Her Imperfection for Wifehood - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Early the next morning, An Xi received a call from Qi Ruyue.

“Sis, Ruyue said the newspaper suddenly assigned her to interview Xue Hua, the Chinese Director of the Municipal Council, who just woke up yesterday and is being discharged today. I’m going to go with her.“

Xue Hua? Xue Hua is being discharged today?!

An Jing had been so absorbed in her unexpected love and busy with new machinery purchases that she had completely forgotten about the recent “brawl incident.“

“He’s a scumbag. What’s there to interview?” An Jing replied casually.

“The grapevine says Xue Hua has prepared a statement and will publicly address the Xianle Dance Hall incident. I’m just worried about Ruyue’s safety, so I’m going.“

Xu Weiqiang was a notorious gang boss. Xue Hua had caused trouble in his territory and caused a death. A mutually destructive outcome was not something Xu Weiqiang could accept, so there was bound to be a follow-up to this incident.

As soon as An Xi left, An Jing immediately changed clothes and fastened her pistol.

“Lu Cheng, drive to the Lu Gang.“

Most of the Lu Gang members recognized An Jing and knew her relationship with their boss was solid. Xu Weiqiang had long since given orders that everyone must respectfully listen to her instructions when they saw her, allowing An Jing almost free entry and exit in the Lu Gang.

“Where’s Master Qiang?“

“Master Qiang went to the casino.” “Master Qiang went to collect debts.“

The varied answers signaled a trick.

An Jing’s attitude hardened: “Where exactly did Master Qiang go? Bai Yang, you tell me!“

No one answered. An Jing drew her gun: “Did he take men to ambush Xue Hua? Speak! Did he?!“

Bai Yang stepped forward: “Boss Jing, you know how much Master Qiang values you. We lost a few brothers, and you were even shot. Master Qiang absolutely cannot swallow this insult!“

An Jing guessed correctly: “Xue Hua has the Municipal Council backing him. Daring to make such a public statement is clearly a move to lure a snake out of its hole so he can frame Xu Weiqiang.“

“Master Qiang is determined to do this. We couldn’t stop him even if we wanted to.“

“How many men did he take?“

“Just… just him alone. But there’s a non-gang friend he knows, a retired sniper.“

“Is he tired of living, doesn’t want his life anymore?!” An Jing cursed. “Bai Yang, take a few brothers to provide cover from the perimeter. If nothing happens, don’t show yourselves.”

“Yes.” With An Jing giving the order, if Master Qiang blamed them afterward, the punishment might be lighter.

Outside the hospital where Xue Hua was staying, several newspaper reporters were gathered. An Jing, dressed completely in black and wearing a hat, hid at the street corner, observing.

There were too many onlookers; it wasn’t the right time for a murder.

Before An Jing could spot Xu Weiqiang, a “bang” echoed outside the hospital, and chaos erupted. Xue Hua fell to the ground, dead, before he could read his statement. The crowd around him immediately scattered, holding their heads in fear.

In the confusion, dozens of police officers surged in from all directions.

An Jing’s face was solemn. She pulled her hat lower because she saw An Xi and Qi Ruyue in the crowd.

Just as she was about to go to them, she saw An Xi vigilantly whispering to an unfamiliar man in a Chinese tunic suit and slipping something into his hand.

Their contact ended quickly. If she hadn’t been focused on her brother, she might not have witnessed the scene.

Immediately afterward, An Xi grabbed Qi Ruyue and swiftly retreated from the dangerous place.

In her moment of distraction, someone suddenly grabbed her arm from behind and pulled her toward the least guarded opening in the police cordon: “What are you doing here?”

“Xu Weiqiang, Xue Hua making such a big scene about his discharge was clearly a trap. The police had already set up an ambush. You’re a smart man. Why can’t you be more rational? Why choose this crucial moment…”

“If I didn’t act now, Xue Hua’s statement would be published in tomorrow’s newspaper, and his words could be extremely detrimental to you. I came alone to be discreet, and since the sniper I hired has succeeded, I won’t stir up any more trouble. Let’s take advantage of the chaos and leave.”

“Bang!” “Bang!” Two more gunshots rang out.

An Jing and Xu Weiqiang simultaneously looked toward the place where someone screamed. Another heavily pregnant woman lay sprawled in a pool of blood.

Xu Weiqiang immediately explained: “That wasn’t done by my men!”

Seeing his genuinely shocked expression, and knowing his character, An Jing didn’t suspect him of being a person who would indiscriminately murder the innocent. She offered another perspective: “Municipal Council Director Xue Hua and a pregnant woman, both killed by Lu Gang guns in a revenge attack. Xu Weiqiang, the person setting this up is a ruthless character.”

