Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

He Xingsheng General Hall.

This is an old-style tenement building located deep in Yau Ma Tei. It is three stories high, with mottled exterior walls and narrow staircases.

But those in the underworld know that this is where He Xingsheng holds meetings—a rule established decades ago when the gang was first founded, and it remains unchanged.

Third floor, main hall.

The atmosphere was tense, like a taut string.

In the very center stood a long, dark table, its surface covered with cigarette burn marks and water stains from teacups.

Uncle Quan sat at the head of the table.

Today he was wearing a dark Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a faint smile on his face.

But the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Tyrannosaurus Rex sat to his left, his face full of scars, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on Uncle Quan like a wolf eyeing its prey.

Uncle Wen sat next to Tyrannosaurus Rex, his thin body sunk into the chair, holding a cup of tea in his hand, slowly sipping it.

He appeared the calmest, but the occasional glint in his old eyes was something no one dared to underestimate.

Snake King Can sat to the right of Uncle Quan, half-lying down, half-leaning, his eyes half-closed, like a snake basking in the sun.

There was a plate of snacks in front of him, but he didn't touch it.

Further down, there were a few more people sitting there—all of them were leaders from various districts of Xingsheng, some old, some young, some fat, some thin. They were all silent at this moment, watching the tense scene unfold.

The room remained quiet for a long time.

The old-fashioned wall clock ticks away, each tick striking a chord in everyone's heart.

Tyrannosaurus Rex spoke first.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear in the quiet room, "What did you call us here to discuss today?"

Uncle Quan looked at him.

That gaze was calm, so calm it sent chills down your spine.

"Tyrannosaurus Rex,"

He said, "What's your rush?"

The Tyrannosaurus Rex remained silent.

Uncle Quan continued, "I called everyone here today to discuss what to do next."

He paused.

"It's been almost half a year since Master He left. In these six months, things have been relatively stable for us and Xingsheng. Business at the docks has increased by 30%. There are also a few more nightclubs opening. Gambling dens—"

"Uncle Quan".

Uncle Wen spoke up, interrupting him.

Uncle Quan looked at him.

Uncle Wen put down his teacup.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said slowly, "We've seen all these accounts. We know how much the prices have increased and how many new companies have joined."

He paused.

"But I'm not here today to hear your expense report."

Uncle Quan narrowed his eyes.

Just for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"Uncle Wen,"

He said, "So what did you come here to hear?"

Uncle Wen looked at him.

There was no expression in those old eyes.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "When Master He was around, the rules at Xingsheng were that we discussed things together and divided the money together. Everyone knew who was in charge of what and how much each person would get."

He paused.

"And now?"

Tyrannosaurus Rex continued.

"Now you call the shots. The human trafficking business is all in your hands. The docks are also yours. You take the lion's share of the nightclubs and gambling dens. What do the rest of us get? A few run-down streets and a few stalls that are about to go out of business."

He looked at Uncle Quan with a sharp gaze.

"Uncle Quan, are you trying to hog all the food yourself?"

Uncle Quan didn't say anything.

He glanced at Tyrannosaurus Rex, then at Uncle Wen, and finally at Snake King Can.

Snake King Can remained motionless, his eyes still half-closed.

Uncle Quan spoke.

"Snake King Can,"

He said, "What do you say?"

Snake King Can opened his eyes.

Those slender eyes gleamed in the dim light.

"I?"

He smiled.

"Uncle Quan, the human trafficking business was originally managed by me and Master He together for over ten years. After you took over, I lost every single connection."

He paused.

"Tell me, what should I say?"

Uncle Quan remained silent for a few seconds.

The room was so quiet it was suffocating.

The people in charge of those districts didn't dare to breathe, their eyes darting back and forth between the individuals.

Uncle Quan slowly leaned back in his chair.

He looked at Tyrannosaurus Rex, at Uncle Wen, and at Snake King Can.

Then he laughed.

The smile was brief, carrying an ambiguous meaning—perhaps helplessness, perhaps mockery, or perhaps simply amusement.

"Tyrannosaurus Rex,"

He said, "Uncle Wen, Snake King Can."

He called out names one by one.

"You've come today to try and get a share of the business?"

The Tyrannosaurus Rex looked at him.

"Yes."

Uncle Quan nodded.

"OK."

The Tyrannosaurus Rex was stunned.

Uncle Wen was also stunned.

Snake King Can's eyes widened for a moment.

Uncle Quan continued, "Starting tomorrow, the human trafficking business will return to Snake King Can. Half of the dock business will go to Tyrannosaurus Rex. The gambling dens and nightclubs—"

He looked at Uncle Wen.

"Uncle Wen, which piece do you want?"

Uncle Wen looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his old eyes.

"Uncle Quan,"

He spoke, his voice a little hoarse, "Are you serious?"

