RMM -Chapter 183 Unease Before the Storm

“Cheng Yue, look how happy Big Brother is today.”

Liu Qi glanced at Bai Xiong in the distance and spoke in a low voice to Xi Yuechen.

“Yeah. Today really is an extraordinary day. Brother Bai has every reason to be happy.” Xi Yuechen narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the radiant Bai Xiong, and smiled faintly.

“Exactly. Once tonight’s apology banquet is over, let’s see how the Zhao family can keep acting so arrogant. Hmph.”

Liu Qi raised his eyebrows, half-smiling. His words brimmed with confidence about tonight’s apology banquet.

Xi Yuechen only smiled at Liu Qi’s confidence and didn’t respond. Whatever the outcome would be, they’d know tonight.

Although the protagonists of this apology banquet were the Yan Sect and the Zhao family, since the Zhao family was clearly in the wrong, everything was basically decided by the Yan Sect. Not only the compensation and formal apology, even the venue of the event was chosen by the Yan Sect.

When the Yan Sect said the banquet would be held at the Imperial City, the Zhao family raised no objections, even though everyone knew full well that the Imperial City was Yan Sect territory.

They had already agreed to such “humiliating, sovereignty-losing” conditions—what was the point of quibbling over the venue now? It would only make them a laughingstock.

“Liu Qi, what are you whispering about over there? Get over here!”

Bai Xiong turned around and saw Liu Qi sneakily talking with Xi Yuechen. His brows shot up as he barked loudly.

“Coming!” Liu Qi shrugged, turned around, and trotted over to Bai Xiong, looking as servile as could be.

Seeing that he had nothing else to do, Xi Yuechen followed Liu Qi over to the energetic Bai Xiong.

“Everything at the Imperial City is arranged?” Bai Xiong asked with a frown.

He didn’t know why, but ever since he woke up that morning, his right eyelid had been twitching nonstop, and he felt uneasy.

“Don’t worry, Boss. Everything’s been set up for days now. I guarantee everything will go smoothly and be a complete success.”

When Liu Qi heard Bai Xiong ask about it, he looked extremely proud. For this apology banquet, he hadn’t slept properly for several days. If anything went wrong again, he wouldn’t even need Big Brother to say anything—he’d chop off his own head first.

Besides, this was an apology banquet. It was the Zhao family paying the price for their ignorance and arrogance. The matter wasn’t even over yet—what idiot would keep throwing themselves into trouble? What’s more, tonight all the major gang bosses with any status in Province D would be gathered at the Imperial City. Surely they wouldn’t turn on themselves? Other than them, there was basically no one left who would dare move against the Yan Sect.

So Liu Qi felt this operation was absolutely watertight. Big Brother just needed to wait to humiliate the Zhao family in grand style.

Bai Xiong nodded at this, fell silent for a moment, then said, “Don’t be careless. Stay alert. There mustn’t be even the slightest mistake.”

His tone was serious, his brows full of gravity. Liu Qi didn’t dare be casual anymore and answered solemnly, “Yes. I’ll go check the Imperial City right now.”

At that moment, Xi Yuechen laughed lightly. “Brother Bai, don’t worry. Liu-ge has followed you for so many years—don’t you trust him to get things done?”

Liu Qi chuckled and shot Xi Yuechen a look that clearly said, That’s my good brother.

Bai Xiong sighed and turned to look down the mountain. “I just don’t feel at ease. It feels like something’s going to happen.”

“Ah, Boss, just relax,” Liu Qi said dismissively. “Tonight, nothing will happen except the Zhao family losing face completely. Starting tomorrow, it’ll be our Yan Sect’s turn to hold our heads high. You’d better think about how to deal with the Zhao family tonight—leave everything else to us.”

Liu Qi didn’t take Bai Xiong’s worries seriously. After all, he’d prepared for days for tonight. The last time Big Brother was attacked, it was because the Zhao family took advantage of their lack of preparation. Getting burned once was enough—no one was stupid enough to use the same trick again and again.

What’s more, the Imperial City was still Yan Sect territory. Big Brother was just being overly cautious.

“Better safe than sorry,” Bai Xiong said, then waved his hand, signaling Liu Qi to leave.

“Oh right—Cheng Yue, you go with him too. Take a look and see if there’s anything that needs attention.”

Liu Qi had just taken two steps when Bai Xiong spoke again. One more pair of eyes meant extra security.

“Yes,” Xi Yuechen replied respectfully.

Once again, Bai Xiong unknowingly pushed his own life a step closer to the tiger’s jaws. Sending Xi Yuechen to inspect the banquet venue arrangements for tonight—wasn’t that practically handing himself over to the enemy?

Liu Qi, on the other hand, was delighted. After a few days together, his impression of Xi Yuechen had grown better and better. He wanted to involve him in everything, feeling as though they’d become close, like kindred spirits.

“Let’s go. You’re more meticulous than I am—see if there’s anything I didn’t arrange properly so we can fix it.”

As he spoke, Liu Qi slung an arm over Xi Yuechen’s shoulder and headed down the mountain.

Bai Xiong watched their figures recede until they disappeared from sight, then withdrew his gaze and let out a faint sigh.

