Gentleman Thief kept swallowing nervously, unable to utter a single word. His eyes were fixed and only after a long while did they start to move again.

William Walker immediately pulled Gentleman Thief toward the back of the carriage, squeezing through the crowd. Wherever they passed, the passengers automatically made way, their gazes toward William Walker filled with awe and respect.

This guy is impressive!

William Walker led Gentleman Thief straight to a sturdy man in his thirties wearing a white shirt, and gave a salute.

The man in the white shirt was taken aback and instinctively returned the salute.

“Comrade, you’re from the anti-pickpocket squad, right? I’ll leave this guy to you!”

William Walker said very seriously, but as soon as he finished, a mischievous grin naturally appeared on his face.

The man in the white shirt looked him up and down in surprise and asked curiously, “How did you know I’m from the anti-pickpocket squad?”

William Walker just laughed and said, “We’re all in the same line of work—I can tell.”

William Walker really could tell.

As a once-famous anti-pickpocket expert in the border city police, he could not only spot a pickpocket at a glance, but also recognize a fellow officer instantly. To William Walker, both types of people wore very obvious labels.

“Which precinct are you from?”

The man in the white shirt asked, half believing, half doubting.

This kid’s eyes were sharp and experienced, like someone cut out for police work, but his cheeky grin was a bit too unserious and somewhat ruined the image.

“I’m a police academy student, graduating this year, about to be assigned a job…”

“A police academy student?”

Just then, the bus slowly came to a stop. William Walker smiled as he handed the thief over to the man in the white shirt, waved, and got off the bus.

Not far away was Nanhu No. 1, commonly known as the “No. 1 Compound.”

A quiet courtyard nestled by the shore of South Lake, hidden among lush pines and cypresses, picturesque scenery all around.

The No. 1 Compound had very strict access control; without a pass, you simply couldn’t get in.

William Walker came by every so often to visit the old man and lady, and had gotten his pass long ago. He entered the compound through the east gate, walked along a tree-shaded path covered by thick canopies, and headed toward Villa No. 7.

Number 7!

That was also the old man’s former ranking among the province’s top leaders.

William Walker felt no particular attachment to that exquisite little villa.

He hadn’t grown up in the No. 1 Compound. He was born and raised in the border city; that coastal border town was his true hometown. Besides, the old man hadn’t lived in Villa No. 7 for very long. Before reaching such a high position, he’d lived in the provincial government’s staff dormitory. Only a few years ago, after becoming the top official in charge of the province’s political and legal system, did he qualify to move into a villa in the No. 1 Compound.

William Walker strolled leisurely up to the big iron gate of Villa No. 7.

“Screech—”

A sudden, sharp braking sound shattered the compound’s tranquility.

William Walker frowned slightly and turned his head.

Driving so recklessly in the No. 1 Compound—who could it be?

Sure enough, a gleaming black Benz came into William Walker’s view.

A Mercedes SW140, the king of luxury cars in the 1990s.

William Walker’s thick eyebrows shot up.

Back in 1996, there were very few big bosses in all of Yundu City, or even the whole of Tiannan Province, who could afford such an ultra-luxurious ride. You could count them on your fingers, and each one was a celebrity.

In the 1990s, the Mercedes SW140 was famous both at home and abroad. Because of the seventh-generation S-Class’s bulky body and tiger-like appearance, it was nicknamed “Tiger Head Benz” in China. Owning a “Tiger Head Benz” in the 90s meant you were truly “the elite among the rich”!

But who would drive such a top-tier luxury car to Villa No. 7 in the No. 1 Compound?

Eugene Young!

The name flashed through William Walker’s mind.

A super-rich figure in Tiannan Province in the 1990s, closely connected to the Wang family, and the only one who would drive a Tiger Head Benz straight to Villa No. 7—the so-called financial king, Eugene Young.

In the 1990s, “finance” was still a very high-end term, far removed from ordinary people. Even in top cities like the capital, Mingzhu, and Jiangkou, finance was considered elite.

For Eugene Young to be called the “King of Finance” in Tiannan Province showed just how formidable he was.

Of course, Eugene Young wasn’t particularly close to Old Man Wang; his close connection was with Julia Walker, Charles Walker’s younger sister and William Walker’s aunt.

In Yundu’s financial circles, Julia Walker was also a prominent figure.

Dafa Futures Brokerage Company was one of Julia Walker’s businesses, and it was said to be one of the top firms in Yundu’s industry. In 1996, futures brokerage was an extremely new field—many people hadn’t even heard of it and had no idea what futures were.

It was only natural for these two to be associated.

Sure enough, the doors of the luxury Benz opened, and out stepped a man and a woman—Eugene Young and Julia Walker.

Chapter 3 The Yunfan Family

Eugene Young was tall, slightly overweight, in his forties or fifties. Standing there, he exuded an imposing presence, full of confidence and authority—he looked more like a high-ranking official than a big boss at first glance.

But considering that the 1990s were the heyday of the newly rich, many big bosses were indeed more imposing than top officials.

The moment William Walker saw this swaggering display, he felt a bit annoyed.

So what if you have a bit of money?

What’s with all the showing off!