Chapter 81: Harmony Brings Wealth
Snake stormed in with his gang, eyes blazing with fury.
“Chen Xue Wen, you again!” he spat through clenched teeth, his face cold as ice.
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “Brother Snake, long time no see.”
“What? You really came to stand up for Boss Hu’s woman?”
At those words, a few bystanders chuckled quietly.
Everyone knew Snake had been messing around with Boss Hu’s little wife, but no one dared to say it out loud—except Chen Xue Wen.
Snake’s face darkened. His fists clenched tightly, eyes glinting with menace. He looked ready to throw down at any moment.
Chen Xue Wen, however, remained calm. One hand slowly slipped into his pocket, gripping his bone-cutting knife. The other disappeared into his sleeve, as if holding something unseen.
At the same time, Lai Hou, Wang Zhen Dong, and Li Tie Zhu stepped forward, surrounding Snake.
They too kept their hands tucked into their sleeves, their gazes locked onto Snake.
Behind Chen Xue Wen, the younger recruits also stood their ground. They wouldn’t dare to directly confront Snake, but their presence alone added weight to Chen Xue Wen’s stance.
Snake swept his gaze over the gathering, his expression growing more severe.
He knew Chen Xue Wen’s tricks—how he liked to keep lime powder hidden in his clothes for sneak attacks.
If this were a fair fight, Snake wouldn’t even consider Chen Xue Wen a challenge. He could take him and his boys down single-handedly.
But if that lime powder came into play, the outcome was anyone’s guess.
Back at Chen Ji Grand Restaurant, he had the upper hand because he picked the location. He had his men search Chen Xue Wen beforehand, making sure he didn’t carry any hidden weapons.
But this time? This time, he was caught off guard.
Charging in blindly would be a mistake. If Chen Xue Wen had come prepared, Snake could easily end up humiliated.
So despite his burning rage, he forced himself to hold back.
Instead, he sneered, “Chen Xue Wen, as a real man, you’re bullying a woman? Doesn’t that make you look bad?”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “Oh? So you admit I’m a real man, huh?”
“Us men are talking here. Isn’t it inappropriate for a woman to butt in?”
“Boss Hu didn’t raise his woman properly. I thought I’d help him out. What does that have to do with you?”
“It’s not like I’m disciplining your woman, right?”
That last line left Snake speechless.
Chen Xue Wen was right—this was Boss Hu’s woman. What business did Snake have interfering? He couldn’t very well admit she was his.
Gritting his teeth, Snake took a deep breath. “Boss Hu is my boss. His business is my business.”
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “Oh? So his woman is your woman too?”
Snake snapped, “You—”
Chen Xue Wen burst into laughter. “Relax, Brother Snake, just messing with you!”
“The real party involved hasn’t even said a word yet. Why are you in such a rush?”
“The New Year’s coming, Brother Snake. Let’s keep things peaceful and make money instead.”
Snake clenched his jaw, his fury barely contained. He turned to Boss Hu. “Boss Hu, what do you say?”
Boss Hu took a deep breath, glancing between Chen Xue Wen and Snake before sighing heavily. “Forget it. Harmony brings wealth.”
At his words, his little wife scowled in anger, spitting, “Coward!”
Boss Hu heard her but didn’t react. He just stood there, looking every bit the weak-willed pushover.
Chen Xue Wen laughed again, waving at Boss Hu. “Thanks, Boss Hu.”
Then, turning to Snake, he added, “See? Boss Hu knows how to handle things like a real boss. That’s the kind of man who gets things done!”
“How about joining us for a drink?”
Snake shot him a cold glare. “No need. I’ll have plenty of chances to drink at your funeral.”
Chen Xue Wen’s smile didn’t falter. “Tell me what you like to drink. I’ll make sure to bring plenty for you when the time comes.”
Ignoring him, Snake turned and left, his expression unreadable.
Boss Hu’s little wife spat on the ground before swaying her hips and strutting away after Snake.
The room erupted into murmurs and laughter.
