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

Chapter 390 Conflicts of Interest at the Top

"Who!" Lin Zhiyuan's bodyguard immediately raised his gun and turned towards Su Hanze.

"Don't shoot!" Su Hanze whispered. "We're Tang Yuxi's people!"

Lin Zhiyuan frowned and gestured for his bodyguard to lower his gun: "Tang Yuxi? Where is she?"

"You're safe." Su Hanze stood up, his gun still pointed at him. "But you're being watched."

Lin Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes and glanced around: "Grey Wolf's men?"

"You know?" Su Hanze's tone turned cold.

"I guessed." Lin Zhiyuan exhaled a puff of smoke. "Director Tang already knew someone was watching him."

"So you still dare to come?" A-Biao frowned and stepped out from behind the car.

“There’s no choice,” Lin Zhiyuan said coldly. “Yu Xi is the director’s lifeline; he won’t let anything happen to her.”

Su Hanze remained silent, his gaze sweeping towards the open space. Yu Xi had already run back, panting, and hid behind a container. The red light of the flare gradually faded, and several dark figures were approaching.

“There are still five people left,” Su Hanze said in a low voice. “We have to hurry.”

Lin Zhiyuan nodded, signaling the bodyguards to prepare: "How many of you are there?"

“Three,” Su Hanze said briefly. “That’s enough.”

"I hope so." Lin Zhiyuan threw away his cigarette butt, drew his pistol, and said, "Get in the car, we have to go."

Su Hanze pulled Yu Xi and Abiao into the car quickly. Lin Zhiyuan and his two bodyguards also got in. The driver slammed on the gas, and the car sped out of the dock and into the night.

Silence fell over the car, broken only by the low growl of the engine and the sound of tires rolling over the pavement. Su Hanze sat in the back seat, his gun still in his hand. Yu Xi leaned against the window, gazing out with a complex expression. A Biao rubbed his shoulder, muttering under his breath, "When will this mess ever end?"

"We'll talk when we get there," Lin Zhiyuan said coldly. "The director is waiting for you."

"Where is he?" Yu Xi couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with urgency.

"A safe place." Lin Zhiyuan didn't explain further. "You just need to get there alive."

Su Hanze narrowed his eyes and stared at the back of Lin Zhiyuan's head: "You better not be lying."

Lin Zhiyuan sneered: "I have no reason to lie to you. The director said that as long as you bring Yuxi to safety, he will give you what you want."

The car sped along the dark night road, the dilapidated streetlights flickering as if welcoming the uninvited guests. The car was eerily quiet, broken only by the roar of the engine and the occasional screech of tires against the pavement. Su Hanze's cold gaze swept over everyone in the car, his fingertips lightly touching the barrel of his gun, seemingly considering every possible risk.

Yu Xi leaned against the window, her face pale, her eyes slightly wide, watching the scenery rushing past outside. She didn't look at Lin Zhiyuan and the bodyguard, but silently processed everything that had just happened. Her heart was in turmoil, but she still didn't ask any more questions. She knew she had to stay calm tonight, because the person behind her had already made a decisive move.

"The director has prepared everything you want," Lin Zhiyuan said coldly from the front row, his voice low and seemingly tinged with contempt. "If you truly desire it, he will certainly not disappoint you."

Su Hanze didn't answer, his eyes scanning everyone in the car before finally settling on Lin Zhiyuan's cold, aloof back. He knew perfectly well that the "director" Lin Zhiyuan spoke of wasn't a true ally; in fact, the trust between them was practically nonexistent. Su Hanze didn't fully trust this man, and was even somewhat wary of him, since his protection of Tang Yuxi seemed more for personal reasons than out of genuine loyalty.

The car continued along the dimly lit street, gradually entering a quiet area. The buildings here weren't as densely packed as in the city center; instead, there were low warehouses and open spaces, with little natural light. The car slowly came to a stop, and Lin Zhiyuan's bodyguard got out first, cautiously observing the surroundings.

"We've arrived," Lin Zhiyuan said coldly, then gestured to Su Hanze in the back seat.

Su Hanze gestured for Yu Xi and Abiao to get out of the car as well. The three of them stepped out of the car together, took a few deep breaths, and the chaos of their hasty action earlier flashed through their minds. Every operation felt like playing with their lives, and this time seemed even more dangerous.

