The big guy said, "Second Brother Zhang used to be involved in the underworld business. He's extremely loyal and often helped his brothers solve problems. Later, when he was in his thirties and couldn't keep up that lifestyle, he raised some money and opened a food stall.
"Once, when some hooligans caused trouble at his food stall, Second Brother Zhang picked up a kitchen knife and scared them off. Little did he know these hooligans were under Lord Fox. Lord Fox sent him an invitation. Once you receive an invitation from Lord Fox, no matter if you're from the underworld or the right - hand path, you dare not disrespect him..."
Gong Jingfan interrupted him. "Lord Fox? Is it that Hu Daotian who's in real estate?"
"Yeah, he's definitely top - notch in Jiangxia!" The big guy gave a thumbs up.
Gong Jingfan scoffed and explained to Di Zhen, "That old guy had underworld connections in the 80s and 90s. He was sentenced to twenty years during the anti - crime crackdown. He's been much more well - behaved since he got out. His original surname was Hu, but he thought it wasn't imposing enough, so he changed it to the 'Hu' in 'fox' and took the out - of - place name 'Hu Daotian'!"
The big guy continued, "So Second Brother Zhang went alone to a risky meeting (similar to the act of going alone to a dangerous appointment in a Chinese historical context). Lord Fox invited him to dinner. There was a plate of cold rice, a dish of raw pig intestines, and a boiling pot beside them. Second Brother Zhang knew this was a test for him. Without saying a word, he poured the rice and pig intestines into the pot and started stir - frying with his hands!
"Second Brother Zhang is really a tough as nails. In the end, his hands were all bloody, but he managed to stir - fry a plate of fried rice with pig intestines. Lord Fox said, 'Seeing that you're a real man, come work for me from now on!' So he gave Second Brother Zhang a hotel. From then on, Second Brother started to prosper!"
After the story was told, Di Zhen and Gong Jingfan just looked at him indifferently. The big guy said, "Wasn't my story exciting?"
"Pure nonsense. There were no burns on the deceased's hands!" Gong Jingfan exposed him.
"Uh..." The big guy scratched his head. "Maybe I remembered wrong. This is another person's story! Second Brother Zhang was really awesome when he was involved in the underworld business. Once, he went to the movies with his girlfriend. Some hooligans harassed his girlfriend, so he called a few brothers.
"Before the movie ended, several vans full of people showed up outside. They dragged those hooligans into an alley. The hooligans were scared to death and kept begging for mercy. Second Brother told them to slap each other. So they started slapping each other. I was there at the time. Those hooligans were local bullies. It was so freaking satisfying to watch!"
Gong Jingfan's expression remained unchanged. He said, "I'm not asking for this. What I want to know is what Zhang Mu does, what kind of business he has, and who his family members are."
"Uh..." The big guy looked embarrassed. "I remember he's involved in engineering projects."
"What kind of engineering?"
"Real estate, you know. He helps people bid for projects and earns brokerage fees. He has a wide network. Second Brother Zhang has made a lot of money over the years. He has three apartments in the city, an antique shop, and he also rented a dog kennel in the suburbs."
Di Zhen couldn't help commenting, "Do all those who 'hang around' like to puff themselves up like this?"
The so - called "hang around" means having no proper job. Knowing a lot of people is just acquaintance, just the kind of relationship where you pass cigarettes to each other. Who would respect an unemployed person like that?
He thought there must be a lot of exaggeration in what the big guy said.
The big guy said excitedly, "I'm really not bragging. Second Brother Zhang really did well. When he got married, he had eighteen Rolls - Royces."
"He's been married?" Gong Jingfan asked.
"Seems like he's divorced. He also has three mistresses."
The more Gong Jingfan listened, the more unreliable it seemed. He confirmed, "Do you really know him, or is it all just hearsay?"
"You can easily find out these things everywhere! As for meeting him, I did have a brief encounter with Second Brother Zhang. Once, I went out with some buddies. My friend greeted Second Brother Zhang. When Second Brother Zhang knew we were friends of Lao Hei, he paid the bill for us. He was so generous!" The big guy sighed. "What a pity. Died so young. Was he killed?"
