Manipulative Harem God

"Silence!" Tang Bo's decree sliced through the air, a definitive edge to his voice that brooked no argument.

Zhang Wei, having reclaimed his seat, surveyed the situation with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Moments later, Tang Bo approached, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Brother Zhang," he chuckled, an awkwardness clinging to his tone. "Forgive them, they're newcomers, blind to who you really are."

The air around them thickened with confusion as Tang Bo's subordinates witnessed their leader's sudden deference.

Despite their bewilderment, they mimicked his bow, their voices melding into a chorus of repentance.

""Big brother! Forgive our ignorance!""

Gaps!

"..."

In the front of their collective plea, Wu Xue felt a fluttering of butterflies in her stomach, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling within. Meanwhile, Leng Yan massaged her temples, a headache burgeoning at the spectacle.

She shot Zhang Wei a look of exasperation, her voice a hushed whisper. "Please tell me you're not enjoying this..." Yet, the grin that Zhang Wei offered in return only tightened the knot of frustration in her chest.

For Tang Bo, this gesture was steeped in genuine respect. His status had undergone a seismic shift, from navigating the streets in a decrepit BYD to being chauffeured in a Land Cruiser.

Under Zhang Wei's wing, he had tasted a luxury previously unimaginable. With the Wang family's backing, their dominion had expanded beyond the port, the White Tiger gang's influence now a growing force throughout the city.

Ring... Ring...

The shrill ring of Wu Xue's phone broke the tension, her eyes narrowing at the name flashing across the screen. "It's my brother..." She glanced towards Zhang Wei, her voice trailing off.

Zhang Wei's surprise was evident, his eyebrows arching in curiosity. "You have a brother?" he questioned, his tone laced with intrigue.

Why had this detail never surfaced before?

Wu Xue offered a nervous chuckle, her admission hanging in the air. "He... isn't exactly... prominent within the family... So..."

"So, you forgot to mention him?" Zhang Wei filled in the silence, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Wu Xue was momentarily lost for words, her defense crumbling before it could even form.

With a resigned sigh, she answered the call, only for her expression to dissolve into a mask of despair.

As she ended the call, a heavy cloud seemed to settle over her. "I... I need to leave," she announced, her voice barely a whisper.

Zhang Wei and Leng Yan exchanged a glance, both sensing the gravity of the situation. "What's wrong?" Zhang Wei pressed, concern etching his features.

Wu Xue's admission fell like a stone in still water, sending ripples of shock through her audience. "Someone has taken my brother, Wu Tianhao, hostage. They're demanding one million HLD," she confessed, her confusion evident.

Zhang Wei's mind raced to the most logical conclusion. "Is he a gambler?" The question hung between them, heavy with implication.

Wu Xue's silence spoke volumes before she reluctantly nodded, her voice a mere whisper. "He is... But he never owed this much. The last time, his debt was just 100,000 HLD, which I cleared on his promise to quit gambling."

Zhang Wei's response was tinged with disbelief. "He told you, and you believed him?"

Wu Xue's retort was tinged with naivety and a dash of hope. "Isn't that how it's supposed to be?" she countered, only to immediately question her own conviction.

"I'll handle this!"

!?

Tang Bo's declaration abruptly echoed through the room, seizing everyone's attention with the sheer audacity of his claim.

It was his moment to shine, and his eyes sparkled with determination, a clear signal that he was ready to step up.

Zhang Wei, after a moment of contemplation, gave a slight nod, signaling his approval. "Tell him the details," he directed Wu Xue, his voice carrying an undercurrent of trust in Tang Bo's sudden offer of assistance.

There was wisdom in delegating, especially when direct involvement could escalate matters unnecessarily.

Wu Xue, albeit hesitant, relayed the situation to Tang Bo, her voice steady but laced with concern.

As she spoke, Tang Bo's initially eager expression morphed into one of complexity, his brows knitting together in concern.

Zhang Wei, quick to notice the change, pressed for an explanation. "What happened? You look as if you've swallowed a bug," he remarked, his tone sharpening with curiosity.

Tang Bo's frown deepened, his reply laced with a hint of unease. "That place... it's beyond our reach. It's likely the casino near the coastline in the riverfront district."

Zhang Wei's response was immediate, his voice tinged with suspicion. "You haven't taken control of the riverfront district yet?"

Tang Bo, caught between loyalty and realism, offered a nervous smile. "Brother Zhang, as you're aware, that area is a battleground for the gangs. To move against it would be to spark a full-blown war," he explained, hoping to convey the delicacy of their situation.

"Then what's the problem? Let it be a war," Zhang Wei's retort was sharp, his resolve clear.

"..."

Tang Bo was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by Zhang Wei's audacity.

A direct conflict would inevitably provoke numerous factions simultaneously, a prospect daunting to even the most fearless.

Unbeknownst to Tang Bo, Zhang Wei's intentions were far from jest. His ambition to bring the entire city under his dominion was not just a fleeting desire but a calculated aim.

Leng Yan, too, found herself at a loss for words, her disbelief mirroring Tang Bo's. "Hey... You know, there are more lawful ways to handle this..." Her suggestion, though tentative, hinted at an alternative path, one less trodden by those in their line of work.

"..."

"..."

Zhang Wei and Wu Xue exchanged a glance, their skepticism evident as they turned towards Leng Yan.

Their dubious expressions spoke volumes of their faith—or lack thereof—in legal interventions.

Leng Yan, undeterred by their skepticism, pressed on. "I can ensure your brother's safety without any collateral damage. Not all officers operate under the same ethos," she argued, frustration creeping into her voice at their apparent distrust in lawful measures.

Why was their faith in the law so diminished?

Undeterred, Zhang Wei shifted the conversation back to action. "Prepare the cars. We're going to ambush them," he declared, directing his words at Tang Bo, his strategy bold and uncompromising.

Leng Yan, "..."

Her silence was filled with disappointment, a clear sign of her internal resignation.

The thought, 'Did they just ignore my suggestion?' echoed through her mind, a blend of disbelief and acceptance mingling within her.