Chapter 135: Casino Opening, Police Ribbon-Cutting

Inside the hotel, more than a dozen tables were filled with guests exchanging toasts and laughing merrily. Night was gradually falling. Outside, the sunlight had grown soft, losing the blazing heat of midday as well as the morning freshness. The evening sun cast its golden glow across the sea surface, stirring up layer upon layer of gentle ripples.

Outside, small groups of people strolled by, mostly elderly folks accompanied by children, walking along the seaside path and breathing in the freshest air of the approaching dusk. Many people were playing on the small patch of beach. This was a unique characteristic of Jianghuai City. Among all coastal cities, Jianghuai was the only one truly suited for living and leisure. Not only did it boast the magnificent and boundless ocean, but it also featured the lush, tree-shaded Xiangming Mountain. Furthermore, the overall cost of living in Jianghuai City was relatively low compared to other coastal cities.

At the Municipal Government Staff Quarters:

The rooms were brightly lit. That evening, Jiang Zhonggen was watching television at home with his wife and Jiang Wei.

"Dad, I want to ask you a favor. Will you do it?" Jiang Wei finally mustered up his courage.

"Oh? What is it?" Jiang Zhonggen paused, looking at Jiang Wei curiously as he asked, "Nothing disgraceful, I hope? If it's a legitimate matter, I can help!"

"Yes, it's definitely legitimate!" Jiang Wei nodded immediately and said, "Tomorrow, some friends and I are opening an entertainment city in the University Town. I hope you, Dad, can come and do the ribbon-cutting!"

"Heh, do you take me for a fool?" Jiang Zhonggen glared at Jiang Wei and said, "I know very well what you've set up there in the University Town. It's a casino disguised under the facade of an entertainment city, but inside it's a large-scale gambling den. Let me tell you, you'd better steer clear of such things. Even if the government turns a blind eye, the Yanlong Gang will surely intervene. For Feng Zhixiao and his crew to snatch food right out of Yan Bu'er's mouth is a blatant provocation against him. Yan Bu'er is an extremely dangerous man. You need to be careful!"

"Dad, won't you even help out with this one favor?" Jiang Wei asked with a bitter expression, "I've already told the guys that you'd be coming to help with the ribbon-cutting!"

"I certainly cannot go!" Jiang Zhonggen shook his head immediately and said, "However, I can send Secretary Liu in my place."

Jiang Zhonggen did not push matters to the extreme because he could see from his son's exhaustion and the weight he had lost over the past few days of rushing around that the boy was genuinely putting his heart into this endeavor. It was rare for his son to care deeply about something; even if it involved the underworld, there was no reason not to support him. However, for the sake of his own political future and career advancement, Jiang Zhonggen had to mind his public image. By sending Secretary Liu, if anyone reported the matter, he would be able to distance himself completely.

"Alright, that works too!" Jiang Wei nodded instantly. In Jiang Wei's eyes, Secretary Liu's influence was virtually on par with Jiang Zhonggen's. Who wouldn't treat Secretary Liu with the exact same respectful deference as they would the boss himself? Jiang Zhonggen glanced at Jiang Wei and said, "Jiang Wei, after I move to the provincial capital, you need to mind your image. You will be the son of the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, after all. If you keep acting like you used to, it will make things very difficult for me in the provincial committee!"

"Don't worry, Dad. I know how to behave," Jiang Wei nodded and said, "Once the entertainment city opens, I'll manage it diligently. I want to prove to you both that I can validate my own values through my actions!"

"Haha..." Jiang Zhonggen laughed heartily.

To this, Jiang Zhonggen would not intervene because he believed that even if Yan Bu'er targeted that casino, he would not dare lay a hand on his son. Jiang Zhonggen only needed to ensure his own son's safety; there was no need to worry about anyone else. As for the lives of Feng Zhixiao, Ye Chen, and the others, they had nothing to do with him.

***

The next day, the University Town was a scene of roaring gongs, beating drums, and fluttering red banners. A lion dance troupe and a percussion troupe specially invited by Feng Zhixiao and his associates performed at the entrance, attracting numerous passersby. A huge signboard was hung above what used to be a hot pot restaurant. A red carpet stretched all the way from the street into the entertainment city. Feng Zhixiao and the others carried massive boxes, distributing crystal coins outside while shouting at the top of their lungs, "Ten crystal coins per person, while supplies last!"

"Is... is this an entertainment city?"

"Of course it is! A casino wearing the signboard of an entertainment city, isn't it the same as the entertainment cities in those other places?"

Passersby chattered among themselves, rushing forward to grab the crystal coins while they talked. At that moment, various figures of influence began to arrive. The first to arrive was Li Ruo from Tianya Group, riding in a domineering black Grand Voyager. Captain Cao leaped out of the vehicle, and Jin GuoYou immediately moved to secure the perimeter with another bodyguard. The three bodyguards formed a triangular defensive formation as Lin Ziwen walked closely behind Li Ruo.

"Wow, isn't that President Li of Tianya Group?"

"She's so gorgeous! Way prettier than on TV!"

The crowd instantly buzzed with excitement. However, Li Ruo maintained her icy, expressionless demeanor. The bodyguards behind her carried a flower basket forward and placed it by the entrance. Li Ruo walked up and finally revealed a trace of a smile, saying to Feng Zhixiao, "Zhixiao, congratulations on your grand opening. Wishing you booming business!"

