Hong Kong film: Refusing to go undercover, the policeman's path to becoming the richest man.

Chapter 66 Black Star Returns to His Position, Dragon Struggle Surges

Outsiders might think Group C is only focused on Tsim Sha Tsui, but that's just the appetizer—the real big fish is still swimming in the deep water.

He Chu slowly raised his eyes, his tone calm: "Sir Li is able to weave this network in Hong Kong, with connections in politics, business, police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the underworld. Do you think he's the kind of person who would easily bow down?"

He paused, then glanced around: "He personally invited A Luo to join the game three times, but was rejected each time."

"If you were in your shoes, would you feel comfortable?"

The air stagnated.

Yang Jinrong pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as a drawn knife: "If I were Sir Li—"

Her voice was as cold as ice shards hitting the ground: "I'd think, what is Xinliansheng? They dare to negotiate with me?"

"I am a member of parliament sitting on the high platform of the parliament, while they are gangsters hiding in the dark alleys, unable to even stand up straight."

"If I want them to live, they can walk all over the place; if I want them to die, one word is enough."

"The group is currently facing difficulties, but that is temporary."

The nouveau riche Xinliansheng doesn't know what's good for them? Fine, I'll remember this."

"The reason we're not making a scene now is because I don't want to get my hands dirty."

But that doesn't mean I can tolerate it.

"Without New Union, would there be no one selling drugs on Hong Kong Island? Chung Yee Shun, Tung Sing, Wong Po, the Five Tigers—aren't they all big money-makers? They have plenty of partners."

Snapped!

Chen Yongren slammed his hand on the table and abruptly stood up: "Understood!"

"So this isn't Richard voluntarily defecting at all; it's Sir Lee switching sides!"

"He didn't take Xinliansheng seriously at all. Need someone to dispose of stolen goods? Then he'll find someone more obedient!"

"Richard appears to be saving himself, but in reality, he's being used as a pawn!"

The entire audience fell silent.

He Chu nodded gently: "That's right."

Once Sir Lee finds new partners, it will be virtually impossible for us to uncover his financial chains and flour network again.

He stood up, his tone calm yet authoritative: "I'll go see A-Luo tonight and tell him about this unexpected turn of events."

"Everyone, stay alert—against an enemy of this caliber, one wrong step and the whole game is lost."

Everyone responded in unison.

"Ah Rong, keep a close eye on Richard and see who he contacts," He Chu began to deploy. "Ah Ren, Ah Cheng, you two go and 'help' Richard out, don't let him have it too easy."

"Brother Bang, Brother Ji, we can't let our guard down with the Five Tigers, especially the remnants of the Ni family, who could launch a counterattack at any moment."

"Brother Chu," Luo Ji suddenly spoke, his brows furrowing slightly, "Are Brother Bang and I enough? Should we call Ah Cheng over for backup?"

Abang immediately chimed in, "If the Five Tigers were to explode, it wouldn't be a joke."

Once a street fight breaks out, the media will swarm in, and the social impact will be uncontrollable.

"Should we send more people?"

He Chu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Are there any suitable candidates?"

Group C has always been understaffed, and the required twelve members have been difficult to fill for many years.

If there are truly capable players, he will not hesitate to give them a spot.

Abang's eyes lit up: "There really is one—it's pretty fierce."

He Chu raised an eyebrow: "How fierce?"

Abang chuckled awkwardly: "The kind of punch that sends a suspect to the hospital, where the doctor says it's structural brain damage."

He Chu paused for half a second, then chuckled: "Ma Jun?"

He waved his hand dismissively: "What's a little violence? Which case we handle doesn't involve bloodshed?"

"Listen, we're police officers, not the parents of criminals! Those people are all ruthless desperados. In a real fight, what's the first priority? Survival!"

He scoffed lightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Which of you here hasn't been to a police academy? You know the rules from the textbooks by heart."

"Back then, the drill instructors used to say, 'Shoot the limbs, not the head'—now I'm telling you, that was all bullshit!"

He Chu's gaze was like a knife, sweeping across the faces of everyone in Group C. "Remember this: once it's a gunfight, don't fucking talk about morality or ethics. Showing mercy is just playing with your own head!"

