Hong Kong Film: Short mules have no future, I am in charge of Hong Kong

Chapter 367 Finding an Opportunity to Make a Move

Xia Xue snorted, with a hint of disdain: "You seem to have a lot of faith in him."

“It’s not confidence, it’s understanding.” Su Hanze finally stopped, turned to look at her, and smiled meaningfully. “Ajiu is the kind of person who lives on the edge of a knife, as cautious as a cat. He doesn’t trust us, but he won’t betray us easily either, because he knows the price of betrayal.”

Xia Xue didn't reply, only nodded silently. She knew Su Hanze was right, but she still didn't like this passive situation. The two continued walking, bypassing an abandoned stockpile by the dock, and arrived at a secluded street corner. It was a bit far from the port, and the streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, making the surrounding cobblestones gleam with a damp light. A faint smell of tobacco filled the air, as if someone had just smoked there.

"Wait here." Su Hanze stopped, leaned against a low wall, took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. The flame flickered on his face, highlighting his sharply defined features.

Xia Xue stood beside him, her hands in her trench coat pockets, her gaze sweeping around from time to time: "What do you think is the deal between Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan? Those boxes... don't look like ordinary goods."

“Of course not.” Su Hanze exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze calm. “Shen Changqing’s business has never been as simple as it appears on the surface. Human trafficking is only one part of his business. Those boxes may contain weapons, or they may contain other more valuable things.”

"Arms?" Xia Xue frowned, lowering her voice even further. "You mean, they're doing this kind of business in Macau?"

“Macau is a good place.” Su Hanze smiled, with a hint of sarcasm. “It’s quiet on the surface, but it’s actually a den of iniquity. Every ship that comes and goes in the port is carrying something shady. Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan are just taking advantage of that.”

Xia Xue was silent for a moment, her gaze falling on the cigarette butt in Su Hanze's hand. The red glow flickered in the night, as if reminding her of the passage of time. She suddenly spoke, "What do you think will happen if this operation fails?"

Su Hanze glanced at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it on the ground, his voice low and menacing: "Failure? Then we might have to stay here, never to get out."

Xia Xue didn't speak again, but took a deep breath. She knew Su Hanze wasn't bluffing; he was telling the truth. Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan's influence in Macau was deeply entrenched, and if they were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Just then, a soft footstep sounded from the other end of the street corner. Su Hanze and Xia Xue simultaneously became alert, leaning forward slightly and hiding in the shadows of the corner. The footsteps grew closer, and accompanied by a low cough, a tall, thin figure emerged from the darkness.

It's Ajiu.

He wore a tattered gray long gown, a felt hat pulled low over his head, and a black cloth covering his face, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes. His footsteps were so light they were almost inaudible, and he carried a short knife in his hand, the scabbard gleaming coldly in the dim light.

"What are you all dawdling about here for?" A-Jiu's voice was low and impatient. "Shen Changqing's men have already started their operation. Do you want to wait until dawn?"

Su Hanze straightened up, dusted off his hands, and said calmly, "We're waiting for your news. You're too late."

Ajiu sneered, removing the black cloth from his face to reveal a gaunt one. His eyes were cold, as if he didn't care about Su Hanze's words at all: "Too late? I've been watching those people outside the warehouse, I can see them better than you can. Shen Changqing will personally go to the dock tonight to inspect the next batch of goods."

"The next batch of goods?" Xia Xue frowned. "You mean, those boxes from earlier weren't all of them?"

“Of course not.” Ajiu’s tone was tinged with sarcasm. “Do you think Shen Changqing would put everything in one warehouse? That’s just a cover. The real goods are on another ship, arriving at 10 p.m. tonight.”

Su Hanze narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering on Ajiu's face for a moment: "How did you know?"

Ajiu snorted, too lazy to explain: "I have my own way. If you don't believe me, you can look it up yourself."

"I believe you." Su Hanze smiled, his tone devoid of any emotion. "So, tell me, where is the next ship?"

Ajiu pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Su Hanze: "This is a map of the dock, I've marked the location. The ship is called 'Hailong,' and it will dock at ten o'clock tonight. Shen Changqing will personally bring people to pick it up, so you'd better not be slow."

