Chapter 0010: A Lamb to the Slaughter

Only now did Huang Million have time to look back at Chen Liuhe. Seeing the scene before him, he froze momentarily before grinning excitedly. "Brother Liu, I knew you had to be better at fighting than me."

Chen Liuhe smiled slightly, frowning at the blood seeping from Huang Million's wounds but saying nothing.

Yanking the terrified security captain to his feet, Huang Million asked, "Brother Liu, what now? Fight or run?"

Chen Liuhe regarded the pale-faced security captain with amusement. "Tell me, where's Qin Ruohan?"

"D-don't do anything rash... Murder won't go unpunished," the captain stammered.

At Chen Liuhe's glance, Huang Million pressed the knife harder, drawing a thin line of blood on the captain's neck. "Fuck you! Answer the question or die! My worthless life's a fair trade for yours!"

"I'll talk! She's in the fifth-floor office!" The captain broke into cold sweat. "But you should know she's meeting someone important. Disturbing them will get you killed."

"Lead the way." Chen Liuhe turned toward the elevator without ceremony, Huang Million dragging the captain along.

More staff and security arrived but kept their distance, intimidated by the scene.

...

Qin Ruohan tasted that familiar despair again - the same helplessness she'd felt when her father died. Now facing the menacing Zhou Yunkang, she cursed Chen Liuou bitterly. She'd thought him extraordinary, capable of being her support even if he couldn't solve her problems. At least he could have lent moral courage.

Instead, that bastard hadn't lifted a finger these past two days. No help, no comforting words, not even empty promises. Abandoned at this critical moment, she faced the wolf-like Zhou Yunkang alone.

The spacious office held only the two of them, tension thick enough to choke on. Behind her desk, Qin Ruohan sat pale-faced, eyes burning with resentment and humiliation.

Zhou Yunkang lounged arrogantly on the leather sofa, Cuban cigar in hand, exuding confidence. His gaze raked over Qin Ruohan with contempt and undisguised lust. To him, she was prey - he wanted both her fortune and her body.

"Time's up, Miss Qin. Have you decided?" Zhou's tone remained calm.

"Why must you hound me? You killed my father! Isn't that enough?" Her voice trembled with defiance.

Zhou chuckled coldly. "Evidence, Miss Qin. Your father's death was an accident." He blew smoke rings. "As for 'hounding' - such harsh words. How could I harm such beauty? Taking over your club is for your own good."

"For my good? Your kindness chills me to the bone!"

"Dead women can't spend money." Zhou's smile turned predatory. "Our two million offer is generous. This club could save your life."

"You vile parasites! This was my father's legacy! I'll never surrender it! Kill me if you dare!" Her eyes blazed with defiance.

Zhou shook his head in mock disappointment. "So brave. But..." He leaned forward. "What about your dear brother studying abroad? Such a tragedy if something happened to the Qin family's last male heir..."

Qin Ruohan shot up, trembling with rage and terror. "Touch him and I'll haunt you to your grave!"

"Sign the transfer," Zhou pushed forward a contract, "and the money's yours. You'll both be safe." His eyes crawled over her figure. "A beauty like you shouldn't work so hard. Be my woman - I'll protect you."

"Never!" She collapsed into her chair, defeated. Zhou's threat to her brother destroyed her resolve. She could face death, but not her brother's harm.

"Poor lamb. Submit - you've no bargaining power." Zhou's eyes glittered with cruel satisfaction. Controlling others' fates intoxicated him like drugs.

"If I sign... you'll spare us?" Her voice broke.

"Of course." Zhou hid a smirk. Did she really think he'd let such beauty escape?

As Qin Ruohan approached the contract, trembling hand reaching for the pen...

BANG!

The office door crashed open. Zhou and Qin spun toward the noise.

Two disheveled men stood framed in the doorway. "Tsk tsk, Miss Qin," Chen Liuhe drawled, eyeing the splintered door. "Should've invested in better locks."

"Chen Liuhe!" Qin's eyes lit with desperate hope. The man she'd given up on had arrived like a vengeful god.

"And who are you?" Zhou remained seated, unperturbed.

"Who I am matters less than why I'm here." Chen sauntered in, tossing a Red Plum cigarette to Huang Million. He glanced at the contract before flicking it into the trash. "Extortion's outdated, Zhou. Can't you gangsters evolve?"

Zhou chuckled, unshaken. "Playing hero? TV's safer. Real heroes die messy deaths."

"Not here to heroics. Like you, I want wealth." Chen blew smoke in Zhou's face. "Just better at getting it."

"You'd rob the Black Dragon Society?" Zhou's smile turned dangerous. "We skin tigers alive."

"Negotiations failed, then." Chen turned to Qin. "Giving up so easily?"

"They threatened my brother!"

Chen's gaze turned arctic. "No bottom to your depravity." To Zhou: "Let's talk. Walk away now, and live."

Zhou burst out laughing. "You? Bargaining with me?" He moved beside Chen, condescendingly patting his shoulder. "Admire your courage, boy. But..." Ash flicked onto Chen's shoes. "Know your place. You're an ant beneath my boot."

When Zhou poured water over Chen's feet, the temperature in the room plummeted.

"You had a chance," Chen said softly. "Now you choose death."