"If you can shoot the head, never the knee; if you can kill, never leave anyone alive."

"That's an order."

"I said it."

The air froze.

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"

No one dared to laugh, and no one questioned it.

They could tell that He Chu wasn't acting this time; he was serious.

"Disperse, get back to work." He waved his hand, and everyone quickly took their places.

Yang Jinrong leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Brother Chu, over there with Liu Jianming—should we pass him a rope?"

"Oh?" He Chu raised an eyebrow, her smile meaningful. "Are you trying to help him up, or are you trying to strangle him?"

"I can't hide it from you." Yang Jinrong grinned, making no attempt to hide it. "I want to put some pressure on him."

It's no secret in the industry that Liu Jianming was a spy planted by Han Chen.

But Yang Jinrong never treated him like family—an undercover agent? He was a pawn that could be crushed at any time.

"You think he almost peed his pants when he saw that gun?" He Chu said slowly, leaning against the table, in a great mood.

"Is it really that bad?" Yang Jinrong frowned. "I saw that his face didn't change at all, not even his eyelids twitched."

"That's because you haven't seen through it." He Chu sneered. "If Liu Jianming hadn't been smart enough to climb to this position in three years, he would have been swallowed up long ago."

He's usually so composed, but today he couldn't hide his panic.

"He killed Ni Kun with his own hands."

"That Black Star should have been disposed of by Mary back then."

"Logically speaking, it should have sunk to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish long ago—but now it's brazenly appearing at the crime scene? Who did this?"

What is the purpose?

He Chu narrowed his eyes, his tone playful: "What do you think Mary wanted from sending this gun?"

Yang Jinrong's pupils suddenly contracted: "Wait! Didn't Huang Zhicheng frame Liu Jianming?"

"Of course not." He Chu shook his head with a smile, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. "If I were you, I would smell blood by now. The five tigers are fighting for the dragon, and it's almost time for blood to be drawn."

The night wind, carrying the scent of sea salt, patted his face. Liu Jianming stood at the edge of the dock, his fingertips icy cold.

"How could it be this gun—" He stared at the black star in the evidence bag, his heart feeling like it was being squeezed by iron clamps.

What Mary sent was this?

He had planned everything meticulously, but he hadn't anticipated this move.

He's an undercover agent, so he has to live like a real policeman—more hardworking, ruthless, and vigilant than a real policeman.

Doubting everything is his instinct.

Huang Zhicheng has been keeping a close eye on things lately. He even suspected that Mary had switched sides and was working with Huang Zhicheng to sacrifice him.

That's why he risked asking He Chu for help, gambling on a chance to survive.

But now this gun has appeared.

Moreover, it was the gun that killed Ni Kun!

If they really wanted to kill him, wouldn't it have been simpler to hand the gun over to the police? With such conclusive evidence, he had no way to defend himself.

But now, the gun has returned and is in his hands.

In an instant, his last shred of doubt about Mary vanished.

This gun is extremely well maintained, shiny and lubricated, with the highest quality gun oil used.

Unfortunately, the trigger is stuck and it's now scrap metal.

But he doesn't regret insisting on getting the test done.

If the forensic department hadn't confirmed its origin, he simply couldn't have imagined that this murder weapon, which had been sealed away for two years, would reappear in this way.

"Fortunately, it was He Chu who took on the case," he muttered to himself.

Ho Chu is the top figure in the Serious Crimes Unit, holding the rank of Superintendent, and is extremely influential in West Kowloon.

He had to personally move the gun to bypass the layers of procedures and bring it back to the police station.

Otherwise, this thing would have been locked in the evidence room long ago, never to see the light of day again.

"I need to contact Mary immediately."

"It's time to get an answer as to what Huang Zhicheng is really up to."

Liu Jianming's heart raced, and a chill crept up his spine to the back of his neck.

Danger is approaching, like a pack of wolves silently closing in on you in the night.

He must establish himself before the storm hits.

Otherwise, when the wind stops, his name will only appear on the death list.

Half an hour later, he met Mary at the abandoned lighthouse.

The sea breeze tousled her long hair. She frowned at him and said, "You're wearing a military uniform. Are you crazy to show yourself in a place like this? What if we get exposed?"

