He Chu San was an open and honorable man who always kept his word, so he truly began “dating” Xiao He. They arranged to meet outside Taan Heung Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. Wearing his battered glasses that made him look like a fake professional, carrying the old briefcase he had bought at a secondhand market, and dressed in a cheap suit and trousers, He Chu San stood tall and straight among the flock of beautiful women—like a crane among “chickens.” Amid the teasing and laughter of Xiao He’s sisters, he smiled shyly, took her hand, and openly led her away.
“Does this count as unpaid leave or a paid outing?” the lobby manager asked Cui Dong Dong.
“An outing, of course,” General Manager Cui said. “Special VIP service, double the usual fee. Put it on the Boss’s tab!”
At that very moment, Boss Xia, who was sitting in the head office, released an earth-shattering sneeze. He casually pulled out a tissue and blew his nose, then rubbed his reddened nostrils in utter irritation.
Boss Xia had always considered himself physically strong. Even in the cold Christmas weather, he had dared to sleep on the sofa all night wearing nothing but a shirt. The next morning, He Chu San angered him again. Chilled on the outside and burning with internal heat, he developed a fever that very afternoon. He told none of his subordinates, refused to visit a hospital, and could not even be bothered to take medicine. Instead, he wrapped himself in a quilt at home and slept like the dead for two days, soaking the blankets with cold, clammy, foul-smelling sweat. The moment his temperature dropped, he decided he was already eighty or ninety percent recovered and calmly went to the company to inspect its operations—blowing his nose throughout the inspection.
Xiao Ma eagerly called to report the situation. “Boss! That He brat really went on a ‘date’ with Xiao He.”
Xia Liu Yi sniffed forcefully, trying to sound imposing. “Send someone to watch them closely. I want to see exactly how he plans to ‘date’ her. If he tries anything, drag him back immediately!”
“Yes!”
Xiao Ma had eyes and ears everywhere and had learned all about the Christmas gossip at once. Unfortunately, his powers of comprehension were nowhere near Cui Dong Dong’s. He failed to notice anything suspicious and merely assumed that Boss Xia had kindly offered to get He Chu San laid, only for the ungrateful bastard to make trouble. He therefore persisted in kissing up to Boss Xia in all the wrong ways, volunteering to deal with the little bum He.
“Boss, that brat really is no good! You kindly took him to Taan Heung Pavilion to broaden his horizons, but the ungrateful bastard rejected your generosity and even tried to steal your woman! In my opinion, we should stuff him into a sack, throw him in the basement, and lock a few Russian women inside to force themselves on him!”
Author’s Notes: The original term ma-zi means “girlfriend” or “woman.” It is underworld slang and carries a slightly derogatory tone.
“Fuck off!” Xia Liu Yi cursed thickly through his blocked nose. “Who told you Xiao He was my woman?! I slept with her a few times, and that makes her my woman? If I sleep with you tonight, does that make you mine too?! And what the fuck is this about Russian women? I can’t stand Russian women! They’re covered in hair once their clothes come off. How the hell would that work?! Nothing but idiotic suggestions… Achoo!”
Sprayed with spittle through the phone, Xiao Ma hung up resentfully and redirected his anger toward the subordinates at the square mahjong table beside him, who had been listening with their ears pricked up. “Fuck! Who just dealt the winning tile? Get up and switch places with me!”
On that mild, sunny winter afternoon, Manager Ma sat in the open space outside his own billiards hall, rolling up his sleeves as he played mahjong and brooded inwardly—Master Ma will never meddle again! The Boss already spoils that brat like his own son. He practically carries him around on top of his head. He might as well change his name to Xia Chu San! I can’t stand it, I can’t afford to offend them, but surely I can at least stay out of their way!
In reality, Manager Ma could neither afford to provoke them nor escape them. Whenever anything happened on He Chu San’s side, he still had to report honestly to the Boss. “Boss, that brat took Xiao He into a department store.”
