Chapter 276: Close Approach

After opening the door to the apartment, Lei Yin muttered to himself, “Almost forgot to close the garage door.” Turning on his heel, he walked back toward the garage.  

Minutes after he left, loud thuds echoed within the dark apartment, followed by a young man’s startled shout, “Master, don’t attack—it’s me!”  

The apartment’s lights flicked on, flooding the living room with brightness.  

Behind the living room sofa, Lei Yin was pressing a short black blade against the neck of a young man while twisting his arm in a painful lock, rendering him immobile.  

Recognizing the young man, Lei Yin sheathed his blade with a scowl.  

“Damn it. Kid, are you on the run again? I almost killed you by mistake.”  

Grinning sheepishly, Lei Li said, “I just wanted to surprise you, Master. It’s been ages since we last met. By the way, how did you get in? I swear I didn’t see you come through the front door.”  

Lei Yin closed the door behind him and casually turned on the TV. “You call yourself a gangster, yet you’ve forgotten the basic rule: always plan an escape route, no matter where you are. So, tell me, kid—every time you show up, trouble follows. What is it this time?”  

“Master, you’re as sharp as ever,” Lei Li said ingratiatingly. “I’m just here to visit you, nothing else. It’s been so long, and I really missed you!” He put on an exaggerated look of devotion.  

Lei Yin gave him a long, knowing stare.  

Lei Li’s grin faltered as he felt as though his master’s gaze was peeling away not just his clothes but his very skin.  

Finally, Lei Yin smirked. “Lei Li, we haven’t sparred in a while. Let’s see how much your skills have improved.”  

“Master, no! I surrender!” Lei Li pleaded. “Please have mercy on me!”  

“You little brat,” Lei Yin scolded. “Do you think I can’t tell when you’re scheming? I’ve raised you long enough to know when you’re up to no good. Spit it out—what do you want this time?”  

Feigning seriousness, Lei Li coughed and said, “Master, your brilliance is unmatched. I deeply admire you. Truly, my respect for you is as boundless as the Yangtze River, flowing endlessly, and as overwhelming as the Yellow River’s floods. Ahem. So, do you happen to have any news about my special bodyguard?”  

Lei Yin chuckled. “Ah, so that’s what this is about. I was wondering why you’d come here uninvited. Let me give you three words: I don’t know.”  

Lei Li’s face fell. “Master, you’re kidding, right? You introduced her to me. If even you don’t know, then who would?”  

Lei Yin feigned ignorance. “Even if she left, replacements should have arrived. Don’t tell me the two new bodyguards haven’t shown up?”  

“They have,” Lei Li admitted, “but I still think Miss Situ is better.”  

The mention of “Situ” made Lei Yin pause briefly before realizing it was the alias Zhang Qian had used.  

“So, what do you want with her? If your reason is valid, I might consider helping you.”  

“I want to sleep with her.”  

“Hopeless.” Lei Yin threw a cushion at his face.  

Lei Li looked aggrieved. “Master, you’re impossible! You hit me for lying, and now you’re hitting me for being honest!”  

Lei Yin snapped, “One of these days, you’ll die because of a woman.”  

Lei Li muttered under his breath, “Honestly, that’s my ideal way to go.”  

Lei Yin shot him a glare before Lei Li quickly put on a flattering smile. “Master, I’m serious! I really like Miss Situ. When have you ever seen me chase after a woman like this? Please, help me out this one time.”  

Lei Yin sighed. “Do you even know who she really is?”  

Lei Li hesitated before replying, “With her abilities, there’s no way a private organization could afford to keep her, and even if they could, she’d become a target. The two new bodyguards replacing her are also extraordinary. For an organization capable of commanding so many powerful individuals, it must be a government or military force. Plus, since she and the replacements are all Chinese, it’s pretty clear where they’re from.”  

Lei Yin nodded. “At least you’ve got some sense. Honestly, it wasn’t easy convincing them to assign her to you in the first place. Personnel changes are their internal matter—I have no authority to intervene.”  

Although Lei Li had figured out part of the truth, he would never guess that he had met Zhang Qian before her transformation—when she was someone entirely different.  

Lei Li persisted, “Master, if you could get them to send her before, surely you can get them to send her again. Please, help me out—I’ve never been this serious about a woman.”  

Lei Yin rolled his eyes. “After raising you for years, not only do you not repay me, but you even want me to help you woo women. Taking you on as my disciple was a bad investment. Enough nonsense—what’s the current situation with the Black Dragon?”  

