Reservoir Dogs chapter 48
Match
After sleeping at Chen Jin’s place, Xiao Zhou left before dawn and went home. Xiao Ping was still asleep, but Liu Xia was already up. Xiao Zhou accompanied Liu Xia to work. The orange trumpet flowers were in bloom by the roadside, like little trumpets. Occasionally, a few petals would fall on his shoulder, and Xiao Zhou would brush them off. Liu Xia asked if he would come for dinner that night; she could prepare his favorite sticky rice chicken but Xiao Zhou shook his head, saying he might be busy for the next couple of days. Liu Xia seemed disappointed. He walked her to her workplace and lightly hugged her before waving goodbye, watching her enter the office building.
After standing by the roadside for a while, Xiao Zhou walked back to Jiang Chengyuan’s house, took a shower, and changed clothes. The place was still the same; Jiang Chengyuan hadn’t come back.
Feeling hungry after the shower, Xiao Zhou opened the fridge, finding it full of fresh ingredients. He searched the refrigerator and found a large tub of strawberry ice cream. Hesitating for a moment, he took the ice cream and a stainless steel spoon, sat on the sofa, and started eating. Curling his legs into his lounge pants, he sank into the soft leather sofa. After eating half the tub, he felt very full and dozed off on the sofa.
When he woke up again, it was already dusk. The ice cream had melted, with water dripping over his wrist and forming a small puddle on the wooden floor. He had slept well, feeling very relaxed and refreshed.
Before leaving, he used a small knife to cut his gland, filled a small glass bottle with blood, sealed it with a rubber stopper, and placed it on the table.
Arriving at the arcade casino a bit early, he unexpectedly saw Chen Jin and Xiao Ping. They seemed to have been waiting there for a long time, with cigarette butts piled up on the ground.
Xiao Ping had returned to his usual grumpy face but hesitated when he saw Xiao Zhou.
Chen Jin stood up from the ground, clapped the dust off his hands, and said, “I came to broaden my horizons, to see what this scene is all about. I just ran into this little brother.” He patted Xiao Ping’s head, which Xiao Ping swatted away without hesitation.
“Your brother is quite fierce, doesn’t say a word.” Chen Jin pretended to be dissatisfied.
Soon after, a black Toyota minivan arrived. Liu Neng took them to a place on the border, along the highway heading east. There were no place names on the road signs, and the destination was a dead-end road. Apart from a solitary commercial office building, the surrounding area was mostly construction sites with barriers, rarely any vehicles or pedestrians, making it very secluded.
The vehicle drove into the underground parking lot, where two other black cars blocked the elevator entrance. Four or five burly men sat inside.
Seeing Liu Neng, they all got out of their cars. Liu Neng pointed at Xiao Zhou, “This is today’s contestant, I’ve placed a heavy bet on him, treat him well.”
The bodyguards nodded. Liu Neng was escorted into the elevator, which slowly ascended. Chen Jin and Xiao Ping followed Zhang Qiang to the general gambling hall, while Xiao Zhou was taken alone into a freight elevator and went down two more floors.
Stepping out of the freight elevator, the corridor was narrow with dim lighting. He was led into a preparation room, a small compartment that, though cramped, was private. Inside, there was a soft sofa, a table, and some replenishing snacks and drinks.
The person escorting him said, “When the time comes, someone will come to take you out. If you need anything, you can ring the bell to call me.”
Xiao Zhou nodded and asked, “Are there any rules for today’s match?”
“Rules?” The person chuckled, looking at him as though he were a rookie about to be finished off. “There are no rules here. Winning is the rule.” With that, he left.
Xiao Zhou turned around. In this tiny space, he loosened his tightly clenched fists, his palms sweaty. His heart raced suddenly, feeling nervous.
Liu Neng hadn’t even entered the office when he was informed that Lin Jian’an had arrived. Liu Neng was taken aback, immediately straightening his clothes, abandoning his previous arrogance, and adopting a more respectful posture to greet him.