"No comment."
"Come on, you policemen are so boring. I've told you so much, but you won't tell me anything!"
"It's a rule not to disclose ongoing cases! Do you know the addresses of his businesses?"
The big guy hesitated a bit. "What's in it for me if I tell you?"
Gong Jingfan thought for a moment and said, "I can buy you a meal at noon."
"I also want cigarettes, Chinese luxury cigarettes!" The big guy got excited.
"Come on. Do you think a policeman can earn much? A set meal with rice, take it or leave it!"
The big guy thought for a while. "Then I want a KFC combo!"
"Fine!"
So the big guy told the name of a shop. Gong Jingfan noted it down and planned to investigate.
Di Zhen stopped him. "Officer Gong, could you tell me the forensic results when they come out?"
Gong Jingfan raised his eyebrows slightly. "Why should I tell you, a person under administrative detention? Stay put!"
"There are doubts in this case!"
"I'll find out the doubts myself. I don't need your reminder!" With that, Gong Jingfan left.
Di Zhen sighed. Was it because Lao Gong was naturally stubborn and arrogant, or was it because he became a policeman that he was so?
It was obvious that his sister was so smart and cute. How could the brother be so annoying? Were they really blood - related?
The big guy next door looked at Di Zhen and said, "Brother, do you know something? How did Second Brother Zhang die?"
"He was bitten to death by a leopard."
"Ah!?"
The big guy was shocked. "You're pulling my leg. Where could there be a leopard in the city?"
"Escaped from the zoo."
"You're joking! You're joking!" The big guy flat-out refused to believe it. He couldn't accept that the Jianghu (martial world) senior he admired had died in such an absurd way.
Di Zhen asked, "Let me ask you something. Is there any illegal wildlife trading in the underworld?"
"Why are you asking about this?" The big guy looked wary.
Di Zhen still needed a few more clues to piece together his reasoning, and the answer to this question was one of them. Di Zhen used Jianghu slang and said, "Don't be offended. I'm just trying to make a living by asking about this!"
It meant he was inquiring for the sake of his livelihood.
"What the hell?" The big guy was completely confused. "Are you speaking a foreign language?"
Well, it seemed this guy didn't understand the slang. Di Zhen said, "I'm asking for a friend. He wants to get into this business."
"Oh... this..." The big guy lowered his voice. "I heard there are people in the underworld who deal with this. But Jiangxia doesn't have mountains or seas, so it's all smuggled from outside. You know, there are people selling white owls, and some really precious fish. I don't do this business, so I don't know much."
"Thanks!"
Di Zhen sat back and continued reading his book.
At noon, the policemen brought them boxed lunches. The big guy grabbed the bars and said, "Where's that Lao Gong who was here just now? He said he'd treat me to KFC."
"Forget about KFC! Just eat your boxed meal!" The policeman distributing the food said impatiently.
"No, Lao Gong promised. You can ask this big brother next door if you don't believe me."
Of course, the policeman wouldn't pay attention to such an unreasonable request. He scolded the big guy a few times and left. The big guy held the boxed lunch and complained, "Don't the policemen keep their promises? I've been waiting all the way until noon just to have some fried chicken. And it's just damn green vegetables and shredded potatoes again. It tastes like nothing!"
Di Zhen said from the next cell, "Be content. There are still a few slices of meat, aren't there?"
"Damn it. This thin slice can hardly be called meat! I want to eat fried chicken, fried chicken! And drink Coke!"
From outside came the policeman's scolding, "Number 28, stop making noise!"
"Sorry... sorry!" The big guy had to swallow his anger and cursed Gong Jingfan to be hit by a car while going out as he ate the boxed lunch.
Di Zhen took out a fish sausage from the bag under his bed. It was bought by Long Yun for him. He walked to the bars and quickly threw it into the next cell when no one was watching.
"Damn, thanks, big brother!"
The big guy happily accepted it.
Although Di Zhen disliked such a person very much, considering that he might still need to get some information, he decided to make a small investment.