Red Sea

The surroundings were completely quiet, without a sound.

Sang Qi opened his eyes, but everything was still pitch black.

She knew that her head was covered by a black cloth bag, and her hands and feet were also bound, making it impossible for her to move.

She tried to move her body, but it didn't seem to work; her hands and feet were tightly bound and she couldn't break free.

Then, I finally heard a sound – a series of overlapping footsteps. As the sound of unlocking the door rang out, the footsteps grew closer and closer, as if they were right next to my ear.

Upon hearing the sound of someone approaching, Sang Qi immediately tensed up, her heart racing.

The black cloth bag covering her head was removed, and her eyes, which had been in darkness for so long, squinted involuntarily at the sudden bright light. After her eyes adjusted to the indoor light, Sang Qi slowly opened them.

Lifting his eyelids, he saw three tall men standing in front of him, like three imposing mountains.

It was Qian Kunpeng, Jin Hai, and Yang Hao.

Sang Qi looked at the man in front of her, unconsciously shrinking back, her pupils trembling as she stared at them.

Qian Kunpeng looked Sang Qi up and down and chuckled, "Little beauty, you really made us look for you a long time."

Sang Qi avoided Qian Kunpeng's gaze and said tremblingly, "What do you want? I have no money and no looks, why are you arresting me..."

Upon hearing this, Qian Kunpeng burst into laughter: "Little beauty, you're really interesting. We don't want your money or your looks, we just want to get the storage device from you."

“What? Storage device? What storage device? I don’t know anything about it.” Sang Qi shook her head violently; she had never heard of any of the things the man in front of her was talking about.

Qian Kunpeng's gaze turned cold as he grabbed Sang Qi's hair: "Don't test my patience, speak!"

Her hair was being pulled painfully, so Sang Qi had to tilt her head back slightly. Her gaze was cold as she stared at Qian Kunpeng, still saying the same thing: "I don't know."

As soon as he finished speaking, a crisp snap echoed through the room.

Sang Qi was thrown to the ground by the force of the slap, a deep handprint clearly visible on his face. Qian Kunpeng, still not satisfied with just one slap, grabbed Sang Qi's chin and angrily demanded, "Tell me, where's the storage device? Or I'll kill you!"

Sang Qi felt like her chin was being pinched so hard it was about to break, and tears streamed down her face. Jin Hai, standing nearby, suddenly stopped Qian Kunpeng: "That's enough."

Qian Kunpeng loosened his grip, stood up, and glared at Sang Qi: "You'd better think this through, or you'll regret it."

Sang Qi gasped for breath, her eyes brimming with tears.

Jin Hai asked in a kind tone, "Sang Qi, we just want to get the storage device, we won't hurt you, you can trust us."

Sang Qi was completely exasperated; she really didn't have a storage device. She shook her head and said, "You must have arrested the wrong person. I really don't know anything about storage devices."

Jin Hai frowned: "That shouldn't be the case. Did your father leave you anything?"

When talking about his father, Sang Qi was speechless: "I don't have a father. Where did I get a father? I've always relied on my mother since I was a child."

Jin Hai was confused and glanced at Qian Kunpeng. At that moment, Qian Kunpeng's eyes were sinister as he stared at Sang Qi and said in a deep voice, "Little beauty, if you know what's good for you, just say it. Really, we won't hurt you."

Sang Qi clicked his tongue and sighed, "I've already said it, I don't have a father, I don't have a storage device, you must have captured the wrong person."

Yang Hao, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up: "Brother Kun, Brother Hai, we probably won't get anything out of this situation. Let's go back first, let this girl think it over, and come back to ask her later."

Jin Hai agreed: "Brother Kun, let's go back first. Anyway, we've caught her now. She's a woman, and she can't escape our net. There's no need to rush."

Qian Kunpeng pondered for a moment before smiling and saying to Sang Qi, "I'll give you three days. If you're still stubborn after three days, then I won't be polite. The brothers outside haven't had a woman to quench their thirst for a long time."

