Anqiluo had assumed Alexei wouldn't show up today.
But right after breakfast, at eight sharp, Alexei appeared at the church entrance, wearing a sly, almost greasy grin.
"Oh? You've got time to come by today?" Anqiluo said with a chuckle, signaling Number Six to make a pot of tea.
Compared to the usual lemonade people drank, Anqiluo preferred tea. It tasted better, even if it was more trouble to prepare.
Chinatown sold tea leaves. Nothing fancy, but at least they were genuine.
"Well… my guys are still in the hospital, so…" Alexei started.
"Spit it out."
Alexei laughed awkwardly, then pulled out his phone.
"Um… Father, would you mind if I record what you're about to say?" He watched Anqiluo's expression carefully. "You probably heard what happened last night. Kingpin dealt with a few gangs. The others pushed me to come ask where you stand…"
Anqiluo was about to refuse.
Then he reconsidered.
Strip away the gang label, and Alexei wasn't that bad. At least he was straightforward.
Maybe that just made him look better compared to the rest.
Honestly, Alexei could've recorded him without asking, and Anqiluo might not even notice.
But if he found out later, that would be a different story.
The other gangs didn't dare come themselves. Seeing Alexei constantly hanging around here, they pushed him forward instead.
And to be fair, Anqiluo needed to make his stance clear.
Otherwise, someone else might try to use his name again.
"Fine. Record it. I've got something to say to them anyway."
Alexei swallowed and steadied himself before turning on the recorder.
"Alright… I'm ready," he said, looking like he was heading to his execution.
Anqiluo cleared his throat, then his expression turned cold.
"I know what happened last night. Some idiots have been using my name to stir up trouble. If Kingpin hadn't come to me, I would've come looking for you myself.
"You're gangsters. What you do is your business. I don't care, and I won't interfere.
"But if I find out anyone is using my name again, I swear I will hunt you down. I'll pull your guts out and choke you with them.
"If you've got a problem with that, come find me. I'll be right here.
"Bring your own coffin."
Alexei broke out in a cold sweat.
Over the past few days, Anqiluo had seemed easygoing. Sure, he charged five hundred dollars for a meal, but he hadn't felt that threatening anymore.
In fact, Anqiluo's way of thinking was simpler than most gang members.
He just wanted to live his life.
Ironically, Alexei—the only gang boss who survived that night with a broken arm—was now the least afraid of him.
But this time, he felt it clearly.
The killing intent in Anqiluo's words was real.
If someone crossed that line again, Anqiluo would follow through.
Alexei was suddenly very glad he hadn't used Anqiluo's name himself.
Otherwise, he might've ended up like the gangs Kingpin wiped out last night.
Anqiluo gestured for him to stop recording.
"Alexei," he said, glancing at the sweat on his forehead, "you guys are this afraid of dying? Then why not just go legit?"
Alexei gave a bitter smile. "If we weren't afraid, we wouldn't be in this line of work. I'd love to go legit. But what can you even do in Hell's Kitchen?"
"Whatever. Get out of here," Anqiluo said, waving him off. "If you see Billy—the guy who deals in smuggled lumber—send him over. I need a new door."
He didn't bother saying more.
Alexei had a busy day ahead anyway. With several gangs wiped out, there was territory to divide.
And Alexei had a point.
What legitimate business could these people even run here?
Telling gang bosses to open pizza shops was just fantasy.
If Anqiluo happened to help, fine.
But putting in real effort to reform them?
Not worth it.
As Alexei left, he tugged at the back of his shirt, soaked with sweat.
He swore to himself—
The idiots who pushed him into this would pay for it.
If they refused, he'd make them regret it.
Talking to Anqiluo felt like standing in front of death itself.
Once Alexei was gone, Anqiluo returned to his computer and started playing games.
Tony Stark's account hadn't logged in for a while.
Anqiluo stared at the screen, slightly disappointed.
He'd been looking forward to shutting that guy up again.
But then again—
Tony Stark was Tony Stark.
Even if he skipped work, he had better things to do than sit around gaming all day.
Research. Women. Anything else.
Anqiluo glanced at Number One and the others as they worked.
They were all attractive.
But the moment he remembered their intense, almost worshipful expressions, any thoughts disappeared instantly.
It gave him chills.
If someone else saw him right now, they'd say he just had too much free time.
Unfortunately, the only people here treated him like a god.
No one was going to point that out.
Before long, Billy arrived.
He wasn't a full-fledged gang member, just a smuggler. He didn't need territory, and luckily, he had survived the cleanup.
He operated in Hell's Kitchen mainly because of the port, which made it easy to receive shipments of smuggled timber from Russia.
"I need a new wooden door," Anqiluo said, pointing at the empty entrance. "Preferably with an automatic sliding system. What's it going to cost?"
Billy immediately put on a friendly smile. "Something this small? No charge. Think of it as my contribution to the church."
He knew Alexei had gained influence by associating with Anqiluo.
If he could do the same, he wouldn't even need bodyguards anymore.
Anyone thinking of targeting him would have to think twice.
Anqiluo laughed. "Cut the crap. I'll pay what it's worth. As long as you're not trafficking people, I don't care what you do."
There was a simple way to look at it.
You could have your business.
And he could be a paying customer.
Those were two separate things.
And in Anqiluo's mind—
He was a very good customer.