Ethan Wu was genuinely getting annoyed. They had crossed the line.
"Hmm?" There was a slight pause on the other end of the line, followed by a voice tinged with nervousness, "Uh… Mr. Wu, I think you might have misunderstood… I'm not…"
"It's late, and I'm going to bed. If you need something, call me directly—stop sending people to tail me!" Ethan cut him off and hung up.
He glanced out the window into the alley once more before pulling the curtains shut.
Ethan knew well that whoever was tailing him posed no threat.
Because, in this case, the person having him followed could almost be considered an ally. It was Wayne Wang.
Yesterday, Ethan had taken his white Lamborghini, and in the morning, he had returned the keys to Wayne after meeting him at Tyler Li's place. From Wayne's perspective, he hardly knew Ethan—they'd only met once. Still, he had chosen to have Ethan followed.
Ethan could easily deduce the reason.
He was Isabella Li's man, the brother-in-law of Sea City's "Prince Li," Tyler Li! And on top of that, Isabella was already carrying his child.
Currently, four "big bosses" dominated the Sea City underworld: Jack Zhao, Wayne Wang, Gerry Yan in the northern part, and Bobby Yuan in the development zone.
These four controlled over 90% of Sea City's entertainment and nightlife businesses and were involved in sectors like quarries and logistics.
Only back in the 1990s had Sea City's underworld seen a singular, dominant figure—an "Underworld Godfather" type—due to the chaos of the times.
In the new century, however, most of the older generation had either passed away or ended up in prison, while the survivors turned legitimate. Although new forces filled the vacuum, the changing times, improved law and order, and better regulations meant that the era of unchecked power was over.
The more developed the place, the harder it was for such figures to emerge.
Sea City had indeed developed, and while it couldn't quite compare to the top-tier megacities in the country, it had grown into a major city with over ten million residents.
Still, any business involving bars, KTV lounges, or bathhouses inevitably involved connections, networking, and underworld dealings.
This brought about the rise of the current "Big Four": Jack Zhao, Wayne Wang, Gerry Yan, and Bobby Yuan.
Among them, Gerry Yan was the eldest, with the most experience. Known as "Grandfather Yan" on the streets, he was in his fifties. Jack Zhao and Bobby Yuan followed, both under fifty.
Wayne Wang, however, was only 33.
A closer look at the past twenty years of Sea City's underworld history reveals an astonishing fact: Wayne Wang was truly formidable! His meteoric rise was astounding.
At 18, he had been the top science student in Sea City's college entrance exams. But to avenge his bullied parents, he had stabbed someone and served three years in prison, entering the underworld after his release.
He was once an outstanding student, a prodigy, and an exemplary "model child." He once believed that knowledge could change fate, but that tragic summer when he was 18 changed everything.
It not only altered his life's trajectory but also twisted his values.
Thus, he turned to the underworld.
In the twelve years since, Wayne Wang caught up with Jack Zhao, Gerry Yan, and Bobby Yuan, establishing himself alongside them despite being 20-30 years younger.
No money.
No background.
No connections.
Yet Wayne Wang had made it.
How?
His relentless ambition. Not only was he exceptionally smart, but he was also highly resourceful.
Six years ago, in July.
Tyler Li, then only twenty, still a junior in college, arrived in Sea City. He brought with him an astronomical amount of money and an extensive network of family connections.
He selected a site and began construction.
According to plans, even with a speed-at-any-cost approach, the building's construction and furnishing would take at least two years. By then, Tyler would have graduated from university.
During these two years, although Tyler was still in college, he frequently flew to Sea City on private jets to make connections.
A "dragon crossing the river," yet the local "serpents" were more inclined to befriend him than provoke him.
Tyler Li swiftly built his own network in Sea City, laying the groundwork for Crown Entertainment Club's opening and expanding the Li family's influence.
During this time, Wayne Wang met Tyler Li even before Jack Zhao and the others did.
At the time, Wayne had already built some influence but was still no match for the other three. However, the others wouldn't take him out either; eliminating Wayne Wang would be too costly, even if successful.
Wayne Wang's early connection with Tyler Li gave him an edge.
Tyler lent him a hand.
