"Perfect," he mumbled to himself.
"Sold to the nice customer of a million! Next up..."
Everything was going according to his plan and just as he had suspected, the exact people he was after also placed an amount on the last lady.
"... congratulations to those who got themselves these lovely ladies."
"Let me go say hello," he said and walked out of the room.
He approached the group of men and upon noticing him, they all moved back giving him room to walk in as he headed towards their leader. The leader looked up from the ladies by his side and smiled.
"Well look who it is."
Ding nodded his head and sat opposite him.
"Have you been well?" he asked and the leader sat up, back straight.
"I've been good what about you Mr. Ding?"
Ding raised his right hand and examined his fingers before replying," Depends on you guys though."
The leader chuckled nervously at this," I assure you that none of my men have left my sight."
"Really? None of them escaped and went about causing trouble on my turf?"
The leader rubbed his hands together and licked his dry lips before speaking," Of course not. Who is stupid enough to cause trouble on your area? I'd have them killed before you tell me to do so."
"Well then, I'll let you deal with your men. I trust you'll keep a close eye on your men and punish them accordingly."
"Of course," he said his head slightly bowed.
"Before I forget..."
He popped open a bottle and poured the contents into a glass before handing it to the man behind the leader.
"I like this one, so masculine. Here have a drink."
The man nervously took the glass and looked around his companions who only averted their eyes.
"Sir... I..."
"What? You won't drink something poured by me?"
The man shook his head and emptied the glass in a single gulp. A burning sensation crept up from the pit of his stomach and he fell onto his knees groaning in pain.
"That's that then. See you around," he said and walked out of sight.
Once he was a few feet away, the men surrounded the groaning man and helped him out of the casino and as soon as he set foot outside the casino, his body went limp as small streams of blood flowed out of his slightly open mouth.
"Boss... what happened to him?"
"Apparently, he was that guy's target. Such a pity, not only was my fun night ruined but I also lost one of my best men. Toss his body in a trash bin or the river," he said and walked towards his car.
Ding walked towards the room Lian and Larry had disappeared into and slightly knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Larry's voice asked from behind the closed door.
Ding did not respond but banged on the door causing Larry to curse. He angrily stomped towards the door and flung it open.
"I asked who..."
His voice trailed off once he saw the figure by the door. He moved to shut the door but Ding grabbed the door frame and stopped him in his tracks.
"Why are you kicking a guest out?" he asked and pushed his way past him and into the room.
"What are you doing here?" he asked and Ding shrugged his shoulders.
"I was doing my rounds checking if the customers were comfortable."
"Are you done? I'd very much like it if you left."
"Did I disrupt something?" Ding asked eyes scanning the place," I don't see your partner. Did you maybe hide them?"
"You know that this is invasion of privacy right? Kindly leave while am asking nicely."
Ding closed the distance between them and Larry retreated from his towering figure.
"What was that? 'Leave while am asking nicely' ?"
Larry gulped and stared into his eyes not wanting to let Ding's intimidation get the best of him.
"You heard me so please, get out."
"And what if I don't leave? What will you do?"
"I'll have my father arrest you and put you behind bars for violation of privacy."
"So you'll just go whine to your daddy? Is that the best you can do?" Ding asked and Larry grit his teeth in anger.
"Do you know who my father is?"
"I have no interest in talking to a daddy's boy," Ding said and turned his back to him and walked towards the sofa's crossed together by the corner.
"Hey! What are you..."
As he approached the small enclosure, he heard heavy pants. He peered into the space and saw Lian all tied up and beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Oh.. look what I just found," he said and easily lifted Lian from the 'prison'.
"Put him down!"
Ding ignored him and checked Lian's pulse. After confirming it was nothing serious, he carried him in his arms and walked towards the door.
"Where do you think you're taking my prisoner?" he asked standing by the door blocking the path.
"Move!"
"You want to take him with you? Then you'll have to go through me."
Ding raised his right brow and pulled Lian closer to him.
"Okay."
Larry bawled his hands into fists and lunged forward but Ding dodged his attack, stretched his leg and tackled him. Larry fell to the ground and Ding walked out of the door.
"Sir! What happened to the young man?"
"Don't worry about him. Go check on daddy's boy in the VIP room."
"Should I eliminate him?"
"Not yet. Just teach him a lesson. Am heading back first."
With that he walked out numerous eyes on him.
"Look at what you got yourself into. If I hadn't arrived when I did who knows what that guy would have done to you."
Lian wondering why the bed was bumpy, stirred and opened his eyes. His vision was still blurry and thinking he must be dreaming, raised his hand and grabbed Ding's cheek.
"What's this... am I even dreaming of him? What a lovely dream... you look so real..."
Lian fondled with Ding's face pinching him lightly here and there.
What did he say just now? Did he really say dream? I shouldn't be surprised or anything but does he really think this is a dream? What the hell did that bastard have you drink? Anyway let's not get carried away by his innocent actions.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Hehe~ so soft," Lian said running his finger on Ding's bottom lip, clearly ignoring the fact of crossing a line.
Ding turned his head to the left annoyed by how touchy he was. Lian's bottom lip quivered as he tried to hold back his tears and Ding noticed this.
"What are you..."