Chapter 124: You’re Investigating My Brother?

Yet, no one knew that the true financier behind these subscription certificates was Chai Jin.

Everyone assumed it was Old Huang.

After all, the gentleman carried himself with an imposing, distinguished air. His prominent, wealthy-looking belly and the hearty, boisterous laughter he displayed among the crowd fit the image of a big spender perfectly.

Consequently, Old Huang was surrounded by people in the lobby, all vying to toast him. Every so often, some flirtatious women would intentionally drape themselves over his arm, pressing their chests firmly against him while cooing, "Mr. Huang, you’re so naughty..."

Chai Jin and Liu Yiqian sat in a corner, watching the scene with amused smiles.

Liu Yiqian couldn't help but ask, "What did Old Huang do in the past? Judging by his manner, he must have been involved in some major ventures."

Chai Jin smiled. "He used to run a VIP sauna back home."

"A sauna? What’s that?" Liu Yiqian looked baffled. The term hadn't really caught on yet in those days.

Chai Jin took a sip of his drink. "It’s nothing."

Watching the group revel in their excesses, he suddenly felt a wave of fatigue. "Mr. Liu, I think I’ll head upstairs to rest. I’m a bit tired."

Liu Yiqian nodded with a smile. "Of course. If you need anything, just tell my staff; I’ll make sure everything is taken care of."

"Alright, thank you, Mr. Liu."

Chai Jin went upstairs. A few minutes later, Cai Weiqiang, having finished his own business, returned.

Following Chai Jin's advice, Cai had brought over two thousand people from his hometown to wait in line. Throughout the day, he had successfully managed to sell off his subscription certificates.

The twenty thousand certificates had ultimately netted him sixteen million.

With the money in hand, the first person he wanted to thank was Chai Jin, and he knew Chai was staying here. He arrived and immediately asked where he could find him.

Liu Yiqian gave a wry smile. "Enough, Old Cai. It’s getting late; let’s not disturb Mr. Chai. How did you fare today?"

The two began to discuss their earnings. However, just as they were deep in conversation, a number of people walked in.

Among them was the bearded Tang Wansin.

Tang Wansin had appeared at these events a few times before, but he always sat quietly in a corner, never initiating conversation, appearing more like someone gathering intelligence.

This time, however, he walked straight up to Liu Yiqian.

He smiled. "Mr. Liu, would you mind if I sat down?"

Cai Weiqiang, himself a man of status, instinctively sensed a wave of hostility emanating from Liu Yiqian. Besides, if one truly cared about not disturbing others, one wouldn't walk up to someone already occupied with guests.

Liu Yiqian felt a bit awkward. "It’s fine, have a seat."

Tang Wansin sat down and pulled a photograph from his pocket, placing it on the table. "I’d like to ask you about someone, Mr. Liu."

Liu Yiqian looked at the photo and froze. When Cai Weiqiang saw the image, he also stiffened.

His expression immediately turned grim. "Why are you asking about him?"

Tang Wansin sensed the intense hostility radiating from Cai Weiqiang. Two powerful men had collided, and sparks were flying beneath the surface.

Ignoring Cai, Tang Wansin looked at Liu Yiqian. "I’ve seen this person a few times, including here, at your establishment."

"I would appreciate it if you could provide me with his background."

Liu Yiqian had known Tang Wansin for many years, and out of a sense of propriety, he felt quite uncomfortable. He simply said, "He’s just an ordinary person. There’s no need for you to inquire about him, Mr. Tang. You really shouldn't keep asking."

Tang Wansin frowned. Being a man of his standing, he understood exactly what that meant—he was being deliberately stonewalled.

He chuckled. "If he is someone you are unwilling to speak of, then his connections must be vast indeed. Now, I am truly interested in him. Thank you, Mr. Liu."

With that, Tang Wansin reached to retrieve the photo, but Cai Weiqiang snatched it first.

*Rip.*

Cai Weiqiang tore the photo in half with his fingers.

Tang Wansin’s bodyguard immediately pointed at him. "What do you think you’re doing? Give that back right now!"

Cai Weiqiang paid no mind to the lackey and continued to tear the pieces, saying, "You’d better not start anything."

"I’m telling you to stop, are you deaf—"

*Slap!*

Cai Weiqiang stood up, grabbed the shredded photo, and threw it in the bodyguard's face. His voice was icy. "Since when is it your turn to speak here?"

"I..."

"Enough." Tang Wansin stopped his subordinate from further bluster. His eagle-like eyes fixed on Cai Weiqiang. "My friend, shall we get acquainted?"

Cai Weiqiang scoffed. "No need."

"I’ll warn you just this once. This is Guangdong Province. I don’t care how you've thrown your weight around back home, but once you're in Guangdong, you follow the rules here."

"Stop investigating my brother."

With that, he walked upstairs, leaving Liu Yiqian looking pained.

Both men were within his own circle, and taking sides was impossible. He called out to Cai Weiqiang as he left, but Cai ignored him.

Helpless, he looked at Tang Wansin. "Mr. Tang, don’t bring that kind of bodyguard to my establishment again. He doesn't know his place and will only cause you trouble."

The bodyguard who had just berated Cai Weiqiang lowered his head, clearly feeling deeply humiliated.

Tang Wansin frowned; the line had been clearly drawn. "Thank you, Mr. Liu. We shall meet again."

He turned and left with his men.

The person in the photograph was none other than Chai Jin.

Chai Jin had appeared in his vicinity a few times, leaving him feeling deeply uneasy. He had hired someone to secretly photograph him, only to come here and find that Liu Yiqian was protecting the man's identity with such secrecy. Not only had he failed to learn anything useful, but he had also offended Liu Yiqian, which left him seething.

...

August 10th.

This was the final day for the subscription certificates. The lines were growing ever longer.

While the order in the queues had been somewhat chaotic the day before, it had still been manageable. Today, however, it was clearly spiraling out of control.

On the television, a news segment captured a scene at one of the distribution points. A woman was sweating profusely at the very front of the line.

When the security shutters were finally raised, the crowd surged forward. The woman was knocked to the ground.

In the eyes of the crowd, there was only the desire for the certificates—only madness. No one reached out to help her; worse, the people behind her heartlessly trampled over her body to rush into the hall.

Amongst the mad, there were still a few clear-headed individuals. Fortunately, a group of police officers maintaining order nearby saw what was happening. They rushed over and pulled the woman from the crowd; otherwise, she surely would have been trampled to death.

Having survived a brush with death, the woman looked back at the surging mob, knowing it was impossible for her to get back in. She burst into tears on the sidelines. "I waited in line for two days and two nights! I haven't even eaten a meal!"

"Why? I never want to suffer like this again for the rest of my life!"