His voice was stern, but it concealed a deep concern.

Liu Jianming was stunned for a moment.

The woman before him was the light that had sustained him through countless dark nights.

For her, he was willing to pull the trigger and send Ni Kun to hell—because of one sentence she said: "I want him dead."

Don't stare at me like that, I'm your boss's woman.

How could Mary not understand what was hidden in Liu Jianming's eyes? This guy had been eyeing her ever since the day before, pretending to be respectful on the surface, but secretly he had looked at her a thousand times over.

Even now, dressed in a police uniform, he's still the same scoundrel at heart who wants to climb into someone's bed.

Ironically, he still hasn't given up.

She didn't dare to look him in the eye for too long.

I'm afraid I'll be too soft-hearted, and even more afraid he'll cross the line.

But women are naturally sensitive; whether a man likes you or not, his eyes are a million times more honest than his words.

Liu Jianming clenched his fists, his Adam's apple bobbing, and suddenly growled, "Where am I inferior to Han Chen?"

His voice was hoarse, like a wild beast trapped in a cage.

"I'm younger than him, more handsome, and I'm a cop! In terms of status and future prospects, in what way do I lose to him?"

The wind swept through the alleyway, ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead, but it couldn't dispel the overflowing jealousy and resentment.

Mary laughed, a light, slightly sarcastic laugh.

"Kid, you haven't even lost all your baby teeth yet, what do you know about love?" She pulled her collar tighter, her tone turning cold. "If you're asking me out for something this trivial, then you're incredibly stupid."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

The sound of high heels clicking on the concrete floor felt like each step on his heart.

Liu Jianming stood there, his chest heaving violently, a crimson killing intent surging in his eyes—not directed at her, but at Han Chen!

"Do you know that Ni Yongxiao has a brother in the police force?" he suddenly asked, his voice unusually somber.

Mary whirled around: "Nonsense! Isn't Brother Ni Yongxiao a doctor? Where would he get a brother?"

"Heh." Liu Jianming sneered, the curve of his lips exactly the same as Han Chen's.

It is sinister and ruthless, exuding an aura of menace that keeps strangers at bay.

Mary felt a chill run down her spine, a wave of disgust washing over her: "Don't mimic his smile in front of me, it's disgusting!"

Liu Jianming shrugged, but the fake smile on his face didn't disappear. "Ni Kun has an illegitimate son named Chen Yongren."

"Now working as an undercover officer in West Kowloon."

The air froze instantly.

"There's no affection between father and son, but blood is blood," he said slowly. "If we blow Ni Kun's head off, do you think his son will let us go?"

"How much does he know?" Mary's voice tightened.

"It's hard to say," Liu Jianming frowned. "But this guy has already taken Huang Zhicheng's place."

"Why are you staring at Huang Zhicheng?" Mary's pupils contracted slightly.

Liu Jianming sighed and finally revealed his true purpose for meeting her tonight: "Back then, it was Huang Zhicheng who kicked him out of the police academy and sent him to be an undercover agent."

"Do you know who his undercover target is?" Mary's breath hitched, a vague premonition rising in her chest, a chill running down her spine.

"The Ni family." Liu Jianming said, emphasizing each word. "The person from the Major Crimes Unit who investigated the Ni family is my classmate; they didn't hide the information from me."

"Huang Zhicheng is a real bastard."

Hiss Mary gasped, her fingers digging fiercely into her palm.

A chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

Liu Jianming misunderstood her expression, his eyes blazing with jealousy: "Is Han Chen that important? Is he worth you being this scared?"

"I'm just a woman," Mary said, her eyes lowered and her voice as soft as the wind. "My life is tied to men."

She wouldn't even flinch if she had to sell her body or risk her life.

That's what she said, and that's how she lived.

Liu Jianming gritted his teeth and clenched his fists so tightly they cracked.

I really wanted to pull out a gun and blow Han Chen's head off.

Just like how he swiftly and decisively took down Ni Kun in a dark alley back then.

"Liu Jianming, calm down," he whispered to himself. "Han Chen deserves to die, but not now."

He paused, then asked, "Sis, why is Huang Zhicheng staring at me?"

