Liu Haisheng's words were actually quite easy to understand.
Xiao Tianyu's influence in the Longxi region was not just for show. Killing him wouldn't be difficult.
What was difficult was how to resolve the situation after his death.
Liu Haisheng asking for an extra five hundred thousand meant he was openly hinting at me: I can do the job for money, but the hush money is a separate fee!
After all, he had joined the deal midway, and Camel had already cooperated with me once before. Therefore, if the matter was exposed later and someone came looking for trouble, he had no reason or obligation to shield me... unless I paid more!
In this day and age, it wasn't hard to find capable people in the underworld. What was rare were those like Camel, who were both capable and professional, truly like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Taking money to resolve troubles for others, but not including keeping secrets for them... it was reasonable and logical!
"I can add the money! But..."
Pausing, I looked at Liu Haisheng and said, "Normally, before your Que Zi Men people undertake a job, they demand half the payment as a deposit, which is non-refundable regardless of success or failure."
"Adding another five hundred thousand for hush money means that before the job is even done, I'll have to give you nearly a million in total!"
"A million is not a hundred yuan; it makes a splash when thrown into water."
"Two-thirds of your total personal remuneration would be paid upfront. To be blunt... what's the point of receiving the remaining one-third?"
"Longxi, while not vast, is not small either. If you take the money and run, or sell me out to Xiao Tianyu, wouldn't I be inviting trouble?"
"Don't blame me for being too direct. If you don't trust me, how can I trust you?"
Before Liu Haisheng could speak, Camel also nodded in agreement, "The boss is right! Since we're all gathered here to discuss business, let's be open and honest!"
"If you don't trust me, and I don't trust you, then this deal definitely won't go through!"
"And Haisheng, your little act of demanding more money at the last minute is really over the top. If I were the boss, you'd be walking out the door to the right right now!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Haisheng immediately fell silent, his eyes darting around, likely deep in thought.
"Haisheng, if you really want to take on this job and are thinking of earning a bit more..." Camel paused at a crucial point, lit a cigarette, and slowly exhaled smoke, saying, "I do have a compromise."
"Oh? What compromise?" Liu Haisheng instinctively asked.
"It's very simple!"
Exhaling a large puff of smoke, Camel said calmly, "I introduced the job to you, so the fifty thousand for hush money will come from me first!"
"If you decide to run later, then this job will be considered my solo effort, and I'll be working for the boss for free!"
After being stunned for a good five to six seconds, Liu Haisheng finally understood what Camel meant.
"Brother Camel, you mean..."
Before Liu Haisheng could finish, Camel interrupted, "No need to guess, it's exactly what you're thinking."
"I won't take any money upfront; all the money goes to you!"
Camel's intention was that, according to the rules of Que Zi Men's operations, half the remuneration is taken as a deposit. He would forgo his share of the "life-saving money" and give it directly to Liu Haisheng as hush money.
This way, the two payments of fifty thousand for "life-saving money" that I had originally paid would all go to Liu Haisheng alone, effectively satisfying his demand for hush money in advance.
If Liu Haisheng were to break his word and abandon the deal, it would appear that I had lost a million. However, Camel would cover the shortfall of this million and continue to complete the unfinished task.
I had to admit, Camel was quite magnanimous, and his vision and perspective were very broad.
Of course, he wasn't doing this entirely for me, because old-school underworld figures placed great importance on reputation.
Only those who had lived to a certain level of understanding knew that a person's reputation directly affected their connections.
After all, my business was introduced to Camel by Su Liuli.
If his reputation were bad, I likely wouldn't have had any dealings with him.
Conversely, if Liu Haisheng didn't have any ulterior motives, once the job was completed, I would pay him the agreed-upon remuneration in full, without holding anything back.
...
Hearing Camel put it that way, Liu Haisheng naturally had no further objections.
Thus, we began a heated discussion on how to eliminate Xiao Tianyu...
On this topic, Camel and Liu Haisheng surprisingly had the same opinion.
They both agreed that a direct frontal assassination of Xiao Tianyu should be avoided, as it would make the aftermath very troublesome.
Camel stated directly, "To achieve a complete and lasting solution without arousing suspicion, the best method is to create an accident!"
"An accident, an accident. As long as the accident is successfully executed, it can become the perfect murder!"
"But I need to make one thing clear beforehand: to create an accident that doesn't attract attention or suspicion, it will take at least a month of preparation and groundwork!"
"If you, the boss, can't wait that long, then forget I said anything. We'll stick to assassination, and I have channels for the necessary equipment."
After careful consideration, I ultimately decided to adopt Camel's suggestion and eliminate Xiao Tianyu by creating an accident.
It's no exaggeration to say that this might be the most important decision of my life, bar none!
Although this approach didn't align with my earlier thought of "revenge without delay," it would maximize the effectiveness of the cleanup and avoid any suspicion.
Revenge must be exacted, but it also requires a proper method.
If I were to lose my own life in the pursuit of revenge, that would be pure foolishness.
After my emotions had completely settled, I looked at Camel and asked in a low voice, "If we create an accident, what's the absolute fastest we can complete it?"
Camel thought for a moment, held up two fingers, and replied, "At the very fastest, it will take about two weeks!"
"I'll need a week to thoroughly investigate Xiao Tianyu's daily routine and habits, and then another week to screen and formulate the most suitable plan of action!"
Although I knew Camel was telling the truth, I didn't give an immediate decision. Instead, I asked him if I could have a day to consider and make a decision before tonight.
"No problem!" Camel replied readily.
After the secret meeting at the old steel wire rope factory concluded, the three of us took a taxi back to Hu Yiwen's clinic.
When we sneaked in through the secret door behind the clinic, it was already eight in the morning.
Xiao Long, who had been lying in the ward, had already woken up.
While Camel went to look after Xiao Long, I called Cheng Minglang to Zhu Wenjing's ward to prepare for a small meeting.