Chapter Eleven: Sister Red’s Warning

Hu San's words made my heart tighten. I frowned and asked anxiously, "Do you know who sent them?"

Hu San nodded, a complicated light flickering in his eyes. "I have some leads. Among the underworld organizations around here, there's only one that dares to take lives—an organization called 'Black Wolf.' They operate frequently in this area, specializing in shady dealings that can't see the light of day."

"Black Wolf?" I repeated the name, my thoughts in disarray. "Why would they target me?"

Hu San fell silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, then spoke slowly, "Wang Hu, have you ever offended anyone important? Or perhaps made an enemy of someone?"

I searched my memories, and a single name flashed through my mind.

Other than Su Li's boyfriend, I couldn't think of anyone else!

But up to now, I still didn’t know that boyfriend’s name.

When Hu San heard me say this, his face immediately grew grave. He was thinking along the same lines as I was.

My life was simple—just back and forth between two places. Aside from Su Li’s boyfriend, it seemed unlikely that I’d made any other enemies.

Replaying everything in my mind, I became more and more certain that Xiao Mi had probably been taken by them as well.

I clenched my fists, anger blazing in my eyes. "Now that I know who it is, I will have my revenge!"

Hu San patted my shoulder and advised, "Brother, revenge is all well and good, but we need a plan. From everything you’ve told me, I can guess that group isn’t easy to deal with, and the power behind them is not to be underestimated."

"Anyone who dares to kill either has to be crazy or a local tyrant… You can’t just charge in!"

The more I thought about what they'd done to me, the more agitated I became. I tensed up, and my wounds split open again!

Hu San quickly warned me, "With your body in this state, never mind revenge—you’ll be lucky to live a normal life! Take care of yourself first, and then we can make a plan."

I took a leave from Sister Hong, intending to recover at Hu San’s place for a few days, but just on the third day, Sister Hong came to pick me up.

Sister Hong had always been sharp and capable. Her appearance surprised me, but above all, I felt reassured.

Her car was parked outside Hu San’s small courtyard. The window rolled down slowly, her gaze piercing through the glass and fixing on me.

"Get in, Wang Hu," she said simply.

I nodded, said my goodbyes to Hu San, and walked slowly toward the car.

Hu San stood in the doorway, watching me leave, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance.

As the car started up, I couldn’t help but bring up Su Li’s boyfriend again. "Sister Hong, I think Su Li’s boyfriend is the mastermind. We need to find him."

Sister Hong’s face instantly turned serious. She shot me a glance, her tone touched with impatience. "Wang Hu, didn’t I already tell you? Stop bringing up Su Li’s boyfriend."

"But, Sister Hong," I protested, "if I don’t find him, how can I find Xiao Mi?"

Sister Hong slammed on the brakes, stopping the car in the middle of the road.

She turned to me, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Wang Hu, listen carefully. If he were weak, you’d have solved this long ago. If he’s strong, do you really think he’d tell you anything just because you asked?"

I was stunned. Her words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering me.

She was right, but the anger and anxiety in my heart still burned.

"Sister Hong, I have brothers now. I’m not afraid!" I exclaimed passionately.

She let out a cold laugh, her eyes flashing with frost. "Brothers? There’s no such thing as brothers in this world. Do you really believe Hu San is your brother? He’s only with you because your interests align for now."

Her words struck me deeply, but no matter what she believed, I truly felt that Hu San was my brother.

"Wang Hu, you’re too young. There’s a lot you don’t understand. There are no true brothers in this world. Even blood brothers can turn on each other with knives—let alone people on the street!"

"Sister Hong, I know you don’t believe it, but Hu San really is my brother," I said, resolutely.

She sighed, started the car again, and the cabin fell into silence.

Her silence made me uneasy, but my resolve only grew stronger.

Back at Sister Hong’s villa, I lay in bed, turning over everything that had happened these past few days.

Hu San’s help gave me hope, but Sister Hong’s warnings forced me to reassess my situation.

I knew that if I wanted to find Xiao Mi, I had to be more cautious and level-headed.

That night, while Sister Hong was rarely at home, I took out the fifty thousand yuan I’d won at the jade market and handed it directly to her.

She looked at me in astonishment, holding the thick wad of cash, her eyes full of doubt and confusion. "Wang Hu, did you really earn this yourself?"

I nodded, a little nervous, yet firm. "Yes, Sister Hong. I won it at the jade market."

Her brow furrowed slightly, her gaze growing even more complex.

She was silent for a moment, thinking. Then she spoke slowly, "Do you know how dangerous gambling on jade can be? You went to the market without telling me—weren’t you afraid of stumbling into the black market? There are places out there where a rookie like you could get eaten alive."

I took a deep breath, my tone resolute. "Sister Hong, I know gambling on jade is risky. But since you gave me hope, I felt I had to strengthen my skills through real experience."

She sighed, placed the money on the table, her gaze still sharp. "Wang Hu, I won’t deny your courage, but you have to understand—money and guts alone aren’t nearly enough. You need a thorough plan and reliable help."

"With your current strength and background, you might manage as a lone wolf, but lone wolves are often devoured by the pack!"

With that, she stood up and walked toward me.

At that moment, she was dressed in a crimson silk nightgown.

As she drew closer, her graceful figure and mature aura stirred something in me, my heartbeat quickening.

She seemed not to notice, continuing her approach.

Her red silk gown shimmered enticingly in the lamplight, each step stirring my desire.

"Wang Hu, your experience in the world is still too shallow," she said softly but firmly, "You need to learn to hide your edge—especially you. With no team or organization behind you, the jade gambling world is like a net, and once you’re in it, you’ll be the fish."