Sang Qi gasped, her heart filled with fear, but she forced herself to remain calm.

After speaking, Qian Kunpeng turned and left. Jin Hai gave him a deep look and said, "You'd better watch yourself. If you want to leave unscathed, then obediently hand over the storage device. Otherwise, I can't protect you."

"..."

The door was slammed shut, and the sound of it locking was clearly audible.

Sang Qi breathed a sigh of relief when everyone had left. Now that he was a prisoner, he probably wouldn't be able to escape.

Sang Qi had never even heard of the storage device they wanted, leaving her completely bewildered and at a loss.

...

Dali, Yue Shan Hotel.

The night breeze was slightly cool. Lu Min stood with his back to the wind, smoking a cigarette at the entrance of the restaurant.

After finishing his cigarette, Silver Teeth walked towards you: "Brother Min, Qian Kunpeng and Jin Hai have arrived."

"Let's go in."

As soon as Lu Min arrived in Dali, he received a call from Qian Kunpeng.

This was an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.

Qian Kunpeng arranged to meet at the Yueshan Hotel tonight, saying he wanted to catch up.

Having not seen each other for so many years, Lu Min naturally had to keep the appointment.

Jin Hai had booked the private room at Yue Shan Hotel in advance. It was a large private room with top-notch ambiance and service.

Lu Min and Yin Ya entered the private room and sat down. Soon after, Jin Hai, Qian Kunpeng, and Yang Hao came up.

The door to the private room opened, and the first person to enter was Qian Kunpeng.

Although many years had passed, Lu Min could still recognize Qian Kunpeng at a glance. Of course, Qian Kunpeng could also recognize Lu Min at a glance.

They haven't changed much over the years.

Once everyone was seated and the food and drinks were served, only the four men remained in the private room.

“Amin is as handsome and energetic as ever. Have you found a girlfriend these past few years? You’re getting on in years, it’s time to think about settling down. If you find someone you like, just tell me, and I’ll definitely help you,” Qian Kunpeng said with a smile.

"Brother Kun, please don't say that to me, you're making me feel too bad."

"Hey, we're all brothers." Qian Kunpeng added Lu Min's name as he spoke.

Lu Min smiled slightly, remaining calm and composed.

"I heard from Ahai that you came to Dali because of Sang Qi?" Qian Kunpeng asked casually, staring at the wine in his glass.

Lu Min raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Brother Kun knows too."

"What? You want a storage device too?"

"Is it not allowed?" Lu Min asked back.

Qian Kunpeng chuckled, "Of course, but if you want a storage device, how about we cooperate?"

"Oh? Cooperation? Brother Kun would genuinely cooperate with me? Brother Kun probably wants to tear me to pieces, or given Brother Kun's personality, once the deal is done, he'll probably discard me like a spent bird after the hunt is over."

Lu Min's words were light and carried a hint of a smile, causing Qian Kunpeng's lips to twitch a few times and his face to turn somewhat ugly.

Lu Min clicked his tongue: "Me? My life is more important. I dare not cooperate." Then, he raised an eyebrow at Jin Hai: "Hey Jin Hai, you better watch out. Being ungrateful is Kun Ge's unchanging character. Be careful not to fall into his hands. Don't blame me if I didn't warn you."

Jin Hai's gaze darkened, and Qian Kunpeng was somewhat provoked: "Lu Min, Lu Min, you still have that sarcastic tone, it's really fucking annoying."

"With your serious and earnest tone, Kun, I doubt many people would like you."

"..." Qian Kunpeng was speechless.

"Amin," Jin Hai scolded in a low voice, "Kunpeng is still a senior, even though you've retired, you're still from Changle. How can you have no manners at all? What did Brother Hua teach you?"

When Liu Yaohua was mentioned, Lu Min snorted and laughed: "You still have the nerve to mention Brother Hua? You were so taught by Brother Hua, how did you end up colluding with Qian Kunpeng? And you dare to lecture me? You've got some nerve!"

