Chapter 182: Dumbfounded—Exposed
Ji He felt that his guess was right. His gaze drifted, and he murmured to himself, “Sometimes your second brother really envies you. Even though Captain Zhao had you go undercover, you’re not actually a cop. You don’t have so many shackles and constraints.”
“Xiao Bai, do you know how I’ve lived these past few years? To infiltrate that second-rate gang, I did a lot of bad things and picked up a lot of nasty habits. Smoking, drinking, gambling, prostitution, killing—I did it all. I even took a bullet for the gang boss once.
“I once had a sworn brother in the gang. He treated me really well. Countless nights, I almost sank into that depraved life. But I knew I still carried the mission of being a police officer. No matter how far I fell, I always remembered the day we graduated from the police academy—everyone swore to defend this land and uphold the dignity of the law… Later, during a police raid, my brother died. I watched him try to resist, only to be shot in the head by a cop.”
Ji He gave a self-mocking laugh, disgust flickering in his eyes. “After that, I went to prison as planned, and not long after, Yan Luo showed up. I observed him patiently for days, thought of countless ways to get close to him, but none were right. Before I could come up with a foolproof plan, you appeared.”
“Xiao Bai, your second brother understands how you feel. In this world, what’s ever purely right or wrong? Sometimes, after staying here too long, even I get the illusion that I’m one of them. Maybe I already am—just that having the undercover identity lets me deceive myself…”
Ji He talked to Nan Xun for a long time. In the end, he only patted his shoulder. “One last piece of advice from your second brother: get out early. You’re not the same as me.”
Nan Xun shook his head. “But Second Brother, it’s too late. I can’t leave my brother.”
Ji He froze. He didn’t try to persuade him anymore, only smiled faintly. “Then would you expose my undercover identity for his sake?”
Nan Xun shook his head again. “I won’t. But I also can’t let you endanger his safety.”
After that, Nan Xun never went to see Ji He again. He still remembered that time in prison—short, but happy. Perhaps Ji He had been happy too; it’s just that beneath the appearance of happiness often lies a cruel truth.
Some things, once broken, can never be mended.
Two months later, another of Yan Luo’s men met with trouble—and the ending was brutal. He attacked the police and was shot in the head on the spot, just like Ji He’s brother.
Everyone could tell there was a traitor inside the gang. Somehow, suspicion ended up pointing straight at Su Mobai.
Although Yan Luo did everything he could to vouch for him, insisting the traitor could never be Su Mobai, the string of blows had already stirred unrest below. Even the infamous Yan Luo couldn’t quell their anger.
Yan Luo rubbed the boy’s head. “Xiao Bai, don’t go anywhere these days.”
Nan Xun nodded obediently, then hugged his arm, resting his head on Yan Luo’s shoulder. In a low voice he asked, “Brother, when can we stop living on a knife’s edge like this?”
Yan Luo held his hand and stayed silent for a long time.
Nan Xun continued, “Brother, have you ever thought about bringing the businesses in the shadows into the open? You could start a big company, bring all the brothers in to work. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about them having no income.”
Yan Luo gently kneaded the soft hair on his head and said slowly, “Xiao Bai, you’re thinking too simply. I grew up on the streets; everything I know comes from the underworld. The brothers are the same. Do you expect a man who wields a cleaver to suddenly pick up a pen?”
“Xiao Bai, have those rumors scared you? Don’t be afraid. With me here, no one will dare hurt you.”
Nan Xun was frantic. In his mind, he cried to Little Eight, What do we do? My brother still hasn’t realized Ji He is undercover.
Little Eight was helpless too. Do you know how hard Ji He goes? Not even a ghost would suspect him.
Nan Xun couldn’t reveal Ji He’s undercover status—it could get Ji He, the luck-bearing protagonist, killed. And he couldn’t persuade the big boss to reform either. He felt stifled beyond measure.
Although Yan Luo had lost many brothers and unrest was brewing below, he seemed utterly unhurried, carrying on as usual.
Recently there was a major deal. To stabilize morale, Yan Luo planned to go personally. The exact location was only told to a few trusted brothers.
When Nan Xun heard, he was startled and insisted on going along. From the moment Yan Luo got up, Nan Xun clung to his arm and refused to let go no matter what.
Yan Luo was furious, but in the end he had no choice but to take him.
The goods were packed in advance. Apart from Yan Luo, no one knew what was being sold this time.
Veterans, however, could tell from the sound that it might be porcelain of some sort, which puzzled them.
Those familiar with Yan Luo all knew: first, he never dealt drugs; second, he never smuggled national cultural relics. The first was common knowledge on the streets; the second was known only within the gang.
The deal was set at a construction site in City B. A building had been half-built before funds ran out, so the site was abandoned and largely deserted.
The buyer was a foreigner carrying a case full of cash, with a dozen bodyguards behind him.
Yan Luo spoke fluent American English with him. After a brief exchange, both sides reached an agreement and prepared to inspect the goods.
The American sent a subordinate to check. The box was opened, revealing celadon porcelain inside.
Nan Xun’s face changed instantly. Holy shit—no way. My brother actually dares to smuggle national relics?
At that moment, dense footsteps sounded outside. Someone shouted in alarm, “Bad news, Lord Yan! The place is surrounded by the police!”
Nan Xun rushed to Yan Luo’s side and grabbed his hand.
Two to three dozen police officers charged in, dark gun barrels trained on everyone present—especially Yan Luo.
Nan Xun spotted Captain Zhao at the front. His heart skipped a beat.
“Ahhh, Little Eight, what do we do? The big boss is done for!”
Little Eight was calm. What are you scared of? It’s not real ancient blue-and-white porcelain. It’s all fake.
Nan Xun: …
Everyone was cuffed. Ji He was cuffed too. Yan Luo’s men wanted to fight to the death, but to their shock, Yan Luo himself extended his hands. Before they could react, they were already in cuffs.
Captain Zhao walked over and personally cuffed Yan Luo.
Smuggling national cultural relics meant life imprisonment—none of them could escape that. Captain Zhao let out a huge sigh of relief.
Then he thought of something. His gaze shifted to Nan Xun.
Nan Xun was so frightened his heart nearly leapt out. He hurriedly held out his hands too, signaling to be cuffed.
Captain Zhao didn’t move. He only patted Nan Xun’s shoulder, his face full of guilt. “Mobai, you’ve suffered these past two years. Come back with Uncle.”
Nan Xun: !
