Chapter 27: Uncle Dong's Goodwill - Iron-Body Potion (Permanent)
Standing by the window upstairs, Bone-Scraper Dong watched Wang Yaotang get into Xing Hong’s car. Not until the vehicle vanished from sight did he exhale, turn, and walk back inside.
Refusing once was acceptable, twice perhaps, but a third time would have been too much. In the end, Wang Yaotang had begrudgingly accepted the check for 300,000 in cash.
The money did not come from the syndicate’s coffers, but from Bone-Scraper Dong’s own pocket. As the old man had put it, “You are the most promising star of the young generation in Wo Shing Yee. You have dozens of subordinates looking to you for their meals; if you’re still taking taxis when you go out to negotiate deals or handle business, you might not care, but Wo Shing Yee can’t afford to lose face like that!”
“The syndicate is your backer, not your burden. Look at all the tycoons in Hong Kong—which one of them didn’t receive help from a syndicate when they were starting out? When you make it big, as long as you remember Wo Shing Yee and toss a few crumbs our way, the syndicate will be more than grateful.”
With things put this way, what more could Wang Yaotang say?
Wang had offered a 10% stake in his business to Bone-Scraper Dong, but the old man had refused.
“Uncle Dong doesn’t lack money for his retirement. For those of us in the syndicate, having too much money after retiring is a liability because our foundations aren’t clean. I’m old; all I want now is to see you young ones soar to success.” Bone-Scraper Dong smiled gently. “My eldest son is in the United States, my youngest is in Singapore, and my daughter is in the UK. She’s married now and has a little son—he’s just adorable.”
“My eldest son is getting married next year. I’ll invite you then; you must do me the honor of showing up.”
“That would be my privilege,” Wang Yaotang nodded in agreement.
“Come visit this old man more often when you have time. My own kids haven’t been back in over two years.” Bone-Scraper Dong stood up with a smile. “Alright, you go on back. You’ve just stepped over Tung Sun Wo to rise to the top; you’re going to be very busy. I’ll have Xing Hong drive you.”
[You have achieved a brilliant victory in your first negotiation with the syndicate’s Godfather.]
[In view of your outstanding performance, your abilities have been recognized by the Godfather. Prestige +100.]
[Current Prestige: 505/825 (Newcomer to the Underworld)]
Name: Wang Yaotang
Height: 175cm
Prestige: 505/725 (Rising Star)
Affiliation: Wo Shing Yee
Rank: Four-Nine (Foot Soldier)
Skills: Driving (LV1), Sanda (LV1), Muay Thai (LV1), Fine Arts (LV1)
Assets: Lingerie stalls (X4), Adult novelty store (X1), Brothels (X2)
On the way back, Xing Hong kept stealing glances at Wang Yaotang. Over the years, he had picked up many underlings summoned by the Godfather for guidance, but this was the first time he had been tasked with driving one back.
Did the Godfather really think that highly of him?
It was already 5:00 PM when they reached Tsim Sha Tsui. Four-Eyes and A-Jie hadn't returned from the New Territories factory yet, and Wang didn’t know how the negotiations with Old Lai had gone. But with cash in hand, his mind was at ease. Seeing the late hour, he invited Xing Hong to stay for dinner.
Xing Hong hesitated. As the Godfather’s dedicated driver and bodyguard, he was theoretically supposed to take him home that evening. However, after considering it, he called Bone-Scraper Dong. The old man told him directly not to bother coming back and to have a good time in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Xing Hong: “...”
Why did he get the feeling he was being used by the Godfather to butter up Wang Yaotang?
“Brother Yao, I’m in your hands tonight!” Xing Hong said with a smile after hanging up.
“Good, leave it to me. I’ll make sure Brother Hong has a great time tonight!” Wang waved his hand, though he chuckled inwardly. Xing Hong’s address had shifted from ‘Little Yao’ to ‘Ah Yao,’ and now to ‘Brother Yao.’
Interesting. Very interesting.
Since he had to entertain the Godfather’s right-hand man, and he hadn't had a chance to celebrate their victory from yesterday, tonight was the perfect time.