That uneasiness lingered in his heart. It felt inauspicious, yet he couldn’t very well cancel tonight’s event at the last minute. Maybe he was just overthinking it. On his own turf, with tight security—what could possibly go wrong? Besides, all those gang leaders were attending the apology banquet. Who would dare come looking for trouble?

Sigh… I really am getting old, he thought. Being so cautious only makes me think too much. Enough of it. Tonight, I must make the Zhao family learn their lesson—and remind everyone else as well, so they stop thinking that just because the Yan Sect came later, we’re easy to bully.

Xi Yuechen followed Liu Qi to the Imperial City, trailing behind him the whole time, carefully memorizing every deployment and personnel arrangement Liu Qi made.

After making a full round, Xi Yuechen had completely grasped the layout of the Imperial City for tonight. Everything was clear in his mind. If nothing unexpected happened, tonight would surely be a resounding success.

And yet… Xi Yuechen also felt a bit uneasy.

Everything seemed to be going too smoothly, giving him an unsettling sense of unreality. Drug trafficking in Province D had always been rampant—a problem that had long given the country a headache. For this operation, from the highest military and political levels down to their carefully selected action team, everyone had paid a huge price.

And yet now, it all seemed almost too easy.

For the first time, Xi Yuechen felt this kind of unease. He even began to feel uncertain about tonight’s operation. But this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—they absolutely could not afford to miss it.

Not just for individuals, but for society as a whole, for the entire nation, this action was necessary. They couldn’t wait for another chance. So no matter what, tonight had to succeed.

Suppressing that strange feeling in his heart, Xi Yuechen quickened his pace to catch up with Liu Qi.

“By the way, where’s Brother Long? I haven’t seen him these past few days.”

Indeed—under normal circumstances, whenever Brother Long had time, he would contact Xi Yuechen. They’d sit together now and then. But recently, he’d completely vanished—hardly any calls at all. That was strange. After all, Brother Long now regarded Xi Yuechen as a stepping stone to rapid promotion, usually showing up every other day to “maintain their relationship.”

“Ah, A-Long?” Liu Qi said casually as he walked into the monitoring room. “Big Brother sent him to handle something.”

“No wonder I haven’t seen him. Tonight’s such an important occasion—I wonder if Brother Long will be able to attend,” Xi Yuechen said regretfully, looking genuinely sentimental about Brother Long.

Liu Qi turned back to look at Xi Yuechen, a hint of emotion on his face, and sighed. “You kid are really loyal—still remembering how good your Brother Long was to you.”

Xi Yuechen showed a grateful expression and smiled. “Of course. Without Brother Long, there wouldn’t be the Cheng Yue of today.”

“That’s rare. A-Long really lucked out this time, meeting someone as loyal and righteous as you. That’s his good fortune.”

Xi Yuechen merely smiled without speaking.

Isn’t it his ‘good fortune’? Xi Yuechen thought. He personally led disaster into the Yan Sect. It was lucky Brother Long wasn’t here tonight—otherwise he’d have to watch Xi Yuechen lead people to destroy the Yan Sect completely. Who knew what expression he’d make then? Beating his chest in despair wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

“I really don’t know what kind of business would make A-Long miss such a great show tonight,” Liu Qi said casually, turning back to his work.

Whether Brother Long was present or not made little difference to Xi Yuechen. The plan wouldn’t change for such a minor character.

But after tonight, no matter where Brother Long was, he’d know what happened here. Catching him then would take some effort.

Even so, no matter the cost, Brother Long had to be captured. Not only did he deserve punishment, but the hidden dangers he carried made it impossible for Xi Yuechen to leave him at large.

If Brother Long found out that Xi Yuechen was a military undercover agent, and that the Yan Sect had been destroyed by his hand, he would surely be consumed by hatred. Though Brother Long wasn’t particularly capable, even a cornered dog would jump the wall. With the Yan Sect destroyed, he would never swallow that bitterness quietly. Who knew what he might do from the shadows?

Most importantly, Brother Long had met Su Ruo.

If he targeted Xi Yuechen, there was nothing to fear. He was afraid Brother Long might set his sights on Su Ruo—and that was something Xi Yuechen could not ignore.

He couldn’t stay by Su Ruo’s side at all times. If Brother Long took advantage of a moment’s lapse, the consequences…

In the blink of an eye, countless thoughts raced through Xi Yuechen’s mind before settling back into calm.

The most urgent matter was still tonight’s operation. He couldn’t allow himself to be distracted.

As for Brother Long, the “fish that slipped through the net,” he wouldn’t be spared either.

Night fell quickly.

The Imperial City, as the venue for the apology banquet, was naturally closed to the public, refusing entry to all unrelated people.

Watching the various groups arrive one after another, a cold glint flashed through Xi Yuechen’s eyes.

So brazen. One by one, dressed in suits, surrounded by entourages—weren’t they afraid of attracting the police? Did they think this was a charity gala?

“Brother Liu, aren’t we being a bit… too blatant?” Xi Yuechen asked. “So many big shots, such a big event tonight—won’t it arouse police suspicion?”

Liu Qi burst out laughing. But since they were near the entrance, he didn’t dare be too loud and deliberately lowered his voice.

“You don’t get it. Tonight, we’re afraid of everything—except the police.”