Mary's face was pale, her mind racing, and her eyes suddenly turned cold. A woman's intuition was sharp as a knife at this moment. "Ah Chen asked him to investigate who killed Ni Kun."

"He's looking for you."

Ok? !

Liu Jianming was stunned, never expecting the answer to be like this.

"Ni Yongxiao handed over all his underground business to Ah Chen, and Ah Chen, in order to repay his kindness, asked Huang Zhicheng to follow up on this lead."

After all, he used to be a policeman.

"Huang Zhicheng didn't know that you and I were the ones who committed the crime."

"I covered it for you, but it was no use."

"Didn't you recognize the gun I gave you?"

Liu Jianming felt a sense of relief, and his whole body almost stopped exerting itself.

really.

His ideal woman never betrayed him.

Everything is under control.

Mary stared at him coldly, her eyes devoid of any emotion: "Since the police are also keeping an eye on Wong Chi-shing—Ah Ming, give him a 'greeting' for Brother Chen."

Use the most ruthless methods.

the other side.

"Brother Chen, we've taken over two more venues at Gandhi," Dibialu reported with a grin, his face full of pride.

Han Chen leaned back on the sofa and clapped his hands hoarsely: "Okay!"

"That idiot Gandhi, dreaming all day long about being the leader?" he scoffed. "You need brains to sit in that position!"

"Him? He's not even worthy of wearing a hat, yet he dares to compete for the top spot? Go eat shit!"

Amidst the swirling smoke, Han Chen tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and smiled.

Full of vigor and arrogance.

Ni Yongxiao has been completely exonerated.

Before leaving, he specifically told Han Chen about this and even asked, "Are you coming ashore with me?"

Han Chen smiled and shook his head, declining the offer decisively and gracefully.

He knew very well that even if you wanted to walk the legitimate path, you needed the skills to do so.

I can barely read or write, and I haven't studied for many years. What makes me think I can run a legitimate business?

Becoming a leader can be achieved through ruthlessness, but to maintain your power, ruthlessness alone is not enough; you also need brains, connections, and a way out.

He did not.

But Ni Yongxiao was a good man; he left gracefully, without leaving a mess.

He handed over 40 million in cash without hesitation and even helped him stall for a month, stabilizing the political climate at the Five Tigers meeting.

It wasn't until last month that he officially announced his retirement from the underworld, completely severing ties with it, and handing over the leadership position to Han Chen.

At that moment, Han Chen was not unmoved.

Gratitude? Of course.

Envy? Absolutely.

Ni Kun saved his life and promoted him to the position of hall master; Ni Yongxiao went a step further and directly pushed him to the top of the mountain.

After decades in the underworld, very few people can escape unscathed like this father and son.

Most people, even if they climb to the top, can still slip out sideways if they're not careful.

The former head of Shin Lien Sheng, known as "Suan Bao," was riddled with bullets on his first day in office—a bloody example.

Han Chen gently swirled the brandy in his hand; the amber liquid gleamed coldly under the light.

He banished those distracting thoughts, his gaze sweeping over Dibialu, Sha Qiang, and the others in front of him. His voice was steady yet seductive: "This month, let's give it our all and lock in our advantage."

"Once Gandhi falls, my position as the leader will be secure."

"When that time comes, everyone will be living the high life, and who will dare to say a word against it?"

The crowd below erupted in cheers and roars.

What's the point of living like this?

Money is one thing, but saving face is the real issue.

He's the underling now, but who didn't climb up from the bottom?

When the boss is in charge, they walk with an air of authority; when the boss reaches the top, they also have the opportunity to turn the tables and become the big boss themselves, recruit their own henchmen, and finally get their revenge!

Han Chen laughed heartily, "Everyone's had a hard day, let's go to the nightclub, it's on me! All expenses are on me!"

"Whoosh—!"

The cheers erupted.

Dibialu yelled at the top of his lungs, Sha Qiang grinned wildly, and a group of people rushed out impatiently, their footsteps almost setting off sparks.

Han Chen didn't stop them, standing there smiling as he watched them leave. These brothers had been living on the edge for the past month, fighting for territory, their nerves stretched tighter than steel wires; it was time for them to relax.