“Achoo! What did he buy?”
“He only bought her a greeting card. What a cheap bastard!”
“Cut the crap. Keep following them.”
Not long afterward, another call came. “Boss, that brat took Xiao He to the cinema.”
“What are they watching?”
“Looks like Days of Being Wild.”
“Achoo!” Hadn’t he already seen it? “Keep following them.”
This time, two hours passed. “Boss, that brat is buying Xiao He food from a street stall.”
“What did he buy?”
“Fish balls and egg waffles. What a fucking pauper!”
“Achoo!”
Boss Xia hung up and forced himself to continue examining the accounts. He worked until the sun sank outside the window and the evening sky filled with glowing clouds. Just as his head was spinning and his vision blurring, the phone rang again.
Frowning, he dug his brick phone out from a mountain of tissues filled with snot and answered it. “Where did they go now?”
“Hua’s Café. That brat sneaked Xiao He into the kitchen and stayed there for an hour.”
“Were they ‘doing it’ in there?”
“I don’t know whether they did anything, but it looks like the brat personally cooked an entire table of dishes for her…”
“Achoo—!”
Boss Xia released another earth-shattering sneeze and sat dazed for a moment with his head throbbing—then hurled the brick phone across the room.
“Fuck!”
A greeting card, a film, street snacks, and a meal cooked by hand. The steps were exactly the same, together with that line about how “romance should begin with a date.”
That little bastard clearly knew he was being followed and was deliberately pointing out that everything he and Xia Liu Yi had done together before had looked exactly like dating!
Boss Xia threw himself backward and kicked the desk. The mountain of used tissues scattered across the floor.
Go fuck yourself, A’San!
“Achoo!”
Boss Xia’s internal heat flared even more fiercely, and his high fever returned that night. Without telling anyone, he went home, ate two bowls of beef offal, and buried himself beneath the blankets, intending to cure every illness with another long sleep. Instead, he almost never woke up. Several bodyguards waited downstairs until well past noon without seeing him. Thinking the Boss might have been assassinated in his bedroom, they forced the door open and found him wrapped in the quilt, burning like a lump of coal. Even half-conscious, he could still locate his gun with perfect accuracy and disengage the safety, determined to shoot anyone who dared approach. Fortunately, his bodyguards had learned well from Xiao Ma. When faced with an unnecessary sacrifice, each of them dodged faster than the last.
Cui Dong Dong hurried over with a private doctor, chased all the shaken bodyguards outside, then efficiently disarmed Boss Xia, pinned him down, and forced him to receive treatment. It was not necessarily because she was more skilled than the bodyguards. She was simply the only person who dared deliver a ruthless chop to the back of the Boss’s neck while cursing, “You bastard! Lie the fuck still!”
When Xia Liu Yi woke, Cui Dong Dong sat on a stool beside the bed with her legs spread wide, blowing smoke rings toward the new row of bullet holes in the wall.
“Boss, do you know what it means to be incapable of taking care of yourself? You’re the perfect example,” Deputy Hall Master Cui said earnestly through the haze of smoke. “Before you casually manage to get our Dragon Head killed, I’m begging you—find yourself someone!”
Annoyed, Xia Liu Yi used the hand connected to the IV drip to pull the blanket over his head.
“I think that He brat is acceptable. He’s clever and attentive. At the very least, you wouldn’t starve or die of illness with him around. Why not make do with him?”
“Shut up and get out,” Boss Xia ordered hoarsely from beneath the blanket.
Deputy Hall Master Cui did not utter another word and swept grandly out of the room. Yet when Xiao Ma arrived at dinnertime that evening, eagerly carrying an enormous luxury food box to visit the Boss and deliver his meal, He Chu San unexpectedly followed behind him with his little backpack!
Xia Liu Yi leaned crookedly against the headboard, smoking and watching television. The moment he saw the two enter, he tried to murder Xiao Ma with his eyes.
