Daluo Town, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna.
After more than two months of traveling, Bao Guo and Wu Laizi finally arrived at this small border town in the southwest.
There were some tourist attractions here, so the two checked into a guesthouse and explored the surroundings for a day before returning to their accommodation before dinner.
"Brother Bao, there's not much fun to be had here. Where are we going tomorrow?"
In a small restaurant next to the guesthouse, Wu Laizi complained to Bao Guo. He was getting a bit tired of traveling. The attractions in most scenic spots were just mountains and water, and many were similar. There was no point in continuing to play.
Bao Guo looked outside. "We'll stay here for a few days. We've been on the road for a while, and it's time to rest properly."
"When are we going back? The police's hundred-day operation should be ending soon, right?"
"Don't worry. I've been in touch with the brothers back home. The police are making a big move this time, cracking down on gambling, prostitution, and drugs. Many of our associates have been arrested. We were lucky to get out quickly, or we wouldn't have escaped."
"Brother Bao, your experience is truly invaluable."
Wu Laizi's words were cut short as he froze, seeing a familiar figure appear at the entrance.
"Old Wu, long time no see."
Brother Mao walked towards him with a smile.
Wu Laizi quickly stood up and gave him a big hug. "Brother Mao, what are you doing here? This is such a surprise."
Reuniting in a foreign land, Wu Laizi's emotions were genuine. They were, after all, core brothers of the Hongxing Group. Brother Mao felt his excitement and surprise, and it was not feigned.
"Just like you, I was forced to leave Xinhe by Yang Jian and came to this borderland to live in obscurity and barely survive."
"Brother Mao, seeing you gives me a sense of purpose. You're full of ideas. Let's join forces again, brothers, and find an opportunity to return to Chengguan and take care of Yang Jian."
Wu Laizi felt it was time to show his loyalty. He finally realized that Bao Guo had brought him around in circles just to meet Brother Mao, and this was also a test for him.
"Taking care of Yang Jian won't be easy. He's rich and powerful now, not to mention his identity has been laundered. He also has a very close relationship with Lin Nan from the criminal investigation team. He directly took down Hongxing and Shen Hua. We can't fight him right now."
Brother Mao was satisfied with Wu Laizi's performance. He had previously doubted the incident where Yang Jian had only beaten him up and let him go.
After months of observation, it proved that their conflict with Yang Jian was irreconcilable. Yang Jian had not truly let him go. Shen Bing's judgment was correct; Yang Jian, after laundering his identity and going legitimate, would not dare to openly cripple or kill Wu Laizi.
Wu Laizi looked very unwilling. "Brother Mao, are we going to hide from him like rats and never be able to go back? My parents are both over sixty, and I want to go back to take care of them."
Brother Mao sat down beside him, and Bao Guo brought a set of bowls and chopsticks.
"Old Wu, we can't rush into dealing with Yang Jian. We need to make a long-term plan. The only way is to make money. As long as we have enough money, we can hire top assassins to assassinate Yang Jian. Only after he's dead can we go back."
"How much money does it take to kill him? Should a year's income from our business be enough?"
"There were rumors that a big boss in Hong Kong spent five million Hong Kong dollars to hire an international assassin, but they couldn't even scratch Yang Jian. We need to prepare at least ten million for someone to take this job, and even then, success isn't guaranteed. The main reason is that Yang Jian's combat power is too strong, so we need to earn tens of millions to have a chance."
"When will that ever happen?"
"It's not that difficult. I'm already able to get goods directly from Northern Myanmar, and the profit will more than double. I don't have enough trustworthy people. Can you stay and help me?"
Wu Laizi was strong and good at fighting. Before Yang Jian became prominent, only Liu Ming could keep him in check in Chengguan. Therefore, Brother Mao wanted him to stay and help him manage the scene as a bodyguard.
"I'm definitely willing to follow you, but I heard that Northern Myanmar is very chaotic. Is it dangerous to go there?"
Yang Jian had reminded him on the phone not to cross the border into Northern Myanmar easily. San Pang was bought by Brother Mao. Wu Laizi had some reservations.
"Don't worry, I have backing and partners there. I'm doing big business with them, and they will protect our safety."
"Alright then, I'll stay here. Anyway, I'm always on edge in Hancheng, and Yang Jian might find me any day. It's much safer here."
Wu Laizi had to declare his intentions immediately, otherwise, it would arouse Brother Mao's suspicion, and there would be no reason to refuse.
He could only bet that Brother Mao trusted him. The elaborate plan to have Bao Guo bring him here was because they were both pushed to a dead end by Yang Jian.
Furthermore, he felt that Brother Mao had no ill intentions towards him. After all, they were brothers from the same team. It wasn't likely that he would be tricked and sold. He had just been released from prison, and his family couldn't spare any money.
"Alright, I'll rent a separate house for you here. You'll live here permanently from now on."
Although he showed trust in Wu Laizi, Brother Mao still didn't intend to tell him where he lived. He also planned to gradually hand over all the business of sourcing and delivering goods to him to reduce his own risk.
And so, Wu Laizi settled in Daluo Town. Brother Mao rented him a secluded and quiet two-story house with a private courtyard. It looked a bit run-down from the outside, but the interior living facilities were complete.
After Bao Guo stayed with him for more than ten days, he returned to Hancheng with a batch of goods. It was likely that the police's hundred-day operation had ended.
During these ten days, Wu Laizi never had a chance to call Yang Jian and Lin Nan.
Now that Bao Guo had left, and he was alone in the house, Wu Laizi decided to inform them.
To prevent Brother Mao or Bao Guo from installing listening devices in his room, Wu Laizi cautiously went up to the rooftop and first dialed Yang Jian's number, as Yang Jian's goal was to find Brother Mao, which meant half of the mission was accomplished.
"Mr. Yang, hello, I'm Wu Laizi."
After arriving in Daluo Town, Wu Laizi bought a mobile phone and a local number to maintain a direct line of communication with Yang Jian and Lin Nan.
"Mm, where are you now?"
"Mr. Yang, I have good news for you. I've met Brother Mao, and I've stayed by his side."
Yang Jian's excited voice came through the phone. "Really? Where are you now?"
"We are in a border town in southwestern Yunnan, Daluo Town. There's a port here that leads to Northern Myanmar."
"Good, you've done an excellent job. I'll give you a bonus after this is over. What does Brother Mao want you to do there?"
"He wants me to travel back and forth between Northern Myanmar and the mainland with him to sell methamphetamine and ketamine."
"Have you been to Northern Myanmar with him yet?"
"Not yet, Mr. Yang. I'm still a bit worried. What if he sells me out once I go there?"
"That shouldn't happen. Your relationship with him is unusual, and you haven't done anything to betray him. He wouldn't gain much by selling you."
Wu Laizi began to state his conditions. "Mr. Yang, if Brother Mao really harms me, can you take care of my parents? They are the ones I've wronged the most in my life."
"Don't worry. Even if you are sold to Northern Myanmar, I can get you back. The prerequisite is that you find out who Brother Mao is meeting in Northern Myanmar."
Since Brother Mao was doing business in Northern Myanmar, Yang Jian became more confident about rescuing San Pang.