Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 299 - 283: Despicable
Cyan Wolf Gang?
Ma Bin?
Qian Huan’s eyebrows raised slightly, revealing a hint of surprise in his eyes as he stared intently at Hou Wendong, asking suspiciously:
"Finding a gang to handle things is indeed one way, but I seem to have heard that Secretary Hou was rescued the other day thanks to a street gang providing crucial information to the Patrol Office. It seems they were called the Cyan Wolf Gang?"
Hou Wendong did not conceal anything and spoke frankly:
"What you heard is correct. The Cyan Wolf Gang not only provided the tip but were present at the scene for my rescue. Besides Captain Li from the Patrol Office, the leader of the Cyan Wolf Gang, Ma Bin, was also on site and even followed the ambulance to take me to the hospital. Saying they saved my life wouldn’t be an exaggeration."
Qian Huan chuckled lightly, with a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes:
"So, Secretary Hou, are you planning to repay the favor by giving the Cyan Wolf Gang a piece of the pie?"
Hou Wendong smiled gently, speaking in a calm tone:
"I do intend to repay Ma Bin’s help, but more importantly, we need a reliable gang to assist us with affairs. This is a significant matter, and I can only be at ease if it’s entrusted to someone trustworthy."
Pausing for a moment, he continued:
"Moreover, it’s not as exaggerated as giving away a piece of the pie. Given the size of the Cyan Wolf Gang, no matter how much I rack my brains, they can’t get a seat at the table. What they can get is merely management fees and some hard-earned money, which is just the crumbs that fall off the table."
Qian Huan felt that he had seen through a bit of Hou Wendong’s private intentions, and his doubts were significantly dispelled.
He admired and said: "Secretary Hou is so righteous and affectionate, and I, Qian Huan, naturally won’t stand in the way of Secretary Hou’s gratitude. Let’s set this matter as such. Truly, Ma Bin is fortunate to encounter someone as influential as Secretary Hou."
Hou Wendong smiled without speaking. He did indeed have a strong desire to repay the kindness, but that did not hinder his preparations to kick Qian Huan out.
These two things weren’t contradictory!
Just like Qian Huan said, such a big pie is not for everyone to have a seat and eat, even if you were the one kneading the dough from the beginning.
Deep in Hou Wendong’s heart, other calculations still lingered.
For instance, he still wanted to meet the confidants under Qian Huan, to bribe and win some over, to choose who could seamlessly take over once Qian Huan is out of the picture.
Or perhaps, part of the shares behind the Second Prison are under Celestial Light Investment, and some in the prison system. These shares might not have had much value before, but there’s no guarantee about the future.
The value of these shares is too great for Qian Huan to handle.
But none of these should be rushed; things must be done gracefully and in a step-by-step manner.
So, after careful consideration, Hou Wendong earnestly told Qian Huan:
"In any case, since Mr. Wang has approved this matter, we must work together to get it done well. This task can only be successful, it cannot fail, or it would negatively impact member of parliament. Do you understand?"
Qian Huan took a deep breath, feeling a surge of indescribable excitement:
"Secretary Hou, rest assured, I have great confidence in this plan. I will not let you or Mr. Wang be disappointed."
A satisfied smile appeared on Hou Wendong’s face, and a look of encouragement emerged in his eyes:
"Very good. After I am discharged from the hospital next week, I will visit the Second Prison you manage for an on-site inspection. At that time, I will synchronize and advance relevant external work based on your management of the Second Prison."
Hou Wendong’s words were clear and reasonable, and Qian Huan couldn’t find any reason to refuse.
He nodded solemnly and said firmly: "Of course, Secretary Hou, I wish you a speedy recovery and eagerly await your visit to the Second Prison to oversee our work."
After speaking, Qian Huan politely left. Outside the door, Feng Mu and Shi Wuming were on either side, following him away in unison.
Once Qian Huan’s figure disappeared outside, Hou Wendong slowly picked up the phone on the bedside table.
He gently unlocked the screen, opened his contacts, and lightly touched to find Ma Bin’s name.
Reviewing the call records, Hou Wendong found that his interactions with Ma Bin were quite sparse, totaling only a handful of brief calls.
"But it won’t be like that in the future, we must keep in frequent contact."
With just a slight touch on Ma Bin’s phone number, a complex smile naturally emerged on Hou Wendong’s face — not a fake, refined smile, but one of genuine sincerity and sentiment from deep within.
The phone only rang a few times before Ma Bin’s voice came through, carrying a tone both unfamiliar and familiar.
It felt unfamiliar because, in past conversations with Ma Bin, Hou Wendong always maintained a condescending attitude, never truly listening to the other’s voice.
Yet it felt familiar because, in that warehouse on that day, Ma Bin’s voice imprinted like a brand deep into his memory.
Every time he closed his eyes, in the darkness, that voice would involuntarily echo in his mind.
"Hello, Secretary Hou, have you already woken up?"
The greeting wasn’t particularly fervent, yet it flowed through him like a warm current warming his heart.
Unconsciously, Hou Wendong’s mouth curled into a soft smile:
"Ma Bin, where are you? Why didn’t I see you when I woke up?"
On the other end, Ma Bin coughed softly and replied:
"Well, Secretary Hou, I saw them wheel you out from surgery to the VVIP ward, and the nurses told me you had passed the critical stage.
Afterward, Mr. Wang and several Executive Government officials arrived to visit you.
Though you hadn’t woken up yet, I felt quite out of place, and with some affairs needing attention back at the gang, I excused myself first. I am truly sorry."
Though Ma Bin’s words were reserved, the scene naturally played out in Hou Wendong’s mind.
He imagined a small gang leader squeezed into the room with a crowd of high-ranking officials, including conspicuous figures like Mr. Wang. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Ma Bin standing cautiously in the hospital room’s corner, awkwardly shifting between gazing down or lifting his gaze, while his entire being, down to his toes, nervously tapped the floor.
For someone like Ma Bin, who lives on the edge, he’d perhaps rather fight for his life than awkwardly socialize with a room full of hypocritical politicians.
In the past, Hou Wendong would have contemptuously labeled this as the self-awareness and cowardice of a small fry, but now, he saw it as genuine sincerity.
"I can’t believe I once suspected Ma Bin of hiding the black accounts left by Zheng Si, even sending people to steal them. How despicably shameless of me back then."
"Luckily, Ma Bin never found out about these things. Otherwise, would he have still chosen to save me in the warehouse?"
Hou Wendong decided to guard this secret fiercely for life; he wouldn’t allow this disgrace to tarnish the ’true, good, and beautiful’ feelings between him and Ma Bin.
....
