What is Jinling City most famous for?
Naturally, it's the Qinhuai River, hailed as "China's Premier Cultural River"!
Along its banks, from ancient times to the present, countless famous figures have left their imprints and penned poems, while countless stories have unfolded, too many to describe.
The Qinhuai River is Jinling City's mother river, like a benevolent and kind old mother, nurturing millions of children. Everyone who comes to its banks is captivated by its grace, gentleness, dignity, and kindness.
At night, the banks of the Qinhuai River are a scene of small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers, exuding a charming glow under the multicolored lights.
Ten miles of Qinhuai, this historic river traverses more than half of Jinling City. Almost everyone who visits Jinling comes to admire its beauty. Of course, beyond admiration, the entertainment here is even more significant.
Along the Qinhuai River's banks, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and snack stalls are too numerous to count, alongside many international luxury brands.
Under the night sky, the entire Qinhuai riverside is brightly lit, as if it were daytime. Viewed from above, dense crowds resemble a long dragon, with people packed everywhere.
In a high-end restaurant with a distinct Jinling City character, a private room on the third floor facing the river offers a perfect view of the Qinhuai River's beauty outside the window.
On the shimmering river surface, wooden boats drift by, filled with men, women, and children, their joyful laughter audible even from a hundred meters away.
The table is laden with exquisite dishes. Qin Chuan, Bai Xiaoguang, and Chen Jinyu are drinking and chatting with Ma Xiaolian.
Ma Xiaolian has already had quite a bit to drink, her cheeks flushed. Stimulated by the alcohol, she appears even more charming and seductive than during the day, her demeanor bold. She occasionally leans her delicate body onto Qin Chuan, showing no concern about physical contact.
Qin Chuan forces down his nausea, maintaining a gentle, jade-like smile as he converses with her.
He thinks to himself, "This kind of woman has likely been with countless men. While she has some charm, she's definitely not my type."
After a few more drinks, Ma Xiaolian is about three-quarters drunk.
"Miss Ma, how long have you been working at Kaiyue Car Dealership?" Chen Jinyu prompts the conversation.
"Woo... Counting this year, it's five years!" Ma Xiaolian holds up a hand, her smile like a blooming flower. As she lowers her hand, it lands on Qin Chuan's thigh, gently caressing it.
"Oh, that's quite a long time. Have you always been an accountant at the dealership?" Qin Chuan asks, feigning surprise.
"More or less. My major was accounting!" Ma Xiaolian's hand continues to move upward. Her eyes, filled with a misty haze, conceal a burning desire. She finds the 'Young Master Chang' (referring to Qin Chuan) increasingly attractive. Compared to that pig-like, obese fellow with his minuscule endowment, this man is the perfect lover in her heart.
"So, Miss Ma, you must be Hai Ye's confidante!" Qin Chuan says with a smile.
"I suppose. I'm just trying to make a living. Besides, many people call me 'Sister Xiaolian'." Ma Xiaolian reveals a hint of pride, seemingly content with her current position.
"Sister Xiaolian, I'll toast you again!" Qin Chuan stands up, pours a full glass of wine, and offers it to Ma Xiaolian. "Perhaps we'll become family in the future. If you encounter any trouble down the line, I'll be counting on your help, Sister Xiaolian!"
This address, "Sister Xiaolian," truly touches Ma Xiaolian. Looking at the handsome young man before her, she clinks glasses with Qin Chuan with great generosity and drains her drink.
"Young Master Chang, anything is possible. From now on, you're my sworn brother, and your sister will definitely look after you in every way." Ma Xiaolian, emboldened by the alcohol, places her hand on Qin Chuan's thigh again, her eyes languid and suggestive, sending a very clear signal.
Qin Chuan pretends not to notice. He lowers his head and ponders for a few seconds, then says, "Since that's the case, Sister Xiaolian, I do have a favor to ask of you right now."
