Urban Martial Saint

Eastern Province, at Huang Boxiong’s home, Huang Boxiong was sitting with his father, Huang Jianan. Huang Jianan had a cold expression on his face, looking very angry.

”Zhao Chengshuang, he’s really got some nerve!” Huang Jianan slammed his fist onto the table beside him, looking at Huang Boxiong angrily, and said: ”Since they’re pressuring you like this, why didn’t you tell me directly? Instead, you ran off to the province to report this matter, saying all the good things. Now, it’s too late for you to retract your statements. When you returned, you should have told me right away, I could have taken you to the Discipline Inspection Commission to file a record, and then expose the matter. With what Zhao Chengshuang has done, not to mention that orphanage of his, even Zhao Chengshuang himself wouldn’t be hopping around anymore!”

”Dad, I... I had no choice...” Huang Boxiong lowered his head, saying: ”They threatened us not just with money, they... they also took photos of us...”

Huang Jianan said in a deep voice: ”What about the photos? The money was forced on you; even if they have photos, as long as we file a record with the Discipline Inspection Commission first, they can’t do anything to you!”

”I’m not talking about the photos of us taking the money, I mean... something else...” Huang Boxiong’s face was the epitome of embarrassment.

”What other photos could there be?” Huang Jianan was somewhat astonished, glaring at Huang Boxiong, he said sternly: ”You didn’t do something else to give them leverage, did you?”

Huang Boxiong’s face flushed red as he hung his head, too scared to speak. Huang Jianan was infuriated and shouted: ”It’s come to this point, and you still think about hiding it? What exactly happened, speak!”

”Dad, I... I didn’t want this...” Huang Boxiong said with a trembling voice: ”That day, Zhao Chengshuang forced us to take the money, and I thought to just pretend to go along with it, planning to settle the score once back in the province. But that very night, Zhao Chengshuang invited us to dinner, then to karaoke, and poured us a lot of alcohol. We all drank too much, then he brought in some women to accompany us, and then... then...”

Huang Jianan’s face turn pitch black as he angrily said: ”And then what?”

Huang Boxiong swallowed his saliva, his voice shaking as he said: ”Then... then they secretly took photos of us in bed, and used... those photos... to threaten us...”

”What!?” Huang Jianan stood up abruptly, completely shocked. As the Deputy Secretary of East State Municipal Committee, he knew all too well what it would mean if such photos were to be leaked. If it was just a matter of money, filing a report with the Discipline Inspection Commission could have resolved it easily. But now, with photos of a man and a woman involved, it would be impossible to clear his name, not even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

”How could you be so foolish?” Huang Jianan said angrily, disappointed: ”How could you let someone else gain leverage over you in such matters? You, after you came back, why didn’t you consult with me first before running off to report to the province? So it turns out you were already caught by someone else. You, what should I even say to you? With that leverage against you, talking about it now, what’s the point?”

”Dad, I... I had no choice. They had those photos, and I had to go to the province and speak favorably for them. But... but when I returned, I felt more and more aggrieved. Why should our Huang Family be threatened by the Zhao Family like this...” Huang Boxiong said with a mournful face looking at Huang Jianan: ”Dad, I’m really infuriated, that’s why I told you about this. I just can’t swallow this anger!”

”So what if you can’t swallow it?” Huang Jianan said angrily: ”You let someone get leverage over you, what can I do? Whatever I do now, the Zhao Family will immediately counterattack. In the end, both you and Zhao Cheng will be doomed, bringing disaster upon both, to what end?”

”But, we can’t just let them gloat over us!” Huang Boxiong urged anxiously: ”Dad, why not... why not talk to your elder brother about this? In the recent provincial committee meeting, the opinions among the provincial leaders are still divided, and the number of supporters and opponents is nearly equal. So, the decision of several provincial leaders mainly depends on your elder brother’s opinion now. If he speaks against it, the opposing votes will definitely be the majority. Then the orphanage they’re planning would surely fail to launch. Even if I can’t get my revenge on Zhao Cheng, I need to at least sabotage that orphanage project; otherwise, I can’t reduce this anger in my heart!”

Hearing Huang Boxiong’s words, Huang Jianan also furrowed his brows. He was feeling vindictive as well and was thinking of ways to get back at them. Huang Boxiong’s suggestion seemed like a revelation. Indeed, since he couldn’t attack Zhao Chengshuang openly and directly, why not take a stealthy approach instead? You, Zhao Chengshuang, are so eager to get the orphanage up and running, so I’ll just sabotage it this once. Even if I can’t bring you down, I’ll make you feel as unpleasant as I do!

