Chapter 62: If You Want to Eat, Follow the Rules!
Chen Xue Wen ascended to the second floor, spotting Ding Three standing at the stairway entrance with a broad grin, waiting for him.
“Brother Wen, you finally made it!” Ding Three greeted.
“Brother Snake and the big brothers have been expecting you for quite some time! This way, please!”
Ding Three smiled as he spoke, stepping back several paces to widen the distance between himself and Chen Xue Wen. His posture made it clear—he was on guard, ensuring that Chen Xue Wen couldn’t make a sudden move against him.
Chen Xue Wen smirked coldly. “Hold on! Where is Wu Li Hong?”
Ding Three chuckled. “Brother Wen, you truly are a man of sentiment. The first thing you ask about upon arriving is that little girl. No wonder she is so devoted to you, willing to die rather than become a burden on you.”
Chen Xue Wen’s expression darkened. “What… what did you say?”
Ding Three grinned. “Relax, Brother Wen, she’s fine. After we captured her, she actually tried to bash her head against the wall to end her life, not wanting to drag you down.”
Chen Xue Wen’s heart tensed.
Ding Three continued, “But don’t worry, we stopped her in time. Just to be safe, we gagged her, so she wouldn’t bite her own tongue. Look, she’s in that room, unharmed!”
Chen Xue Wen followed his gaze and saw Wu Li Hong tied to a chair inside a private room. When she saw him, her eyes lit up before tears welled up, and she shook her head vigorously.
Seeing she wasn’t injured, Chen Xue Wen finally let out a breath of relief. He turned back to Ding Three and said in a low voice, “Ding Three, you gave me your word. You said if I came, you would release her without harm! Can you keep that promise?”
Ding Three grinned. “As long as you have dinner with my boss, I guarantee she will leave here without a scratch.”
Chen Xue Wen nodded, giving Wu Li Hong a deep look. He spoke gently, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you out of here.”
Then, without hesitation, he strode into the private room.
Behind him, the gagged Wu Li Hong sobbed softly.
Inside the largest private room of Chen’s Grand Hotel, over twenty people had already gathered. Four individuals were seated at the table, with Snake at the head, puffing on a cigarette, his face full of arrogance.
Beside him were three others, one of whom was Zhou Jing Hui. The other two, Chen Xue Wen did not recognize, but considering they were seated at the table, their status had to be significant—likely on the same level as Zhou Jing Hui.
Meanwhile, a dozen others stood behind them—obviously their subordinates.
As Ding Three led Chen Xue Wen into the room, he quickly announced with a smile, “Brother Snake, Brother Wen has arrived!”
The people inside turned their heads to look, the two high-ranking figures scrutinizing Chen Xue Wen with curiosity. After all, it was surprising that an unknown young man could go head-to-head with Snake.
Zhou Jing Hui, being familiar with Chen Xue Wen, only spared him a glance before turning away, his face full of resentment. It was understandable—first, Chen Xue Wen had bought his two arcades for a mere five bucks, and then, earlier today, he had extorted a million from him. Who wouldn’t be furious?
Ding Three grinned and began introductions. “Gentlemen, this is Chen Xue Wen, Brother Wen! Brother Wen, let me introduce you. This is Brother Snake, and you already know Brother Hui. As for these two gentlemen, one is Brother Hao Wen, and the other is Uncle Quan.”
Chen Xue Wen’s mind sharpened. He had heard of Hao Wen and Uncle Quan—both were big shots in Peaceful City, just like Zhou Jing Hui. They had also operated arcades in Old Square. In fact, the seven arcades in Old Square belonged to these three men.
However, after Snake arrived, all three had shut down their arcades, just like Zhou Jing Hui.
Tonight, Snake had called them all together. The message was clear—he was making an example of Chen Xue Wen. By dealing with him, he would intimidate the other three, warning them not to have any ideas of their own in the future.
Chen Xue Wen took a deep breath. Tonight was not going to be easy.
Snake scrutinized him for a moment, then chuckled coldly. “A young hero indeed! Brother Chen, you have guts, setting up shop in my territory. I have to admire that!”
Chen Xue Wen smiled faintly. “You flatter me, Brother Snake. I’m just trying to make a living.”
Snake laughed heartily. “We’re all just trying to make a living. But even in making a living, there are rules! Brother Chen, doing business without following the rules—that’s not going to work, is it?”
Chen Xue Wen didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. Hao Wen and Uncle Quan both frowned slightly—this action made it clear that Chen Xue Wen saw himself as an equal, someone worthy of sitting at the same table as them.
Chen Xue Wen swept his gaze across the room before settling it on Snake. He spoke calmly, “Brother Snake, I don’t know what ‘rules’ you’re talking about. I don’t believe I’ve done anything wrong. My shop pays rent, my utilities are paid, I have machines and a license, and I conduct legal business. How exactly am I breaking the rules?”
Snake’s face darkened. “You don’t know the rules? Fine, I’ll tell you!” He slammed his palm on the table and shouted, “Old Square is my turf now. Opening a business here without my permission is breaking the rules!”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “Brother Snake, listen to yourself. I took over Brother Hui’s arcade, which, if I remember correctly, was established long before yours. Since my arcade came first, why should I have to report to you? If anything, shouldn’t you be reporting to me? Your arcade came later, didn’t it?”
His words stunned the entire room. Hao Wen and Uncle Quan’s expressions shifted—this young man was audacious! No one had dared to talk to Snake like this before.
Even Zhou Jing Hui remained calm—he had expected this. He knew Chen Xue Wen’s boldness was no less than Snake’s.
Snake’s face twisted in fury. Ever since his rise to power, no one had ever dared to challenge him like this. He clenched his fist, ready to explode.
At that moment, the door suddenly burst open, and Zhang Feng rushed in, panting.
The sight of Zhang Feng made Chen Xue Wen exhale in relief.
With Zhang Feng here, tonight was unlikely to end in a fight.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation