Chapter 132: Looking for Trouble

Two people stepped out of the Santana: Hua Shao and Niu Jie, the person in charge of Jinbi Huihuang. Following them were a few others, who appeared to be their underlings, getting out of a van.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng greeted them warmly, "Hua Shao, it's a pleasure to see you. We didn't expect you to show up on the opening day of our nightclub. We're really grateful!"

Hua Shao replied, "Of course. When our Jinbi Huihuang Dance Hall opened, Du Shao, you were kind enough to be the first to support us. How could I not return the favor today? Wouldn't that be too rude? Or maybe, Du Shao, from the look on your face, it seems like I'm not welcome?"

Du Peng laughed, "Hua Shao, you must be joking. How could I not welcome you? Your presence today brings honor to our nightclub! How about I prepare a private room on the second floor for you to sing?"

But Hua Shao waved his hand and said, "No need. I prefer a lively atmosphere. Just find me a spot in the bar on the first floor."

"Sure, no problem."

Du Peng then took out his walkie-talkie, called the bar manager, and had him find a good spot. He and Zhou Ming accompanied Hua Shao into the nightclub.

As they entered, Hua Shao looked around at the dazzling lights, especially the laser lights in the dance hall, with various colors flashing like a magical world. He remarked to Du Peng, "Du Shao, you've done a great job here. The colors, the atmosphere—compared to your place, my dance hall with just a single disco ball seems as simple as a shack."

"Hua Shao, you're being modest. Your place is already great. I spent a lot of money on this fancy renovation. If I had started at the same time as you, I definitely wouldn't have done half as well," Du Peng responded.

Hua Shao smiled but didn't continue the conversation. Du Peng and Zhou Ming led him to the spot the bar manager had found for them. Du Peng asked what Hua Shao would like to drink, and Hua Shao ordered a bottle of tequila.

As Du Peng sat down to chat with Hua Shao, Hua Shao waved his hand, saying, "Du Shao, go ahead and take care of your business. You don't need to worry about me here. Or do you think I'm unreliable and came here today just to cause trouble?"

Du Peng had intended to stay a bit longer, but hearing Hua Shao's words, it would be hard to justify staying. He had to wish Hua Shao a good time before leaving with Zhou Ming. However, they didn't go far. Du Peng, still worried, asked Zhou Ming, "Do you think Hua Shao really came just to support us?"

"That's hard to say, but based on usual circumstances, it's unlikely," Zhou Ming replied.

"What should we do then?" Du Peng asked again.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "We're the hosts, and he's a customer. We're in a passive position. We can't just kick them out, or we'll look too petty."

"We'll have to wait and see. But just waiting around doing nothing is really frustrating!" Du Peng complained.

Zhou Ming patted his shoulder, "Don't worry. If trouble is coming, it will come. If he's not planning to mess with us, I'd be glad. But if he is, it's better for it to happen today rather than later."

Du Peng sighed in resignation. Then he and Zhou Ming stepped out of the nightclub because they were waiting for an important person. But just as they feared, only a few minutes later, Du Peng's walkie-talkie crackled with the bar manager's voice, saying that Hua Shao was causing trouble inside.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng exchanged a look, thinking that it had finally come to this.

They quickly returned to the nightclub, where the music had already stopped. A large crowd had gathered in a circle, and within it, faint sounds of cursing could be heard.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng pushed through the crowd. They saw that Kong Xiaolin, the general manager of the nightclub, had already arrived. A man was pointing at her and cursing, "What the hell is wrong with your people here? What kind of alcohol are you selling? Some fake street-brewed crap? And I just wanted to touch this pretty girl's hand—what's wrong with that? I have so much money here, are you worried I won't pay?"

The man, speaking in a Cantonese accent, waved a wad of cash arrogantly in front of Kong Xiaolin.

It was clear that Kong Xiaolin was very angry, but she forced a smile and said, "I'm sorry, sir. I assure you that all our alcohol is sourced legitimately, and there's absolutely no possibility of it being fake. Also, we are a legitimate entertainment venue, and what you're suggesting is not allowed here."

"I don't care! I say it's fake, so it's fake! And what's wrong with wanting to have some fun? The girls here were just dancing in those skimpy outfits, weren't they? And those dances—aren't they just meant to seduce guys like me? Compared to you lot, the girls in the old brothels were much more modest!" he sneered, "Or are you saying I don't have enough money to hire your girls? Don't worry, I can pay whatever price you name."

As he spoke, he eyed Kong Xiaolin up and down and said, "You, the boss lady, look pretty hot yourself. How about spending some time with me? I'll pay you a lot of money!"

He reached out to touch Kong Xiaolin's face, but before she could respond, Zhou Ming shouted, "Stop!"

Zhou Ming quickly stepped forward, shielding Kong Xiaolin behind him. Ignoring the man, he directly addressed Hua Shao, "Hua Shao, is this how you teach your men?"

Hua Shao, still sitting lazily in his chair, glanced at Zhou Ming but said nothing. The man who had been causing trouble waved his hand in front of Zhou Ming's face and said provocatively, "Hey, are you the boss here? You really don't know how to run a business. Since you told everyone there are girls here, why not be upfront about it? Why be so coy?"

Zhou Ming looked at him with narrowed eyes and said seriously, "My general manager already told you that we are a legitimate establishment, not the kind of place you're talking about."

"What general manager? You mean that slut behind you? She probably slept her way to that position, didn't she?" the man laughed loudly.

Such insulting words made Kong Xiaolin feel deeply wronged, and Zhou Ming's face darkened. He asked Hua Shao again, "Are you really not going to control your people?"

Hua Shao sneered but still didn't respond. Zhou Ming then called the security team and pointed at the troublemaker, "Take this man who's causing a scene and throw him out."

The security guards, all former soldiers, were already fired up from seeing their manager being bullied. Now, hearing Zhou Ming's command, they immediately sprang into action. They grabbed the man without hesitation and started dragging him out. This made the other people with Hua Shao jump up, pushing and shoving against the nightclub's security, creating a chaotic scene.

However, the chaos didn't last long. The nightclub's security quickly gained the upper hand. After all, they were well-trained former soldiers, much stronger than the street thugs with Hua Shao. Especially after receiving Zhou Ming's training, they were eager to prove themselves and earn more money. They soon controlled the situation and began dragging out the rest of Hua Shao's group.

This turn of events finally made Hua Shao lose his composure. If his people were thrown out, he would lose face as well. He slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "Stop!"

Then he asked Du Peng, "Du Shao, is this how you run a business?"

Du Peng shrugged indifferently, while Zhou Ming said, "Hua Shao, if you really came to support our nightclub, I'd welcome you with open arms. But if you're here to cause trouble, don't blame me for being rude."

"Really?" Hua Shao sneered at Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, the so-called development advisor of Nanjiang City? Do you think you're really something? Let me tell you, in my eyes, you're nothing."

Facing Hua Shao's harsh words, Zhou Ming calmly replied, "What I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you're being incredibly foolish today. I thought someone like you, Hua Shao, would come up with something clever. But all you did was this petty troublemaking? How unoriginal. And you even came here expecting to have some fun?"

Hua Shao squinted at Zhou Ming and said, "What trouble? Your nightclub's the one with the problem. You're selling fake alcohol and running a flesh trade. My friend just gave you some feedback, and you want to throw him out? And you think you're in the right?"

"You know the truth better than anyone, Hua Shao," Zhou Ming said. Hua Shao was about to retort, but Zhou Ming cut him off, "I've already told you, Hua Shao, if you came to support us, I'd be grateful and welcome you. But if you're here to cause trouble, don't blame me for being unkind."

"Advisor Zhou, do you really think you're untouchable? Do you really think you can act all high and mighty here without

 consequences?" Hua Shao said. "I'm not afraid to tell you, I've brought two hundred men with me. If you dare do anything more, don't blame me if your nightclub doesn't survive its first night."

Zhou Ming nodded, seemingly taking him seriously, "It seems you came prepared, Hua Shao. But I still advise you against doing anything rash."

Hua Shao laughed, "Where do you get the confidence to advise me? Well, since you're so cocky, I'll tell you—this place is going down tonight!"

Hua Shao then turned to Niu Jie to call for reinforcements, but just then, the sound of police sirens suddenly filled the air outside. Hearing the sirens, Hua Shao's face immediately changed, and he instinctively muttered, "Why are the police here?"