Chapter 56

Chapter 57: Killing Intent

As dusk fell and the streetlights came on, Fat Qiao treated Zhao Heng and Song Qingguan to a feast at a restaurant outside the school’s west gate to celebrate his successful entry into the Dance Association. He popped open three bottles of beer with his chopsticks and then handed them to Zhao Heng and Song Qingguan. Song Qingguan, holding a ten-yuan bottle of beer, shook his head at Fat Qiao:

"Heaven has no eyes, no eyes at all!"

"You actually got into the Dance Association, it seems the coach must be blind."

Amidst Song Qingguan’s teasing, Fat Qiao chuckled, "What do you mean by blind? This is a keen eye for talent. I just shook my hips a couple of times, and the dance coach was stunned. Then he insisted I join the association, even waiving the five hundred yuan membership fee. It’s all thanks to my electric hips."

"Do you understand what electric hips are? American star Diana is like that."

Zhao Heng took a swig of beer. His injuries were mostly healed, so a little beer wouldn’t hurt, especially since he had never been drunk before: "Old Two, are you sure it was your fat that attracted the coach? You’re not playing tricks again, are you? If you embarrass us, we won’t help you."

Song Qingguan also took a couple of sips and continued to tease with a smile: "Brother Heng, we don’t need to guess. He must have ‘found’ a thousand yuan during the test, which fell out of the coach’s pocket. The dance coach then subtly accepted him, after all, it’s hard to find someone so considerate in bribing."

"Huh?"

Fat Qiao put on an exaggerated expression: "Brother Qingguan, how did you know?"

Song Qingguan got goosebumps: "Get lost!"

Qiao Yuncai burst out laughing and then picked up a piece of poached chicken for Zhao Heng: "Brother Heng, believe me, I absolutely didn’t play any tricks. It was really my electric hips that moved the dance coach. With just a little training, I can definitely perform African belly dance, even in a natural style."

Zhao Heng’s hand holding the beer bottle froze.

"Spit!"

Song Qingguan spat out his beer onto the ground and coughed, "Africa? I believe you now. I doubt you could do any other dance, but I’m convinced about the belly dance. Old Two, I’ll drink to my apology for doubting you." Song Qingguan apologized seriously, but his face was dripping with laughter.

"Laugh, laugh."

Qiao Yuncai didn’t care about their teasing and indulged himself: "Wait until I charm the beauties in the dance team, and see if you’re not envious. No, Song Qingguan will be drooling. As for the boss, Du Ziyang will be won over in a few days." At this point, he looked meaningfully at Zhao Heng:

"Boss, how’s it going?"

He laughed: "Qingguan saw Du Ziyang with you again this afternoon."

At the word "again," Qiao Yuncai put in extra effort.

Zhao Heng said nonchalantly: "Du Tianxiong was with me too."

"Spit!"

Qiao Yuncai and Song Qingguan spat out their beer simultaneously: "What? Boss Du?"

Song Qingguan suddenly thought of something: "Could that middle-aged man be Du Tianxiong?"

Zhao Heng exhaled a long breath and leaned back in his chair: "That’s right! He brought Du Ziyang to school today and played around in the Calligraphy and Painting Association." As he spoke, he explained everything, and Qiao Yuncai and Song Qingguan became increasingly astonished. But when they heard about Du Tianxiong’s handling of the situation, they cheered:

"Great! With Du Tianxiong involved, the Qing Gang won’t dare to act rashly."

Zhao Heng smiled faintly: "Do you really believe in Du Tianxiong?"

Song Qingguan thought for a moment and said softly: "Boss, although Zhang Xiaolin is a big shot in Huanghai, he still falls short compared to Du Tianxiong. Zhang Xiaolin is in the underworld, while Du Tianxiong plays the game of officials, businessmen, and the underworld. It’s rumored that he has connections with many powerful figures in Beijing. Even the Ding family seems like a dog in front of him."

"As long as he agrees to resolve this, Zhang Xiaolin won’t dare to stab us in the back."

Zhao Heng was both concerned and unconcerned about Du Tianxiong’s mediation. He relied on himself and his trump card, but he still listened to Song Qingguan’s analysis. In Zhao Heng’s original plan, he would settle in Huanghai University for a while before focusing on Huanghai. However, a robbery case had dragged him into a vortex, making it difficult to follow his plan. But Zhao Heng, a natural leader, knew how to adjust his strategy. He looked at Song Qingguan and Fat Qiao:

"Although Du Tianxiong is influential, and Ziyang is involved."

