Early morning, May 3, 2013. 13, exhausted from a busy night, returned to his residence. He hung his windbreaker in the closet, checked the notebook – 5 more pages gone, but 800 yuan added to his cloth bag.
In the Shanghai section of the notebook, one figure caught 13's attention.
Hong Yang, 65 years old, former Director of the State Administration of Taxation, a giant in embezzling public funds in China. Known for being generous and enjoying making friends, connected in both legitimate and underworld circles. In 2005, with unique foresight, he left politics for business. Relying on his powerful network and solid financial foundation, within 3 years, the Genesis Group he established became one of Shanghai's major tax-paying companies. In early 2009, Genesis Group's total assets were estimated to exceed 10 billion RMB. Before entering business, the amount Hong Yang embezzled was incalculable. After becoming a businessman, he abided by the law, paid taxes on time annually, and actively participated in national economic construction. Truly a legendary figure in China. As for whether he was treacherous or evil, it was impossible to say.
"Feels different from the others." 13 pondered for a moment. "But he still has to take responsibility for what he's done. I'll go find him after I wake up."
With that, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep. But the Shanghai Police Department was in chaos. Dozens of phones in the reporting section rang frantically. Sweat poured down the Police Chief's face like rain.
"Chief! Your phone!" A subordinate rushed into the office holding a cordless phone.
"Don't you know how to knock?" The annoyed Chief found an outlet for his frustration. "I said I'm not taking any calls!"
"Chief..." Sweat dripped down the subordinate's face too. "This call is from the Chairman!"
With that sentence, the Chief almost slumped to the floor. He hastily snatched the phone from his subordinate's trembling hands.
"Quite a temper you have, not taking anyone's calls, huh?" Zhao Xiang said with a chuckle. The call had been connected; he had heard everything. But the Chief didn't think the Chairman was pleased.
"I'm sorry, Chairman, I didn't know it was you. What instructions do you have? Your subordinate will do his utmost to complete them for you." The Chief cleverly changed the subject.
"It's about that killer called 'Wing'..."
"Chairman, I can explain. Your subordinate has already increased the city's security alert level, conducted comprehensive checks of all households and lodgings, big and small. I believe it won't be long before we find the culprit and bring him to justice," the Chief said nervously.
"Please don't interrupt me." The Chairman's voice sounded displeased. The Chief immediately shut up. "You've worked hard, I know that too. The killer is no ordinary character. Pushing him too hard will only increase innocent casualties. I don't want to see civilians get hurt. Therefore, stop the search for the killer."
"Stop the search?" The Chief almost shouted.
"You have a very bad habit of interrupting others, you know?" Zhao Xiang was angry now.
"Sorry, sorry! Your subordinate was just momentarily..." The Chief was scared.
"Alright, don't think this lets you off easy. There's something more important for you to do. Immediately dispatch your best police force to protect Hong Yang, the President of Genesis Group. If anything happens to him, I will reconsider your competence." With that, Zhao Xiang hung up.
The Chief sat on the floor, staring blankly.
"Chief, Chief..." The subordinate called out fearfully twice.
"What are you standing there for? Send the armed police to Genesis Group!" The Chief suddenly leaped up from the floor and shouted.
This time, it was the subordinate's turn to be scared and collapse onto the floor.
Genesis Group headquarters was located in the Pudong New Area, housed in its own 50-story office building. Though not as tall as the Jin Mao Tower, it was still very grand.
In recent years, Genesis Group had been thriving in Shanghai. Its main real estate business was known to everyone locally. Many major government projects were handled solely by them. Among peers, it was dubbed a "private state-owned enterprise" – private referring to Hong Yang, and state-owned enterprise, of course, referring to Genesis Group. The speed at which Genesis Group grew was just like its name – creating a new world. Its registered capital was only ten million; in just eight years, its assets had multiplied two thousand times.
Ostensibly, government support was a major reason for its growth. But a closer look at Genesis's internal management revealed that success didn't come without effort. In terms of talent cultivation, Genesis was absolutely top-tier domestically. Admission wasn't based solely on diplomas; practical work ability was also a crucial factor. Within the company, anyone caught giving gifts or flattering superiors was immediately fired. If leaders made mistakes, they had to apologize to subordinates. If better ideas emerged before a plan was submitted, it had to be redone from scratch, even if it meant delaying the deadline.
Hong Yang was known as a giant embezzler in official circles and a tycoon in the business world.
At noon, Shanghai enjoyed another fine day. On such days, Hong Yang would invariably take a walk in the private garden behind the building.
Wearing a short-sleeved white shirt and holding a cane, the white-haired old man slowly walked towards the lawn in the center of the garden. He looked exceptionally relaxed, but the bodyguards around him couldn't afford to be. All wore neat suits, earpieces, and sunglasses. The old man looked up at the sky and smiled blissfully.
