Reborn in America: Starting as a California Resident

That evening, Qi Jixiang stepped alone into the once infamous slum, "Kowloon Walled City".

This is the most densely populated place in Asia, and even in the world, bar none.

Its history can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

At that time, the government established a place called "Guanfuchang" near the Kowloon Peninsula and Kai Tak Airport, where a special official was in charge of managing the salt industry.

However, after Xiangjiang Island was ceded to England in 1842, it gradually evolved into a lawless and vibrant place.

Especially with the outbreak of World War II, the small business owners forcefully occupied this area, demolished the city walls of Kowloon, and used the proceeds to expand the nearby airport.

After the war ended, the sovereignty of Kowloon became a point of contention between China and England.

To avoid triggering a new conflict following the recently concluded world war, neither side was willing to directly intervene in the issue of the ownership of this land.

Thus, Kowloon Walled City became a legal vacuum, attracting a large number of refugees, vagrants, and various criminals.

In this enclave formed by "historical accident," the law is virtually nonexistent, and even the police dare not easily enter (but incredibly, the postman still comes to deliver mail on time).

The residents here include criminals, drug dealers, prostitutes, as well as ordinary families, students, and artisans.

Aside from relying on public water and electricity facilities, the region's infrastructure has almost never received government funding or regulation.

The monthly rent is only $6.

这一状况一直持续到20世纪90年代，那时仅7英亩的土地上就密集分布着300多栋彼此相连的建筑，居住着超过5万人。

William Gibson, the renowned father of cyberpunk literature and a Canadian-American author, once described it in his book as: "This is a lawless land."

People are crowding in more and more; buildings are being built higher and higher.

There are no rules here, only the constant building and living.

The police don't go there.

There are drugs, prostitutes, and gambling there, but there are also residents, factories, and restaurants.

This is a city without laws.

After many twists and turns, Qi Jixiang finally entered a simple room.

Here, several shirtless, muscular young men are sitting around a dilapidated wooden table with several bottles of cheap beer on it.

The room was dimly lit, with only an old table lamp casting a faint glow, and the air was filled with smoke and a musty smell.

Upon seeing Qi Jixiang enter, they all stood up to greet him.

A short, stocky man looked at the calendar in the corner with a suspicious expression and said, "Ah Xiang, what brings you here tonight to see the brothers?"

"It's not the end of the month yet, is it?"

"Hehe, Qiang, you're such a questioner!"

Can't I come back to see my brothers if I have nothing to do?

"Move aside a little, don't block the way!"

Qi Jixiang greeted the man named A-Qiang with a smile, then casually pulled up a chair and sat down, placing the wooden lunchbox he had brought on the table: "Brother Hui, A-Jie, you're in for a treat today! Come and see what I brought you!"

As he spoke, Qi Jixiang opened the lunchbox, which contained several traditional Hong Kong snacks, each emitting an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.

"Ah Xiang, what's wrong with you...?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Hui Ge's eyes as he looked at the roast goose in the lunchbox.

These foods might not seem like much outside, but in a resource-scarce place like Kowloon Walled City, they were exceptionally precious.

"Ah Xiang, why are you being so generous today?"

A-Jie, who was about the same age as Qi Jixiang, also curiously came over.

"You brat, you're making it sound like I'm stingy!"

Tell me, when is your brother Xiang ever not generous?

"Quickly, try it and see how it tastes."

Amidst laughter and banter, the group began toasting and enjoying the rare and delicious dishes.

"Ah Xiang, speak!"

What important thing is it that needs your help today, brothers?

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Hui, the eldest of the four, asked a question in a low voice.

Since Qi Jixiang was hired by the arcade factory as the security captain, he has basically lived and worked at the factory.

Aside from the end of the month when he takes a break, he'll come over to help out his poor brothers; otherwise, he's rarely seen.

It's only the middle of the month, yet the other party has returned unexpectedly, which makes Brother Hui suspicious.

"Hehe, I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Brother Hui."

Upon hearing Hui Ge's question, Qi Jixiang smiled silently, gently put down his chopsticks, and his expression turned serious: "Actually, I came to see you all today because there is something important I want to discuss with you."

"Ah Xiang, what's all this mystery about?"

"Today, the new and old bosses of our arcade machine factory talked to me, saying that the factory has recently run into problems and they suspect that someone has leaked important business information..."

Qi Jixiang slowly recounted his conversation with Henry today, emphasizing the underlying energy behind it: "He wanted me to use my past experience to investigate this matter for him."

However, due to the large number of people involved, I cannot handle it alone, and the factory security team is also inadequate. Therefore, I would like to ask the brothers to help me investigate this matter.

"What? Qi Jixiang, I was wondering why you came over tonight!"

So you want us to be intelligence spies for foreigners?

Do you know what crime you would be charged with for doing this in wartime?

As soon as Qi Jixiang finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room immediately became somewhat heavy.

A-Qiang, who had just swallowed the last sip of cheap beer, roared at Qi Jixiang, his dissatisfaction completely undisguised.

Qi Jixiang, however, did not get angry. He simply took a deep breath and continued, "Qiang, let me finish."

I know you're not feeling well.

But now that we are in a foreign land, it is not easy for us to survive.

Do you think I'd be willing to do intelligence work for foreigners?

If it weren't for..."

"Ha, sophistry!"

If you're unwilling, then just resign.

Why bother coming over tonight?

"In the end, isn't it all about relying on foreigners to climb the social ladder?"

Ah Qiang interrupted Qi Jixiang again.

Everyone present had been a soldier in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and they all valued patriotism immensely.

Although they have gradually gathered in Hong Kong due to special reasons, he was still very excited when he suddenly heard his brothers urging him to use the skills granted by the motherland to spy for foreigners.

To them, this was almost tantamount to treason.

Fortunately, Hui-ge was relatively calm. He waved his hand to dissuade the two, saying, "Alright, let A-Xiang finish speaking!"

We're all brothers, would he ask us to betray our country?

"Brother Hui, of course I would never incite my brothers to betray the country!"

My family's ancestral graves are still on the mainland!

How could I possibly do such a thing?

Seeing that some of his brothers didn't understand, Qi Jixiang became somewhat emotional: "I just want everyone to use their skills to get a decent job in Hong Kong!"

"Look at you guys, you've been in Hong Kong for a few years now!"

"Besides doing hard labor here day after day, living in this dark and sweltering slum, what other way out is there?"

Qi Jixiang looked around at everyone present, his tone filled with helplessness and earnestness: "We all have the greater good of the country in our hearts, but we are only helping foreigners find the mole who leaked company information, and it does not involve anything else."

If things go smoothly, we will be able to truly establish ourselves in Hong Kong.

Not only can you get a good reward, but you can also obtain legal status in Hong Kong.

Now that we're approaching thirty, must we continue to live mediocre lives for some unfounded sentiment?

......

Then, silence fell over the room.

After a long while, Hui Ge slowly stood up, looking at Qi Jixiang with a complicated expression in his eyes: "Axiang, we understand what you're saying."

However, we need to think this through carefully; it's not a trivial matter.

We need time to think this through. Please give us some time to consider it.

"Okay, I know this is not an easy thing. Everyone can think it over carefully before telling me the answer."

However, since the boss has given us a rather tight deadline, I hope everyone can limit the time to within three days.

As I said before, no matter what we decide, we'll still be good brothers.