Chapter 23: An Unexpected Ride in the Benz

The two hostesses led the men into the bar. Whether by design or coincidence, their movements were exaggerated, their hips swaying voluptuously before Zeng Fan and Chen Erpao’s eyes.

Suddenly, Zeng Fan reached out and gave the hostess in front of him a firm squeeze on her shapely behind, exclaiming, “Feels pretty good.”

Instead of getting angry, the hostess turned her head with a flirtatious smile, her eyes twinkling. In a low, sultry voice, she murmured, “I finish work at ten tonight. Still don’t know what to do afterward.”

No sooner had she finished than the other hostess glanced back at Chen Erpao and added, “Me too. Would be nice if someone invited us out for a late bite.”

“We’re not sure what to do tonight either. Why don’t you both wait for us? We’ll come pick you up,” Zeng Fan chuckled.

Inside the bar, the two hostesses parted from them with obvious reluctance, glancing back with coy, alluring smiles. With such practiced charm, it was little wonder if they reeled in a few rich fools every year.

“How about it? If you’re interested tonight, I’ll lend you my car so you can try the thrill of a double date,” Zeng Fan joked.

Chen Erpao waved him off with a roguish grin. “My tastes may not be pure, but I don’t go for just anything. Those two are decent enough, but who knows how many men have been with them in this bar? It’s fine to flirt a little, but nothing more.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve got that campus beauty on your mind,” Zeng Fan teased.

Just then, four young men approached with confident strides and sharp eyes. Chen Erpao instantly recognized the hallmark of trained fighters in all of them—no less skilled than last night’s top enforcer, Curly, and perhaps even more formidable.

“Let me introduce you: this is Xiao Li, Xiao Chen, Xiao Ma, and Xiao Zhang—my assistants,” Zeng Fan said, then gestured to Chen Erpao. “This is Brother Erpao.”

The four greeted Chen Erpao with immediate respect, chorusing, “Brother Erpao!”

They chose a private booth, but didn’t call any hostesses to join them. Inside, Zeng Fan shed his earlier casual demeanor, his face turning serious as he glanced frequently toward the door.

“Zeng, here’s all the information we’ve collected,” Xiao Li said, carefully handing over a folder. “It covers the division of power among the four major gangs, and includes dossiers on all the hall leaders and bosses.”

“You’ve done well, but be careful from now on. I suspect the Japanese are about to make a move. This time, they’ve invested heavily and allied with the world’s most powerful international crime syndicates. Don’t underestimate them,” Zeng Fan said suddenly. Chen Erpao was taken aback—what was this? International crime syndicates? These were leagues above the border drug traffickers he’d once fought.

“Erpao, I’m short of reliable men in Hong Kong right now. If things get critical, I hope you’ll stand by me. Let’s fight side by side again,” Zeng Fan said, turning to him with earnest gravity.

Chen Erpao didn’t answer right away. He’d retired and come to Hong Kong as a security guard to escape a life of bloodshed. But faced with a brother in need, could he really just stand aside?

“All right, I’ll help you,” he replied.

Zeng Fan beamed, throwing a powerful arm around Chen Erpao’s shoulders. The bond between them needed no words.

“I knew you would. And helping me means helping the country—this mission concerns the nation’s stability and prosperity. Besides, you know as well as I do: can men like us ever really settle into a quiet life?”

“I never thought about it. For now, my days are quiet enough, and the future is too far off to worry about,” Chen Erpao replied quietly.

They opened a few bottles of wine and drank deeply, avoiding further talk of business. By three or four in the afternoon, all were pleasantly tipsy and ready to leave. As they reached the bar’s entrance, the two hostesses from before shot them flirtatious glances, clearly promising to wait for them that evening. Emboldened by wine, Chen Erpao gave one of the girls a firm squeeze on her pert backside. The sensation was surprisingly good—so much so that, to his own amusement, he found himself comparing her to Wang Xuemei.

“Erpao, take the car. It’s a government vehicle. If you help me with this mission, perhaps you’ll be in my shoes one day,” Zeng Fan said, suddenly handing him the keys to the Mercedes.

Chen Erpao was slightly startled—was Zeng Fan drunk, or would he regret this in the morning?

“Take it. For someone like me—a member of the country’s most mysterious organization—a Mercedes is nothing special. Besides, it’s not me giving it to you; it’s the state,” Zeng Fan insisted.

Chen Erpao had never intended to refuse. With Zeng Fan’s words, he simply accepted the keys. Driving a Mercedes to work as a security guard, courting the school’s prettiest girl—he’d be the envy of the profession.

“Well, we’ll be off. See you next time,” Zeng Fan and his four companions said their goodbyes and left. Watching them climb into a Lamborghini just fifty meters away, Chen Erpao finally understood why Zeng Fan could so casually give away the Mercedes—he had something even better.

“I wonder if this is easier to drive than an armored vehicle. Let’s find out.” Chen Erpao slid behind the wheel, fired up the engine, and with a gentle press of the pedal, the car surged forward in near silence.

“Brother, you’re amazing,” he murmured. Still, the Mercedes was ostentatious. Driving it to school every day might be too much—it wouldn’t do to disrupt the lives of the nation’s future. But once in a while couldn’t hurt.

After tinkering around at home for a while, he flopped onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Who knows how long he slept? Suddenly, a melodious song rang out: “The cold wind scatters the falling leaves, the army is a green flower, dear comrade, don’t miss home, our barracks are a warm family…” It was Xiao Zeng’s elegant voice.

Blinking awake, Chen Erpao glanced at his phone. The caller ID read: “Li Meili.”

He checked the time—already dinner hour. It had to be the old spinster. Well, he’d better brace himself for losing his innocence tonight.