Four years ago, Wayne Wang quickly ascended to a position equal to Jack Zhao and the others, turning the three leaders of Sea City's underworld into four.
In recent years, the Big Four of Sea City's underworld had constantly clashed, each trying to eliminate the others to achieve greater dominance, even hoping to become the sole power.
The climax of these conflicts occurred this April.
An explosion took place at a massage parlor under Gerry Yan's control.
News reports described it as an accident caused by a gas leak in the hotel's basement, injuring several employees, one severely. It was reported as an accident.
Of course, it was no accident.
Though no one died, it still resulted in Gerry Yan's close ally, the hotel's nominal owner, being sent straight to prison!
He hadn't been bailed out to this day.
This incident infuriated Tyler Li.
Logically, Tyler should have supported Wayne Wang since Wayne had been his early ally. Had Tyler truly backed him, by now, Wayne would have surpassed Jack Zhao and the others, perhaps even becoming the sole authority.
But he hadn't.
Tyler hadn't done so.
What Tyler wanted was balance!
As a core member of a powerful family, Tyler was no idle playboy. He was wise enough to know that allowing a single dominant force could become a challenge to control.
Another concern was that "the shot hits the bird that sticks out."
In the current age, attempting to dominate a major city's underworld meant courting disaster.
If something went wrong and Sea City faced a crackdown, not only would the underworld be purged, but Tyler Li himself might also be implicated.
Tyler Li valued balance and stability.
So, although Wayne Wang was his initial contact, over recent years, his relationships with all four leaders became relatively even, treating each as close yet maintaining a deliberate distance.
As Tyler's business involved the entertainment sector, connections with the Sea City underworld were unavoidable. To expand, he had to engage with them.
Take, for example, Tyler's large and highly skilled team of technicians. Where did they come from?
Of course, they were supplied by the underworld figures.
If it weren't necessary, Tyler would prefer not to deal with these thugs. No matter how much Jack Zhao and others boasted, they could only compete with local billionaires worth less than ten billion.
At higher levels, there was no comparison.
But in the end, they were still thugs, conducting highly risky businesses. With Tyler Li's influence and connections, he could destroy them if he wanted to.
This is why Tyler, an outsider, could command such respect among Sea City's underworld bosses.
He maintained close ties yet kept his distance, balancing the four while knowing them well enough to control them.
After the explosion incident in April.
At the beginning of May, Tyler Li gathered the four and several influential figures in Sea City's underworld, giving them a severe warning and issuing a firm ultimatum.
Anyone who dared to initiate conflict would have him to deal with personally!
These secret gatherings were what Ethan had referred to as the "May Summit" when he borrowed Tyler's name to call Jack Zhao yesterday.
…
Ethan returned to his room to get his laptop, then sat on the sofa in the living room, browsing the news.
Wayne Wang's surveillance didn't bother him much. Knowing Wayne's character and methods, he understood why.
In essence, Wayne Wang wanted to establish a connection with Ethan. He likely wanted to learn more about Ethan, then find the right moment—or create a coincidence—to privately meet and build a relationship.
Doing so would give him an edge over Jack Zhao and the others.
That's why Ethan hadn't made a fuss about being followed.
Because he knew there was no danger.
Not only was there no danger, but Wayne Wang might even bring him gifts and favors.
At eleven that night, Ethan put away his laptop and went to bed.
He slept soundly.
A new day dawned!
July 9, 2020, at 7:00 AM!
Ethan woke up right on time, picked up his phone, and smiled as he saw the unreset date.
Although he was sure the time loop had ended, he still smiled every time he saw the new date!
Having a future felt truly exhilarating!
He had exercised yesterday, so his legs were a bit sore, but it didn't hinder his movements.
After washing up and changing, he went downstairs for breakfast.
As he stepped out of his building, he noticed a man with glasses leaning against the wall, smoking. The man straightened up immediately, tossed his cigarette, stamped it out, and waved the smoke away before addressing him, "Mr. Wu, about yesterday, I…"
"Too free, are you?" Ethan replied, glancing sideways.
It was Wayne Wang!
Judging by the cigarette butts scattered around, who knew how early he'd arrived or how long he had been waiting by the door.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]