He Chu San’s private office was located in a modest mid-rise building along the waterfront in Wan Chai. Directly across from it stood the first phase of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, newly completed four years prior. The Convention Centre sprawled across vast grounds, its towering structure reaching toward the clouds, boasting at the time the largest glass curtain wall in the world. Its blue façade faced the harbor, reflecting shimmering sunlight in dazzling brilliance.
And yet, right beside such a world-renowned landmark, within this world-famous Asian financial hub, He Chu San had quietly rented an unremarkable office in an equally unremarkable building, establishing a data analysis company without fanfare.
Hidden behind this dazzling seaside architecture, hidden within this celebrated financial metropolis, his firm operated as the unseen hand behind numerous large-scale transactions—developing in silence, amassing wealth without drawing notice.
Very few people knew the address of this small company. In recent days, bodyguards sent by Boss Xia had been stationed downstairs in disguise, safeguarding the safety of the “Sister-in-Law.” Thus, when a young man with narrow eyes suddenly appeared in He Chu San’s office, smiling faintly as he handed over his name card, He Chu San glanced at the words “ICAC Investigator Lu Guang Ming” printed upon it and felt a trace of curiosity.
“Investigator Lu, I received no notice of visitors. How did you get in?”
“The fire escape,” Lu Guang Ming replied with a smile. “Fortunately, the building isn’t very tall.”
He Chu San’s assistant, who had been outside, noticed the unexpected guest and hurried in. He Chu San waved him away, signaling for the door to be shut.
Rising to his feet, he led Lu Guang Ming to a nearby sofa and personally poured him a cup of tea. “Investigator Lu, please.”
Seated opposite him, He Chu San regarded the man—who appeared even younger than himself, yet whose eyes gleamed with cunning—and spoke calmly, “Investigator Lu, I am but a law-abiding small businessman. My company has barely a dozen employees. Surely such a scale does not warrant the attention of the ICAC?”
Lu Guang Ming shook his head. “Rest assured, Mr. He, your company is spotless—just like yourself. In merely two years of practice, you’ve established your own firm and even serve as an investment consultant to several companies under Xiao Qi Hall. Among those in the underworld, you’re called the ‘Wealth-Reaping Prodigy.’ And yet, no matter how one investigates, not a single flaw can be found. Curious, isn’t it? Without deliberate foresight from the very beginning, how could one remain so flawless?”
“Perhaps because I have never done anything I ought not to?” He Chu San replied evenly.
“Perhaps,” Lu Guang Ming said with a smile. “A man of your background—educated at a prestigious institution, a young talent—surely stands apart from the common street hooligans.”
He Chu San had no patience for further circling. “You’ve said enough. Investigator Lu, what business brings you here?”
“I wish to make a deal.”
“What sort of deal?”
“The leader of Xiao Qi Hall, Xia Liu Yi—I know your relationship with him is far from ordinary. In my possession lies a fatal piece of leverage against him—enough to reduce Xiao Qi Hall to ashes and send Xia Liu Yi back behind bars. And not for a mere three months this time, but for life. Give me what I want, and in exchange, I can avert this calamity for him.”
He Chu San remained relaxed upon the sofa, his demeanor composed. “I’m afraid I cannot believe you. As an ICAC officer, if you truly possess such leverage, would it not be simpler to arrest him directly rather than bargain through me?”
He rose to show him out, but Lu Guang Ming, seeing through the gesture, dropped all pretense.
“I have the identity of a police undercover agent within his ranks.”
He Chu San looked down at him, brows knitting. “An undercover agent? And you, an ICAC officer, would expose such a person for personal gain?”
Lu Guang Ming chuckled. “Judging by your words, Mr. He, you seem well aware of what Xia Liu Yi would do to an undercover agent. I may lack a conscience, but I do have my limits. If I truly intended to harm that operative, I would have gone directly to Xia Liu Yi instead of coming to you. Compared to me, you have a conscience. In this deal, you will decide whether that agent lives or dies.”
He Chu San stared at him in disbelief. “What do you want?”
“The Dragon Head’s ‘ledger book’ of Xiao Qi Hall.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing, nor will I make any deal with you.” His tone was firm as steel. “Please leave, Investigator Lu.”
Lu Guang Ming rose leisurely. “From what I know, this undercover agent has already gathered considerable evidence. The net will soon be drawn. Will you not consider your ‘lover’?”
“I have no ‘lover,’” He Chu San replied without changing expression. “If you are referring to Xia Liu Yi, then you misunderstand our relationship. I merely provide investment consultation for his companies. As for the crimes you speak of—if he has committed them, then he should bear the consequences. He is an adult capable of independent thought and action. He alone is responsible for his choices.”