"What favor? Just say it!" Ma Xiaolian's hand is nearing forbidden territory.
"I'm looking for a woman named Cao Yuqing. I heard she's your best friend. Can you help me?" Qin Chuan asks.
Ma Xiaolian, whose fingers were about to touch her desired object, freezes upon hearing Qin Chuan's words. Then, as if shocked by electricity, she swiftly withdraws her hand. Her expression is one of shock, and she stares intently at Qin Chuan. "You... you're not here for cooperation. Who exactly are you people?"
Qin Chuan watches as Ma Xiaolian instantly sobers up and thinks to himself that this woman is indeed not simple, no wonder Hai Kuisheng entrusted her with important tasks. If he had enough time, he wouldn't mind slowly subduing this vixen, making her his own, and then investigating further. However, with so many matters back home, Qin Chuan has no time to waste.
"Sister Xiaolian, don't be so tense. Life is full of wonderful journeys, and people can't always focus on just one thing," Qin Chuan tries to placate her. "The reason we're looking for Cao Yuqing is that she made a big mistake. Please help us, and we won't let you work for nothing..."
As Qin Chuan speaks, he winks at Chen Jinyu, who is sitting opposite. Chen Jinyu immediately takes out a stack of money from his bag and throws it onto the table. This thick stack amounts to ten thousand yuan. Under the light, the banknotes gleam.
Ma Xiaolian glances at the ten thousand yuan, her alluring red lips curling slightly. She says dismissively, "I won't do anything that betrays a friend..."
Chen Jinyu throws another thick stack of money onto the table, the sound echoing. Ma Xiaolian's eyelids twitch, but she still shakes her head. "Yuqing is my best friend..."
Qin Chuan signals Chen Jinyu to continue. Chen Jinyu takes out another stack of money and places it on the table. By now, it's a total of thirty thousand yuan, equivalent to the total income of an ordinary person for ten years – a significant temptation.
A glint of greed flickers deep in Ma Xiaolian's eyes, but she remains firm. "Your actions don't provoke me at all. I won't betray my best friend..."
This time, Chen Jinyu's patience wears thin. He directly throws down two stacks of money, bringing the total to fifty thousand yuan, scattered across the center of the table. "Miss Ma, I don't know how much you earn following Hai Kuisheng in a year, but if you help us with this, you'll get fifty thousand yuan for free!"
"I believe fifty thousand yuan is more than you earn in a year..."
"This deal is very profitable. You just need to open your mouth!"
Ma Xiaolian's face shifts between emotions. After a long pause, she slowly says, "Why are you looking for Yuqing?"
"That woman deceived my brother's feelings!" Qin Chuan says, looking directly into Ma Xiaolian's eyes, enunciating each word. "Furthermore, she colluded with outsiders and defrauded my brother of all his assets, twice. In total, three million yuan, which sent him from heaven to hell..."
As Qin Chuan narrates, Ma Xiaolian's pupils betray her inner turmoil. She instinctively says, "You... are you people from Qin Gang's side?"
As soon as the words leave her mouth, Ma Xiaolian quickly covers her mouth, her expression drastically changing. On the other hand, Qin Chuan and his companions' eyes are shining. In their exchanged glances, they see an unconcealed excitement. Ma Xiaolian's last statement revealed a tremendous amount of information. Qin Chuan had not mentioned who his brother was, yet Ma Xiaolian directly named Qin Gang.
Qin Chuan stands up, gently lifts Ma Xiaolian's chin, revealing her pale face and her frightened, uneasy eyes. "Miss Ma, you indeed know many inside secrets. This meal tonight was truly worth it!"
"Now, I'll give you two choices: either you cooperate with us willingly and take this money, or... hehe!" Qin Chuan chuckles. As his laughter rings out, a sharp dagger suddenly descends from above and lodges in front of Ma Xiaolian, just one centimeter from her arm. Bai Xiaoguang grins, his face contorted, cruel and bloodthirsty...