Rise of the Wasteland Chapter 6 - Plot Twist

Chapter 6        Plot Twist

The Portaschi brothers attracted plenty of attention in the movie. During the early stages, they created a lot trouble for David Lawrence when they were gathering their resources. However, they were killed by David Lawrence later on when Angie’s and Rachel’s safety was in risk.

The Portaschi brothers had Herculean physiques. They look as if they were living bears. Ivan and Yakov, the older brother and younger brother respectively, had once served the Russian military parachute team. Later on, they came to the United States to join the mafia. They cannot be underestimated, even though both of them were older than forty years old.

The homicide was never actually shown in the movie. It only appeared on the news the next day. A prostitute working in a bar was killed around the Lawrences’ house. Angie was even afraid of going to school due to this incident.

Zhou Qingfeng was sweating all over his head, making sure that he was standing still. He knew that he should not bolt when he saw Ivan Portaschi approaching him. He understood that there was no way he can dodge a bullet. There were simply too many homicides happening in New York, to an extent that the police cannot even find the time to bother with them.

Zhou Qingfeng raised his hand and shouted, “I’m actually just here to inform you guys, the police are on their way here! They’re currently on the 198th street, trying to catch some drug traffickers. There were five to six police cars and a dozen of policemen coming from that direction.”

Zhou Qingfeng’s bluff was actually working! The Portaschi brothers looked afraid. Due to the proliferation of firearms in the United States, criminals were extremely vicious. However, the police remained a force to be reckoned with even with the current social disorder within the United States.

Anyone should better follow their instructions if asked by the police on the streets to raise their hands. They will shoot anyone who they deemed dangerous without giving out much warning. They will not even care about your age nor gender.

There were plenty of innocent civilians that were shot to their deaths by the police. There was once even a kid who was shot dead, simply because he playing with a toy gun. Hence, even the most vicious criminal felt afraid when faced with the police.

Ivan stopped approaching Zhou Qingfeng after hearing his warning. He fiercely stood in front of Zhou Qingfeng as he grabbed him by his collar and said, “I know you, you bastard. You’re Victor Hugo and you live just down this street. I’ll be back to kill you if I find out you lied to me.”

Ivan brought along his brother, Yakov, and fled after giving threatening Zhou Qingfeng. Zhou Qingfeng was finally relieved when he saw the men’s shadows fading away from his sight. He felt that his back was already soaked in cold sweat, even though everything happened in less than a minute. The situation was far too dangerous.

The lady under the shade cried as she sat limply on the pavement. Her destiny was supposed to be robbed and raped to death; but now, she had survived.

Wonderful! I’ve succeeded! It’s so easy to alter the plot. I’ll definitely gain benefits if I could change the plot to my discretion.

Zhou Qingfeng was excited, feeling as if he was floating in the air as he walked toward the lady. Her hair was messy, her skirt was ripped apart, and her panties were pulled down to her knees.

One can tell that she was working at a bar just by looking at her heavy makeup and revealing attire. She was definitely either a stripper or a hooker. Zhou Qingfeng felt pity for her as he asked, “Are you hurt?”

The lady shook her head as she stood up and tidied up her clothes. “Thanks. I’m Leina. I’m… I’m a prostitute. I wish I can pay you back with something, but my wallet was stolen. If you don’t mind, I can—”

“Oh…. No! It’s fine as long as you’re not injured.” Zhou Qingfeng did not take advantage of the girl in front of him, feeling pity for her. He can tell that Leina was most likely an immigrant from Eastern Europe. It was usually hard for an Eastern European to find a job in the United States. Men were usually only hired for blue-collar work, while women normally ended up becoming escorts.

Leina nodded her head as she mocked herself, “I understand that I do not deserve to service you with my current form. But I’ll always remember that you saved me. Should you need any help, you can find me at the Catclaw Bar. I’ll always be there.”

Zhou Qingfeng looked at the girl as he thought to himself, I know that you’re working at the Catclaw Bar. That’s exactly why I saved you anyway.

Normally, there was no way for Zhou Qingfeng to randomly get his hands on cash. He would remain penniless unless he broke the rules and used his previous knowledge from the movie; knowledge such as the spot where the Catclaw Bar hid their money.

Catclaw Bar was a famous underground bar, and the Portaschi brothers were bouncers from the bar. This was also the place where David Lawrence killed the brothers.

Zhou Qingfeng can clearly recall every detail from the movie through his memory. After killing the Portaschi brothers, David Lawrence searched their room and discovered a hidden safe with over ten thousand U.S. dollars in it.

Due to the inflation caused by the cataclysm, all the banknotes were nothing but sheets of useless paper. David Lawrence even gave a quote in the movie, “I wouldn’t use these notes to wipe my ass. Their value is worse than a tissue paper.” However, as the cataclysm had yet to occur, Zhou Qingfeng needed to engage actively because his plan will require money.

The Russian brothers were almost like a pair of living bears. Death will be my only path if I were to face them directly. I have to think of another method if I’m planning to steal the money. Therefore, Zhou Qingfeng thought that saving the prostitute would help him in solving his problem.

“Hey! Leina, do you want to earn some money? It’ll be ten thousand dollars.” Zhou Qingfeng knew that as a prostitute, Leina was not earning well, and ten thousand dollars will be more than enough to support her for the rest of her life.

“Are you kidding me?” Leina was actually interested, but outwardly, she spoke her doubt, “What do you have in mind? Are you going to introduce a better job for me?”

“I knew that the Portaschi brothers are hiding a large amount of money in one of the rooms in Catclaw Bar. I can pay you ten thousand dollars if you’re willing to help me.” Zhou Qingfeng did not tell her the entirety of his plan, but he did tell her about the risk in undertaking it.

Ten thousand dollars was a big amount of money for Leina, but still she changed her facial expression once she heard that it involved stealing money from the Portaschi brothers. She angrily replied, “You’re out of your mind!” before she walked away. She was no longer interested in Zhou Qingfeng’s plan.

No way, don’t leave!

“Hey, can’t you reconsider it?” Zhou Qingfeng thought that Leina’s hatred for the Portaschi brothers would make her more susceptible to his persuasion. He never would have thought that Leina would actually leave. Nothing was working according to plan!

Zhou Qingfeng did not dare to operate boldly without Leina’s help, as he will only be increasing the probability of his death. He sighed, wondering if he had actually made a mistake!

However, Zhou Qingfeng soon heard footsteps approaching him. He looked up and saw that Leina had returned.

The prostitute was dangling a cigarette from her mouth. She threw a glance at Zhou Qingfeng after taking a few drags off her cigarette. After hesitating for a long moment, she said, “I don’t think you’re here to hurt me, but aren’t you afraid of death? The Portaschi brothers will seize you and throw you with the trash after killing you. Do you think they’re afraid to do that? I’ve seen them kill with my own two eyes.”

At first, it seemed as if Leina was giving out advice to Zhou Qingfeng, but then she said, “Tell me your plan. I’ll help you if I think it’ll work out. Our collaboration will definitely be more efficient than what you could achieve alone, but in return, I’ll need twenty thousand dollars. I’m taking too much of a risk just to help you. I have to flee no matter what happens in the end.”

“Ha ha ha...!” As a man sows, so he shall reap; things have finally taken a new turn! Zhou Qingfeng felt exuberance as he laughed. “Not a problem. Twenty thousand dollars shall be yours once we successfully get our hands on the money. The Portaschi brothers’ savings from all these years will definitely be more than enough for the both of us. With your help, I guarantee that the risk will be decrease immensely.”

Thus, Zhou Qingfeng successfully formed a temporary partnership by altering the plot.

Chapter end