"Ah, President Li, thank you so much!" Feng Zhixiao hurriedly shook Li Ruo's hand, looking utterly flattered. Meanwhile, Ye Chen, who was smoking a cigarette to the side, was left out in the cold. Feng Zhixiao caught this detail and looked curiously between Ye Chen and Li Ruo. The two seemed to be at odds. Wearing a knowing smile, Feng Zhixiao said to Li Ruo, "President Li, let me introduce you to our boss here, Ye Chen!"

"No need!" Li Ruo shook her head and walked off with Lin Ziwen toward a seating area.

Feng Zhixiao immediately sidled up to Ye Chen and asked, "Brother Chen, what's wrong? Having a spat with sister-in-law?!"

"Go to hell!" Ye Chen cursed, "When did she ever become your sister-in-law? Watch out or you'll get castrated!"

Hiss...

Feng Zhixiao shivered, instinctively covering his crotch, and then grinned broadly. "Well, isn't that just a matter of time? Brother Chen, the revolution hasn't succeeded yet, comrade; you still need to work hard! You've got to knock President Li off her feet..."

At that moment, a black Audi slowly drove up. Just the license plate alone sparked a wave of astonishment among the crowd.

"Damn, isn't that the Municipal Party Secretary's car? What is he doing here too?"

"Oh, it really is! Looks like this casino has heavy backing if they can even invite the Municipal Party Secretary!"

"We won't have to worry about getting busted when we come here to play anymore!"

The citizens discussed it animatedly. Some people who loved to gamble but were somewhat timid instantly felt reassured. If even the Municipal Party Secretary came to congratulate them, wasn't that as good as telling everyone this casino was under the municipal government's protection?

Secretary Liu stepped out of the car, and the driver hurriedly held up a flower basket, placing it at the entrance. Secretary Liu walked over to Ye Chen with a beaming smile and said, "Brother Ye, congratulations on the grand opening, may your business flourish!"

Ye Chen hadn't expected someone from the municipal government to show up. Upon second thought, however, Jiang Zhonggen sending Secretary Liu was a rather clever move. Ye Chen smiled and said, "Secretary Liu, you are an esteemed guest. Come, let me introduce you—this is the beautiful president of Tianya Group, President Li!"

"Oh, President Li, you're here too!" Secretary Liu was startled, his eyes widening in surprise. He hadn't expected Li Ruo, who rarely attended public events, to appear here as well, and he couldn't help but feel amazed. Li Ruo gave a faint smile and replied, "And aren't you here as well?"

At this moment, Jiang Wei hurried over with a smile, saying, "Uncle Liu, you're here. Where's my dad?"

"Oh, Xiao Wei, your dad was too busy with work to come, so he sent me instead!" Secretary Liu chuckled. "You wouldn't blame your father, would you?"

"Of course not! You coming is the same thing!" Jiang Wei chuckled heartily.

Shortly afterward, a police car came speeding along with its siren flashing, leaving a black skid mark right at the entrance of the entertainment city. The onlookers were dumbfounded. Could the police be coming to raid the place on its very first day of business?

"Damn, it's only the first day! Are the cops here to smash the place up?"

"With Secretary Liu here, who would dare?"

"Exactly! If you ask me, these cops are definitely here to show support!"

The crowd chattered once more, stretching their necks to see what was happening. The police car doors opened, and two beautiful women in dresses stepped out from the driver and front passenger seats respectively. Zhang Yantong wore a sleek black maxi dress that bared her smooth back, while her ample bosom was hugged tightly by the fabric. On her feet were black crystal sandals, exposing ten crystal-clear, polished toes.

Fang Qin hopped down from the passenger seat wearing a white t-shirt paired with a short black skirt. She wasn't wearing stockings, but the young woman's gorgeous legs didn't need any stockings to look stunning.

Their appearance instantly stirred up the men in the crowd. Although Li Ruo was undeniably beautiful, she possessed a natural ice-queen demeanor that kept people a thousand miles away, making her seem like a lotus flower—admirable from afar, but untouchable. The flower baskets from Zhang Yantong and Fang Qin had been delivered to the venue by a flower shop. Holding hands, each carrying a handbag, the two women walked straight toward Ye Chen.

"Tsk tsk, gorgeous!" Ye Chen couldn't help praising, "Whoever manages to marry both of you will have supreme happiness for a lifetime!"

"Jerk!" Fang Qin spat out, "You can't spit out ivory from a dog's mouth!"

"Why don't you try spitting one out then?" Ye Chen grinned.

"You..." Fang Qin widened her eyes in anger. Zhang Yantong quickly grabbed Fang Qin's hand and said, "Alright, don't lower yourself to his level. Otherwise, you'll die of anger!"

"Hmph, Sister Tong is right. This guy is a total hedgehog." Fang Qin glared coldly at Ye Chen.

"Ye Chen, I've already heard about what happened from Lingling!" Zhang Yantong looked at Ye Chen with a smile and said, "Since you're out, behave yourself. Don't go stirring up trouble again, or Sister Yan won't save you a second time!"

"Are you two here to lecture me or to congratulate me?" Ye Chen frowned.

"Hehe..." Zhang Yantong grinned and said, "We'll lecture you first, and then congratulate you. Is that not allowed?"

"Fine by me!" Ye Chen nodded.