Chapter 132: Setting the Trap
After a sleepless night, Chen Shi dozed off in the car. When it stopped, he immediately woke up and asked, “Are we there?”
“Not yet. We’re getting you some new clothes,” the thin guy said.
“New clothes?”
“Look at your outfit. You look like you just came from the countryside. We need to fix that. King Kong, watch the car!”
“I am King Kong!!”
They went to a chain clothing store in the city. While Chen Shi tried on clothes, the thin guy said, “Brother Yang always checks out new people before trusting them. Don’t take it personally.”
“I was annoyed at first, but after last night, I wouldn’t mind another seven days in there.”
“Haha, you’re hilarious! Seriously though, I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.”
“Is this gang just four people?”
“No, there are more.”
“Little brother, what’s my task for today? Can you give me a hint?”
The thin guy lowered his voice, “The first task usually involves beating someone up.”
“Beating someone up?”
“There will be people watching you. You have to beat them badly, no holding back. But you should be fine; you’ve beaten up plenty of people before, right?”
“As long as I don’t kill anyone, I’m not worried.”
“Don’t kill them, whatever you do. We sell insurance, not mafia stuff, got it?”
“Got it! What happens after this test?”
“They might ask you to kill someone, but it’s not like you think. It has to be done cleverly.”
“Details?”
“Yang has a case right now. The insured person has to die in a car accident. I think he’ll have you handle it. If the beneficiary doesn’t get the five million insurance payout, you’re out.”
“Out as in…”
“Kicked out! I heard Yang might keep you locked up to prevent you from talking.”
The thought of another seven days in captivity made Chen Shi shudder. The thin guy continued, “If you succeed, you’ll get to meet the big boss.”
“Yang isn’t the big boss?”
“No, he’s just a mid-level guy. You’ll know the big boss when you see him!”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
“No problem. I hope you stick around. It’s good to have someone to talk to.”
“So, any tips on staging a car accident?”
“No special tips. Cut the brake line. I can show you how.”
“If this works out, dinner’s on me.”
“Just dinner? Come on!”
“Alright, I’ll take you to last night’s place after I get my first payday.”
“Deal! Good luck!”
The thin guy whistled at a passing woman. Chen Shi’s smile disappeared when he saw Lin Dongxue with Tao Yueyue, shopping for winter clothes. She looked over at the whistle and their eyes met. Her expression was a mix of surprise and joy.
Chen Shi subtly shook his head, signaling her not to react, and gestured for her to take Tao Yueyue away.
Despite not wanting to involve them, Chen Shi saw this as a rare chance to pass on crucial information. He told the thin guy, “Go talk to her!”
“No, she’s got a kid with her.”
“The kid’s in the changing room now. Perfect opportunity.”
The thin guy slicked back his hair, “How do I look?”
“Fantastic!”
“Wish me luck!”
The thin guy swaggered over to flirt, giving Chen Shi the chance to slip away. Tao Yueyue peeked out from the changing room, and Chen Shi slipped in, crouching down and signaling for silence. “Don’t ask questions. Lin will explain. Memorize everything I say.”
Tao Yueyue nodded.
“Tell her that the bad guys are at 49 Jianfu Road. Don’t rush in yet; there might be higher-ups involved. They want me to stage a car accident to kill the insured. When they’re ready, set off fireworks at the Quansheng Building. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Good girl!” Chen Shi patted her head.
The door was slightly ajar, and an older man saw them, looking disapproving. Chen Shi snapped, “What are you looking at? I’m helping my daughter with her buttons.”
The man walked away, and Chen Shi said, “I’m leaving.”
Tao Yueyue hugged him, “Come back soon. Lin’s cooking is terrible, but I don’t have the heart to tell her.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Outside, Chen Shi heard commotion. The thin guy was on the ground, curled up in pain, hands clutching his groin, while Lin Dongxue stood with her hands on her hips, looking disdainful. She saw Chen Shi.
Chen Shi gestured for her to leave, and she nodded, mouthing, “Take care.”
Chen Shi helped the thin guy up. “What happened? I was gone for a minute!”
“Don’t ask. That woman’s a fighter. She almost…my balls!”
“Haha, what did you say to her?”
“Just complimented her figure. She got mad. A real tigress!”
They drove to Jianfu Road. The hideout was in the basement of an unfinished building. Chen Shi went to Yang’s office, who greeted him with a smile, “How was last night?”
“Fantastic!” Chen Shi smiled back.
“Time to work.”
“Ready when you are.”
Yang took a key and opened the bottom drawer of his desk, revealing many documents. He handed Chen Shi a photo, “Tonight at 8 PM, go to Shihouzi Road and beat this guy.”
“Any specific instructions?”
“Just don’t kill him. It’s for disability insurance. Make sure he can’t work.”
“Got it!” Chen Shi pocketed the photo. “What should I do until then?”
“The rooms in the hallway are numbered. 004 is yours. You can sleep or kill time there until tonight.” Yang handed him a key.
As Chen Shi left, he asked, “You still don’t trust me?”
“Patience and caution. Remember? Two important traits in this business!” Yang smiled.
Chen Shi’s room had a bed, fridge, TV, and shelves full of boring marketing magazines. His phone still had no signal. He lay on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
When he woke up, the thin guy called him for dinner. At the table were King Kong, the receptionist, and a few unfamiliar faces—probably gang members. The thin guy introduced them, but Chen Shi just smiled, not bothering to remember their names.
The thin guy patted Chen Shi’s shoulder, “This is Mr. Chen, a former tough guy, now low-key, selling insurance.”
Everyone laughed.
Chen Shi said, “Nice to meet you all. Let me toast you.”
The thin guy pressed Chen Shi’s glass down, “No drinking tonight. You’ve got a job to do.”
“Right, almost forgot.”