Zhao Zichen was unimpressed with my caution: “If this criminal gang is that cautious, they won’t get too many of their own people to get in touch with Shi Sheng. The more people they have in contact with Shi Sheng, the higher the risk of exposure. Shi Sheng used to be so flamboyant, going to prostitutes every night, it’s too easy to know his whereabouts, there’s no need to get someone to keep an eye on him anymore.”
“Let’s hope I’m the one being mediocre.” I let out a long sigh, hoping that Zhao Zichen was the one who was right.
In fact, Zhao Zichen had a point, there was no need for someone like Shi Sheng to spend a special person to keep an eye on him anymore, which in turn increased the possibility of exposing the crime syndicate.
But who can say if this crime syndicate will really put a nail in Shi Sheng’s side and keep an eye on him every day.
This possibility may only be one in 10,000, but one in 10,000, if it happens, is a catastrophe of extinction.
In the blink of an eye, it was dawn and Zhao Zichen left the wood-fired wonton shop first.
I contacted Cai Xiaobing, who said someone was already keeping an eye on Luo Wang Pier.
Baldy also went with Zhao Zichen, so at least it would be safer with Baldy around.
An hour after Zhao Zichen left, I also left the wood-fired wonton shop. I turned on my mobile phone and found that all the calls were from Chu Xiao Xiao.
I was very sorry, but now was not the time to explain to Chu Xiaoxiao, so I had to wait until the deal was over before I could go and apologise to her.
Cai Xiaobing and the others rented a private house to live in. The house was very inconspicuous and the security conditions were mediocre, mainly because of the tenants, there were all kinds of people living here and they would not attract attention.
I knocked on the door, there was no movement inside, I didn’t hurry, after thirty seconds I knocked again.
A muffled voice came from the door, “Who is it?”
“Me.”
The door brushed open and Cai Xiaobing grinned at me, “Captain, Nim is finally here, everyone is here and just waiting for you.”
As soon as I entered, the eight people in the room stood up in unison, saluting me in unison and yelling in a low voice, “Captain!”
“It’s you guys! Big Eye, Ah Min, Old Yu, Rat, Old Li, Meng Meng, Fox, why are you all here?!”
These were all my old comrades from the Snow Leopards, the ones I was with, the ones I lived and died with! I really didn’t expect to have the chance to see them again.
Looking at their faces, which were tanned by the ultraviolet rays of the plateau, my throat felt like a stone was blocked in my throat and my eyes were sore.
Fox was a small man who was a good sniper and was the marksman of our team, but the boy was so sharp-tongued that he looked like a fox, hence the nickname.
In our army, we don’t call each other by our real names, but use nicknames instead. This was for fear that the enemy would hear his real name when he was on a mission, which would be a problem in case of retaliation later.
The fox also had red eyes and rushed up to give me a bear hug: “Captain! We never thought we’d see you again!”
“Yes, Captain, I never thought we’d be on a mission together again!”
“Captain, we’re going to win a great battle this time!”
“Yes! We must win a beautiful battle this time!”
I was so excited that I didn’t know what to say, my heart was so moved, honestly, even Junran’s hundred million dollar fortune was not as important as these brothers, only when I was with these brothers did I feel truly safe.
I sat everyone down and asked Cai Xiaobing, “How did the old man get you to get everyone here in one breath?”
Cai Xiaobing scratched his head and said with a naive smile, “The old chief said that the enemy this time was an arms maker and there must be no shortage of guns, so it was too dangerous. Instead of bringing ordinary soldiers over and risking their lives on the mission, we should send our Snow Leopard’s most elite troops out.” I thought, “Isn’t the most elite unit our squad? So I brought everyone to work.”
I gave him a smack on the head and laughed, “You’re quite good at sticking it in your own face.”
Old Yu was thirty-four years old, a veteran of the squad, he was mainly responsible for communications, experienced and about to be discharged.
Old Yu was much steadier and smiled at me, “Captain, actually everyone wanted to come and see you. How are you getting on here?”
“My captain should not be too imposing here! Not only is he a special forces captain, he’s also the richest man in Tong City, the youngest owner of the largest conglomerate in Tong City. It’s much better than being a big head soldier in our place, the Snow Leopard.”
“Cai Xiaobing you don’t talk nonsense. If you’re talking nonsense, I’ll tell the old man about you using your mission time to pick up girls and chase your girlfriend, and rule you a private matter. I’m not doing too badly here, but seriously, I miss the Snow Leopards, and if everything here is over in the future, I’d like to come back to our Snow Leopards.”
I’m not being pretentious, I really mean what I say. I was bored with the deceitfulness of the city. This place looked safe inland, but it was as dangerous as the battlefields on the border.
When I was on the battlefield, all justice and fairness could be done as long as I had my dear comrades to protect me.
But what about in this place of Tong City?
This place is so dark, so damn dark.
The deaths of Ms Lin and Sun Qiaoqiao made me feel physically and mentally exhausted, and I also felt like I was actually useless and couldn’t protect anyone.
Now looking at the simple smiles of my comrades, I had forgotten that there were simple and reliable people like them in this world.
The big eye is a bald man who was a monk before joining the army, with a tiger’s head and particularly large eyes. With your qualifications, it’s not impossible for you to enlist for a second time. Even if you can’t, you’re welcome to come back for a visit!”
I laughed and said, “Good, with your words, I have to come back. Don’t talk nice now and then run away when it’s time for you to treat yourself to a lamb kebab.”
Everyone laughed, and Big Eye laughed, “Captain, I only get paid that much a month.”
I rubbed his bald head, “Silly boy, didn’t you hear your brother Cai say that I’m now the richest man in the city, so I can’t let you treat me to lamb kebabs? We’ll work hard, and when the mission is over, we can eat whatever we want!”
The soldiers were all very simple, and immediately became serious at the mention of the mission.
Old Yu had already converted this temporary accommodation into a temporary combat command centre.
Cai Xiaobing said, “Captain, we’ve brought three guns over, take a look.”
He took me to another room, this one filled with black boxes, these were all for equipment and weapons. The old man had really paid his dues this time, and he was willing to let Cai Xiaobing bring out these good guys.
“Light 50.”
I opened a long black box and stared at the gun in the box, my eyes instantly lit up, after leaving the army, I hadn’t touched a gun for most of the year except for the pistol.
I took the gun out, this stockless construction gave the rifle a shorter body, longer range and more accuracy.
I gestured at the ceiling with the gun and heard Cai Xiaobing say, “Captain, there are a total of three surveillance points, Nim stare at one for a while.”
“You’re just good at kissing a*s, I’ll take this favor. It’s really been a long time since I’ve touched a gun, my hands are itching.”