And he was very satisfied.

The bigger the territory, the better—that's an ironclad rule.

To gain popularity, one must have many venues, a dense network of connections, and a wide network of channels.

Without territory, where can you stock your goods? Rushing into someone else's territory is called "trespassing," which can lead to being ganged up on or even killed.

But Han Chen is different.

He has a long-term vision, makes steady moves, and calculates every step with precision.

So what he wanted was not just to survive, but to take everything.

The brandy in his glass swirled slightly, and he sneered, "Gandhi? He dares to challenge me?"

Even idiots like Lian Guoliang and Hei Gui could easily fool him, but Han Chen could make him kneel and cry with just a flick of his finger.

When Ni Yongxiao announced his retirement and handed over the leadership to Han Chen, Gandhi was furious.

As soon as Ni Kun fell from power, he tried to take over, but Ni Yongxiao crushed him with a single sentence.

Now that Ni Yongxiao has left, the position still hasn't fallen to him?

Did he think Gandhi was made of clay, something that could be molded and shaped at will?

Unfortunately—as it turns out, he really was.

He thought that if he gave the order, Guoliang, Heigui, and Wenzheng would surely respond, but what he got in return was a united force.

The three families unanimously recognized Han Chen as their leader, turned their guns around, and began to attack him fiercely!

Beg for mercy? Not a chance.

What made him even more furious was that Han Chen refused to surrender at all.

Not only must we win, but we must also eliminate them completely.

"Accept surrender?" Han Chen sneered, his eyes turning cold. "I'm not Ah Xiao; I don't have a loyal army backing me up."

"Gandhi had a large territory, a large population, and a lot of money. If I spared his life, how could I sleep at night?"

He had already reached an agreement with Guoliang, Heigui, and Wenzheng:

Gandhi's territory was divided equally among four families—whoever could conquer it owned it!

As soon as the news broke, the wolves, smelling blood, rushed to tear flesh from Gandhi's body.

Gandhi was called the "head of the Five Tigers"? Ridiculous.

Of the Five Tigers, who truly submits to him?

Even Wen Zheng, that fickle and opportunistic man, couldn't be bothered to pay him any attention.

After two weeks of hard fighting, Gandhi could no longer hold on.

So what if we have the biggest territory? So what if we have the most people?

Surrounded by enemies on all sides, attacked from both sides, they didn't even have a chance to catch their breath.

He wanted to make peace, but the other party wouldn't take the bait.

Driven to the brink, he gritted his teeth and uttered a harsh threat—if we're going to do something big, let's bring the police in!

The results of it?

The police force—doesn't care.

To be precise, it's "not interfering".

As long as the conflict between the five tigers does not affect civilians or cause too much of a commotion, the police will pretend not to see it.

This is the rule, and also a tacit understanding passed down for decades.

From the 1950s and 60s onwards, this unwritten bottom line existed between the police and the community:

You fight it out yourselves, we'll turn a blind eye.

Anyone who crosses the line will bear the consequences.

Therefore, Gandhi's struggle was nothing but a futile roar in the face of true rules.

Han Chen, already standing at the eye of the storm, took a sip of wine and quietly waited for the sound of the last bone being completely crushed.

Gandhi nearly choked on his breath and saw stars.

"That guy's always been all talk and no action. He wants to be the leader? He's got the ambition but no life to back it up!"

Han Chen crossed his legs, his tone light yet sharp, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Jingle Bell!

The phone rang suddenly, and the screen flashed; it was Ni Yongxiao calling.

"Ah Xiao? What a rare guest!" Han Chen raised an eyebrow, his voice brightening. "Did the sun rise in the west?"

"Ah Chen, hurry up." Ni Yongxiao's voice was deep and cold, like a blade cutting through ice. "Gandhi just came to our door, crying and complaining about you."

Han Chen was stunned, then burst out laughing; it was utterly absurd.

"How dare he?"

One of the Five Tigers, a ruthless character, actually ran to the Ni family crying and complaining like a desperate shrew? Do you even deserve to be the boss?

"Ah Xiao, just say the word and I'll do it right away." Han Chen's smile vanished, and his tone instantly became respectful. "You know, I only ever listen to you."