Lu Guang Ming smiled again. “How interesting, Mr. He. No matter—I have plenty of patience. Take your time to consider. When you’ve decided, give me a call.” He gestured toward the name card in He Chu San’s hand before taking his leave.
He Chu San remained seated, staring at the card for a long while. At last, he flicked it lightly between his fingers and tossed it into the trash.
Returning to his desk, he resumed work as though nothing had happened, dismissing the encounter entirely. To him, Lu Guang Ming’s words were nothing but bluff and bluster—an inexperienced man attempting to appear shrewd and worldly, yet betraying himself through excessive calculation and impatience. He judged that Lu Guang Ming held no real leverage, nor any undercover identity—merely grasping at straws, spinning tales in desperation to extort him.
Not a single word of it did he take to heart.
……
Lu Guang Ming left the building with a smile and hailed a taxi. Half an hour later, he met with several colleagues outside the Yau Ma Tei Police Station. Displaying their ICAC credentials, they strode in boldly and stopped before the desk of a mid-ranking officer.
“Officer Wang, two months ago, a report was submitted to the ICAC accusing you of concealing criminal evidence for Huifa Finance Company over the past three years and accepting bribes totaling 2.85 million Hong Kong dollars. Our investigation confirms the charges. You are now under arrest.”
Stunned, Officer Wang shot to his feet in fury. “Impossible! There was no report—I did exactly as he said…!”
Then realization struck him—when the caller had threatened him with a report days ago, the ICAC had already received it long before.
“Someone set me up! Someone used me in a deal!” he roared, pointing accusingly at them.
Lu Guang Ming merely narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Officer Wang, without evidence, do not slander ICAC personnel. Walk the night roads long enough, and you’re bound to encounter ghosts. Who told you to strike a bargain with the devil?”
……
By evening, He Chu San finished his day’s work and was the last to leave the office. Yet just as the elevator doors were about to close, he suddenly pressed the open button and returned.
Rummaging through the trash, he retrieved the discarded name card and slipped it into his briefcase.
……
Several days later, on Christmas Eve, the small restaurant “Jin Xi” was filled with festivity. Three months in advance, He Chu San had reserved the entire venue for this night—a long-established, modest eatery near the former site of Gaau Lung Walled City.
Dentist He had lived a diligent life, his skills refined, his nature kind. He often helped the elderly and the young, performed acts of charity, and served as a mediator among neighbors, settling disputes with reason and goodwill. Deeply beloved by the community, his late-life marriage blossomed like an old tree in spring, its fragrance spreading far and wide. Friends old and new, with families in tow, gathered in great numbers to offer their congratulations.
Standing at the entrance with his younger sister Xin Xin to greet guests, He Chu San was utterly taken aback by the endless stream of arrivals. His father and Auntie Wu had no relatives beyond their two children and had estimated no more than thirty or fifty guests. Thus, he had chosen this cozy, nostalgic restaurant beloved by locals—small, intimate, with space for only a handful of round tables and a modest stage for the ceremony.
But now, there were nearly one to two hundred people! Extra tables had already been squeezed in beside the stage, yet it was still far from enough. Soon, there wouldn’t even be space to stand, let alone sit.
Changing venues at this point was impossible, and splitting the guests across locations would be unseemly. He Chu San called Xin Xin aside and whispered instructions for her to negotiate with the restaurant—if more tables could be added, even if it meant setting them outside along the street. The area was remote, and on Christmas Eve most people flocked to the city center; it would not obstruct passersby.
Xin Xin hurried off to carry out his plan. The restaurant manager, quick-witted, immediately set to work, arranging additional seating, borrowing tables from neighboring eateries, and even ordering extra dishes—his own kitchen could no longer keep up.
He Chu San arranged for his father and Auntie Wu to greet the guests and enliven the atmosphere. He also dragged his two partners from the data analysis firm out of their seats to help maintain order, arrange seating, and urge the kitchen to serve dishes.
The restaurant was short on staff, so with a single phone call, He Chu San summoned Xiao He. Without hesitation, she arrived with a group of her former sisters to lend a hand. The girls applied light makeup, adopting the demure and gentle demeanor of respectable young ladies as they poured drinks and attended to guests. Many of the old neighborhood men were so dazzled they grew lightheaded, only to be yanked back to their senses by their wives twisting their ears and scolding them fiercely.
Under He Chu San’s management, the lively banquet proceeded in bustling harmony, busy yet orderly. Just as everything seemed to be going smoothly, Xin Xin suddenly rushed in from outside, breathless, to report that two patrolling officers had arrived. The officers claimed that the tables set up along the roadside pavement were obstructing traffic—whether or not there were pedestrians—and must be removed immediately, or they would report the matter to the municipal authorities.