”Getting in touch with your uncle is not a problem, but, this matter, your uncle can’t be the one appearing to involve himself in it!” Huang Jianan said in a deep voice: ”Everyone in Eastern Province knows about the relationship between our family and your uncle. If he opposes this matter during the committee meeting, Zhao Chengshuang would certainly realize immediately that we were involved. If that angers Zhao Chengshuang and he releases those photos, what will you do?”

”So... what should we do now?” Huang Boxiong asked anxiously: ”Dad, no matter what, we can’t let Zhao Chengshuang get too proud!”

”Hmm, certainly!” Huang Jianan nodded slowly and said: ”This matter doesn’t necessarily require your uncle to cast a dissenting vote himself. On the Standing Committee, so many people have good relations with your uncle. Your uncle doesn’t need to vote against it, but if people who are friendly with your uncle cast dissenting votes, then this matter is bound to have no issues.”

Hearing this, Huang Boxiong couldn’t help but be overjoyed, excitedly saying: ”Dad, you really think of everything. Then... let’s proceed with this plan. Dad, when will you go see uncle?”

”Definitely right now!” Huang Jianan stood up, his voice firm: ”I heard that the Standing Committee meeting will be held in the next two days. I must arrange everything before tonight. Otherwise, once the Standing Committee meeting is held tomorrow, everything will be too late!”

Huang Boxiong was even more delighted: ”Dad, then... let’s do it. No matter what, we must have uncle take revenge for me!”

”Don’t worry!” Huang Jianan patted Huang Boxiong on the shoulder, his voice deep: ”We of the Huang Family won’t be bullied so easily. Zhao Chengshuang dares to make a move against you, preventing the orphanage from opening is just collecting some interest. One day, I will make him pay!”

Huang Boxiong, thrilled, watched Huang Jianan leave, and finally heaved a sigh of relief. Casually sitting down at the table, he crossed his legs, sneering: ”Zhao Chengshuang, hmph, even if you can threaten me, what can you do? As long as I wish, your orphanage won’t even think about opening. ******, once this matter is over, I will settle the score with you thoroughly. You dare to trick me, I’ll make sure you die miserably!”

While saying this, Huang Boxiong casually turned on the TV, wanting to watch some programs. To his surprise, as soon as he turned on the TV, he saw the news report about the orphanage. After watching for a while, Huang Boxiong sneered and said: ”This Ye Qing, his reach isn’t short at all, even extending to Eastern Province, even making the news. Hmph, what difference does it make if it’s reported? If I want your orphanage to close, you have to obediently shut it down.”

Ultimately, Huang Boxiong is just a nitwit, nowhere near as far-sighted as Zhao Chengshuang. Little does he know that the mere fact this news was reported already speaks volumes. What a pity, Huang Jianan is not at home now, and he hasn’t seen this report. Otherwise, with the political acumen Huang Jianan has honed over many years, he would absolutely refrain from meddling in this matter.

The orphanage news is available on any TV across Eastern Province. Outside an appliance store on the outskirts of Tianhui City, a man in his thirties was also staring intently at the TV screen displayed in the store. The news extensively covered everything about the orphanage. Watching the facilities inside the orphanage, the man’s eyes began to sparkle with a strange light, like someone in a desperate situation seeing hope.

Having watched the news to the end, the man still stood outside the store, lingering. When the shop was about to close, a salesperson came over, looked him up and down, and said: ”Big brother, are you looking to buy a TV?”

”No... no, I’m not buying...” The man immediately shook his head.

”If you’re not buying, then we’re going to close the shop!” the salesperson said.

The man took a step back, knowing that the salesperson was hinting for him to leave. He didn’t stay any longer and turned around, shrinking into himself, slowly walking to the other side of the street. He had walked about ten meters or so when something suddenly occurred to him. Turning his head, he asked: ”Young man, could I bother you to ask something? The orphanage... the orphanage mentioned in the news just now on TV, where is it located?”

”In Shenchuan City, opened by the great philanthropist Ye Qing, Boss Ye!” replied the salesperson. ”Many people are aware of it. Boss Ye had been to Tianhui City before, he took care of a criminal gang that exploited children for money here, and brought all those children to Shenchuan City. He is supporting all those kids, you couldn’t be unaware of this, could you?”

”I... I really haven’t heard about it until now...” the man said. ”Does he... does he really provide for so many children for free? Can children get enough to eat there?”

”More than enough!” Upon hearing this, the salesperson become interested and said: ”I’ll tell you, others may not know, but I’m very clear. Why? Because I have a friend who works as a chef in Boss Ye’s orphanage. My buddy has even seen Boss Ye several times, he’s very familiar with the situation there. Boss Ye is truly a good person. My buddy has been working outside for a while and has never seen a boss who pays on time like Boss Ye.”