k Bar nightclub.
It was quite famous among the entertainment venues in Qinzhou.
However, just as people have their mortal world and ghosts have their haunts.
Li Chonglou wasn't one for nightlife, so he'd never been to a place like this.
Xu Lie, on the other hand, was familiar with the scene.
He drove Chen Zhenhe's Passat towards the k Bar.
"It's not dark yet, and the nightclub doors are still closed. Going too early might alert them," Xu Lie reminded him on the way.
"Then let's grab a meal at Desheng Grand Hotel first." Seeing that it was indeed still early, Li Chonglou nodded. "Brother Xu, after your fight, work with me wholeheartedly."
"I plan to buy out the Desheng Grand Hotel. I'll give you a 10% stake, a car, and raise your monthly salary to twenty thousand."
Xu Lie was stunned for a few seconds before replying, "You're not hiring a bodyguard, you're hiring an ancestor."
"You are my brother, in this life and the last. If it weren't for you, I would have died long ago. It's only right," Li Chonglou said, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. Suppressing his emotions, he spoke with feigned nonchalance, "My personality tends to offend people, and there will be more trouble ahead. I'll be uneasy without you by my side."
This statement wasn't referring to the likes of Tong Chuan, but to Shen Yishou whom he had encountered that night.
Even though Xiao Yun had used her Xiao family status to scare him away, who could guarantee he wouldn't return?
If Xiao Yun wasn't present then, they would have to rely on Xu Lie.
As for himself, after Xu Lie's final match, he would need to diligently learn combat skills.
Possessing the techniques from the sheepskin scroll was useless against a master without the skills.
"With me here, no one can touch you!" Xu Lie didn't say much, but his words were enough to put Li Chonglou at ease.
On the road, Li Chonglou subtly inquired about Xu Qianqian.
The moment her sister was mentioned, the ice on Xu Lie's face completely melted, replaced by excitement.
He had no idea what Xu Qianqian did normally, assuming she was diligently studying at school.
Li Chonglou played along, not exposing the truth.
Xu Qianqian was Xu Lie's faith, his only hope for survival.
He wouldn't let this hope be dashed. Xu Lie's help to him was overt, while his help to Xu Lie was covert.
No matter what, he would ensure Xu Qianqian graduated safely and started a family.
Since she was Xu Lie's sister, she was like his own sister.
Around five o'clock, they arrived at Desheng Grand Hotel, where Wang Dehai personally greeted them at the entrance.
Upon hearing that Li Chonglou was coming with money, he quickly had his assistant prepare the equity transfer contract.
"Brother, you could have just given me a heads-up. The Administration for Industry and Commerce has already closed for the day; equity changes can only be processed tomorrow." Wang Dehai led them into his office and personally brewed tea.
"No rush. You handle the transfer; I won't appear. Also, allocate 10% of the shares to him." Li Chonglou stood by the window, watching the endless flow of traffic on the road. He paused before continuing, "Brother Wang, I've been thinking about this place. It's unrealistic to surpass Feng Linxue in terms of decoration and location."
"Unless several hundred million yuan are invested to expand it, but we don't have that capacity."
"So, I want to create a themed private dining experience."
"With antiques as the theme, we can attract all those who consider themselves connoisseurs in Qinzhou to become consumers."
"Making money from them is the ultimate goal."
*Clap!*
Wang Dehai's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh. "Great idea! Those people are all rolling in dough. If we can gather them all here, why worry about not making money!"
"Brother, antiques are your forte. I'll take care of perfecting the cuisine."
"And where does Brother Xu fit in?"
"Security!" Li Chonglou answered for Xu Lie. "Since we're making it an antique-themed hotel, we'll need to display quite a few genuine items, so security is essential."
"After the hotel is remodeled, I plan to set up a security team, with Brother Xu as the captain."
"As for the antiques, I'll handle that."
This idea had germinated from Zhu Youzhen's dinner gathering that day.
Once people have money, they crave culture. The upper class no longer seeks basic material goods or cost-effectiveness, but rather 'what others don't have, I do; what others don't understand, I do.'
Just like Zhu Youzhen, happily buying an ordinary Bagua mirror from him for eight million yuan.
It was because the story he fabricated was so good.
There were many like him; the antique dealers in Qinzhou were plentiful.
Doing this was akin to snatching customers directly from Lu Weishen.
His feud with Lu Weishen was already established. Rather than waiting and seeing, it was better to take the initiative.
His reputation in Qinzhou was already sufficient. He would use the hotel to quietly dismantle Lu Weishen's influence.
By then, the Qinzhou Antique Association would be merely an empty shell, nothing to fear.
With Lu Yunxu, Huang Yongshou, and Zhou Yacheng, this endeavor had great potential.
Wang Dehai arranged a table of food and drinks, and the three discussed and finalized the hotel's plan for the next six months.
After the meal, it was dark.
Outside, the moon was hidden, and the wind was strong.
"Brother, shall I arrange some entertainment tonight?" Wang Dehai, a man of the world, probed.
"No need, Brother Wang. I still need to find someone to settle some matters. Let's go, Brother Xu," Li Chonglou declined, got up, and left Desheng with Xu Lie.
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Outside k Bar.
As soon as darkness fell, various luxury cars arrived in succession. Women of all sorts, gorgeously or purely adorned, alluringly, rushed to work.
The hostesses and managers were overwhelmed, busy beyond measure.
In VIP room 888, Tong Chuan, with two women on either side and accompanied by two subordinates, had invited six beauties and was reveling in debauchery.
He was touching them freely.
Whispers and moans filled the private room, while high-end foreign liquors were opened one after another and poured over the bodies of the six women.
"Brother Chuan, as soon as you arrive, we sisters can make a small fortune," a beauty nestled against Tong Chuan said, hugging his plump head and kissing him tenderly.
"Hmph, this is nothing compared to the fortunes you'll make. Once my business is done, I'll have plenty of money for you to take yourselves!" Tong Chuan pulled out a wad of hundred-yuan bills from his pocket and threw a few to each of the six women, looking smug.
One of his subordinates sidled up to Tong Chuan and whispered, "Boss, what about that brat Li Chonglou? Are we just letting his matter slide?"
"Our brothers are still lying in the hospital. If we don't avenge this, where will the prestige of our Hengmen go in the future?"
The brothers who had handled the matter last time were severely injured by Li Chonglou in the restroom, causing widespread discontent.
Tong Chuan hadn't even offered any compensation, as if nothing had happened.
"What's the hurry? Li Chonglou is just a brainless son-in-law, at most possessing some martial prowess," Tong Chuan said, his eyes flashing fiercely as he sneered. "I've already made arrangements. In two days at most, something big will happen to the Jiang family. Then, controlling him will be entirely up to me."
"Boss is brilliant." Another person gave a thumbs-up and was about to continue flattering him.
Suddenly, the door of the private room burst open with a loud bang.
The immense commotion startled all six beauties, who were about to scream.
However, their gazes fell upon the towering figure standing at the doorway, and they stifled their cries.
Xu Lie's gaze was like a blade as he swept across the room, then made way for Li Chonglou behind him. Li Chonglou entered the room and locked the door.
Throughout the entire process, no one dared to utter a sound, only the noisy music blared.
"Fatty Tong, long time no see!" Li Chonglou walked up to Tong Chuan and said calmly.
In an instant, Tong Chuan's face was filled with surprise, his eyes glinting with malice.