Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

On the 22nd day of the first lunar month, the hustle and bustle of the Spring Festival completely faded away, and Hong Kong Island, this high-speed financial machine, resumed its usual roar.

Sofia hurriedly flew back to Italy on the seventh day of the month. After all, as the Queen of the Lubbers family, there were too many matters in Europe that awaited her decision. Although reluctant, the Queen of Sicily understood that only by wielding sufficient power could she better stand by this man's side.

Without this demanding "lioness," Lu Chen's life returned to an extremely comfortable routine of "going between three points and one line."

During the day, he would appear in his top-floor office at the Golden Harvest headquarters in Central, dressed in a suit and tie, reviewing documents and giving orders. Of course, his most interesting pastime outside of work was teasing his "personal secretary," Hu Huizhong, who was gradually falling for him.

"Mr. Lu, this is the report from last month sent by the finance department."

Hu Huizhong placed the documents on the table. Today, she was wearing a beige business suit and the Cartier necklace Lu Chen had given her. This necklace seemed like an invisible shackle, locking her heart and constantly reminding her of the tenderness in the car that night.

"Just leave it there," Lu Chen said without looking at the document. Instead, he reached out and took her hand in his, his fingertips gently caressing her palm. "I'm free tonight. Want to go to a concert? I heard there's a performance of Romeo and Juliet at the cultural center."

"I'm not going!" Hu Huizhong pulled her hand back like a startled deer, her cheeks flushed. "Tonight I... I want to go home and have dinner with my mom!"

"Oh, that's a real shame." Lu Chen sighed with feigned regret. "I was planning to take you to meet your mother and bring her some health supplements for the elderly."

"You...you mustn't do anything rash!" Hu Huizhong was startled, terrified that this lawless man would actually go to her house. "I...I'll think about it!"

Watching her fleeing figure, Lu Chen's smile deepened.

In the evenings, Lu Chen usually goes to the "Luo Jun Boxing Gym" near Kowloon Walled City.

Despite possessing physical advantages enhanced by the system, he never slacked off. In the ring, he sparred with Ahua, Tian Yangsheng, and even Feiji in turn, enjoying the visceral thrill of each punch—of course, Feiji wasn't allowed to use his teeth. Occasionally, he would also go to a private underground shooting range to hone his skills with various types of firearms.

As for where to go at night.

Sometimes he would go back to Yau Yat Tsuen to hold the soft and sweet Ruan Mei in his arms and enjoy the afterglow of the end with her; other times he would drive to a high-end apartment in Central to find that dashing Interpol agent and experience a different kind of uniform style.

However, just as Lu Chen was enjoying this peaceful bliss of having multiple wives, a sudden change was quietly unfolding at the Wan Chai Police Station.

……

Wan Chai Regional Police Station, Commissioner's Office.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

The blinds were drawn tightly shut, blocking out the sunlight. The air was thick with the smell of tobacco.

Commissioner Raymond sat behind his desk, his face ashen, nearly breaking the pen in his hand. Deputy Commissioner Radar looked distressed, constantly wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

"Knock knock knock".

A knock came at the door.

"Come in!" Raymond shouted, suppressing his anger.

The door opened, and a young policeman with a distinctive big nose, long hair that looked somewhat casual, but unusually bright eyes walked in.

Chan Ka-kui – the police force’s “super cop” – was recently reinstated for his heroic performance in the arrest of Chu Tao.

"Chief! Uncle Piu! Serious Crimes Unit Chan Ka-kui reporting for duty!" Chan Ka-kui gave a standard salute.

"Ka-Kui, sit down, sit down." Raymond, who had been wearing a stern face, immediately broke into a kind smile when he saw Chen Ka-Kui, and even poured him a glass of water himself. "Have you been working hard lately?"

Chen Jiaju's heart skipped a beat.

As the saying goes, "Those who offer unsolicited favors are either treacherous or thieves."

The director's overly polite attitude towards me can't be anything good.

"Chief, just say what you want to say," Chan Ka-kui said warily, looking at Raymond. "Are you going to deduct my salary again to pay for the bus stop sign I damaged?"

"Hey! Talking about money hurts feelings!" Lei Da Biao tried to smooth things over. "Ka-Kui, this time we have a glorious and challenging task for you. This is a great opportunity for you to earn merit!"

"A special mission?" Chen Jiaju's eyes lit up. "Is it another big case? Who are they arresting? Drug dealers?"

"A hundred times more troublesome than drug dealers," Lei Da Biao sighed, lowering his voice, "Jiaju, do you remember the international assassin 'White Glove' that the master thief King Kong and the bald detective captured half a month ago?"

"I remember, didn't we also seize a big bag of diamonds?" Chen Jiaju asked.

