Chapter 226 — Wei Zhao the Boss

"Yeah, I see them." Wei Zhao's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhong Yongliang and Kang Xiaobo. But they were too far away, and he could not make out what they were saying.

There was definitely something wrong with that Zhong Yongliang. Who knew when he had gotten himself tangled up with Zou Ruoming — the moment class ended he had bolted outside, too impatient to wait another second, to talk to him about heaven knew what.

Thinking back to how Zhong Yongliang had come looking for him earlier, going on about some tip-off — could that have something to do with Zou Ruoming?

"Boss, since Zhong Yongliang said that, I figure it's less likely they're after me. Tang Yun, though..." Kang Xiaobo was no fool either. The moment he saw Zou Ruoming, he thought of Tang Yun.

"Yeah. Tonight you walk out with Tang Yun and go to the hospital to see Xiaofen. I'll go see what game Zhong Yongliang is playing. If anything comes up on your end, contact me right away — and don't leave Tang Yun's side." Wei Zhao thought for a moment, then gave Kang Xiaobo his orders.

"Don't worry, Boss. I've got our sister-in-law covered!" Kang Xiaobo thumped his chest in pledge.

The bell rang for class. Wei Zhao and Kang Xiaobo went back to the classroom. A while later Zhong Yongliang hurried in, shot Wei Zhao a glance, and returned to his own seat.

The whole morning, Zhong Yongliang did not bother Wei Zhao again, as if he had already forgotten what he had said that morning. It was not until the noon break that he came over: "Wei Zhao, so? Have you thought it over?"

"Where tonight?" Wei Zhao asked flatly. Since he had already decided to go and see just what trick Zhong Yongliang was up to, he saw no reason to decline.

"Tonight at the Liangbai Grand Hotel!" Zhong Yongliang said, then added: "Family business."

The so-called Liangbai Grand Hotel took its name from the two of them, Zhong Yongliang and Zhong Fabai. It was just that Zhong Fabai was a little too creative; the hotel's name was a bit too catchy, and it sounded like a brand of toothpaste.

"Fine." Wei Zhao nodded. "But you had better think it through. Don't try any tricks, or the consequences will be severe — more severe than you can imagine. You have all afternoon to let your imagination run wild. The Ten Great Tortures of the Qing dynasty, that sort of thing..."

"Ha, as if!" Zhong Yongliang gave two dry laughs. "Wei Zhao, my intentions here are good. Don't go mistaking my good heart for a donkey's liver and lungs! I am coming to you in all sincerity to make peace!"

"Hm?" Wei Zhao looked at Zhong Yongliang, wondering what else the fellow had to say.

"Wei Zhao, I know there is bad blood between us, so let us be frank with each other. Since you already understand how things stand with Brother Black Panther, I will not say more!" Zhong Yongliang suddenly came clean: "Before, I hated your guts, because you kicked me. After that I wanted to teach you a lesson, and you beat me instead! So I wanted Brother Black Panther to teach you a lesson, to show you what happens when you cross me!"

"But not only did you beat Brother Black Panther, you put him in prison. That left me shocked and terrified!" Zhong Yongliang went on. "I am not an idiot. I hate you, sure, but I know I am no match for you, and the people I hire are no match for you either, so I do not dare go against you! Like the other day — you kicked me head over heels, and did I dare say a word? I did not. I did not dare let out so much as a fart!"

Wei Zhao said nothing, listening to Zhong Yongliang spout his nonsense. He did not believe a word of it. The boy's eyes were shifty — clearly he was talking rubbish. But Wei Zhao did not call him out; he let him keep performing.

"So, this time, now that I know about it, I cannot pretend I do not. What I said before was a bit exaggerated — actually, it is not that I am afraid of being dragged in, of the police coming to me about harboring a criminal or whatever!" Zhong Yongliang explained. "From the Black Panther business, you can see my dad's influence, right? Brother Black Panther took the fall, and even if the police suspect me, they have no evidence! Same here — even if the police suspect I knew and did not report it, it is only suspicion, no evidence. Nobody can do a thing to me!" Wei Zhao nodded along cooperatively and let him continue.

"I said all that before because I wanted to save face, because I did not want to lose face in front of you! But now I will just be honest: the truth is, I am afraid of you! I am afraid that afterward you will come after me, come beat me up! I cannot beat you! I am genuinely scared of you, and that is why I wanted to tip you off, to let you know about this ahead of time, so you would not blame me for it later!" Zhong Yongliang said. "There, I have confessed everything. You will not mock me for being a coward, will you?"

It had to be said, Zhong Yongliang's performance was superb, and the speech sounded quite reasonable. But Wei Zhao simply did not believe him, because there was no trace of fear in his eyes at all — instead there was a flicker of excitement.

"So that is how it is," Wei Zhao nodded. "I was wondering why you suddenly wanted to tip me off. Turns out you are afraid of me. All right then, tonight I will go with you."

"Great, Wei Zhao. From now on I am your underling. Whatever you need, just call on me. I will even hand over my spot as the third of the campus's Four Great Young Devils!" Zhong Yongliang said. "As long as you stop giving me trouble, I will do whatever you tell me to!"

"Oh, I already have one underling, Kang Xiaobo. I do not need you for now." Wei Zhao waved a hand, signaling that Zhong Yongliang could leave.

"Yes, Boss Wei Zhao!" Zhong Yongliang smiled fawningly, then turned around — and the smile vanished from his face, replaced by the look of a man whose scheme had succeeded. With a sinister chuckle in his heart, he thought: Enjoy it while you can, Wei Zhao. Be your underling for a few hours, and then you will be dead.

After Zhong Yongliang left, Kang Xiaobo turned back: "Boss, was that real or fake?"

"Fake." Wei Zhao answered without a moment's thought. "You think he got kicked in the head by a donkey, coming over here to curry favor?"

"That is what I figured. Then there really is something going on." Kang Xiaobo nodded.

That evening after school, Kang Xiaobo did as Wei Zhao had instructed and ran out of the classroom ahead of him to wait for Tang Yun at Class Nine of the senior year. Wei Zhao, meanwhile, dawdled over packing his bag. Zhong Yongliang had long since finished and stood to one side, all smiles, waiting for Wei Zhao.

"Carry this for me." Wei Zhao handed his packed bag to Zhong Yongliang without the slightest courtesy. The fellow liked playing underling so much, let him play it to the hilt.

Zhong Yongliang was briefly taken aback, then the smile returned to his face: "Yes, Boss Wei Zhao!"

"Lead the way," Wei Zhao said flatly, then casually kicked Zhong Yongliang. "Look sharp. Clumsy oaf."

"Yes, sir!" Zhong Yongliang gritted his teeth inwardly. Fine, he thought, I will play along a little longer, let you gloat a little longer. Just you wait.

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