Uncle Quan nodded.

"really."

He said, "We're all brothers. We'll do what Brother He did when he was around. I have no objection."

Tyrannosaurus Rex and Uncle Wen exchanged a glance.

Snake King Can slowly sat up straight.

The tense atmosphere immediately relaxed.

But the smile on Uncle Quan's face didn't reach his eyes.

-

After seeing those people off, Uncle Quan stood alone at the entrance of the main hall.

A night breeze blew by, carrying a hint of coolness.

He watched the cars disappear into the night, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

Ah-Qiang emerged from the shadows.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said in a low voice, "Are you really going to share the business with them?"

Uncle Quan didn't say anything.

He stood there for a while, then turned around and went back into the house.

"Go and invite Master Yan."

He said, "Please invite him to Golden Princess. Tell him I have an urgent matter."

Ah Qiang was stunned for a moment.

"Now?"

"Now."

Ah Qiang nodded and quickly left.

Uncle Quan stood in the empty main hall, looking at the long table, the cold tea, and the untouched pastries.

He recalled the expressions on those people's faces just now.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex's unexpected turn of events.

Uncle Wen's suspicions.

Snake King Can didn't believe it.

They thought he was scared.

They thought he had compromised.

They thought—

Uncle Quan gave a cold laugh.

What they thought was wrong.

-

Golden Princess Ballroom, third-floor office.

Uncle Quan sat on the sofa, a cigar between his fingers, slowly smoking.

On the coffee table sat a pot of freshly brewed Longjing tea and two plates of exquisite pastries.

He is waiting.

Waiting for Yan to arrive.

The door was pushed open.

Ah Qiang walked in.

"Uncle Quan, Master Yan has arrived."

Uncle Quan stood up.

Yan Tong strode in.

He was dressed casually in a dark gray short-sleeved shirt, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a faint smile on his face.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "Why did you call me here so late?"

Uncle Quan went up to him, a smile plastered on his face.

"Master Yan, please have a seat."

Yan Tong sat down on the sofa.

Uncle Quan personally poured him tea.

"Master Yan, please have some tea."

Yan Tong picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He looked at Uncle Quan with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "Speak. What is it?"

Uncle Quan sat down opposite him.

He paused for a second.

Then he spoke.

"Master Yan,"

He said, "Some people in the community are restless."

Yan Tong narrowed his eyes.

"Unstable?"

Uncle Quan nodded.

"Tyrannosaurus Rex, Uncle Wen, and Snake King Can. The three of them teamed up and forced me to share the business at the main hall today."

Yan Tong didn't speak.

Uncle Quan continued, "I agree. I've agreed for now."

He paused.

"But Master Yan, this is not a long-term solution."

Yan Tong looked at him.

"So what do you want to do?"

Uncle Quan met his gaze.

"Master Yan," he said, "I would like to ask you to intervene."

Yan Tong's eyebrows twitched.

"Step in?"

"Yes."

Uncle Quan said, "You're a member of the police force. Who in Kowloon doesn't know you? If you say a word, those people won't dare to make a move."

He paused.

"Don't worry, Master Yan, I won't let you work for nothing."

He took a thick red envelope out of his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

Push it over.

Yan Tong looked down and glanced at the red envelope.

Didn't move.

He looked up at Uncle Quan.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "I've heard of Tyrannosaurus Rex and his gang. They're all old folks from Hexing."

Uncle Quan nodded.

"Yes. They're all old folks. But even old folks have to follow the rules. When Master He was around, they followed them. Now that Master He is gone, they want to turn the world upside down."

He paused.

"Master Yan, what do you think? Should we get involved in this?"

Yan Tong remained silent for a few seconds.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip.

Then he put down his teacup.

I picked up the red envelope and weighed it in my hand.

Put it in your pocket.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "You're right. Old people also have to follow the rules."

Uncle Quan's eyes lit up.

"Master Yan, you've agreed?"

Yan Tong looked at him.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "I'll help you this time. But you have to remember—"

He paused.

"This kind of thing can't happen often."

Uncle Quan nodded.

"Don't worry, Master Yan. Just this once."

Yan Tong stood up.

Uncle Quan also stood up.

The two shook hands.

Yan Tong strode out.

They disappeared into the night.

Uncle Quan stood in the office, looking at the closed door.

He smiled slowly.

The smile was brief, fleeting in the dim light.

Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Uncle Wen.

Snake King Can.

You think you've won by forcing me to share business?

You think I'm scared because I've compromised?

You are wrong.

just wait.

Let's see who wins in the end.

He walked back to the sofa and sat down again.

Pick up the extinguished cigar and relight it.

I took a sip.

Slowly expel it.

Outside the window, the neon lights were still flashing.

The night in this city is still long.