Chapter 15: Just Kill Anyone with Ideas

Zhou Yinhé returned to his office holding the flowers, placing them carefully on his desk. He reached out to touch a tear still clinging to a petal, his gaze lowering to the wet mark on his fingertip. He stood there, lost in thought for a long while.

His secretary had not yet left and was waiting outside the office. Zhou asked him for a vase, and with utmost care, he arranged the flowers inside, placing them where he could see them without having to look up.

Leaning against his desk, he stared blankly at the vase, his mind filled with the image of Wen Ling from moments before.

Frustrated, he ruffled his disheveled hair and swiftly turned, leaving the room with his hair in wild disarray.

Wen Ling returned home after dinner to find Aunt Zhou and Qiao Hongyun had gone off together to the park. She showered and went to her room, feeling utterly bored with life in Forty-Nine City.

Unable to sleep, she changed clothes, took two bodyguards with her, and asked the driver to take her to the Nyx Bar—not to chance an encounter with Zhou Yinhé, but simply to unwind.

She danced for a long time in the crowded dance floor until exhaustion set in. Only then did she head to the reserved booth, collapsing onto the sofa and squinting at the flickering lights.

The female manager of Nyx had recognized Wen Ling as no ordinary visitor the moment she entered. Who else but someone special would come to a bar with two bodyguards? Though she had not booked the most exclusive room, Nyx was the premier den of indulgence in Forty-Nine City, and anyone who reserved a booth was not a common patron. Perhaps this young lady simply enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

When Wen Ling returned to the booth, the manager approached. The bodyguards, standing nearby, immediately stretched out their arms to block her. Surprised, the manager glanced at Wen Ling, who waved them away. Only then did the manager smile warmly and say, "Miss, are you enjoying your evening? Would you like to order more drinks?"

Wen Ling slowly sat up and beckoned her to sit beside her.

"If you keep me company, I’ll order the most expensive drinks in your bar," she said, her eyes curved into a gentle smile.

The manager was momentarily stunned but nodded in agreement.

She wasn’t sure why she consented—perhaps sympathy for such a beautiful girl arriving alone with two bodyguards, looking so solitary.

Wen Ling leaned over to pour her a drink, handing the glass to the manager with a bright smile before clinking glasses and downing it in one gulp.

She drank with surprising vigor, her round eyes always glistening despite the smiles, giving the impression of a deep sadness beneath.

For the first time, the manager felt it wasn’t worth chasing commission.

Wen Ling lost track of how much she drank. Swaying slightly, she said to the bodyguards, “I’m going to the restroom. Don’t follow me.”

The bodyguards halted, exchanging glances before one stepped forward and said to the manager, “Please keep an eye on our lady.”

The manager nodded and followed. Supporting Wen Ling, whose steps had become unsteady, she was met with a sweet smile that softened her heart.

Ahead, a man appeared, cigarette dangling from his lips, strolling over with a casual swagger.

“Hey, isn’t this Manager Song? Who are you supporting there—a new girl?” he said with a leering tone.

The manager restrained her displeasure, smiling politely. “She’s a guest, not staff.”

The man ignored her and fixated on Wen Ling with a lecherous gaze. Sensing this, the manager stepped protectively before Wen Ling.

“Hope you’re enjoying your night. We’ll be leaving now,” she said firmly.

As they turned to leave, the man reached out, blocking their way.

“If you want me to have fun, leave her with me to play with. Then I’ll buy whatever drinks the bar has, no matter the price. How about that?”

The manager’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold glare. “Young Master Wu, this is Young Master Jiang’s territory. If you want company, I’ll arrange someone to meet you in your room. But as for customers, forget it.”

“Ha! Would Young Master Jiang turn against us Wu family over a woman?” Wu said as he grabbed Wen Ling’s arm. She tried to pull away but was sluggish from intoxication.

The manager snapped, “Young Master Wu! Let go, or I’ll call for help and won’t hold back.”

“Go ahead and call. Even Young Master Jiang hasn’t crossed me. You’re just a small-time manager acting mighty,” Wu sneered, dragging Wen Ling toward the private room. She struggled, but he was a man, and she was drunk—there was no escaping.

“Let me go!” Wen Ling shouted angrily.

“Pretty girl, come quietly. I can buy you houses, cars, or bags,” Wu said as he moved to embrace her, but the next moment he was kicked hard to the ground.

Wen Ling barely avoided being caught in the scuffle, thanks to the manager’s quick reflexes in pulling her close. Looking up, they saw the two bodyguards had arrived and, seeing the trouble, charged forward immediately.

Wu clutched his abdomen in pain, cursing, “How dare you hit me? Do you know who I am? One word from me, and you’re finished!”

The two bodyguards had guarded Wen Ling for years and were furious to see her nearly harmed. Hearing Wu’s threats, they dealt blows without mercy, kicking him again and again until he howled in pain.

Wen Ling squinted, clapping her hands sharply. “Well done! Kick his legs! Kick his stomach!”

The manager frowned, wanting to intervene. After all, the Wu family held considerable influence in Forty-Nine City, and provoking them might bring retaliation upon this young woman.

“Stop, stop, enough,” the manager pleaded.

But the bodyguards only heard Wen Ling’s cheers and struck harder.

Wu’s cries drew the attention of other rooms; heads peeked out, some reveling in his misfortune, others silently mourning the fate of those who’d dared to challenge the Wu family in Forty-Nine City.

At that moment, another male manager from Nyx rushed over, instructing security to restrain the bodyguards.

Seeing the growing crowd, the bodyguards ceased their attack and stood guard in front of Wen Ling, flexing their muscles and glaring sharply at the male manager.

“You two have some nerve, attacking someone on Young Master Jiang’s turf! Do you realize who you’re fighting? This is a young master of the Wu Group!” the manager scolded.

The bodyguards snorted coldly; no matter who he was, anyone who laid a hand on their Miss would be dealt with first and questions answered later. Before Wen Ling arrived in China, her grandfather had made it clear: if anyone threatened her, they were to be dealt with decisively, with all matters handled afterward.

Wu had finally regained his senses, lying on the floor, gritting his teeth in fury. “You will pay for this! Not just you two, but even the girl you’re protecting will pay the price!”

One of the bodyguards responded by kicking Wu squarely in the mouth, causing him to howl in pain once more.