Outside the Nightingale Club, crowds packed the street. Besides the people from the Sichuan Gang and the Hunan Gang, many customers had also rushed out.Seeing something was wrong, the customers quickly backed away—some drove off, while others stayed behind to watch the show.
Soon after, a group of girls in skimpy outfits—low-cut tops, tiny waists, long legs—walked out.They were the hostesses from inside. Though they came out to avoid danger, they didn't go far, choosing instead to stand aside and watch.Their appearance alone was enough to give the onlookers plenty of eye candy.
The last ones to exit were the manager and the waitresses.These waitresses were all quite good-looking too; if dressed up a bit, they wouldn't lose to the hostesses.
Cao Yang's eyes swept over the hostesses again and again.Only after the waitresses came out did he refocus, scanning the crowd for Li Yan.
After several rounds of searching, he still couldn't find her.He grabbed one of the waitresses.
"Miss, have you seen Li Yan? Why didn't she come out with you?"
"Li Yan? Who's that?" The waitress didn't recognize the name.
"She's my sister—tall, slim, pretty. She just started working here a few days ago."
"Oh, the new girl?" the waitress said impatiently. "She's the one who caused all this. She splashed wine on a Hunan big brother. She's still inside. She's probably doomed tonight."
Cao Yang frowned.Li Yan threw wine at a customer? A Hunan big brother, no less?
He didn't buy it.
With what he knew about Li Yan—stingy, timid, fearful of confrontation, sly—there was no way she'd dare to throw wine at a customer.Even if the customer harassed her, she would endure it rather than fight back.
But the waitress had no reason to lie.
Inside the club, the place was already cleared out.The Hunan Gang wanted to take control, but the Sichuan Gang blocked them.Two lines of men holding weapons stood at the entrance, facing off.
You glare at me, I glare at you—just waiting for their bosses to give the word before chopping each other up.
Just as the atmosphere reached its tightest point, Cao Yang strode straight into the club.
Everyone looked at him.They didn't know who he was, but his confident stride made them assume he must be one of the boss's trusted men.No one stopped him.
Inside, there were even more people—over a hundred filling the hall wall to wall.
At the center, two men sat facing each other in a booth.
"Tiexiong, what do you mean by this?"The Sichuan Gang leader, Jim, questioned coldly.
Jim—his name sounded foreign or ethnic, but he was actually a pure Sichuan native.
His real name was Xia Fei.His childhood nickname was Fei Ji Mu ("Flying Hen Mother").Later, people started calling him Ji Mu ("Hen Mother"), then eventually Jim.Now he even claimed it was his English name.
"What do I mean? I should be asking you!"Tiexiong snapped."I came to your place to spend money, and not only are your people unwelcoming, one of your waitresses even splashed wine on me! You think I'm that easy to bully?!"
Tiexiong—real name Yu Tie—was in his early thirties, the regional leader of the Hunan Gang.Strong and muscular, he earned the nickname Iron Bear (Tiexiong).He spoke dramatically, gestures and tone exaggerated.
Hearing this, Jim turned to the trembling Li Yan.
He vaguely recognized her—she must be new.
"You're new here?" he asked coldly.
"Yes, boss…" Li Yan nodded, voice shaking.
"Why did you spill wine on the customer?"
Li Yan glanced timidly at Tiexiong."I didn't… I was pouring wine, and he grabbed my hand and made me spill it on him."
"You filthy bitch! You calling me a liar?!"Tiexiong cursed viciously, and if Jim hadn't raised a hand to stop him, he would've hit her.
Jim believed Li Yan.He knew full well Tiexiong came today to pick a fight.A few days ago, their men clashed over protection fees—Tiexiong's side lost.So he came to make trouble.
But knowing was one thing—what could he do?
Fight?He didn't want to.Not because he feared the Hunan Gang, but because the profit wasn't worth the damage.And this was his club—if a fight broke out, the Nightingale would have to shut down for months to renovate.
"All right, Tiexiong," Jim sighed. "Why bully a young girl? The wine got on you—just wash it. Worst case, I'll buy you a new outfit."
"Screw you!"Tiexiong snapped."This shirt was handmade by my mom. You gonna compensate me for that? Can you even afford it?!"
Jim almost laughed.The brand logo stitched on the shirt was… clearly factory-made.
"Well then, what do you want? If you really want to fight, I'm not afraid.You smash my club tonight, I'll go smash yours tomorrow."
"Hahaha—"Tiexiong burst out laughing."You threatening me? In front of all my brothers? You think I was scared into adulthood?"
"Try me."
Tiexiong stared at him—then suddenly laughed again."Come on, Jim, relax. I'm kidding.But this shirt is from my mom."
"It means a lot to me. But since it's you, I'll give you a friendship price.Compensate me one million."
Jim rolled his eyes."One million. You're really something."
"A mother's love is priceless!"
"I'm not giving you a single cent.Either fight, or leave."
"So there's no room to negotiate?"
"None."
Tiexiong turned to the shaking Li Yan."Little girl… you're pretty."
Li Yan lowered her head, too scared to speak.
"You soaked my shirt. Your boss won't compensate. Tell me—what should we do?"
"I…"Li Yan's voice wouldn't come out.
"How about this," Tiexiong grinned."You kneel and apologize to me. Then come work at my place.When you earn me one million, I'll let you go.Sound good?"
"No…" she cried.
"No?"
"We'll talk about 'no' later.Right now—kneel."
Li Yan looked at Jim for help.
Jim turned away.To him, she was just a waitress— a new one at that.If Tiexiong wanted to humiliate her, he wasn't going to get dragged in.
"KNEEL!"Tiexiong suddenly roared, face twisting in anger.
He wanted to shame Li Yan to slap Jim in the face—I'm humiliating your employee in your own club. What can you do about it?
But Jim refused to take the bait.Humiliate her if you want—she's just a waitress. Not worth it.
Li Yan trembled, tears streaming down her face as she prepared to kneel.
But at that moment—a voice she knew better than anything rang out.
"Uh… sorry to bother you all, but…have any of you seen my sister?"