Chapter 38: The Ruthless Xu Damao

Wang Lin walked into the backyard and immediately saw Xu Damao, transformed into a tentacle monster, binding Shazhu and whipping him incessantly. Shazhu was playing along quite well, letting out continuous wails of agony.

Watching this scene, Wang Lin’s view of Xu Damao shifted entirely. "Xu Damao, you really are a ruthless man. You’ve actually devoured Jia Dongxu’s prized possession!"

Because Wang Lin did not lower his voice, everyone nearby heard him. Xu Damao panicked and hurriedly defended himself. "Wang Lin, what nonsense are you spewing? When did I ever eat Jia Dongxu’s prized possession?"

"Heh, if you say you didn't, then you didn't." Wang Lin didn't argue, simply offering a mocking laugh.

*It seems this Xu Damao has turned bent,* Wang Lin mused to himself, looking at Shazhu with a hint of fear. *Shazhu truly is Xu Damao's nemesis. In the original story, Shazhu caused Xu Damao to be infertile, but in this world, he’s actually bent him straight into a relationship. Impressive, truly impressive.*

"Wife, let's go back and eat," Wang Lin said, lifting the bag in his hand and signaling for Qin Huairu and Lou Xiao'e to head home.

Yan Bugui, the Third Master, saw the bag in Wang Lin’s hand and couldn't tear his eyes away. Abandoning the spectacle, he trotted over to Wang Lin’s side. "Wang Lin, you've been in the courtyard for quite a while now, and we haven't really chatted much. Why don't I bring some wine, and we can sit down and enjoy ourselves today? What do you think?"

Wang Lin looked at Yan Bugui as if he were an idiot, his tone filled with disgust. "I don't think much of it. Don't disturb my wife and me during our good time, or don't blame me if I decide to deal with you too."

"You, you..." Yan Bugui was incensed. Wang Lin’s blunt dismissal caused the Third Master to lose all face, and he decided right then that he would make Wang Lin pay for this. "Wang Lin, you’ve been here a long time, and you didn't even host a banquet when you got married. Are you looking down on the people in this courtyard, or what? You really should throw a feast to celebrate, don't you think?"

The crowd watching Xu Damao whip Shazhu heard there might be a chance for a handout and immediately chimed in to support Yan Bugui. "I think so too." "That's right, you really should celebrate."

Before Wang Lin could speak, Liu Haizhong—Wang Lin’s number one lackey—waddled in with his protruding belly and immediately threatened Yan Bugui. "I’m telling you, Old Yan, you’re looking for a beating!"

Seeing this, Wang Lin walked over to Qin Huairu and Lou Xiao'e, wrapped his arms around them, and went inside to eat.

***

In any case, if there was trouble, Liu Haizhong would be at the front to take the heat. If he couldn't handle it, it wouldn't be too late for Wang Lin to intervene. However, in this courtyard, while Yi Zhonghai might be able to suppress Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui alone was no match for him. The main thing was that Yan Bugui, as a teacher, still cared about his reputation.

Yi Zhonghai, however, was different; he was truly capable of hiring someone to commit murder. And why say that? Because Yi Zhonghai had already begun.

"Hello, my name is Yi Zhonghai. I’m here to see Boss Hu; I have a matter I need his help with—I want him to kill someone for me."

Boss Hu, whose real name was Liu Hu, was known in the underworld as the "Smiling Tiger." He earned this nickname because he would keep a smile on his face even while killing. This smile did not bring a sense of warmth, but rather a chilling, bone-deep cold.

"Wait here. I'll go ask Boss Hu."

"Ah, yes, thank you."

Facing the arrogant attitude of the Smiling Tiger's henchman, Yi Zhonghai acted as subservient as a grandson, even offering the man a cigarette with a fawning smile. The henchman examined the Da Qianmen cigarette Yi Zhonghai offered before nodding and going inside to deliver the message.

Yi Zhonghai was so cautious not because he was a coward, but because he was afraid of death. Those who hung around the Smiling Tiger, even the gatekeepers, all had blood on their hands; it wasn't a risk an eight-grade bench fitter from the rolling mill dared to take.

Soon, the henchman returned. "Follow me inside."

Hearing this, Yi Zhonghai hurriedly agreed and trotted after him. "Ah, yes, thank you."

They soon arrived before the Smiling Tiger. Looking at the man, Yi Zhonghai’s legs began to tremble. The Smiling Tiger was truly terrifying: six feet tall, built like an ox, his face and body covered in knife scars that looked like hideous centipedes, combined with the murderous aura he had cultivated through years of violence. It nearly sent Yi Zhonghai running for the door.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai’s cowardly display, a flash of disdain crossed the Smiling Tiger's eyes. However, with the current strict crackdown, things were difficult for him too, and he didn't want to let a business opportunity go to waste.

"So, you're the one who wants me to kill someone? Let's get this straight first: my prices are very high."

"Ah, yes. I offer one thousand yuan to help me kill Wang Lin, the deputy director of the rolling mill," Yi Zhonghai said hurriedly.

The Smiling Tiger smiled, rubbing his chin, looking to drive the price up. "The deputy director of the rolling mill? That's a government official. Isn't one thousand a bit low?"

Yi Zhonghai fell into a struggle. If he hadn't divorced Liu Cuiqin, his assets wouldn't have been halved, and he would have been able to pay more. But now, he only had 1,500 yuan left, and he was reluctant to part with more. "Boss Hu, I truly don't have any more money. Please, help me out."

The Smiling Tiger burst into laughter and slammed his hand onto the table. "Hahaha! You want my help without paying the price? Do you think I, the Smiling Tiger, run a charity?"

Terrified by the Smiling Tiger’s intimidation, Yi Zhonghai instinctively raised his offer. "How... how about 1,500? Will that do?"

The moment he said it, he regretted it. That was his entire life savings. If he gave it all to the Smiling Tiger, what would he live on? But words once spoken were like spilled water, and with the cold-blooded Smiling Tiger in front of him, he didn't dare take it back.

"Very well. Hand over the money. I, the Smiling Tiger, accept this job."

The Smiling Tiger had seen all sorts of people; he knew from Yi Zhonghai’s expression that 1,500 was his absolute limit. Pushing for more would likely kill the deal.

"Here, take it." Yi Zhonghai handed the two stacks of cash to the henchman with a pained heart.

The Smiling Tiger didn't bother counting; he trusted that no one dared to cheat him. "Good. You can leave now. I’ll get this done within a week."

"Yes, yes. Thank you, Boss Hu. I’ll be going now."

Leaving the Smiling Tiger’s compound, Yi Zhonghai realized his clothes were soaked through with sweat. He cursed Wang Lin in his heart. *Trash Wang Lin, bastard Wang Lin, that childless wretch Wang Lin—just you wait and see if you die this time.*

What Yi Zhonghai didn't know was that as he stepped out of the compound, something emerged from his shadow and merged into the darkness of the Smiling Tiger's lair. And this time next year, it wouldn't be Wang Lin’s death anniversary, but the memorial for the Smiling Tiger and his henchmen.