properly?”
“Brother Hui, if your mutts don’t know how to behave, I’d be happy to teach them some manners.”
Zhou Jing Hui, seething with fury, took deep breaths to calm himself. After a tense moment, he waved his hand, signaling Little Ma and the others to leave.
Right now, he didn’t dare to make a move against Chen Xue Wen.
Who knew what other tricks the man had up his sleeve?
After all that had happened, Zhou Jing Hui could only see Chen Xue Wen as an increasingly dangerous person.
He remained silent for a moment before speaking in a measured tone. “What do you want, Chen Xue Wen?”
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “Brother Hui, finally willing to talk business?”
“Alright, I’ll get to the point.”
“I’m a bit short on cash and was hoping to borrow a little from you.”
Zhou Jing Hui let out a slow breath. If it was just about money, at least there was room to negotiate.
“How much?”
Chen Xue Wen grinned. “Ten million.”
Zhou Jing Hui shot to his feet. “W-What!?”
“Ten million!? Are you out of your damn mind!?”
“You… you might as well go ask Snake! Where the hell am I supposed to get that kind of money!?”
Seeing Zhou Jing Hui’s explosive reaction, Chen Xue Wen knew he had aimed too high.
He chuckled. “Brother Hui, if that’s too steep, then just give me three to five million. I’m not picky.”
Zhou Jing Hui waved him off. “I don’t have that kind of money either!”
“What do you think, I run a damn printing press!?”
After a round of tense negotiation, Chen Xue Wen managed to extort a million from Zhou Jing Hui.
He demanded cash.
It took Zhou Jing Hui a great deal of effort to gather a million in cash, which he stuffed into a suitcase and handed over.
Holding such a hefty sum, Chen Xue Wen felt immense satisfaction.
As he was leaving, he grinned. “Oh, right, Brother Hui—have Little Ma drive me to the bank.”
“Your place isn’t exactly easy to get a cab from.”
Zhou Jing Hui’s face turned ashen, but he motioned for Little Ma to comply.
Grumbling under his breath, Little Ma had no choice but to drive Chen Xue Wen straight to the bank.
Chen Xue Wen deposited seventy thousand, bringing his total savings to a hundred grand.
He put the remaining thirty thousand into a separate account and handed the card to Li Er Yong.
“Take this to the hospital,” he instructed. “Make sure Wu Li Hong’s brother gets his surgery.”
He had learned earlier that Wu Li Hong’s brother needed a critical operation, and she had been working tirelessly as a hostess to save up for it.
This was the only way Chen Xue Wen could think of to repay her kindness.
With everything settled, Chen Xue Wen returned to the Arcade.
Business was about the same as yesterday—only a few players inside, and nobody touching the slot machines.
However, he noticed Law Enforcement patrolling the area more frequently.
Looks like Zhang Feng really was afraid, enough to station extra men here.
Feeling reassured, Chen Xue Wen leaned back in his chair outside, basking in the sun.
After an all-nighter, even a morning nap wasn’t enough. Drowsiness crept over him again.
Just as he was about to drift off, Lai Hou hurried over, speaking in a low voice. “Brother Wen, Snake’s man is here.”
Chen Xue Wen jolted upright, instinctively gripping his Bone Cutting Knife at his waist, scanning the surroundings warily.
But all he saw was Lai Hou standing alone.
“Where? How many?”
Lai Hou nodded toward the arcade. “Inside. Just one.”
Chen Xue Wen frowned. “Just one?”
Lai Hou nodded again. “Yeah, says he’s here to deliver a message from Snake.”
Peering inside, Chen Xue Wen confirmed it—only one man stood there.
Relieved but still on guard, he stepped inside.
He knew Snake was ruthless and vindictive. There was no way he’d let this grudge slide.
Even if Snake only sent one man, Chen Xue Wen wasn’t going to drop his guard.
Facing the man, he asked, “Who are you?”
The visitor was a short, mustached man in his thirties, his slicked-back hair gleaming with oil.
Upon seeing Chen Xue Wen, he smiled broadly. “You must be Brother Wen.”
“I’m Ding Three, accountant of Electronic Dynasty.”
Chen Xue Wen’s eyes narrowed. He had heard of Ding Three—a strategist for Snake.
“So, it’s Brother Ding. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“What brings you here today?”
Ding Three chuckled. “No need to be so formal, Brother Wen.”
“Snake sent me to deliver an invitation.”
“He wants to clear up some misunderstandings over dinner tonight at Chen Ji Grand Restaurant.”
“A few of our mutual acquaintances will be there as witnesses.”
“We hope Brother Wen will honor us with your presence.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation