TDU Chapter 137: My Plan

Chapter 137 My Plan

I sat by Boss Rong's bedside and gently patted him.

He slowly opened his eyes and asked in a whisper, "A’Jin? What’s up?"

"Boss Rong, let's step outside for a moment," I glanced at his sleeping wife beside him, then lowered my voice. "I need to ask you something."

We made our way into the living room, and just as I was about to step out the door, something suddenly came to mind. The rooftop was cold. I should put on my jacket. 

I clearly remembered leaving it on the coat rack, yet I found it on the sofa. 

But clothes are of no importance to me; even if they were gone, it wouldn't matter. I put on my jacket and went up to the rooftop to wait for Boss Rong.

He took a while to join me, looking as though he hadn’t fully woken up. "What’s going on, A’Jin? Why did you wake me up in the middle of the night?" He was wrapped in a nightgown, sniffing the air. "Is something bothering you?"

"Yes, I’m dealing with something really difficult," I gritted my teeth, then asked, "Boss Rong, why do you need money?"

He paused for a moment before answering, "I’ve told you before, I want to retire and wash my hands of everything. I need to set aside a bit for my future."

"Then why borrow money from Boss Tong? You should have enough savings for your retirement."

He fell silent again, then sighed. "At this point, I’ll tell you the truth, A’Jin. I used the gang's money to gamble in Macau... and lost over eight hundred thousand."

"Is that so..." I lowered my head in silence.

The last time Boss Rong racked up gambling debt and was attacked by over thirty people, I was the one who resolved it for him.

This time, I wasn’t around. Who would handle it for him?

"Before this matter comes to light, I need to find a way to plug the gap in the gang’s funds," Boss Rong said calmly. "No matter who I borrow money from, I can't pay it back, so I had no choice but to go with Fatty Tong, who has a grudge against me."

"Did Nine zai not stop you when you used the gang’s funds to gamble?" I asked.

"A’Nine..." Boss Rong's eyes shifted erratically. "If it weren’t for A’Nine... I could have made up for all my losses in Macau! He was the one who stopped me from betting! Who the hell does he think he is?"

My heart twisted painfully. 

What was he?

He was my brother.

"A’Jin, A’Nine must’ve been bought off by Fatty Tong!" Boss Rong gritted his teeth. "He kept stopping me when I needed to borrow money, and once I got it, he kept urging me to pay it back quickly. How did I raise such a double-crosser? If it weren't for me, could he have survived this long?"

I nodded, then asked, "You said Nine zai kept urging you to pay back the money. Was he advising you on the rooftop, or was it at home?"

"At home, with that woman around, I told him not to speak of such things! So it had to be on the rooftop—" 

He was struck silent.

My eyes ached, as if something was on the verge of overflowing.

"Boss Rong, Nine zai was killed by Fatty Tong’s men on your way to Guangdong, and yet he came here to advise you to pay back the money?" I pressed my forehead, overwhelmed with sorrow. Throughout those four years, each day, I had been fantasizing about reuniting with Boss Rong and Nine zai. I never imagined that this would be the ending awaiting me.

Before I could say anything else, a sudden chill pierced my lower abdomen. Something sharp had stabbed into my stomach.

Instinctively, my right hand shot out to grab the assailant's throat, while my left hand pressed down on their wrist. But there were no other people here; the only one capable of stabbing me was Boss Rong.

His eyes were wide, filled with anger. 

But he was the one who had just stabbed me, so why was he angry? My fingers trembled as they held his throat tightly.

Why is all of this happening?

Slowly, Boss Rong pulled a necklace out of his pocket, on it was a small bronze plaque, engraved with the character {Tong}.

"Jing Lan was right... A’Jin, you also sold me out, didn’t you?"

I stared at the plaque, it took several seconds before I finally recognized what it was.

"You're wearing Fatty Tong's plaque. Did you come here to take my head?"

I felt my strength drain away, and my hands slowly released their grip. This life belonged to Boss Rong—if he wanted it, I would give it to him.

I carefully moved his hand off the dagger, then wiped his fingerprints off it with my sleeve before throwing it onto the floor. I didn't look at Boss Rong again. Instead, I took slow, deliberate steps toward the edge of the rooftop.

The shadow of Nine zai appeared again, standing beside me, shoulder to shoulder. "A’Jin, aren't you supposed to be living with my smile?" he asked.

"It’s too painful... I can't bring myself to smile," I replied, my eyes brimming with something that wouldn't stop flowing. "Nine zai, if there’s a next life, I promise to smile then."

Before I could jump, the entire rooftop suddenly shook violently. I had intended to steady myself, but as I thought about it, there seemed to be no reason to. So, I leapt forward, diving downward.

It was then, Boss Rong rushed forward and grabbed my wrist. Swinging back and forth like a swing in mid-air, I looked up at him, confusion evident in my eyes. 

He was crying.

"A’Jin... why... why is it that everyone is betraying me?!" His tears fell onto my face, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

I didn’t want to answer that question. I thought I was here to repay a debt of gratitude, but I was too stupid—I'd allowed Boss Rong to misunderstand me.

"Boss Rong, let go. If I fall and die, it has nothing to do with you."

Boss Rong clung to my hand, crying uncontrollably. I couldn’t tell what was going through his mind.

"Boss Rong, I've repaid your favor."

Amidst the violent swaying, Boss Rong eventually released his grip. I felt my body crash into a massive billboard, and every bone in my body seemed to snap. 

If there really is a next life, I would find Nine zai first, and then go back to thank Boss Tong. 

I think I misjudged Boss Tong.

If I could do it over again, maybe I wouldn't have gone to the clink for Boss Rong. That way, Nine zai wouldn't have died. And I wouldn't have died either.

No... if I could really do it all over again, I would go back to when I was eleven. I would take Nine zai's knife and teach him not to kill the regional mafia boss. 

Then, we could have a normal life, right?

...

When I woke up again, I still couldn't understand the situation before me.

What is all this?

Are they filming a movie?

The men and women were dressed in overly fashionable outfits, and the masked man was in a suit. 

"Good morning, you nine," the masked figure said, "I'm pleased to see you all here. You've all been asleep in my presence for twelve hours."

If this really were a movie, they could take some notes from {The Terminator}. Their costumes and props are just too shabby.

But what should I do next? I’m too stupid, I can’t understand this place.

I don’t understand what he’s saying, and I don’t understand the others’ questions either.

"A’Jin, learn from me—{damn}! Sounds tough, right? {Damn}! You don’t like it? Then how about {hahm-ga-caan}?"

"A’Jin, if one day I’m not around, just find another {brain}."

"A’Jin, if you can’t find a {brain}, smile more. At least you’ll end up a laughing ghost."

That’s right. In times of need, it’s best to listen to Nine zai; his words have never been wrong.

To make myself seem more imposing, how about adding a bit of Boss Tong’s catchphrase?

"Hahm-ga-caan! I don't give a damn how many people are here..." I slammed the table and pointed at the masked man and threatened, "Lan-joeng, I suggest you wise up. You have no idea the consequences of crossing me; I will literally kill you."

Luckily, they don't know me, or else they'd see through my lie immediately. I’ve never used words like {hahm-ga-caan} or {lan-joeng}, and I never wanted to kill anyone. But until I find my new {brain}, I’ll have to keep up this act.

My name is Qiao Jiajin.

I shall now distort the truth.