Chapter 28: Chapter 28: You’re Not Here to Drink (Please Follow)

David walked over and took a seat on the high stool at the bar, responding indifferently, “Whiskey.”

Jin Guangyao turned to Nisen and asked, “And what about you, friend?”

“Tequila, easy on the ice.”

Though Jin Guangyao’s true identity was that of a thief, his bartending skills were actually quite decent, dazzling with an array of impressive moves.

Soon, the whiskey and tequila, heavy with the scent of alcohol, were served up.

David took a light sip and praised, “Not bad at all, with skills like these, if you fully committed yourself, I believe the income they could bring you might not be any less than your other ‘profession’!”

The previously calm Jin Guangyao’s expression changed instantly upon hearing this, and he asked with a frown, “Friend, what do you mean by that?”

David put his glass down and said expressionlessly, “It means nothing, I want to meet your boss, Quan Zhentai.”

Jin Guangyao’s gaze sharpened as he replied, “You’re not here to drink!”

With that, he turned off the music in the bar and made a gesture towards his scattered accomplices, before addressing the genuine patrons, “Sorry everyone, my establishment is closing early today, I’ll treat you another day!”

The customers who had come to drink showed understanding and soon began to leave.

Before long, the bar was left with only David, Nisen, and this Bangguo gang of thieves.

“Who exactly are you?”

The group stared intently at David and Nisen, looking like they might resort to violence at the slightest disagreement.

David didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he lightly lifted his jacket at the waist to reveal the gun holstered beneath. Only then did he say, “I told you, I want to see your boss, Quan Zhentai!”

Upon seeing this, the Bangguo people furrowed their brows slightly.

In America, almost no one is unfamiliar with firearms.

And many among them noticed that the gun holstered on David’s waist was a Glock 19 model.

This type of gun is not available in regular gun stores.

Because it is the standard issue for police departments, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies.

That is to say, the two men before them were either policemen or FBI agents, or perhaps from some other law enforcement agency!

Facing government officials, and specifically being asked for their boss by name, the unable-to-cope Jin Guangyao immediately picked up the phone and dialed a number, “Brother Tai, there’s a bit of a situation at the bar. ‘Official’ folks are asking to see you.”

About 15 minutes passed.

An SUV pulled up in front of the bar, the door opened, and an Asian man with glasses, looking somewhat refined, stepped inside.

“Brother Tai.”

“Brother Tai…”

“…”

With his arrival, the gathered Bangguo people greeted him one after another.

Meanwhile, David utilized the Golden Finger’s function and began ‘scanning’ Quan Zhentai.

[Name: Quan Zhentai.]

[Occupation: Gang Leader.]

[Monthly Income: 348,000 US dollars.]

[Income Details: December 3rd, profit of 20,000 US dollars from the share of theft carried out by his subordinates, December 4th, profit of 18,000 US dollars from the share of theft carried out by his subordinates, December 5th…]

[More Details: …]

[Owed Taxes: 111,920 US dollars.]

“Indeed…”

David had already deduced that Quan Zhentai’s illegal income must be more than Miyano Masho’s had been before.

Now, it seemed that this was indeed the case.

It was a full seventy-two thousand US dollars more than Miyano Masho.

“Brothers, where have we offended you to warrant such a grand gesture as your visit?”

Quan Zhentai’s English was very good, and completely devoid of a Bangguo accent. Combined with his scholarly appearance, anyone unaware of his identity would never believe he was the leader of a gang of thieves.

“Don’t misunderstand. We have no previous quarrel.”

As he spoke, David produced his tax badge and explained, “We are inspectors from the National Tax Bureau. Here’s the thing, on the 3rd of last month…”

The Bangguo people present were initially astounded to hear that it was individuals from the National Tax Bureau.

But as the conversation continued, they were utterly dumbfounded.

From now on, whether engaging in smuggling, fraud, robbery, drug trafficking, or their current thievery, they were all to uniformly pay taxes to the National Tax Bureau?

How could this be so outrageous?

Such conduct, akin to a mafia collecting protection money, could really be performed by an official government institution?

The Bangguo people simply couldn’t comprehend it.

Quan Zhentai felt the same. In a probing tone, he asked, “You claim to be from the National Tax Bureau, do you have identification?”

He still couldn’t believe that an official institution could implement such a policy.

Moreover, as someone in his line of work, he was naturally very suspicious. With the myriad of scams out there, he was also afraid that David and Nisen were just there to deceive him.

“You needn’t doubt us. If you don’t believe us, you can check the National Tax Bureau’s official website on your phone, the Black Tariff Bill is right there on the homepage.”

“Moreover, as long as you agree to pay taxes, you can come to our National Tax Bureau Lakeside District Sub-Bureau Branch tomorrow for filing, which can’t be faked.”

Hearing this, no one doubted David’s identity any longer.

However, the money they’d earned through back-breaking efforts had been hard enough to part with when they had to pay protection fees to Smith every month.

Now with the National Tax Bureau also wanting a slice of the pie, how could they agree to this?

After pondering for a moment, Quan Zhentai offered a forced smile and said, “Inspector, my bar has all the necessary documents, and I’ve also been paying the full amount of taxes every month, so I don’t really see how this Black Tariff Bill relates to me!”

He knew that if the National Tax Bureau had approached him, they must have become aware of the illicit activities he was secretly involved in.

But America was a nation that valued human rights.

As long as there was no sufficient evidence, he had nothing to fear!

David stood up from his stool, his gaze piercing as he stared at Quan Zhentai and said, “Quan Zhentai, do you think the National Tax Bureau would come looking for you without being aware of your details?”

Quan Zhentai spread his hands in a gesture of innocence and replied, “Inspector, I really don’t understand. And all these brothers of mine, though they may be unemployed, are law-abiding good citizens!”

“Is that so?”

David chuckled and pointing at Jin Guangyao, he said, “On the 3rd of last month, your brother here, in room 1208 at Horseshoe Bay, stole thirty thousand US dollars from a tourist. He profited three thousand dollars from the heist, the rest went to you and was shared with other members.”

“On December 9th, in the Bellagio Hotel, he stole a Rolex from another tourist, making a profit of two thousand US dollars.”

“There’s more on the 11th…”

“…”

Hearing how his secrets from the past month had been revealed one by one, the concerned Jin Guangyao’s face changed dramatically.

And beside him, Quan Zhentai also lost his look of innocence, replaced by a face full of gloom.