Chapter 118

If there were anyone in Jianghu who could still really be the boss, to take up this top position, then there would only be one person. That was Fang Yu.

That night, the brothers got together, and they inevitably spoke of the things in Jianghu. Although right now they were all no longer gangsters, their friends, brothers, and past contacts could not be cut off. Although they were no longer in Jianghu, they were still quite aware of the things in Jianghu. The gangdom now was different from the past. In the past, it was about loyalty and people’s hearts. Now, it was just for one word, money. Could it be the same? So now Jianghu has also long changed. But even when gangsters on the streets now spoke about the Jianghu of the past, there was still emotion, respect, idolization, and even yearning.

Ever since Yan Ziyi became clean, Luo Jiu passed away, and Fang Yu was imprisoned, the structure of the Jianghu gangdom was always scattered. For so many years, there had been a variety of small gangs fighting each other. For a while, one would come from the north part of the city, then one would come from the south. They all considered themselves to be the gangdom, but none of them were very successful. There was never again anyone like Yan Ziyi or Luo Jiu in the past, holding power over the whole city with overwhelming influence. The times had changed. The current environment and climate were no longer the times of the 1980s and 1990s, when heroes were created. The gangster Da Ges all treated their little brothers as expendables and money making tools. Could they become real Da Ges? Even if they were obedient on the surface, they did not obey in their hearts. Besides, if they really had the skills of Yan Ziyi and Luo Jiu, the empty position of the boss of Jianghai wouldn’t have been empty for so many years, yet no one could climb up to that position.

“Ge, that Xiao Laosan came to see me again yesterday. He wanted me to say something, but I refused,” Lao Liang said to Fang Yu.

Fang Yu didn’t say anything and nodded.

“It’s been so long, but they still don’t want to give up. How many times has it been? You tell them to go on the legitimate path with you, but they aren’t willing. I told Xiao Laosan that my Da Ge is already determined. There’s no use saying anything. That way, they won’t bother you next time.”

Ever since Fang Yu had returned to Jianghai and started his company, there had been an endless stream of people looking for him, batch after batch, and they had never stopped. No matter if they were the brothers of the past or acquaintances who were still gangsters, the big- and small-time leaders of the past, or if they were coming to join, lobby, or give pricey invitations out of admiration, using friendships, pulling strings, and all kinds of connections to get acquainted, there was an endless stream.

These people only had one motive: They wanted Fang Yu to come back and be a leader.

In Jianghai right now, people on the streets all agreed that the so-called Da Ge gangsters right now could only be considered small-scale gangs that were more or less the same, lacking cooperation, and unable to accomplish great things. If there were anyone in Jianghai who could really be the boss, shoulder the burdens of the position, rally the multitudes, and replicate the situation of Yan and Luo’s past heydays, there was only one person. That was Fang Yu.

Although Fang Yu had now washed his hands, with his fundamental reputation in the Jianghai gangdom, who could compare with him?

Yan Ziyi had long been out of the gangdom. Now he was the president of a development corporation in China, a well-known private entrepreneur in the country. He was an example of successful cleaning. He had no need for and would not take the old path of the gangdom again. He had the position and power. After Yang Lei became a soldier and joined the army, he was already no longer a person on this path. But Fang Yu was different. Fang Yu went to prison, and this had more weight in the gangdom. There were more people who wanted to follow him, and it was even harder to leave the path. When Fang Yu returned to Jianghai, Yan Ziyi once said to Fang Yu, no matter if he took the legitimate path or the gangdom path, he would support him. To a Da Ge like Yan Ziyi, Fang Yu was not just a child in his own family whom he had watched grow up. The thing inside the bones of the people in Yan Ziyi and Luo Jiu’s generation were all carried on by Fang Yu. Fang Yu was more like the heir of their generation of gangdom bosses. The trust and feelings could not be understood without experiencing those years of life, death, and bloody knives.

Thus, if Fang Yu rose again, with his position in Jianghu, his popularity, Luo Jiu’s huge foundation of power in the past, and Yan Ziyi’s full support behind him, who in Jianghai could compete?

Three years ago, Fang Yu went to the south. Those on the streets thought he wasn’t coming back, but now he was back and here. The structure of the Jianghai gangdom must be rewritten.

But Fang Yu wasn’t a gangster anymore. No matter how many people pressured him, Fang Yu would only have one sentence.

There were too many people like Xiao Laosan who still wanted to depend on Fang Yu and make a name for themselves on the streets by coming to Fang Yu. Fang Yu made all of them stop their wishful thinking.

Hua Mao arrived quite late.

“Da Ge!” When Hua Mao came in, there was nothing else for anyone by Fang Yu’s side. Hua Mao pushed the brother beside Fang Yu to the side with his arm. With a pull of his hand, he held Fang Yu’s arm.

“Ge, I’ve missed you so much!” Hua Mao’s tone was still affectionate. Every time he saw Fang Yu, no matter when and where, he was this affectionate.

“Are you taking part in the Spring Festival Gala? Playing Feng Gong?” Yang Lei’s words made the whole room of people fall over with laughter.

“Even if I were playing Feng Gong, it’s better than you. Look at how unpleasant you are.” Hua Mao rolled his eyes at Yang Lei. Yang Lei was amused. They hadn’t met in a long time. He really had become a bit unaccustomed to not bickering with Hua Mao like this.

“Missed you so much and you’re still late?” Er Hei dissed, “You’re the latest!”

“I bumped into a cop on the road.” Hua Mao was a little annoyed when he thought of the little cop. He was a newcomer to the police station, and he caught Hua Mao two days ago. Today, they met on the road. That little cop came to check his ID, but Hua Mao didn’t bring it with him, and it was very troublesome. However, the little cop was quite attractive, so Hua Mao gave up and didn’t argue with him.

“Nothing serious?” Fang Yu asked Hua Mao.

“Nothing, Da Ge.” Hua Mao held Fang Yu and wouldn’t let go. Fang Yu was used to it and let him do it. Unless Yang Lei saw that Hua Mao’s hands were too dishonest, he would bear it. He would allow this boy to eat some tofu. Of course, he could only eat some tofu skin.

When Hua Mao came, it was even more lively. If these brothers wanted to make an uproar, they would really need him. When everyone here was happy with wine and watching a DVD or playing cards, Hua Mao sat beside Fang Yu and talked with him.

“Da Ge,” Hua Mao said, smoking.

“Yeah.” Fang Yu was also smoking. He looked at him. Hearing Hua Mao’s tone, he knew that he had something to say.

Hua Mao put the wine glass on the table, holding a cigarette between his fingers, and looked at Hua Mao. “‘Tie Qiang’ has come out.” Fang Yu lifted his eyes at once.

“When?” Fang Yu abruptly asked Hua Mao.

“This afternoon. His sentence was reduced, and he was released ahead of time.” Hua Mao received the news. His news was fast and accurate. Fang Yu took a hard drag, and a face flashed before his eyes.

A face with a bluish complexion, a fierce gaze, slightly drooping eyelids, and reticence.

“…Da Qiang.” Fang Yu’s eyes were filled with a yearning smile and joy.

The boy had come out.

Brother. His brother from prison.