Seeing that Lei Yin had tacitly agreed, Lei Li immediately grinned and said, “Master, don’t worry. Everything is fine with Black Dragon. The branches in all regions have recovered their strength. However, Uncle Jian and Uncle Yun…” As he spoke, an awkward expression appeared on his face.

Lei Yin remained calm and said, “I’ve already heard from Chang’an about their desire to split. Honestly, their actions don’t surprise me. Tell me what you two have in mind.”

Lei Li glanced at him and then said seriously, “Chang’an and I think that, to facilitate Black Dragon’s transformation into a legitimate business, it’s necessary to separate some of the manpower. Since Uncle Jian and the others insist on sticking to the arms trade, we privately agreed to let them take one-third of the people. However, this is only our preliminary idea, and we’d like to know your opinion.”

Lei Yin responded nonchalantly, “They’ve been part of Black Dragon for so long that their roots run deep. If you turn against them now, it will only lead to internal strife, giving outsiders a chance to exploit the situation. If they want to leave, let them. However, don’t give them any extra manpower. Don’t underestimate them just because their influence isn’t large now; the arms trade is extremely lucrative. It won’t take long for them to grow significantly.

“If you’re intent on turning legitimate, release the surplus manpower and help them establish another gang to counterbalance Uncle Jian’s group. But be prepared: even if they’re your loyal subordinates, the new gang will eventually break free from Black Dragon’s control. No one wants to remain subordinate forever.

“It’s ironic that Uncle Jian and the others, despite their age, still have such ambitions. Perhaps I kept too tight a leash on them back then, and now they want to make their mark in their twilight years.”

Lei Li pondered for a moment before asking, “Master, are you suggesting we create a three-way balance of power?”

“Something like that. Once the new gang becomes established, you can step back and let it run its course. Focus on your company and leave the underworld behind. It’ll ensure a longer lifespan for all of you. At the same time, draw clear boundaries with Jian’s group and the new gang. From then on, there’s no interfering with each other. Even if one of their members dies, at most, you can burn some incense out of old friendship. That’s it.”

Lei Li smiled wryly. “To be honest, Master, it’s hard to adjust. One moment I’m a crime boss, and the next, I’m a businessman.”

“After years of violence, aren’t you tired of it? I know I am. But now you’re the leader of Black Dragon. If you can’t let go, you can maintain the current setup—handle the criminal side while Chang’an runs the legitimate business. As I’ve said before, I won’t meddle in your decisions. It’s up to you.”

Lei Li scratched his head. “This decision is too significant. I’ll need to think it over carefully.”

Lei Yin replied indifferently, “Suit yourself. Are you staying here tonight?”

Lei Li grinned. “If I stay, it’ll only trouble you, Master. I think I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”

Lei Yin sneered, “Don’t act all considerate. You’re just itching to sleep with a woman. Get lost.”

“Ah, is there anything in the world that can escape your sharp eyes, Master?” Despite being exposed, Lei Li’s thick skin showed no trace of embarrassment.

After seeing Lei Li out, Lei Yin chuckled softly and cursed under his breath before yawning and turning off the lights to rest.

※※※

“I really envy Uncle more and more. He actually has such a beautiful young lady as his secretary. Do you know my secretary is an old woman who nags me to death?”

“You’re too kind. By the way, are you really Mr. Gennai’s nephew?”

“I know it’s hard to believe. Actually, many people don’t believe it. The truth is, my uncle is the youngest sibling and is more than 20 years younger than my father. My dad married early—early marriages were common in their generation. So, my uncle is younger than me. Oh, does he often scold people?”

“Not at all. Mr. Gennai is a wonderful person and never scolds anyone.”

“That’s impossible! Do you know he used to hit and scold me all the time when I was young? To me, he was practically a demon. Look at this scar—it’s from one of the times he beat me. And here, and here, too.”

“But you’re older than him. How could he have hit and scolded you when you were young?”

“Uh, actually, I misspoke. I mean, he’s been hitting and scolding me since I was young. You don’t understand—our family takes seniority very seriously. So, no matter what, he gets to beat me up, and I wouldn’t dare lift a finger against him.” The young man wore a sorrowful expression, as if recalling a painful past.

Seeing the secretary’s skeptical look, the young man quickly changed the subject. “Miss Guo, what time do you get off work today?”

“Is there something you need?”

“Well, I don’t come to Japan often. Since I’m here, I’d like someone to show me around Tokyo. A lovely lady like you wouldn’t refuse my humble request, right? How about this—I’ll pick you up after work tonight.”