The middle-aged man, Cui Feng, shed his usual amiable demeanor, his face now etched with a murderous aura.
"Dare to cause trouble at our Century Hotel? You won't live to regret it!" he said coldly.
"You're as good as dead. Do you know that?" Gao Zhong chimed in, a smug look on his face.
"Do you really think your Century Hotel is some kind of dragon's lair or tiger's den?" Gao Meng scoffed.
She had a certain confidence in her martial arts skills, but even more so in Song Qiao's abilities and connections. Since Song Qiao had promised to bring her here and ensure her safety, she believed he could deliver.
Gao Run looked at Gao Meng as if she were already a corpse. She continued her arrogant tirade. "Manager Cui has another identity; he's from the military and is a formidable martial artist, having won the championship of the Huaguo War Zone's Northern Theater competition for three consecutive years! With your amateur skills, do you still think you can break out?"
Hearing Gao Run's words, the guests gasped in understanding and sighed inwardly. Some let out envious exclamations. Many had heard of the Century Hotel but rarely visited, let alone witnessed the powerful figures behind it. This visit was truly worthwhile!
"In that case, this young lady and that young man won't be able to escape."
"What a pity!"
"Once the Century Hotel's manager arrives, these two are finished!"
"..."
Among the onlookers, some offered silent sympathy to Gao Meng and Song Qiao, but more were gloating, even relishing the spectacle, eager to see how the Century Hotel staff would deal with them.
"Serves them right! How dare they cause trouble here? They're tired of living!"
"Haha, I can't wait to see how they die!"
"We never get to see this kind of thing before."
"Yeah, today's going to be an eye-opener!"
...
Under Gao Run's unbridled gaze, Gao Meng's anger surged, and she felt a strong urge to rush forward and slap Gao Run a few times. However, she was somewhat apprehensive of Cui Feng standing beside her.
All of this unfolded in mere seconds, and Song Qiao observed it all, knowing it was time for him to act. He lifted his foot, releasing Gao Zhong Hai.
Gao Zhong Hai immediately got up. "No matter how powerful you are, Song Qiao, seeing the hotel's main man arrive, aren't you still scared to death and forced to let me go?"
He wore a triumphant smile and was about to say more when, unexpectedly, Song Qiao kicked out with a sudden force, sending Gao Zhong Hai flying up and straight towards a nearby tea table.
*Clang!*
The tea set on the table collided violently with Gao Zhong Hai's body, and both crashed to the ground.
"Oooohhh—"
He let out a long, agonizing scream. Then, he suddenly leaped from the ground, hopping around and flailing his arms and legs. It turned out that the scalding tea from the tea set and the boiling water from the nearby kettle had doused him, and fragments of the broken pottery had deeply embedded themselves in his body.
"Help! Help!" he cried out incessantly.
This caused a commotion among the surrounding people. They simply couldn't believe it! Under these circumstances, Song Qiao still dared to fight back, and so ruthlessly. Was he showing no respect to Manager Cui at all? Daring to defy heaven, truly daring to defy heaven! Everyone looked at Gao Zhong Hai, then shifted their gaze to Cui Feng, waiting to see how he would handle the situation.
By then, the commotion in the hotel had attracted the attention of the external staff. Medical personnel entered, helped Gao Zhong Hai to the side, and began to treat him.
At this moment, Cui Feng was burning with rage. His face was like a dark pool, and he said to Song Qiao coldly, "Kneel and end yourself. I can grant you a swift death... Don't force my hand!"
Song Qiao turned and walked towards Cui Feng and Gao Run. A faint smile played on his lips as he reached inside his clothing. Seeing Song Qiao's movement, many guests stared in astonishment, believing he was about to throw a hidden weapon. He was truly audacious!
"Stop! What do you think you're doing?" Gao Run yelled from the side, her expression showing clear tension.
Song Qiao ignored her, instead pulling out a card. He held it lightly between his index and middle fingers and flicked it towards Cui Feng with a "whoosh." Cui Feng, the target, remained unfazed, his expression unchanged, still watching Song Qiao with keen interest. The card flashed like lightning and reached Cui Feng's eyes.
With lightning-fast reflexes, he extended his hand and, with effortless grace, caught the card. As the card settled into his palm, he knew what it was – just a bank card.
Cui Feng's face contorted with disdain. He had expected Song Qiao to be more forceful, more defiant, more principled. But now, he was utterly disappointed. This young man, after confronting him, had done a complete 180-degree turn and immediately softened. This was hardly manly behavior! Humph, trying to buy him off with money? Who did he think he was? Even with tens of millions or hundreds of millions, he wouldn't be bought. Besides, now was too late to try and placate him, to beg for mercy!
These thoughts flashed through his mind as he casually glanced at the card in his hand. What? His eyes widened, his pupils constricting sharply. The card was entirely black. Yet, it was intricately adorned with golden and other threads forming complex dragon patterns. Mysterious, imposing, and noble. How was this possible? How could this card possibly be here, and how could it be in the possession of this unknown fellow opposite him? This card was no ordinary card; it was the Century Hotel's supreme membership card.
"Supreme Membership Card! How do you have this card? Where did you get it?" Cui Feng blurted out, his voice booming.
The moment Cui Feng uttered these words, everyone erupted in an uproar. They had never expected Song Qiao to possess this supreme membership card. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the card, their gazes burning with desire. They had heard of cards like these countless times and yearned for them. This included Gao Run and Xu Chao. For people like them, let alone owning such a card, even the Gao family, with their considerable influence in Modu, couldn't obtain one. They had applied numerous times, only to be rejected by the Century Hotel headquarters in the imperial capital. It was important to note that such cards required strict vetting by the Century Hotel headquarters before issuance. Consequently, very few such cards were ever distributed. One could say that only by obtaining this card could their Gao family truly possess significant influence, and their continued inability to acquire it signified that their influence was still insufficient. This matter had always been a regret for the Gao family. Now that Song Qiao had produced this card, how would Cui Feng handle this situation?
The situation was becoming increasingly intriguing, and many guests watched expectantly, speculating on the unfolding events. Cui Feng, facing this turn of events, felt a moment of confusion. However, he quickly regained his composure. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Song Qiao and said indifferently, "Since you are a member, you should understand the rules and not cause trouble in our hotel. Wrongdoing must be punished. However, considering you have a membership card, I can be lenient. You two will cripple your own legs and crawl out!"
"Did you hear that? Hurry up and do it!" Gao Run urged excitedly from the side. If Cui Feng hadn't been present, she might have burst into laughter.
Song Qiao merely smiled faintly.
"What? I didn't hear you clearly. Say that again!" Cui Feng’s anger flared. "Fine, if you're seeking death, then consider it unsaid."
Song Qiao let out a cold laugh. "Alright, it seems I have to take action. However, when beating a dog, one must consider its master. I need to make a call to your boss."
With that, he took out his phone and began to dial. Cui Feng's face flushed with anger. Did this brat dare to insult him like this? But he also grew uneasy. What was going on here? This guy genuinely seemed to have a trump card. Cui Feng wanted to act but couldn't bring himself to do so, only managing to furrow his brow. "Putting on a show, struggling on your deathbed!"
Gao Run scoffed, "You little thief, you little bastard, what else do you think you can do? Even if you call the Jade Emperor, it won't help! You're still acting arrogant, and no one can save you now?"
The next moment, a woman's voice came from the other end of the phone. It was Mo Ling!