“It’s enough that you believe me.” Xu Weiqiang grabbed An Jing’s arm again. “It’s not safe to stay here. Let’s get back first.”

The two hurried away. Xu Weiqiang, disguised, was not caught by the police. He and An Jing safely returned to the casino run by the Lu Gang.

An Jing felt increasingly uneasy and said: “Send someone to investigate the identity of that pregnant woman. Her death is highly suspicious.”

“Tonight, I’ll go confirm whether he fired the last two shots.”

“Who is ‘he’?”

“Just a killer who crawled out of a pile of dead bodies and can only survive by taking lives.”

The An Residence.

An Xi returned home earlier than An Jing and was practicing the piano, playing the very piece that Qi Ruyue and Wei Yinxia had played together.

An Jing entered and stood listening until the piece finished before walking over to him: “The news of Xue Hua’s shooting has spread.”

An Xi turned a page of the sheet music, which showed the name of the piece.

“Sis, isn’t this piece lovely? It’s called Liebesträume. The flowing melody contains pure and noble love.”

An Jing wasn’t in the mood to talk about love: “Were you and Ruyue hurt?”

Closing the score and putting down the cover, An Xi stood up nonchalantly and smiled: “What could happen to me? Ruyue was a little scared, so I took her home.”

“You…” Where should she start asking?

“Sis,” An Xi preempted her, asking, “Does Master Qiang have a vendetta against Xue Hua?”

“I don’t know about his affairs, and you shouldn’t ask or interfere either.” An Jing didn’t want An Xi to have too much interaction with Xu Weiqiang. “Neither the Concession nor the Old Town is safe. Go out less. If you must go out, go to the factory and manage the business.”

“You should be telling me to stay out of gang affairs,” An Xi’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Sis, our family does business legitimately. Your personal friendship with Master Qiang is one thing, but black and white paths have always been incompatible. Don’t get too deeply involved with the Lu Gang.”

An Xi knew the origin of An Jing and Xu Weiqiang’s relationship. So, as long as it didn’t cross any lines or involve life-or-death situations, he wouldn’t interfere.

“The An enterprise and the An family obey the law, but the criminal underworld prides itself on being above the law. Sis, pull out now. We can repay what you owe him with money. Any amount is fine.”

“There’s no debt between us anymore,” An Jing considered the bullet she took for him as repayment, but she still felt heavy-hearted. “An Xi, I’ve taken your advice to heart. You’d better repeat the advice you gave me to yourself. Act honorably and don’t get trapped in the darkness.”

An Xi’s pupils contracted sharply.

An Jing, immersed in the business world, was a better judge of character than An Xi: “If I die an unnatural death, it’s irrelevant, but you’re different. You are Mom and Dad’s only son. Your life must be preserved for the An family.”

The Qiao Gang.

A bald man with a black eye-patch over his left eye, a missing lower half of his left ear, and a two-finger-long scar and burn mark on his left cheek sat in a tiger-skin chair, nervously running his right hand through his sparse hair, showing both irritation and anxiety.

The ten or so men standing on either side of him stood with their hands down, none speaking.

After a long time, an older man spoke: “Master Dong, could this be that person’s doing? After five years, he returns and makes such a grand entrance with a textile factory, hiring many people, driving away vendors, and leaving the brothers nowhere to collect protection fees. He completely disregards our Qiao Gang. You’re just too patient. You shouldn’t have endured this…”

“Say less. It’s done, what good is talking now?” Another man cut him off. “Is Master Dong enduring this? Master Dong doesn’t want to blow things up. He wants to let the Second Sister-in-Law safely give birth first.”

“Shut the hell up, all of you!” Chen Dong roared. The person they were talking about was directly related to the injuries to his eye, ear, and face years ago.

Five years ago, there was an explosion at the Fuhe Hotel while he was frolicking with a woman. The first and second floors were severely damaged, and dozens were killed or injured. The police investigation concluded it was purely an accident caused by a kitchen gas leak and employee negligence.

Chen Dong, who narrowly survived, wasn’t so naive. The person he had the deepest feud with at the time was that person. He sent men to investigate but found that the person had boarded a ship and left Shanghai the afternoon after the explosion.

Since then, there had been no news.

But this only strengthened the belief among Chen Dong and his brothers that that person was behind the explosion.

If that person hadn’t fled so quickly, hiding overseas for five years, he would have been a ghost under Chen Dong’s blade long ago.

