Dai Zhiqiang returned to Ye Wang in a hurry. Around this time, Ye Zhong must have already fallen asleep, so he should be working at the bar right now. But he had something to say to Ye Huizhong.
? On the way, he bumped into Lin Xiang, who approached him with a look of concern on his face. Especially when he saw the dark and ugly expression on Dai Zhiqiang's face.
"How is your girlfriend? Is she alright?"
"She is fine. Why are you asking?"
Lin Xiang heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, can't I worry about her? She technically helped me out before."
Dai Zhiqiang sneered. "That's why you smuggled her into our hideout last time? I let that one slide because I trust and respect you as my senior, but I'd appreciate it if you don't have any ideas about her."
"Hey! What kind of person do you think I am? I don't have a hobby stealing my comrade's lover." Lin Xiang looked offended.
"Hmph."
"Wait for me. Tell me what happened!"
Dai Zhiqiang paid no heed to Lin Xiang and walked briskly towards the library. Ye Huizhong liked to spend his time there around this time.
He knocked on the door, and after his boss allowed him to come in, Dai Zhiqiang entered the library.
"It's you? What happened to make you come find me at this hour?" Ye Huizhong tapped his pipe to the ashtray as he gazed curiously at Dai Zhiqiang.
Dai Zhiqiang bowed and stood in front of him with both of his hands behind his back. "There is something I want to report to you."
"What is it?"
"It was just a glimpse, but I think I saw him."
"Him? Care to elaborate?"
"Huang Zhen."
Lin Xiang: "!!!"
Ye Huizhong's facial expression became tense upon hearing that name. It had been years since someone mentioned that name.
"Are you sure?"
"Based on the witness testimony, Huang Zhen certainly is the main culprit behind the attack on the Glorious Days anniversary party."
"I have heard about it. But I didn't expect him to come out again after this time. To think he has been moving under our nose all this time," Ye Huizheng laughed, but his eyes weren't amused in the least.
Lin Xiang who stood by the side and listened to their conversation also couldn't believe it. He couldn't help but chime in as well.
"Zhiqiang, that's a big claim you made there. Are you certain that this witness of yours is trustworthy?"
"Yes, I'm sure." Dai Zhiqiang nodded firmly. After all, there was no reason for Li Caiyi to lie or hide anything from him. If her description of the gang's leader was true, then there was only one person who could fit the bill.
"Since when did he return to this country? The last thing I heard was that he had died in a car accident."
Ye Huizhong scoffed. "A sly snake like him won't die that easily. The circumstances behind his death have always been fishy. To act so boldly within our territory, only he could do such a feat."
Lin Xiang had to admit that Huang Zhen was probably the most peculiar he had known in his whole life. Even Dai Zhiqiang seemed normal compared to him. His peculiarity didn't stop at his abnormal combat prowess, but also his dull sense of danger.
If a person would jump to the side when a car is heading towards them, Huang Zhen would run towards it instead.
That explained why his move was so unpredictable, and dangerous at the same time. Huang Zhen was once Ye Huizhong's most trustworthy subordinate until he betrayed the group and disappeared.
"Knowing Huang Zhen, he wouldn't move until there's a sufficient motive behind it. The fact that no life casualties during his attack are also suspicious." Ye Huizhong put his fingers on his chin before he gazed at Dai Zhiqiang thoughtfully. "What do you think is the reason?"
"Information…is the most likely answer. According to the witness, he seemed eager to confirm something."
"And what is that?"
"The answer remains obscure for now. However, I feel like his return probably has something to do with his unfinished business with Ye Wang, thus why I want to report this to you."
Ye Huizhong studied Dai Zhiqiang's behavior closely. His eyes narrowed down in suspicion. "You seem to be awfully proactive about this. Is there any reason why you want me to investigate this further?
Dai Zhiqiang and Lin Xiang were taken aback by that question. Lin Xiang was the first to respond, "Boss, are you suspecting this boy has something to do with Huang Zhen?"
"The possibility is not zero. After all, no one would imagine that Huang Zhen would betray us back then. What makes you think I will trust a brat who hasn't officially entered our group yet?"
Lin Xiang had no words to say against that. He stared at Dai Zhiqiang with a fervent gaze, as if urging him to say something. The latter only calmly gazed back at Ye Huizhong in a challenging manner.
'
"I have no proof and have no intention to prove it. You are free to believe it or not."
"Oh? So you don't care even if I found your action suspicious? I wonder where your confidence comes from?"
"I am simply stating that I won't ask you to trust me. No, I'd rather for you not to trust me that much."
"Hey, you brat! What did you say in front of the boss?" Lin Xiang couldn't believe what he had just heard. He didn't try to make an excuse and poured more oil on the fire instead. He glanced at Ye Huizhong worriedly as he gulped hard.
Contrary to his expectation, the boss didn't flare up like usual but nodded in approval. "It seems you are telling the truth. You are an impudent brat, but you are not one to scheme against someone else."
"I'm honored you think so," Dai Zhiqiang bowed respectfully, while Lin Xiang was utterly confused.
'Did the boss have a soft spot for a cheeky and impudent brat? How could he let it slide just like that?'
"I will look into this matter further. If there is nothing else, you are dismissed," Ye Huizhong waved his hand to shoo them away.
Lin Xiang followed Dai Zhiqiang out of the library before stopping him in his tracks. "Wait, Zhiqiang. You still have an explanation to do."
"But I already explained everything, though?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I know you are still hiding something. And I have a feeling I know what that is." Lin Xiang grinned smugly.
"Senior Lin, please don't play smart with me. It doesn't suit you. If you have something to say, then say it out loud."
"You impudent…" Lin Xiang sighed in defeat. He knew it was useless to argue with Dai Zhiqiang so he didn't beat around the bush anymore. "That witness you talked about, it was your girlfriend, right? That's why you want the boss to investigate it, but you don't want us to bother her."
'ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N(ov)elBin',
Dai Zhiqiang said nothing and walked past him instead. Lin Xiang smiled victoriously. "So I was right. But what's with that mind game you did with the boss back there?"
"The Boss was just playing with me. Honestly, if he wants to know about something, there is nothing he can't find out. Including the reason why I want him to investigate this case further."
"Oh? So then, why…?"
"If I tried to convince him to trust me, he would use the opportunity to officially make me a member of the group. He was pressuring me."
"Ah, so that's why you said what you said back then. You refused to give in and oppose him instead. Well, that was so like you. I understand why the boss would feel relieved instead."
Lin Xiang would never understand how their minds work. He wasn't exactly the brightest bulb from the bunch, but even he knew that Huang Zhen's return would cause a stir within the group.
"Senior Lin, you seem relaxed."
Lin Xiang shrugged. "Nothing will change even if I freak out here. The news about Huang Zhen is certainly unexpected, but I can't say it's impossible either."
"I will check on the Young Master before leaving."
Dai Zhiqiang walked away before he could reply. After spending some time with him, Lin Xiang knew that he wasn't exactly asking for permission when he said that, so he just let him go. His head was preoccupied with other things anyway.
He had to make sure that the others wouldn't get too agitated by this news.