Chapter 36: A Trap Set for the Enemy

"This is all thanks to you for catching me back then, otherwise I probably wouldn't have lived this long," Chen Sheng said with a smile.

Zhang Jianguo waved his hand. "Old Chen, it's not that I caught you personally, but you broke the law. As a constable, it's my duty to apprehend offenders."

Chen Sheng nodded quickly. "I understand, I understand. That's why I invited you here today—to treat you to a meal. By the way, you're not on duty, are you?"

Zhang Jianguo laughed. "I've been pretty free these last couple of days. I just got off work and came straight over."

Chen Sheng called for the waiter to bring a pot of tea, then stood up and said, "We've known each other for years. Just wait a moment for me. Once I'm done with my business, I'll cook you a few dishes and we can sit and chat!"

"Go ahead, don't worry about us," Zhang Jianguo replied with a smile.

Chen Sheng hurried off to the kitchen. With the increasing number of guests, he'd been delayed for too long and was struggling to keep up.

At this moment, a young officer asked Zhang Jianguo curiously, "Chief, who is this guy?"

Zhang Jianguo replied slowly, "He is the famous Chen Sheng—Boss Chen from twenty years ago."

"Boss Chen? Never heard of him," another officer shook his head.

Zhang Jianguo raised his teacup and drank, then said, "Back then you were just born, so you wouldn't have heard his name."

"Chief, tell us about your stories from those days," the young officer said, full of curiosity.

Zhang Jianguo's gaze grew distant in recollection. "Twenty years ago, Peng City was still small, divided into only four districts. Chen Sheng was the underground boss of the southern district. That winter, he clashed with Old Fifth Feng from the west side. Hundreds from both sides erupted into a violent brawl..."

The stories from twenty years ago were brought forth, revealing an era of greater turmoil and unrest, where loyalty and the code of the underworld permeated the land.

The young officers listened, marveling at tales of the underworld's conflicts.

By ten o'clock at night, Jiang Butong and Wang Yun finished their meal. Jiang Butong escorted Wang Yun home, then drove his van back to the private cuisine restaurant.

Business was still booming. Jiang Butong first headed to the hotel across the street.

Jiang Yuan's ten men had booked two rooms there.

Jiang Butong knocked on the door. Yingzi, the leader, opened it.

"Butong..." Everyone in the room recognized Jiang Butong and stood to greet him.

"How's the situation?" Jiang Butong got straight to the point.

"The matters you asked Brother Chen to arrange have all been handled. Now we're just waiting for Black Dog's people to arrive," Yingzi replied.

Jiang Butong walked to the window, gazing at the brightly lit private kitchen across the street.

"I had you come to handle emergencies. Remember, unless the situation is completely out of control, do not go out," Jiang Butong instructed.

His men exchanged glances, unsure what "out of control" really meant. They had assumed they were here to ambush the Black Dog gang.

Only Yingzi knew Jiang Butong's overall plan, but without orders, he dared not divulge anything for fear of leaking information.

"Did you bring the man?" Jiang Butong suddenly asked Yingzi.

"He’s already here, in the other room. I’ll go get him," Yingzi said, stepping out.

Soon, Liu Shanzhu was brought in by Yingzi.

Liu Shanzhu looked terrified as he faced the dozen men in the room, his legs almost giving way.

"Butong... Butong, I've told you everything you wanted to know. I haven't contacted Black Dog again," Liu Shanzhu pleaded desperately.

Jiang Butong patted Liu Shanzhu on the shoulder.

"Shanzhu, relax. I called you here just in case—after all, this is a fight to the death!"

Liu Shanzhu nodded frantically, knowing Jiang Butong feared he might conspire with Black Dog in some scheme within a scheme.

"So, the brothers haven't given you trouble, right?" Jiang Butong asked.

"No, no... everyone’s treated me well," Liu Shanzhu replied.

"Good."

Jiang Butong checked the time, gave Yingzi a few instructions, then left.

It was after ten at night.

The number of guests in the private kitchen had dwindled. Zhang Jianguo and his team finally received their first dish.

"Chief, the boss is neglecting us. The food’s coming out so slowly," a police officer complained.

