Bald Li stood frozen, utterly dumbstruck. He had finally managed to see that menace off during the day—only to run into him again that very night. Worse, one of his men had provoked the man.
Anger flared through him. He strode forward and savagely kicked Wang Jun, who had only just staggered to his feet.
"You bastard—who do you think you're picking on?" he snarled.
The red-haired thug beside him gaped in astonishment. Since when do they start brawling among their own?
Bald Li dared not tarry. He crept into the private room with exaggerated caution, and there, as he suspected, Ye Chu sat serenely on the sofa like a warrior. Surveying the disarray, an involuntary twitch appeared at the corner of his eye.
"B… big brother, what a coincidence," he blurted.
A faint curve lifted Ye Chu's mouth. "It is rather a coincidence. Your White Wolf lot never seem to run out of chances to show their arrogance."
Bald Li felt his scalp prickle. He hurried forward, fawning. "Big brother, I swear I had no part in tonight's mess—Wang Jun alone is to blame. Say the word and I'll follow your orders." He bowed so low his forehead almost touched the floor.
Wang Jun at the door heard this and went as white as paper. He finally realized he had kicked at something far tougher than he'd imagined.
Ye Chu answered coolly, "I don't want to see him again."
Bald Li nodded frantically. "Big brother, rest assured—after tonight, you will never see him again."
Wang Jun's face crawled with fear. With a thud he dropped to his knees. "Please spare me, elder! I was blind—please, I beg you—"
Bald Li's expression froze into cold steel. "Shut him up. Drag him out."
Zhang Mazi and the others moved without hesitation and hauled Wang Jun away.
Bald Li pointed at the crowd strewn on the floor. "Big brother, what do you want done with these people?"
Every underling stiffened, terrified they might suffer the same fate as Wang Jun.
Ye Chu waved them off. "I've already punished them. Get out."
A small, gleeful light flickered in Bald Li's chest. He thundered, "Hurry up and thank big brother and be on your way!"
The men rose through gritted teeth and pain, voiced a chorus of thanks to Ye Chu, and fled the room like beaten dogs.
Only the coquettish woman remained—her face now a ruin of slapped flesh.
Ye Chu gestured. "Leave. Take care of yourself from now on."
She scrambled to her feet, murmuring thanks, and stumbled out in a frantic rush.
Sun Yurou watched, eyes wide and dazzled. Ye Chu's mastery left her breathless. The brutes who swaggered and bullied in public became meek as kittens before him.
Bald Li approached with exaggerated deference. "Big brother, about tonight—what would you have us do?"
"You've done reasonably well. Let this be the end of it," Ye Chu said, voice calm. "But mark my words—don't let there be a next time. If you persist, I will not hesitate to uproot the White Wolf Society completely."
Bald Li nodded profusely. "Big brother, you have my word. It will never happen again."
Ye Chu made a single affirmative sound, then rose and took Sun Yurou's arm. They left together.
Only when their figures receded did Bald Li's taut nerves finally ease. His clothes were soaked through; he felt like a man who had escaped death itself.
Zhang Mazi and the others drifted back in. One asked, "Big brother, did that fiend trouble you?"
"No—he's gone," Bald Li sighed, collapsing onto the sofa.
"That kid was too arrogant. We can't let it end like this," someone grumbled, unwilling to let matters rest.
Zhang Mazi glanced coldly. "Wang Dazui, what, you want to go get revenge?"
Wang Dazui went oddly mute, before muttering at last, "Still… we can't just let it go, can we?"
"And do what?" Bald Li sighed. "That kid isn't ordinary—he's clearly an 'Opening Meridian' master. A master so young has limitless potential." He looked at them all. "Given the White Wolf's current standing, we shouldn't provoke another rising master."
The men exchanged knowing, unsettled sighs.
Ye Chu and Sun Yurou stepped out of the nightclub and hailed a taxi. A thunderous roar split the night as a red sports car barreled toward them, skidding to a stop at the curb. Its scissor door snapped open and the spectacle drew a crowd—phones came up, girls swooned at the sight.
