Volume One: High School Days Chapter 78: Go Again!

In the private room, the ten bosses were rendered speechless by the gold card that Liusheng produced. After the bodyguards left, Liusheng instructed all the remaining staff to leave as well. Tang Xin followed the others out, but before she left, Liusheng said to her, "Don’t go far. I’ll come find you in a bit." Liusheng knew that anyone working in a place like this either had difficulties or a past. He intended to help Tang Xin out, to get her away from such a dangerous environment—one never knew what could happen to a young woman here.

When only the ten bosses, Liusheng, and Ren Xiadong were left in the room, President Liu stood up, bowing respectfully to Liusheng as he asked, “May I ask your name, sir?”

Liusheng didn’t answer. Instead, he brandished the gold card and asked, “Do you recognize this?”

“Of course, of course!” Liu replied, nodding fervently. “That’s Old Master Hu’s authority card. Seeing this card is as good as meeting Old Master Hu himself. Only those he trusts most can possess it—ordinary people can’t hope to get one. Even though I’m the chief administrator of Chong City, I’m not qualified to own one.”

Liusheng listened and examined the card closely. He had thought it was a common token, but now realized its extraordinary weight. He felt like a favored official in imperial times, sent to adjudicate cases on the emperor’s behalf, basking in glory and pride.

Though he was elated inside, outwardly Liusheng remained stern. He shoved Liu onto the sofa, then seated himself on the table, looking over the ten bosses. He picked up a wine glass and handed it to Ren Xiadong, who also sat on the table, sipping wine and eyeing the boss of Aochuang.

The Aochuang boss hurriedly apologized to Ren Xiadong, “Ah, I’m so sorry about earlier. I didn’t know you two were with Old Master Hu.”

Ren Xiadong, still recalling how President Hao had tried to make Liusheng drink, picked up the same bottle of red wine and said to Hao, “Finish this bottle, and I’ll let it go for today.”

President Hao slapped himself hard twice, grabbed the bottle, and began to chug. When he’d finished, he looked like he might vomit. Ren Xiadong added, “You sure can drink, President Hao. I’ll let it go for today—but that doesn’t mean my boss will.”

Hearing this, President Hao’s heart sank; he felt disaster looming.

Liusheng surveyed the room again and said, “President Li, President Hao, I heard every word you just said. Also, Old Master Hu wants you both to disappear from Chong City immediately. From now on, Meyer is mine, along with all the major enterprises in Chong City!”

President Li slumped onto the sofa. After a long pause, he said, “Don’t push me too far. I’ve been the boss since Meyer was founded. Don’t think you can say anything just because you have that authority card! If you force me, you won’t fare well either!”

He stood and shouted to the bodyguards outside, “All of you, get in here!”

This time, more than twenty bodyguards flooded in. President Li smiled at them and said, “Even a dragon can’t subdue a local snake. Meyer needs me—only in my hands is it the nation’s top film and television company. If I’m gone, Chong City will descend into chaos, because everyone here listens to me. Old Master Hu wants you to take over, but if I kill you, there’ll be no better replacement, and Hu won’t dare touch me!”

Still seated on the table, Liusheng took a sip of wine and asked the group, “Is that what you all think?”

No one dared look up or respond. They all knew that when a new official takes office, there are always drastic changes. No one wanted to be caught in the crossfire of Liusheng’s wrath.

President Liu, seeing no one speak, yelled, “You always say I’m your god—why aren’t any of you talking now, huh?!”

He turned his glare to President Hao, scolding, “And you! Why are you silent now?”

Hao, dull-eyed, kept muttering, “It’s over. Everything’s over. I’ve lost everything.”

Liu slapped Hao hard, snapping him out of it. Hao immediately stood up and slapped Liu back, shouting, “You’re nothing now! Damn it! You always bullied me, this is what you deserve!”

Stunned by Hao’s sudden retaliation, Liu was caught off guard—his own lapdog biting him back. They began to brawl furiously.

Liusheng turned to the bodyguards and waved the gold authority card in front of them. “Take good care of President Li and President Hao.”

The bodyguards, knowing Liusheng was Old Master Hu’s man and Chong City’s new master, unhesitatingly set upon Liu and Hao, pummeling them without mercy.

Naturally, Ren Xiadong couldn’t miss out; he muscled his way into the fray. Soon, his voice rang out, “Who?! Who the hell kicked me?!”

There were so many people involved, it was impossible to tell who was hitting whom.

After a while, when no more screams could be heard from Liu and Hao, Liusheng hurriedly called for a stop. When the bodyguards finally ceased, Ren Xiadong was still going, kicking and singing, “Lying like a bow, hey! Standing like a pine, ha!”

Only then did Liusheng realize Ren Xiadong was still wearing headphones—he had no idea when he’d put them on. Liusheng pulled him away and removed the headphones, saying, “If you keep going, they’ll die!”

Ren Xiadong finally noticed everyone had stopped and, a bit embarrassed, said, “I got too into the role. Actually, I haven’t even used my Eight Trigram Linked Palms yet.”

Hearing this, Liusheng couldn’t help but burst out laughing. But business was business. He grabbed Liu by the hair and said, “Disappear at once. If I see you in Chong City after today, I won’t be merciful. The chief steward will come to Meyer at the end of the month to announce my appointment and thoroughly audit your assets. I’ll let you take enough money to support your family, but if you take more, no matter where you run, Huayong’s people will find you!”

