Chapter Thirty-Five: Who the Fuck Is Your Brother?

"Brother Wen, Brother Wen, Brother Wen! Please, you must not!" Bao Long, terrified, hurriedly explained, "It’s just the people below me being ignorant and running their mouths! Just call me Little Bao!"

"So... what can I do for you?"

"That cancer drug made from the blood of anomalous creatures..." Nangong Zhiwen was only halfway through his sentence when Bao Long interrupted him in a panic.

"Brother Wen! Brother Wen! I’ll throw it away right now! I’ll dump it immediately!" Bao Long said urgently, "I beg you, don't force me. I dare not say who the people above me are! Just pretend you never heard of this! From today on, I’ll never sell this garbage again!"

Nangong Zhiwen sneered, "Don't be so nervous. I’m not investigating your drug; I need it. Bring me some by noon tomorrow. You know where I’m staying, right?"

"I do!" Bao Long nodded frantically and asked, "Brother Wen, what is this for..."

"Don't ask what you shouldn't!" Nangong Zhiwen snorted coldly and hung up the phone.

...

The next day, at noon.

Nangong Zhiwen woke up in a small hotel. After washing his face and lighting a cigarette, he finally checked his phone. There were four missed calls, all from Bao Long.

Slightly puzzled, Nangong Zhiwen called him back.

"What? Do you expect me to come and get it myself?"

Bao Long’s voice on the other end carried a hint of cowardice. He said immediately, "Brother Wen, I’m afraid you really have to come here yourself."

"I don't know how much you need... this..."

"What the hell are you babbling about! Give me everything you’ve got!" Nangong Zhiwen said coldly. "Didn't you say yesterday you wouldn't sell it anymore? Why are you still holding onto it?"

"Are you waiting for me to target you? Do you think just because you got this drug through special channels, I wouldn't dare to come after you?"

Bao Long hurriedly pleaded, "Brother Wen, Brother Wen, please don't say that. I know exactly who your father is. In this country, is there anyone you wouldn't dare target? It’s just that the source of this drug is... it’s a bit special. It didn't leak from any of our country's institutions. You... you really should come over. It’s hard to explain over the phone..."

"Why didn't you spit it out yesterday?!" Nangong Zhiwen muttered irritably, stubbing out his cigarette.

Bao Long stammered, unable to provide a clear explanation.

Nangong Zhiwen felt increasingly annoyed. "Fine, just wait there!"

About half an hour later.

At the entrance of a pool hall called Longteng on Donggui Street, Nangong Zhiwen walked inside while finishing a container of stir-fried rice noodles.

Several young women dressed in bunny-girl maid outfits approached him with swaying steps.

"Sir, are you here to play? Do you need an instructor?"

Nangong Zhiwen lowered his gaze, swept a glance over the skimpy fabric the bunny girl was wearing, and sneered, "Is your 'instruction' decent?"

The bunny girl, sensing he was someone who knew the ropes, gave a seductive smile and said, "Brother, that depends on what you need. If you want something decent, it’s decent. If you have other needs, just let your sister know."

Nangong Zhiwen gave a cold snort and slammed his half-finished rice noodles onto the bar counter.

Several thugs immediately stepped forward, glaring at Nangong Zhiwen with hostile eyes.

"Kid! Are you looking for trouble?"

With that, a thug with dyed yellow hair reached out to grab Nangong Zhiwen.

Nangong Zhiwen shifted slightly to the side, easily dodging the man's arm, and then used his right hand like a blade, striking down with a bit of force.

"Crack!"

The sound of bone snapping echoed clearly in everyone's ears.

The yellow-haired thug instantly collapsed to the ground, clutching his broken arm and howling in agony, crying for his parents.

This casual display of skill by Nangong Zhiwen scared everyone present, and no one dared to step forward.

A man who appeared to be the leader stepped out, his eyes scanning Nangong Zhiwen with caution. He asked carefully, "Brother, which street are you from?"

"Who the hell is your brother! Tell Bao Long to get out here and see me!" Nangong Zhiwen snapped.

Hearing the newcomer call their boss by name, the small leader didn't dare to delay. He glanced at one of his subordinates, who immediately understood and ran into the back.

Nangong Zhiwen snorted, sat at the bar, grabbed a cup of instant noodles from the shelf, opened it, and looked up at the remaining thugs.

The leader caught the hint and hurriedly signaled the bunny girl.

The bunny girl, clearly frightened, rushed to fetch a kettle of hot water to pour for Nangong Zhiwen.

After pouring the water, Nangong Zhiwen glanced toward the refrigerator.

The bunny girl, quick to read the room, walked over to the fridge with a forced, nervous smile, clearly intimidated by Nangong Zhiwen. "Brother, take a look, which one would you like? I, I’ll get it for you..."

"Just get me something carbonated," Nangong Zhiwen said coldly.

The bunny girl grabbed four or five bottles of soda and lined them up on the bar counter in front of Nangong Zhiwen. "Brother, I don't know which one you like, so, you can pick one yourself."

With that, she retreated to the side, watching him timidly.

Nangong Zhiwen opened the instant noodles, stirred them, realized they weren't ready, gave up, and covered them again. He looked at the bunny girl and asked, "How old are you?"

"Huh?" The bunny girl was baffled by the sudden question.

The small leader hurried to prompt her: "The brother is asking how old you are! Answer him!"

The bunny girl nodded quickly. "Twenty-three."

"Aren't you ashamed to wear that?" Nangong Zhiwen asked with a frown.

The bunny girl's expression was grim; she looked like she was smiling, but it was more like she was crying.

"Call all the women here dressed like that and have them stand in a line," Nangong Zhiwen said, turning to the leader with a cold voice.

The leader looked troubled. "Brother, you, what are you..."

"Slap!"

Nangong Zhiwen slammed his credentials onto the bar counter.

When the small leader saw the National Security identification, he was terrified. He swallowed hard, stepped forward, pulled a pack of high-end cigarettes from the counter, and tried to shove them into Nangong Zhiwen’s hand. "Officer, you, you've worked hard. Why didn't you give us any notice before coming for an inspection?"

"Which branch or department are you from? I might even know your boss. Let's talk this over slowly..."

"Which eye of yours sees me as a police officer?" Nangong Zhiwen glared at the leader, tapped his finger hard on his credentials, and said coldly, "National Security Special Operations. Can you read?"

These street thugs didn't know the difference between police and intelligence agents; they just knew that anyone with official credentials was likely police. They assumed Nangong Zhiwen was here for a vice raid.