Chapter 848 — An Liwen's Kidney Transplant

"Heh, that you needn't worry about," An Mingyue said with a smile. "I've already found a suitable candidate — a wanted man whose only family is a younger brother in middle school. This is someone who can front for you."

How could An Mingyue not know what his son was thinking? Besides, he had no wish to see An Liwen come to harm, so these matters all had to be settled in advance.

"Oh? So this man has no burdens to worry about?" An Liwen asked hurriedly.

"None. His only family is a younger brother in middle school, and after he got into trouble he told the boy he'd gone abroad to work," An Mingyue said. "A few days ago I sent someone to deliver a sum of money to the brother, with word that his elder brother wouldn't be coming back for some time."

"That's good, then!" An Liwen nodded. "Leave the underground fight ring to me — I'll make it thrive, I promise you!"

An Liwen hung up, elated. The second spring of his career was about to arrive. He had thought the Fire Wolf Gang would leave him out in the cold for a while, but now it seemed his father's ties with the gang ran deeper than he had imagined!

Still, the thought that the fighter the Fire Wolf Gang had sent — a man at the peak of the early Mystic rank — was not there to serve as his bodyguard or his enforcer rather dampened his spirits. If only the man were his own subordinate, he could once again strut through Songshan City, riding roughshod over all!

The truth was, An Liwen simply lacked a subordinate worth showing off. Otherwise he would not even have given Zhao Qibing a second thought. What was the illegitimate son of a hidden family? Even the legitimate sons and grandsons of hidden families were deferential before a branch leader of the Fire Wolf Gang!

This was also why An Liwen had never much bothered to spare Zhao Qibing's feelings. Zhao Qibing knew that the shadow of the Fire Wolf Gang stood behind An Liwen, and so did not dare act rashly. But the Fire Wolf Gang's secrecy was such that only those who truly stood at a certain height knew of it; Zhao Qibing had only a vague inkling, enough to know the gang was not to be provoked — and Li Cihua knew even less of just how powerful the Fire Wolf Gang really was!

Now, An Liwen felt that only a kidney stood between him and the restoration of his former glory! His career was back, a proper subordinate would soon be at his side, and once he had a new kidney installed, he would once again be the dashing one of Songshan's Four Young Masters!

After hanging up on his father, An Liwen was about to call Zhong Yongliang to ask after the results — but before he could dial, Zhong Yongliang's call came in first!

An Liwen picked up at once. "Hello? Brother Pinliang? How are things? The test results are out, aren't they?"

"Ah, they're out!" Zhong Yongliang put on a show of great anguish, speaking with a worried frown. "Sure enough, no match, woe is me and my kidney..."

"Brother Pinliang, bear up under your grief — I'll definitely find you a good kidney that matches," An Liwen said, then asked cautiously, "You see, this kidney of yours — perhaps..."

"Yes, since this kidney is yours to begin with, I suppose I can only return it to its rightful owner!" Zhong Yongliang sighed. "Brother An, you mustn't forget your little brother in the future — you absolutely must get me another good kidney!"

"That goes without saying. When shall we do the transplant?" An Liwen feared the longer it dragged on, the more trouble might arise, so he wanted the swap done as soon as possible.

"No need to rush that, is there? My body's been through several operations in a row and I'm still very weak — shouldn't I build myself up a bit before another surgery?" Zhong Yongliang said, sounding rather put out. "Besides, the surgery costs a fair bit. I'd have to discuss it with my dad first..."

"The cost is no problem! It's my transplant, so naturally I'll cover it — how could I let you bear it, brother?" An Liwen said quickly. "As for your health, we can build you up after the transplant, can't we? How about this: I'll give you some money for nourishment, and you can buy whatever tonics you like?"

"Is that so..." Zhong Yongliang was secretly overjoyed, thinking: An Liwen, you fool, I'm giving you a dog's kidney and you're still paying me — you're stupid beyond belief! But his face betrayed nothing as he said, "Since Brother An puts it that way, it'd be hard for me to refuse. I suppose that's the only way... But this nourishment money — how much can you give me?"

"How about five hundred thousand?" An Liwen gritted his teeth. That was half his private savings; the rest had all gone to the Fire Wolf Gang and the An family, so it pained him a little. But then he thought: his career was back, his kidney was in hand — what was a little money? He was enjoying a double blessing!

"Fine, then. When do we do the transplant?" An Liwen asked, a little impatiently.

"Well... Brother An, since you're in such a hurry, it wouldn't be right for me to delay. How about tomorrow?" Zhong Yongliang said. "The private clinic where I had the tests done can perform the surgery, and I've already had Little Fu arrange it!"

"Good, good! Tomorrow it is! Brother Pinliang, I thank you! I'll treat you to a fine meal when the time comes!" Overjoyed at Zhong Yongliang's words, An Liwen thanked him profusely.

Once Zhong Yongliang hung up, Gao Xiaofu, who had been waiting nearby, asked, "Brother Liang, how did it go? Did An Liwen agree?"

"He agreed — the transplant's tomorrow, and he's paying me five hundred thousand in compensation!" Zhong Yongliang said. "You've got everything set up on your end, right?"

"It's all arranged. The surgery can be done at any time!" Gao Xiaofu cackled, then said, "Brother Liang, I've got the mad dog ready too. I bought it specially from the dog-catching team. Damn thing was a real pain to catch!"

"Hahahaha, then we'll give that An Liwen a mad dog's kidney and play him to death. Who told him to screw me over back then? To cut out my kidney?" Zhong Yongliang burst out laughing as well. "An Liwen, just you wait. The best part is still to come! Once Zhang Naipao comes down from the mountain, it'll be the end of all of you!"

"Damn right. Once Brother Pao appears on the scene, who can stand against him!" Gao Xiaofu said with longing. "Brother Liang, when do you think we should go see Naipao?"

"Once this kidney business is settled, we'll head up the mountain. We've got to see Zhang Naipao, or I won't have any peace of mind," Zhong Yongliang said. "But for now, at school, we need to keep a low profile and stay out of Wei Zhao's way!"