Western Alliance.
Night.
Liu Cunyi stayed on the rooftop of his house, observing the situation on the Zhou familyâs rooftop, but after waiting for a long time, he still didnât see the Zhou familyâs lantern.
It had been dark for a long time, yet the Zhou family didnât hang up the lantern.
Thump thump thumpâ
The sound of footsteps came, and Liu Cunyi turned around to see his brother Liu Cunxi walking over.
He asked: "Big brother, I think this Zhou Zhisheng is unreliable. Itâs very likely they wonât act with us. Should we think of another way?"
A trace of unwillingness flashed in Liu Cunyiâs eyes, but there was nothing he could do. They were under 24-hour surveillance now, and relying solely on their familyâs strength, they absolutely could not contend with the Gan family.
So he said: "Letâs wait a little longer. Thereâs no better option right now."
After saying this, he sighed.
Meanwhile, a heated discussion was taking place in the Zhou family.
The Zhou family had many members, and everyone had their own thoughts, making it impossible to reach a unified opinion.
Finally, it was Zhou Zhishengâs last words which ended the discussion: if anyone was unwilling to leave together, they should stay.
Only then did they decide to cooperate with the Liu family, planning to leave the Western Alliance together.
Because the discussion lasted too long, Zhou Zhisheng hung the red lantern on the rooftop only at midnight.
On the Liu familyâs side, Liu Cunyi finally saw the red lantern on the Zhou familyâs rooftop and was very happy. He went downstairs to have everyone ready.
The next day.
The Liu family and Zhou family were busily loading their food and various items onto cars.
Wayneâs men, who had been monitoring them, noticed this scene.
So, they began to report up the chain, and after Wayne learned about it, he reported it as well.
Central courtyard.
Gan Xiong was splashing ink and writing a few large characters: "Noble virtue carries all."
The door was pushed open, and Wayne entered.
"Boss, this morning we found that the Zhou family and the Liu family are packing up and organizing things as if theyâre preparing to leave this area," Wayne stood and said opposite Gan Xiong.
Gan Xiong paused slightly with the brush in his hand when he heard this.
A drop of ink fell onto the straw paper.
Gan Xiong saw this and placed the brush on the inkstone.
Looking at Wayne, he said: "Continue to monitor their movements, donât stop them for the time being."
Wayne couldnât help but speak, "Boss, shouldnât we stop them? This...."
Gan Xiong shook his head slightly and said, "You donât need to worry about this. Just report their actions to me at all times. Their leaving might not necessarily be a bad thing. The conflict between us and them is too polarizing. The Qian family, aligning with them before, already broke face; eliminating them would also weaken our strength. If they can leave on their own, thatâs also acceptable.
However, since they want to leave, they certainly wonât find it easy.
Alright, just do as I say, and donât act on your own, understood?"
Gan Xiong spoke, his eyes opening and closing, filled with a warning tone.
Wayne quickly lowered his head and said, "I dare not, I will certainly do as you say."
Gan Xiong gave him a deep look, waved his hand, and said, "You may leave."
Wayne bowed his head slightly, then turned to leave.
Gan Xiong watched his departing back, his gaze flickering with inexplicable meaning.
He murmured to himself, "Leaving, where exactly do you all intend to go?"
...
Throughout this day, the Zhou family and Liu family were busily preparing.
Some heavy items, which couldnât be moved, had to be left behind unwillingly.
After a busy day, they finally loaded what they wanted to take onto the vehicles.
Wayne also personally stationed near the Zhou and Liu families, monitoring the activities inside.
Early the next morning.
Zhou Zhisheng arrived at the gate of the Liu family courtyard. Among these forces, including the Gan family, everyone built a low wall to enclose a domain as their territory.
The gate of the Liu family opened, and Liu Cunyi saw Zhou Zhisheng. Holding back his excitement, he said to Zhou Zhisheng, "Are you all ready?"
Zhou Zhisheng hesitated a little and asked, "What should we do next? Should we leave directly or go see Gan Xiong?"
Liu Cunyi thought for a moment and said, "We definitely have to see Gan Xiong. The guards at the gates are mostly their people, it will be tough for us to get out."
Zhou Zhisheng nodded and said, "Thatâs true, so do we go see Gan Xiong now?"
Liu Cunyi pondered and said, "Thereâs something we have talked about before, we need to be ready to hand over our assets here to Gan Xiong, are you prepared?"
Zhou Zhisheng said: "Sure, no problem."
"Alright, letâs go then," Liu Cunyi said.
After saying this, as if remembering something, he said to Zhou Zhisheng, "One more thing, your Zhou family should be ready to overturn the table with Gan Xiong. If the negotiation turns unpleasant, we should at least be prepared to resist, which will also serve as a deterrent to Gan Xiong."
Zhou Zhisheng said, "Of course, Iâve already told them before we set out, they are fully prepared now."
"Thatâs good," Liu Cunyi nodded, then turned to Liu Cunxi on the other side and said, "Once we leave, follow our previous plan. Be cautious and always keep an eye on Wayne and his menâs movements outside."
Liu Cunxi, a bit tense, said to Liu Cunyi, "Okay, big brother, make sure you stay safe."