Zhang Jianguo waved his hand, silencing his subordinate. "Didn't you see how busy the restaurant is? Old Chen can't be everywhere at once."

Seeing Chen Sheng turn over a new leaf brought Zhang Jianguo satisfaction—he felt he had lived up to his constable's uniform.

A while later, Chen Sheng hurried over carrying dishes.

"Officer Zhang, I'm really sorry to keep you waiting," Chen Sheng apologized.

Zhang Jianguo saw the sweat on Chen Sheng’s brow and smiled, "No worries. I thought since we hadn't seen each other in years, I’d accept your invitation for a meal."

The other officers, seeing Chen Sheng drenched in sweat, felt their complaints diminish, realizing how busy he truly was.

"Come, eat up. Two more dishes will be ready soon," Chen Sheng urged them.

Zhang Jianguo quickly held Chen Sheng back. "Old Chen, this is plenty. We're not important people—just a simple meal will do. If you go overboard, I’ll have to pay for it myself."

Chen Sheng took out beer, pouring for Zhang Jianguo and the others.

"Officer Zhang, let me toast you. After all these years, if not for you, I wouldn’t be here today. Words can’t express my gratitude—it’s all in the drink."

Chen Sheng’s words were moving, stirring Zhang Jianguo’s memories of those tumultuous years two decades prior.

"I was just doing my duty. Seeing you live well now puts my mind at ease," Zhang Jianguo raised his glass and clinked it with Chen Sheng’s.

The officers, famished from waiting, began to devour the food.

Zhang Jianguo looked at the wrinkles on Chen Sheng’s face and asked, "Have you seen your wife and daughter these years?"

Chen Sheng’s expression grew somber. "After I got out, I looked for them. Yan Hong, when she needed someone most, I wasn't by her side. She resents me, and to this day hasn't forgiven me..."

Zhang Jianguo felt a pang of guilt. Arresting Chen Sheng had been his duty, but only afterward did he learn Chen Sheng had a pregnant wife.

"So many years have passed. Have you seen your daughter?" Zhang Jianguo asked.

Chen Sheng poured himself a glass, gulped it down, the drink running down his lips. His eyes grew moist.

"Yan Hong won’t let me see my daughter. She says I used to be a hoodlum, afraid I’ll be a bad influence."

Zhang Jianguo frowned. No matter what, Chen Sheng had changed. He thought he should try to talk to Chen Sheng’s wife sometime.

"Let’s not talk about it—let’s drink," Chen Sheng said, raising his glass again and again.

He drowned his sorrows in drink; only when drunk could he forget his troubles.

Unnoticed, it was already past eleven.

The private kitchen was nearly empty, just three or four tables left, most guests drinking heavily.

Just then, four vans pulled up on the street.

The screeching of brakes pierced the night.

Zhang Jianguo, with his years of professional instinct, turned sharply, peering through the restaurant's glass window. He saw two or three dozen men getting out, armed with steel pipes and similar weapons.

Chen Sheng, with his back to the window, was drinking with Zhang Jianguo and the officers.

Bang!

The glass behind Chen Sheng shattered. A thug swaggered in, kicking open the door.

Shards flew everywhere. The entire restaurant was stunned.

"Boys, smash the place!" The leader barked, and his crew surged inside.

Zhang Jianguo sprang to his feet, reaching for his gun—only to realize he was in plain clothes and hadn’t brought any weapon.

"Stop! I’m a constable! Who are you?"

Zhang Jianguo stepped forward, his four officers rising with him.

"Who the hell are you, pretending to be cops? Hit them!" The thug sneered, leading his men to smash the restaurant's glass.

Jiang Dashuang rushed from the kitchen, throwing himself into the fray.

The restaurant was not only Chen Sheng’s, but also belonged to Jiang Yuan, Jiang Butong, and Jiang Dashuang—a joint venture among them.

Chen Sheng hurried to pull Jiang Dashuang back, but the usually gentle Dashuang was like a raging bull.

"Call for backup!" Zhang Jianguo shouted to one of the officers, watching the brawl erupt and charging in himself.