I took a sip of tea, a trace of worry still etched across my brow. I suppressed the urge to speak again, "This Dragon Court Club has become a den of filth, complete with prostitution, gambling, and drugs. The boss is so permissive. Is he afraid of getting burned?"
Hu Haiyang slowly lifted the teapot and refilled my cup of clear yellow tea. Steam was rising from the teapot, and his voice was calm, as if discussing the weather. "It can't be helped. Not everyone in this world is like you and me, preferring tranquility. People are often addicted to sensual pleasures and extravagant lifestyles. The big bosses are simply catering to their tastes, using this place to weave a network, winning over the right people and buying their hearts." He looked up at me, his gaze filled with the indifference of someone who sees through everything. "Haven't you noticed? Those who frequent this place are generally influential figures in the officialdom. Those from provincial departments and municipal bureaus are rare. They enjoy the pleasures here, but naturally they have to bear the responsibilities—for themselves, this protective umbrella, and they've done a good job."
He paused, a hint of an almost grim smile playing on his lips. "Besides, the big boss has already set up layers of 'defense walls'. If a real storm comes, he'll be able to stay out of it safely. In the end, the most he'll get is gossip about a playboy frequenting a brothel, which will hurt him fundamentally."
I nodded silently. What he said resonated with everything I'd seen and heard. Those officials, impeccably dressed and righteous during the day, in white shirts and executive jackets, appearing respectable men, but once night fell, they dropped their pretenses, indulging in the pleasures of life, the sea of lust.
I pondered for a moment, lowering my voice. "Perhaps... this place isn't just a place for pleasure, but also a carefully constructed 'evidence vault' for the big boss? Once he gets his hands on all those scandalous deeds that have been exposed, will those people be forced to bow down and do his bidding?"
Hu Haiyang's expression froze upon hearing this. Though fleeting, it didn't escape my notice. He quickly adjusted his expression, his tone growing graver as he warned, unwaveringly, "Hongjun, the mystery here is profound. I urge you... don't speculate again, and don't ask again." He gave me a deep, meaningful look, "Everyone has their own path and their own tribulations. It's only right to take care of yourself."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowered, but every word was clear, as if it was knocking on his heart: "Remember what I said to you before. I guess... the Shen family will make a move to win you over soon."
At the time, I didn't fully take Hu Haiyang's words to heart, dismissing them as mere speculation. However, reality confirmed this all too quickly: I received an invitation from Zhang Pingmin to a "small get-together" at his villa. The reason sounded innocent enough: it was the start of the new year, and old friends were gathering for a drink and a good time.
I naturally had no reason to refuse. Deep down, I didn't fully believe Yue Mingyuan and Hu Haiyang's assessment of him—the notion that he was a "white glove" for the Shen family to amass wealth. After all, Zhang Pingmin's previous behavior, along with the magnanimity and vision he displayed in the business world, had always earned me a certain respect.
But after arriving at the villa, I found that this so-called "party" consisted of only Zhang Pingmin and I!
In the spacious dining room, the lights were bright and soft, and Auntie had already prepared a table full of exquisite and sumptuous dishes. Zhang Pingmin smiled and invited me to sit down, generously taking out the fine wine he had treasured for many years, as if he were sincerely entertaining a close friend.
After a few glasses of warm wine, our topic gradually narrowed from random chats, and finally inevitably focused on one person - Chen Mengzhao.
He held his wine glass, his eyes already a little tipsy, but his tone was full of attentive concern, like that of an elder, and he asked me softly, "Little brother...you and Nannan, haven't you seen each other for a while?"
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