Jinxiu Palace, 10 pm.
Zhao Yan and his three sons got a spot in the lobby. The reason they didn't get a private room was so they could see more beautiful women in the lobby. Of course, looking at other men's pretty women was always more interesting.
"Want chicks?" Zhao Yan thoughtfully asked.
Chen Mao rubbed his hands: "I'm a decent man."
"What decent man doesn't like chicks?" Zhang Yuan pursed his lips with a knowing smile.
Liu Qiang waggled his eyebrows: "Then hurry up and call them over. The girls here have lots of work competition. We should kindly help them meet their sales targets."
Soon, the manager brought over a group of dolled up women with nice figures and looks. After all, average looking girls weren't qualified to work here.
"Good evening bosses," over ten gorgeous women lined up and bowed in sync.
Zhao Yan looked at the manager: "That's it?"
"What...isn't this enough?" The manager was puzzled.
Zhao Yan raised a brow and banged the table: "This few? Who's supposed to have fun with that? The foreigners next table will think we can't afford to spend!"
The foreigners next door looked at him confused.
"Enough, enough! Big bro, stop showing off. Don't boast more balls than your kidney can piss out. We just need one chick each," Liu Qiang quickly stopped the show off.
Zhao Yan gracefully held his wine glass: "You guys pick first. Don't stand on ceremony. Whoever you like."
Before the three could react, he added: "Seems like you all are shy. Fine, I'll pick first. You guys can pick after me. Hey Red Dress, let's chat about the Afghanistan situation."
"Fuck!" Seeing Zhao Yan picked the hottest one first, the three men couldn't help but curse out loud.
They each picked one chick and the rest were led away by the manager.
Zhao Yan asked Red Dress solemnly: "What do you think of the Taliban regime?"
"Huh? (๑•́ 3 •̀๑)" The woman was totally confused.
Zhao Yan shook his head in disappointment: "Your level is too basic to discuss international affairs with me. Let's talk real stuff - given your age, are they real or fake? If fake I'll have to talk to your boss. Selling counterfeits to customers counts as fraud."
"Why don't you use your hands to test and find out?" The woman giggled charmingly and blinked.
Zhao Yan frowned: "Don't fool around. How can I possibly do something so rude?"
"Then can you remove your hands first? You're pinching me quite hard," the woman deadpanned.
Zhao Yan nodded satisfied: "It hurts huh. Then they must be real."
"Let's play Fight The Landlord. Loser drinks," Zhang Yuan tore open a deck of poker cards on the table.
Liu Qiang's eyes lit up: "I'm game! I'm pro, okay? I've won 300 bucks with just 20 bucks before. You guys can't comprehend the concept here. People like me usually describe ourselves in two words: country bumpkin!"
Just then, a middle aged man walked over with a wine glass. "Young Master Zhao, I'm the boss here at Jinxiu Palace. Heard you're here so I came to toast you personally."
Zhao Yan clinked glasses: "Much appreciated. Wanna join us?"
"Oh no, I don't wanna disturb you. Just wanted to say hi. Drinks tonight are on me." The man added with both hands outstretched, "This is our annual membership card. Please take it Young Master Zhao, visit often if you have time."
"Then I'll gladly accept your hospitality," Zhao Yan smiled.
More people kept coming over.
"Young Master Zhao, I'm the Chairman of Yongquan Real Estate Group..."
"Young Master Zhao, cheers to you!"
"Young Master Zhao, on behalf Father Zhang Erhe..."
In just half an hour, over a dozen people came.
The rest of the guests in the lobby watched wide-eyed.
"Who's that guy? So influential to get toasts from all those big shots!"
"You guys don't know him? It's Young Master Zhao! Of all the Young Master Zhaos in Binhai, who else could it be? Chen Han knows him. He was the one who helped establish Chen Han's status!"
"Dang...So badass. Now that's how you show off clout without lifting a finger!"
Everyone gossiped and many women eyed Zhao Yan yearningly but didn't dare approach him.
