Chapter 0031: Big Chest, No Brains

Hearing Chen Liuhe's words, Zhang Yongfu laughed. He pulled out a pack of 95 Supreme cigarettes from his pocket, handed one to Chen Liuhe, lit his own, and took a drag before saying, "Brother Chen, you're absolutely right. As the saying goes, 'Men die for wealth, birds die for food.' There's no one in this world who doesn't like money."

Chen Liuhe toyed with the cigarette, bringing it to his nose to sniff it, and asked with a smile, "Boss Zhang, any brilliant ideas?"

Zhang Yongfu said, "Brother Chen, forgive me for being blunt, but with your skills, working under that little girl Qin Ruohan is a waste of talent. She can't control you, nor does she deserve to command you."

Before Chen Liuhe could respond, Zhang Yongfu continued, "Everyone has desires—only saints are free of them. So, Brother Chen, are you after wealth or women?"

Chen Liuhe grinned. "Getting both wouldn't be bad."

Zhang Yongfu burst into laughter, patting Chen Liuhe's shoulder. "Brother Chen, you're a man of true spirit!" Then he added, "But I'm not trying to criticize you—giving up a whole forest for one Qin Ruohan? If that's the case, your vision might be a bit too narrow."

Chen Liuhe casually asked, "So what's your suggestion, Boss Zhang?"

"Brother Chen, you should know that Qin Ruohan is a nobody. If we wanted, we could get rid of her anytime without causing a ripple."

Zhang Yongfu put an arm around Chen Liuhe's shoulder and whispered, "Think about it—if you take over this club, would you ever lack women? You'd have money and people at your fingertips—ten, a hundred times better than what you've got now."

At this, Chen Liuhe feigned sudden realization. "I get it now. Boss Zhang still hasn't given up on swallowing this club whole, huh?"

Zhang Yongfu said, "I'm doing this for your sake, Brother. If you're willing to work with me, I guarantee you half of this club. Millions rolling in every year—what couldn't you have?"

Zhang Yongfu was trying to tempt Chen Liuhe. He was shrewd and saw things clearly. To take over Qin Ruohan's club, the biggest obstacle was this enigmatic young man. If he could win him over, everything would fall into place.

As for Qin Ruohan? In Zhang Yongfu's eyes, she was an ant he could crush anytime!

"Hmm… fifty percent of the shares, millions in dividends every year—tsk tsk, that's really tempting," Chen Liuhe said with a beaming smile. Zhang Yongfu sat back confidently, certain that no one in the world could resist money and power—not even Chen Liuhe.

But Chen Liuhe's next words made Zhang Yongfu's expression shift.

"It's tempting, sure, but Boss Zhang, fifty percent still feels too little. I want the whole club. What do I do?" Chen Liuhe asked with an innocent smile.

"Brother Chen, you want to swallow my share too? That's not very nice, is it?" Zhang Yongfu's eyes turned cold.

Chen Liuhe quickly waved his hands, laughing. "Boss Zhang, you misunderstand. What I mean is, why should I team up with you? If I can take down Qin Ruohan myself, wouldn't the whole club be mine? That's true wealth and women—better than partnering with you, no?"

He went on, "Besides, killing and looting isn't my style—it's too immoral. So, I'll have to pass on your kind offer."

A flash of icy light flickered in Zhang Yongfu's eyes but quickly faded. He forced a smile. "So, Brother Chen's been playing his own little game all along?"

After a pause, he added, "But isn't that a bit unfair? I spotted this juicy prize first. Now you show up and want to take it all in one bite—doesn't that break the rules?"

Chen Liuhe replied calmly, "Didn't you already get twenty percent of the shares, Boss Zhang? Contentment brings happiness. How about stepping aside for your little brother?"

Zhang Yongfu didn't respond, instead staring intently at Chen Liuhe. Chen Liuhe met his gaze silently, a faint smile on his face.

After a long moment, Zhang Yongfu suddenly laughed, patting Chen Liuhe's shoulder affectionately. "The young generation is truly impressive! You kids outsmart us old-timers with your brains—well done, well done."

Chen Liuhe smiled without a word. Zhang Yongfu continued, "Since Brother Chen's spoken up, how could I refuse? Then I'll wish you success in winning the beauty soon, huh?"

"Thanks for the good words," Chen Liuhe said with a laugh.

"Haha, great! Then I won't overstay my welcome. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to find me. And when the time comes, don't forget to share a piece of the pie with your old brother!"

Zhang Yongfu stood up, all smiles.

"Of course, blessings are meant to be shared," Chen Liuhe said, escorting him out. He walked Zhang Yongfu to the elevator before returning to his office.

