870: 637 As you step down, I take the stage (Thanks for the tip!) 870: 637 As you step down, I take the stage (Thanks for the tip!) Funing.
A small city in the south of the Jiang River.
With a total population of just over a million, nearly half of them are migrant workers.
The main industry here is the clothing trade, forming a specialized leather city, and also serving as OEM factories for many big brands, with large batches of garments loaded on vehicles every day and sent across the country.
“I didn’t expect those Yanbian people to be so unreliable, I should’ve just let our own people do it.”
Three streets away from the leather city, in a diverse neighborhood, a man stood by the window, lightly lifting the curtain.
His cautiousness irked his companion, “This is Funing, what are you scared of?”
Clearly, they were the ones who had fled back from Haojiang, and by now, their names were on the online wanted list.
“Have you forgotten Brother Geng’s instructions?”
At this, the other fell silent, cursing under his breath with frustration, “Damn it’s suffocating.”
Due to the ordinary nature of the apartment, lacking an elevator and with less than ideal soundproofing, the noise from an upstairs live-streaming vendor was incessantly bothersome, leading to noise pollution that only added to their irritation.
On a normal day, they would have stormed upstairs to drag the person out for a beating, without any concern for courtesy or compassion.
But given their delicate situation, the two were forced to suppress their emotions.
“Snap.”
The more cautious man put down the curtain and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag.
“How long do we have to stay here?”
Liu Jun asked.
Being Geng Long’s trusted men, they both had some status in the Jiangnan underworld, the other being called Ah K.
“We can’t stay much longer.”
Ah K exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
Liu Jun brightened, “Has everything at Haojiang been settled?
I knew Brother Geng would be able to…”
Ah K shook his head, dousing the hope with cold water, “Brother Geng says we need to go abroad to lay low for a while until it’s safe to come back.”
“Abroad?”
Liu Jun’s face stiffened, “Isn’t staying here enough?”
Ah K took another drag on his cigarette, “We do what Brother Geng tells us to do; following his orders is always right.”
Liu Jun’s expression turned, he couldn’t help asking, “…Can I at least let my family know?”
Ah K looked up sharply at him, “Are you new to this world?
At a time like this, we can’t contact anyone!”
“Just a minute, I only need one minute!”
Ah K’s expression was stern, “No.
I’m saying this for your own good.
Brother Geng will surely take care of our families; don’t you trust him?”
Liu Jun pursed his lips tightly and finally gave in, slumping down on the chair, “How long will we be gone?”
“I don’t know.
It shouldn’t be too long, and Brother Geng will inform us when it’s time to come back.”
Seeing his sworn brother’s spirits dip, Ah K, with a cigarette between his fingers, tried to cheer him up, “Haven’t you always wanted to go abroad for a breath of fresh air?
Well, now’s your chance, treat it like a paid vacation.”
“You sure know how to comfort someone.”
Liu Jun let out an involuntary smile.
“Beep beep~ Beep beep~ Beep beep…”
The sound of police sirens came from outside.
Both men instantly fell silent, and Ah K once again slightly opened the curtain.
A police car with flashing lights passed by below their window.
Liu Jun got up alertly.
Ah K let the curtain fall back into place, shaking his head to indicate that there was no problem.
Liu Jun relaxed and continued, “When do we leave?”
Thinking about it, going abroad certainly seemed better than having to hide like rats on the run.
Ah K took a hit from his cigarette, “Brother Geng says someone will come to pick us up; we just have to wait.”
There was music playing from upstairs again.
Liu Jun gloomily looked up toward the ceiling.
Ah K flicked the cigarette butt away, crushed it under his foot, and came over, patting his shoulder, “I’ll go buy some food.”
That evening.
The two men were eating takeout from a roadside stall and drinking beer when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
They exchanged a quick, grave look.
Without a word, Ah K gave a hand signal.
Having worked together for many years, Liu Jun silently nodded, drew the knife from his waist, and joined him at the door, pressing against the wall.
“Who’s there?” shouted Ah K.
“Brother Geng sent me.”
The tension in the air deflated instantly for the two men.
Liu Jun slid the knife back into place.
Ah K opened the door.
“Ah K, Brother Liu, Brother Geng sent me to pick you guys up.”
There were three men outside.
Ah K, not even having finished his food, nodded, “Let’s go.”
As experienced men of the Jianghu, Ah K and Liu Jun wasted no time and immediately followed the trio out.
“Bang.”
The door closed.
The uneaten takeout and unfinished beer were left silently on the table.
Under the cover of night.
The five men walked downstairs, exited the neighborhood, and got into a business van.
Across the street.
Two inconspicuous Mondeos were parked in the shadows, watching the scene unfold.
“Brother Liao, we’re a step late.”
The business van started.
In one of the Mondeos, the man in the driver’s seat turned back, “Should we make a move?”
Liao Xiangdong’s expression was composed, “Follow them for now.”
The two Mondeos started up, tailing silently.
“Ah K, Brother Liu, have some water.”
Feeling reassured by their own people, Ah K and Liu Jun relaxed, took the two bottles of mineral water passed to them, unscrewed the caps, and took a drink.
The seven-seater MPV was packed.
“What has Brother Geng arranged?”
Liu Jun asked, holding the mineral water.
“It might be a bit uncomfortable for you two; we’ve prepared a cargo truck.
This car will take you two to Jiaojia Bay, then you’ll leave the country by sea.”
Liu Jun nodded in understanding, “Thanks for the effort.”