Chapter 5 Temporary Separation_2
At this moment, Zhou Qingfeng is hiding in a nursing home in a small town. This place is spacious, shaded by green trees, and the air is filled with a faint scent of flowers and soil.
Two to three hundred elderly people live here, quietly spending the last years of their lives. Since he hunted down Ellison Parker, the military and police have searched this place multiple times.
But most of the caretakers in the nursing home are of Mexican descent, secretly providing him with excellent cover, causing those armed guys to return empty-handed.
However, Hari's 'relaxation service' was forced to stop after just half an hour.
The sound of heavy footsteps approached rapidly, and Old Juan pushed open the door of the wooden house. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw the bathroom door open, steam billowing out.
Old Juan stood at the doorway, coughed dryly, and spoke in a low voice, "Boss…"
Soon, Hari came running out hurriedly, wrapped in a bath towel, her cheeks flushed, her eyes still filled with lingering dissatisfaction, not yet satisfied.
Zhou Qingfeng hastily put on a shirt and walked out of the bathroom, asking, "What's the matter?"
Old Juan took off his hat, twisted it in his hands, and said apologetically, "Boss, I have to leave for a while."
After escaping from the police station's detention room a few days ago, Old Juan and his men were also wanted and couldn't show their faces publicly.
Zhou Qingfeng's expression turned cold, "Is there trouble?"
"Yes." Old Juan nodded, exhaustion visible on his deeply wrinkled face, "Some of my men have become unreliable."
Although the Mexicans stuck together, once betrayed, they were merciless.
Now, the pressure from military and police searches was too great, and the primary targets were those Mexicans who had worked for 'Electric Flight'.
As long as the FBI and Immigration exerted a little pressure, those afraid of deportation would easily divulge any clues the military and police wanted.
Old Juan shook his head and sighed, "I'm also wanted now, making it hard to move openly, and even harder to control people.
In this situation, I can't distinguish who can be trusted and who can't, not even my own family… I don't dare to fully trust anyone anymore.
If the FBI finds them, they definitely won't withstand the interrogation pressure."
Old Juan was no longer young. In his youth, he had been in the underworld, witnessing the rise and fall of drug lords and gangs.
He knew well that the downfall of such big figures often came from betrayal by those close to them, rather than external enemies.
He sighed and smiled bitterly, "I have to cut off contact with you, Boss. Because I can't guarantee that I won't be caught by the FBI. Once I'm captured, I can't hold out either."
Zhou Qingfeng heard this, his gaze dimmed slightly. He instantly understood Old Juan's predicament, even realizing that it was a huge risk for him to come and inform him.
A more ruthless person might have chosen to silence him to eliminate the source of trouble. He stayed silent for a moment, then asked, "Where will you go?"
"Temporarily leaving Florida." Old Juan rubbed the brim of his hat, "Maybe to Texas, or back to Mexico.
I need to change identities and come back, and so does Hari. She is also wanted and has to leave with me for a while.
I plan to continue the 'Warthog' business, like buying more planes from 'Electric Flight' and running air transport back in Mexico.
This line of work can still make some money. But I can't take care of you anymore, Boss."
This was a formal farewell. After hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng suddenly grinned, "You're going to run low-altitude transport? I'll invest thirty million US Dollars in you." ReadersupportatM*VLEM*PYRmadethistranslationpossible.
Old Juan was stunned, a trace of bewilderment flashed in his eyes, as if fearing to accept undeserved help. He opened his mouth but didn't speak.
"Don't refuse." Zhou Qingfeng waved his hand decisively, "You brought over a hundred people to Orlando to help me.
These people didn't come for nothing. We have to reward them generously.
Take Cervantes, the heavy truck driver, for example. I asked him, and you promised him a hundred thousand US Dollars to buy his life. After all, driving a heavy truck to crash into a military vehicle is a life-risking task.
Everyone who followed you will be wanted in the United States and needs to go back to change identities. Such a huge loss cannot go uncompensated.
So, reward each person who came with you with a hundred thousand US Dollars.
Cervantes gets a million US Dollars. Money is needed to win people's hearts. If I run into trouble again, people will come to help."
Despite his young age, Zhou Qingfeng patted Old Juan's shoulder, his tone carrying an undeniable bravado.
Old Juan's mustache twitched slightly at first, then he laughed loudly, his voice hoarse but hearty, "Boss, you really are willing to spend!"
Risking one's life requires a good cost-benefit ratio, and sadly, working for Zhou Qingfeng evidently has a much higher cost-benefit ratio.
Zhou Qingfeng knew well that his bank accounts had already been targeted by the 'Tree of Justice'. Instead of letting those heartless bastards embezzle it, it was better to use the money to buy loyalty.
Facing the continuous pressure from the military and police, Old Juan had long been cornered, forced to hide in a desolate manner. Now, with this huge amount of money, the situation suddenly changed.
"You quickly set up a company, I'll have Kelly invest in it," Zhou Qingfeng said sternly, "I'm giving you the money, how you use it is your business."
Old Juan responded firmly with a "Hmm", a long-lost spark returning to his eyes. After years of hardship, he had countless plans and projects in mind that required money but had always been troubled by a lack of funds.
Now, as long as Zhou Qingfeng's money was in place, he was confident he could secure the loyalty of his men. Even if the FBI wanted to exert more pressure, the cost of bribing them would skyrocket several times over.
The FBI's budget was ultimately limited and couldn't be squandered indefinitely. And Zhou Qingfeng's spending spree undoubtedly greatly increased the difficulty for the FBI in solving the case.
Old Juan, on the other hand, turned the concern back to Zhou Qingfeng, "Boss, what will you do next? This nursing home will soon be unsafe."