Previously, because he didn't know when Chen Hao Nan would take action against Ba Bi, he only had Gao Jin send his men to watch him. Loansharking had a limited term, and he wouldn't be able to drag it out for too long. If he couldn't pay by the deadline, this would be a huge problem. Ba Bi was a member of the Eastern Star, and twenty million was not a small amount. He would lose face if it got out. Furthermore, loan sharking was a "9 in, 13 out" business. If the deadline arrived and Chen Hao Nan hadn't gotten rid of Ba Bi, he wouldn't be able to pay back the money either!
But now he was practically broke and couldn't even feed his men. Some would run away and others would scatter. Word would spread on the streets, and he'd be even more humiliated. Before, he was just a nobody, so losing face didn't matter. Now that he was a boss, losing face was a major issue. How would he ever mix in the underworld afterwards?
Therefore, Chen Dong decided to gamble this time. He was betting that Chen Hao Nan would take care of Ba Bi this year. That way, when a person dies, their debts are cleared. He wouldn't have to worry about paying anything back.
Didn't Ba Bi owe Liang Kun twenty million when he was killed? Did the Eastern Star pay it back?
Although there was no written rule, "death clears all debts" was a rule of the underworld. Of course, if Ba Bi's men were strong enough, or if Liang Kun was brave enough to fight the Eastern Star for those twenty million, that would be another story…
Ba Bi ran his own loan sharking business, using the gang's banner to make money. Now that he was dead, the gang naturally wouldn't be responsible for such a bad debt. Conversely, Liang Kun lent Ba Bi twenty million, knowing that the Eastern Star was backing him. When Ba Bi died, the Eastern Star didn't take any action. It's a life and death thing. Ba Bi was unlucky. Liang Kun couldn't get his money, but that was also his fate.
........
"Boss, Heung Yee Kuk's 'Pretty Boy Dong' is here. He says he wants to discuss business."
Causeway Bay, Ba Bi's loan sharking company.
A subordinate came to Ba Bi's office.
"Bang!"
"Damn it! Knock next time you come in!"
""Pretty Boy Dong"? I don't have any business dealings with him. What kind of business could I have with him...."
At that moment, Ba Bi was pressing a voluptuous secretary onto the desk, engaging in humanity's oldest form of friendly exchange. He was startled by the sudden intrusion of his subordinate. He shuddered and angrily grabbed the phone on the table to give the subordinate a headbutt. Then, he nonchalantly zipped up his pants and muttered to himself.
However, he still left the office.
After all, he was the 揸fit人 of Heung Yee Kuk. He had to give him some face. Although he didn't have any business dealings with him, he often heard his sworn brother Liang Kun talk about Heung Yee Kuk's trusted confidant, 'Pretty Boy Dong.' Now, he was already the 揸fit人.
"Hahaha! I hear Dong Ge wants to talk business with me. What kind of favors do you have for me?"
Ba Bi walked into the lobby. He no longer had the menacing look he had in front of his men. He looked at Chen Dong, who was standing in the middle of the three, with a happy face.
Those who can rise to the top are not idiots. Although Ba Bi was fierce in front of his men, when it came to dealing with bosses of the same level, he was always polite and friendly. Only those greenhorns below would start yelling and fighting as soon as they met. They had reached this level, unless they could advance further to become the 话事人, they always had to live harmoniously and make money.
He was the 揸fit人 of the Eastern Star branch, but above him were the Five Tigers. After Lo Capone died, there was no way it would be his turn…
"Ba Bi Ge, you're saying that. Who in all of Hong Kong and Kowloon doesn't know that you, Ba Bi Ge, are half the sky of Causeway Bay? People say that Causeway Bay is either chaotic or orderly, depending on what Ba Bi Ge says. I just have five streets in Mong Kok. How could I possibly do any favors for Ba Bi Ge?"
Chen Dong looked at the smiling face, which was completely out of sync with his physique and appearance, and he smiled back, flattered.
"Haha! Brother, you can say that to your own people, but don't go around saying it outside. The Hung Hing is right next door, you know. What kind of business are you here to discuss today, brother?"
Although he knew that "Pretty Boy Dong" was just engaging in mutual flattery, hearing the words "half the sky of Causeway Bay" made Ba Bi feel so good that his pores opened up and his whole body was light as a feather.
He thought to himself, this young man really knows how to talk. No wonder he became the 揸fit人 at such a young age.
He had been over thirty when he took over after his boss died…
"Ba Bi Ge, you know about my old boss, Tong Shu's, situation. Although I haven't been with Tong Shu for many years, he treated me like his own son. Now that Tong Shu is in trouble, I can't just sit by and watch. Although Tong Shu's situation is too big, and he's going to jail, I still want to find a big lawyer to help him fight for a shorter sentence. Consider it a way of honoring him. However, Ba Bi Ge, you also know how expensive those big lawyers are. They simply charged me two hundred thousand for a simple one-hour consultation. Ba Bi Ge, you know my situation. I just took over Tong Shu's business, and the police are watching me closely. I haven't even been able to open for three days. I can't afford to hire a lawyer, and I'm even more strapped for cash now. I often hear Kun Ge say that Ba Bi Ge is generous and righteous, and everyone knows that he's the 'Causeway Bay Good Samaritan.' I've heard your name for a long time, but unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to meet you. So, I can only come to you with a thick face and ask for your help.
When he came to the point, Chen Dong immediately switched gears. He looked sorrowful, as if he had found a soulmate. He patted his palm and kept complaining to Ba Bi.
"........Brother, you are truly... righteous and loyal! Old Ghost Tong's greatest fortune in his life was having a loyal and righteous brother like you. How much do you plan to borrow? Just tell me. Whatever I can help with, I will! But brothers are brothers, and accounts need to be clear. Brother, I'm just trying to make a living, and I don't want to set a precedent. Please understand, brother."
Listening to Chen Dong's words and looking at his sorrowful and sincere eyes, Ba Bi was moved to tears. He thought about his own men who were hoping he would die sooner so that they could take over, and then looked at the "Pretty Boy Dong" in front of him. They couldn't be compared!
He knew about the situation in Mong Kok. 青眼同 had gotten into trouble with the police. And it wasn't just any cop. He was the head of the Anti-Triad Squad. It was no wonder the police had been keeping a close eye on him for the past year and a half. He also knew what those lawyers were like. It sounded good to call it a lawyer's fee, but it was uglier to say that they were more like robbers than them. They just had a more civilized way of doing things. "Pretty Boy Dong" was already in a difficult situation, yet he was still trying to borrow money to hire a lawyer for his boss. This was the second person in his life who was like this!
The first was Guan Yu...
But brothers were brothers. He was moved, but when it came to business, Ba Bi still put on a serious face. This was a big deal, after all! Even though he was a gangster, and he often dealt with the police, he still understood the basics of the law. Qing Yan Tong's case was basically a done deal. There was no way to fight it. "Pretty Boy Dong" was actually planning to spend money to hire those money-grubbing lawyers. He wouldn't get it for less than a few million. The interest alone was enough to buy a year's worth of big-breasted women.
Ba Bi was now ready to hug "Pretty Boy Dong" and kiss him on the head.
What a great friend!