He truly remembered the kindness shown to the Ni family.

"The underground business is now yours," Ni Yongxiao said indifferently. "As for Gandhi, you can handle that yourself."

I had already reached the shore when he suddenly barged into my house and dirtied my door.

"Understood." Han Chen's eyes turned cold, like a venomous snake locking onto its prey. "This old geezer's brain has been fried; he doesn't even understand hierarchy anymore."

After hanging up the phone, Han Chen leaned back in his chair and chuckled silently.

Gandhi dug his own grave.

Who is Ni Yongxiao? He's the most powerful upstart tycoon in Hong Kong right now. Even Han Chen has to make an appointment to see him. How dare Gandhi show up at his door so rashly? Isn't that courting death?

"If you can't hold on any longer, you should kneel down and leave the stage, but you insist on jumping out and spouting nonsense."

"Strike while the iron is hot and kill him."

Han Chen's lips stretched wider and wider, and laughter rolled out from deep in his throat, both suppressed and exhilarating.

The top spot is mine! The phone rang again, and an unfamiliar number popped up.

Han Chen raised an eyebrow, hesitated for a second, but still pressed the answer button and waited for the other party to speak.

The next second, his expression suddenly froze.

"Brother Chen, it's been a long time."

A familiar yet distant voice came from the other end of the phone, "This is Liu Jianming."

Han Chen's heart skipped a beat—Liu Jianming?!

One of the seven undercover agents he sent into the police force! One of his own people, whom he personally selected and sent in back then!

Liu Jianming was the most successful of the seven.

"Brother Chen, I want to see you." The voice was extremely low, with a hint of urgency. "Now, right now."

Midnight screenings on Hong Kong Island are a completely different world from those on the mainland.

Cinemas in mainland China were deserted at this time, with hardly any ghosts or ghosts.

But here, serious movies are deserted, while those "improper" theaters are packed with people, filled with smoke, and rife with ambiguity.

Han Chen sat in the back row of the VIP room, watching a serious film.

But someone had appeared next to him at some point.

"Liu Sir, instead of patrolling and catching thieves, you come to me?" He didn't even lift his eyelids, staring at the screen, his voice as soft as a whisper.

Liu Jianming turned his head to look at him; in the dim light, his outline flickered in and out of focus.

"It's been two years—I thought you'd forgotten me long ago." There was a hint of etherealness in her voice, mixed with an indescribable resentment.

Han Chen smiled, a smile of satisfaction.

This reaction shows that Liu Jianming has completely immersed himself in the role—he sees himself as that lonely, lurking figure, loyal to only one person.

"You're joking," he said casually, a slight smile playing at the corners of his eyes. "Aren't you about to take the probationary inspector exam? Have I paved the way wide enough?"

"My position is too low now, I can't help you much," Liu Jianming said in a low voice, "but when I transfer to plainclothes—that's when you'll really be of use."

At this moment, Han Chen was not yet the paranoid and irrational madman he would become later.

He is grateful and loyal.

Because Ni Kun had saved him, promoted him to the position of hall master, and treated him like a brother;

Because Ni Yongxiao spent 40 million in cash, it was an unprecedented level of generosity in the underworld.

Therefore, when he led his underlings, he also valued relationships and followed rules.

There's a reason why Dibialu and his group followed him so devotedly.

"Congratulations, Brother Chen, on taking the throne." Liu Jianming handed over a red envelope, the paper was red and gold-embossed, and it was quite heavy.

The club's old rules: change the dragon head, hold a banquet, and receive congratulatory gifts.

Liu Jianming is an undercover agent; he cannot attend banquets, but he cannot miss any gifts.

Han Chen took the red envelope, his fingertips tracing the edge, his smile deepening.

"Do a good job," he said in a low voice. "Once you're in civilian clothes, I'll make sure you get all the credit."

"Then, you'll be in power openly, and I'll be controlling things secretly—if we join forces, who in Hong Kong will dare to disobey?"

His eyes shone as he said this, as if he could see the future when he would have the world at his fingertips.

Liu Jianming looked at his profile and suddenly felt a jolt in his heart—this guy was serious.

"Brother Chen—" he said slowly, "How about I come back and help you?"