Realizing his fate was sealed, Liu gave up resisting. “Thank you for sparing my life. I knew this day would come, but I didn’t expect it so soon. I never thought my successor would show me mercy.”

With that, Liu dragged himself out of the room.

After Liu had left, Liusheng looked at the barely-upright Hao and said, “I’d better hear you’ve resigned by tomorrow, or you can expect bankruptcy!”

Hao struggled to his feet, then quickly knelt before Liusheng, begging, “Please, give me another chance! I’ll obey your every command from now on—just let me stay, I’ll serve you loyally!”

“No need. Old Master Hu knows everything about you and Liu. My actions tonight are his orders. You’re too dangerous—Liu ended up like this because of you. Keeping you would be planting a bomb for myself. Like Liu, you can take enough to support your family, but not a cent more. I expect to hear Aochuang has a new owner tomorrow.” Liusheng’s face was expressionless as he spoke.

He signaled for the bodyguards to carry Hao out. Once Hao was gone, Liusheng looked at the remaining eight bosses. As his gaze fell upon them, all eight dropped to their knees, scrambling to shower him with flattery.

Liusheng turned to Ren Xiadong and asked, “How should these be dealt with?”

“Send them all packing! They’re nothing but fence-sitters who scatter at the first sign of trouble—useless to keep around!” Ren Xiadong declared, prompting another round of sycophancy from the eight bosses.

Watching Ren Xiadong enjoy their fawning, Liusheng asked, “How does it feel to have power? Better than endless money, isn’t it?”

Lost in the pleasure of being flattered, Ren Xiadong didn’t even hear him.

When he felt it had gone on long enough, Liusheng said, “Alright, take your seats. Let me be clear: this time, I’ll let it go. If there’s a next time, I’ll show no mercy. As long as you abide by the peace treaty, I won’t make things difficult for you. Understood?”

They all nodded fervently. Liusheng had never intended to trouble them; his purpose tonight was simply to dismiss Liu and Hao and establish his authority. Judging by the effect he’d had on these eight, the road ahead would be much smoother.

Suddenly, Liusheng asked, “We keep talking about the peace treaty—what exactly is it?”

The eight bosses gaped at him in astonishment. What kind of situation was this? He’d come in blazing, yet didn’t even know what the peace treaty was.

They hurried to explain, “The peace treaty is established by Huayong. It’s simple, really, as the name suggests: fair competition. We’re forbidden from using illegal means or colluding to damage other enterprises’ interests. Most importantly, the administrator is there to prevent such things, must not assist any party, and can punish any business.”

Hearing this, Liusheng thought to himself, “Looks like I really will have unchecked power in Chong City—how exhilarating!” He then warned the eight bosses, “I don’t take office officially until the end of the month. Until then, keep your mouths shut. If I find out anyone’s been talking nonsense, don’t blame me for being harsh! Alright, you can continue your fun—I’m leaving.”

As Liusheng and Ren Xiadong stepped out of the private room, they found Tang Xin waiting at the door, now changed into her own clothes. Liusheng said, “Long time no see. Let’s go eat together.”

Chong City was famous for its hotpot—even Liusheng’s own hotpot restaurant was co-owned with a local. Although he’d been in Chong City for days, this was his first time tasting authentic local hotpot.

In the restaurant, the three of them were soon sweating profusely, the table strewn with plates and used napkins.

“The more I eat, the spicier it gets! It’s even hotter than your place’s hotpot,” Ren Xiadong remarked to Liusheng between mouthfuls.

Tang Xin turned to Liusheng in surprise, “You own a hotpot restaurant? Why didn’t you say so? I love hotpot.”

Again, Ren Xiadong joked, “Marry him, and you’ll get free hotpot every day.”

Liusheng didn’t answer. Instead, he asked Tang Xin directly, “Why are you working in that place, and dancing those seductive dances?”

“Were you captivated by me?” Tang Xin wiped her brow and continued, “I just want to earn lots and lots of money, that’s why I work there.” She paused, her eyes filling with tears, and said, “Everyone thinks I’m impure anyway, so I might as well let them see me that way!”

“I told you—I’ll protect you. You don’t have to live a hard life. Don’t go back there tomorrow. If you need money, just tell me.”

“No,” Tang Xin replied quickly. “I want to rely on myself. Even though I work in a place like that, I’m still a good girl!”

Liusheng’s heart jolted; he was instantly reminded of Xiaoya, who had once said the same thing. If only he’d intervened back then, perhaps Xiaoya would be his now, not someone else’s wife. Pointing at Tang Xin, he barked, “If you dare go back, I’ll break your legs!”

His words stunned both Tang Xin and Ren Xiadong. Every diner in the place turned to stare at Liusheng. Realizing he’d lost his composure, he quickly grabbed a piece of meat, popped it in his mouth, and mumbled through the steam, “So hot, so hot.”

Tang Xin, instead of being angry, burst out laughing and looked at Liusheng with her hands pressed to her cheeks. “Do you really like me?”

Staring at Tang Xin’s face, radiant with happiness, Liusheng found himself at a loss for words. He was afraid—afraid of losing her.

Ren Xiadong, however, chimed in, “Whether he likes you or not, I think he really does.”