“Why are you all standing here? It’s irritating to look at.” A voluptuous woman carrying an expensive imported designer bag walked in. “I’m here with Master Dong. All of you get out.”

The men exchanged glances, then scurried out the door in a rush.

Only one man in a hat at the very end politely offered: “Upon hearing the tragic news, Master Dong is bound to be sad. Sister-in-Law…”

“Get out!” Master Dong smashed his teacup.

The woman called “Sister-in-Law” was Zhang Wanying, who had been with Chen Dong for three years.

Zhang Wanying was the Qiao Gang’s Big Sister-in-Law, known by everyone on the street. Therefore, Chen Dong dared not let Zhang Wanying give birth to his child.

The risk was too high.

Chen Dong was forty-one years old this year. As he aged, his desire for a child to bring him joy grew urgent. That’s why he secretly hooked up with and kept a woman in the relatively safer Concession to bear his child.

She was over six months pregnant. In three more months, the child would be born, and he would be a father. He’d checked; it was a son. He had even picked out a name.

“Master Dong,” Zhang Wanying sat next to Chen Dong and held his head to her chest. “If you want a child, I’ll bear you one.”

She knew Chen Dong was keeping another woman outside, and she knew he wanted a child. The nameless woman was ordinary-looking and meek, easily intimidated by her own words. She initially didn’t take her seriously.

After all, the position of a gang boss’s woman wasn’t for just anyone.

Chen Dong had never mistreated her. She was also sensible, diligently guarding her status in the Qiao Gang, accumulating private savings, and ensuring her safety were paramount.

But as the woman’s belly grew, Chen Dong spent more and more time thinking about her.

Zhang Wanying even heard the younger brothers call that woman “Second Sister-in-Law,” and any good things were immediately sent her way. This caused her to feel an unprecedented crisis.

“The woman I went to great lengths to hide couldn’t even keep the child. How about you? You parade around all day. Isn’t that enough to attract attention?”

“Since you’re hiding, hide me too, this once.” She had a beautiful face, brought him prestige by being with him, and enjoyed a few years of lavish spending. But ultimately, what woman didn’t want a child of her own?

Why couldn’t she be the one to rise in status through a child?

Perhaps once she gave birth, she could persuade Chen Dong to give all his assets to them. For safety, it wasn’t impossible to convince Chen Dong to send them abroad for a life of luxury.

Chen Dong looked at Zhang Wanying. At twenty-five, her looks were still bright and beautiful.

Moved, he lifted her chin and fiercely kissed her twice on her lips and neck: “Alright. After I settle this score, I’ll have a child with you.”

The next day, the newspaper’s front page headline was “Municipal Council’s Xue Hua Shot Dead,” and the secondary headline claimed that an accomplice of the “perpetrator” had been caught and confessed that the deaths of both Director Xue and the pregnant woman were the work of the Lu Gang.

From then on, the police formally declared war on the Lu Gang, vowing to collect all relevant evidence and, in response to public demand, bring the “conscienceless perpetrators to justice.”

The murder occurred in the Concession, but the Lu Gang headquarters was outside.

Difficult, but they had to proceed.

An Jing stared at the newspaper. Xu Weiqiang said he went alone, so where did the “accomplice” suddenly come from?

Framing was evident. Clearly, the pregnant woman was the other fuse to ignite the conflict.

Wei Yinxia also saw this newspaper.

The Wei Residence.

In the study, Wei Zhengqing spoke to Wei Yinxia with a pipe in his mouth: “The Lu Gang is preoccupied. If An Jing recklessly steps in to help, she will surely self-destruct.”

Wei Yinxia suppressed the stabbing pain in her heart: “What is the next step? Please enlighten me, Father.”

“Since she has taken the bait, you must play hard to get to make her absolutely devoted to you. Just go see her. We will arrange the subsequent matters.”

The night the shooting occurred at Xianle Gate, a mysterious person was in the same private room as Xue Hua.

He was originally just taking a chance, hoping An Jing would come to Xianle Gate to “identify the person” after seeing Wei Yinxia perform for Wei Zhengqing’s birthday.

He came a few times and finally got lucky.

Both An Jing and Xu Weiqiang had come.

So, he went along with the plan, tampered with Hongying’s zither, and provoked the drunken Xue Hua to challenge Xu Weiqiang. The two were irreconcilable. The gunfight erupted immediately, and Hongying successfully went a step further in attracting An Jing’s attention.

This person was Kahn. He was a “sort of” ally of Wei Zhengqing, and he was also the one who held a grudge against Chen Dong five years ago.

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