Xiao Ma shrank his neck. “Boss! This has absolutely nothing to do with me! Hey, brat, explain yourself!” He set down the food box and fled with astonishing speed.
“I heard from Xiao He that you were ill,” He Chu San said with lowered eyes. “I came to visit you, Brother Liu Yi.”
Xia Liu Yi weakly rolled his eyes and could not be bothered to respond. Only a few of his closest confidants knew that he had been bedridden. Xiao He was nowhere near important enough to be informed. Cui Dong Dong was unquestionably behind this.
With his head lowered obediently, He Chu San removed a large iron flask from his backpack, wrapped in cotton cloth to preserve its warmth. The moment he opened the lid, the aroma of century-egg and lean-pork congee spread throughout the room. He poured some into a bowl and placed it on the bedside table, then opened the luxurious food box Xiao Ma had brought. It contained every imaginable side dish, along with an enormous bowl of plain congee.
“Brother Liu Yi, would you like plain congee or century-egg and pork congee?”
Without even looking at him, Xia Liu Yi casually dragged the bowl of century-egg congee in front of himself. It was not that he had deliberately decided to honor He Chu San’s efforts. Who would choose plain congee when meat was available?
He Chu San took another small oil-paper packet from his backpack. Opening it revealed a rather hideous lump of preserved vegetables. “My dad made these salted dried radishes. They don’t look very good, but they smell delicious. Try some.”
Xia Liu Yi ignored him, using his chopsticks only to take food from the plate of Golden Jade Cabbage Xiao Ma had brought.
He Chu San sat obediently on the stool beside him and watched him eat. After Xia Liu Yi noisily finished an entire bowl of congee, He Chu San stepped forward and poured him another. Only when Boss Xia appeared half-full and presumably in a better mood did he say, “Brother Liu Yi, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have argued with you that night.”
Xia Liu Yi stopped moving his chopsticks but said nothing, merely raising his eyes to look at him expressionlessly.
He did not speak, but what he wanted to say was perfectly obvious—was arguing really the problem between them? Stop fucking pretending, A’San!
He Chu San looked back at him openly, his expression innocent and his words sincere, appearing entirely willing to correct his mistake. “Xiao He is a good girl. I’m very happy when I’m with her. Thank you, Brother Liu Yi.”
Xia Liu Yi frowned faintly and looked him up and down several times. He truly could not find the slightest flaw in this Best Actor’s performance. Finally, he snorted coldly through his nose, which counted as accepting He Chu San’s apology and thanks.
As long as the little bastard returned to the proper path and stopped becoming possessed by evil ideas and thinking all sorts of nonsense, Xia Liu Yi could reluctantly continue being his Boss.
He merely doubted whether the brat had truly returned to the “proper path.”
While drinking his second bowl of congee, Xia Liu Yi watched He Chu San from the corner of his eye. The brat was clearly much better behaved this time and no longer secretly watched him with furtive eyes. After apologizing and receiving Xia Liu Yi’s cold snort, he seemed reassured and began watching the television with considerable interest.
Only after staring intently at it for a long while did he finally seem to notice that there was still a Boss in the room who required care. He turned and asked, “Brother Liu Yi, is there enough food? Would you like anything else?”
Xia Liu Yi casually waved a hand, indicating that he needed nothing. He Chu San knew when to stop and did not continue talking and irritating him. He merely pushed the small packet of preserved vegetables closer. Boss Xia stirred through it with his chopsticks, disdainfully selected a small piece, and put it in his mouth. That counted as reconciliation.
After serving him until he finished eating, He Chu San packed away the bowls, chopsticks, and food boxes. Just before leaving, he hesitated. “Brother Liu Yi, are you free next weekend? There’s a new film…”
“I’m busy.” Determined to strangle every ambiguous possibility before it could grow, Xia Liu Yi planned to avoid being alone with He Chu San until the brat had finally been laid. He said impatiently, “Go find your woman.”