He Chu San personally stepped forward to reason with them, speaking politely and asking for leniency. But the officers insisted on enforcing the rules, demanding immediate removal. Left with no choice, He Chu San requested a brief delay, promising to arrange for the guests to be moved to other restaurants.
The leading officer, a middle-aged man with veins bulging across his face, was clearly in a foul mood. Before He Chu San could say another word, he suddenly erupted in anger, flipping over a table already half-filled with dishes and surrounded by seated guests! The guests scattered in alarm. As He Chu San stepped forward to mediate, he was struck squarely in the right eye by a punch, doubling over with a hand clamped to his face.
His vision swam in darkness. Through the haze, he vaguely heard the anxious voice of the bodyguard A’Nan—
“Boss!”
Startled, He Chu San looked up just in time to see Xia Liu Yi, face dark and eyes blazing red, storm forward and knock the officer flat into the scattered remains of food with a single punch!
Today, Boss Xia had come meticulously prepared, filled with joy as he made his way to the banquet. In the car, he had been humming a tune with a lollipop in his mouth, even handing out generous red packets to the bodyguards on duty. They had all assumed some joyous occasion was at hand, happily accompanying their boss to meet the “Sister-in-law.” Never did they expect that upon nearing their destination, they would witness the Sister-in-law being struck…
Before the car had even come to a stop, before the bodyguards could get out, Xia Liu Yi had already flung open the door and rushed forward!
He grabbed the officer and delivered another brutal punch straight to the eyes. The younger officer beside him, frozen in shock until now, finally reacted—shouting as he charged forward with an electric baton, striking Xia Liu Yi’s back in panic—forgetting even to switch it on! Xia Liu Yi spun and swept him to the ground with a kick, snatched the baton, and turned to jab it toward the older officer’s eyes—only to be stopped by A’Nan and He Chu San, who lunged forward together.
“Boss, you mustn’t!” A’Nan pleaded earnestly, gripping the baton without regard for the consequences.
“Brother Liu Yi! Enough, enough—I’m fine!” He Chu San wrapped his arms around Xia Liu Yi’s waist, urging him to stop. Before so many witnesses, assaulting an officer—beating him nearly to death—would bring catastrophic consequences.
Xia Liu Yi, fierce by nature, shook them off and surged forward to strike again. His fist had just risen when he suddenly realized whom he had thrown aside moments before. He quickly turned back, catching the staggering He Chu San and cradling his face, examining him carefully.
“Are you alright?! Can you see clearly?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Though he said so, the corner of He Chu San’s brow was already swelling, his right eye bloodshot, his gaze unfocused. Seeing this, Xia Liu Yi felt as though knives were twisting in his heart, his fury surging all the more.
The battered officer, having regained some composure, continued to hurl curses from behind, “Damn you! You dare assault a police officer?!”
“I’ll wipe out your whole family today!” Xia Liu Yi turned to strike again—only for the man to recognize him and cry out, “Xia Liu Yi?!”
Xia Liu Yi paused, recognizing the bruised officer as well. “Inspector Wu?”
Thus it became a case of floodwaters washing over the Dragon King’s Temple—one’s own people failing to recognize one another.
This Inspector Wu had once been a mid-ranking officer in Kowloon City, serving under the former Chief Inspector Hua. He had been adept in corruption of all kinds—extortion, bribery, indulgence in vice—and skilled at bullying the weak and currying favor with the powerful. In his heyday, he had been a regular patron of establishments under Xiao Qi Hall, a high-ranking VIP at Tan Xiang Pavilion, often drinking on Xia Liu Yi’s tab and pocketing red packets slipped beneath dishes.
After Chief Inspector Hua’s downfall, the newly appointed Superintendent Mai swept away the corruption that had plagued his predecessor, vowing to establish integrity within the Kowloon police force. As a remnant of the old regime, Inspector Wu was swiftly cast out, demoted repeatedly, and eventually reduced to a mere street patrol officer after disciplinary violations earlier that year. Filled with resentment and nowhere to vent it, he frequently sought trouble—never imagining that today he would bring misfortune upon himself by targeting the “Sister-in-law” of Xiao Qi Hall.
Since they were, in truth, old acquaintances of such “deep ties,” Inspector Wu could hardly continue throwing his weight around, and Xia Liu Yi could not persist in retaliation. What was there to fight over? Merely a small misunderstanding.
Thus Xia Liu Yi personally helped Inspector Wu to his feet, wiping his face and offering apologies, while Inspector Wu expressed his own slight regret regarding the disturbance to the banquet and to He Chu San. The two then stepped aside for a brief private exchange about maintaining harmonious cooperation between police and civilians. Xia Liu Yi promised to pay a formal visit with generous gifts in a few days, and Inspector Wu departed in good spirits with his junior.
