The corridor had chairs and was quiet, so I didn't go straight into the banquet hall. What was happening inside had nothing to do with me anyway. No matter how beautiful Fang Yanmeng was, I didn't need to envy her, because she was the treasure in my arms. A mother-in-law is supposed to be beautiful, otherwise, how could she have given birth to such a daughter?

“How is the Brotherhood doing lately?” I asked Zhu Da.

Zhu Da brushed some dust off his jacket. “I’m slowly getting the hang of things, finally minimizing the probability of you getting into trouble to the lowest level. Managing the subordinates is not an issue; the retired soldiers Tiger recruited are seriously capable. As for the income, it’s quite considerable; after all, we own numerous dance halls, bars, and billiard rooms. I’ve been considering whether to reopen the old casino. Since if we don’t do it, others will. Even if nobody in the capital does it, those rich bosses will just go to Macau or Hong Kong to gamble. I’m fundamentally unwilling to let others earn that money.”

I pondered for a moment. “Reopening is fine, but you absolutely must keep it under strict control. Don't cause any chaos for me. Don’t open those small games; earning money from ordinary people isn't worth it. Regarding how exactly this casino will operate, consult your brothers more. I don't understand this part; you’ll have to figure it out as you go.”

Zhu Da nodded seriously. “Commander Zhao, I’m just a rough man, and sometimes I still show off and stir up trouble blindly. But I’ve reflected a lot during this period. We can’t just muddle through life forever. A man has to accomplish something so people can see it. I’ve been contemplating a grand plan these past few days.”

In reality, everyone was growing every day. I was growing through experience; why shouldn't Village Chief Zhu Da be growing too? Sometimes people don't want to grow up, don't want to lose that childlike innocence, but life’s truth is that time cannot be held back. With the tempering of life, everyone becomes more mature and independent, naturally drifting further away from that pure innocence.

“What grand plan? Tell me about it.”

Zhu Da said, “Instead of profiting from our own people, why not earn money from foreigners? Should we develop foreign underworld connections? This is what I think: we won't deal in drugs, get involved in politics, or make adult films. The production equipment at our underground base is incredibly powerful. We can manufacture some weaponry that foreigners desire and sell it to them. In their eyes, those weapons are advanced, but to us, they are all junk. We take their money, and then use that money to expand our legitimate businesses. Manufacturing arms is violent, perhaps, but if they don't buy ours, they’ll buy from the devils from the U.S. anyway. In short, the world won't become peaceful just because we stop selling weapons.”

I stood up and clapped Zhu Da on the shoulder. “Commander Zhu, I fully support you! We brothers must work hard. I wish you success in unifying the world's underworld soon, selling junk weapons everywhere, sweeping up all their money, and spreading our descendants of the Dragon across the entire globe!”

“Ah, Commander Zhao, you want me to go out and be a stud machine? Then I wish you success in unifying the world's legitimate sphere soon, charming every beauty under the heavens! But you must leave my Xue’er for me.”

After they both laughed heartily, I thought it over and realized there were still many issues involved. “Commander Zhu, you need to examine this plan carefully, carefully, and then carefully again. First, it absolutely cannot involve the Great Dragon Country; second, and just as important as the first, you must ensure your personal safety; third, you need to find reliable people for account management and money laundering. As for other issues, you must anticipate them yourself beforehand; I can’t think of everything immediately.”

“Don't worry, Commander Zhao. Your brother definitely won’t disgrace you this time! I absolutely won't make a move without a detailed plan.”

“Once you secure an order, notify me. Then I’ll organize the manpower to produce the manufacturing blueprints and start online production.”

Having discussed the general direction for future development, both Zhu Da and I felt wonderfully relieved. The conversation drifted further and further, like when we were kids sitting on the street at the alley entrance, counting car wheels and hoping a giant golden nugget would fall from the sky. Speaking of the hardships back then, Zhu Da started gesturing wildly, saying he used to be starving even after eating three large steamed buns in one sitting.

Those few ill-informed 'fans' of Liu Xue from earlier had already struggled out of the men's restroom. They didn't dare look at either of us and scurried away. While we were talking, another strange group entered the washroom.

Why were they strange? Because it was sweltering hot, yet they were all dressed in black suits. At that moment, they were escorting a person wearing a flat cap past us. Just as Zhu Da was demonstrating the 'three large steamed buns,' he raised his arm and bumped one of the men in the black suit, making him stagger. That man stumbled backward and stepped right on the flat cap's foot, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.

“Hey, kid, are you blind? Move aside quickly!” another man in a black suit roared angrily.

Zhu Da was in the underworld, so naturally, he had to act like it. If he had replied with an apology, he wouldn't have been qualified to be in the underworld; he might as well become a traffic cop.

“Are you blind! The road is wide enough, yet you all insist on squeezing through. Aren’t you just asking for a beating!”

The man in the black suit hadn't expected Zhu Da to be so aggressive. He wanted to flare up, but they managed to restrain themselves, letting out a grunt, helping up the person in the flat cap, and leaving.

I said to Zhu Da, “The one wearing the hat was a woman.”

“What!” Zhu Da exclaimed. “She’s wrapped up like a zongzi. Does she think she’s the State Chairman, acting so mysterious?”

I asked Zhu Da, “How did you know Liu Xue was coming here?”

Zhu Da replied, “A long time ago, Liu Xue’s company, ‘Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon Entertainment,’ announced her arrival in Kyoto City. So, I've been closely following her movements. Just yesterday, news suddenly came from Hong Kong saying she entered the airport and never came out. I guessed she might have come to Kyoto. If she’s in Kyoto, she definitely has to pay courtesy calls to some big business tycoons. So, I deployed my informants and finally learned she was dining at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse this afternoon. For me, sneaking into this place is not difficult.”

“It seems you've gone to quite some trouble for her. Well, I wish you immediate success tonight. Let's go back to the main hall and take a look.”

As we walked, Zhu Da lowered his voice. “You should take some time these next few days. Cai Baozi from the Hualong Society said his father wants to invite you to dinner. This matter should have happened a while ago, but Cai Baozi’s sister fell ill, and the old man just got back after taking his daughter abroad for treatment.”

I nodded and entered the banquet hall. Fang Chaoyang was already on the podium. He made a gesture for silence. “Friends, none of you are outsiders. I’ve invited you here for a simple meal really to welcome the Hong Kong film and music star, Miss Liu Xue!”

Applause erupted…

“Miss Liu Xue’s schedule is extremely tight. We originally planned a grand banquet for her this evening, but now we are forced to cancel and change it to a simple gathering. Next, we invite Miss Liu Xue to say a few words to everyone.”

Frenzied applause mixed with sharp screams. Although the news of Liu Xue’s arrival was kept strictly confidential, some well-connected people had already found out. They had exhausted every means to squeeze into the banquet hall, just to catch a glimpse of the star’s grace.

Just how much charm did a female celebrity possess to drive so many people wild for her? Although not many people were present today, except for those women whose jealousy was stirred by old age and waning vitality, everyone else was eagerly and excitedly awaiting the appearance of the beauty.

There was even music. A lotus flower emerging from the water walked onto the podium with slow, graceful steps.