When Jin Haili, surrounded by his entourage, entered the Jinxiu Club, Ye Qiu's taxi arrived leisurely at the entrance. Ye Qiu glanced at the antique-style sign at the club's entrance but didn't get out immediately.
"All this money... is it all mine?" the taxi driver asked, his face flushed with excitement, his fingers trembling as he pointed to the stack of money on the dashboard.
"Yes," Ye Qiu confirmed, but his mind was preoccupied with figuring out how to get inside. He knew most clubs required a membership card. He wondered if this one did too.
"Do you know anything about Jinxiu?" Ye Qiu asked, turning to the driver, who was busy counting his money.
"No, I've only heard of the Yanjing Club and the Great Wall Club. Never heard of this small club," the driver replied excitedly, thrilled by the large tip.
Ye Qiu was disappointed. He had hoped the driver, with his extensive knowledge of the city, might know something useful. He caressed his platinum ring and decisively opened the car door.
Walking confidently to the entrance, Ye Qiu was greeted by the welcoming staff with a smile and a bow but was not asked for any credentials.
Did I just walk in? No need for any excuse? Ye Qiu thought as he made his way inside.
It was daytime, so the club was sparsely populated. The ground floor housed a bar where a few people sat, chatting quietly. Occasional laughter echoed through the room. Two elevators were in the main hall. As Ye Qiu pondered how to find Jin Haili, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened to reveal two men in black suits, grinning coldly at him.
Ye Qiu scanned the area with his peripheral vision and noted no signs of being surrounded. He then looked directly at the two men, who were Jin Haili's bodyguards.
"Looking for Mr. Jin?" asked the man with a neat mustache and short hair.
Ye Qiu knew denying it now would be pointless. He straightforwardly replied, "I have a business deal to discuss with Mr. Jin."
"A business deal? Please, come with us. Mr. Jin asked us to bring you up," the mustached man said, stepping aside and gesturing for Ye Qiu to enter the elevator.
As Ye Qiu stepped in, the two men suddenly grabbed his shoulders and twisted his arms behind his back, forcing him down.
Surprised at their success, the men realized this guy was all show and no substance. They had expected someone who dared to follow them alone to be a tough opponent, but he turned out to be a pushover.
"Is this necessary?" Ye Qiu asked calmly, not resisting.
His composure surprised them. Despite being restrained, he remained unruffled. Could he really just be here for business?
"Shut up. Mr. Jin ordered us to bring you over," the mustached man barked, pressing the elevator button. The elevator ascended slowly.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, and Ye Qiu, held by the two men, was led down a hallway lined with numbered rooms. He glanced up and saw the number '3,' indicating they were on the third floor. This reassured him; jumping from the third floor wouldn't cause him any harm.
They stopped at room '306.' The mustached man knocked rhythmically. The door opened without a response.
"Get in," the mustached man said, shoving Ye Qiu inside. The door closed behind them as the two men stood guard. Jin Haili sat on a corner sofa, holding a glass of red wine, smiling at Ye Qiu.
"Boss, we brought him," the mustached man reported, secretly lamenting another bloody encounter. People Jin Haili scrutinized like this usually ended up dead or seriously injured.
"Despite my refined appearance, I have a bad temper. You only get one chance to answer. Who sent you?" Jin Haili asked, sipping his wine, his smile masking his wariness.
The young man before him, even when surrounded, remained calm. This composure was rare and indicated high intelligence. Such a person wouldn't easily trap himself without a fallback.
"I came on my own," Ye Qiu replied calmly.
This was the truth, but he knew they wouldn't believe it. As expected, the mustached man struck him hard in the back, cursing, "Tell the truth. Our boss doesn't have time for your games."
Ye Qiu winced, waiting for the pain to subside before looking at Jin Haili with a smile. "Is this your way of treating guests?"
"Guests?" Jin Haili's caution deepened, though his demeanor remained calm. "I don't consider you a friend. But—your demeanor intrigues me. Today, I'll make an exception. Why were you following me?"
Ye Qiu glanced at the two men behind him. "I don't like talking to people with my head down."
Jin Haili was taken aback by his audacity but smirked, "But I like people talking to me that way."
"Then one of us will be disappointed."
"That will be you. I don't like feeling disappointed," Jin Haili said, signaling the mustached man, ready to neutralize any threat.
The mustached man aimed another elbow at Ye Qiu's head, while his partner tightened his grip on Ye Qiu's arms. But Ye Qiu, instead of dodging left or right, pulled down with their force. As the two lost balance, Ye Qiu kicked backward, hitting their stomachs.
Thud—Thud—
Both men staggered and fell, while Ye Qiu flipped up, standing and smiling at Jin Haili.
"I don't like feeling disappointed either," Ye Qiu said.