Chapter Fifty-Five: The Exceptionally Long Bill

Zhuo Qinglian knew that this matter would not simply end here. With the master of the Hongde Hall having been beaten by Xiao Cheng, they would not let it go easily and would definitely come back to save face. Moreover, Yan Hongde’s visit this time was highly suspicious—by all rights, Yan Hongde shouldn’t have come to stir up trouble. Although there had been occasional private disputes before, they were all minor. This time, Yan Hongde had come to confront them personally, which was highly unusual. Zhuo Qinglian could sense a whiff of conspiracy.

Unable to figure it out, she looked at Xiao Cheng with worry. “Yan Hongde definitely won’t let this go.”

“Oh?” Xiao Cheng was a little puzzled. He had just intimidated Yan Hongde, and by reason, Yan Hongde shouldn’t have the guts to trouble Qinglian again. Not being in her position, he hadn’t considered things as thoroughly as she had.

He hadn’t intended to get involved in these matters—they were too troublesome. Right now, his main focus was on increasing his strength. But since someone had dared to bully Zhuo Qinglian, he couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. If he did, he wouldn’t even respect himself.

Perhaps in others’ eyes, Yan Hongde was an influential figure in Shanghai, but to Xiao Cheng, he was nothing at all—not even worth his attention.

Zhuo Qinglian analyzed the situation for Xiao Cheng, and after listening, he understood her concerns—she was worried that Yan Hongde had something backing him.

Xiao Cheng, however, didn’t pay it much mind. These sorts of things could be handled as they came—if trouble arose, he would deal with it. At worst, he could just eliminate the problem entirely. Besides, it was only Zhuo Qinglian’s speculation for now.

After sitting down in the private room, Zhuo Qinglian, usually a carefree woman, felt reassured knowing Xiao Cheng was on her side. If Xiao Cheng could send Yan Hongde flying with a kick, killing Yan Hongde would be no more difficult than picking something out of a pocket. What was there to worry about? Soon, she pushed all these troubles out of her mind.

As the two of them ate, a waiter suddenly entered.

“Sister Qinglian, here’s the bill from table 57. Master Chong asked me to bring it to you!”

The waiter handed over a half-meter-long receipt, making a point to bow to Xiao Cheng as well. He knew this was not someone to be taken lightly.

Zhuo Qinglian was a bit displeased. It was just a bill—was it really necessary to show her? But when she took the bill, her eyes widened in shock at the seven-figure total—over five million.

She had seen large sums of money before; even when Xiao Cheng had bet a Lamborghini worth over seven million, she hadn’t batted an eye. But this was a single table’s bill. Normally, a table might run up a tab of tens or hundreds of thousands at most. This was over five million—two orders of magnitude higher. She couldn’t help but be astonished.

She had estimated that, on the bustling opening night, the turnover might reach two million at best. But now, an extra five million had come out of nowhere, completely exceeding her expectations.

There were only two possibilities: either someone was here to cause trouble and never intended to pay, or they were here to show support, and the bill was a kind of gift.

She believed the latter, since the numbers on the receipt were extremely auspicious—5,888,888. No one would pick such a lucky number to stir up trouble.

Five million! Who could be so extravagant?

She considered everyone she knew but couldn’t think of anyone who would spend so lavishly. Even when she’d opened the Qingfeng Club two years ago, the single highest bill had been just three hundred thousand, and that had been a wealthy businessman coming for her beauty.

But she knew none of her acquaintances had such deep pockets.

Xiao Cheng, still eating, noticed Zhuo Qinglian staring blankly at the half-meter-long bill. Glancing at the figure, he was also surprised—it was over five million. But he quickly guessed who it was. Who else but Hong Jiuling?

“Who was it?” Zhuo Qinglian asked.

“I don’t know. But Master Chong seems quite familiar with the person—they’re drinking together now.”

“Hm. Did Chong say anything else?”

“He said his friend came to support him, and asked me to let you know: if you have time, you should go say hello.”

Zhuo Qinglian nodded. Since someone had sent such a lavish gift, there was no reason not to show respect. Still, she was amazed—when had that brainless Chong made the acquaintance of such a wealthy figure? Someone who could drop five million without a care had to be worth at least several hundred million.

“Darling, come with me to meet this magnate!” Zhuo Qinglian said coquettishly.

At some point, Zhuo Qinglian had changed the way she addressed him, calling him “darling,” though she still referred to herself as “elder sister.” Xiao Cheng found himself slightly at a loss.

But since it was Hong Jiuling, Xiao Cheng should indeed go greet him. After all, Hong Jiuling had shown him great courtesy during the Black City incident—there was no reason to snub him, an innate master.

With Zhuo Qinglian holding his arm, Xiao Cheng followed the waiter to table 57 in the main hall.

Seated in the middle of the booth was a strikingly effeminate middle-aged man, with narrow eyes and a chilling aura. Around him sat more than a dozen beautiful women, docile as quails. This was none other than Hong Jiuling, the lord of Black City.

At that moment, Hong Jiuling was speaking with Long Chongzi, though by his expression, he clearly wasn’t interested in the conversation, merely responding out of politeness and seeming somewhat irritated.

Long Chongzi was oblivious, not realizing that Hong Jiuling didn’t actually wish to talk to him. He had known Hong Jiuling before, but he’d never imagined that tonight Hong Jiuling would spend so extravagantly. He assumed Hong Jiuling was doing this out of respect for him, which made him extremely excited.

What kind of person was Hong Jiuling? For someone of his status to show him face was an honor beyond words—it even stirred in him a feeling of being willing to die for a confidant.

Seeing Zhuo Qinglian enter arm-in-arm with Xiao Cheng, Long Chongzi’s pride swelled. Xiao Cheng might be powerful, but so what? Just look—now even Hong Jiuling was spending over five million here on his account.

Long Chongzi stood up to greet Xiao Cheng and Zhuo Qinglian with a smile. “Qinglian, let me introduce you: this is Lord Hong, the master of Black City.”

He paused, glanced at Xiao Cheng with a proud look, and continued, “I never expected Lord Hong would come here tonight to support me—what an incredible honor!”

With her keen mind, Zhuo Qinglian immediately understood that Long Chongzi was trying to claim credit with her, and at the same time, show off in front of Xiao Cheng. Still, being able to bring in someone like Hong Jiuling and have him spend over five million did give him the right to brag.