On the way, Ye Zixiao’s two battered cars encountered at least a dozen ambushes, but they weren’t soldiers, only small organizations and thugs.
To avoid attracting attention, Ye Zixiao didn’t want to deal with these petty nuisances and initially just fled. Later, when he had no other options and abandoned the cars, he ran on foot towards Lianhua Street.
An entertainment street.
It couldn’t possibly have only two entrances and exits.
The main street was heavily guarded. Ye Zixiao and Tang Ke Ke were confident they could fight their way in, but that would expose them, and their plan would be ruined.
Helpless.
Brother Shan, a local, had to lead Ye Zixiao through side paths, trying to enter through a small opening. Their efforts paid off; around 10 PM, an opportunity arose.
“Holy hell, Old Hei?!”
Brother Shan exclaimed at a small entrance guarded by a ten-man squad, walking towards a soldier on duty.
“Who the hell are you?”
The soldier, holding his rifle, was impolite.
“It’s me, Little Shanzi!”
“Ah?”
The soldier was startled, stepped forward to get a closer look, and sneered, “Damn, it really is you. What are you doing here in these chaotic times instead of staying in your village?”
They knew each other.
Old Hei was also surnamed Tian and hailed from Tianjia Village.
“Hey, come over here.”
Brother Shan pulled Old Hei aside, pointed at Ye Zixiao in the shadows, and said, “See this guy? A super-rich young master from out of town. He can’t get out of the city and wants to find a place to take refuge.”
“Really? Where’s he from?”
Old Hei clearly didn’t quite believe Brother Shan.
“He’s from Longdu, super rich.”
“Get outta here. If he’s that rich, why would he hang out with you? Stop bullshitting and get back. You can’t get into Lianhua Street. Only rich people can.”
“But I *am* rich!”
“Scram!”
“Look, what’s this?”
Brother Shan took off a watch from his wrist and said enthusiastically, “Rolex, cost over three hundred thousand. My big brother just gave it to me casually.”
“Really?”
Old Hei took the watch.
Actually, Old Hei was just a squad leader and never got to handle such an expensive watch. But under the dim streetlights, this watch was gleaming.
“It’s luminous, cool, right?”
Brother Shan continued his flawless deception.
“Rolex has luminous watches?”
“What do you know? This is a watch for rich people. Hey, let me tell you, my brother said if you let us in, he’ll give you a million after the war ends.”
“I don’t believe you!”
“Damn it, brother, you have a small mindset. Rich people don’t carry cash. Civil signal jamming is on, so phones don’t work, or I’d transfer it to you right now.”
“He’ll really give it, a million?”
Old Hei was clearly tempted.
A million was an absolutely huge sum for a mere squad leader. Besides, what Brother Shan said made sense, as many wealthy outsiders were eager to enter Lianhua Street in this city.
What’s more.
That Rolex was shining so brightly!
“Damn it, are you in or not? Let me tell you, this is a rare opportunity. If we weren’t childhood friends, do you think I’d come to you? A million, so many people want it.”
“Fine, wait a moment!”
Old Hei turned and walked back.
About five minutes later, after consulting with his subordinates, Old Hei returned to Brother Shan with his rifle, saying in a low voice, “One million, not a cent less. I want this watch too.”
“You’re too greedy!”
Brother Shan continued his professional act.
“If not, forget it.”
“Damn it, fine!”
Brother Shan gritted his teeth and said angrily, “But let me tell you, once the money comes, you’d better give me a cut. I can’t let you benefit for nothing, you’re getting the watch too.”
“No problem!”
Old Hei immediately chuckled.
And so, the great deceiver, Brother Shan, using a cheap street stall find worth fifty yuan, passed off as a hundreds-of-thousands-dollar Rolex, and promised a worthless million, managed to bribe the guards and slip through.
After entering the checkpoint, Ye Zixiao asked Brother Shan why he didn’t offer ten million if he was going to deceive them.
“Ten million is too much; no one would believe it,” Brother Shan explained with great confidence.
Indeed.
For an ordinary person, a million was money; ten million was just a number. Someone without a concept of ten million wouldn’t believe they could encounter such immense wealth.
Unlike some short video platforms where everyone in the comment section earns a hundred million a year!!!
Inside Lianhua Street.
It was brightly lit.
Mansions lined the street, most entertainment venues were operating normally, and groups of handsome men and beautiful women mingled amidst the dazzling lights and wine. These wealthy individuals were indifferent to the war outside.
Thus, within Lianhua Street and outside it, two worlds were formed. Inside was heaven, outside was hell. The rich enjoyed themselves as usual, while refugees would fight desperately for a single piece of meat!
“Have you been here before?”
On the road, Ye Zixiao asked softly.
“Definitely, I come every day.”
Brother Shan instinctively started boasting.
“So, you have a lot of prestige, huh?”
“Brother, let me tell you, in a private room that costs a hundred yuan per hour, there’s no manager who doesn’t know me, Brother Shan. If you want to have fun, I’ll take you. Tonight’s on me.”
“A hundred yuan an hour? Hahaha, I’ve never been to one. How old are they?”
“Around thirty-something!”
Brother Shan wasn’t actually lying.
On Lianhua Street, there were establishments that cost millions, and also places where even with hostesses and drinks, three people wouldn’t spend five hundred yuan. Of course, these smaller places were in alleys.
With Brother Shan’s resources, he did frequent these smaller establishments, but that was the extent of it. He had been to bigger venues before, but never on his own dime, only tagging along.
“Little Shanzi, you need to broaden your horizons.”
Ye Zixiao lit a cigarette and chuckled, “Forget the hundred yuan ones. Take me to one where a hostess costs a million. Tonight’s on me, let you see something truly eye-opening.”
“Don’t joke around, brother. Where could a hostess cost a million? Ten, twenty thousand is the absolute maximum.”
“Alright, we’ll make do then!”
“Seriously going?”
“Absolutely!”
“Alright, brother, please!”
Brother Shan immediately got into character. He had even forgotten Ye Zixiao’s status, now seeing him as a wealthy young master from Longdu and only thinking about how to freeload tonight.
The six of them walked down the street. Although they weren’t wearing expensive clothes, they were clean and didn’t appear nervous, so they were generally ignored by the police.
Twenty minutes later.
They arrived at an establishment that charged a hundred thousand per hour.
Ye Zixiao looked up and saw a five-story, independent building with a gilded exterior. The prominent, dazzling plaque displayed three neon characters: Wan Hua Lou!
“This is it?”
Ye Zixiao frowned and asked.
“Yes, the most awesome place!”
Brother Shan replied excitedly.
“The name is a bit tacky!”
“As long as the hostesses aren’t tacky!”
“Let’s go!”
Ye Zixiao stepped onto the stairs.
Just as the six were about to enter, a group of people, about thirty in total, emerged. The leader, with blue hair and earrings, looked incredibly arrogant.
With a dull thud.
Brother Shan bumped into the blue-haired individual.
“Are you blind?”
Brother Shan immediately started yelling.
“You little brat, who are you talking to?”
The blue-haired man retorted, puffing out his chest with defiance.