Chapter 61

At night, Song Shuang knocked on the door of her father's study.

"Come in." Song Jianfeng was reading documents. He often stayed up until the early hours of the morning, and getting only four or five hours of sleep each day was a common occurrence.

Song Shuang entered with a copy of Ling Zijie's investigation report and said, "Dad, take a look at this. We need some guidance."

Song Jianfeng was interested and took the report, flipping through it. Seeing his daughter's name on the cover, he understood, "Shuangshuang, you were involved?"

"I participated in the investigation, but the report was written by Ling Zijie."

"Ah," Song Jianfeng flipped a few more pages and put it down. "I'll have Secretary Shen look at it tomorrow. He's good with writing."

Although somewhat disappointed, Song Shuang didn't want to tire her father too much. After some thought, she asked another question, "Dad, what do you think of Ling Zijie?"

"He's good, a very excellent young man." Song Jianfeng took a sip of tea and smiled at his daughter, "Why, are you interested?"

"Not at all, I was just asking. What do you think of Liu Handong?" Song Shuang was never reserved with her father, saying whatever was on her mind.

Song Jianfeng laughed, "Liu Handong, in four words, a mere brute."

Song Shuang felt a bit disheartened. She knew the gap between Liu Handong and Ling Zijie, but deep down, a voice kept telling her that Liu Handong was the better one.

"Liu Handong is too hot-tempered, but his essence is good. He saved you and could have made many demands, but he only asked for two things: to save his friend and to punish the bad guys. He didn't think of himself at all. Ling Zijie, on the other hand, is too eager for success, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Compared to each other, Ling Zijie is better suited to this society."

Song Shuang fell into deep thought.

Song Jianfeng patted her head, "Go to bed early. Secretary Shen will arrange Liu Handong's work. The police force needs such a warrior who hates evil and has been through many battles."

...

Tuhongbin's Beef Village was in the midst of紧张筹备之中，Liu Handong went to help and didn't return until ten o'clock at night. As soon as he stepped out, he saw an Audi A6L parked by the roadside. The license plate was familiar; it belonged to Wang Xing.

Wang Xing rolled down the window and waved at Liu Handong, "Hey, come over."

Liu Handong walked over, "Detective Wang, how long have you been here?"

"You have the nerve to ask. You put a tracker on the taxi and made them run around all afternoon. If anything happened to you, they'd all be fired, you know that?"

"None of my business. I just don't like being watched."

"Damn, they're doing it for your own good. Do you know how many people want to kill you now?"

"Who?"

"Shifeng Group wants to cause you trouble, the Gu family wants you to pay with your life, Xia Baishi wants to get revenge, and a third of the Qing Shi High-Tech Special Protection Team is guarding you around the clock. Don't be ungrateful; I'm even personally involved in your protection. If a single hair on your head is harmed, I'll lose my salary."

Liu Handong laughed and opened the car door, getting in. The sound system in the Audi A6 was top-notch, and the leather seats exuded a unique scent, much more luxurious than the Fukan. A box of hard Zhonghua cigarettes was on the center console. Liu Handong took one, lit it, and took a satisfying puff before asking, "Shu Fan should be back by now, right?"

"Not yet. He asked me to protect you, but I don't think it's necessary. You have a protagonist's aura; no one dares to touch you," Wang Xing replied.

"How so?"

"Who doesn't know you saved Song Jianfeng's daughter? If anyone tries to harm you now, they'll be going against the Public Security Bureau Chief. Besides, you're a killing machine; eight assassins couldn't take you down. Who would dare to take on this job? Those so-called tough guys in the underworld are just talk. The ones who have actually killed and seen blood are either in prison or in the northwest. The rest are just a bunch of bullshitters. So, you're safe."

Liu Handong chuckled, "You're right. They can't compare to me. Killing and not killing is a big difference. The first time I killed someone in the army, it took me half a year to recover. I saw blood every time I closed my eyes. Now, it's no big deal. I can still drink and eat after killing. By the way, you said the Gu family wants me to pay with my life. Are there any living members of the Gu family?"