Han Chen was taken aback, then turned to stare at him: "You heard Gandhi caused trouble? So you want to come back? Did you get into trouble in the police force?"

Liu Jianming shrugged: "Nothing happened."

But—I feel like you don't trust me anymore.

"Huh?" Han Chen almost laughed. "I don't believe you?"

"I got you into the police force and pulled strings for you all the way, hoping you would rise to prominence."

"Now you're telling me you're quitting?"

His face turned cold, his eyes sharp as knives: "Liu Sir, don't tell me you're playing me?"

Liu Jianming remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice tinged with suppressed grievance: "Brother Chen, if you really don't trust me, why did you have Huang Zhicheng keep an eye on me for a month?"

"He followed me for a full thirty days."

Han Chen's pupils contracted, and his expression changed drastically. "Huang Zhicheng is investigating you?"

"Otherwise what?" Liu Jianming sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "I'm a proper graduate of the police academy, after all. What I'm supposed to know is ingrained in my bones."

Someone's wagging their tail so obviously, how could I not notice? If I were truly blind, how could I be one of your people?

He turned to the side, his tone suddenly dropping, as if he were heartbroken: "Brother Chen, just tell me what I did wrong."

Was it really necessary to send someone to investigate me? When have I ever failed to make things clear with just a phone call?

"Am I a pawn you planted in the police force? If you say go east, would I dare to take a single step west?"

Han Chen waved his hand impatiently, "Alright, Ming, stop overthinking it. Go back, you have to go to work tomorrow."

Liu Jianming didn't move, staring at him, and said, word by word, "Brother Chen, really—it's not that you have a problem with me?"

"If I were truly dissatisfied with you," Han Chen's eyes turned cold, "I would have already handed your identity over to the Major Crimes Unit and let them handcuff you themselves."

You think the police can't catch me? I've already been exposed. They can't arrest me because it's not the right time yet.

Liu Jianming finally breathed a sigh of relief, and his shoulders slowly slumped.

But just then, Han Chen suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Ah Ming, you—you haven't done anything to betray me, have you?"

Liu Jianming met his gaze frankly: "Brother Chen, I initially followed Sister Mary, and only later did I come to you."

Everything I do is at your behest.

There was no overstepping of boundaries, and no acting on my own initiative.

Han Chen nodded slightly: "Okay, I'll talk to A-Cheng later."

He frowned, his mind filled with confusion.

Not right.

Something's really wrong. He clearly only instructed Huang Zhicheng to investigate the real culprit who killed Ni Kun back then—how did the investigation end up involving Liu Jianming?!

absurd!

"Ah Cheng shouldn't be so stupid. He used to be a cop, and an inspector in the Major Crimes Unit."

"Is there some inside story I don't know?"

While he was pondering, Liu Jianming whispered, "Brother Chen, I am your man, but I am not by your side."

Huang Zhicheng is different. He used to work in the Major Crimes Unit, and now he's suddenly targeting me. Even my classmates in the police force have tipped me off.

"Do you want our relationship to be exposed?"

Han Chen suddenly looked up: "What?! Ah Cheng has attracted the attention of the Major Crimes Unit?"

"Of course!" Lau Kin-ming's voice suppressed his anger. "Who is Wong Chi-shing? A former inspector! He was kicked out of the police force and came to you. He appears loyal, but who knows what he's up to behind the scenes? Is he really willing to be your lackey? A former inspector, working under a gangster?"

Han Chen's face darkened completely, his eyes sharp as knives: "Acheng is my brother who grew up with me since we were little. He has never let me down."

Are you trying to sow discord with those words?

The voice was deep and dangerous, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Liu Jianming shrugged, neither humble nor arrogant: "Brother Chen, I am a policeman now, wearing a uniform, and standing on the other side."

I have no grudge against Huang Zhicheng; I'm just stating what I've seen.

"Honest advice is hard to hear, but I've done my duty by saying it. Whether you listen or not is up to you."

He paused, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "I'm different."

I'm a scoundrel at heart, and that hasn't changed from beginning to end.

But Huang Zhicheng came from a police background; he was an inspector.

Will he truly submit to you? Will he serve you for life?

