Chapter 0016: Hidden Agendas

Zhang Yongfu exhaled in lingering fear, his face darkening as he rubbed his sore neck. He shot a cold glance at his six heavily injured bodyguards and sneered, "Useless trash. Get out of my sight before you ruin my appetite—and don't let your pathetic state disturb Mr. Chen and Ms. Qin's meal." The six men scrambled out of the private room.

Shortly after, dishes began to arrive. Zhang Yongfu, a seasoned veteran, quickly regained his composure and chuckled, "Brother Chen, let's treat what just happened as a joke. Consider it a rough start to our friendship."

"As long as that's how you see it," Chen Liuhe replied casually, unbothered. If he'd wanted Zhang Yongfu dead, the man would already be a corpse.

"Good! After this meal, we're brothers!" Zhang Yongfu raised his wine glass toward Qin Ruohan. "Ms. Qin, I hope the earlier excitement didn't spoil your appetite."

Suppressing her nausea, Qin Ruohan took a polite sip. Cutting to the chase, she asked, "Mr. Zhang, how shall we settle the matter with my club?"

Zhang waved magnanimously. "Easy. Out of respect for Brother Chen, I'm willing to negotiate. My men have invested significant resources into your Golden Jade Hall. Leaving empty-handed would disappoint them. Let's follow Brother Chen's suggestion—20% of the club's shares."

Qin's fists clenched under the table. Zhang's "resources" included murdering her father and terrorizing her. His shamelessness made her blood boil.

Chen Liuhe subtly patted her thigh in reassurance. Qin flushed, swatting his hand away—though the fleeting warmth had steadied her.

"Ms. Qin agrees," Chen interjected smoothly. "A productive meal indeed."

Afterward, Zhang personally escorted them out. Only when their car vanished did his smile drop. "That Qin bitch actually found herself a guardian devil," he muttered.

"Father, are we really letting them keep 80%?" asked Zhou Yun'an, his son-in-law.

"Underestimate Chen Liuhe at your peril," Zhang hissed. "But even dragons can drown." He ground his cigarette underfoot. "Hire assassins from the Southwest border. I want that threat eliminated."

——

In the car, Qin trembled, her blouse damp with sweat. Today's brush with death left her shaken—and in awe of Chen's supernatural combat skills.

"Who *are* you?" she demanded.

"A visionary with ideals, culture, and ambition," Chen joked, puffing smoke.

"Be serious! We almost died back there!"

"But we didn't."

Qin studied his stubbled profile. He looked ordinary, yet radiated an unsettling magnetism.

As they drove, Chen advised, "Draft the equity transfer. Stay vigilant—Zhang's a viper you're now bedding with."

"Is this really over?" Qin frowned.

Chen's smile turned icy. "Men like Zhang only rest in graves. Watch your back."

Qin's gaze hardened. "They deserve to die. You could make that happen."