Wang Xing cursed, "Of course. You didn't wipe out the entire family. The old man of the Gu family is still alive, and Gu Changjun has a son, even though he's divorced. Gu Changmin also has a wife and children. They can't come after you?"

Liu Handong asked, "What does Gu Changjun's father do?"

"He's an old public security official, the former political commissar of the regional public security bureau."

"That doesn't make sense. Such a person should solve problems through legal channels. Even if that doesn't work, he should keep petitioning. Hiring someone to assassinate me doesn't make sense," Liu Handong muttered.

Wang Xing's heart skipped a beat. Liu Handong was right. Both of the Gu brothers were dead, and the old man was a public security official who wouldn't hire assassins. But there were rumors that the Gu family wanted to get Liu Handong. Could it be Gu Changjun's son? Impossible, he's not even an adult. Gu Changjun's ex-wife? Also impossible, they've been divorced for a long time, and there's only hate, no affection.

Liu Handong said nonchalantly, "I'm a deadbeat. I don't fear them. Unless Gu Changjun rises from the dead to find me, I might get goosebumps."

Wang Xing sighed, "You're tough, but be careful. Many people have their eyes on you."

Liu Handong said, "How about Xia Baishi's son? He should get at least ten years, right?"

"That depends on the court. I think it's tough this time. Director Song personally ordered a strict trial. A police station chief has already been implicated. No one dares to mess around, but anything is possible. With the right connections, even a sentence can be commuted to medical parole or reduced for meritorious service."

Liu Handong was speechless.

"Alright, just a reminder. I'm off." Wang Xing started the Audi.

Liu Handong put the Zhonghua cigarettes in his pocket, got out of the car, and watched the Audi drive away. He returned to No. 108, where the mahjong game was still going on. It was cooler now, so the table had been moved indoors. The room was filled with smoke, and the sound of mahjong tiles was loud. The landlord, wearing a Tang suit and smoking, had just lost a round.

"Get out, what lousy skills." Bao Yumei pushed her husband away and sat down.

Hu Lianhe was relaxed, picking up a copy of the Global Times and marveling, "Our country's secret weapons have amazed the U.S. and Japan. The recovery of the Diaoyu Islands is imminent."

Liu Handong walked in, "Landlord, I need your help with something."

"Oh, you're from the fourth floor, right? What is it? Sit down, have some tea?" Hu Lianhe was very polite.

"No, thanks. A friend wants to rent a house nearby with a yard, fully equipped with water and electricity, preferably in a quiet area. The price is negotiable."

"Ah, I see. I'll keep an eye out and get back to you tomorrow."

"Thanks." Liu Handong turned and went upstairs. On the second floor, he glanced at Zhu Xiaoqiang's room. The door was open, and Zhu Xiaoqiang wasn't writing; he was browsing forums.

"Brother Dong, you're back. I was just looking for you," Zhu Xiaoqiang said, hurrying over.

"What's up?" Liu Handong took out a Zhonghua and gave one to Zhu Xiaoqiang.

"Wow, not Hongmei anymore." Zhu Xiaoqiang lit it and took a puff, "My last book didn't get a contract. The editor said it wasn't exciting enough. I want to change the genre to an urban special forces story. How about this: a special forces soldier fights abroad for eight years, returns home to find his parents laid off and the family in poverty. He starts from the bottom and eventually becomes the leader of the national underworld and the largest commercial empire in China. In the end, he marries eighteen beauties on an island—Diaoyu Island. What do you think of this idea?"

Liu Handong smiled, "Good, it will definitely be a hit."

Zhu Xiaoqiang hesitated, "I think it will be a hit too, but getting a contract and going online will take time. My internet bill is due soon, and I'm having trouble eating. Brother Dong, can you...?"

Liu Handong looked around the room, which was in disarray. The instant noodles he used to eat every day had been replaced by regular bagged noodles. A stainless steel lunch box contained leftover noodle broth, and flies were buzzing around, attracted not by the food but by the smell of Zhu Xiaoqiang's stinky socks. A few beer bottles in the corner were filled with yellow liquid, likely the result of Zhu Xiaoqiang's urgent need to relieve himself while writing.