Han Chen's heart skipped a beat.

Two things instantly came to mind.

The first thing Huang Zhicheng did was secretly follow Ni Yongxiao.

That's a huge taboo! Who in the underworld doesn't know that Han Chen is Ni Yongxiao's man? As his right-hand man, Acheng couldn't possibly be unaware of the gravity of the situation.

But he did exactly that anyway.

If it weren't for Ni Yongxiao's magnanimity in personally calling to remind him, a bloody storm would have already erupted in the underworld.

The second thing is even more outrageous!

He clearly ordered an investigation into the murderer of Ni Kun, but instead of investigating external enemies, Huang Zhicheng turned his attention to his own undercover agent?!

Are you out of your mind?!

"I told you to investigate the people who killed Uncle Kun, and you actually went to investigate Ah Ming?!" Han Chen muttered to himself, his voice already icy.

Liu Jianming looked at him, then suddenly grinned and uttered a sentence that sent chills down his spine: "Brother Chen—Uncle Kun, didn't you tell me to kill him?"

Boom!

As if struck by lightning, Han Chen froze, his blood almost freezing.

The next second, he suddenly sprang up, grabbed Liu Jianming's arm, and yanked him back forcefully, his smile vanishing completely.

The pistol had slid into his palm, its cold muzzle pressed firmly against Liu Jianming's lower abdomen.

"Did you kill Uncle Kun?!" he gritted his teeth, letting out a low growl.

This is a dark alleyway; if it were anywhere else, this sound would probably tear the night sky apart.

He was furious.

But a barely perceptible glint flashed in Liu Jianming's eyes.

That's exactly the reaction I wanted.

The breakthrough has begun.

Liu Jianming was never one to sit idly by and wait for his doom; he was shrewder than anyone else, and his mind worked faster than a spinning top.

Honestly, he never even considered killing Ni Kun; it was Han Chen who instructed him to do it!

Mary was the white moonlight in his heart, clean, pure, and hidden in the deepest part.

And how does Mary treat Han Chen? Everyone in the underworld knows. It's a deep and devoted relationship between husband and wife.

But recently, as these things kept popping up one after another, Liu Jianming's heart skipped a beat: something was wrong, something was really wrong.

Han Chen's old classmate from the Major Crimes Unit secretly told him that Han Chen was investigating who killed Ni Kun.

At that moment, Liu Jianming's mind went blank: "How could you not know that I did it myself, and that I did it at Sister Mary's behest?"

After tentatively saying a few words, Han Chen was completely bewildered!

Liu Jianming was overjoyed!

So that's how it is! I was only doing this for Mary, it had absolutely nothing to do with this short, powerful man in front of me!

cool!

Han Chen's eyes bulged, and his voice trembled: "Uncle Kun saved my life! He's the one who raised me! How dare you lay a hand on him?! This is utterly disrespectful!"

Liu Jianming immediately put on an extremely aggrieved expression: "Brother Chen, I was only with Sister Mary back then."

"If she asks me to, how can I refuse?"

He deliberately tilted his head, feigning innocence, and asked, "Hey, wait—could it be—you're the one who had Sister Mary pick the people to do it? This wasn't your arrangement?"

Upon hearing this, Han Chen froze on the spot.

The muscles in his face looked like they had been struck by an electric current; his eyelids twitched wildly; his eyebrows were furrowed; and the corners of his mouth twitched like a mannequin that had lost control.

Liu Jianming was dumbfounded. How could someone squeeze out so many emotions from their face?

Shock, doubt, anger, absurdity, and sorrow—all mixed together.

"Did you really kill Ni Kun?!" Han Chen muttered to himself, as if he couldn't believe it.

But he had no choice but to believe it.

Liu Jianming couldn't possibly lie to him—this kid is now his undercover agent, his life is in Liu Jianming's hands.

But if this logic holds true, the whole world will collapse!

Mary—his bedmate; Liu Jianming—his trusted confidant planted in the police force; Ni Kun—his savior and the benefactor who promoted him!

And what happened? His spouse ordered his trusted confidant to kill his benefactor?!

And what about him? He was still there, pounding his chest and vowing to take revenge, sending Huang Zhicheng to track down the real culprit!