Yang Jian knew Biao Biao was comforting him, but his thoughts weren't on how to deal with Bao Guo.
"Biao Biao, have you contacted your cousin recently? Do you know about Wu Laizi's situation?"
"We haven't contacted much, but Wu Laizi should still be with Hong Xing. He's a wanted person, so he wouldn't go anywhere else. What, you want to go after him now?"
"Bao Guo was arrested, and I'm worried Wu Laizi will get scared and hide again, so I want to go over there. Send me your cousin's phone number and address."
"Why don't you wait for me to come back and go with you? What will you do there alone?"
"No need. You've all worked hard during this time. Rest well after you get back. I'll contact Fan Ge's fellow disciples when I get there; it will be more convenient with their help."
The road was finished, his brother-in-law was in charge of the renovation of Chunfeng Tower, he didn't need to worry about the template factory, the casino was no longer being operated, and the trading company had Jing Yongli and a new professional manager preparing it.
Everything was basically sorted out, and Yang Jian felt it was time to make a move on Wu Laizi.
"Alright, I'll let my cousin know. Just find him directly when you get there."
After Biao Biao hung up, he immediately sent an address, a phone number, and his cousin's name.
Yang Jian glanced at it briefly. His cousin's name was Luo Jianhua, the address was Xingwang Brick Kiln Factory in Dali Town, Nanhai City, and he directly ignored the phone number, deeming it unnecessary to remember.
Since he couldn't go to Hancheng, Yang Jian decided to call Li Jin and formally lay his cards on the table.
"Xiao Yang, stop joking. The casino is booming, and you want to pull out?"
When Li Jin heard Yang Jian call to say he was withdrawing from the casino on the tenth, he found it unbelievable.
"Brother Jin, my financial pressure has eased, and I've overcome the difficulties. Due to my two experiences in prison, my parents absolutely don't want me to be involved in the casino anymore. If I don't withdraw, they'll threaten to kill themselves.
My in-laws are also putting a lot of pressure on me. They come from a scholarly family. Having a son who was a hoodlum and sentenced has already made them unable to hold their heads up. If I, their son-in-law, continue to be involved in the casino, their family will never accept me.
So I plan to return to the right path and focus on running businesses and enterprises.
Brother Jin, there's no eternal banquet. Our cooperation in the casino will eventually end, it's just a matter of time. Moreover, our template business still needs to continue."
Yang Jian's reason about his parents threatening to kill themselves was a bit exaggerated, but it was the truth. After he got out of the detention center this time, his father had a long talk with him and truly hoped he would return to focus on running the factory and not get involved in the casino anymore.
"Xiao Yang, our two collaborations have always been very pleasant, and there have never been any misunderstandings, right?"
"Yes, actually, in both collaborations, it was Brother Jin who helped me. We brothers have always been honest with each other, and there are no misunderstandings. Even if we're not in the casino business anymore, we'll still be good brothers."
"Good. Since we're still brothers, tell me honestly, did he suddenly withdraw because he got some news?"
Li Jin had long known that Lu Hao's background was unusual. His family also had connections with high-ranking police officials. Yang Jian's sudden proposal to withdraw made him suspect that the Lu family had passed on some unusual information to him.
"I haven't received any news, but Lu Hao advised me a few days ago not to be involved in the casino. He plans to fully support my创业 (chuàngyè - starting a business). This is also one of the reasons I decided to withdraw. Brother Jin, listen to me, close the casino tomorrow. Honestly, I'm a bit scared. I feel like something will happen if we continue."
"Lu Hao only advised you not to be involved in the casino, but did he tell you when to withdraw?"
"No, he just wants to help me start a business and do legitimate work, saying the sooner I withdraw, the better."
Yang Jian couldn't mention Lu Jinsong's warning, so he could only subtly advise Li Jin, whether he would understand depended on whether he could make the decision to give up the huge profits from the casino.
Li Jin pondered for a moment before saying, "Xiao Yang, the information you've given me is very important. I will consider it carefully. If you have any important information, please tell me immediately."
"That's a given."
"I'll call you back later."
After Li Jin hung up, he immediately contacted Wang Youren, requesting an urgent meeting.
Xunsi River Fuqiao Foot Massage.
Wang Youren arrived as scheduled. Li Jin didn't call for a masseuse; he only asked the waiter to bring in two cups of tea before closing the door tightly.
"Director Wang, have you had any special operations in the past few days?"
The information Li Jin could obtain from the police was limited to Deputy Director Wang Youren. He hadn't yet established connections at higher levels.
Wang Youren asked strangely, "No, have you heard any rumors?"
"The Yang Jian who partnered with me suddenly proposed to withdraw from the casino just now. I suspect he got some news. Didn't you say the two people he saved have very powerful backgrounds, and they are even high-ranking officials within your department?"
"Really? Then we need to take this matter seriously. To be honest, the two people Yang Jian saved are the daughter and son-in-law of the Provincial Department's Deputy Director Lu."
"Holy crap, then Yang Jian has really latched onto a powerful figure. This kid actually kept it from me, that's a bit disloyal."
"He definitely can't just blab about this kind of thing. I heard Director Lu will soon be transferred to headquarters. However, Director Lu is a very principled person and shouldn't have revealed any important information to him. Advising him to withdraw from the casino is a very normal thing. After all, Yang Jian saved his daughter and son-in-law. From his perspective, he naturally wouldn't want Yang Jian to break the law."
"But Yang Jian advised me to close the casino tomorrow, that's too urgent. I suspect you might have some operation?"
Wang Youren picked up his cup and thought for a while before saying, "Xiao Li, your establishment really has too much influence. It's not surprising to be targeted by the Municipal Bureau or the Provincial Department. It's not impossible for them to take action against you bypassing our branch. This situation doesn't happen in Hancheng, but it does in other cities."
Li Jin was startled, "Director Wang, what should we do? Should I close the casino today?"
"It's not that urgent. I'll go back and sound out my colleagues at the Municipal Bureau. You should also talk to Yang Jian again. If he insists on withdrawing tomorrow, you might as well shut down the casino for a few days. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Wang Youren was feigning calmness, but in his heart, he was already a little scared. If this casino were to be seriously investigated by the Municipal Bureau or the Provincial Department, then his position as deputy director would be in danger.
In recent years, there have been many casinos in Hancheng, most of them small-scale operations. There weren't many large establishments, and they didn't last long, either being shut down by the police or collapsing due to internal strife. So far, no casino had been targeted by the Municipal Bureau or higher authorities, which was one of the reasons he dared to be a protector.
However, Yang Jian's sudden decision to withdraw made him feel a serious sense of crisis. After all, Yang Jian had already established contact with Lu Jinsong. As the savior of his daughter and son-in-law, no matter how principled Lu Jinsong was, he would try his best to protect Yang Jian. Therefore, if there was an operation at the provincial level, he would likely be notified in advance.