"Xiaoqiang, I don't have much money, but take this." Liu Handong took out four hundred yuan and handed it to him. Zhu Xiaoqiang was moved to tears, "Brother Dong, when my book goes online, I'll pay you back double."

"Wait until you make money." Liu Handong went upstairs. As he reached the third floor, a black shadow with a fragrant scent rushed at him. Liu Handong reacted quickly, blocking it and feeling something soft.

"Brother Dong, you're so naughty." It was Xiao Li's voice.

Liu Handong sighed in relief, "Xiao Li, why aren't you asleep?"

"Waiting for you. You saved me, and I haven't thanked you yet. Come in for a bit." Xiao Li hugged Liu Handong's arm and invited him warmly.

"No, I have something to do." Liu Handong managed to break free from Xiao Li's grasp and went up to the fourth floor, entering his room. He took out his laptop, plugged in the internet cable, and logged on. The landlord's family had broadband, and Hu Ying had secretly run a cable for him, allowing him to use it for free.

On QQ, there were only a dozen or so contacts, most of whose avatars were gray. Only a small cat avatar was flashing, with a message from Song Shuang: "I represent the little kittens to thank you. A large GIF of Luo Xiahei followed."

Liu Handong replied, "You're welcome. I'll get back to you about the house tomorrow."

He checked his email, found no new messages, and shut down the computer to sleep.

Song Shuang had just returned from her father's study and saw Liu Handong's avatar flashing on QQ. She quickly replied, typing many words, but received no response. His avatar dimmed, indicating he had gone offline.

Suddenly, another avatar flashed. It was a message from Ling Zijie: "Still up so late?"

Song Shuang replied, "Hehe, going to take a shower. Goodnight."

She sent the message, logged off, and went to sleep.

...

The next morning at ten o'clock, fireworks and firecrackers filled the air on Tiesha Street as Tu Hongbin's Beef Village opened. Four flower baskets were placed at the entrance, and a long string of firecrackers covered the ground, creating a festive atmosphere more lively than a wedding.

Kan Wanlin and his gang came to support, and Liu Handong invited Hu Lei and others to join in. Tu Hongbin, dressed in a new suit with a flower pinned to his chest, was beaming. The more people who came, the more face he saved. The only regret was that Huabao and Village Chief Huadeyi were "on a business trip" and couldn't attend, which was a pity.

Hu Lianhe, Hu Lei's father, also came and met Liu Handong, shaking his hand, "Liu, the matter you asked me to look into is settled. There's an empty house in the village that fits your requirements. The rent is cheap, it's not on the street, and it's very quiet, near the village entrance with a small pond in front."

Liu Handong said, "I know the place, No. 13 in the first team, right? The house number is a bit special."

Hu Lianhe said, "Yes, it's No. 13. The yard is quite large, and you can get it for five hundred yuan a month. It's a great deal."

...

The next day, at ten o'clock in the morning, fireworks and firecrackers filled the air on Tiesha Street as Tu Hongbin's Beef Village opened. Four flower baskets were placed at the entrance, and a long string of firecrackers covered the ground, creating a festive atmosphere more lively than a wedding.

Kan Wanlin and his gang came to support, and Liu Handong invited Hu Lei and others to join in. Tu Hongbin, dressed in a new suit with a flower pinned to his chest, was beaming. The more people who came, the more face he saved. The only regret was that Huabao and Village Chief Huadeyi were "on a business trip" and couldn't attend, which was a pity.

Hu Lianhe, Hu Lei's father, also came and met Liu Handong, shaking his hand, "Liu, the matter you asked me to look into is settled. There's an empty house in the village that fits your requirements. The rent is cheap, it's not on the street, and it's very quiet, near the village entrance with a small pond in front."

Liu Handong said, "I know the place, No. 13 in the first team, right? The house number is a bit special."

Hu Lianhe said, "Yes, it's No. 13. The yard is quite large, and you can get it for five hundred yuan a month. It's a great deal."