"Fuck, they're toasting me yet you guys are putting on that pretentious look," Zhao Yan said seeing his overacting sons.
Liu Qiang shamelessly admitted: "Just leeching some clout."
"We promise just to freeload a bit," Chen Mao and Zhang Yuan were equally shameless.
After all, chances were rare to leech off clout of such high level from Zhao Yan in their lifetimes!
Just then, two cars with Changning license plates stopped outside Jinxiu Palace. Six men stepped out and strode inside.
"Welcome, good eve--"
The reception manager didn't get to finish before one of them stuffed his hands with cash: "Fuck off. We're looking for someone."
They were Fu Zhixin's men here to "invite" Zhao Yan.
"Of course." The manager scurried away quickly.
"Boss Quan, that punk over there," one of them pointed at Zhao Yan in the distance.
Sensing trouble, Zhao Yan looked up to see six unfriendly men headed his way.
"Just Fu Qiang's issue, I guess," he muttered to himself.
Of all the offenses in Changning, only Fu Qiang had reason to deal with him.
The chatting and frolicking Chen Mao and friends sensed the odd atmosphere and quickly dropped their girls.
Liu Qiang stood up: "Who the hell are you guys!"
"None of your business, sit down!" One of them directly pushed Liu Qiang back onto the sofa.
Chen Mao and Zhang Yuan also jumped up simultaneously: "Fuck off! Try that again if you dare!"
The four buddies were close so they had short fuses, especially lubricated with alcohol.
Of course they didn't have Guo Kun's peaceful restraint. But a good fight could also blow off steam effectively.
"Sit down," Zhao Yan called out to the two men. He looked at the six and asked: "Something about Fu Qiang, I presume?"
In Changning, he'd only offended that one guy.
"You know why we're here," Boss Quan said expressionlessly.
Zhao Yan crossed his legs casually and asked interestedly: "Hey, you think you can take me away tonight?"
"Heh, wanna try?" Little Quan mocked disdainfully.
"Who the hell are you to cause trouble in my place? Tired of living?"
Jinxiu Palace Boss Chen rushed over with his security men after getting news.
Little Quan addressed the boss: "Boss Chen, we're from Sanhe Gang in Changning. Boss Fu sends his regards."
Slap!
Boss Chen replied with a resounding slap and yelled crudely: "Fuck you! So you wanna slap my face for him? Tell that asshole to come ask me himself!"
The slap stunned Little Quan speechless.
"So sorry to bother you over these stupid mutts, Young Master Zhao. I'll take out the trash right away," Boss Chen apologized profusely to Zhao Yan.
Little Quan couldn't believe his eyes at the scene. Boss Chen slighted even the Sanhe Gang's reputation for this guy? What background does he have?
Zhao Yan waved lazily: "No worries. They came for me anyway. Handle it however."
"Of course." Boss Chen signaled his security.
Zhao Yan smiled amusedly at Little Quan: "Still the question - do you think you can take me away tonight?"
As he finished speaking, wine splashed towards Little Quan's face. Alcohol trickled down his forehead but Little Quan stood there rigidly, fists clenched and jaws tight without emitting a squeak.
"In Binhai, I wouldn't even need to lift a finger to deal with you. Who knows how you'd die or why," Zhao Yan sneered and didn't bother glancing at the six men again.
The Jinxiu Palace security proceeded to drag the six men out forcibly. No one cared what would happen to them next.
After Boss Chen left, Zhao Yan gestured the lobby manager over and whispered something. The manager nodded and walked away.
The music suddenly stopped and the DJ grabbed the microphone, shouting, "Tonight, all drinks are on Zhao Yan!"
Zhao Yan stood up and raised his glass, gesturing all around.
"Cheers to Zhao Yan! To Zhao Yan!"
"Awooo!"
The hall was instantly filled with the sound of apes howling without restraint.
Everyone began exhibiting serious atavistic tendencies.