“Damn, she just ran straight to Snake in broad daylight.”
“Look at those curves. Snake is in for a good time tonight.”
“Wonder how wild she’ll get in bed! Hahaha…”
The men cracked dirty jokes and snickered among themselves.
Boss Hu’s face turned stormy. Saying nothing, he stood up and left.
As he passed Chen Xue Wen, he shot him a cold look and muttered, “The money—I’ll have someone bring it to you tomorrow.”
Chen Xue Wen laughed. “Appreciate it, Boss Hu!”
Once Boss Hu and his men were gone, Chen Xue Wen strode back into his private room, slamming a hand on the table.
“Lai Hou, Dong, next round!”
“Wu Li Hong, call Little Man and the girls. Get me two VIP rooms.”
“Every guy here gets a girl tonight!”
“Only the best drinks, the highest tips!”
Then he patted Lai Hou on the shoulder with a grin. “Put it all on Zhao Qiang’s tab.”
Lai Hou cackled. “Got it, hahaha!”
Chen Xue Wen was about to squeeze Zhao Qiang for another hefty sum.
The man deserved it anyway—there were still old scores left unsettled.
The room erupted into cheers.
The winners of the night were beyond ecstatic. Not only had they received their prize money, but they also indulged in a lavish feast, with their nightlife plans seamlessly arranged. Their admiration and gratitude towards Chen Xue Wen soared to unprecedented heights.
Of course, where there was joy, there was also misery.
Zhao Qiang, upon receiving Wu Li Hong’s call, was on the verge of tears. The sheer cost of the night was staggering—over twenty men in attendance meant over twenty women to accompany them. Furthermore, many of them would likely opt for additional services, adding even more to the expenses. With two private rooms and high-end liquor on the table, the total bill for the night was expected to reach a hefty thirty to forty thousand.
For Zhao Qiang, this was akin to having his flesh carved from his body. Yet, he dared not utter a single complaint and could only obediently comply. He had already learned of Chen Xue Wen’s confrontation with Snake earlier that evening. Given the extent to which Chen Xue Wen had asserted himself, even Snake had refrained from making a move. How could Zhao Qiang afford to show any sign of defiance?
Thus, with a miserable expression, he signed off on the expenses.
That night, the revelry knew no bounds.
After this event, Chen Xue Wen’s name was destined to echo even louder in the underground circles.
By midnight, Chen Xue Wen, along with Wu Li Hong, Lai Hou, and a few others, had left for home. Upon arrival, Lai Hou voiced his concerns.
“Brother Wen, why don’t we stay here with you tonight?” he suggested. “Things got pretty heated tonight. Knowing Snake, he might attempt a sneak attack.”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “Relax. Even if Snake wants to deal with me, it won’t be tonight.”
Lai Hou frowned. “Why not?”
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “The Lunar New Year is right around the corner. With Electronic Dynasty’s business booming, if Snake plays his cards right, he stands to make at least ten million in the coming month. Before then, he won’t want any trouble stirring up. All he cares about right now is making money in peace.”
He paused before continuing, “Besides, after everything that has happened, he knows by now that I’m not an easy target. Even if he does come after me, it’s not guaranteed that he’ll succeed. And even if he does manage to take me down, he’d be breaking the oath he made back at Chen Ji Grand Restaurant. That would destroy his credibility and impact his business.”
Chen Xue Wen leaned back with a smirk. “Not to mention, if I were to die, he wouldn’t be able to escape suspicion. He’d be dragged into endless investigations, and that would ruin his golden month of earnings.”
Understanding dawned on Lai Hou, who nodded in admiration. “So that’s why you told him ‘harmony brings wealth.’ You were reminding him, weren’t you?”
Chen Xue Wen waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. As long as I don’t touch his core interests, he won’t make a move. Snake is a madman, but he’s no fool. A million-dollar payday is too tempting for him to risk.”
Reassured, Lai Hou and the others nodded and took their leave, their worries laid to rest.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation