"Bang!" The heavy ashtray slammed onto the coffee table.
With a deafening crash, the tempered glass shattered into countless irregular discs, roughly the size of steel plates.
There were doormen in uniform, security guards in black suits clutching walkie-talkies—over a dozen people appeared from nowhere and immediately surrounded Qin Xiao.
"What's going on?"
A man at least 1.85 meters tall, over 35 years old, dressed in a black suit, pushed through the crowd and approached the server who had brought Qin Xiao in.
"Brother Liu!"
The server immediately lowered his head respectfully.
Then he leaned close to the man's ear and quickly explained what had happened.
As the server recounted the story, the man's eyes flicked up and down, studying Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao was dressed in lavish attire, his face calm and composed.
The man didn't dare confront him directly. Instead, he waved his hand, signaling the others to step back.
He sat down on a nearby single-seater sofa.
"Sir, I don't know if something in our service upset you. If we have offended you, come speak with me. Whatever you want to do today, it's on me."
Earlier, Uncle Wang had told Qin Xiao that this place was controlled by the so-called "big brothers" of society.
Though it wasn't in central Shanghai, the building was six stories high, housing KTVs, bathhouses, nightclubs, and countless other entertainment facilities.
Whether this building was owned or leased, ordinary gangsters or civilians could never afford it.
At this level, people didn't even bother with petty disputes. If you accidentally stepped on someone's foot on the street, they might even apologize to you.
Qin Xiao was wealthy, and he exuded confidence.
So this man, who appeared to be in charge of security, first spoke a few polite words, making small talk and gauging Qin Xiao's background.
Qin Xiao, uninterested in small talk, pulled out a bank card.
"This card has two million in it. The password is six zeros. I don't care if it's for your boss or your 'big brother.' If you're stepping out to discuss business, consider this a meeting gift—success or failure, it's yours."
Two million smoothed the path. Now the man dared not make a rash decision.
He merely said, "Wait a moment," and stood up to make a call.
Less than two minutes later, he returned and respectfully addressed Qin Xiao:
"The boss is busy right now. If you don't mind, I can arrange for you to go upstairs and take a shower to relax. He'll see you shortly."
"Fine."
Qin Xiao stood and followed him upstairs without hesitation.
Once Qin Xiao was taken care of, the man rushed back to the lobby and quickly swiped a card to check balances.
Confirming the numbers were correct, he picked up the phone and dialed the boss again.
…
June 27, 2021 — the eighteenth day of the fifth lunar month.
Xin Chou Year, Jia Wu Month, Bing Wu Day.
Taboo: starting a business, logging, building beams!Suitable for: engagements, weddings, travel, moving!
For the Chinese, this day wasn't considered especially auspicious for weddings—just an ordinary day.
Yet Guo Xinliang chose it anyway. Otherwise, it would have been the 518th year on the lunar calendar—same meaning in pronunciation.
At 4:30 a.m., the phone on the nightstand rang.
It was the wake-up service Guo Xinliang had booked at the hotel last night.
He hung up and looked at the elegant, naked figure beside him, covered only by a sheet.
Drawing back the curtains, he saw the sky already lightening.
From the 30th floor of the luxury hotel suite, early risers were beginning to trickle onto the streets.
She was lying in the suite—the long-legged model he had always dreamed of.
Guo Xinliang was more than satisfied with his life.
Even so, he wouldn't hesitate to betray his childhood friend—or his marriage.
Standing on the balcony, inhaling the fresh air, he lit a cigarette and dialed his wife's number.
"Hello!"
A blurred, angry voice came from the other end.
Guo Xinliang's lips twitched—the good mood he'd just had was completely destroyed by that voice.
"You're not awake yet? Do you even know what day it is? The makeup artist will be here any minute. What were you doing last night? Going to a nightclub and drinking all night again?"
He lowered his voice, trying not to sound angry, but his tone betrayed his reprimand.
"Guo, what's with your attitude? Didn't we agree to do our own thing? You dragged me to misappropriate Qin Xiao's company shares and now act like a lapdog in front of me."
"What? The company is about to go public—that's great! Are you betraying me? Let me remind you, according to the agreement, management is in our hands. Without me, you'd just be a minor shareholder, and the venture capitalists will be kicked out sooner or later!"
Her voice rose several decibels, clearly displeased with his commanding tone.
"Shut up! You're greedy yourself—don't blame me. I don't care how you usually behave, but today is our wedding. You brought a cowboy to the nightclub last night. Go back to the hotel!"
Guo Xinliang clenched his fist and struck the balcony railing hard.
"Guo, you're really something. Don't pretend it matters that there's no woman around you now. The stock will trade a year after the IPO—I'll break up with you then. I warn you, if you bother me or make me angry, I'll transfer the shares to someone else!"
The woman shouted, then hung up immediately.
"You filthy woman, Qu Fang!"
Guo Xinliang almost threw his phone in rage.
I'm running late, and there's only one chapter left. Friends who go to bed early can read the final chapter tomorrow morning!
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this fanfiction is 30-chapters ahead and also this fanfic is 30 chapter ahead there