The concern from Song Jianhao and others made Yang Jian feel a bit ungrateful for his idea of starting anew. Setting up shop alone on Hongqi Street would indeed sound bad if it got out.
Now that he was injured, he had to put this matter on hold for the time being and not mention it to him.
"Little Yang, you just focus on recovering during this period. You won't get less than your share of the Emperor Company's stock. You should entrust someone to manage the accounts for you, which will make it easier for the company to reconcile daily."
Song Jianhao was unaware of Yang Jian's current thoughts and was instead making plans for him.
"Let Biao Biao manage the accounts for me. I'll give him the principal."
"Alright, Little Yang, to be honest, I admire your loyalty. But loyalty at the cost of your life is not advisable. Do you understand what I mean?"
Song Jianhao's words were tactful, implying that taking a bullet for Yang Fan was not worth it.
"Brother Hao, I understand what you mean. The situation at the time was a bit special. Yang Fan and I were on the same line, both within the shooter's range. If I hadn't reacted, both Yang Fan and I would have died.
You know I've always believed in striking first. As soon as I sensed danger, I acted. I'm not the type to wait for someone to hit me before retaliating. So, the moment I saw the gunman pull out his gun, I lunged without hesitation. On one hand, it was to save Yang Fan, and on the other, it was to get close to the gunman quickly to counterattack.
At that moment, any hesitation or evasion would have meant death for both Yang Fan and me."
"Well said, brother. I owe you my life, Yang Fan."
Yang Fan, who had been standing at the back of the crowd, had heard everything Yang Jian said.
Song Jianhao felt a bit awkward. "Manager Yang is here. Please have a seat."
Yang Jian, lying on the bed, nodded at him. "Brother Fan, are you injured?"
Yang Fan shook his head. "I'm fine. Your reaction was quick. The cup you threw delayed the killer's shooting speed, and then you used your own body to block all the bullets. I'm completely unharmed, but Xiao Jiu is dead."
"I heard about Xiao Jiu. It's such a pity. He wasn't even twenty yet."
"He just turned nineteen the day before yesterday. He was my most promising disciple. I was planning to send him abroad for further studies and to compete internationally. I didn't expect this accident to happen."
"Brother Fan, do you know who did this?"
"I do. It was the person you met yesterday morning. His name is Wang Zi. He's Tong Ge's competitor. He's the one who sent people to assassinate me. But he's in hiding now. I've sent people to look for him. You can't have taken a bullet for nothing, and Xiao Jiu can't have died in vain."
Yang Fan then explained the whole story.
It turned out that Luo Tong and Wang Zi were both original residents of Hongqi Village. Five years ago, Hongqi Village was still rural, but it had developed rapidly in the past two years, with the village transforming into streets.
Both of them had risen to prominence by establishing criminal organizations. Luo Tong had started earlier, and with Yang Fan's assistance, his strength was considerable, with assets exceeding one hundred million.
Wang Zi, on the other hand, was a rising star and a second-generation rich kid. He was arrogant and shrewd, quickly rising to power by leveraging his parents' resources and capital. His influence was now on par with Luo Tong's.
The current conflict between the two was primarily due to the impending development of the Hongqi Industrial Park.
This industrial park was a key project for Han City, covering an area of three thousand mu and focusing on the development of the clothing and textile industry, including a complete chain from fabric production to garment manufacturing and accessory processing. Its aim was to become the largest clothing production base in the central region.
The construction of this industrial park involved a series of projects such as demolition, resettlement, land acquisition, infrastructure, and landscaping, making it a massive undertaking.
Both Luo Tong and Wang Zi wanted to have complete control over this project, which naturally led to conflict. Although mediators had been involved, no progress had been made.
After the negotiations failed, Wang Zi struck first. Yang Fan was Luo Tong's most capable assistant, and by eliminating him, Luo Tong's strength would be greatly diminished, making him no match for Wang Zi in terms of personnel.
Unexpectedly, the assassins sent by Wang Zi had an unfavorable encounter, running into the variable that was Yang Jian. They failed to kill Yang Fan but ended up killing his disciple, which ignited Yang Fan's fury. He was now searching everywhere for Wang Zi to exact revenge, and the situation was bound to be a fight to the death.
After listening to Yang Fan's account, Yang Jian realized that he had inadvertently become involved in their struggle, which was not a good thing. Given the usual methods of the underworld, he was not safe in this hospital.
Yang Fan seemed to sense his concern. "Brother, don't worry. From the moment you leaped to block the bullets for me, you became my brother. I won't let anyone harm you. Ah Feng will bring people to protect you here twenty-four hours a day."
"Thank you, Brother Fan. Is it really that serious?"
"It is. Wang Zi is a very insidious person, so we have to be cautious. Here's a bank card with five hundred thousand. Take it to pay off your debts first. By the end of the year, I'll give you another million to clear the remaining debt."
As Yang Fan spoke, he placed a bank card by the pillow.
"No, no, Brother Fan. I just said that saving you last night was also saving myself. Since you consider me a brother, talking about money would be too formal. I'll definitely need your help in the future, and if I take this money now, I won't be able to ask for it later."
Yang Jian was telling the truth. Dealing with Wu Laizi and Bao Guo wouldn't be simple, and he would likely need Yang Fan's help at a crucial moment.
"Brother, those are two different matters. Take the money. I won't hesitate to help when the time comes."
"Brother Fan, you're in need of money right now. Xiao Jiu's death benefits must be substantial, and finding Wang Zi will also cost money. Please take this money back. If I truly need money to pay off debts during the New Year, I will definitely ask you."
Seeing Yang Jian's insistence on not accepting, Yang Fan had no choice but to take back the bank card. "In that case, I have a forty percent stake in the Hongqi Street casino. I'll give you twenty percent. You arrange for one of your brothers to collect the earnings every day at ten o'clock. You're not allowed to refuse."
"Alright, I accept that."
The twenty percent stake in the casino was a fixed income. The Hongqi Street casino could rake in at least thirty to fifty thousand in daily 'water money' (commission). Twenty percent of that would mean six to ten thousand per day, which was quite substantial. Yang Jian did not refuse.
"That's more like it. If you completely refuse my gesture, you're slapping me in the face and don't consider me your brother. Once you've recovered, I'll arrange for people to go back with you and eliminate everyone who's causing you trouble. We'll kill gods and buddhas alike. If anyone dares to prevent you from returning home, I'll make sure they don't see this year's Lunar New Year's Eve dinner."
As Yang Fan uttered these words, Song Jianhao and the others felt a chill run down their spines. Yang Jian was already a ruthless person, and with the addition of the madman Yang Fan, one could imagine the fate of Wu Laizi and Bao Guo.
Yang Jian nodded. "The matters at home need to be resolved as soon as possible, otherwise my parents will always be worried and won't let me go back, and my girlfriend won't have any peace either."
"Good, then listen to my arrangements. President Song, spread the news of Yang Jian's injury back to Xinhe. Exaggerate it a bit, so that those people lower their guard. Once we make a move, I want to deliver a fatal blow, leaving them no room to retaliate."
"Alright, I'll arrange it."
Song Jianhao agreed verbally, but in his heart, he felt pity for Wu Laizi and Bao Guo. This Yang Fan was even more terrifying than Yang Jian. Not only was he powerful, but his intelligence was also very high. He was already strategizing and planning with ease.