Chen Liuhe didn't ask how Huang Baiwan managed to uncover so much, nor how he obtained all those photos. He knew the process must have been dangerous, but in many matters, the outcome was all that truly mattered.
He flipped through the stack of photos, a playful, dangerous grin spreading across his face.
Zhou Yunkang, Vice President of the Black Dragon Group, was the son-in-law of Chairman Zhang Yongfu. He had transformed from a petty thug into a powerful figure, a true "phoenix man" climbing the ranks through marriage.
It was this man who had long coveted Qin Ruohan's entertainment club, and it was he who was relentlessly pressuring her. Given his notoriously philandering nature, Chen Liuhe guessed this scoundrel wouldn't just be content with grabbing the club; he'd likely try to seize Qin Ruohan herself.
"In some ways, this guy is a talent," Chen Liuhe mused sarcastically.
Huang Baiwan flashed his yellow teeth. "Who says he isn't?"
Tossing the photos onto the table, Chen Liuhe pondered for a moment, then glanced at his silent phone. He chuckled wryly, thinking: Today's the third day, the deadline Zhou Yunkang gave Qin Ruohan. She should be in a frenzy, but it's strangely quiet. She hasn't even called.
Had she completely given up, abandoning the thought of him as a last resort?
Never mind. Since Little Sister felt a pang of sympathy for you, I won't let you suffer the same fate as her. With that thought, Chen Liuhe tucked the photos into his pocket. "Still got some fight in you, Old Huang? If so, come with me, we have business to take care of."
"Brother Six's command is my command. Even if I have to crawl, Old Huang will follow!" Huang Baiwan pushed himself up, wincing as his wounds protested.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see a good show. I just hope it hasn't already started," Chen Liuhe said, pushing his rickety tricycle out of the courtyard. "In this show, we're the true heroes, the righteous ones. Tonight, we're going to take on the big villain!"
Huang Baiwan, limping behind him, chimed in, "The villain's end is either a miserable death, or they're so stunned by our heroic aura that they submit!"
Chen Liuhe wore cheap street clothes and flip-flops, pedaling his broken tricycle (one pedal missing) with great effort. In the cargo bed, Huang Baiwan, wrapped in bandages and looking barely better than a beggar, sat hunched.
They moved through the bustling night market, an incredibly eye-catching pair that drew stares wherever they went.
Chen Liuhe called Qin Ruohan, but her phone was off. This made him frown. If his guess was right, Qin Ruohan was in trouble. He just wondered if he'd make it in time.
At this moment, Chen Liuhe felt little guilt or burden. If Qin Ruohan could hold out until he arrived, that was her luck. If not, Chen Liuhe couldn't help, and he wouldn't feel the slightest apology. They were strangers, after all. His willingness to offer even a small hand was already a gesture of goodwill.
He didn't head to Qin Ruohan's home, but directly to the club she managed.
Chen Liuhe was familiar with the basic details. The "Golden Jade Hall" entertainment club was located on a fairly busy street in Bianzhou. It wasn't particularly large or luxurious, a mid-range establishment spread across five floors, offering KTV, sauna, wellness, beauty services, and simple entertainment facilities.
When Chen Liuhe and Huang Baiwan arrived, the open space in front of the club was packed with cars, mostly mid-range. There were a few Mercedes and BMWs, but higher-end luxury cars were rare.
Business is good here, was Chen Liuhe's first thought. He surveyed the club, a faint smile on his lips. Though ordinary, this club was still worth twenty to thirty million. That scoundrel Zhou Yunkang wanted to snatch it for two million? No wonder Qin Ruohan would rather die than agree.
Standing before the club, Huang Baiwan was also filled with envy. He had never been inside such a fancy establishment. If he could just get in and spend some time with the beautiful girls inside, he'd be willing to shorten his life by two or three years.
"Brother Six, that's Zhou Yunkang's car," Huang Baiwan pointed to a Mercedes commercial van parked not far away.
"You sure?" Chen Liuhe asked.
Huang Baiwan affirmed, "I followed him for two days. I wouldn't mistake his car. Not a single digit of the license plate is wrong."
Chen Liuhe smiled and, with Huang Baiwan in tow, swaggered towards the club.
The two of them, in their current state, looked nothing like patrons. The moment they entered the lobby, they were immediately eyed by security personnel, who regarded them with wary suspicion, as if expecting them to beg for money or commit petty theft.
These two, however, had thick skin. They completely ignored the stares. Chen Liuhe simply didn't care, and Huang Baiwan was accustomed to it.
