The atmosphere in the private room was heavy.
Gao Qilan was also extremely conflicted.
On one hand was Gao Lan Cosmetics, a company with a bright future.
On the other were her two older brothers, making it difficult for her to choose.
After about half a minute, Gao Qilan slowly raised her head and asked seriously, "Boss, do you have a way to help my brothers? Whatever you want, I'll agree, even if you want me, I'm willing!"
Her proposition and determination surprised Gao Fei for a moment, and he then shook his head, saying, "Sister Lan, you've been with the company for so long, do you really think I, Gao Fei, am that kind of person? It's not that I'm unwilling to help your eldest brother and the others, but the things they've done are too numerous and too serious. I'm afraid I can't help."
"What exactly did my brothers do?"
"Murder!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Qilan's clear eyes were filled with shock, her pupils trembling slightly. In her eyes, even if her elder brothers were involved in gangs, they would probably just get into fights or participate in some illegal organizations. But murder was something she never expected, and it was no wonder Gao Fei didn't want to get involved. In mainland China, any case involving a life was not something that could be easily resolved with a few words, let alone in the capital.
After a moment of thought, Gao Qilan bit her lower lip and said, "Boss, can I have a few days to consider? I can't decide right now."
"Of course! Whether you stay or leave, just contact me. Even if you leave, I won't let you go empty-handed!"
"Thank you, boss!"
Gao Qilan stood up and bowed, her gratitude heartfelt.
"Sister Lan, I've seen your contributions to the company. To be honest, I'll be sad to see you go." Gao Fei gave a wry smile; these were his true feelings.
Sitting back down, Gao Qilan nodded with red eyes and changed the subject, "By the way, boss, I have one more thing I want to ask of you."
"Go ahead, what is it?"
"It's about my friend here, Xu Qiaoling. She came with me today because she wants to join your company. Boss, can you make arrangements?"
Hearing this request, it was exactly what Gao Fei had in mind. Feiteng Investment Company's profitable ventures were slowly moving into Hong Kong, and he was in dire need of people. And with Xu Qiaoling, a talented female scholar and business genius, wanting to join the company, he had found his person.
After the agreement, Jin Qiqi and Xu Qiaoling returned. The four chatted for a while longer, and then they all dispersed. Gao Fei and Jin Qiqi did not return to the hotel but drove directly to the mainland. Gao Qilan and Xu Qiaoling took a taxi back to Gao Lan Cosmetics' new factory in Hong Kong.
On the way, Xu Qiaoling was ecstatic upon learning that Gao Fei had agreed to let her join the company, waving her little fists in the car. Gao Qilan, though smiling, still had a hint of undisguised sadness in her eyes.
Back at the new factory, she went to a secluded spot and called her eldest brother, Gao Qiqiang.
"Xiao Lan, are you doing well in Hong Kong? Are you used to the food and lodging?" As soon as the call connected, Gao Qiqiang's amiable laughter and concern filled the air.
Gao Qilan felt a pang in her heart and calmly asked, "Brother, you and Second Brother were involved in a murder case, right?"
The line immediately fell silent. After about half a minute, Gao Qiqiang's bitter laugh could be heard, "What else do you know?"
"Second Brother, you're involved in gangs and the police are already after you, aren't you?"
"That's right!"
Hearing her brother admit it, Gao Qilan's eyes instantly turned red. She clenched her left fist and, in a low voice, roared angrily, "Why? Tell me why! The cosmetics store makes hundreds of thousands in profit every year, and Second Brother's mobile phone store makes over a hundred thousand in profit. This money is enough for us to live a prosperous life. Why are you still going down this path, why?"
"Because I don't want to be stepped on all my life, and I don't want to rely on others for a living." Gao Qiqiang choked out, a bitter smile on his face. "Xiao Lan, brother... I want to live with dignity."
The word "dignity" brought a brief silence to their conversation. A moment later, her eldest brother asked, "Xiao Lan, Mr. Gao told you about our situation, didn't he?"
"Yes!"
"And he told you that you either stay in Hong Kong or leave the company?"
"Yes!"
"What are your thoughts?"
"I want to stay, but I don't want to involve Mr. Gao because of Second Brother. Brother, I'm so conflicted right now, it's hard to choose." Gao Qilan said this with a choked voice.
On the other end of the phone, Gao Qiqiang felt immense heartache for his sister. Faced with such a choice, he too would have been deeply conflicted. If it weren't for Gao Fei, his sister would probably still be exploited by ruthless capitalists. Without Gao Fei, their brothers would not have reached their current heights. Torn between gratitude and affection, it would be difficult for anyone to choose.
After about half a minute, Gao Qiqiang spoke again. After hearing her brother's words, Gao Qilan, holding the phone, knew how to make her choice.
...
Seven in the evening, in a private villa in the suburbs of Shenzhen. Gao Fei, Guo Yue, Xu Yuejin, and Chen Guoyao were seated at a dining table, eating and chatting. Except for Guo Yue, no one knew why the big boss had gathered them all together today. After a few rounds of drinks, Gao Fei put down his chopsticks and looked at Xu Yuejin, "If Yi He is taken down, can Ah Cheng Rong swallow Yi Qun in one go?"
"Don't worry, boss. I can make Qing Kui District our exclusive territory." Xu Yuejin confidently patted his chest.
Gao Fei nodded and then looked at Chen Guoyao, "Ah Yao, how is your whitewashing going?"
"It's a bit difficult, and we're not even halfway done. Shenzhen is not the capital; it's hard to extend our influence here," Chen Guoyao said with a helpless shrug, speaking truthfully.
"Now, an opportunity is before you. As long as you don't die, you'll go in for two or three years and come out with a clean slate. Are you willing to do it? I'll tell you upfront, the probability of death is over eighty percent." Gao Fei looked at Chen Guoyao with sharp eyes. The latter nodded without hesitation and accepted the offer.
"Since you're willing, I'll explain the next plan." Soon, a plan to eliminate the gangs in Qing Kui District began to unfold.
...
The next day.
In Hong Kong's Qing Kui District, on Luo Yu Road, at the headquarters of the gang Xiao Yi He, Xu Xiao, the son of the Yi He gang's leader, appeared in the main conference room. Today was the day for the hall masters to hand over money, and he only came once a month. After confirming that no accounts had been embezzled, Xu Xiao signaled for the meeting to adjourn. Just as he was about to leave, Hall Master Ji Zai stepped forward to block his path.
"Boss, I just received a big business deal. The amount is quite large and needs your approval," Ji Zai whispered in Xu Xiao's ear.
"Oh? Even you, Ji Zai, dare not accept it. How big can this business be?"
"A two hundred million deal!" Ji Zai held up two fingers, and Xu Xiao froze on the spot.
"Where is the client from?"
"Mainland China, Shenzhen!"