Su Hanze took the paper, unfolded it, glanced at it, and nodded: "Okay, we'll go. But, Ajiu, why are you working so hard?"

Ajiu's eyes turned cold, and her grip on the knife hilt tightened slightly: "I'm helping you, not for your sake, but for my own. I have to take back what Shen Changqing owes me."

Xia Xue couldn't help but interject, "What exactly is your grudge against Shen Changqing?"

Ajiu glanced at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his indifference: "This is none of your business. Do your own thing and don't hold me back."

Xia Xue wanted to say something more, but Su Hanze gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to stop asking. He folded the map, put it in his pocket, and looked up at Ajiu: "We'll be there at ten o'clock. What about you?"

“I have my own plans,” Ajiu said coldly. “Don’t worry about me, just keep an eye on Shen Changqing.”

After saying that, he pulled the black cloth up, turned around and disappeared into the night, his footsteps as light as a breeze.

Xia Xue watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Is this guy reliable or not?"

“He’s reliable,” Su Hanze said calmly. “At least when it comes to dealing with Shen Changqing, his goal is the same as ours.”

Xia Xue didn't speak again, only nodded silently. The two quickly left the street corner and headed towards the dock. The night grew deeper, and a damp chill filled the air. The streets near the dock gradually became lively; several drunkards staggered out of a tavern, humming off-key songs. Su Hanze and Xia Xue walked past quickly with their heads down, trying not to attract attention.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the dock, they found a secluded corner and hid behind several piles of abandoned wooden crates. The Hailong had not yet arrived, but a number of people had already gathered on the dock, mostly workers dressed in coarse cloth clothes, and a few men in black long gowns, clearly Shen Changqing's men.

"Look over there," Xia Xue said softly, pointing to a small boat by the dock. A tall man stood on the boat, wearing a black trench coat, his back to them, seemingly staring at the sea.

“It’s Shen Changqing.” Su Hanze narrowed his eyes, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. “He really did come in person.”

Xia Xue nodded, her hand already inside her trench coat pocket, gripping the dagger concealed within. Her eyes sharpened, like a cheetah ready to pounce: "Shall we make our move now?"

“No rush.” Su Hanze took her hand and shook his head. “Let’s wait until the ship docks and see their deal clearly.” Xia Xue frowned, but still released her grip on the dagger. She knew Su Hanze’s judgment was correct, but her unease grew stronger. Shen Changqing’s appearance had made the situation even more complicated. They not only had to deal with Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan’s transaction, but also had to be wary of Ajiu’s movements, and even those unknown forces lurking in the shadows.

Time ticked by, and finally, the outline of a ship appeared on the sea. The lights of the Hailong were particularly dazzling in the night. The ship slowly approached the dock, accompanied by a deep rumble. The dockworkers immediately busied themselves, preparing to receive the cargo. Shen Changqing stood on the small boat, his gaze coldly sweeping across the dock, seemingly confirming that everything was going smoothly.

"They're here," Su Hanze said in a low voice, leaning forward slightly, ready to act at any moment.

Xia Xue nodded, her gaze fixed on the Hailong. After the ship docked, several workers quickly boarded and began unloading the cargo. Unlike the boxes she had seen in the warehouse before, this time the cargo was packed in several huge wooden crates, each with a red seal that made them particularly eye-catching.

"What are these?" Xia Xue asked in a low voice.

"I don't know," Su Hanze said calmly, "but it's definitely not ordinary stuff. The fact that Shen Changqing came to pick it up personally means that these goods are quite valuable."

Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the other side of the dock. It was Tang Jingshan. He wore a dark robe, walked with a steady gait, and was followed by several thugs. His appearance instantly heightened the tension on the dock; the workers unconsciously slowed their movements, as if afraid of angering him.

"Mr. Shen, the goods have arrived." Tang Jingshan walked to Shen Changqing's side, his voice low. "Are your men ready?"

“Of course.” Shen Changqing smiled, his tone carrying a hint of coldness. “I have always trusted Mr. Tang to do things.”

Tang Jingshan nodded, his gaze sweeping across the dock: "Then let's not waste time, let's begin."

