Translator: Flying Lines
“How is the recovery going?”
In the hospital ward, Chen An placed a basket of fresh fruits on the bedside table. The tall boy’s leg was held in a cast and he couldn’t go anywhere except lying on the bed and rest. He smiled nonchalantly when he saw Chen An, and said: “the doctor said it’s going to be okay, Mr. Chen. No permanent damage.”
“That’s good. Don’t worry about school. I’ll talk to them. By the way, if there’s anything you need, just tell Wang Li. If you’re worried about missing classes, I’ll get Wang Li to find you a personal tutor.”
The tall boy got hurt because of them, so Chen An felt obliged to provide the best medical care, and to avenge him.
He had wanted to avoid using violence if at all possible. A fair game was all he wanted, and to have some fun playing the game with students he liked and trusted. His rivals, however, kept using dirty tricks, and took them unawares by beating the tall boy. If Chen An let it go, he would not be the Old Fox, the international crime lord for many years.
“No, that won’t be necessary. The nerd can help me, Mr. Chen, so there’s no need.” The tall boy waved the idea away, and grinned, “Mr. Chen, I had not known you’re so rich. This ward is more extravagant than my place at home. I think it’s a bit uncalled for, even with a broken leg. Probably we should get an ordinary one.”
Chen An gave the boy a look, though he was still smiling. Then he asked: “worried I may ask you to pay for it later? All right now, I’m rich like you said. If you move to an ordinary ward, you can pay for it yourself.”
The boy scratched his head, with an awkward ‘you got what I’m thinking’ smile. He was not from a poor family, but was by no means rich. Never before had he lived in such a big and well-furnished ward: there was special medical personnel to take care of him, a big TV and a bed larger than the one he had at home.
The other day he accidently asked the daily charge and was totally astonished by the answer: it was more than the monthly salary he was likely to get after he graduate!
“But this is too much…”the boy still thought it more than necessary.
“There, there. Focus on getting well. You would not have got hurt if it was not for the game, so I consider it my responsibility.” Chen An gave the boy’s head a light pat, “stop protesting. If you keep doing it, I’ll make you run 20 more circles when you recover!”
Outside the ward, three men leaned on the wall in a row, and like film stars from a poster, attracted attention wherever they went. Right now, the one with blonde hair was peeking inside by the door.
“Who is this one? Tut, tut, An seems to be quite familiar with him,” Ivanov turned around and said in an accusing tone to the other two, “you two are by his side every day. Can’t you keep an eye on this man? Why don’t you do something to stop this guy spreading his charms around?”
Chen Yang replied with apparent impatience: “he is a student of An’s!” The hairy bear was overreacting.
“Haven’t you heard of teacher-student relationships? It’s kind of a fad right now. And this man goes around like a butterfly…” Before Ivanov finished the sentence, he noticed Lu Feng and Chen Yang both looking over his shoulder. So in a blink, he put on a smile and changed his tone, “my An is so charming; I constantly worry I might lose him.”
Slowly turning around, Ivanov indeed saw the man, who only came out of the ward a moment ago, standing behind him. The hairy bear raised his arm and waved to Chen An in greeting: “Hey, baby.”
Ignoring Ivanov, Chen An went past him and said to those present: “is everyone free tonight?”
On hearing it, Lu Feng replied: “are we training tonight?”
While Chen Yang asked: “are we meeting tonight?”
“Gosh, you do play it rough, darling. Are we going to do it together? I don’t mind.” This of course came from Ivanov.
Chen An cast him a chilling glare: “shut the fuck up.”
What the hell was inside the hairy bear’s head? Did he drink too much vodka and get his brain poisoned?
“If so, you’re coming with me tonight.” Chen An took out a slice of paper from his pocket and waved it, “I found out who broke the boy’s leg.”
“Do you really need to go yourself? Leave it to me, darling. I will blast their den until there’s only a pit left, I promise.” Ivanov patted his chest proudly, only to get a punch to his stomach from Chen An, which silenced him and left him holding his stomach.
“Nurse, my friend is having a stomachache. Could you get his brain checked, please.” Chen An said to a nurse who just came out of a ward.
But why did he need to get his brain checked if he was having a stomachache? The nurse was confused.
“You’re the one who should get a brain check, darling. Have you forgotten what happened while we were on the sailboat? You lay in my arms and…ouch!” The hairy bear got another punch.
