Chapter Ninety: Listen to Me and Do as I Say!

Gao Youde gave a cold laugh and stepped forward, a dangerous gleam flickering in his eyes.

"Wang Hu, I don't have that kind of friendship with you. You can ignore Honghong if you want, but within three days, pay back the money you owe me. Then we'll be even!"

"What goes on between you and Honghong is none of my business."

"One thing's clear: if you don't repay my money, you'll see an old woman lying in the street."

"As for how she'll be lying there, that's for you to decide."

With that, Gao Youde's expression turned icy as he looked at me and Hu San.

Fire flared in Hu San's eyes, but in the end he held himself back.

He knew Gao Youde was fully capable of doing exactly that.

Sister Hong stood to the side, her gaze cold and distant.

Then she slowly came to stand before me and said in a low voice, "Tonight, go back to my villa and take everything that belongs to you. Remember, everything."

Having said that, Sister Hong glanced back at Gao Youde, her expression indifferent. "Old Gao, let's go. Why make things hard for the young?"

At that, Gao Youde let out a snort of contempt and turned away. His steps were firm and forceful, as though each one declared his resolve.

Hu San clenched his fists, but said nothing.

I stood frozen in place, my heart a tangle of bitter emotions.

Sister Hong's words were like a sharp blade, stabbing deep into my chest.

I drew a long breath, nodded, and answered in a low voice, "I understand, Sister Hong."

Just as I watched Sister Hong and Gao Youde prepare to leave unharmed, something suddenly came to me.

"Wait, Sister Hong, there's something else I need to ask you!"

Sister Hong halted and turned back to stare at me coldly, a mocking smile curving at the corner of her mouth.

"If you've got something to say, come find me alone."

Her eyes carried a chill.

I knew she had no patience left for me now, not even the slightest trace of courtesy she had once been willing to offer.

Gao Youde stood off to the side, his gaze a warning.

It was as if he was telling me not to keep testing their limits.

I gritted my teeth, a surge of resentment rising in me, but I still nodded.

"All right. I'll come find you."

Sister Hong gave a cold snort and, ignoring me, turned and left.

Gao Youde followed close behind her, and the two of them, with Su Li in tow, quickly vanished into the night.

Hu San came over to my side and patted my shoulder.

"Brother Hu, I dragged you down with me... If they hadn't taken my mother, I'd have thrown my life away today and fought them to the death!"

I drew a deep breath, patted Hu San's shoulder, and forced out a thin smile.

"Enough of that, Hu San. We're brothers. Your mother is my mother too. I'll help you settle this, no matter what."

A flicker of gratitude passed through Hu San's eyes. He nodded hard.

"Brother Hu, I owe you my life!"

I shook my head, my gaze steady.

"This isn't the time for that. We need to think of a way to stop Gao Youde from getting this arrogant."

A spark of hope lit in Hu San's eyes.

"Brother Hu, do you have a plan?"

I fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "I don't have a full plan yet... Based on Chen Laobao's last calculation, both Sister Hong and Gao Youde lost a great deal at the stone gambling fair. In theory, that should have affected their liquid funds. Otherwise Gao Youde wouldn't be pressing so hard for debts now."

As soon as I finished speaking, a glimmer flashed in Hu San's eyes. Clearly, he had grasped the point as well.

His tightly clenched fist relaxed a little, and it was obvious that some idea had already begun forming in his mind.

"Brother Hu, you're right. Their cash is tight right now. This is the perfect chance for us to strike back," Hu San said in a low voice, determination shining in his eyes.

I nodded and went on, "We can start there and find a way to hit their financial lifeline. Once their cash flow breaks, they won't have the energy to keep coming after us."

Hu San thought for a moment, then suddenly lit up.

"Brother Hu, I have a friend who works at an underground moneylender. Maybe he could help?"

Hearing that, I shook my head.

"No need. Hu San, since you've chosen to follow me, from now on don't keep too much contact with those brothers of yours. If you keep walking by the riverbank, how can you avoid getting your shoes wet?"

Hu San froze at my words, then said slowly, "But, Brother Hu, the world is the world. The underworld has its own rules and ways. If I don't keep in touch with those friends, how am I supposed to make a living?"

I gave a bitter smile.

"When your mother needed treatment and you borrowed money, wasn't the channel introduced by those friends of yours?"

Hu San nodded after hearing me.

"It was my own idea! My friends had nothing to do with it!"

But hearing his explanation, I laughed.

"There are plenty of people with money. Sister Hong lends money too. Why didn't they go to Sister Hong, and instead had Gao Youde borrow it for you?"

The moment I said that, Hu San suddenly understood.

Only, his expression grew even more gloomy.

"Brother Hu, but I'm not like you. You have that unique jade-breaking skill. If I don't stay in the underworld, what can I do? If I don't build up connections, how am I supposed to protect you in the future?"

I looked up at him and nodded solemnly.

"Hu San, you're straightforward and loyal. Under me, that would be wasted talent... I have an idea, and I don't know if you're willing to accept it."

Hu San blinked, a trace of confusion in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Brother Hu, say it. As long as it can help you, I'll do anything."

I took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "You and I are both men of humble standing... In simple terms, neither of us has any background to rely on. But this city we live in now is like a giant beast lurking in the dark."

"People without backing can be devoured at any moment."

"As for me, Wang Hu, I can still make a living by relying on my jade-breaking skill, limited though it is. But you're different, Hu San... If you follow me, you'll need long-term training, and with my current strength, even my own future is uncertain."

"No, Brother Hu, you can't say that. I'm willing to follow you and help build the Ancient Jade Society!"

At Hu San's words, I was struck with surprise. I hadn't expected him to be so resolute.

"Hu San, are you really willing to build the Ancient Jade Society with me?"

I asked again, uncertainty in my eyes.

Hu San nodded firmly, his gaze filled with determination.

"Brother Hu, I am. We've been brothers for years. I believe in you, and I believe in myself!"

I drew a deep breath, and a surge of passion rose in me.

"Good! If that's the case, then let's give it our all together. But building the Ancient Jade Society won't happen overnight. We'll have to take it step by step."

Hu San nodded and replied, "Brother Hu, whatever you say, I'll do it!"

I thought for a moment, then said quietly, "Since you trust me, then I'll hand over to you the task I just wanted you to do."

A bright light flashed in Hu San's eyes.

"Brother Hu, what is it?"

I looked at Hu San, then slowly pointed toward a poster by the roadside.

Hu San paused, turned to look, and in an instant his expression changed.