“Big D, just let it go. The results are out now, there's no need to make a fuss.”
Chui Ji advised gently while sipping tea and watching the disheveled Big D.
He wasn't particularly fond of Big D, after all, during his year as the host, he had been frequently invited for coffee by the authorities because of Big D's troubles. However, seeing that Big D had helped him reclaim two bars for his retirement, he felt compelled to support him this once. He believed he had done enough at this point; if Big D couldn't win, that was his problem, their deal was already over.
Now, seeing Big D actually planning to ask him for the Dragon Head Stick, it was clear he wanted to continue the chaos. Considering the two bars, he decided to advise him in a friendly manner.
At the same time, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After leaving the main hall and returning to his small bar, he knew Big D wouldn't give up so easily. This afternoon, he had his lead horse hide the Dragon Head Stick; otherwise, if Big D got his hands on it, who knew how far this trouble would escalate? This guy was insane.
“Stop messing around! I'm asking you again, are you going to hand over the Dragon Head Stick?!”
Despite Big D's fierce expression that could scare anyone, he was actually quite anxious just moments ago, fearing that Chui Ji, being the pushover he was, might just hand over the Dragon Head Stick out of fright. That would have put him in a tough spot.
Now, seeing Chui Ji so clearly unwilling to give him the Dragon Head Stick, although he felt a bit annoyed that he had to put on a brave face to reclaim two bars for him, he secretly felt relieved.
“The... the Dragon Head Stick isn't here, it's on the other side...”
Chui Ji was clearly frightened by Big D's fierce demeanor, but he still wanted to buy some time for himself.
“You spent two hours on the road to Macau yesterday, three hours chasing girls, five minutes sleeping with them, and then another two hours coming back. I'm giving you one day to bring back the Dragon Head Stick, or I'll skin you alive!”
Big D's face was twisted with rage as he shouted hoarsely.
“Big D, stop it! You're trying to get me killed!”
Chui Ji felt weak; Big D knew exactly where he had been and what he had done yesterday, even how long he spent with the girl. If he really wanted to mess with him, it wouldn't be hard at all.
“Yeah, Big D, the results are out now. There's no point in continuing this. Let's just drop it. We can always try again next time.”
Seeing that Chui Ji was nearly cornered, Lao Gui Yan also chimed in to persuade him.
“Slap!”
“You old fool, I've put up with you for long enough. If it weren't for me backing you, you'd have been chopped to pieces by those punks from Jin Xing on the street. And now, after taking two million from me, you dare to turn against me? Do you think my money grows on trees?”
However, Lao Gui Yan's words only fueled Big D's anger further. He retaliated with a hard slap to Lao Gui Yan's old face, pointing at him and berating him.
“You old geezers said I wasn't strong enough last time, then said I didn't have enough experience. Now that I have everything, you want me to wait for the next round?”
Big D wasn't satisfied just scolding Lao Gui Yan; he turned his glare to the other old-timers in the room and let loose.
Thinking about how much he had invested in this round, only to lose by a mere two votes to that punk A Le, and that it was due to someone turning against him, Big D felt as if he had swallowed a bitter pill.
Though he had never actually swallowed a pill...
The more Big D thought about it, the more frustrated he became, and the more frustrated he got, the more he wanted to hit someone.
Just then, a group of officers suddenly barged in from outside.
With the election for the Lian Sheng, Big D and A Le were at odds. Tonight, Big D was holding a meeting with spirit, and the authorities had been keeping an eye on him. Hearing the commotion from the restaurant, the officers outside couldn't sit still any longer. To prevent the situation from escalating, they decided to take everyone in the private room for a chat, and they also notified A Le and Deng Bo to come to the station for coffee.
“Fat Deng, what are you and Lian Sheng up to? Not long ago, the pretty boy Dong stirred up a storm in the underworld, and now the election for the host is causing such a ruckus. Are you getting too old to handle this?”
In a small dark room, a middle-aged man with two flowers on his shoulder spoke irritably to Deng Bo, indicating they were old acquaintances.
“Li Sir, there are always unexpected events. Who in this business doesn't want to rise to the top? Big D just went a bit overboard this time.”
Deng Bo replied calmly.
“I don't care if it's Big D or Little D, just get this sorted out quickly. Whenever you resolve this, you can leave. Also, tell your little brothers outside to stop causing trouble. Whoever stirs up trouble, I'll deal with them. I'm not joking this time; times have changed. Don't pull the same old tricks.”
“Lock him up with those people.”
The middle-aged man with two flowers on his shoulder said this while tapping the table, then turned to his subordinates guarding the door.
........
“Big D, I'll take charge this round, and next round, I'll support you. Don't make things difficult for this uncle.”
“Yeah, Big D, just stop it, okay? Next round, I promise I'll support you.”
“Big D, I guarantee that no one will compete with you next round...”
“........”
“Next round, next round, you old geezers keep talking about the next round. How many rounds have there been? I don't care! This round, I will fight for it no matter what! Even if the King of Heaven comes, it won't matter; this is what I say!”
On the other side, when two officers brought Deng Bo in, they heard the noise from inside as soon as they reached the door. A group of old-timers and A Le were chattering away, trying to coax Big D like a spoiled child.
However, Big D was like a spoiled child, no matter what A Le and the old-timers said, he just wanted to fight.
“Deng Bo is here.”
“Deng Bo, please talk some sense into this Big D. This punk is insane...”
When the old-timers saw Deng Bo walk in, it was as if they saw a ray of hope.
“Sir, let me have a word with him.”
Deng Bo pointed at Big D and said to the officer beside him.
“Go ahead.”
This officer had also received instructions from above, so he opened the door to Big D's room and let Deng Bo in.
“Are you still going to fight?”
Deng Bo slowly sat down next to Big D and asked calmly.
“Before, you all said I wasn't strong enough or experienced enough. Now I have everything—money and people. Yet you still won't choose me. What's the point? I'm not satisfied?”
Despite Big D acting tough in front of others, when he was in a bad mood, even a passing dog might get a couple of slaps from him. But in front of Deng Bo, he was like a wronged child.