Ethan didn't waste time asking Wade if he knew where Gao Laohu's operation was. It was a pointless question.
The car stopped in front of a storefront labeled as a 'Credit Consultancy.' The lot was filled with high-end vehicles—Mercedes, Range Rovers, Toyota Land Cruisers. Many were dust-covered, clearly repossessed and long-unclaimed. Almost no one ever paid off their debts to loan sharks.
Ethan carefully placed the scarf in the car, then grabbed the driver by the collar and marched him towards the entrance.
Pushing the door open, Ethan drew the gazes of everyone inside the 'consultancy.' He ignored them, spotted the manager's office, and headed straight for it.
A bald man in his fifties was sitting in the office drinking tea. Hearing the door, he looked up and saw the driver being dragged in by Ethan, his brow furrowing.
Ethan pulled out a chair at the tea table and sat down, staring at the man. "Gao Laohu?" Ethan had never met him; their paths hadn't crossed directly, partly because Gao's operations conflicted with The Boss's casino business.
Gao Laohu took a sip of his tea. "Who are you?"
Ethan ignored the question and glanced at Wade.
Wade stepped forward and slapped Gao Laohu across the face.
"You motherf—" Gao Laohu surged to his feet in anger, but before he could retaliate, Wade seized his wrist and delivered another sharp slap.
This one knocked a tooth loose, blood trickling from the corner of Gao's mouth.
Ethan sat calmly, picked up a teacup, rinsed it, poured himself some tea, and took a slow sip, saying nothing.
As long as Ethan didn't call it off, Wade didn't stop.
Gao Laohu was a tough character himself, but he was outmatched by Wade. He couldn't fight back, and he didn't even get a chance to call for help; every time he opened his mouth, a slap snapped it shut.
After a relentless series of blows, Gao's face was swollen, the skin streaked with blood and beading with crimson droplets.
"Alright, Brother Seven." Ethan set down his cup.
Wade finally stopped.
Gao Laohu glared venomously at Ethan, his eyes flicking to the man behind him. "Uncle Kun's man?"
Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Who gave the order?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Gao Laohu roared. "Men!"
Within seconds, a group of burly, intimidating enforcers rushed into the room.
Ethan sighed wearily. "Gao Laohu, what's this? Trying to scare me? You think I didn't know this was your place? That you keep thugs on payroll?"
"You think after something this big, playing dumb is going to make it go away?"
Gao Laohu glanced again at the man behind Ethan. He'd known what this was about the moment he saw him. Truth be told, when he'd heard Serena was dead, he'd panicked too. A death changed everything.
"Your choice," Ethan said, picking up Gao's cigarettes from the table and lighting one. "Stay silent, or talk? This is way beyond your pay grade now."
Gao Laohu waved a hand, dismissing his men. After they filed out, he asked, "Did Uncle Kun send you?"
Ethan remained silent, just smiling faintly at him.
Gao Laohu continued, almost to himself, "It can't be Uncle Kun. He wouldn't jeopardize his chosen successor over a bastard daughter."
Ethan understood. He stood up and walked out.
The driver, not daring to stay under Gao Laohu's furious gaze any longer, scurried out after Ethan.
Outside the credit company, the driver stood nervously beside Ethan. "Boss... can I go now?"
Ethan didn't speak. He led the man across the street and stood there silently, waiting.
Ten minutes later, he saw Gao Laohu leave the building.
Ethan pointed to the busy, slushy street. "Crawl to the other side, and you can go."
"This..." The man stared at the traffic. The road was busy, the ground slick with snow. Most importantly, crawling across... if any driver failed to see him...
Ethan pulled out his phone. "Either the police handle this, or you crawl. Your choice."
The man shuddered. Involving the police was the last thing he wanted. He wasn't sure if crawling would truly mean freedom, but he had no other option now.
He got down on his hands and knees, eyeing the passing cars, ready to move.
"Wait," Ethan said. "I'll tell you when to start."
Sweat beaded on the man's forehead.
Ethan watched as Gao Laohu's car started and began to pull out.
"Now."
The man took a deep breath and scrambled frantically across the road.
Cars swerved and honked.
A SUV was approaching. Ethan tilted his phone screen, catching the sunlight.
The glare momentarily blinded Gao Laohu at the wheel. The next second—
THUMP!
A heavy impact. A body flew through Gao Laohu's field of vision, tumbling across the pavement before coming to a stop, vomiting blood, eyes wide and staring.
Gao Laohu recognized the man. He slammed his car into park and jumped out to check.
The moment his door opened and he stepped onto the street—
CRASH!
Another violent impact. Gao Laohu was thrown through the air, landing hard on the frozen ground.
A Range Rover sat skewed across the lane.
The door opened. Wade Qi got out, looked at the two bodies on the road, and dialed 911. "Yes, I'd like to report an accident. A driver stopped suddenly and opened his door into traffic. The roads are icy. I hit the brakes, but I couldn't stop in time."
By the time Wade was processed and released from the traffic police station, it was afternoon. Ethan was there to pick him up.
"Preliminary ruling is an accidental traffic collision. They might investigate further."
"Right. An accident," Ethan nodded. "Get the car to the shop. Then go home and rest."
"Alright." Wade nodded.
Ethan hailed a cab and went to the hospital. Pushing open the door to his mother's room, he found someone sitting by the bed—The Boss.
"Ethan, you're here." The Boss stood up, turning his gaze to Ethan. "I heard about your mother's surgery and've been meaning to visit, but things have been hectic. Found some time today."
Lydia Chen waved weakly. "Son, sit."
Ethan nodded and sat down.
"Lydia, now that Ethan's back, I won't disturb you further. I'll visit again when I have time. If you need anything at all, just call."
"Okay." Lydia nodded. "Sorry I can't see you out, Boss."
"Don't worry about it, not at all." The Boss waved his hands dismissively.
Ethan stood. "I'll walk you out."
"No need." The Boss pressed down on Ethan's shoulder, making him sit back down. "Spend time with your mother. I can see myself out."
Ethan didn't insist.
After The Boss left, Lydia looked at her son and sighed heavily. "Something big happened, didn't it?"
"No..." Ethan shook his head.
Lydia patted his hand. "I'm your mother. I know you. I didn't see you last night for New Year's, you look exhausted today, eyes bloodshot. Something happened last night."
"The Boss came by specially to chat me up, telling me how well you're doing. He's clearly afraid you'll leave."
"Let's skip the reasons he needs you so badly—probably that Mu girl."
"Just tell me, what happened last night that has The Boss scared you might walk away?"
"Nothing gets past you, Mom." Ethan took a deep breath. "Serena He. You met her. At The Dynasty, the woman with Uncle Kun."
"I remember." Lydia nodded. "A very pretty girl. Big, lively eyes."
"Yeah." Ethan slumped in the chair. "There was an incident last night. They pronounced her dead this morning."