At five in the afternoon, Jiangnan led the Bald Gang down the main street of Suka Town. What a grand spectacle it was. Katerina, arm in arm with Jiangnan on the left, was all smiles and laughter. On the other side, he held Su Rui’s hand. An Ning, with no space left, could only walk beside Jiangnan. The seven burly bald men trailing behind were green with envy, seething with frustration. Look at that, both hands occupied. Was he even human? From now on, during missions, they’d fight to be the boss.
[Resentment value from Chen Chen +1000.]
[Resentment value from Wang Tie +1000.]
[Resentment value from…]
Jiangnan chuckled to himself. Yep, pretty great.
Along the way, countless factions secretly observed their every move. Jiangnan didn’t care. That was the whole point, to be seen. White Shark’s Golden Viper, Katerina, was a big name. Many factions were stunned. The Bald Gang was already brazen, but how did they end up mixed with White Shark’s crew? Who exactly were these baldies?
The group arrived at a corner coffee shop. “Heard of the Bald Gang’s reputation for ages. Didn’t expect White Shark’s Golden Viper to be off the market, haha,” a bare-chested, burly man said in fluent Russian. He was built like a tank, with a scar on his lip. His thick chest hair was impossible to ignore. The entire café was packed with Wild Bear’s men, at least a hundred, all armed to the teeth.
Chen Chen and the others’ faces darkened. This was clearly a trap, a Hongmen Banquet.
Jiangnan grinned. “Mate, you’re something else. Don’t need a jumper in winter, do you?”
Katerina burst out laughing, nearly choking. Since when did Jiangnan speak Russian?
The man’s smile froze. What the hell, no jumper? Was he mocking him or his chest hair?
[Resentment value from Andre.Benshakalaka +999.]
Jiangnan was baffled. Bloody hell, this bloke’s name was explosive, almost rhythmic.
Without hesitation, Jiangnan sat opposite, legs crossed and propped on the table, knocking over a coffee cup. He pulled two golden spirit beads from his pocket, rolling them in his hand, oozing arrogance. Instantly, over a hundred gun barrels pointed at him. Katerina’s face turned icy. Jiangnan, unfazed, just smiled at Andre.
The air grew tense. Andre stared at Jiangnan for a full thirty seconds. An Ning’s heart was in her throat. How was Jiangnan so calm? What kind of mental strength was this?
Finally, Andre smirked, waving a hand. The guns lowered.
“Mate, you’ve got some guts,” Andre said.
Jiangnan replied coolly, “Don’t try that intimidation nonsense with me. You want money, I want a nuke. I’m here for an invitation.”
Andre narrowed his eyes. “How do I know you’re not from China’s Dark Night? Never heard of the Bald Gang.”
Katerina snapped, “You don’t trust me or White Shark? Think carefully before you speak, or there’ll be no place for Wild Bear on this land.”
Andre shrugged. “I trust you, or I wouldn’t be here. I just want to know what you’re offering.”
Jiangnan grinned. “What do you want?”
Andre’s gaze fell on the golden spirit beads. “Mate, that’s all you’re aiming for?” Jiangnan tossed the beads over. Andre caught them.
“Since you like them, take them. The Bald Gang doesn’t lack cash,” Jiangnan said.
Andre’s eyes gleamed. “Haha, you’re a straight shooter. Tomorrow, seven p.m., Bell Bar?”
Jiangnan blinked. “Wasn’t it three days from now?”
Andre smirked. “My turf, my rules.”
Jiangnan nodded. “OK.”
With the invitation secured, the group prepared to leave.
Andre called out, “Hold on.”
Everyone tensed. Were they exposed?
Jiangnan turned. “What? Gotta pay the bill too? Have some shame, mate.”
Andre was stunned. The team was floored. The bill? That’s what he was worried about?
[Resentment value from Andre +666.]
“Mate, you’re Wild Bear’s friends now. Hotel’s ready for you. Stay put until seven tomorrow. Town’s a bit chaotic, yeah?” Andre said.
Everyone’s eyes flickered. Clearly, Wild Bear didn’t trust the Bald Gang.
“Nice service, food and lodging included,” Jiangnan quipped. Escorted by mercenaries, they headed to the hotel. On the way, they passed three men in suits wearing devil masks, heading toward the café.
An Ning’s face darkened. “Raksha?”
Jiangnan sneered. “Andre’s got a busy schedule.”
At the hotel, under the envious gazes of the mercenaries, Jiangnan led An Ning, Su Rui, and Katerina into the presidential suite. An Ning and Su Rui immediately swept the room for bugs, writing on Jiangnan’s back, “No cameras, but the room’s full of listening devices.”
Meanwhile, the Raksha trio sat across from Andre. As they started to speak, a lackey whispered, “Boss, Jiangnan and the three women are in the room.”
Andre smirked, “Bring it.” A speaker was placed on the table. Andre and his men crowded around.
“Andre, we Raksha…”
“Wait a sec.”
“No, we Raksha…”
“Shush, quiet.”
The Raksha group was baffled. What the hell? They weren’t even allowed to speak? What was he listening to?
In the presidential suite, Su Rui frowned at the single bed. “Wild Bear’s stingy. Three of us, one room? One bed? How do we…”
Jiangnan cut in, “Heh, what? One bed’s not enough? Where you planning to go? Bed too small? There’s the sofa, the chair, plenty of options.”
An Ning’s face paled, quickly covering Su Rui’s mouth. Jiangnan pointed around, mouthing, “Bugs.”
Su Rui’s eyes widened, realizing her mistake. They were posing as the Bald Gang, with her as the boss’s woman. Of course they’d share a room. One slip-up, and they might not leave the room alive, all under Wild Bear’s surveillance.