Liu Neng had made his fortune through gambling, but his current stature wasn’t due to his abilities but rather his good fortune in being chosen by the Lin family to act as a puppet in their business dealings. Ever since Lin Jianxi’s arrest seven years ago, which eventually led to a death sentence despite a suspended sentence on final appeal, the Lin family had been severely damaged. But like a centipede that dies but does not stiffen, and a broken ship still has three thousand nails, after Lin Jianxi’s death, the Lin family’s industries were inherited by his cousin Lin Jian’an. Relying on retained networking and substantial family wealth, the Lin family remained one of Jiahai City’s foremost figures. However, they dared not to be too prominent. Any business dealings touching on gray areas were managed through many layers and stages, with others setting up the stage for singing.
Now in the top VIP box. Lin Jian’an used a match to light a cigar and gently poked it with his index finger and thumb, spreading the scent of fresh tobacco. As a top-grade Gauss Ba cigar, it exuded a very pure aroma. On the small table to his left was also a bottle of pure Scottish whisky. He liked to take a sip of the liquor first, activating his taste buds with the whisky’s spiciness before tasting the cigar’s mellowness, blending the flavors of both in his mouth.
He slowly spat out the half-mouth of smoke in his mouth, crossed his legs, and leaned back on the sapphire-blue sofa. He wore a gray-buttoned Tang suit, holding a string of Buddha beads on his hand, exuding the demeanor of a refined businessman. This string of Buddha beads on his hand was once owned by the Tang Dynasty master, Ling Zang, and had sold for tens of millions at Christie’s auction. His eyes, once as sharp as a tiger, were still fixed on the man standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
The man’s silhouette was tall and dignified, half of his handsome profile reflected on the window glass, the other half obscured by the brilliant light from the crystal chandelier inside.
Lin Jian’an looked at Jiang Chengyuan and thought to himself that not much had changed in seven years. Back then, he had intercepted him on the highway into the city with a group of thugs, forcing him to take on Lin Jianxi’s case. He remembered the man had looked just like this back then—seemingly unyielding. Lin Jian’an had thought it would take considerable effort to convince him, but even facing seven or eight fierce thugs hadn’t scared him off; a billion-dollar reward had made him agree in the end.
Lin Jian’an admired this open and greedy nature. He had wanted to befriend Jiang Chengyuan, feeling they were cut from the same cloth. Even when Lin Jianxi’s case became a focal point of public anger and his inevitable death, Lin Jian’an hadn’t thought to reclaim the money he had paid out. Not only did Jiang Chengyuan’s defense deserve the billion-dollar fee, but Lin Jian’an also wanted Jiang to owe him a favor. He had a premonition that he would need Jiang Chengyuan’s help in the future.
Yet, on the day of Lin Jianxi’s execution, the billion-dollar fee was returned untouched.
Jiang Chengyuan had claimed he felt undeserving.
After taking the money, Lin Jian’an felt somewhat regretful that they were still different in some ways. He was truly a villain, whereas Jiang Chengyuan could be considered half a gentleman among villains.
“You mentioned there are 120 laid-off workers in the food factory you want to demolish, but I can only accommodate half of them here. I can’t take any more; it’s already quite saturated. Managing so many people, providing food and housing—I’m not running a charity here,” Lin Jian’an said, retracting his gaze and shaking his head, unwilling to compromise on the issue.
Jiang Chengyuan turned around, holding a whiskey glass in his hand. His knuckles were distinct against the glass as he gently swirled the golden liquid around the ice cube. “Your factory can accommodate 80,” he sipped the whiskey, “As for the rest, if the factory can’t take them, they can be placed elsewhere. Yonghui’s company just won a municipal project last month, and they’re in dire need of manpower.”
Lin Jian’an hadn’t expected him to be so well-informed. Pausing for a moment, he said, “You’re right, but those are all short-term contract jobs. Once the project ends, they’ll disperse again. Who’s to say they won’t cause trouble then?”
Jiang Chengyuan replied, “40 people, I’ll put up 5 million. After it ends, you can use this money to settle them. Another project will follow after this one; those who want to stay can stay, those who don’t can take the money and leave. They won’t just be grateful to you—they’ll be indebted.”
“5 million?” Lin Jian’an chuckled, taking a puff of his cigar. “How much did you swallow this time? I’ll help you solve such a big problem, and you’ll certainly shine in front of Jiang Heng. With your abilities, even though Wansheng Group is strong, there’s no need to cozy up to the Jiang family.”
Jiang Chengyuan’s expression turned cold as he sat down on the sofa. “I’m just doing business, not seeking attention.”
