"Hello, everyone."

Ye Chong greeted the crowd with a gentle smile. "It's not often I come by, so let's all have fun today—all drinks are half-price."

The moment he spoke, cheers erupted from the dance floor and private booths.

"Wow!"

"Thank you, Young Master Chong!"

"You're the best, Young Master Chong! I love you!"

Several women even cast coquettish glances in his direction. Clearly, Ye Chong's generous offer had instantly captured the hearts of many present.

Xu Ke's eyes narrowed slightly. This Ye Chong seems much more difficult to deal with than Ye Fan.

Ye Chong smiled faintly. "As long as everyone is happy, that's all that matters. Alright, I'm heading upstairs."

"Okay!"

"Come down and join us when you're free, Young Master Chong!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement as they watched him walk toward the second floor. Xu Ke withdrew his gaze, and once Ye Chong's figure disappeared at the top of the stairs, he quietly blended into the crowd and followed him up.

* * *

In a private room on the second floor of the Golden K Bar.

The design here was not as luxurious as the first floor. In fact, compared to the brilliant splendor downstairs, it was rather subdued, favoring a darker, more somber color scheme. But as the rotating lights on the ceiling cast their glow across the marble floor and skimmed over the paintings on the walls, they created an intoxicating atmosphere that tempted one to linger.

It was a great place for a date, but not so much for a party.

"Alright, Yi Yi, I should be heading back soon," Wang Qiya said, a bored expression on her face.

She had thought coming here would be new and exciting, but it was just a few of her friends drinking together. She would have had a better time getting barbecue instead. The thought brought a self-deprecating smile to her lips. Maybe I'm just getting old. Before I went abroad, I found bars fun. Now that I'm older, all I can think about is food.

Noticing her expression, Zhou Yi Yi, the young lady of the Zhou Family, asked curiously, "You're leaving after less than half an hour?"

Wang Qiya looked at her. "It's too boring. I'm leaving town in a couple of days, and I don't want to waste my time here."

"Then let's go," Zhou Yi Yi said with a nod. She wanted to leave, too.

Beside them, a curvy woman in a camisole saw that Wang Qiya was about to leave, and her expression changed dramatically. "Xiao Ya, what's the rush?"

This was Zhao Xinyue, the daughter of the Zhao Family, which, like the Li Family, was considered a top power in Tianhai City.

Seeing Zhao Xinyue's panicked look, Wang Qiya paused and frowned. "What's wrong, Yueyue?"

She just wanted to go to a different place. Why was Zhao Xinyue so anxious?

Zhou Yi Yi and the other girls also looked over, their curiosity piqued. Realizing her reaction had been a bit over the top, Zhao Xinyue forced a dry laugh. "I went to a lot of trouble to book this room. Let's just drink a little longer."

At this, Wang Qiya's frown deepened. Zhao Xinyue's attitude was too strange. When things are this abnormal, something must be wrong. I have to get out of here.

"Let's go somewhere else. The Golden K isn't that special anyway," Wang Qiya said. "I don't really want to stay here anymore."

Hearing this, Zhao Xinyue's face turned even uglier. "But…"

She had to find a way to make them stay.

Just then, a girl looking at her phone suddenly exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Young Master Chong is here! And drinks are half-price today!"

Her words made Wang Qiya's face change instantly. She spun toward Zhao Xinyue. "Ye Chong is coming?"

Zhou Yi Yi's eyes also narrowed. "Yueyue, didn't you promise Xiao Ya that the Ye Family was busy today and no one would be coming?"

Everyone was well aware of the relationship between the Wang and Ye Families. Wang Qiya hadn't wanted to come to the Golden K Bar in the first place, but she couldn't resist the constant persuasion from her supposed best friend, Zhao Xinyue. Coupled with Zhao's repeated assurances, she had reluctantly agreed.

And now… it's turned out like this?

Seeing her deception exposed, a flash of panic crossed Zhao Xinyue's eyes. She squeezed out a weak smile. "This… maybe something unexpected came up?"

Seeing her reaction, Wang Qiya knew without a doubt that she had been tricked. The thought of her trust being trampled by an old friend made her snort in anger. "Yi Yi, let's go."

"Okay," Zhou Yi Yi nodded.

The two of them walked toward the door.

Zhao Xinyue, however, was no longer in a hurry. Now that Young Master Chong has arrived, even if Wang Qiya is quick, she'll run right into him at the stairs. I don't even need to stop them!

As expected, just as Wang Qiya opened the door and stepped out, Ye Chong and his two bodyguards were already standing outside, warm smiles on their faces. "Qi Ya, Yi Yi, good evening."

Seeing them, Wang Qiya's expression darkened. "Good evening to you, Young Master Chong."

Zhou Yi Yi also looked displeased. "Young Master Chong, what brings you here so late?"

The Zhou Family's relationship with the Ye Family wasn't as openly hostile as that between the Wangs and Yes. Still, the Zhou Family's business had been unavoidably affected by the Ye Family's continuous rise in power over the past year.

"No particular reason," Ye Chong said with a faint smile. "I simply wanted to invite you ladies for a drink. The bar recently hired a new bartender, and I believe his creations will be to your tastes."

At this point, Zhao Xinyue also stepped out. "That's right, Xiao Ya, Yi Yi! Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Why not stay for a drink?"

Zhou Yi Yi shot Zhao Xinyue a cold glare, and the latter immediately lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Wang Qiya didn't even spare Zhao Xinyue a glance. She just scoffed, "I'm not in the mood for drinking these days, Young Master Chong. Please step aside. I'm going home."

A wave of regret washed over her. If only I hadn't trusted Zhao Xinyue. I never expected my own best friend to lead me into a trap like this.

Although she didn't know what Ye Chong was planning, it was precisely that uncertainty that made her refuse to have a drink with him.

"Step aside?" one of Ye Chong's bodyguards stepped forward, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Our young master has never failed to get a drink with any woman he's invited."

The other bodyguard sneered as well. "Miss Wong'er, it would be best if you just cooperate."

Ye Chong himself remained silent, his gaze fixed on his fingernails as if he were completely mesmerized by them.

Wang Qiya's face soured. Is he actually going to use force? She immediately prepared to contact her family.

Zhou Yi Yi also took out her phone, glaring at the three men. "If you don't let us leave, I'll call the police right now."

"Call the police?" One bodyguard scoffed. He suddenly lunged forward, snatched the phone from Zhou Yi Yi's hand, and sneered, "Miss Zhou, you should just obediently join Miss Wong'er for that drink!"

Caught completely off guard, Zhou Yi Yi was stunned as her phone was taken. Her face paled. "What are you doing?!"

"Give that back to Yi Yi!" Wang Qiya shouted.

At the same time, a chill went down her spine. They're actually resorting to snatching phones? Are they really prepared to burn all bridges?

Faced with Wang Qiya's furious demand, the two bodyguards just looked at her with mockery.

She's just a woman, after all. In a situation like this, what can she possibly do?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.