Chapter 11: A coincidental meeting with Ding Sheng (1)
This is Chen An’s job everyday: wake up in the morning at Chen Yang’s small rented apartment, eat the breakfast prepared by that kid, then ride a bicycle downtown where he would keep up on current affairs and work out under the guidance of his professional personal trainer in his fully-furnished luxury apartment. Each day was spent with sweat down his back.
This peaceful and healthy life lasted for over a month. Chen An stood on the weighing scale and glanced at his greatly diminished weight. As the saying goes, if you put in the work, you will get to enjoy the rewards eventually.
After a shower, Chen An stared at his reflection in the mirror.
Compared to a month ago, his complexion had greatly improved. Under the regime of healthy food and exercise, his face was also finally beginning to gain some definition. But all that said, this appearance was still far below his standards.
Done with his bath, Chen An don on a set of clean clothing and sat in the study room with his tablet to browse the news. Though he currently have some funds in his hands, it isn’t enough to sustain his future plans let alone help him regain his former position.
Chen An lowered his head to read the latest international news; good old America just can’t take a break. In the recent years, both indirect and direct conflicts had never once ceased. With the continuous news of war outbreaks in the Middle east and Africa, it really is a constant stream of ‘delightful’ news for happy arm traffickers.
While he still possess the knowledge of how to obtain and sell firearms, he lack the influence and foundation he had build for over two decades.
Before him, there are only two paths. The first is to start from scratch - but the international scene today is no longer conducive for the expansion of arms trafficking as it was twenty years ago as most of the major shares are already under the tight control of existing firearm kingpins. While it is not impossible to start from the ground up, this path would be difficult. Fortunately, Chen An still have some resources at hand.
Alternatively, he can collaborate with someone.
The only question is, who should he work with?
Chen An can admit that he is a paranoid, controlling and overbearing man. He didn’t like sharing his authority or his spoils with anyone; besides, he couldn’t find anyone to partner with.
But perhaps he can find a middle ground between these two paths. He would rather work solo, but in times of necessity, he didn’t mind working with temporary partners.
He should start small first. Even with just himself, it should be easy for him to manage.
But first, he need to take a trip to the hospital.
Half a month ago, Chen An went to the hospital for braces. Though it doesn’t give instantaneous results for his terrible buckteeth, it is the most simple and effective method. Today, he had to go for a check up.
Cycling down to the hospital, Chen An took a queue number before finding a seat. While he certainly could afford a private doctor, but in his memory, he haven’t experienced such a mundane and ordinary lifestyle for decades.
While outsiders only saw his immense wealth and power, they didn’t know that the price of it was to give up any semblance of an ordinary life. He can never take a casual stroll down the street, because wherever he goes, there must always be bodyguards by his side. There are simply far too many people in this world who wanted to take his life; but be it compet.i.tors or enemies, none of them would have ever guessed that his killer would be himself.
Just as he was enjoying his carefree moment of not having to worry about being shot at by hidden a.s.sasins, a person suddenly sat down beside Chen An. Without thinking, Chen An automatically turned to glance at the newcomer who joined the queue - and his pupils dilated on seeing a familiar face.
Sitting beside Chen An was a young man. His simple cotton t-s.h.i.+rt revealed a strong muscular figure that is difficult to see in Asians. His bicep muscles looked powerful and beautiful with continuous defined lines and his neat short hair framed a handsome face.
Chen An’s reaction caught the young man’s attention immediately. But when he saw that it was just a middle-aged pudgy ordinary civilian with braces and gla.s.ses, the sharp look in his eyes faded. He greeted Chen An with a cheerful h.e.l.lo.
Ding Sheng, an Interpol agent with a complicated background, was someone Chen An failed to bribe. He is a young, righteous and irritating fellow.
"Are you here to see about your teeth too?’ Chen An isn’t a man who like to initiate conversation with others. Under usual circ.u.mstances, for him to take the initiative, there is always an ulterior motive.