Chapter 175: Gu Baishun

In the hospital room, except for Zhang Zhengfang, all other council of elders members clearly expressed their support for Xu Hu, and all showed varying degrees of concern for Gu Tongshan's wife and children.

On the hospital bed, an old man in his fifties loudly advised Xu Hu: "You need to understand now where your advantage lies. Wei Xiangzuo colluding with the Yu family to kill Old Gu itself broke underworld rules - our Dock Workers Association internally definitely won't tolerate him. And you have Old Gu's wife and children in your grip - this is legitimate protection! It's fucking using the son of heaven to command the feudal lords! As long as they're willing to come out and help you pacify the people below in Zha'nan, you can secure your position as gang leader!"

"Yes, yes," Xu Hu responded perfunctorily.

The old man continued: "Let me tell you, your mind still isn't sharp! If you could be ruthless and settle things completely! The best way would be to become one family with Old Gu's family - then how would people outside evaluate you?! Everyone would say that though Old Gu died, Xu Hu didn't forget his kindness, is someone who values relationships and righteousness! Much better than that fucking Wei Xiangzuo - then there's comparison, and everyone will submit to you."

"The master-disciple relationship is already very close, how to become one family?" someone beside Zhang Zhengfang interjected casually.

The old man replied frankly: "Let me tell you, if you can't do it then just marry Master's Wife and be done with it! Two families become one family, she'll definitely help you!"

"Yes, yes...!" Xu Hu responded twice before suddenly feeling something was wrong, immediately looking at the other in confusion: "What did you say?!"

"Haha, she's a bit old but still charming...!" The old man, like a mental patient, wanted to continue persuading.

Zhang Zhengfang exploded in anger: "Stop fucking talking nonsense! Don't you have any propriety?!"

"Old Lu, though you didn't get along with Old Gu when he was alive, Tiger is our own people!" another old man also advised. "...Don't go too far!"

"Haha, I was just saying it casually, you're taking it seriously!" Old Lu looked at Xu Hu and said softly: "You could accept her as your godmother too - though 'master's wife' and 'godmother' sound similar, they're two different meanings! One comes from Gu Tongshan's side, one from her side - which side is closer, you understand?"

Xu Hu looked at this old man, disgusted inside but still smiling and nodding: "Yes, I understand."

"Haha! Fuck, it's just that my body can't keep up now, otherwise I'd definitely take care of Gu Tongshan's wife and children!" The old man clearly harbored deep hatred for Gu Tongshan's family, though it wasn't clear what grudge was between them.

......

After sitting in the hospital for over an hour, Xu Hu left, having summarized the key points from Zhang Zhengfang, Old Lu and others' words.

First, he needed to quickly secure power in Zha'nan, and could use Gu Tongshan's family for this.

Second, these old men couldn't move when they saw money - with Old Gu dead, they were also eyeing the Gu family's off-the-books wealth.

The baseness of human nature was perfectly demonstrated at this moment, and Xu Hu sat in the car full of emotion.

"Ring ring!"

Just as Xu Hu was about to call Gu Tongshan's wife, his phone rang first.

When Xu Hu took it out to look, it happened to be Gu Tongshan's son, Gu Baishun, calling.

"Hello, Little Shun!"

"Brother Hu, do you have time? Can we talk?" Gu Baishun asked politely.

"Sure, I was just about to find you!" Xu Hu looked down at his watch. "I'll come to your home to talk!"

"Good!"

After communicating, they ended the call.

......

Half an hour later.

In the Gu family main hall, Xu Hu respectfully lit incense for Gu Tongshan's spirit tablet before sitting on the sofa.

Gu Tongshan's wife didn't appear, only the cultured-looking but timid-eyed Gu Baishun sat to chat with Xu Hu.

"Brother Hu, these past two days, I've actually had something I wanted to tell you!" Gu Baishun sat rather stiffly, feet turned inward, hands resting uneasily on his legs, head slightly lowered as he said: "...I discussed with my mother, and we both feel there are too many internal matters in the Dock Workers Association now... so, we want to leave Dragon City!"

Xu Hu was stunned hearing this.

"Brother Hu, you know, my father's death has greatly affected my mother - her health hasn't been good lately, she's had fever for several days in a row," Gu Baishun said with a hint of pleading in his voice. "...So, I also want to let her change environments to live."

Xu Hu's expression returned to calm as he picked up his teacup and replied: "Little Shun, it's not very good to leave now."

Gu Baishun looked at Xu Hu with both eyes, paused, then said somewhat panickedly: "Forget it, Brother Hu, I'll be direct with you! My... my father saved... saved quite a bit of money while alive. Now that he's gone, who knows how many people are eyeing this bit of property of us mother and son! If we don't leave now, it'll be hard to leave later - do you understand my meaning?"

Xu Hu looked at him and picked up his teacup: "Don't worry, with me here, no one will dare touch you."

"Brother Hu, I definitely trust you!" Gu Baishun immediately nodded in response. "But I'm just afraid some people will be envious and do anything to us! Honestly, I can't sleep night after night now, I'm really scared... I'm afraid these things will eventually cost us our lives."

"You can't leave now either," Xu Hu replied softly. "Wei Xiangzuo killed my master - if you leave Dragon City... will he let you go?"

Gu Baishun was stunned.

"The revenge for killing a father - he won't leave himself hidden dangers," Xu Hu persuaded softly. "Leaving Dragon City would actually be more dangerous now."

"Then... then what should I do?" Gu Baishun was completely panicked, asking with fearful eyes.

"Stay, let's first secure power in Zha'nan, make it so Wei Xiangzuo can't return," Xu Hu said very seriously looking at Gu Baishun. "For me, without Master, there wouldn't be today's Xu Hu! When he was alive, though we had different opinions, this relationship still exists! I promise you, as long as I, Xu Hu, live one day, no one can touch you by going over me!"

After considering for a while, Gu Baishun nodded heavily: "Alright, Brother Hu, I'll listen to you."

"Master's spirit tablet is here! I swear to you, no one can touch you two and the money that's rightfully yours!"

"Good, Brother Hu!" Gu Baishun looked at him, smiling and nodding.

After they talked for a long time, Xu Hu left, and only then did Gu Baishun's mother come downstairs saying: "He's not a good person either, he wants to use us."

"Mom, you just rest upstairs, I'll handle things at home!" Gu Baishun immediately went to meet her.

......

Around 3 AM, at the Veterans' Bar in Huadu.

Su Tianyu looked at Yao Doudou with a flushed face and hiccupped: "Is that friend of mine alright?"

"That friend of yours is good material! Let's do this - I won't charge for this time, just give him to me!" Yao Doudou said with a smile.

"Hehe, fine, if he's willing to go with you, I have no objection," Su Tianyu replied.

Hearing this, Yao Doudou cursed: "Fuck, this guy is single-minded, just wants to follow you! Otherwise, would I need to discuss it with you?"

Zheng Han interjected: "What kind of material is he? Worth you wanting the person!"

"Few words, careful, very single-track mind!" Yao Doudou evaluated while taking a drink. "Fucking natural-born killer!"