117: Pre-match preparation

Futian District, Shenzhen, Zhonghai Huating.

The winter sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the yoga studio.

Miss Yang Yang was performing her final stretching pose.

She wore only a form-fitting yoga outfit.

Sweat had soaked the fabric to semi-transparency, outlining her voluptuous and alluring curves.

Especially when she bent forward,

that pair of perfectly round buttocks trembled like ripe peaches, encased in her tight leggings.

She stood up and wiped the fine sweat from her neck with a towel.

Even though she had faded from the entertainment industry for many years,

this body still maintained a stunningly perfect proportion—

a slender waist above an exaggerated hip line, naturally swaying with each step.

Pushing open the glass door,

she arrived at the sky garden.

This was her favorite place, filled with flowers and plants of all colors.

She crouched down,

her fingertip gently touching a newly bloomed daisy.

The corner of her mouth unconsciously lifted into that signature sweet smile.

Those naturally crescent-shaped eyes held a hint of a smile even when she wasn't smiling,

which had once driven countless fans wild.

"Miss Yang, your tea and snacks are ready."

The maid softly reminded her from behind.

She nodded and walked toward the white wicker chair in the center of the garden.

On the table were her favorite macarons and floral tea.

The delicate bone china cup glowed with a warm luster in the sunlight.

Ever since Young Master Lai went to prison,

she had been living this isolated life.

Occasionally attending some charity events, spending the rest of her time holed up in this luxurious cage.

Once the nation's sweetheart, she now resembled a forgotten canary.

She picked up the teacup, gazing blankly at the sea view of Shenzhen Bay in the distance.

The date of the Humen Underground Boxing Match was getting closer,

but strangely, her heart had instead grown calm.

Since she had already prepared for the worst, there was nothing left to fear.

Returning to the living room,

she walked straight to the hidden compartment in the bedroom.

Her slender fingers lightly pressed on the wall, and a hidden drawer slid open silently.

Inside lay an object wrapped in red silk.

She carefully took it out, unwrapping the silk layer by layer.

An exquisite silver pistol gleamed coldly under the light.

This was what Young Master Lai had shoved into her hands during their last meeting.

"Take it for self-defense."

He had said at the time, his eyes holding a gravity she had never seen before.

Miss Yang gently stroked the cold gun body, her gaze gradually sharpening.

A trace of determination surfaced on her sweet face.

Outside the window,

Shenzhen's neon lights began to light up.

She rewrapped the pistol and placed it back in the hidden compartment.

As she turned,

the yoga outfit outlined a graceful arc over her hips...

——

Noon.

Li Zhan returned to the top-floor office in Phoenix City.

When he pushed open the door,

Old Zhou was adding water to a purple clay teapot.

AZu, Shui Sheng, and Da Niu were sitting on the opposite sofa talking about something.

"Brother Zhan."

AZu was the first to stand up. "Manager Chen and Brother Biao have already left for the Land Bureau."

Li Zhan casually draped his trench coat over the back of a chair and loosened his collar.

"Have you all eaten?

I'm so hungry my chest is sticking to my back."

He gestured with his chin toward AZu. "Go fry me some rice noodles, remember to add extra chili."

AZu chuckled in acknowledgment and went out.

Li Zhan sat down in the single sofa, his gaze falling on Da Niu.

After this period of special training, Da Niu was completely transformed—

his already burly physique now looked even more solid and lean, his dark skin glowing with health.

Most surprisingly, his eyes, once simple and honest, now held a touch of sharpness.

"Da Niu, you're looking sharp."

Li Zhan took the tea handed to him by Old Zhou. "Looks like this special training wasn't wasted."

Da Niu scratched his head and grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Shui Sheng chimed in,

"This kid now hits harder and dirtier than us. He nearly dislocated my arm during sparring yesterday."

A burst of laughter erupted in the office.

Li Zhan took a sip of tea. "From today on, aside from morning training, you'll stick with me."

Old Zhou nodded beside him. "That's for the best. Good to guard against Young Master Liu's underhanded tricks."

His expression suddenly turned serious.