“Xiao He isn’t my girlfriend yet,” He Chu San explained bashfully. “We only just started dating. I’ll watch it with her first, and if it’s good, I’ll tell you.”
“No need. I’ve been busy lately,” Xia Liu Yi said. “Don’t come bothering me unless something important happens.”
“All right,” He Chu San replied. His expression remained innocent, without the slightest disappointment. “Then I won’t disturb you any longer, Brother Liu Yi. I’m going home. Take care of yourself and rest properly. Also, stop smoking.”
Xia Liu Yi grunted, meaning that He Chu San could shut up and get out.
After He Chu San’s quiet footsteps descended the stairs, Xia Liu Yi took a cigarette from the bedside table, lit it brazenly, and smoked while staring blankly at the television. Suddenly, he felt extremely irritated.
That little bastard had not revealed a single flaw. He had even seemed to blush when speaking about Xiao He. Had his preferences changed that quickly?
Xia Liu Yi held the cigarette between his fingers and dialed the bedside telephone. “A’Ying? Has that brat left yet?”
“He left a little while ago, Boss.”
“Did he ask you anything?”
“No. He didn’t speak to anyone.”
Xia Liu Yi looked through the dark window with an uncertain expression. After waiting for a long time, A’Ying asked, “Boss?”
“Drive after him and take him home.” It was already too late at night for He Chu San to walk back to Kowloon City safely.
“Yes!”
“…Wait!”
“Do you have another instruction, Boss?”
“Don’t take him.”
Boss Xia made a tremendous effort to harden his heart. He could not treat the brat too well, or He Chu San might misunderstand again.
…
Boss Xia had not been lying when he said he was busy. After Christmas, he was genuinely occupied for quite some time. He had spent less than a full day in bed before being forced to crawl up with a sickly green face and take control of the situation. Time rolled forward at astonishing speed, and several weeks passed in the blink of an eye. They still had not uncovered the mastermind who had deliberately caused trouble in his territory. Meanwhile, the elders complained more bitterly each day that he was expanding too quickly, creating too many enemies, and attracting police attention. On one side, Xia Liu Yi sent Cui Dong Dong to placate the elders with gentle words. On the other, he did not pause his attacks or territorial seizures for even a single step.
Fat Seven, the principal target of his attacks, fought another major battle with him before Chinese New Year and led men to raid several of his establishments. Xia Liu Yi deliberately sent the Red Pole Elder Ge had planted beside him to lead the assault. Not only did the brat avoid death and injury, he proved surprisingly capable, smashing three of Fat Seven’s nightclubs and bringing back an entire sack of cash.
Xia Liu Yi summoned the Red Pole to soak in a hot spring with him. The room had been cleared, leaving only the two of them in the enormous pool.
Boss Xia leaned lazily against the edge of the pool with his head tilted back and a wet towel covering his face. The hot water had turned every old scar, large and small, across his bare upper body a deep red. Against the smooth contours of his long, lean muscles, they appeared especially ferocious.
The moment the man entered, he was startled by the scars covering Boss Xia’s body. Remembering the legend of “Black Children’s Day and the Twin-Blade Blood Asura,” a chill ran across his back. He finally understood that this Boss had genuinely carved his way through mountains of blades and seas of blood, without the slightest exaggeration. Wearing a towel around his waist, he entered the water nervously.
Steam filled the room, and the warm water softened his bones. Yet Boss Xia continued sitting opposite him in a broad, imposing posture without saying a word. Watching the Boss remain completely motionless made him increasingly uneasy.
Xia Liu Yi finally spoke in a low, indifferent voice. “Your nickname is Big Scarhead?”
Big Scarhead immediately straightened his back. “Yes, Boss. I have a large scar across the top of my head. Someone cut me there years ago.”
“You cut him back afterward?” Xia Liu Yi asked.
“Yes, Boss. I did.”
“Is he Scarhead now too?”
“No. He doesn’t have a head anymore.”
Xia Liu Yi gave a quiet laugh.