Jin Hai's face flushed red and then turned pale, utterly embarrassed. Yin Ya was delighted to see Qian Kunpeng and Jin Hai looking so humiliated.

"If Aoki hadn't decided to retire back then, the position of head of Chang Le would never have been yours, Jin Hai. Not only are you ungrateful, but you've also turned around and helped your enemy. That's truly outrageous." Lu Min became more and more indignant as he spoke.

Jin Hai became furious at these words, his eyes filled with rising hostility: "Everyone says that with Qingmu around, I, Jin Hai, am nothing. Let me tell you, Chang Le in my hands will be no worse than Qingmu. It will only grow bigger and bigger."

"What you mean by 'growing bigger and bigger' is to drag Chang Le back down the path of crime?" Lu Min questioned.

“Changle has always been in this business. It’s naive of a blood-stained gang to think it can walk the straight path and be cleaned up in the sunlight.” Jin Hai said through gritted teeth. “Changle’s industrial transformation, which attempts to gain social recognition, is just Liu Yaohua’s utopia, unrealistic. What Changle should be doing is making big money for the brothers and supporting them.”

Qian Kunpeng sneered, "Jin Hai is right. It's one thing for Liu Yaohua to be stupid, but you, Lu Min, are just as stupid."

"I can only say that those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Lu Min did not want to say more and got up to leave.

"Wait," Jin Hai called out to him, "Are you really determined to go against us?"

Lu Min turned around: "I said I wouldn't let you hurt Sang Qi, and Hua Ge's storage device doesn't belong to you, so don't even think about getting your hands on it."

At this moment, Qian Kunpeng spread his hands and said, "Since you want to be our mortal enemy, then we will accompany you to the end. However, I want to tell you that you will never be able to beat me. Even if your father and Liu Yaohua are the same, they will only become my defeated opponents."

"What did you say?"

Lu Min bristled at the mention of his father.

Qian Kunpeng's eyes revealed a sinister glint: "I'm not afraid to tell you, back then your father refused to cooperate with me, so I was the one who killed him."

"What!" Lu Min's pupils trembled. "You're the one who caused my family's destruction?"

"You could say that," Qian Kunpeng said with a slight smile.

The Lu family business went bankrupt overnight, and the boss, Mr. Lu, committed suicide by jumping off a building due to his debts. From then on, the Lu family business collapsed.

Lu Min had always thought this was just a business war, but only now did he realize that the mastermind behind it all was Qian Kunpeng.

Qian Kunpeng chuckled and said, "But I've said before that we're quite destined to be together. I caused your family to be destroyed, and you joined Chang Le and became Liu Yaohua's subordinate to oppose me. It's quite interesting."

Lu Min clenched his fists, veins bulged on his forehead, and veins on his arms became even more prominent due to the force of his clenched fists.

Seeing Lu Min suppressing his anger, Qian Kunpeng felt a surge of satisfaction. He laughed heartily, took a sip of his drink, and said, "Let me tell you, not only your father, but Liu Yaohua was also killed by me. You'll be just like them, destined to become a defeated soldier under my feet."

Lu Min calmed himself down, refusing to be provoked by Qian Kunpeng. Lu Min knew that Qian Kunpeng only dared to reveal so many truths because he felt he was not a threat to him.

"If that's the case, then we'll see. I'll make sure Qian Kunpeng gets his revenge for all the blood debts he owes," Lu Min thought to himself.

...

Red Sea Casino, Level 2 (basement).

At the end of the secret passage on the second basement level was a room with a locked iron door, guarded by a tall, muscular man in a suit.

Footsteps echoed through the secret passage. Yang Hao walked to the end of the passage, inserted the key, and turned the iron door open.

The door suddenly opened, and Sang Qi turned around abruptly, her expression one of fear.

Yang Hao said calmly, "Come with me."

"What?" Sang Qi asked warily.

"Don't worry, our boss wants to see you." With that, Yang Hao turned and walked out, and Sang Qi quickly followed.

Sang Qi followed behind Yang Hao, glancing around at the surroundings.