"The problem lies with that bag of diamonds," Raymond said, closing his eyes in anguish. "Last night, the evidence room was burglarized, and that bag of priceless diamonds is gone."

"What?!" Chan Ka-kui nearly jumped up in shock. "The evidence room has been burglarized? Who's so bold as to steal from the police station?"

"It wasn't an outsider who stole it, it was an inside job," Lei Dabiao said with a gloomy expression. "It was an inside job. It was the old police officer in charge of guarding the evidence room, Third Brother. He took advantage of his shift to steal the bag of diamonds and ran away."

"According to immigration records, he took a smuggling boat and illegally crossed into Japan last night."

What they didn't know was that Lu Chen had also played a part in it, bribing the smugglers in advance to not only efficiently transport Third Brother out to sea overnight, but also guarantee that he would be transported to Dongjing.

"This..." Chen Jiaju was dumbfounded.

"Ka-Kui," Raymond stood up, walked over to Chan Ka-Kui, and said earnestly, "Ever since that scoundrel Man Kin-Yan got into trouble, the Wan Chai Police Station's image has plummeted. If we get another scandal like the theft from the evidence room, I'm done for as the commissioner, and you can forget about promotions either. We might as well all go home and sell sweet potatoes!"

"So, this matter must be kept secret," Lei Dabiao said kindly to Chen Jiaju. "I have a good relationship with Superintendent Cao of Interpol; he'll get you temporary Interpol credentials. You'll fly to Japan immediately. No matter what method you use, you must bring that bastard Third Brother back and get the diamonds back!"

"Go to Japan to arrest people?" Chen Jiaju scratched his head. "But Chief, I don't understand Japanese, and I'm completely unfamiliar with the place..."

"Don't worry!" Raymond patted him on the shoulder. "We've already contacted Interpol's Japan branch, and they'll send a capable detective to assist you. It's settled then. Your codename this time is—Mighty Pill!"

"Power Pill?" Chen Jiaju's lips twitched. "What a lame name..."

"A humble name is easier to raise! It's settled then!" Raymond waved his hand, making the decision immediately. "Your plane ticket is already bought; it's tomorrow morning. Remember, you absolutely must keep this a secret!"

"Yes, sir!"

……

Two days later.

East Japan, East Longitude.

Inside a large amusement park, laughter and joy filled the air. A giant roller coaster roared along the track, eliciting screams from the riders.

However, in a secluded corner near the ice rink, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

"Daliwan, that bastard is over there!"

The speaker was a short but extremely agile young man. He had a middle-part hairstyle and sharp eyes. He was the partner assigned to Chan Ka-kui by Interpol, codenamed "Unicorn Gold".

"Damn, that third brother really knows how to enjoy himself, hiding in the amusement park looking at thighs!"

Chen Jiaju (Daliwan), wearing a heavy down jacket, stared through gritted teeth at the middle-aged man not far away who was holding an ice cream and leering at the skirts of passing girls—it was none other than Third Brother, who had absconded with the money.

"superior!"

The two exchanged a glance and, with perfect understanding, flanked each other from the left and right.

"Police! Don't move!"

Chen Jiaju suddenly rushed out and grabbed Third Brother's shoulder with a grappling move.

"Ah! Inspector Chen?!" Third Brother was so frightened he dropped his ice cream. "How did you manage to follow me all the way here?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Come back with me!"

Just as Chen Jiaju was about to take out his handcuffs, something unexpected happened.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several black shuriken flew past Chen Jiaju's scalp with a whooshing sound and embedded themselves in the wooden pillar beside him.

Immediately afterwards, a dozen mysterious figures dressed in black ninja outfits and wearing masks appeared as if they had emerged from the ground and instantly surrounded the three of them.

"They're from the Scarecrow Club!" Unicorn Gold recognized the ninjas and his expression changed. "They're the local bullies; they're probably here to meet up with Third Brother!"

"Hand him over!" the leading ninja shouted in broken Chinese.

"Dream on!" Chen Jiaju also had a fiery temper. Without saying a word, he grabbed a nearby trash can and smashed it over there.

"beat!"

A chaotic battle erupted instantly.

Although Chen Jiaju and Dujiao Jin were highly skilled, one adept at using environmental props in acrobatic fighting, and the other with swift and powerful legwork, their opponents outnumbered them and were clearly well-trained assassins, armed with samurai swords and hidden weapons.

However, the surrounding tourists were not afraid at all, thinking it was an impromptu performance by the amusement park, and they applauded and cheered.

"Clang! Clang!"

Chen Jiaju casually grabbed two hockey sticks and fought back and forth with the three ninjas.

