Chapter 110: Goodnight Kiss

On the phone, Director Yuan was ecstatic. Another opportunity to make a meritorious contribution and earn a reward—this would accelerate her rise to prominence. So excited was she that she completely forgot to ask Liu Jingye about the source of his information, a testament to her absolute trust in him.

“Ah, you’re back! Come, let’s have a drink together to toast our successful collaboration,” Line Brother called from the adjacent private room. Seeing Liu Jingye return, he eagerly raised his glass in invitation.

Liu Jingye accepted the bottle handed over by Lin Shengnan and clinked glasses with him. “For any future big deals, I hope you’ll take good care of us, Line Brother.”

“Don’t mention it, don’t mention it!” Line Brother replied warmly.

After downing a bottle and their spirits rising, Line Brother, a seasoned veteran wary of wasting time, produced a map and said, “Since we’ve all agreed to cooperate, let’s finalize tomorrow’s plan.

“Our task is simple: find four people, four cars. Two small cars will be stationed at the side road intersections, feigning a collision to cause friction, blocking the road. Two large trucks will take the main road, pretending to break down and blocking the center. The rest you don’t need to worry about. Sounds simple enough, right? Plus, the boss will provide the vehicles.”

“Hm, indeed simple,” Liu Jingye said. “But we’ve got our own cars, no need for the boss to bother. We’ll rig them ourselves; it’ll be more convenient.”

Line Brother considered and nodded. “Alright, that works. Let’s say two sharp in the afternoon—prompt action.”

“Fine, no problem,” Liu Jingye agreed readily, then added, “Oh, by the way, Line Brother, the boss is so upfront—only a deposit of 100,000 yuan. Isn’t he afraid we’ll take the money and not deliver?”

“No chance…” Line Brother laughed heartily. “We in the underworld live by loyalty. Taking money and not resolving troubles isn’t our way.”

Suddenly, his tone shifted, face hardening. “Besides, the boss is a big shot. We’re small fry—we don’t dare cross him.”

That was clearly a veiled threat. Liu Jingye smiled, nodding repeatedly, but inwardly he vowed, “No blackmail among thieves for me. I intend to expose that old fox Huang Guangzong thoroughly.”

“Come, let’s drink and have a good time. Once this is done, I guarantee you’ll prosper with wealth and fame!” Line Brother’s smile returned as he invited enthusiastically.

Hu Ming was skilled at making people comfortable. He coaxed Line Brother well and even brought two scantily clad girls as companions, a tacit approval from Lin Shengnan, who then quickly pulled Liu Jingye away to prevent him from staring greedily.

“I haven’t finished my drink yet,” Liu Jingye complained.

“I’ll keep you company,” Lin Shengnan said.

Liu Jingye scrutinized her, his eyes scanning her body as if with X-ray vision, clearly comparing her to the two girls just now. Eventually, he nodded. “Alright then.”

“What do you mean ‘alright’? Are you saying I’m no match for them and you’re just settling?” Lin Shengnan snapped angrily.

Seeing their leader about to blow her top, Liu Jingye hurriedly waved his hands. “By the way, you got the 100,000 deposit, right? Give me some pocket money.”

Lin Shengnan rolled her eyes. “I’ve prepared two thousand for you, not a penny less. Spend it wisely!”

“Got it, Mom!” Liu Jingye said sulkily.

Lin Shengnan couldn’t help but laugh, but quickly suppressed it. Liu Jingye then asked, “Do you usually treat Hu Ming and Er Niu so generously?”

Lin Shengnan answered seriously, “I never thought of us as petty gangsters counting coins. Ever since we started selling discs, I handled all the accounts, paying them their salary on time every month. Now each gets ten thousand yuan, but I help send five thousand back home to their parents.”

“They still have five thousand left, which is more than me!” Liu Jingye complained.

“You’re different,” Lin Shengnan said bluntly, looking at his wide eyes, then lowered her head. “You don’t come to work much, just show up occasionally. Two thousand is already generous…”

Liu Jingye pointed to his nose. “Big sister, do I just show up? I work the hardest, alright? Come on, give me more.”

Knowing his hard work, Lin Shengnan didn’t argue and pulled out another hundred yuan. “Here, an extra hundred for you.”

“Just a hundred?”

“Don’t give it back…”

Liu Jingye quickly pocketed the money, looking disappointed. “Better than nothing.”

“Hmph!” Lin Shengnan muttered, “When a man has money, he’s bound to be lucky with women.”

Liu Jingye’s face darkened. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

Lin Shengnan scoffed, “Men all taste the same—lying shamelessly, saying they’re working overtime when really they’re getting massages, exhausted from secret dates, then coming home pretending to be drunk.”

Liu Jingye wiped cold sweat from his brow. “Big sister, seriously, what have you been up to lately?”

“I’ve been self-studying, recharging myself.”