"Suspicious individual detected!" Suddenly, more than half of the bodyguards rushed towards the lawn, each pulling out an electric baton, on alert.
The old man didn't change his pace, continuing to walk slowly towards the lawn. A young man in black was surrounded, yet still lay lazily on the ground, sunbathing.
"It's nothing, you can withdraw." Hong Yang waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to leave.
"But..." The security chief hesitated.
"Don't disturb him. Being able to enter here so easily means killing me wouldn't be difficult for him. All of you, withdraw." Hong Yang waved his hand again.
Although reluctant to admit it, Hong Yang was right.
The chief had the bodyguards step back ten meters, forming a circle, watching the young man.
Hong Yang walked to 13's side and sat down on the ground with difficulty, his age showing.
"The sun feels really comfortable." 13, lying flat, said with his eyes closed, his tone like an old man's.
"Yes, especially around plants, one doesn't feel lonely," Hong Yang patted his arthritic leg.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" 13 turned over to sunbathe his back.
"Why should I be afraid?" Hong Yang smiled and asked back.
"Because I might be the one here to take your life," 13 said calmly.
"It doesn't matter anymore." Hong Yang sighed deeply. "Lived this long, endured the hardships I should have, enjoyed the pleasures I should have."
"Actually, I haven't decided whether to kill you or not. I'm very confused," 13 opened his eyes.
"Why? Is killing one person difficult for China's top special forces soldier, the one known as the 'Sniper King'?" Hong Yang looked at the sky.
"You know me?" 13 sat up abruptly, staring sternly at the old man before him.
His movement startled the nearby bodyguards. The chief was about to rush forward, but seeing Hong Yang shake his head, he forcibly halted his already moving steps.
"Of course, I know you. That fellow Nie Yun treated you like a treasure." Thinking of his old friend, Hong Yang smiled warmly.
"It seems there are many secrets between you two that I don't know." 13 took out 10 pieces of paper from behind his back and placed them in front of Hong Yang. "But I'm not a curious person. This is Li Yuntian's assessment of you. In principle, I owe him a very heavy debt, so I decided to help him change some things he wished to change. He wanted to fight corruption, so I help him kill corrupt people."
"A very direct and simple method." Hong Yang looked through the papers. "The more you kill, the crueler the method, the better the effect. Only when they associate money with blood will they truly stop. To some extent, I support you doing this."
"But regarding you, I don't know if I should kill you." 13 scratched his head. "Yuntian's view of you was mixed. Can you tell me if you are a good person or a bad person?"
Hong Yang looked directly at 13, pondering for a moment.
A gust of wind blew, scattering the papers in his hand into the air.
"I don't know if I'm a good person, but I know I am definitely a sinner." Hong Yang's words were profound; 13 couldn't understand.
"You seem to want to tell me something?" 13 stood up and stretched lazily.
"Are you interested in hearing it?" Hong Yang also tried to stand, but remained on the ground after half an effort.
"Let's do it this afternoon. I'm hungry now, need to eat." 13 turned to leave.
"Would I have the honor of having lunch with you?" Hong Yang looked at 13's retreating back. "You decide what to eat."
"Thank you for your kindness." 13 paused and turned back. "Last time I accepted a meal from someone, it caused a lot of trouble. If I owe you a favor, I might hesitate when killing you."
Hong Yang said no more, smiling as he watched his back disappear.
"Mr. Hong!" The security chief rushed to his side. "Just let him leave like that?"
"Be glad you're still alive." Hong Yang patted the chief's shoulder meaningfully.
Upon returning to the building, Hong Yang's secretary reported, "President, a large number of armed police just appeared at the entrance. They say Shanghai's security has been chaotic lately, and the Shanghai Police Chief wishes to provide comprehensive protection for you."
"Tell them it's unnecessary. Instead of wasting police resources protecting me, they should be out on the streets helping more citizens." Hong Yang walked to his office door, pushed it open, and the bodyguards became agitated again. Because 1 was flipping through company documents, 36 was using Hong Yang's computer to browse the internet, and 24 stood by the window.
"Who are you?" the chief asked sternly.
"Trying to protect yourself with this kind of security system? Are you joking with your own life?" 1 looked up at the calmly composed old man.
"Did old Zhao send you? Still not reassured after sending that annoying bunch of police?" Hong Yang walked into the office.
"Many people sent us. He's just one of them," 36 continued his operations.
Hong Yang signaled the others to leave and locked the door from the inside.
"Your ultimate goal is 13, right?" The room was soundproof; Hong Yang spoke confidently.
"That's right." 24 turned around, facing Hong Yang directly. "We came for him."