Only two remained calm, and even increased their intensity.

Okay, it's clear that the remaining two are acquaintances.

Ji Jue wiped the sweat from his forehead and deeply understood another lesson—some things are like cockroaches in coffee machines, pop-ups on computers, pig's knuckle rice that costs ten yuan a bowl and comes with two cold dishes and a fried egg…life is tolerable enough, don't create trouble for yourself when you're idle.

Just pretend you don't know!

He leaned back in the chair, watching the ocean, doing nothing, and sighing deeply.

However, the restaurant gradually became lively.

"Hey? How are you two doing?"

A young man with dyed yellow hair and flashy brand-name clothes swaggered in, sat next to Ji Jue, and casually thumped his shoulder, attracting Xiao An's glance, who then saw Ji Jue wave his fingers and looked away.

Unaware that his throat was merely a hair's breadth from a close encounter with a metal slice, the young man with golden chains all over chewed on his gum. "Just call me Golden-hair; I operate around Nanshan Road; everyone calls me Brother Golden-hair. What about you, brother? Never seen you before."

"Hello, Brother Golden-hair." Ji Jue smiled as he shook hands with him. "I'm from Northern Mountain District."

"Oh, man, life must be rough for you there."

Golden-hair, shocked, pulled down his sunglasses to take a closer look: "The women at the Security Bureau are vicious. I heard from a friend last time that he was caught dealing under her watch, got beaten so badly he's still paralyzed, hasn't gotten up yet. What do you do?"

Ji Jue answered, "Home appliance repair, also dabble a bit in parts to make ends meet."

"Ah, tough life indeed."

Golden-hair sighed and lit a cigarette for himself. "Life is hard these days; the city's big shots are fighting to the death, and we small fry could end up corpses on the street any day. How about coming to Nanshan Road? We're all under Boss Chen, helping each other out, making money together. I can split a spot for you!"

"No need, too few people; can't do much," Ji Jue said helplessly, pointing to Xiao An sitting opposite him. "Just the two of us; how can we manage someone else's territory?"

"Hey, don't be shy; after the meeting, let's find a place to go sing, how's that?"

Brother Golden-hair became excited, his eyebrows dancing eagerly, about to say something more when the sound of a white-haired, somewhat elderly man urging came from not far away: "A-Mao, why the chatter? Should we all sit and wait for you to finish talking before starting the meeting?!"

A-Mao was stunned for a moment, looked back at a group of people sitting around a large table with gloomy and despairing expressions, then at Ji Jue next to him who was admiring the scenery with a detached air, hesitated for a moment, and seemed to finally realize his mistake. He rose somewhat awkwardly and sat down with them.

"Old Lin, you have to give the brothers a clear statement. What's exactly happening with the boss? The brothers are all in chaos, someone has to take a stand and do something."

Before the white-haired man could finish, the middle-aged man sitting next to Chen Yubo smoking coldly interjected: "What? Boss hasn't died yet, and Uncle Fu wants to jump in as the successor? I have no objections, I wholeheartedly support this! Since you're eager to find death, let's see if Lei Yaoxing considers you a dish or not."

"Hey, Xu, don't talk nonsense!" Fu Yuanqing's face suddenly changed, "I'm also for the brothers, for the gang!"

"The boss was harmed into the hospital, didn't see you frantic about it." Xu Jun raised an eyebrow: "Instead, you've been quite active, making close contact with the uncles and so on. This morning, one of my brothers saw someone having morning tea with Lei Yaoxing's men at Hengfa; was that person you?"

"You slanderer!"

"I don't necessarily think it's slandering." Someone beside coldly glanced at him: "It's not the first time for old Fu being two-faced, selling out brothers for a good price; it's just your style."

"Ha, you have the face to say that about me?"

Fu Yuanqing, furiously, "Who doesn't know you, Yang Jun, playing both sides? Your goddaughter just rolled off Golden Teeth Leopard's bed, only to crawl under Horace's pants; you think people don't know?"

"I'll gut your mother! I've been loyal to the boss, guarded in the hospital since last night, where the hell were you?"

"I actually agree with what Xu Jun said."

"Do you think it makes sense if I screwed your mother?"

"Now, at this critical moment, with the gang in this state, you two are still arguing..."

"The boss hasn't died yet, and you're choosing a new boss already?"

"Hey, everyone, calm down a bit."

Amidst the arguments and uproar, Chen Yubo, sitting in the main seat, kept his head down, not daring to utter a word, shrinking more and more in fear of attracting attention.

But suddenly, a deep cough sounded from behind.

It was Uncle Lin.

In an instant, there was dead silence, only the annoying tide was heard outside the window.

"The boss once said that in today's society, besides life-and-death struggles, there's only mutual support. It's normal for our brothers to occasionally have flaws and shortcomings.

You have to be alive first before you can talk about loyalty and righteousness.

Now, the boss is on his last legs, some people want to change ports, to withdraw timely; I have no reason to forcefully keep them."

Behind Chen Yubo, the man with his hands behind his back slowly said, "The accountant is downstairs.

Anyone who wants to leave can; after settling the business and accounts, they can leave anytime.

But consider carefully—"

His voice grew colder: "Once you leave this door, we no longer have any connection in the future, whether you become Lei Yaoxing's faithful follower or leave Cliff City, it has nothing to do with the boss!"

In this shaky and critical juncture, Uncle Lin, who spoke, had no intention of softening or comforting, nor was he wavering... Yet such forceful tone, under the pressure brought by Lei Yaoxing, somehow felt both fierce and yet faint-hearted.

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