But in the chaos, Third Brother seized the opportunity to break free of his restraints, clutching the black bag in his arms, and scrambled into the ninjas' encirclement.

"Take him away!" the leading ninja ordered.

Most of the ninjas protected Third Brother as he retreated, while the remaining few held Chen Jiaju and Unicorn Gold back.

"Trying to run away?!"

The unicorn goldster got anxious and kicked an enemy away with a flying kick, trying to chase after Third Brother.

Little did they know, this was a trap.

A huge net descended from the sky, completely trapping the unicorn.

"Mighty Pill! Run! Don't worry about me! Go get reinforcements!!"

Once the unicorn was caught in the net, he was immediately pinned down by several burly men. Knowing he couldn't escape, he desperately shouted at Chen Jiaju.

Seeing his partner captured, Chan Ka-kui's eyes reddened. He wanted to rush back to save him, but was forced back by more enemies.

"Baka yarou!"

The ninja leader raised his sword, ready to strike Chen Jiaju.

Chen Jiaju knew that if they didn't leave now, he would also perish here. At that point, they wouldn't even have a chance to save Unicorn Gold, let alone catch Third Brother.

"I'll be back!!"

Chen Jiaju gritted his teeth and used the roller coaster track as cover, displaying "Jackie Chan-style" escape skills. With a few thrilling leaps, he disappeared into the crowd.

……

That evening, at a phone booth in Shibuya.

Chen Jiaju was in a sorry state, his clothes torn and his face bruised. With trembling hands, he dialed the emergency contact number.

"Hey! This is Daliwan! Mission failed! Unicorn Gold has been captured by an organization called the Scarecrow Club! The diamond is also in their hands! I'm alone now, requesting backup! Can you send a SWAT team?"

On the other end of the phone, Superintendent Cao (played by Cao Dahua), who was in charge of the operation, remained silent for a moment.

"Daliwan, you need to calm down," Superintendent Cao's voice was helpless. "This is a secret operation. If we mobilize a large number of special police, it will definitely alarm the Japanese police and media. At that time, the Hong Kong police force will really lose face. Moreover, once the police show up, Third Brother will definitely hide even deeper."

"Well then—that's right!" A childhood friend popped into Chen Jiaju's mind, a fat guy who was unreliable but a genius when it came to crooked ways. "Cao Sir, since the official forces can't be used, then I'll ask you to help me find a few people."

"Who?"

"My childhood friend from the orphanage, nicknamed 'Partridge Vegetable,' is well-connected in the underworld and has a few eccentric people around him. They're more effective than the police when it comes to these shady dealings."

"Partridge Vegetable? That habitual thief? I arrested him before," Superintendent Cao hesitated for a moment, "He should be in jail in Stanley now."

"Then get him out!" Chen Jiaju said decisively. "Tell him that if he helps us this time, not only will his sentence be reduced, but I'll also owe him a favor!"

……

That evening, Central.

Inside a luxury apartment with a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour.

The bedroom, which had just experienced a vigorous activity, still held an ambiguous atmosphere.

The girl, dressed in a men's white shirt, sat at the dressing table with her long legs crossed, combing her slightly messy long hair. Lu Chen leaned against the headboard, a cigar between his fingers, smoke swirling around him.

"Honey, the station is in an uproar today," Ya Zi said casually, looking at Lu Chen through the mirror. "That Chen Jiaju, that super cop in our police force, supposedly got into big trouble in Japan."

"Oh?" Lu Chen exhaled a smoke ring, feigning ignorance, and asked, "What's going on?"

"The specifics are confidential, but I overheard Inspector Cao complaining," Ya Zi put down the comb, turned around, and leaned against Lu Chen's chest. "He said that Chen Jiaju was using the alias 'Daliwan' in Japan, but his partner was captured by a gang called the Scarecrow Club. Now Inspector Cao is frantic and is looking for people to help him."

"I heard he found a prisoner named... Partridge Vegetable to help him."

Upon hearing these names, Lu Chen's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

Power pills.

Unicorn Gold.

Partridge vegetable.

And then there's the Scarecrow Club, which has already made its appearance.

The gears finally meshed.

The plot of "Lucky Stars Shining Brightly" has officially begun.

"The Scarecrow Club..." Lu Chen gently twirled Yako's long hair with his fingers. "It seems that Matsumoto's time to die has come."

"You know this organization?" Yako looked up curiously.

"Not only do you know him, but you're also my business rival," Lu Chen said, stubbing out his cigar, flipping over and pinning Ya Zi beneath him, his eyes gleaming with an air of complete control.

"But let's not talk about these mood-killers now," Lu Chen said with a wicked grin, looking at the alluring policewoman beneath him. "Shouldn't we continue what we were doing earlier?"

"Ugh... Ugh..."