“Studying what?”

“The Twenty-Eight Methods of Husband Control, the Thirty-Six Strategies of Housekeeping, the Seventy-Two Tricks of Catching Cheaters, and the One Hundred and Eight Techniques of Murder!”

“I’m heading back first.”

“Stop right there! You’re just going to leave like that?” Lin Shengnan suddenly crossed her arms, fuming.

Liu Jingye paused, then turned and gently held her shoulders, bending to kiss her cheek. “Good night!”

It was the standard loving goodnight kiss of a devoted couple. Given that Lin Shengnan was a strict housekeeper—petty and suspicious—and Liu Jingye was her henpecked husband, a little display of affection was harmless.

Lin Shengnan froze, her cheeks suddenly flushed crimson. Watching Liu Jingye scurry off happily, she wanted to say something but found herself at a loss for words.

Downstairs at the bar, Liu Jingye collected two packs of cigarettes, personally handed to him by the proprietor who showed him great respect. During the fierce turf battle that day, especially that stunning final shot, the owner’s memory of Liu Jingye was vivid.

Returning to the inn near midnight, the entire village was silent, save for the sounds from the inn’s second floor—a steady snoring.

Liu Jingye smiled wryly, “I never imagined the best pop singer’s snores could sound so sweet.”

He tiptoed back to his room and slept soundly, anticipating a better day tomorrow.

“This might be the most accurate weather forecast yet.” Early the next morning, Liu Jingye woke to torrents outside, the courtyard flooded with water.

The downpour darkened the sky, visibility was poor, and the thought of venturing out was unappealing—like being cocooned in warm bedding, motionless. Liu Jingye indulged in a second sleep, waking near noon.

Tang Shiya upstairs hadn’t appeared all morning; her singing occasionally drifted down, suggesting she was in good spirits.

Such is a woman’s nature—their moods shift faster than June’s weather.

As Liu Jingye rose, his phone rang; it was Lin Shengnan, her voice hoarse and weary, as if sleepless, “We’re going for a ‘drive.’ Are you coming?”

“It’s a small matter; I’ll pass.” Liu Jingye glanced at the relentless rain outside, feeling lazy. “You just take them out. Remember, at the appointed time, go to the designated place, circle around once—no quarrels, no car repairs, absolutely no blocking the road.”

“Got it. Oh, by the way, do you know where to buy arsenic?” Lin Shengnan suddenly asked.

Liu Jingye was taken aback. “Why would you want that?”

Lin Shengnan snorted coldly, “Last night a mosquito bit me on the face. I tried to smack it, but it was too fast. So I’m thinking of poisoning it with arsenic!”

Liu Jingye broke out in cold sweat. He understood she was sulking, almost coquettish, but too reserved to express it openly.

Chen Yuxin was the opposite—bold and straightforward, often speaking about things as a third party, as if detached from her own involvement, saying whatever she pleased without restraint.

Yuan Xiaoying was even simpler: kiss her once, and she’d either fly into a rage and hit you, or return fiery with kisses.

Women were like flowers—diverse and colorful.

Liu Jingye felt he was beginning to understand this and even began to enjoy this ‘flower viewing’ sensation.

He smiled, “If you want arsenic, I know the best place—the West Gate Pharmacy in Yanggu County. Just say Miss Jinlian from the Wu Pan family recommended you; you’ll get a discount!”

This was clearly a joke about murdering her own husband. Lin Shengnan hung up angrily.

Liu Jingye sighed and sent her a text, warning again to just drive around without causing trouble.

Lin Shengnan didn’t reply, but knowing her cautious nature, she probably wouldn’t mess up. Liu Jingye’s real worry was Yuan Xiaoying, that reckless woman.

She would certainly seize this chance to make a name for herself, but would she notify the organization, or...?

Time ticked closer to the agreed moment.

Liu Jingye grew uneasy and called Yuan Xiaoying. Static crackled through the line.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“What are you doing? Why’s there so much noise on the phone?”

“I’m wearing a Bluetooth headset while driving; the rain outside is loud,” Yuan Xiaoying explained.

“Driving? Where are you?”

He felt a sudden chill.

“Hehe…” Yuan Xiaoying chuckled mischievously. “Guess!”

“Cut the nonsense! I don’t have time for jokes!” Liu Jingye snapped.

“Why so anxious? I already caught Huang Xing. I’m driving the prison transport right now, heading to the court, setting a trap. If we can catch those trying to hijack the transport, that’s another big achievement for me!”

“What? You’re driving the prison transport? Are you suicidal? Those hijackers will be fully prepared, maybe even kill cold-bloodedly!”

“Relax. Our men are already lying in ambush on both sides of the road. No matter how many come, they won’t return…”

Yuan Xiaoying said casually, as if envisioning the medals waving at her.

Just then, a terrifying explosion blasted through the phone line...