Chapter 422 Taking Control
?"Silence!" Tang Bo's decree sliced through the air, a definitive edge to his voice that brooked no argument.
Zhang Wei, having reclaimed his seat, surveyed the situation with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
Moments later, Tang Bo approached, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Brother Zhang," he chuckled, an awkwardness clinging to his tone. "Forgive them, they're newcomers, blind to who you really are."
The air around them thickened with confusion as Tang Bo's subordinates witnessed their leader's sudden deference.
Despite their bewilderment, they mimicked his bow, their voices melding into a chorus of repentance.
""Big brother! Forgive our ignorance!""
Gaps!
"..."
In the front of their collective plea, Wu Xue felt a fluttering of butterflies in her stomach, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling within. Meanwhile, Leng Yan massaged her temples, a headache burgeoning at the spectacle.
She shot Zhang Wei a look of exasperation, her voice a hushed whisper. "Please tell me you're not enjoying this..." Yet, the grin that Zhang Wei offered in return only tightened the knot of frustration in her chest. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
For Tang Bo, this gesture was steeped in genuine respect. His status had undergone a seismic shift, from navigating the streets in a decrepit BYD to being chauffeured in a Land Cruiser.
Under Zhang Wei's wing, he had tasted a luxury previously unimaginable. With the Wang family's backing, their dominion had expanded beyond the port, the White Tiger gang's influence now a growing force throughout the city.
Ring... Ring...
The shrill ring of Wu Xue's phone broke the tension, her eyes narrowing at the name flashing across the screen. "It's my brother..." She glanced towards Zhang Wei, her voice trailing off.
Zhang Wei's surprise was evident, his eyebrows arching in curiosity. "You have a brother?" he questioned, his tone laced with intrigue.
Why had this detail never surfaced before?
Wu Xue offered a nervous chuckle, her admission hanging in the air. "He... isn't exactly... prominent within the family... So..."
Tang Bo's frown deepened, his reply laced with a hint of unease. "That place... it's beyond our reach. It's likely the casino near the coastline in the riverfront district."
Zhang Wei's response was immediate, his voice tinged with suspicion. "You haven't taken control of the riverfront district yet?"
Tang Bo, caught between loyalty and realism, offered a nervous smile. "Brother Zhang, as you're aware, that area is a battleground for the gangs. To move against it would be to spark a full-blown war," he explained, hoping to convey the delicacy of their situation.
"Then what's the problem? Let it be a war," Zhang Wei's retort was sharp, his resolve clear.
"..."
Tang Bo was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by Zhang Wei's audacity.
A direct conflict would inevitably provoke numerous factions simultaneously, a prospect daunting to even the most fearless.
Unbeknownst to Tang Bo, Zhang Wei's intentions were far from jest. His ambition to bring the entire city under his dominion was not just a fleeting desire but a calculated aim.
Leng Yan, too, found herself at a loss for words, her disbelief mirroring Tang Bo's. "Hey... You know, there are more lawful ways to handle this..." Her suggestion, though tentative, hinted at an alternative path, one less trodden by those in their line of work.
"..."
"..."
Zhang Wei and Wu Xue exchanged a glance, their skepticism evident as they turned towards Leng Yan.
Their dubious expressions spoke volumes of their faith—or lack thereof—in legal interventions.
Leng Yan, undeterred by their skepticism, pressed on. "I can ensure your brother's safety without any collateral damage. Not all officers operate under the same ethos," she argued, frustration creeping into her voice at their apparent distrust in lawful measures.
Why was their faith in the law so diminished?
Undeterred, Zhang Wei shifted the conversation back to action. "Prepare the cars. We're going to ambush them," he declared, directing his words at Tang Bo, his strategy bold and uncompromising.
Leng Yan, "..."
Her silence was filled with disappointment, a clear sign of her internal resignation.
The thought, 'Did they just ignore my suggestion?' echoed through her mind, a blend of disbelief and acceptance mingling within her.