"But whether the Qing Gang will really back off can only be determined when we meet them the day after tomorrow."

Zhao Heng maintained his clarity: "If you were Zhang Xiaolin, would you really back down after I cut off the hands of over a hundred of his gang members? It’s unlikely. Even if Du Tianxiong pressures him, it’s just a temporary measure. Zhang Xiaolin will definitely stab us in the back, so we can’t let our guard down."

"Moreover, people are unpredictable. Du Tianxiong might turn on me."

Zhao Heng drank his beer and smiled at the stunned duo: "Of course, the chances are slim, but it’s possible. So, Fat Qiao, you need to do something. If I’m in trouble and about to die tomorrow, call this number and tell them I, Zhao Heng, am in trouble."

Fat Qiao was overjoyed: "Brother, so awesome? You have connections?"

Zhao Heng glared at him and replied irritably: "I have a back view! If I really had connections, would the Qing Gang dare to send people to cut me? It’s a friend who owes me a favor. I’m giving you this number because you remain calm and resolute in a crisis, unlike Qingguan, who would lose his composure."

Song Qingguan smiled sheepishly; he indeed wasn’t as steady as Fat Qiao.

Fat Qiao, flattered by Zhao Heng’s praise, said: "Brother Heng, don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s done."

Zhao Heng handed him a slip of paper and repeatedly instructed: "Memorize this number in a corner, then eat the paper. Remember, only call it when I’m in absolute dire straits. What does absolute mean? It means there’s no room for negotiation, and no one can save me. Don’t call it as long as there’s any hope."

Fat Qiao took the paper and nodded: "Understood."

Watching Fat Qiao’s back, Song Qingguan teased: "Brother Heng, aren’t you afraid Fat Qiao will mess up?"

Zhao Heng didn’t directly answer Song Qingguan’s question. He finished the last half of his beer and then said with a playful tone: "Old Three, do you really think Old Two’s chess skills are so poor and embarrassing, and that he won Zhao Siqing online with a phone app, not his own strength?"

Song Qingguan was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Zhao Heng to ask this seemingly irrelevant question. He looked up at Zhao Heng’s warm smile and said softly, scratching his head: "Isn’t that the case? I saw him cheat, and he lost thirteen games to Zhao Siqing that night. Could he have lost on purpose?"

Zhao Heng smiled faintly: "Life is unpredictable."

"Zhao Siqing’s chess skills are far beyond what a two-hundred-yuan app can defeat."

As Song Qingguan’s expression changed, Zhao Heng added firmly:

"However, he is our good brother."

At that moment, a text message arrived on Zhao Heng’s phone from Jiang Changlong. The message made him frown. When Song Qingguan looked puzzled, Zhao Heng said calmly: "The Qing Gang issued a kill order against me this morning and sent some Iron Arhats to deal with me. It seems we need to head back to school early."

"Ah? Didn’t Du Tianxiong resolve this?"

Song Qingguan was stunned and looked around: "Does Zhang Xiaolin dare to ignore the Du family?"

Zhao Heng finished his cup of tea, his gaze becoming deep and resolute: "The Qing Gang issued the kill order in the morning, and Du Tianxiong only intervened in the afternoon. Zhang Xiaolin can take advantage of the time difference or act independently. Regardless, he will launch an attack. Qingguan, let’s settle the bill and leave. I’ll call Fat Qiao."

Although the restaurant was right next to the school’s west gate, separated only by a wall, it was still an off-campus environment where the Qing Gang could cause trouble, full of unpredictable variables. Zhao Heng wanted to enter the school grounds early, as the Qing Gang wouldn’t dare to cause a commotion on Huanghai University’s territory.

Song Qingguan hurried to settle the bill, while Zhao Heng walked to the window where Qiao Yuncai was standing.

Just as he put his arm around Qiao Yuncai’s shoulder and headed for the stairs, a sense of danger made Zhao Heng turn his head sharply. His eyes, like lightning, scanned the open window. Outside, a man’s figure was vaguely visible, looking at Zhao Heng with a casual yet chilling gaze. Their eyes met, and both were slightly startled.

They saw the cold, sharp look in each other’s eyes.

A leaf, carried by the cold wind, swirled in the darkness.

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