"Don't try any tricks, you can't escape," Yang Hao said coldly.

“…” Sang Qi pouted, “I don’t want to do these thankless things.”

Sang Qi lied to keep them calm.

"You're quite smart."

"You flatter me."

Following Yang Hao, the underground passage was like a maze, winding and turning, but Sang Qi silently made her way along the way.

As long as you remember the way out, you'll be able to escape someday.

A car was parked at the entrance. Yang Hao asked Sang Qi to get in the car, and Sang Qi obediently got in. Yang Hao then drove.

The car stopped at a quaint teahouse.

That's the Sun and Moon Teahouse, with views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake—a truly magnificent sight.

Yang Hao led Sang Qi into the teahouse and upstairs.

Upstairs in the private room, Jin Hai had been waiting for quite some time.

Yang Hao led the person to stand behind Jin Hai.

Sang Qi felt a little relieved after seeing Jin Hai.

She wasn't afraid of Jin Hai, and thought he was quite easy to talk to. It was just that Qian Kunpeng was too wicked, and she didn't want to see him.

"Sit down." Jin Hai raised his hand.

Sang Qi took his seat.

"The tea is all top-quality Yunnan black tea, a rare find." Jin Hai personally poured Sang Qi a cup of tea.

Sang Qi glanced at it briefly; the red tea in the white porcelain teacup was bright red and had a rich aroma, indeed the appearance of a fine tea.

But Sang Qi just glanced at it and showed no intention of drinking: "You invited me here for more than just tea, didn't you?"

Jin Hai took a sip of tea and smiled, "Indeed."

Sang Qi spread his hands: "I don't have a storage device, really."

"No, I didn't come to ask you about the storage device."

"Oh?" Sang Qi asked, puzzled.

"I want to ask about your father, Liu Yaohua," Jin Hai said calmly.

Sang Qi shook her head: "I've said it before, I don't have a father."

"Impossible. Maybe you don't know?"

"Maybe so, but I've never seen him before, and there's no way you're going to give me the storage device. I seriously suspect you've arrested the wrong person. Release me right now."

Jin Hai sighed, "This is not something I can decide."

"..."

"You really don't know?" Jin Hai still didn't believe Sang Qi.

Sang Qi was too lazy to explain: "Believe it or not."

Jin Hai narrowed his eyes: "Actually, if you had told me and handed you over to me, I would have had someone quietly send you away right now, and I would never bother you again."

Sang Qi said helplessly, "Big brother, if I knew, if I had a storage device, I would have given it to you immediately. The problem is, I don't have one."

Jin Hai leaned back in his chair and slowly lowered his eyes.

Seeing that Jin Hai was silent, Sang Qi rested his chin on his hand in a daze, looking bored.

After a long pause, Jin Hai suddenly asked again, "What is your relationship with Lu Min?"

Sang Qi was taken aback, and nervously avoided Jin Hai's gaze: "He...he is my tour leader. I went to their travel agency to find a tour leader when I came to Yunnan for tourism, and that's how I found him."

"that's all?"

"Mm." Sang Qi nodded.

“But I feel that your relationship is not simple…” Jin Hai stared at Sang Qi curiously.

Sang Qi calmly replied, "What relationship do we have? You're overthinking it. Once the trip is over, we're nothing to each other."

"Did Lu Min mention the storage device to you?" Jin Hai asked.

"What? What does your looking for the storage device have to do with Lu Min? Is he looking for it too?" Sang Qi asked, somewhat confused.

Jin Hai frowned but remained silent. He was just guessing that I was afraid Lu Min knew about the storage device all along and therefore accepted Sang Qi, and that Sang Qi was worried that she would give the storage device to Lu Min.

But then I thought about it again, and judging from Lu Min's reaction, he probably didn't get the storage device. This idea was just me being paranoid.

Jin Hai raised his chin, indicating that Yang Hao should take Sang Qi back.

Sang Qi was dazed and confused when he was sent back to the casino's basement and locked up.