“Do you know why I summoned you?”
“Please enlighten me, Boss.”
“You’ve got courage,” Xia Liu Yi said lazily, his voice slightly muffled beneath the towel. “A hero’s origins don’t matter. I can’t be bothered asking about your past. I care only about where you intend to go. Choose the right direction, and you won’t merely be Big Scarhead—you’ll become Boss Big Scarhead. Choose the wrong direction, and you’ll have no head at all. Do you understand?”
Because the Boss continued lying lazily beneath the towel and could not see his extraordinarily sincere expression, Big Scarhead could only express his loyalty through the firmest possible tone. “I understand, Boss!”
“Leave.”
“Yes!”
After soaking in the hot spring for so long and receiving a warning whose emotion he could not interpret, the future Boss Big Scarhead climbed out of the water with a mind full of worries. He tried desperately to walk with steady steps and appear calm, but that only made him move more slowly. It took him ages to pass the corner of the corridor.
Xia Liu Yi remained silent beneath the damp towel, suppressing himself so fiercely that veins bulged across his forehead. Only after Big Scarhead’s footsteps disappeared completely did he finally release an enormous sneeze that sent ripples across the entire pool.
“Achoo—!”
He tore the towel from his face, blew his nose into it, and casually threw it far away. “Fuck!”
His damned nose was so badly blocked that he sounded as though he were crying whenever he spoke. He had not dared say a word without covering his face with the towel. Why couldn’t that bastard have left faster?
Xiao Ma’s bare feet slapped against the floor as he ran inside. “Boss, Inspector Xu called and invited you to dinner tomorrow.”
“Fuck,” Xia Liu Yi cursed in a tearful nasal voice. “The New Year hasn’t even arrived, and he’s already rushing over for money! Send Cui Dong Dong to entertain him. Prepare a red envelope with fifty thousand dollars and say that I had urgent business and flew to Thailand tonight.”
“Boss.” Squatting beside the pool, Xiao Ma hesitantly suggested, “Should you ask the doctor to examine you again? I think you might have nasal allergies.”
“Is there even a cure for nasal allergies?! What the hell is the point of seeing a doctor?” Xia Liu Yi slapped the water with his enormous hand, splashing Xiao Ma’s face. “Go prepare my clothes! Achoo—!”
He had been both ill and busy. More than ten days had passed since his high fever subsided, yet his nose continued running endlessly and remained unbearably sore and itchy. His days had become a confused blur, so he had long since thrown the irritating little bastard out of his mind. That lasted until Xiao Ma said while helping him with his tie, “Boss, Chinese New Year is next week.”
“Mm.” Xia Liu Yi produced a muffled nasal grunt.
“I’m returning to the countryside outside Guangzhou the day after tomorrow, and Boss Dong Dong is going to Thailand next Monday. About you…”
“Leave as early as you like,” Xia Liu Yi said without concern. “Go to Finance and withdraw fifty thousand dollars. Consider it my red envelope for your grandmother.”
“No, no, that isn’t necessary,” Xiao Ma hurriedly replied. “She’s already over eighty. She couldn’t possibly accept something like that, Boss.”
“Cut the crap! Go outside and call the car.”
Xiao Ma eagerly rolled toward the door, but after two steps, he clung to the frame and turned back hesitantly. “Boss, well, we’re worried about leaving you alone, heh-heh… Why don’t you come back to the countryside with me?”
“I don’t like going into the fields to feed mosquitoes! Enough. Stop worrying about useless things and get out!”
Half of Xiao Ma’s backside had disappeared through the door when he returned again, stammering uncertainly. “Boss, Sister Dong Dong said that He brat asked her before whether he could invite you to celebrate Chinese New Year at his home. Are you really going? I think that brat is sneaky and must be planning something…”
Xia Liu Yi threw a leather shoe at him and knocked him outside. “What business is it of yours where I go? Get out!”
Besides, he had not even agreed yet!
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