Chapter 154 Formation

After Lao Zhou and his group left, the atmosphere at the stall became subtle.

Fang Yingxue's gaze swept over Chen Mo, and she lost interest in speaking.

She'd seen plenty of hotheads like that.

Like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, it became extremely arrogant after just cultivating its qi and blood, thinking that all the heroes in the world were nothing more than this.

Little did they know how deep the waters ran in Jinshi. The Green Gang had been entrenched there for decades, with countless intertwined interests behind them, and even the Zhenyi Division had to give them some face.

What could a newcomer to the inspection bureau possibly offer?

Young people are just like that; they make bold statements, but they only learn the lesson when they actually run into trouble.

But she wouldn't say it aloud.

We've already given them all the advice they needed to, and we've offered them a way out; if they won't accept it, that's their problem.

"Have you eaten yet?" Fang Yingxue asked her younger sister.

Fang Yingxia was still staring blankly at Chen Mo when she heard this, and she came back to her senses. "Ah? Oh, I'm full."

"Let's go then, it's getting late."

Fang Yingxue nodded to Liu Ruyan and Chen Mo, "We'll be going now, come over to my house another day."

Liu Ruyan stood up and returned the greeting, "Take care, Sister Yingxue."

Fang Yingxia was pulled a few steps by her sister, but couldn't help turning back, where she met Chen Mo's gaze.

Under the moonlight, his eyes remained indifferent, revealing no emotion.

She wanted to say something, but her older sister pulled her so hard she stumbled.

"Stop looking," Fang Yingxue said in a low voice. "People aren't meant to be together; you can't force them to be."

Before Fang Yingxia could understand what those words meant, she had already been dragged a long way away.

Only after the two sisters disappeared into the alley did Liu Ruyan take out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

"Let's go too."

She glanced at the bowls and chopsticks on the table, and paid the bill to the owner before leaving.

The two walked one after the other, stepping into the alleyway under the moonlight.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the chill of early autumn.

After walking a dozen steps, Liu Ruyan suddenly spoke up: "That's just how Yingxue is, she speaks her mind directly, don't take it to heart."

Chen Mo didn't reply.

"She was actually doing it for Yingxia's own good," Liu Ruyan continued, as if explaining, yet also as if talking to herself. "Yingxia has been protected by her family since she was little, and her sister was afraid she would suffer."

"Um."

Liu Ruyan turned her head to look at him. Under the moonlight, his face still looked the same, and it was impossible to tell whether he had listened or not.

She suddenly felt a little frustrated.

Why is this person as still as a rock?

"You live in Willow Leaf Lane, right?" she changed the subject.

"Um."

"I'll take you home first."

"it is good."

Chen Mo did not refuse. Although she had drunk some alcohol earlier, there were no such formalities these days.

Besides, given her status, the police wouldn't stop her if they saw her.

"Just take me to the east end of the street."

Chen Mo opened the car door and sat in the back seat.

Liu Ruyan glanced at him in the rearview mirror, said nothing, stepped on the gas, and the car glided steadily forward.

The car headlights tore through the night, and the shop signs on both sides rushed past.

In Tianjin these days, not many people can afford to drive a car.

Liu Ruyan's Ford, with its gleaming black paint, attracts attention wherever she goes.

Chen Mo leaned back in his seat, tilting his head to look out the window, his profile illuminated by the streetlights.

He was planning to scout out the Japanese concession later, but wearing a uniform would be too conspicuous.

I need to go back and change my clothes.

As for Fang Yingxue's teammates...

Thinking of those few, Chen Mo felt like cursing.

They're all incredibly stupid.

If he wants to cause trouble, can't he do it quietly?

In the middle of the night, find an empty alley, ambush him, and make your move.

Then he turned the tables and threw the object into the river, knowing that nothing would happen to him the next day.

Everyone is happy; you're happy, and I'm happy too.

The results of it?

They insisted on making a scene in front of so many people, lifting him up and dragging Fang Yingxia and her sister into it as well.

Now everyone knows they've had a grudge against each other.

What would he dare to do at night?

If those people die tomorrow, he'll be the first one suspected.

Chen Mo closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed his agitation.

"Idiot."

On the other side, Lao Zhou and his companions were also cursing Chen Mo.

"You arrogant, ignorant bastard!"

The tall man spat and kicked a pebble away. "Old Zhou, why did you stop me just now? I could crush that kind of trash with one hand!"

