After we finished the bottle of red wine and had some staple food, we got up to go back.
Lan Ya went to the office to talk to the "Female Demon." I went to the second-floor reception to find Xiao Hong. Today was also her first day at work, and I wondered if she was adapting well.
Xiao Hong was wearing a Western-style uniform: a gray blazer, a gray skirt, and a pair of black high heels. She greeted me when she saw me.
I asked, "How is it? Can you handle it?"
She replied, "Yes, the manager assigned me to arrange platters and drinks for the rooms. It's a simple job with few tasks; I just need to arrange for the servers to deliver them."
I nodded. The manager had shown me considerable respect. This job didn't involve dealing directly with customers, which meant a lot fewer troubles.
Knowing she could adapt to this job eased my mind considerably. To be honest, after the incident with her stepfather and her mother, I was worried she wouldn't be able to let it go and that it would leave a shadow on her, preventing her from moving on. That's why I hoped she would return to work. Being around everyone like this would help dilute those bad memories.
I gave her a few instructions, telling her to return to the hotel after work and move into the dormitory tomorrow.
Suddenly, I remembered I hadn't contacted Xiao Pang in a long time. I wondered how the school matters he was investigating for me were progressing. My father's situation also needed to be handled quickly; dragging it out could lead to more unforeseen trouble.
If he intended to harm my father, even if he didn't involve the "Female Demon," he would undoubtedly find other ways to ruin my father's life.
This matter could not wait any longer; it had to be dealt with urgently.
Lately, the "Female Demon" had been treating me like a comrade, like a fellow soldier in the same trench. There was no sense of animosity between us; we seemed to have become kindred spirits. Only I knew in my heart that she would always be herself, and she wouldn't change her attitude towards me just because we were both under Lan Ya. What maintained this balance was merely mutual benefit.
Therefore, I couldn't expect the "Female Demon" to back down. Since she had fixated on my father's affairs, she wouldn't let go; she would be relentless.
I pulled out my phone book, found Xiao Pang's home number, and called him.
I found an empty private room, closed the door, and waited for the call to connect.
Xiao Pang's father answered. I called him "Uncle" and asked for Xiao Pang.
I told Xiao Pang that I would come to see him after school tomorrow. He acknowledged it. I didn't say much more on the phone, fearing his father might get suspicious.
Just then, I heard a commotion outside. I quickly hung up the phone and pushed the door open.
A man at the reception was pulling at Xiao Hong. Several security guards were trying to pull him away, but he refused to let go, still cursing.
I walked over and asked a nearby security guard what was happening. The guard said a guest who had gone to the restroom saw Sister Hong there and insisted she accompany him for drinks. Sister Hong refused, and he started pulling her.
I walked over, asked the security guards to release him, and then told the man to let go of Xiao Hong's hand.
The security guards obeyed and let go, but the man continued to grab Xiao Hong, refusing to release her.
I said, "I'm the person in charge. If you have something to say, tell me. Your pulling and dragging here will affect business. Let her go first."
He looked at me askance and said, "So I should listen to you just because you're in charge? I'm a guest here, I'm God, you know? So what if you've changed your attire? Does that mean you won't serve me anymore? I have money, and I want you to entertain me. If you dare to refuse, I'll smash this place up today!"
I suppressed my anger and calmly said, "Sir, she has changed her job to become a beverage manager and no longer does her previous work. I hope you will respect her and not cause trouble here."
He backhanded Xiao Hong and said, "You say you've changed jobs? I have plenty of money. Whatever I want her to do, she must do. I decide whether she changes jobs or not. If she dares not entertain me today, do you believe I'll make you close shop today?"
Damn it, this guy was too arrogant, spewing such wild threats. Did he think I was easily pushed around?
I wanted to see how he intended to make me close shop.
I asked the security guards which room they were from and who they were with.
The guards said there were five of them in the Hibiscus private room. They had already booked five hostesses and, upon seeing Xiao Hong, had started harassing her.
The guards also mentioned that these five individuals were regulars and seemed to be the sons of officials.
I walked over and punched him on the forehead. Blood gushed from his nose, and he released Xiao Hong's hand. He tilted his head back and lunged at me.
I delivered a flying kick to his groin. He instinctively clutched himself and instantly fell to his knees, groaning in pain. I walked up to him and said, "I hate being threatened the most. Let me tell you, I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait right here for you to shut my place down!"
I instructed the security guards to drag him back to the private room and to beat them to death if they dared to cause trouble!
Two security guards each took an arm and dragged him back to the room.
The guy howled like a slaughtered pig, causing many people to stop and stare.
I went to check on Xiao Hong. She was adjusting her clothes, and unlike before, when she was bullied, she didn't appear weak. She calmly said, "I'm going back to work."
I tidied her disheveled hair, nodded at her, and turned to head to the third-floor office.
The "Female Demon" was still in the room. She greeted me as I entered. Lan Ya told her, "You can go back to the club first. I'll consider what you said."
Just then, the front desk manager called me over the intercom, saying that quite a few people had gathered at the entrance and claimed their boss had been beaten there and intended to storm in.
I told Lan Ya, "Stay in the room and don't move. I'll handle what's happening outside."
It must be that bastard who had harassed Xiao Hong earlier. It seemed he wasn't taught a lesson and needed more.
I gathered all the security guards at the first-floor entrance to block the door, while I went to the private room of those individuals.
Pushing the door open, I found the room dimly lit, with thick smoke making it almost impossible to see anyone. The music was extremely loud. I walked through the pungent, smoky air and saw five or six couples swaying, seemingly lost in the moment.
I asked the security guards accompanying me to turn on the lights and to switch off the music.
The group stopped swaying, and one of them cursed, "Why the hell did you turn off my music? And turn on the lights?"
I retorted, "Music your ass! Get out, you scoundrels! You're not welcome here!"
The one I had hit earlier had a bloody mark on his face. He walked over, grabbed my collar, and said, "You're here just in time. I was going to find you later anyway. Your shop's business is over today. When my men arrive, they'll smash your shop. You'd better behave and don't move. I'll settle accounts with you later!"
I replied, "Why wait for later? Isn't it better to settle it now?"
At that moment, another young man, skinny like a bean sprout, came over and pointed at me, saying, "Do you know who he is? How dare you speak to him like that? This is the son of Kang Gong from Nancheng, known as the Crown Prince of Ruicheng! If you know what's good for you, you'd better kneel down and kowtow. Maybe they'll go easy on you later and leave you with a whole body. If you're stubborn, don't blame me for not warning you – you'll be beaten senseless!"