In the next three days, life seemed to have returned to its usual pace.
Maybe even better than it was before.
Lin Xue quit her job at Tianshui Bar and started working as an assistant for Yin Hanruo. She also moved into the Purple Bamboo Garden, which made Liu Yanbo feel much more reassured.
Before, when Lin Xue rented a place by herself, Liu Yanbo was always worried about her and even secretly investigated the area.
For example, he knew the name and face of every single person that lived in Jiasheng Community…
At first, Liu Yanbo wanted to invite Lin Xue to live with him, but he couldn’t bring himself to suggest the idea. After all, his relationship with Yin Hanruo was too superficial, and the owner of the home wasn’t him.
If Yin Hanruo didn't take the initiative to bring it up, Liu Yanbo wouldn’t have dared open his mouth. But if it was necessary, Liu Yanbo was prepared to move out and rent a house next to Lin Xue’s place.
Yes, Liu Yanbo was scared. He was scared of Jiu Ye’s revenge. Lin Xue was his only weakness, and he couldn’t afford to lose her.
Liu Yanbo had already been in Haishi for three years. Although he wasn’t the type to enjoy hearing gossip, he still encountered and was told many of Jiu Ye’s legendary stories.
Jiu Ye’s real name was Huang Jiucheng, and he came to Haishi alone when he was a teenager.
The 90s and 80s were the underworld’s most rampant and prosperous period since the founding of China. At that time, Jiu Ye, with his courage and skills, rapidly rose in status and became the hottest new king of the underworld.
But at the beginning of this century, many anti-criminal activities began in various parts of China. Several underworld bosses went to jail one after another. Jiu Ye was among them, but he wasn’t arrested, he voluntarily surrendered. As for the reason, the outside world had no idea.
It was said that when Jiu Ye came out of jail after three years, he had changed dramatically. Without the sharp arrogance of the past, he became extraordinarily calm, or in other words, much more vicious and evil.
After being released from prison, Jiu Ye remained low-key for nearly a year. During this period, he rarely went out. Just when everyone thought that the former gangster had disappeared from the underworld scene, he suddenly returned with a thunder. He defeated Haishi’s only boss, the only one who survived from being arrested.
From then on, for a long time, there was only one king in Haishi’s underworld, and even Haishi’s authorities seemed to have acquiesced to his existence.
After establishing his own underworld kingship, Jiu Ye began to step onto the stage, starting a company, charity…
The society was progressing. The dark age of fighting and killing has passed, and the underworld leaders were no longer defined by strength and fighting skills.
Jiu Ye had also become a famous entrepreneur and philanthropist in Haishi, but everyone knew that his underworld kingdom hadn’t dissolved. It grew stronger, and he still held the highest power of Haishi’s underworld firmly in his hand.
Some wanted to take his place, but in the end, they always became victims of Jiu Ye defending his king's power.
The revenge of such a gangster was terrifying, and there weren’t many people who could bear it.
Just like Ji Ruyan now, she was a noble in Haishi’s underworld, and her beauty made her look fit to royalty. In the eyes of the outsiders, she was a worthy opponent to Jiu Ye. But when she was officially confronted by Jiu Ye, she was obviously in a disadvantageous position. Maybe her end would be tomorrow? Maybe the day after tomorrow?
What would be Jiu Ye’s next step? Liu Yanbo had to keep his guard up.
The enemy’s enemy was a friend, so he planned to talk to Ji Ruyan.
The formal declaration of war three days ago didn't seem to have much impact on Ji Ruyan, or at least, it didn't seem to have changed much.
Tianshui Bar was open for business as usual, and business was still booming.
Like usual, after finishing a cigarette at the bar’s entrance, Liu Yanbo slowly walked in.
The music playing tonight was very energetic. The bar customers lightly swayed to the music on their seats. Not many people noticed Liu Yanbo's arrival, but those who did were surprised.
The guy who beat Jiu Ye’s subordinate was still alive?
In the hearts of many people present that night, Liu Yanbo was already condemned to his death. His skills were indeed terrifying, but no one thought he had the ability to compete with Jiu Ye. After all, this era was about connections and money. No matter how good a taxi driver was, could he avoid the bullets of professional killers? Can he escape the country's laws and regulations?
