It was truly a chaotic scene.
Hu Jiasheng listened for a while, inhaling a good amount of secondhand smoke, and could no longer sit still. He whispered a few words to a technician, then got up to leave.
A sea of people.
He pushed through the crowd towards the exit, moving against the flow. It took two to three minutes to reach the door.
It seemed like a martial arts performance was taking place, not a fight. Everyone craned their necks, eager to watch from the inside, making it difficult to open the door.
He politely asked the people blocking the doorway to move aside, and finally managed to pull the door open with effort.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the door opened, a woman stumbled into his arms.
The bar's air conditioning was set low, and Hu Jiasheng felt cold.
The woman, carrying the warmth from outside, rushed into him, pressing against him tightly, which was rather comfortable.
Hu Jiasheng subconsciously lowered his head and steadied the woman by her shoulders.
The woman placed her hands on his lower back, then looked up and apologized.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry."
Her eyes and voice were all too familiar. Even though she was wearing a mask, Hu Jiasheng recognized her.
Wasn't this the female driver he'd met at the hospital during the heavy rain a few days ago?
She was still wearing the familiar black t-shirt and black ponytail.
Dressed like this, coming to a bar, was she waiting for customers at the entrance and wanted to join the fun?
Hu Jiasheng, being squeezed, had nowhere to stand. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her out, setting her down in an open space.
"It's a mess in there, and there aren't many people coming out at this hour. Why don't you come with me?"
His implication was that he would take her taxi, and she should drive him home.
The girl looked at him with confusion. "What?"
He glanced around. "Where's your car? Could you please give me a ride home?"
"I'm not here to pick up customers. Did you just come out from inside? Did you see someone fighting in there?"
"Hmm?"
"That person is my brother. I'm sorry, but I can't drive right now. You should hail someone else."
With that, she turned and ran back towards the bar entrance, desperately trying to push her way inside.
Given her level of spending, it was unlikely that the influential He San was her brother.
Therefore, it could only be the person referred to as the "big spender" by others, the one being beaten.
Hu Jiasheng didn't want to meddle in other people's affairs, but he couldn't resist his curiosity.
How tragic was her life?
Last time, she was extorted by someone called "Uncle" on the phone, and now, while working as a driver, she was rushing to rescue her brother who was fighting after drinking.
What kind of family was she born into?
After a moment's thought, Hu Jiasheng followed her back to the bar entrance.
With her strength, it was impossible to push through such a noisy crowd.
Hu Jiasheng acted like a bodyguard, shielding her in his embrace, spreading his arms, parting the crowd on both sides, and escorting her to the people who were fighting.
It was less a fight and more a group of people beating one person.
The crowd screamed and whistled, cheering them on. A man in white lay on the ground, and fists and shoe soles rained down around him, a truly shocking sight.
The girl rushed to the front of the crowd, looked for less than two seconds, and couldn't help but exclaim.
"Stop hitting! Stop hitting! Hurry and stop, everyone stop!"
The crowd gradually quieted down, and everyone turned to look at her.
The girl, dressed the most extravagantly and looking the most distinguished among the crowd, walked over.
Her tone unfriendly, she questioned him.
"Is this amusing, He Lao San? How many times has this happened? Is this amusing to you?"
"Don't think I can't do anything to you. If there's a next time, I'm done with you!"
After speaking, she squatted down to check the white-clad man's injuries.
He San, far from being intimidated, burst into laughter.
"Miss Tang is here, Miss Tang is here again to clean up after this good-for-nothing brother, how amusing."
"I knew she would come. Brothers!"
The crowd roared, as if they had seen something interesting.
He San, still smiling, squatted down in front of the girl.
"Before, out of consideration for our past relationship, wasn't it that no matter what trouble this guy caused, I didn't hold him accountable? Hmm?"
"But today is our bar's anniversary. On such a joyous occasion, you're smashing my place, and you're threatening me. Nannan, in front of all these brothers, tell me, how can I swallow this?"
The people behind him chimed in.
"You can't swallow it. It's about time we taught Tang Dong a lesson. San Ge, you can't let this go this time!"
He San continued to smile. "See, your brother is too much, even his brothers can't stand it."
"I've said it before, he's not welcome here. He shamelessly insisted on coming in. Not only can't he afford the bill, but he also causes trouble? Tsk."
Tang Nannan glanced at him with disgust.
"If you have the guts, tell the truth. What kind of man makes up lies in front of everyone? Don't you know why my brother caused trouble?"
He San stared at her, then after two seconds, his smile disappeared, and his face darkened.
"You two siblings, on my special day, one acting shamelessly, the other throwing a tantrum, do you think I'll always indulge you just because of some past acquaintance? Look at yourselves now, trying to act tough with me, are you worthy?"
Someone else in the crowd chimed in, "Not worthy! Our San Ge has seen all sorts of women, she's not worth it for her, not worthy!"
He San reached out to pull Tang Nannan's mask, but she turned her head away in disgust.
He grinned unpleasantly, "You're not so ugly that you can't be seen, why do you wear a mask all day? Take it off, no one recognizes you now."
"Also, San Ge hasn't seen your true face in a long time. Take it off..."
Tang Nannan slapped his hand away.
"Get away! Who is being shameless? So many people are watching, don't get grabby with me!"
"It's just a look at your face, I'm not taking advantage of you, why such a big reaction?"
"As long as you take off your mask and let everyone here have a look, I won't settle today's bill with your brother."
Someone in the crowd was discussing.
"So it's her, Tang Nannan. The former Miss Tang family, once renowned throughout the city of Su. I didn't expect her to end up like this."
"Is that her younger brother Tang Dongdong? Tsk, the once famous rich second generation now beaten like this, a fallen phoenix is not as good as a chicken."
From this, it seemed this woman was originally rich.
Hu Jiasheng became even more curious about her.
"What kind of person do you think you are? Why should I give you face on your anniversary celebration? Hurry and call an ambulance, my brother is seriously injured. If anything happens to him later, I'm not done with you!"
Tang Nannan not only didn't listen to him but spoke harshly. He San was amused to anger.
"Not done with me? How will you be 'not done'?"
"Who saw me beating him? What evidence do you have to prove he was beaten by me? You say you're 'not done', based on what?"
The crowd erupted in laughter, as if everyone knew the huge disparity in their strength.
Tang Nannan was momentarily speechless.
He San stood up with a cold smile.
"It's not impossible for me to save your brother's life. Be obedient, take off your mask."
"Change into the same clothes as them, and toast my brothers one by one."