Chapter Sixty-Five: The Old Drunkard’s Intent Lies Not in the Wine

The burly man was convulsing on the floor, the bald giant lay there with his head covered in blood, and the obese woman—though her appearance was the best preserved—was actually the most severely injured. She sat clutching a misshapen arm, her face drenched in cold sweat as if she had just stepped out of a sauna, gasping desperately for air, unable even to cry out in pain.

The commotion drew a squad of club security within moments. Their leader, a crew-cut man, quickly scanned the three fallen assailants, then glanced at Hong Chen and his companion, finally fixing his gaze on Hong Chen. His voice was stern: "Sir, fighting is forbidden in the club."

Hong Chen remained composed, leisurely lighting a cigarette. He inhaled and exhaled a plume of smoke before replying coolly, "Aren't you going to ask why?"

The crew-cut man frowned. Hong Chen struck him as arrogant, but he kept his temper and continued, "Please come with me to the security office. We need to clarify the situation."

He turned and ordered, "Take those three to the medical room for basic treatment, then bring them to the security office as well."

Three security guards responded immediately and began to move, but Hong Chen's indifferent voice sounded again: "Did I agree?"

The crew-cut man narrowed his eyes. "Sir, what do you mean?"

Hong Chen pointed at the trio. "I'm not satisfied yet."

As soon as he spoke, Qiu darted forward, kicking the obese woman to the ground, then turned toward the burly man. The crew-cut man's face darkened instantly. He had publicly stated the club's rule against fighting and decided to bring everyone to the security office, but Hong Chen refused to cooperate, and Qiu kept attacking. This was not just a slap in his own face, but in the club's, for he represented the club now. "Stop!" he barked, his voice heavy. It seemed his words only spurred Qiu on. She strode forward, her movement accelerating into a charge, and swept the burly man off his feet with a kick, sending him crashing into a sofa before landing heavily on the floor.

Rage ignited in the crew-cut man's chest. Seeing Qiu turn toward the bald giant, he could no longer hold back and shouted, "Stop her!"

Two guards rushed forward, but a cold gleam flashed in Qiu's eyes. With a grappling move, she dislocated one guard's arm and slammed him onto the floor. Then, she performed a low sweeping kick, sending the other guard sprawling.

"All together, take her down!" The crew-cut man had not expected his men to be so easily defeated. Whether their injuries were serious was unclear, but their humiliating collapse enraged and embarrassed him. He waved his hand, ordering the remaining five guards to attack.

They swarmed toward Qiu, but she showed no fear, advancing instead of retreating. It looked like a lamb entering a pack of wolves, destined to be shredded. Yet, astonishingly, the lamb moved effortlessly among them, completely unharmed, while the wolves howled and collapsed one after another.

Within a dozen seconds, the five guards lay scattered across the floor. Qiu swiftly struck each of the previous two for good measure; all seven convulsed helplessly like stunned prey.

The crew-cut man's eyes bulged with fury. He clenched his fists, ready to join the fray himself, when suddenly a powerful gust rushed at him from behind. The hairs on his neck rose, and before he could react, a tremendous force landed on his backside.

He was sent sprawling forward, landing in a humiliating heap. Only then did Hong Chen slowly retract his outstretched leg, savoring the satisfaction of that kick.

Hong Chen then swept his gaze over the onlookers, his expression innocent as he called out, "Everyone saw it—this is the 'guest-first' principle of the King’s Club. No questions asked, just violence, so many guards bullying a defenseless woman. We were forced to defend ourselves."

The scene was silent. The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes full of intrigue.

A middle-aged man in a suit entered the lounge, followed by two men in black, with lean builds and stern expressions—obviously bodyguards.

"Manager Tong, what is going on here?" The middle-aged man surveyed the situation with authority, then looked at the crew-cut man struggling to his feet.

"Director Bian, these two and the other three got into a fight here. I told them to come to the security office to explain, but they refused and kept attacking the injured trio. When our people tried to stop them, they were all beaten down. I believe they are here to cause trouble." The crew-cut man’s face was dark as coal, his summary concise and his gaze coldly sweeping over Hong Chen and his companion.

During this exchange, Hong Chen received a message: the middle-aged man was the club’s executive vice president and tonight’s duty manager.

As soon as the crew-cut man finished, Hong Chen’s expression hardened, his sharp gaze piercing the man. "You say we’re here to cause trouble—is that your personal opinion, or are you representing the King’s Club?"

Without waiting for a reply, Hong Chen pointed at the three attackers and raised his voice, "With so many witnesses, I ask you: before your people acted, did you investigate the cause? Why did we have a conflict with them?"

"I said we should go to the security office—"

Hong Chen cut him off, his voice rising, "Why take us to the security office instead of clarifying things here in front of everyone? Are you trying to cover for them or for the club? I now have serious reason to suspect that what they did was directed by the King’s Club!"

Pressed relentlessly, the crew-cut man’s face turned crimson. He tried several times to retort, but found himself unable to argue, frustration nearly exploding within him.

Disputes among guests in clubs were nothing unusual. The industry standard was to handle them discreetly, not publicly, like unwritten rules in society—everyone understood them, but no one could openly admit them.

Hong Chen ignored him, his gaze locking onto the middle-aged man. "What is your position? Do you have the authority to make decisions for the club? If not, get your manager out here!"

The man’s face changed subtly. He had intended to take charge, but now hesitated. Hong Chen’s words made him realize that the conflict between Hong Chen and the three attackers was not as straightforward as it seemed.

He glanced furtively around—the crowd’s curiosity was piqued by Hong Chen, faces full of gossip and intrigue, confirming his suspicions. A sense of foreboding grew within him.

His seasoned experience and sharp mind quickly reached a conclusion: without knowing the source of the conflict or its connection to the club, he must not let himself be forced into publicly clarifying matters, nor admit responsibility. But as he tried to sidestep, his "teammate" betrayed him first. The crew-cut man's voice rang out, full of indignation, "This is our club’s executive vice president, Director Bian. He can make decisions on all matters."

Director Bian felt as though he’d stepped off a cliff. He instinctively glanced sideways; the crew-cut man, having spoken, also turned toward him, brimming with righteous anger. "Director Bian, they ignored our rules, fought with others, attacked our staff, and now slander our reputation. This cannot go unpunished. Let them explain themselves here, so everyone can witness it and no one can claim the club was unfair!"

Director Bian’s face darkened with exasperation. Truly, nothing is worse than a foolish ally. The opponent was clearly baiting him, and his own colleague had fallen right into the trap—worse, he dragged Director Bian along for the ride.

Even if he was unwilling, the crew-cut man had left him no choice but to accept. He nodded expressionlessly and turned back to Hong Chen.

Hong Chen was already prepared. As their eyes met, Hong Chen declared, "Director Bian is the club manager? Good. I know the club forbids fighting—I did not break the rule out of ignorance or malice, but for good reason. Now, I’ll explain everything in front of everyone, and I ask Director Bian to give me a satisfactory answer on behalf of the club."

Without waiting for a response, he pointed at the bald giant and announced loudly, "This man and his accomplices, five days ago in the club’s Room 7, set a trap for my wife’s sister, a university student, who in a single night was cheated out of three million eight hundred eighty thousand yuan!"

His words hung in the air. Silence reigned for three seconds—then the crowd erupted in astonishment.