Looking at the cigarette butt still warm in the ashtray, a cold smirk crept onto Chen Liuhe's face. This Zhang Yongfu sure could hold his temper—a real smiling tiger.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yongfu and his group stayed silent until they left the club and got into the car. Only then did one of his trusted men ask, "Boss, what's the deal? Is that kid on board or not?"

The cheerful Zhang Yongfu from moments ago now wore a dark, menacing expression. He glared at the club and said, "I gave him a chance. Since he's too stubborn to join me, don't blame me for being ruthless. I was going to let him stick around a bit longer, but it seems he can't be spared!"

With that, he told his trusted aide, "Get those guys ready."

The aide froze for a second, then pulled out his phone and dialed an overseas number…

Back in his office, Chen Liuhe wasn't idle either. He made a call, cutting straight to the chase: "Zhang Yongfu just came to see me. The old guy's getting restless."

"Get ready on your end. If Zhang Yongfu dares to move against me, I'll take his damned life."

Tossing the phone onto the desk, Chen Liuhe narrowed his eyes, a chilling smile tugging at his lips. "The tree wants peace, but the wind won't stop. Too bad you're just a breeze—you can't topple this big tree!"

Not long after Zhang Yongfu left, Qin Ruohan burst into Chen Liuhe's office in a panic, not even bothering to knock.

"Manners, manners! Ever heard of manners? What if you saw something you shouldn't? Could you handle it?" Chen Liuhe shot her an annoyed look.

Qin Ruohan had no time to bicker. Her face carried a hint of anger, her tone accusatory. "Zhang Yongfu was just here, heading straight to your office. What did you two talk about?"

Zhang Yongfu's sudden visit—and to Chen Liuhe, no less—put Qin Ruohan on edge. Her sense of crisis was overwhelming. Honestly, she couldn't fully trust Chen Liuhe yet. She feared he might strike a secret deal with Zhang Yongfu, and if that happened, she'd be finished.

Chen Liuhe glanced at her teasingly, replying casually, "What else? We talked about teaming up to strip you of your wealth and beauty."

"You agreed?" Qin Ruohan's hands clenched tightly.

A mischievous urge sparked in Chen Liuhe. He stayed silent, not answering.

Sure enough, Qin Ruohan, unable to keep her cool, exploded like an angry kitten. "Chen Liuhe, how could you? Bullying me yourself is one thing, but now you're ganging up with outsiders against me? You're an outright bastard!"

The more she spoke, the angrier she got. "Chen Liuhe, I hired you to help me, not to conspire with others against me! Don't forget who put you in this office! How could you do this? How could you team up with that animal Zhang Yongfu? Are you trying to get me killed?"

Seeing her reaction, Chen Liuhe's face darkened. "Damn it, is that the kind of shady guy you think I am? Can't you see the righteousness radiating from me or my towering presence?"

Rolling his eyes, he said, "Who said I agreed to anything?"

Qin Ruohan froze, staring at him dumbly. "You didn't agree? Then why didn't you say anything just now?"

Chen Liuhe snapped, "Me not talking means I agreed? What kind of garbage logic is that?"

Still skeptical, Qin Ruohan asked, "You really didn't agree? No way—you must've made some deal with him. Why else was he all smiles when he left, acting like you two were old buddies?"

Chen Liuhe laughed in exasperation. "Lady, if your brain's defective, stop trying to play smart. If I were really teaming up with him against you, do you think you'd still be standing here yelling at me? I don't mean to look down on you, but your little fortune? It's not even worth my time."

Scolded into embarrassment, Qin Ruohan shot back, "Then explain why Zhang Yongfu was grinning like that with you!"

Chen Liuhe was speechless at her paranoia. "He can't beat me in a fight—should he cry instead? Ever heard of keeping up appearances? If he dared rip off the mask right here, wouldn't he be afraid I'd knock his teeth out?"

After thinking it over, Qin Ruohan realized he might have a point. Slowly, the knot in her throat loosened. She'd been terrified—if Chen Liuhe, her only lifeline, betrayed her, it'd be the end of the world!

"I knew it—that shameless bastard Zhang Yongfu hasn't given up his schemes," Qin Ruohan said through gritted teeth, clenching her fists.

Chen Liuhe sneered. "Don't judge everyone by your shallow standards. If you're using someone, trust them—or don't use them at all. If you want my help, just stand back and watch the show."

"And one more thing—you don't get to question me. If this happens again, you know the consequences…" Chen Liuhe's cold laugh left the threat hanging in the ai