Chapter 150: The Gang Leader Power Struggle

Huang Xiaotao pressed the big bald guy about their boss's death. The big bald guy hesitated, "Officer Huang, this matter is none of your business. We can handle it ourselves."

Huang Xiaotao frowned. "Handle it yourselves? You mean starting a turf war with the Blood Wolf Gang? Killing someone and leaving the police to clean up the mess? Tell me the truth."

No matter how Huang Xiaotao questioned him, the big bald guy refused to say anything. He put on a miserable face and said, "Officer Huang, I really can't talk. If I do, the higher-ups will have me killed. Please don't make things difficult for a small-time leader like me."

I turned to the man in the trench coat. "You're not from the Black Panther Gang, right? Maybe you can talk?"

The trench coat man grinned. "If I knew, I'd say. The Blood Wolf Gang has sealed this matter tight—I had no clue. All I heard was that their boss died in a disgraceful way."

"Keep talking and I'll knock your teeth out!" The big bald guy glared at him and made a move to strike, but the police held him back.

I gave Huang Xiaotao a subtle look. She understood and pulled the big bald guy aside. I asked, "Was your boss's death related to a woman?"

The big bald guy stared at me in shock. Judging by his expression, I was right. He said, "Young man, who are you?"

Huang Xiaotao introduced me: "This is the police department's special criminal consultant. There's no case he can't crack. Just be honest about your boss's situation. You'll get answers."

...

...

The big bald guy, probably unaware of my actual rank, suddenly became polite and pulled out a cigarette to offer.

I declined and directly asked a few questions: time of death, location, where is the body now?

He answered with three "I don't knows" before looking troubled. "Young man, we gangsters have our rules. If it's something we shouldn't say, not a single word can be revealed—or the consequences will be ugly. I really can't say, but you can investigate on your own. I've been with the boss since I was sixteen. More than anyone, I want his death cleared up. If you can solve this, I, Bald Qiang, will be at your service."

I smiled bitterly. "You don't know anything. Where am I supposed to look?"

He cupped his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "Don't ask me—I really don't know!"

Huang Xiaotao ordered her officers, "Alright, take these two in for now." Then she asked me, "How did you know their boss's death involved a woman?"

I said, "Gangsters are always chasing booze and women. Just a hunch."

Huang Xiaotao joked, "Who would have thought we'd stumble onto a homicide? Do you have a built-in Conan trait or something?"

"Conan's the one who always gets people killed wherever he goes. I'm nowhere near that level. Would you invite someone like that home for dinner?" I laughed.

Huang Xiaotao slapped her forehead. "Almost forgot—we've got that candlelight dinner. Let's go back and eat first. The case can wait till tomorrow."

I said, "With pleasure."

We went back to her place to eat. That night, we watched an R-rated horror movie, Ju-on: The Grudge. Huang Xiaotao was jumping at every scare. I, having low alcohol tolerance, got tipsy after just two glasses of red wine and was out cold before the ghost appeared.

The next morning, still a bit groggy, I realized I was lying on the couch with a blanket over me.

From the kitchen came a soft ding. Huang Xiaotao appeared with two cups of warm milk. She wore an oversized T-shirt stretched high over her chest, revealing two long, fair legs below, and fluffy bear slippers on her feet. Her freshly washed hair was wrapped up in a towel. She set the milk down and asked, "Awake? After breakfast, we'll head to the station."

I asked, "How did I end up staying overnight here? Did I do anything inappropriate last night?"

Huang Xiaotao smiled coyly. "What do you consider inappropriate between us?"

My face flushed. She continued, "You were well-behaved drunk—didn't do anything, just passed out on the sofa. I couldn't carry you, so you stayed here."

What a relief. I've only been drunk twice in my life—once after high school graduation, and now last night. No idea how I got like that.

Huang Xiaotao toasted some bread for breakfast. During the meal, I asked about the Black Panther Gang's boss.

She explained, "Though the police label them a crime syndicate, outwardly, their boss is a businessman named Cao Da. His businesses include entertainment, restaurants, real estate, and private lending. Of course, the methods have a dark edge. The police monitor both gangs closely but won't interfere unless they break the law."

I said, "Your father is one of the richest men in Nanjiang, right?"

Huang Xiaotao laughed. "How do you know?"

"I saw him when Li Wenjia took hostages. Then I looked him up—there's only one rich guy surnamed Huang in Nanjiang, Huang Tianhao. He looks exactly like your father."

She stirred her porridge quietly, looking a bit gloomy. "Since that case, my dad's been in a nursing home. We've had a strained relationship. He doesn't support my police career and recently tried to set me up with a businessman. I really can't stand these money-obsessed merchants. Song Yang, you'll have to help cover for me."

"Sure, I got your back," I promised.

Huang Xiaotao reached across the table, held my hand, and thanked me. My cheeks burned.

After breakfast, we drove to the station. The officers handed Huang Xiaotao the compiled information.

Cao Da's death was still unsettled. The Black Panther Gang was leaderless now, with various lieutenants vying for the top spot. They agreed: whoever avenges the boss's death first will become the new leader.

None of the gangsters had any clue about the investigation and blamed the Blood Wolf Gang. The two gangs had long-standing conflicts over territory, attacks on subordinates, and stolen women. Cao Da had kept peace with an iron fist, but with his death, old grudges exploded, leading to last night's bloody clash.

All this intelligence came from outside sources. The Black Panther foot soldiers clammed up about their boss's death, refusing to say a word.

Huang Xiaotao shook her head. "If we don't solve this, Nanjiang is heading for a bloodbath. Song Yang, this might not be a strange case, but for the city's peace and order, I hope you can lend a hand."

I said, "Of course. But right now, we know nothing. We haven't even seen the body."

She sighed. "None of those bastards will talk. It's driving me crazy…"

I asked, "Do the police have informants inside the Black Panther Gang?"

Huang Xiaotao said, "I'm too junior to have cultivated informants. Besides, the anti-gang unit isn't under me—you'll have to ask Wang Yuanchao."

Unfortunately, a new batch of unruly recruits just joined the paramilitary police. The instructors couldn't control them, so they called in the legendary Wang Yuanchao.

Suddenly, I thought of someone. "No need to ask Uncle Wang. I know a guy who might be useful."