A dapper young man climbed out and immediately spotted Ye Chu. "Well, well—if it isn't my good brother Ye Chu," he called with dripping mockery.
The youth was none other than Ye Tiancheng's second son, Ye Yifei. He sauntered forward, and when his gaze fell on Sun Yurou his face registered sharp surprise. He had intended to have her kidnapped—but he hadn't expected to see her here.
Ye Chu made to ignore him and leave.
"Stop." Ye Chu turned, brow knitting. "What is it?"
"Ye Chu, though you've married into the Jiang family, don't forget your own name," Ye Yifei jeered. "You just got married and you're already out chasing women? If the Jiang family knew, would they tolerate such shame? If you want to court death, fine—but don't drag down the Ye family."
He adopted a tone of chastisement as if lecturing a subordinate. "Turn tail back to the Jiang house this instant. Leave this woman to me. Father wishes to meet Miss Jiang—you know what that implies."
"Are you instructing me?" Ye Chu's voice was frosty. "And tell Ye Tiancheng this: I have no more ties with the Ye family. Tell him to stop looking for me."
Ye Yifei's expression darkened. He raised his voice a notch. "You worthless bastard. Mother was right—now you've got the Jiang family behind you, your wings think themselves grown." He sneered. "Do you know your place? A mere son-in-law—what weight do you carry? If you're sensible, you'll behave and secure interests for the Ye clan—otherwise—"
"Otherwise what?" Ye Chu cut him off coldly.
Ye Yifei's smile turned venomous. "Otherwise the Ye family's methods are not something a worthless son-in-law can imagine."
"And if we try anything, be warned—my methods aren't what the Ye family imagine either." Ye Chu left the words hanging and walked away with Sun Yurou.
Ye Yifei watched them go, face a pool of dark resentment. "Ungrateful wretch. If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll think marrying into the Jiang family gives you carte blanche." As he watched Sun Yurou's graceful back, a lascivious gleam flashed across his eyes. "When I get my hands on her, I'll love to see your face."
He strode into the club and told the attendant, "Show me to your boss."
"Right this way, Young Master Ye." The staff obliged, and led him to the top-floor office. Seeing the red-haired thug at the door, the attendant said, "Feiji—Young Master Ye wishes to see Jun."
The red-haired man knew Ye Yifei and forced a smile. "Young Master Ye, Jun's not here today—come back another time."
Ye Yifei narrowed his eyes. "Where is he? I have urgent business."
The red-haired man hesitated, fishing for an excuse—when a voice called from inside the office, "Who's out there?"
Ye Yifei pushed the door and entered, only to find Bald Li and the others already inside. The wreckage of the earlier private room was visible even here.
The red-haired man hurriedly explained, "Bald Li—this is the Ye family's eldest son. He says he has business with Jun."
Bald Li flicked a glance at Ye Yifei. "What is it? Speak."
A flicker of caution crossed Ye Yifei's face. When the red-haired man clarified that Bald Li was Jun's elder brother, recognition softened his expression. The White Wolf's core leadership—this was no small connection.
"Ah—Bald Li, a pleasure." He smoothed his features.
Zhang Mazi barked, "Cut the crap—get to the point."
Ye Yifei swallowed his annoyance and explained his proposal. "Gentlemen, I'd like to hire you for a job."
"What sort of job?" Bald Li asked.
"I want someone kidnapped. I'll pay two million."
Zhang Mazi snorted. "Two million? You think we're beggars?"
Ye Yifei clenched his jaw. "Five million. I'll pay five million."
"That's more like it," Zhang Mazi muttered, though still cautious. "Depends who the target is."
"Relax—it's just a college student." Ye Yifei opened his phone and produced a photo. "Her name is Sun Yurou, a student at Jiangdu University; her family runs a noodle shop. No background, no connections."
They all stared at the picture on his screen. Exchanging looks, anger flared in each of them. They had barely seen off one troublesome spirit—now someone asked them to abduct this woman. Was fate bent on their destruction?
Ye Yifei smirked. "So? Isn't this a deal worth taking?"