HLM – Chapter 92 A Reliable Ally

A motorcycle roared in the distance. Sitting in the car, enjoying the crisp mountain breeze, Wang Bo looked up and said, “Why’s Bowen back?”

Earlier, he had sent Bowen,Juan, and the troubled teen back to the castle, while he and Charlie stayed behind by the roadside waiting for the hot-headed Hani.

Charlie looked just as confused. “No idea. What’s that guy doing back? Wait—doesn’t the sound seem like it’s coming from the road?”

The roaring grew louder. Wang Bo stuck his head out to take a look, and a large motorcycle—one even more beat-up than Bowen’s junker—came thundering into view.

“Shit. There’s always a bigger fish, and always a worse bike,” Wang Bo muttered in awe.

Charlie squinted and said, “Brace yourself—it’s that Carlisle Hani guy.”

“Well, he’s punctual. It’s only been what, half an hour?” Wang Bo perked up and stepped out of the car.

He and Charlie stood by the roadside waving, but the motorcycle sped right past them, only to swerve back around moments later.

Then came Carlisle Hani, furious and fuming. As soon as he got off the bike, he bellowed, “You motherfucking bastards! My son! What the hell did you do to my son?! Bring him out!”

Wang Bo and Charlie instinctively plugged their ears. They couldn’t understand how Hani, who was scrawny and not even big-built, had such a thunderous voice.

Wang Bo waited for him to get the yelling out of his system before speaking. “Mr. Hani, first, let me finish what I didn’t get to say before—back at your house.”

He cleared his throat and put on a serious expression. “To be honest, I don’t like you. I hate your voice, and I hate your personality. But I respect the kind of person you are. I really admire a righteous bastard like you.”

Hani was breathing heavily, eyes bloodshot and bulging like an enraged lion.

“Next, I want to ask—how do you raise your children? You’re an upright auditor, so why is your son a thief?” Wang Bo pressed.

Hani’s eyes widened as he reached out to shove him. “What did you say?! What the hell are you talking about?!”

Charlie tried to intervene, but Wang Bo brushed him aside and stood firm, locking eyes with Hani.

Hani couldn’t budge Wang Bo, which frustrated him even more.

“I made myself clear. No need to repeat it,” Wang Bo said. “Also, I don’t think you fully understand the situation. Your son stole from me, and I’m the one who bailed him out. So tell me, is this the kind of attitude you should be giving me?”

The vein on Hani’s forehead pulsed. His expression turned somber, and he spoke slowly, “Yes… I messed up raising him. Yes, Clarson did something wrong. But he’s not a bad kid. He’s just taking it out on me.”

Hearing this, Wang Bo appreciated this hot-tempered man even more. Clearly, while Hani was stubborn and coarse, he was also upright and self-aware—qualities that were hard to come by.

He motioned for Hani to get in the car, started it up, and played back the dash cam footage.

Hani was initially confused, but as the footage played, his attention was fully captured.

When the clip reached the part where little Hani shouted, “He’s a real man. Mom said he’s the most upright man there is! I’m one too. Mom said I should grow up to be just like him!”—Hani slumped over the dashboard, holding his head in both hands.

After a long while, he rasped, “Fuck… why are you showing me this?”

Wang Bo said, “It’s obvious you’ve got issues with your son. But after watching this, you should’ve realized—deep down, your son still admires you, still loves you. Right?”

Hani remained silent, his hands still covering his head.

“Carlisle, it’s clear you’ve got major problems with parenting. Or maybe you just don’t know how to communicate with your kid—how to help him grow into a better man. There’s so much love between you two, but it’s being expressed as hatred. That’s stupid, you know?”

“I know. But I really don’t know how to do any better,” Hani said, uncharacteristically calm and polite.

“Do you love him? What is he to you right now?”

Hani gave a bitter smile. “I love him. You don’t know how much I love him. He’s my everything. He’s all I’ve got.”

Wang Bo patted his shoulder. “Then this can be fixed. Come to my town. I’ll teach you how to communicate with your son. I’ll help you fix this crisis. Deal?”

Hani looked up, his bloodshot eyes boring into Wang Bo. “Sorry, but I don’t trust you.”

“You have to!” Wang Bo snapped. “You’ve run out of options in this war of father and son. Look at the scum your kid is hanging out with in Tahiti Town! Look at the kind of person he’s becoming! You have to change. Now!”

“Don’t think I’m that easy to manipulate, Chinese guy,” Hani shouted. “You’re not even a father! How can you help me?”

“But I know how to be a good one,” Wang Bo replied. “And I’ll bring in someone you’ll definitely respect—a teacher who can train you to be a proper father.”

“A she?” Hani asked.

“Irina Sharapova. She’s the best when it comes to educating kids,” Wang Bo said.

Although Eva specialized in working with children with psychological disorders, she had told Wang Bo she had formal, rigorous training in psychology. Solving a father-son conflict was nothing for her.

Hani had clearly heard of Eva’s formidable reputation. He hesitated. “Ms. Eva from Oak City? You sure she can?”

“She has to. Your son committed theft this time, and I could bail him out. But what if next time he hurts someone—or worse—kills someone during a robbery? Have you even thought of that?”

Hani slumped into the passenger seat, panting hard. Suddenly, he turned and grabbed Wang Bo’s shoulder. “Fine. I’ll come to your town. I’ll work as an auditor. You help me get my son back!”

“No problem!” Wang Bo was overjoyed. Mission accomplished!

Charlie, unaware of the conversation inside the car, had smoked two cigarettes by the time he saw Wang Bo and Hani walking over, chatting and laughing.

Well, Wang Bo was laughing. Hani was just talking, but his tone was calm and respectful.

After Hani rode off on his junker of a motorcycle, Charlie asked, “What happened?”

Wang Bo shrugged like a smug know-it-all. “Nothing much. He agreed to help me out. Town auditor—done and dusted.”

Back at the castle, little Hani was sitting under a tree in the courtyard, staring intently at Zhuang Ding, his eyes full of curiosity and eagerness.

Zhuang Ding stared back, under orders from Wang Bo to make sure the boy didn’t run off.

When Zhuang Ding heard Wang Bo’s footsteps, it immediately leapt up and ran over happily. Little Hani, on the other hand, shot him a look full of resentment, his whole body tense.

Wang Bo handed him the phone again. The kid shook his head and shouted, “Don’t think I’ll call my dad!”

“Not for a damn call—just watch the damn video!” Wang Bo snapped.