Several thugs immediately stepped forward and opened a wooden crate. The crate was filled with long, rectangular objects wrapped in oilcloth, emitting a faint metallic smell. Su Hanze and Xia Xue exchanged a glance, both their eyes filled with shock.

"It's a gun," Xia Xue said softly, her fingers unconsciously clenching.

Su Hanze nodded, his eyes becoming even more profound: "It seems that Shen Changqing's business is bigger than we thought."

Tang Jingshan and Shen Changqing stood beside the wooden crate, talking in hushed tones. Their voices were too low for Su Hanze and Xia Xue to hear, but judging from their expressions, the transaction was clearly going smoothly.

"Should we make a move now?" Xia Xue asked in a low voice, her tone tinged with urgency.

“No.” Su Hanze shook his head. “If we act now, we’ll be surrounded by their people. We should wait until they finish their transaction and then make our move.”

Xia Xue gritted her teeth, forcing herself to calm down. She knew Su Hanze was right, but watching Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan make their deal so brazenly in front of her, she couldn't suppress her anger.

The transaction proceeded quickly; in less than half an hour, the wooden crates had been loaded onto a large truck parked at the dock. Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan shook hands, seemingly very satisfied with the cooperation. Afterward, Tang Jingshan left with his thugs, while Shen Changqing stayed behind to direct the workers to move the goods to another location.

"Follow Shen Changqing," Su Hanze said in a low voice, pulling Xia Xue along as they quietly followed.

They carefully circled the dock and followed Shen Changqing's group to a secluded street. At the end of the street stood an inconspicuous two-story building with a worn-out sign hanging at the entrance that read "Xinglong Trading Company." Shen Changqing led a few of his men inside, and the goods were carried into the building.

"This place doesn't seem simple," Xia Xue said softly, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding streets. The streets were deserted, with only a few dim streetlights illuminating the deathly silence.

"Go in and take a look." Su Hanze's tone was calm, but there was a hint of wariness in his eyes.

The two walked around to the back of the building and found a half-open back door. Behind the door was a narrow corridor, filled with a musty smell. Su Hanze gently pushed the door open and gestured for Xia Xue to follow. The two tiptoed into the building, trying not to make a sound.

At the end of the corridor was a spacious room filled with various boxes and sacks. Shen Changqing stood in the center of the room, talking to a man in a gray suit. The man wore thick glasses and had a deep, hoarse voice.

"Mr. Shen, the quality of this batch of goods is quite good," the bespectacled man said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "The people in Southeast Asia will be very satisfied."

"That's good." Shen Changqing smiled. "However, I need your assurance that there won't be any problems with this batch of goods."

"Don't worry." The bespectacled man nodded. "Our people have already made arrangements. This batch of goods will be delivered to the designated location first thing tomorrow morning."

Su Hanze and Xia Xue hid in a corner of the room, holding their breath as they listened to their conversation. Xia Xue's hand reached for the dagger again, but Su Hanze gently pressed her hand down and shook his head.

“Don’t make any rash moves,” he said in a low voice. “We need to figure out their next move.”

Xia Xue nodded, but a hint of resentment lingered in her eyes. She knew now wasn't the time to act, but her anger was growing stronger. Shen Changqing and Tang Jingshan's deal clearly involved a much larger network of interests, and they had only just touched the tip of the iceberg.

Just then, a soft thud came from the other side of the room, as if something had been knocked over. Shen Changqing and the bespectacled man both became alert and scanned their surroundings.

"Who's there?" Shen Changqing asked coldly, his voice carrying a hint of murderous intent.

Su Hanze and Xia Xue immediately pressed themselves against the wall, holding their breath. Their heartbeats were exceptionally clear in the silent room. Shen Changqing's men quickly dispersed and began searching every corner of the room.

"Damn it," Xia Xue whispered, her hand already gripping the dagger tightly.

"Don't move," Su Hanze's voice was so low it was almost inaudible. "Wait until they get closer."

Just then, a dark figure suddenly darted out from the other side of the room, moving with lightning speed. Before Shen Changqing's men could react, they were all felled by the figure's blade. Immediately afterward, a chaotic shouting erupted, and the entire room descended into chaos.

(End of this chapter)