At noon, the sky was gray with the warm winter sun obscured by smog. The wind picked up, and pedestrians hurriedly clambered into cars or towering buildings nearby. Trees by the road swayed, leaves flew in the air, drifting to distant places.
Three luxury cars pulled up at the entrance of a lavish hotel. Several middle-aged n in suits stepped out, exchanging pleasantries as they walked into the hotel. The reception staff ca forward to greet them and guided everyone up the empty grand staircase to the second floor and into an opulent private room.
Leading the group was Shi Huansheng, the general manager of Yinxiang Group, a brilliant graduate from Huaxia University of Science and Technology. After graduation, Shi Huansheng joined Yinxiang Group as a regular employee and within five years, soared to the position of general manager, earning the board's deep approval. His journey was smooth and envied by many, though no one knew the reason behind it.
Today's lunch was a routine business engagent, arranged a week ago. Shi Huansheng was jovial and effortlessly orchestrated the seating, expertly entertaining the invited guests. Laughter filled the room, and both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly. When it was ti to settle the bill, Shi Huansheng instructed the waiter to handle it as per the usual procedure, and the waiter politely complied and swiftly departed.
A few minutes later, the waiter returned hurriedly and whispered into Shi Huansheng's ear, "Sir, your company's authorization has reached its limit and cannot sign the bill. Please personally go to the counter to handle the new authorization procedures. Thank you."
Shi Huansheng was taken aback, glanced at the waiter, nodded, and said to the others, "Keep drinking, I'll be right back, quickly. Does anyone need anything else?"
"No need, Mr. Shi, co back quickly. We're waiting for your final remarks," a middle-aged man chuckled.
Shi Huansheng agreed and walked out with the waiter, following the corridor. When he passed the entrance of a private room, a person suddenly sprang out, stepped swiftly behind Shi Huansheng, and chopped down at the back of Shi Huansheng's neck before he could react. Shi Huansheng fainted and was dragged into the private room by the assailant.
Another person erged from the room, coldly speaking to the waiter, "Nice work. You know how to handle the aftermath, right? No mistakes allowed."
"Understood, Master Dao," the waiter respectfully replied, returning to the original room to inform everyone that Shi Huansheng had settled the bill and had an urgent matter to leave first, asking him to relay the ssage. No one suspected anything, and they all packed up and left.
It was Ghost Hand who knocked Shi Huansheng out, and Little Dao instructed the waiter. After accomplishing their task, they waited in the room until everyone was gone, then left the room, flanking Shi Huansheng and carrying him out. The two kept their heads down; so recognized Shi Huansheng and noticed the sll of alcohol, assuming he was drunk, without asking further. Ghost Hand and Little Dao took Shi Huansheng to a pre-booked room upstairs, threw him onto the bed, and locked the door.
Ghost Hand quickly revived Shi Huansheng. Shi Huansheng, experienced as he was, imdiately realized he was in trouble. He quickly regained his composure, looked at Ghost Hand and Little Dao in confusion, recognized Little Dao, and said in surprise, "Master Dao, we are old acquaintances. The protection fee I paid was never short. What does this an?"
"Soone wants to ask you a few questions; answer honestly, and perhaps you'll keep your life. Otherwise, you know the rules of the underworld. You've seen our faces, and the only option is silence by death. It's up to you how you choose, but you know my reputation and credibility; what's said is done." Little Dao coldly replied, leaving no room for negotiation.
Shi Huansheng froze and cautiously asked Ghost Hand, "Brother, you're unfamiliar. Which line are you from? I don't recall offending you."
"Slap!" Ghost Hand swung a hand down, using half his strength, loosening many of Shi Huansheng's teeth with one hit, blood gushing from his mouth. Ghost Hand coldly said, "You're not worthy to call brother. Answer the questions honestly, or you know the consequences of falling from the thirty-third floor—death by drunken fall will surely make tomorrow's headlines."
"Ugh?" Shi Huansheng, dizzy from the hit, knew Ghost Hand wasn't a tender-hearted character, soone not to be trifled with. He begrudgingly accepted his bad luck, shook his head to regain calmness, and said, "Alright, ask. I'll answer whatever I know, just hope you spare ."
"That depends on your attitude," Coldly said Ghost Hand, walking to the window, opened it, and easily lifted Shi Huansheng like a chick, holding him overhead, posturing to throw him out.
Seeing the scene below, hearing the wind, Shi Huansheng was utterly terrified, instantly sobered, and shouted in fright, "No, put down, I'll talk, I'll talk." His body trembled in anxiety.
"My patience is limited, my strength too. I ask, you answer. If the answer is wrong, I'll be upset and my hand might slip— you know the consequence." Ghost Hand coldly stated, realizing from Shi Huansheng's calm reaction upon waking that the man was not simple, remarkable in ntal resilience. Such people were difficult to conquer, lies coming naturally. To deal with them, only the threat of death would utterly break their will.
"Alright, alright, put down, I'll talk." Shi Huansheng hurriedly responded, contemplating the fall's consequence, imagining the vast luxury awaiting him, utterly panicking.
Ghost Hand didn't let up, gripping Shi Huansheng firmly, hoisting him high, coldly demanding, "Where's the murderous snake?" Ghost Hand purposely asked about the snake, not asking if the victim was killed by Shi Huansheng, giving the latter a false impression that Ghost Hand knew everything.
Upon hearing about the snake, Shi Huansheng tensed up completely, stopped struggling, ceased pleading. The anomaly made Ghost Hand realize Shi Huansheng knew the inside story, slightly relieved, coldly shouted, "Speak, you have one chance. My patience is limited. Three seconds." He began counting down.
"Wait, who are you, and how can I ensure my safety if I talk?" Shi Huansheng wasn't a fool, quickly weighed his options, readying his answer.
"One last second." Ghost Hand left no room for negotiation, resolutely threatened, preparing to throw Shi Huansheng down.
Shi Huansheng saw Ghost Hand was about to act, his last sliver of hopeful luck broke, hurriedly grasping Ghost Hand's arm, flustered, pleading, "Spare , I'll talk, I'll talk, please put down." At the brink of life and death, Shi Huansheng chose survival, even if the hope was slim. In that mont, Shi Huansheng desperately clung to Ghost Hand like a drowning man clutching a straw, fearing Ghost Hand might disagree.
User Comments
0 comments from readers