C210 The Showdown

I still decided to go. I couldn't let my impulsiveness ruin my relationship with Qian Guang, even though a thousand times over I didn't want to. But I had to.

I saw Malan emerge from the basement; she was still alluring. Approaching me, she asked, "What's up?"

"Qian Guang is going to fight Chen Xi, and he wants me there," I replied.

Malan didn't ask any questions. Walking into the living room, she grabbed her car keys and said, "A man needs face. Here."

Taking the keys, I offered a slight smile, saying nothing more. I slid into Malan's BMW 760 and drove off. The luxury car felt incongruous with my current state—a t-shirt, a face marred with wounds—I looked like a car thief, utterly dishevelled. I called Wang Gui, instructing him to bring the brothers to Qian Guang's bar and wait.

Upon arrival, I found Qian Guang's bar teeming with people, both inside and out. Zhao Kui and Wang Gui were there. Zhao Kui's face was swollen like a pig's head. Seeing me, they chorused, "Brother Fei…"

I nodded. "Today, we take down Chen Xi…"

With a cold expression, I entered the bar, leaving behind a surge of exhilaration. I knew they harbored resentment; they yearned for vengeance for Zhao Kui. Yet, I felt no such joy. I didn't want chaos, didn't want a fight; I just wanted to make money.

Reaching Qian Guang's office, I found Ma Qing and Zhuzi already present. Seeing me, Qian Guang pocketed the lighter he'd been toying with. "Have a seat…"

I sat. Zhuzi poured me a drink. I took a sip, avoiding Ma Qing's gaze. Though I knew she was beautiful, alluring, I felt nauseous, unable to even look at her.

"If Lao Wu were here, you wouldn't need to come," Qian Guang remarked.

"Did Seventh Master agree?" I asked.

"My presence signifies my father's approval," Ma Qing interjected. "I don't want you to fight either. I just want my father to enjoy a peaceful old age. But he has a wish—to rise again, to restore the Ma Gang. I must fulfill his wish. The Ma Gang must be united to be strong. Only one of Chen Xi and Qian Guang can succeed him, and my father favors Qian Guang."

I watched Qian Guang play with his lighter, remaining silent. "I don't want to resort to violence with Chen Xi. Bloodshed benefits no one."

"Don't worry," Qian Guang said. "You can stay here; let the younger brothers handle it. We'll wait for news."

I smiled. "I'm one of your younger brothers, too…"

Qian Guang frowned, snapping his elegant lighter shut. "Zhao Fei, you need to distinguish between brothers and underlings."

I stood. "Understood. But I have to be with my brothers; I consider them my brothers."

Qian Guang took a deep breath. "Just find a reason to start a fight. After that, leave it to me. Don't worry about anything else, just don't get hurt."

I nodded. "Start with the Ruili World," Qian Guang continued. "That's Shouhou's biggest territory. The ownership's passed to Seventh Master, and he said whoever wins gets it. And I'm telling you, if I win, you'll manage it, including the ownership."

This offer stirred me. The three bars were merely under my management, not ownership. Ruili World was different; he was offering the ownership—tens of millions of dollars worth of property. I glanced at Ma Qing. Was this her compensation to me? I pushed the thought aside; let's see if Qian Guang wins first.

I nodded and left. My brothers immediately surrounded me. "Get in the cars…"

Without a word, they headed for the vans; I got into the BMW. Tossing the keys to Zhao Kui, he asked, "Where to…"

"Find Xiao Mi…"

Instead of heading straight for Ruili World, we went to Xiao Mi's apartment. I called her. "Come down, it's time to work. Dress nicely…"

Waiting below, I saw Xiao Mi emerge. She was elegantly dressed, adorned with delicate floral accents, exuding sophistication and grace in a fishtail gown.

I opened the car door for her. "To Ruili World…"

On the way, Xiao Mi asked, "What do you need me for?"

"What do you think? To seduce men. Qian Guang and Chen Xi are about to clash, and I'm the vanguard. We need a reason to start the fight."

"So sudden?" Xiao Mi asked.