Chen Liuhe, in his flip-flops, clacked his way to the front desk and directly addressed the moderately attractive receptionist in uniform: "I'm looking for your boss. Where is she?"
The receptionist, though also one to judge by appearance, maintained some professional courtesy. At least she didn't openly show contempt. She looked surprised but politely said, "You're looking for our CEO Qin?"
"Yes, I'm looking for Qin Ruohan," Chen Liuhe replied with a smile, a lazy grin that was quite punchable. He paused, then continued, "Miss, if you don't want to get scolded or fired later, I advise you to tell me where Qin Ruohan is."
Finally, Chen Liuhe added with utmost sincerity, "Really, I'm not lying."
The receptionists would never believe that someone like Chen Liuhe could be involved with their high-class, beautiful, and wealthy boss. So, they didn't take his words seriously.
"I'm sorry, sir, our CEO Qin is busy right now and cannot see anyone. How about this: if you truly have urgent business, you can call her private number," the receptionist said, though a hint of impatience and mockery had crept into her eyes.
Chen Liuhe shook his head helplessly. "I already called, but her phone is off. Are you sure you won't tell me where she is?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I can't help you with that." The receptionist was full of disdain. This kind of toad wants to see CEO Qin? If I let him up, CEO Qin would probably fire me!
Chen Liuhe nodded. Just then, the security guards, who had been itching to move, finally stepped forward. They surrounded Chen Liuhe and Huang Baiwan. "Hey, punks, you're not trying to cause trouble, are you? You better wise up and see where you are. If you're not paying customers, leave now, or don't blame us for getting rough!" The speaker was the club's security captain, a man in his thirties.
"I'm looking for Qin Ruohan. Where is she?" Chen Liuhe asked calmly, his smile unchanged.
"You're not welcome here! Get out immediately, hear me? You want to see our CEO Qin? Go pee in a puddle and look at yourself!" the security captain said rudely. Not only did he not believe Chen Liuhe had any connection to CEO Qin, but even if he did, he wouldn't let him in. CEO Qin was currently in an important meeting with Big Brother Zhou of the Black Dragon Group. He needed to play his part well for Big Brother Zhou. If he could curry favor with Big Brother Zhou, wouldn't he be able to walk around fearlessly in the future?
He was scheming his own petty benefits, betraying his employer. As he spoke, he reached out to shove Chen Liuhe. He was a large man, a former soldier for a few years, and looked sturdy and fierce.
But before his hand could even touch Chen Liuhe, Huang Baiwan exploded. He launched an incredibly ungraceful flying kick that landed squarely on the captain's waist, sending him stumbling.
"Brother Six, you go first! Old Huang will cover your back!" Huang Baiwan yelled, ignoring his own wounds splitting and bleeding. He lunged at the security captain. He knew well that once a fight started, there was no peaceful resolution. Since it couldn't be settled peacefully, they had to go all out.
"Damn it! Beat them! Beat these two lowlifes to death!" the security captain roared, enraged. The moment he spoke, the five or six waiting security guards immediately moved in. Anyone working security in such a place had some guts. When they said they'd fight, they meant it.
"Hmph, looking for death!" Chen Liuhe chuckled softly, shaking his head. He didn't move with the swiftness of a leaping rabbit, nor did he display an overwhelming aura of power. He simply sauntered towards the ready-to-fight security guards.
He tilted his head slightly, dodging a punch. Chen Liuhe precisely grasped the opponent's wrist and, with a light squeeze, the man let out a pig-like shriek. His wrist bone was directly dislocated by Chen Liuhe.
Simultaneously, Chen Liuhe raised his right leg and lightly tapped another security guard's chest. Without visible effort, the guard immediately toppled to the ground, hitting his head and bleeding profusely.
In just five or six swift moves, all the security guards were groaning on the floor, not a single one able to stand up again.
Chen Liuhe, in contrast, was perfectly calm, his breathing steady and even.
All of this happened in less than thirty seconds, leaving the passing guests and waiters utterly dumbfounded.
Huang Baiwan and the security captain were still wrestling. Old Huang's fighting ability was no match for the security captain, and he was getting beaten savagely on the ground. But Old Huang was tough. He seized an opportunity and bit down hard on the captain's neck, making him scream in pain.
Huang Baiwan was definitely the type who fought without regard for his own life! He pulled out the dagger from behind his waist and pressed it directly against the captain's throat.
"Damn you! Move one more inch, and Grandpa will slit your throat!" Huang Baiwan snarled viciously.