Chapter Seventeen: So Easy

8:00 p.m., in the shadowed corner of Soulfall Street, a battered blue QQ sat quietly beneath the looming buildings. A man, cloaked in a black trench coat, slipped into the passenger seat under cover of night.

The heavyset driver looked at him and scoffed, “Hey, Fang, dressed like that at this hour—are you shooting a movie?”

Fang Nian removed his hat and glasses. “Cut the nonsense. Did you get the Italian cannon I asked for?”

“Of course. When your Fat Lord gets things done, it’s efficient. Give me enough ammo, and I’ll flatten the whole city of Ping’an,” the fat man replied, handing Fang Nian a folder. Fang Nian opened it.

“Jiang Peng? He did it? That can’t be. I’ve heard of him at the Xia family lately. He’s honest, has worked there for decades, always diligent.”

The fat man waved dismissively. “Don’t talk like that. I’ve been running with the Black Triangle for years. I’ve seen all kinds—big woods, all sorts of birds. When it comes to profit, Xia, Jin, whatever, anyone who pays is your father.”

“I found out this old guy’s family has had trouble recently—his son lost a fortune gambling, his wife’s ready to kill herself every day. But suddenly, things have quieted down. I’d wager it’s eighty percent related.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch; Fang Nian agreed with his perspective. “Alright, make sure you do this well. Be ruthless. No need for mercy.”

The fat man nodded, then turned to Fang Nian. “By the way, all my connections are ready. Have you passed through yet?”

Fang Nian shrugged and tossed him a packet. The fat man opened it and grinned. “Damn, Fang, you’re something. You cleared an F+ hunting ground with an S-grade rating.”

Fang Nian shrugged again. “So easy.”

“All the information about ‘Deadly ID’ and the key points to clear it are in there. Twelve hours until the market opens tomorrow morning. Can you handle it?”

The fat man mimicked Fang Nian’s gesture. “So easy.”

“I’ll make sure they know by dawn just how many eyes your Fat Lord from Black Triangle has.”

Fang Nian smiled helplessly, but the fat man wasn’t bragging. When it came to the underworld trades, he was indeed an expert—especially in underground dealings, as if he’d learned it in the womb. Ruthlessly efficient.

Moreover, the fat man was fiercely loyal. If he took a liking to you, he’d stand by you to the death. That’s why he had many friends in the underworld. Back when the Xia family was hunted by the Ye family in Black Triangle, if not for the fat man and his brothers risking their lives, they’d never have escaped.

“By the way, did you check out the person I mentioned?”

---

The fat man nodded, his face betraying a hint of difficulty. “Checked. He’s definitely in bed with those two families.”

“Hmm… Find a way to deal with him. But don’t tip him off yet. We’ll need him later.”

“Alright. So, how big are you planning to play this time?”

Fang Nian thought for a moment, a faint curve at his lips. “If we’re teaching them a lesson, then we’ll skin them alive. It’s not right for them to bully others without consequence. Time they learned something.”

The fat man nodded, then grinned slyly. “Hey, Fang, from how invested you are, I bet that Xia beauty’s got some real skills, huh?”

“Well… not bad, not bad.”

Fang Nian felt a bit embarrassed at this, knowing if the fat man discovered he hadn’t even held Xia Moxian’s hand, he’d laugh himself silly.

“Hey, tell me about Miss Xia…”

“Enough. The world of adults is something you single dogs can never imagine. Get to work. I bet the Xia family’s lively right now—I need to show my face, remind them I exist.”

…

8:30 p.m., the banquet hall at the Xia family was still ablaze with lights. Around the vast dining table sat a crowd, the surface laden with exquisite dishes. Yet the atmosphere was tense—no one touched their chopsticks despite the feast before them.

After parting with the fat man, Fang Nian took a cab back to the Xia family, the aroma of food drawing him in as soon as he entered. Everyone was present, even Xia Moxian had returned. Fang Nian took the vacant seat beside her, apologetic.

“Ah, everyone’s here. Sorry, Grandpa. I went for a stroll and came back late. Kept you all waiting. Let’s eat.”

With that, Fang Nian didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up a chicken drumstick and gnawing away. He’d been out since morning, hadn’t had a drop to drink, and spent most of the day in the hunting ground—starving.

But as he ate, he realized no one else moved their chopsticks. Everyone stared as he ate, and he felt awkward.

“I must say, brother-in-law, you’ve got nerves of steel. The Xia family is about to be ruined by your precious wife, and you can still eat,” said Xia Feifei, eldest granddaughter of Xia Junliang. She was always quick with biting sarcasm at meals, and today’s situation gave her more ammunition.

Feigning ignorance, Fang Nian, still chewing half a drumstick, asked, “What happened?”

“Hmph, ask your pretty wife. What good is a beautiful face with no brains? She might as well get married and stop harming our Xia family.”

Xia Moyu couldn’t stand it, retorting angrily, “Xia Feifei, you’re talking nonsense. The hunting ground’s information was clearly leaked, so why blame my sister?”

Xia Feifei bristled.

---

“Moyu, I’ve put up with you long enough. I’m your sister—and Moxian’s too. I can teach her as I like. Why is it always you interfering? Go sit somewhere else.”

Xia Dong, eldest son of Xia Junliang, stepped forward, his tone low. “Exactly. Moyu, this has nothing to do with you. Whether it was a leak or someone acting selfishly and pocketing profits, someone has to take responsibility. You can’t make a mistake and expect others to clean up after you.”

“Who are you accusing of pocketing profits? Say it clearly.”

Xia Junhui sneered, rising as well. “Moyu, sit down. Dong is right. Moxian had a chance to marry into a wealthy family but insisted on keeping that useless leech around, eating for free. Now, trouble’s come, and he’s no help at all—still has the nerve to go out shopping. How ridiculous…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Brother-in-law went to…”

Xia Moyu was about to explain, but Xia Moxian pulled him back.

“Auntie, this was my mistake—it has nothing to do with Fang Nian. I will bear the consequences.”

Xia Junhui scoffed. “Bear it? With what? The Xia hunting ground business is a mess thanks to you. We lost over three hundred thousand today alone. There are still four days ahead—at least two million in losses. Add the development costs for ‘Ayer Cipher’, the time spent, and operating expenses, the total loss is at least three million.”

Xia Dong echoed with a cold laugh. “Exactly, Xiaoyan, you really poured oil on the fire this time. What was already a losing situation is now unstoppable.”

“Hmph, blame that trash collector. If second sister had married Chang Jun, with the Chang family’s resources, they could’ve given us two themes and stirred up all of District 16.”

“That’s right, what’s wrong with connecting with the Chang family? Wealth, status—they have it all. They could help us with business. I just don’t get what second sister is thinking.”

Third son Xia Junhui now stood, spreading his hands toward Xia Hong. “Dad, this is entirely Xiaoyan’s responsibility. As the old saying goes, you do the deed, you pay the price. I’m not paying.”

Xia Junhui made her position clear. “Dad, I don’t have money anyway. I won’t pay.”

“Grandpa, I don’t have money either.”

“Me too.”

Xia Junyi sat in his chair, fists clenched tightly, his indignation reaching its peak. He disliked Fang Nian, but he hated the idea of his daughter becoming a political pawn for the family even more.

Clap… clap, clap, clap…

Just as Xia Junyi was about to stand and shoulder everything, he heard a round of applause—sharp and grating in his ears.