The atmosphere here was more oppressive than Su Hanze had expected. The area was deserted, with only a silent warehouse and dark alleyways. The sound of the car door closing made the surrounding air even more still.

"Hurry up," Lin Zhiyuan ordered, leading them into one of the dilapidated warehouses.

The warehouse was dimly lit, its interior piled high with various equipment and materials. A musty, dusty smell filled the air, indicating it hadn't been there in a long time. In the center of the warehouse stood a table, scattered with documents and a few simple chairs. Su Hanze scanned the surroundings, a vague unease creeping into his heart. How could this place possibly be Director Tang's true hiding place?
"Is this what you call the 'safe zone'?" Su Hanze asked in a low voice.

"Wait a moment." Lin Zhiyuan didn't answer, but simply gestured for them to sit down. Then he walked to the table and started making a phone call. The ringing of the phone echoed jarringly in the quiet warehouse.

"Are they watching us too?" A-Biao couldn't help but ask in a low voice, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Su Hanze didn't answer, but simply watched Lin Zhiyuan's retreating figure. This man gave him an ominous feeling, as if things were far more complex than they appeared. Lin Zhiyuan seemed decisive and efficient, but in Su Hanze's eyes, his every gesture and expression revealed an unspeakable concealment.

“Yes, quite a few people are probably watching us.” Lin Zhiyuan put down the phone and gave them a cold look. “But don’t worry, Director Tang will come to see you as soon as possible.”

"Director Tang?" Yu Xi repeated the name softly, her eyes filled with confusion. "He wouldn't... wouldn't he want to drag us into even bigger trouble?"

Lin Zhiyuan didn't answer, turning to look at the door. His bodyguards were already quietly standing to the side, their eyes warily scanning their surroundings. Time ticked by, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Su Hanze suddenly heard an unknown noise coming from afar. The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent space. As the sound grew clearer, it seemed like some ominous premonition, making the entire air feel heavy.

"It's finally here." Su Hanze's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly stood up. Lin Zhiyuan's gaze sharpened, as if he had sensed something amiss. "What did you hear?"

“We’re being watched,” Su Hanze replied coldly.

The words had barely left his lips when the light at the door flickered, and hurried footsteps echoed outside the warehouse. Several dark figures appeared at the doorway, and then the warehouse door was violently flung open.

"Found it!" A clear, cold voice rang out, followed by a series of hurried footsteps.

Su Hanze frowned, knowing something was terribly wrong. Lin Zhiyuan's expression grew even more serious; he gave his bodyguards a look, signaling them to prepare for battle.

"Go now!" Lin Zhiyuan commanded coldly.

However, the warehouse entrance was completely blocked off. Several dark figures stood outside, guns raised. Su Hanze and Abiao quickly slipped into a corner nearby, while Yu Xi was protected behind them.

“Grey Wolf’s men!” Su Hanze cursed in a low voice, “It really was them.”

"You guys are really fast." Lin Zhiyuan's face darkened, and he raised his hand to signal to the bodyguards.

Su Hanze was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected their enemy to be so precise, even their tracking speed was so fast. Clearly, their operation had been completely infiltrated long ago.

"Attack!" A dark figure raised a pistol and fired sharply into the warehouse. The gunshots were deafening, and the smell of gunpowder filled the entire space.

"Quick!" Su Hanze grabbed Yu Xi and rushed to the side. A burst of gunfire erupted behind them, bullets slamming violently against the metal wall of the warehouse. With a scream, one of the bodyguards fell to the ground.

"Damn it!" A-Biao roared, quickly jumping out of cover and joining Su Hanze in retaliating.

Gunfire and explosions mingled together, turning the entire warehouse into a battlefield. Su Hanze calmly and swiftly retaliated, each shot precise and accurate. His eyes seemed to be able to detect the enemy's every move, leaving no room for error.

Yu Xi was pulled out of the warehouse, the echoes in the corridor growing louder and louder. Only one thought occupied her mind—to survive, to survive as long as possible.

The gunshots and explosions faded into the distance, leaving the warehouse a scene of utter devastation, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder. Su Hanze and A Biao advanced rapidly through the smoke; their cover was now useless, the walls riddled with bullet holes, and dust and debris from the ceiling floated in the air. Su Hanze quickly pulled out his communicator and whispered, "Find Yu Xi, quick!"

