Chapter 775: Chapter 760: Watchdog (Part 1)
Spring Xiu knelt in front of He Lei with a bruised nose and swollen face. What a hilarious scene it was, considering that a month ago, the latter was in the same position, awaiting his fate from the opponent. The difference was, last time, He Lei successfully used his wits to negotiate a chance to collaborate with Spring Xiu. But can Spring Xiu seize a shot at redemption now?
"Ah, Qiao Shan, who is this? How did he end up looking like a pig?" He Lei sat steadily on the sofa, stretched out his dirty, smelly feet, raised Spring Xiu’s chin, and asked very flippantly.
Qiao Shan had a hint of a smile on his lips. He knew He Lei intended to humiliate Spring Xiu, so he cooperated and said, "This is Spring Xiu, Brother Lei!"
Sure enough, as soon as Spring Xiu’s name was mentioned, He Lei sprung up from the sofa, leaned in closer, and said, "What, this is Boss Spring? No way, are you courting death, kid? How could this pig face be our handsome and dashing Boss Spring?"
Spring Xiu had already been beaten into submission by Qiao Shan and his men. He weakly lifted his swollen face and said, "Lei... Brother Lei, it’s me, Spring Xiu!"
"Wow, this pighead really is freaking Boss Spring! Oh, mom!" He Lei feigned concern, caressing Spring Xiu’s battered face and occasionally smacking it with a cheeky grin, clicking his tongue: "Look at this, who messed up our Boss Spring like this? Sorry, Boss Spring, my bad for not keeping my men in line."
Spring Xiu let out two helpless chuckles, as speaking even one more word would pull at his swollen skin and cause unbearable pain.
"Boss Spring, are you satisfied with our collaboration?"
"Satisfied! Haha, satisfied!" Spring Xiu nodded his head twice with difficulty.
"Did you see the dead people in the Factory?"
"No, though my men found their bodies."
"Oh, I see!" He Lei looked disappointed: "What a shame, do you know who did it?"
Spring Xiu remained silent, too afraid to answer.
"It was me, I did it," He Lei suddenly raised his voice, scaring Spring Xiu into a jolt. The latter patted the former’s shoulder, speaking in a low voice: "Boss Spring, you won’t hold it against me, will you?"
"No, absolutely not!" Spring Xiu managed a feeble smile, though it was a bitter one.
When he was captured and brought to He Lei’s new hideout, seeing his men who hadn’t been killed yet, he knew he had lost everything and had no chance for a comeback.
He Lei ignored Spring Xiu’s awkward expression and continued his monologue: "Boss Spring, this really isn’t my fault, you know. The thing I hate the most is when someone calls me a dog. This asshole Yang Buwei actually told a bunch of brothers that I was your dog. Wouldn’t you say that deserves death?"
"Deserves it, he dared to say that about you, Brother Lei. Killing him was too kind."
"Exactly! That’s what I thought too. See that dumbass Yang Buwei got counter-captured and injured by Liu Fugui. And your brothers, they’re even worse. Just a few words from Liu Fugui, and they didn’t dare go forward and just walked away. I yelled myself hoarse, and no one listened. Boss Spring, don’t you think these useless guys, who only waste food, should be eliminated, right?"
"Right, right, they all deserve to die, Brother Lei; good job killing them!" Spring Xiu nodded, bowing like a servant.
"But Boss Spring, I think the crooked beam should blame the upper beam. We’re still partners, right? Without someone telling them to, where would they have the guts? So who do you think is the bastard undermining our relationship?"
He Lei’s expression suddenly darkened as he grabbed Spring Xiu by the neck and stared intently at him.
"Misunderstanding, Brother Lei, this must be a misunderstanding. That blabbermouth Yang Buwei always talks nonsense, not knowing his place. I’ve long wanted to teach him a lesson, and now that Brother Lei took care of him, it saves me the trouble."
Once he finished speaking, He Lei laughed: "Hahaha, Boss Spring, why are you so nervous? I didn’t say you were the bastard, look how scared you are. So, did things go smoothly at the villa? Liu Fugui must already be a goner thanks to you, right?"
"This..." Spring Xiu was at a loss for words. Half an hour ago, he was on the phone scolding He Lei for his incompetence, and now...
"Damn, really, Boss Spring, you couldn’t even handle the villa folks?"
Spring Xiu nodded helplessly, reluctant to say more; he feared He Lei would bring up his earlier insults and use them against him.
"What the hell, Boss Spring! What can you guys even do if you can’t handle a lousy villa? Damn it, there’s no point in partnering with you guys!"
"No... don’t, Brother Lei, things aren’t... aren’t as you think. The failure is all because of those damn incompetent subordinates. Otherwise, we never would have..."
"Alright, enough useless crap. At the end of the day, they’re all worthless. Keeping a bunch of trash these days is a waste of food, Boss Spring. What do you say I should do?"
"Brother Lei, if you find them to be a hassle, just..." Spring Xiu tried hard to make a beheading motion; He Lei frowned: "Kill them? That might not be right. These guys are a dumb lot, but they’re your men, Boss Spring. Just killing them off doesn’t sit well with my conscience!"
He Lei feigned trouble, and seeing this, Spring Xiu quickly crawled to his feet and said earnestly, "Brother Lei, you can trust me, let me handle them. I’ll take care of them."
"How can that be, you’re our Boss Spring! How can we let you do such menial work? It’s too beneath you! No, no!" He Lei waved his hand repeatedly, seemingly acknowledging Spring Xiu’s boss status, but his condescending attitude revealed his true feelings.
"Brother Lei, what are you saying? You’re our boss. Frankly, ever since I first met you, I thought you had the talent of a great leader, compared to you, I’m nothing—just a piece of crap. I’ve actually been thinking that once the Factory and Liu Fugui’s issue is resolved, I’ll recommend you as the leader of our merged groups. So, if you ever need anything, just let me know." Spring Xiu desperately tried to secure his survival. His flattering speech delighted He Lei, who laughed heartily. (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