"Da Niu, remember, by Brother Zhan's side,

at a critical moment, you can't retreat even if you have to block a bullet with your body."

"Old Zhou, stop scaring people."

Li Zhan laughed and waved his hand. "I haven't reached the point where my brothers need to block bullets for me."

Shui Sheng took over the conversation appropriately.

"Young Master Liu has already changed to a second surveillance team, all new faces.

I sent the previous team to keep an eye on the Chaoshan Gang. They won't show their faces in Dongguan for now."

Li Zhan nodded. He was just about to speak when AZu pushed the door open carrying a plate of fried noodles.

The aroma of chili instantly filled the room.

Li Zhan picked up a chopstickful of noodles coated in red oil.

Looking up at AZu through the rising steam, he asked, "Any recent movements from the Chaoshan Gang?"

AZu put down his teacup, leaning forward slightly.

"They've moved a few batches of goods through Changan Wharf lately,

and following underworld custom, they proactively gave us a ten percent cut."

"Oh?"

Li Zhan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Boss Chen is extending an olive branch to us."

He put down his chopsticks and leisurely wiped his mouth with a tissue.

Li Zhan's calculations were clear in his mind—

his foundation was in Dongguan, and now he had also connected with the Zhou Family line.

There was really no need to wade into Shenzhen's deep waters.

Humen was the key direction for his next development.

Now, by handling relations with the Chaoshan Gang to the east,

he could avoid being attacked from both front and rear when making moves in Humen in the future.

The office fell quiet for a few seconds, with only the sound of Old Zhou pouring tea.

Li Zhan's gaze swept over everyone, continuing,

"Building good relations with the Chaoshan Gang now can at least ensure our eastern flank is secure."

He looked at AZu.

"Have Golden Tooth Sheng pass the word.

Find a time to invite Boss Chen for tea, see what business we can collaborate on."

Chaoshan people love doing business, don't they?

What's better at stabilizing them than doing business together?

AZu immediately stood up, pulling out his phone.

"I'll arrange it right now..."

Old Zhou refilled Li Zhan's tea, speaking softly,

"Boss Chen is a very cunning man. We need to guard against him setting a trap..."

Li Zhan picked up his teacup, his eyes growing sharper in the rising steam.

"Don't worry, I've got a handle on it."

He took a sip of tea, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"The most pressing matter right now is still the upcoming Humen Underground Boxing Match."

This was his debut as the Chang'an Spokesperson in Dongguan's underworld, something he couldn't afford to take lightly.

Hearing this, Da Niu clenched his fist.

His knuckles cracked crisply, brimming with fighting spirit.

Li Zhan looked at Shui Sheng. "Any news from the people I had you send to gather information earlier?"

Shui Sheng put down his phone, frowning slightly.

"We've already got people keeping an eye on Bai Shaqiang's side.

But the spokespersons from the other towns are lying very low. Our layout there has been too short...

The intel coming back is all worthless."

He paused. "And—

these old foxes all want to make a splash at the boxing match, keeping their trump cards tightly hidden."

"What about the peripheral betting pools?" Li Zhan suddenly asked.

"Following the usual practice, the host of the event opens the pool."

Shui Sheng immediately replied. "I heard Humen is only accepting cash transactions this time. We need to prepare in advance."

Li Zhan nodded thoughtfully.

"Send more manpower to Humen. It's not just about this boxing match over there."

He turned to look at AZu.

"Consolidate the cash flow from all the Gambling Dens recently. We'll go play a few hands then."

AZu immediately nodded. "Understood, I'll take care of it later."

Old Zhou suddenly chuckled softly. "This boxing match should be very lively..."

"A hard fist is the real truth."

Li Zhan's mouth curled into a cold smile.

He looked at the eager Da Niu.

"Prepare well these next few days. When the time comes, make sure everyone remembers your name."

Da Niu nodded heavily, a blazing fighting spirit igniting in his eyes...

Outside the window,

an unidentified little bird landed on the windowsill.

It tilted its head, looked at the people inside, then flapped its wings and flew away.