After sending him off with a few words, Xia Liu Yi watched his retreating figure, then beckoned A’Nan over and whispered a few instructions. A’Nan nodded and left.
Xia Liu Yi then signaled the remaining bodyguards to rearrange the tables, clean up, and invite the guests to be seated once more. He himself took hold of He Chu San, intending to lead him to the car outside to tend to his injury—the emergency kit was there.
But catching sight of his father and Auntie Wu emerging from the crowd, He Chu San quickly shook his head and pulled Xia Liu Yi forward to greet them.
“Dad, look who’s here.”
“Oh! Mr. Xia! What an honor—what an honor indeed!” Mr. He exclaimed in his scholarly tone, outwardly flattering but inwardly probing. Xia Liu Yi’s eyelid twitched, his molars aching instinctively.
Suppressing the discomfort, he offered his congratulations respectfully, “Old Master He, my felicitations!” He then accepted a wrapped gift from a bodyguard and presented it. “I heard no red packets are accepted today. This is merely a small token of my regard.”
“Oh! Many thanks, many thanks!” Mr. He showed little interest in the gift, tucking it under his arm before turning to fuss over his son. “A’San, what happened outside? I heard there was fighting—eh? Your face! Is it serious? You must go to the hospital at once!”
“It’s nothing serious,” He Chu San replied. “Just a small misunderstanding with an officer. Brother Liu Yi has already settled it.”
“Mr. Xia truly possesses extraordinary abilities,” Mr. He said again, his tone layered with meaning. Xia Liu Yi’s teeth ached once more. “You jest, Old Master He—please, just call me Liu Yi.”
“How could I dare?” Mr. He turned to Auntie Wu, continuing, “Qian Li, I haven’t introduced him—this Mr. Xia is a young man of great promise, the head of a very large ‘company,’ with many subordinates…”
Seeing Xia Liu Yi’s expression shift between pale and flushed, He Chu San quickly ushered his parents away. “Dad, Mom, I’ll take care of Brother Liu Yi. Please go attend to the guests.”
He then pulled Xia Liu Yi into the hall, moving along the quieter side toward the back.
As they walked, Xia Liu Yi muttered, “Your father doesn’t like me being here. I won’t stay. Is there somewhere quieter? I’ll speak a few words with you and leave.”
“How could that be? Father is concerned about you,” He Chu San replied. “And Xin Xin has long wanted to—”
“Brother!”
Speak of the devil—Xin Xin appeared, dressed in a white bridesmaid gown, like a lively little rabbit. She grabbed He Chu San’s arm and stared wide-eyed at Xia Liu Yi.
“Wow! So this is my sister-in-law—mmph!”
Her mouth was promptly covered by He Chu San.
Xia Liu Yi shot him a silent glare.
“She’s talking nonsense—I didn’t teach her…” He Chu San said helplessly.
But Xin Xin wriggled free, bubbling with excitement. “Sister-in-law! Hello! I’m my brother’s little sister—just call me Xin Xin! You’re so handsome! I’ve finally met you!”
Xia Liu Yi extended his right hand and smiled gently. “Hello, my name is Xia Liu Yi.”
He Chu San lowered his head quietly, wiping at the corner of his eye—Xia Liu Yi’s left hand was viciously pinching the flesh at his lower back, the pain nearly bringing tears.
Xin Xin clasped Xia Liu Yi’s hand, shaking it enthusiastically. “Brother Liu Yi, you’re so handsome! How did you end up liking my brother? I heard you’re a boss? You don’t look like one—you’re so young!”
Enduring the torment at his waist, He Chu San finally lost patience and pushed her away. “Go help Dad and Mom greet the guests.”
“Alright, alright, won’t disturb your alone time,” Xin Xin said with a mischievous grin, pointing toward the far end of the hall. “There’s a storage room over there with no one in it—you can go have your private talk. I’ll stand guard outside!”
“Go, go,” He Chu San waved her off.
Watching her skip away, glancing back repeatedly, he turned helplessly to Xia Liu Yi. “I truly didn’t teach her to say those things.”
Xia Liu Yi let out a cold snort. “You’d better not have.”
He Chu San chuckled, glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then quickly took Xia Liu Yi’s hand and slipped him into the secluded storage room.
Locking the door tightly, he turned around—only to find Xia Liu Yi looking at him with a smile full of meaning.
“Well then,” Xia Liu Yi said, “your Brother Liu Yi is here. What is it you wanted to say?”
Futile Devices Scans 
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