He called Yellow-Hair, booked two luxury booths at the Glamour Nightclub, and invited Little Luo from Tiao Lin and Blind Wah from the Ying Luen Society. Sharing the joy was better than enjoying it alone.
When Four-Eyes and the others returned at eight, they brought good news: Old Lai had been reluctant at first, but after making a few calls—presumably to gauge the sentiment regarding Tung Sun Wo—he had finally agreed.
A total success!
That night, Wang Yaotang, A-Wei, A-Jie, A-Ji, Four-Eyes, and Xing Hong headed out, bringing along eight of their “Blue Lantern” recruits to show them the ropes.
After a moment’s thought, Wang called Guan Jiahui and told her to bring her sister, Wang Lixuan, along.
They showed up, but Wang was worried about his precious sister, so he brought seven or eight men to meet them at the entrance of the Glamour Nightclub. The two girls were startled by the display.
Guan Jiahui was thrilled; she could brag about this spectacle to her girlfriends for a year!
Wang Lixuan, however, was both frightened and shy. She had heard plenty about what kind of place a nightclub was—what decent girl would come to a place like this? It was so shameful.
Guan Jiahui walked in front, followed by a crowd of subordinates, walking through the Sun Kee-controlled venue with the air of a queen, absolutely exhilarated.
Wang Lixuan trailed behind, clutching the hem of Wang Yaotang’s shirt. The pink lights and the heavily made-up, scantily clad women made her feel deeply uncomfortable. “Why did you bring me here? I hate this. I still have practice problems to finish.”
“You can do your problems tomorrow. I brought you out to see the world so you won’t be blinded by those punks and rich little bastards and make a mistake,” Wang said, gesturing toward a group of youths with colorful hair and dragon tattoos. “These losers? One word from your brother and they’d be on their knees kowtowing!”
“A girl must cherish herself. Look at these men—dressed in suits and ties, looking all respectable. It’s all a disguise. Once they get here, they let their true natures out. They’re all trash. So what if they’re rich? Your big brother will be even richer.”
“If any prick bothers you, tell your brother. I’ll throw him in the sea to feed the fish!” Wang Yaotang lectured like an old father.
“What about you? You’re a man, too,” Wang Lixuan suddenly asked.
Wang Yaotang: “Me? Well, I’m certainly not a good person either.”
“Pfft…”
“Why did you bring your little sister here?” A-Ji asked in a low voice.
“Desensitization. You wouldn’t understand.”
A-Ji frowned, then let it go. He’d just have to be careful—if anyone dared to harass her, he’d chop them up!
The party went on until midnight. Not wanting to return to his cramped apartment, Wang booked a hotel nearby. He left the others to their own devices, settled his sister in, and took Guan Jiahui away.
As soon as they entered the room, Guan Jiahui pinned Wang against the wall—a complete reversal of roles!
Both were young and full of energy; a fierce, tangled battle ensued...
(Deleted 2,000 words as per regulations)
After the first round, Guan Jiahui lay limply on Wang Yaotang’s chest, pulling out a lighter to light a cigarette.
Squinting as he took a few puffs, Wang suddenly remembered he hadn't claimed his reward yet. He hadn't been satisfied with the result of the last "C-enhancement," so this time, he was determined to increase his height!
[Steel Serum (Permanent): Provides targeted growth in a specific direction.]
“I want to increase my height!”
[You have used 'Steel Serum (Permanent)'. Little Wang's height increased by 1cm.]
Wang Yaotang was horrified: Oh no, he’d added it to the wrong place!
It was all that woman Guan Jiahui’s fault!
She had caused the system to misfire. Punishment—he had to punish her! He raised his hand, gave her a smack, and the waves of passion surged again.
He lunged forward, swinging his "staff" into battle!
“Ah… I can’t… I can’t take it anymore…”
The battlefield was in ruins. Wang Yaotang, with a calm expression, picked up the bedside phone and called the front desk.
“Come and change the sheets.”
…
The next morning, refreshed and invigorated, Wang Yaotang felt like a new man. “Brothers, our most important task today is: we’re buying cars!”