"Yes, it feels sudden," I replied, "but it was inevitable. Seventh Master is old and ill; he doesn't know how long he has. He has a chance to rise again, and he won't waste time. The suddenness is key; no one else knows, so it won't cause a major stir."

Xiao Mi nodded, remaining silent. We soon arrived at Ruili World—it's a small city; it wasn't far.

Many cars were already parked outside—vans, sedans—but the occupants remained inside, smoking or checking their phones, waiting…

My dozen or so underlings had removed their jackets, revealing matching black vests, projecting an air of authority. I did the same.

"Tonight's on me…"

With that, I led them upstairs, ascending the long staircase to the entrance of Ruili World. The hostesses approached, smiling obsequiously. "Sir, how many? Private room or main hall?"

"I've reserved the whole place…"

Ignoring them, I headed towards the elevator. They knew, from our demeanor, that we were here to cause trouble. Wang Gui and Zhang Kui started pushing the patrons out.

"Get out! Brother Fei's reserved the place; everyone else, get lost…"

Wang Gui shouted, his voice booming. Many customers were confused. My underlings began herding them out, the large hall quickly descending into chaos, filled with complaints.

The staff started calling for help using their walkie-talkies. I waited calmly, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag as the elevator descended. My men gathered behind me—not many, but I wasn't afraid; I had backup.

"Ding…"

The elevator doors opened, revealing a group of seven or eight men; Chen Xi was at the front. I was surprised to see him here. I watched as a waitress approached Chen Xi and said something; he waved her away.

I advanced, my men following, creating an imposing presence. I looked at Chen Xi, who met my gaze without fear.

"So, little brother Zhao Fei, reserving my place? Welcome, welcome…" Chen Xi said menacingly.

I walked towards him, the two groups facing each other in silence. He remained smiling. "Yes, Boss Chen, reserving your place."

"Please…"

Chen Xi said coldly, parting to let me pass. I smiled and walked toward the elevator, Xiao Mi following close behind, offering a smile to Chen Xi. "Boss Chen, you're so imposing."

Both groups remained where they were, the confrontation between them unspoken.

Chen Xi looked at Xiao Mi, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're quite something, sleeping with Fatty Zhu, getting violated by Liu Qiang, then Shouhou…and yet Zhao Fei still keeps you. You must have some skills."

Xiao Mi, with practiced allure, draped her arm around Chen Xi's neck, her body swaying. "Boss Chen, fancy a taste of this thorny rose?"

Chen Xi laughed, stroking Xiao Mi's cheek. "I have plenty of women. I don't need trash like you. Let Chen Fei have his fun."

Xiao Mi didn't get angry; she smiled, grabbing Chen Xi's hand and suddenly pressing it against her chest. Chen Xi was taken aback but didn't pull away, instead leering.

"I am cheap," Xiao Mi said, "but not every man can have me. I'm giving myself to you as a sign of respect."

Chen Xi's face turned red with rage. He slapped Xiao Mi, shouting, "Who do you think you are, you cheap whore…"

Xiao Mi, coldly staring at Chen Xi, said, "Zhao Fei, he hit your woman…"

Chen Xi turned to me. "Zhao Fei, are you going to fight me over this woman? Do you have the guts?"

I crushed my cigarette, dropping it to the ground, and exhaled a plume of smoke, looking at Chen Xi with nonchalance. "Yes…"

That single word stunned Chen Xi. Suddenly, Zhao Kui and Wang Gui attacked, my men pulling out iron bars from behind their backs and striking Chen Xi's men, targeting their heads. The attack was so sudden that Chen Xi was caught completely off guard. My men struck with brutal efficiency.

Soon, seven or eight heads were bloodied and their bodies lay on the floor. Chen Xi glanced behind him, pointing at me. "Zhao Fei, you're bold. Have you thought about the consequences?"

I smiled. "I have, but you shouldn't hit my woman…"

As I finished speaking, the elevator doors opened, revealing a large group of people. I didn't flinch, pulling out my iron bar and charging towards the elevator. Seeing someone lunge at me, I struck with my bar.

Blood clouded my vision…

A/N

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