Old Zhou didn't reply and kept walking forward with his head down.

"Exactly, I can't stand it either," another chimed in. "He's just a newbie in the investigation bureau, he's only recently cultivated his Qi and Blood, right? What gives him the right to be so arrogant?"

"What's the use of being arrogant? When the Green Gang comes knocking, he'll be crying."

The only female team member sneered, a contemptuous smile curling her thin lips.

"Oh, right."

The tall man looked at Old Zhou and asked, "What exactly did Minister Sun say? Does he want us to do it ourselves?"

"After all, he's from the investigation bureau; if we were to take action..."

Old Zhou was already starting to regret it.

Originally, he wasn't planning to break ties with Chen Mo in front of the Fang sisters; he just wanted to coax the kid into admitting his mistake first.

Whether the Green Gang will accept the apology or not is another matter; even if something happens to the other party, they won't be able to trace it back to him.

As long as he brings the person there, the favor and benefits will naturally end up in his own pocket.

To his surprise, that hothead not only didn't appreciate it, but also embarrassed him in front of everyone.

Now that things have been discussed openly, they are less inclined to take immediate action.

"Old Zhou, say something!"

The tall man caught up and nudged him with his elbow. "What exactly does the Green Gang mean? Are they telling us to bring people over or what?"

Old Zhou didn't stop walking and said in a low voice, "The guy surnamed Sun wants us to take him there, preferably alive."

"What if... we can't bring it back alive?" the tall man asked.

Old Zhou was silent for a while, then said, "Dead is fine too."

A night breeze blew by, carrying a hint of coolness.

"Then..." another person tentatively suggested, "Should we go back and intercept him now?"

"What are you blocking?" Old Zhou rolled his eyes at him. "We just had a falling out in front of the formation, and then they immediately got into trouble. Do you think the inspection bureau is just sitting around doing nothing?"

"What should we do then?"

Old Zhou thought for a moment, then a slow smile crept onto his lips. "Isn't he arrogant? Let's ignore him for a few days, let him think this is over, and then find another opportunity..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already quite clear.

The tall man grinned: "Alright, fine, let him live a few more days."

"Let's go back first. Keep a low profile these next few days and don't give anything away. I'm going to the Green Gang tomorrow."

--------

At midnight, Miyajima Street was still crowded.

Huang Bao's rickshaw drivers gathered by the roadside waiting for customers. Inside the restaurant, the sound of shamisen music was languid, and dim light shone through the cracks in the lattice door.

A little girl selling balloons stood alone on a street corner, while several female students chatted and laughed in front of a confectionery shop window.

Chen Mo frowned slightly as he looked at the detached house in front of him.

There's a formation inside.

As soon as the shadow puppet invaded the courtyard, the alarm immediately blared throughout the land.

He put his hands in his pockets and mingled with the startled crowd, pretending to stop and look around.

After standing there for a while, Chen Mo walked over to the little girl selling balloons on the street corner.

She tilted her head back, her little face looking towards the chaotic direction, the red and green balloons in her hand swaying in the night breeze.

He was wearing a faded blue cotton jacket with frayed cuffs and a barely noticeable patch at the elbow.

The jacket was clearly a size too big; it was probably an old alteration worn by an adult, and it looked loose and baggy on the small frame.

Chen Mo took out ten copper coins and handed them over.

"Get a balloon."

The little girl took the money with a happy expression, tore off a red bill and handed it to him, "Thank you, sir."

Chen Mo is currently in his fifties, so it's not wrong for her to call him "Grandpa".

About five minutes later, the courtyard gate opened, and several guards dressed in black shorts rushed out, looking around.

The patrol officers arrived and were talking to them, gesturing as they spoke, their eyes scanning the crowd on the street.

Chen Mo did not turn around.

The red moon was reflected in the window of the confectionery shop across the street, as well as the messy shadows behind it.

The female students were still chatting and laughing.

A patrolman walked over, his gaze sweeping over Chen Mo, lingering on the little girl for a few seconds before moving away.

He stepped aside to let a rickshaw driver hurry past, the driver's footsteps fading into the distance, bringing with them a cool breeze.

"Five minutes to react?"

With my novice level of array formation skills, it's almost impossible to break through the opponent's early warning system silently.

Looking at the red balloon in his hand, almost blending into the sky under the red moon, Chen Mo fell into deep thought.

Perhaps we can try a different approach...