It was at this moment that Liu Neng knocked on the door and entered.
He first greeted Lin Jian’an, then saw Jiang Chengyuan. He was very dutiful and enthusiastic, “Lawyer Jiang is here too? Are we playing a couple rounds today? Should I fetch chips and set up a table for you?”
Lin Jian’an also said, “Chengyuan, go play a couple of rounds. Same rules as always: winnings are yours, losses are mine.”
Jiang Chengyuan propped his head with one hand, feeling uninspired. “Not in the mood today, forget it.”
Liu Neng glanced around quickly and added, “How about checking out the underground? Once a week, special program today.”
Lin Jian’an remembered but disdainfully remarked, “Your fighting matches, too bloody. What’s so interesting about them?”
Liu Neng smiled awkwardly and tried to salvage, “This time it’s different, there’s something special.”
Lin Jian’an, unenthusiastically, asked, “What?”
Liu Neng explained, “We’ve added an omega at the last minute.”
“Fool, always up to something,” Lin Jian’an cursed, “Bringing Omega to such a place? When their pheromones kick in, with so many alphas around, trouble could erupt. If things go south, you better hope Jiang Chengyuan will protect you in court.”
Liu Neng hurriedly responded, “He volunteered, and if he loses his bet, he’s putting his life on the line.”
“Damn it, another lunatic.” Lin Jian’an, despite making a living this way, looked down on gamblers who placed their hopes on fleeting luck. He ran a gambling den but never gambled himself; even Jiang Chengyuan occasionally played a few rounds, but Lin Jian’an respectfully declined.
Jiang Chengyuan seemed bored with these activities, placing his glass loudly on the glass table, “If he’s just going there to die, it’s just a million. You have an Omega, why not find another way to make money without risking lives?”
Liu Neng shook his head repeatedly. “No, this omega seems different.” He paused, rubbing his chin in thought. “He proposed this himself, sounding extremely arrogant, as if the prize money is already in his hands. If you were there, you couldn’t help but be persuaded to see what tricks he can pull off.”
Jiang Chengyuan, half-lidded, scoffed, “What kind of lunatic is this?”
Liu Neng took out his phone and swiped a couple of times. “Even gambling has evolved; it’s all online now. People are placing bets already, see.”
He showed Jiang Chengyuan a list; each participant had intimidating nicknames except for the last name on the list, which lay plain and ordinary. Jiang Chengyuan paused on those familiar characters, lips curling into a cold smile. “How much does this person owe you?”
“He put up a million himself, and it seems his brother also has a million.”
“Have you bet on him winning?”
“Yes, but if he loses, I’ll take it as charity,” Liu Neng chuckled. “The odds are high now; every round he survives, I earn 200,000. If he wins in the end, it’s twenty to one.”
Jiang Chengyuan looked away. “What about betting on him dying in the arena?”
Liu Neng enthusiastically said, “That’s quite popular now, with the most bets, but the returns aren’t much. Lawyer Jiang, want to join in for the fun?”
“Sure, put 5 million on him.”
“On what?”
“Bet on him winning the final match.”
The interior was designed like the Roman Colosseum, oval-shaped with a central fighting arena surrounded by ridged stands. The stands were discreet, separated from the arena by red velvet drapes.
They walked into one via the spiraling staircase.
Liu Neng enthusiastically introduced the excellent view from their spot. From here, they could oversee the entire event, but due to the angle, spectators below or elsewhere couldn’t see the people inside, ensuring strong privacy.
“Lawyer Jiang, isn’t this place nice?” Liu Neng asked.
Jiang Chengyuan surveyed from above, hand resting on the metal railing in front of the stand. Bloodstains lingered on the ground of the fighting arena and the darkened wire mesh surrounding it. “How does the competition work?”
Liu Neng explained, “It’s a challenge match. The previous winner defends the title against newcomers. Only when there’s one person left standing does it end. The order of entry is decided by draw.”
Even before it began, there was already a commotion in the stands below, shouting and yelling, the iron wire fence shaking. On the stand, the host stood alongside half-clothed bunny girls, stirring up the atmosphere. The big screen displayed the betting odds and status of all participants, with the top two fighters already engaged in intense combat.
Jiang Chengyuan asked, “When does that omega come in?”
“He’s average in luck, third to appear.”