“Sorry. There’s something wrong with his head.” Chen An smiled politely to the nurse. He didn’t want to make a scene and cause trouble in the hospital, so he decided to talk elsewhere. Grabbing Ivanov’s collar, he dragged the big guy ignominiously out of the hospital.
…
The Zhao family had a fortune, plus a reputation in the local area. Still, it was not much compared with a real notable family.
Zhao Ziliang had felt secure in his overbearing manner mainly because of his uncle, i.e. Chen Yang’s biological father. He had huffed and puffed, like a frog in a well; in fact, his underlings were no more than street hooligans.
Chen An found out the identity of the thugs who beat the tall boy without much trouble. The matter wasn’t a big deal, really, and did not warrant the personal involvement of the mighty Old Fox. The thing was, Chen An was irritated. And he wanted to kick someone’s ass when he got irritated.
He wouldn’t do anything bad, nothing immoral. But he could kick asses, right? If by kicking asses, he was actually bringing about justice?
As day was always followed by night, no place was entirely free of illegal forces.
In the Eastern Street of city S, there were much hustle and bustle in the day. The place was known for its street food; men and women from far and near came here to have a taste.
But in the evening, tourists were mostly gone, leaving the place much quieter. Several shops were closed until sunrise next morning. However, business hours had just begun for those located near the end of the street.
On the big marquee in front of a four or five-story building were the words: Nightly Joys.
“This place seems interesting.” Several sleek black sedans slowly pulled up at the sidewalk. Ivanov rolled down the window, glanced at the nightclub with a retro style of the 20s and 30s, and commented in a slightly jeering tone.
Several men dressed in suits got down from the cars. They were not only good-looking but had a refined air about them. People like that─with luxury cars and tailored suits─were usually see in upscale clubs, not roadside dens for punks.
Chen An buttoned his suit, and without sparing the neon light sign a glance, said coldly: “let’s go.”
Lu Feng and Chen Yang, on each side of Chen An, accompanied him into the place. Ivanov lagged behind for a moment and watched as Chen An went in resolutely. In that moment, he thought of the time in his childhood, when he also watched Chen An go like this, with a strong feeling of admiration mixed with infatuation.
“The damned Old Fox!” Ivanov grinned. After so many years, the Old Fox was still the Old Fox, even when he left his former business; the dangerous charm that allured and put awe in one’s heart had not changed.
In the lobby on the first floor, deafening, offbeat music were being played. Ivanov covered his ears with his hands and shouted over the music: “My god, such strange taste!”
Chen An furrowed his brows; the rowdy music was getting on his nerves.
In a throng of hoodlums, normal, well-dressed people like Chen An seemed totally out of place, like fashion icons in a backward country bar. With the strong contrast, it was no surprise that they quickly attracted a lot of attention.
“Mister, are you sure you’re in the right place?” Waiters with hair dyed blonde came over. They could tell by Chen An and the others’ looks that these were not people to be trifled with. They were curious what these people were here for though, and asked in a polite tone. The artificial hair on their head looked cheap compared to the blonde hair of Ivanov.
Chen An had not considered Ivanov’s blonde hair pretty, but now with the contrast, he seemed much more pleasing to Chen An’s eyes.
Chen An did not look at the waiters, but stretched out his hand, where Lu Feng handed him a cigar and Chen Yang lighted it for him.
Slowly letting out a whiff of smoke, Chen An asked casually: “so this is the Nightly Joys Club?”
“Yes.” Intimidated by Chen An’s poised manner, the young waiters acted in an increasingly humble way, bowing lower and lower.
Chen An half-grinned, and glancing at one of the waiters, asked: “is Zhao Ziliang your boss?”
“…yeah…” under the sharp look of Chen An’s phoenix eyes, the young waiter felt at the end of his wits, and nodded without being aware of what he was doing.
Ivanov clicked his tongue as he watched: the Old Fox was again making eyes at people! With glasses it was not so obvious before. After the operation, he was like a moving laser gun, giving off electric shots all day!
“We’re at the right place then.” Chen smiled, and sat backwards, where Lu Feng quickly placed a chair there for him.
As the smile froze on Chen An’s face, a chilling look came into his eyes. Then Chen An gave his order: “Smash the place!”