But the reality that most people didn’t know, or didn’t want to face-
Bullets were fast, but it was people who shot them; laws and regulations were fair, but it was also people who established the National Security.
And as you know, people had many flaws.
Facing many strange gazes, Liu Yanbo walked to the bar in silence and knocked on the bar counter.
“Brother Bo, you’re here.” Xiao Xu brought a glass of wine in his hand, and said with a smile, “Vodka with no ice.”
"You are the first person willing to talk to me tonight. I’ll treat you to supper sometime." Liu Yanbo accepted the glass with a smile, took a sip, and asked, "Where’s your boss?"
Xiao Xu stretched out his hand and pointed, "The second floor."
Liu Yanbo waved his hand and walked towards the second floor.
The sober drinkers gave way, the black security guards didn’t dare stop him and even the guard who before didn’t let him sit in the round table greeted him from the second floor. Liu Yanbo had a gentle smile on his face, and he was wearing cheap clothes that were found selling on the streets.
He didn’t change, the ones who changed were the ones who used to despise him.
On the second floor, in an office, Ji Ruyan had prepared food and drinks. It was hard to say whether she was enthusiastic about his visit, but her smile was friendly and her voice was as attractive as ever. ”I haven’t had dinner yet, what about you? If you didn’t, and you don’t mind, have a seat, let’s eat together.”
“I’m always willing to eat.” Liu Yanbo sat on the sofa and took the chopsticks that Ji Ruyan handed over.
Ji Ruyan also sat down on the same sofa as Liu Yanbo. This sofa was made for three people, they were apart by half a body, but occasional contact was inevitable.
“I made these myself. Try it, see if it suits your tastes.” After Ji Ruyan poured a glass of red wine for Liu Yanbo, she also gave him some pieces of sweet and sour pork ribs.
Liu Yanbo wasn’t pretentious, and not only ate the pork ribs but also tasted several other dishes.
"How is it?" Ji Ruyan asked expectantly.
Liu Yanbo stretched out his thumb and praised, "The color, the fragrance, and the taste are all delicious. I didn't expect Boss Ji to have this kind of craftsmanship."
“Really?” Ji Ruyan was happy like a child.
"I’m not the type to like deceiving people." Liu Yanbo continued to eat, smacked his lips, and said, "If only it could be a bit spicier."
"I didn't know you were coming. These were all made according to my own taste." Ji Ruyan held her chin in her hand, "Tell me in advance when you come next time, so I can make it spicy to your taste."
Liu Yanbo smiled but did not speak, his mouth was full of food, and he was afraid that it would fall out if he spoke.
He had always especially cherished food.
Ji Ruyan also didn't speak anymore, and just quietly stared at the somewhat delicate man in front of her, occasionally offering him another dish to try.
On this ordinary night, the office wasn’t too spacious, and they casually sat on the same sofa. Just like an ordinary couple.
Similar to how a husband would return from work a little tired, but his gentle wife would have already prepared wine and food. They wouldn’t exchange many words, just occasionally clink glasses, and smile softly at each other.
Many people clung to this warm feeling.
The food wasn’t much, and most of it went into Liu Yanbo’s stomach. Only after eating did he realize that he was a little rude, so he smiled and said, "Boss Ji's craftsmanship is really great. Whoever marries you in the future is a very lucky man."
Although flattering was old-fashioned, it was useful. At least, Ji Ruyan smiled even more beautifully.
“What luck? Are you saying that cooking and cleaning is the woman’s responsibility?” Ji Ruyan put the ashtray in front of Liu Yanbo and began to clean up the dishes.
Liu Yanbo lit a cigarette, smiled, and said, "I didn't expect Boss Ji to have such a perception. You’re surely a role model among strong women."
"I don't want to be a strong woman." Ji Ruyan suddenly stopped what she was doing. She raised her head to look at Liu Yanbo, earnestly and tenderly——
"I want to find a reliable man who’d cherish me truly and warmly. Can you do that?"
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