A-Biao nodded, quickly skirting around a pile of broken equipment, and headed towards the exit. Almost at the same moment, Su Hanze's gaze swept over that familiar figure—Yu Xi was leaning against a dilapidated wooden door, her face pale, but her eyes were so resolute. Behind her stood a man with a cold gaze; it was Tang Zhenhai.

"You've finally arrived." Tang Zhenhai's voice was deep and calm, seemingly unfazed by the gunfight that had just taken place. His gaze wasn't directed at Su Hanze, but rather fixed on Yu Xi, his eyes filled with undisguised concern and complex emotions.

"Dad..." Yu Xi's voice choked slightly, her eyes moistening. She tried to control her emotions and appear calm. "Are you alright?"

Tang Zhenhai nodded gently, reaching out to stroke her hair, a long-lost tenderness in his eyes. "It's alright, it's alright." He turned to look at Su Hanze, his gaze complex. "You'll soon understand why I didn't show myself immediately."

Su Hanze's eyes instantly turned cold. He looked at Tang Zhenhai and slowly said, "I know you don't want to expose yourself, but at a time like this, it's best not to play any more secretive tricks." His voice carried a hint of suppressed anger and anxiety.

Tang Zhenhai sneered, without answering, but looked around with a deep gaze, as if assessing how to proceed next.

“We need to hurry.” Ah Biao came over from the side, holding a gun in his hand, his eyes filled with tension and anxiety. “This place is no longer safe; the Gray Wolves’ men could surround us again at any moment.”

“Yes.” Tang Zhenhai nodded, his voice turning cold and hard. “Let’s leave here and go to a safe place.”

"A safe place?" Su Hanze raised an eyebrow. "Where do you mean, a safe place?"

Tang Zhenhai didn't answer, but simply gestured for Yu Xi to walk ahead, with himself following closely behind. Su Hanze's heart skipped a beat, instantly realizing that Tang Zhenhai's concealment wasn't without reason. Since he didn't intend to reveal everything completely, the mystery could only be unveiled step by step during the operation.

Outside the warehouse, the night sky remained dark, and all was quiet except for the occasional passing vehicle, bringing a faint glimmer of light. A few people moved silently, their steps light and quick under the dim streetlights.

"Yu Xi..." Su Hanze called softly from behind, his gaze fixed intently on her. "Do you know your father's plans?"

Yu Xi didn't answer immediately, but instead lowered her head and quickened her pace. Clearly, she hesitated about her father's choice, perhaps even feeling confused or doubtful about some of the decisions made. However, when faced with Su Hanze's question, she didn't avoid it as usual, but instead paused slightly and turned her head.

“I know his plan is far more complicated than we imagine,” she said in a low voice, “but for now, we have no choice but to trust him.”

"Then do you know what the Grey Wolf's goal is?" Su Hanze continued to ask, his tone tinged with urgency.

“We…” Yu Xi bit her lip, seemingly considering whether to tell the truth. “My father has been investigating a very dangerous person, and it has even involved some high-level conflicts of interest.” She paused, her eyes flickering, “That person’s name is Lin Feng.”

Lin Feng—the name seemed to leap from the darkness like a ghost, carrying an inexplicable sense of threat. Su Hanze's brow furrowed, a chill running through him. He had heard of this name months ago: Lin Feng, a businessman who knew everything and was omnipotent in the underworld. However, only today did he truly realize the profound influence this figure wielded.

"Your father is investigating him?" Su Hanze's tone became even calmer. "Just who is he?"

“He used to be a senior advisor to the government,” Yu Xi said softly, “but he was dismissed for some unknown reason and his whereabouts are still unknown.” She paused, her eyes slightly complicated, “However, not long ago, my father discovered that he might be involved in several black market transactions and even directly involved in arms smuggling.”

Su Hanze remained silent, but his mind was in turmoil. If Lin Feng was truly as Yu Xi said, then this clue would lead them to an even more dangerous situation.

“We have to find him and break this game.” Su Hanze’s voice was low and firm. “Otherwise, this situation will only get more and more complicated.”

(End of this chapter)