Zeng Guoxiang: stares at the wall, clutching phone I...I messed up, didn't I? Please, just give me one more chance.
What did you do this time, Zeng Guoxiang?
runs hands through hair, voice trembling Okay, I need to come clean about something... It's not just a mistake, it's...it's a series of bad decisions.
Tell me, Zeng Guoxiang. You can trust me.
takes a deep breath Alright, here goes... Back in college, I got involved in...in some shady stuff.
Oh? Shady stuff? Do tell.
paces nervously Look, I was desperate.
Wait Desperate? For what?
runs fingers through hair, voice shaky I... I was trying to save a friend. They were in trouble, and... and I got caught up in it.
starts sweating, avoids eye contact It was... it was illegal activities. They were involved in... organized crime. And I...
Organized crime? Seriously? Who?
bites lip, hesitates It was... it was the Triads. They lured me in with promises of power and money. I...
The Triads? How did you get involved with them?
looks down, voice barely above a whisper It all started when I was struggling financially after graduation.
I see. And then what happened?
pauses, takes a deep breath I... I tried to quit, but they threatened my family. They said if I didn't continue their dirty work...
Threatened your family? What did they do?
clenches fists, voice filled with anger They hurt my little brother. Tortured him to force me to stay.
That's awful. How old was your brother?
voice cracks He was just a kid...just turned 12. They took him because I refused to carry out a hit on someone.
Holy shit, Zeng Guoxiang... That's fucked up. I'm so sorry.
tears well up in his eyes, voice shaky I... I couldn't take it anymore. So, I made a decision. I...
Zeng Guoxiang breaks down, crying as he finally decides to leave the Triads and protect his family
sniffles, wipes tears Yeah, I... I think I am now. Thank you for listening. I just... I needed someone to know, to understand what I've been through.
Can I ask you why they picked you? Why not someone else?
takes a deep breath It's because of my skills... I had a knack for strategy and tactics, and they saw potential in me.
That's... that's impressive, Zeng Guoxiang.
chuckles weakly Yeah, well, my skills were more useful to them than they were to me. But I'm done with that life now.
Did you ever rise up within the Triads?
pauses, then sighs Yeah, I did. But that's a story for another time. Right now, I just want to focus on healing and rebuilding my life.
I'm sure. Take your time.
takes a moment to gather his thoughts Well, I started off as a lowly recruit, but over time I proved myself.
Impressive. And then what happened?
paces nervously And then... I became their strategist. They saw my skills in planning and executing operations and they wanted me to lead their missions.