Chapter 49: What Do You Take Me For?

Liu Qingwen could never have imagined that the woman he had been passionately entangled with for several days was, at that very moment, lying naked in his brother’s bed. And his own room was right next door.

When Xiong Dan was yelled at by Chai Jin, she didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed. She simply threw off the covers. “Come on, don’t you like it?” she teased. “I’m giving it to you on a plate.”

This woman possessed a rare, almost bewitching charm. Since coming to Zhonghai, nearly every man she set her sights on had fallen for her. After all, in 1992, there were few girls bold enough to go to such lengths, and men were easily ensnared.

From the moment he first met her, Chai Jin had known she was not someone Liu Qingwen could handle. In fact, it was hard to say who was playing whom. Zhonghai was merely a stopover for Chai Jin as he dabbled in the certificate market; he had no interest in getting mixed up with anyone here.

He picked up her nightdress and underwear from the floor and tossed them to her. “Get dressed and go back to my brother’s room right now. I’ll pretend tonight never happened.”

“Oh? You don’t like me?” Xiong Dan grew bolder, striking a provocative pose on the bed.

Chai Jin went to the door, pulled it open, and glared at her. “You have one minute to get dressed and get out of here, or I’ll call my brother in to see what you’re up to.”

“What the hell is wrong with you? Are you even a man?” Xiong Dan, seeing he wasn’t joking, got out of bed angrily and began to dress.

Her usual tactic of undressing had failed miserably on Chai Jin. What could be more humiliating for a woman than to stand naked before a man and have him throw her out?

She stormed over to Chai Jin, fuming. “Don’t flatter yourself. What age do you think this is? Spare me your self-righteous act.”

Chai Jin, his emotions now under control, replied coldly, “I have no interest in streetwalkers.”

“I don’t care why you’re after my brother, but I’m warning you—don’t try to hurt him. People from the countryside like us didn’t get much schooling. When we lose our tempers, we don’t listen to reason. We can be dangerous.”

With that, he slammed the door shut.

Furious, Xiong Dan cursed loudly in the hallway, waking several guests who peered out to see what the commotion was about. One chubby man, experienced in such matters, noticed her scanty clothing and leered, “Hey there, sweetheart, out of a place to sleep? My bed’s big—want to share half with me?”

“Get lost!” she snapped, striding angrily toward Liu Qingwen’s room, her hips swaying.

The man, fired up by her, called after her, “Come on, darling, fate brought us together on this romantic night—how about it?”

“Ten bucks—is that enough? If not, I’ll add two more!” he joked.

“Get as far away from me as you can!” Xiong Dan shouted, pushing open the door.

Inside, Liu Qingwen had also been woken by the noise. He groggily climbed out of bed and switched on the light. Seeing Xiong Dan so angry, he asked, “Dan Dan, where have you been so late? Why were you out there arguing with someone?”

Xiong Dan suddenly became calm, staring at Liu Qingwen. “Tell me honestly, are you here to speculate on certificates? And what exactly is in that metal box in your brother’s room?”

Liu Qingwen, playful as ever but not stupid, grinned, “Didn’t I already tell you? It’s just some of Jin’s spare clothes. What’s gotten into you? Come on, let’s go to bed—it’s late.”

As he reached for her, Xiong Dan slapped his hand away. “Go to bed? Is that all you ever want to do with me? Am I just some cheap fling to you?”

“Dan Dan, don’t say that. Didn’t I tell you it was love at first sight for me?”

“Then do you love me?”

“Of course, how could I not?”

“Good. Then let me tell you about your brother’s ugly side.” With that, she began to stir up trouble, claiming his brother always stared up her skirt, that he had just lured her into his room and tricked her into undressing, and so on.

Liu Qingwen’s jaw dropped as he listened.

…

The next day.

As usual, Chai Jin went to look for Liu Qingwen. Ever since he brought that woman back, Liu Qingwen had barely left his room except to eat; he hadn’t stepped outside with Chai Jin for days.

Cai Weiqiang had also sent word, saying he’d opened a restaurant near the Jingan Stock Exchange and was inviting him over to show support. Chai Jin understood; it was really a front for a black-market trading spot. He wanted to bring Liu Qingwen along to meet some people.

As he approached the door, he heard Xiong Dan screaming inside. Chai Jin deeply disapproved of Liu Qingwen wasting his life on women, so he knocked and called out, “Monkey, come out with me.”

“Hurry up and get ready.”

Xiong Dan’s yelling stopped abruptly. After a moment, Liu Qingwen’s voice came through, tinged with anger, “Not going. Busy.”

Chai Jin frowned. “Suit yourself,” he replied, then left.

Ten minutes later, Chai Jin arrived at Cai Weiqiang’s Dreamlike Restaurant. Tucked at the end of a narrow alley, the outside was shabby, and the interior was even worse, looking like it hadn’t been renovated in over a decade. It was obvious the place had once been a warehouse.

But inside, it was bustling with people. The hundred-square-meter hall was filled with all sorts—some sporting gaudy gold chains, exuding the air of nouveau riche, others just ordinary laborers. The place reminded one of those taverns from old martial arts films.

Cai Weiqiang was busy, moving from table to table with a cup of tea, chatting with guests. He was popular among the crowd.

Spotting Chai Jin, he smiled and came over. “So, what do you think of the location, old pal? Business doesn’t have to be in a prime spot—if the wine’s good, people will find their way here.”

Chai Jin smiled wryly.

After they sat down, he asked, “Is it the grand opening today?”

“Yes. Last night I had a local auntie come clean the place, made a few calls, and my friends showed up to support me.”

Then he lowered his voice and nodded toward a man with a thick gold chain. “See that guy? First thing this morning, he told me he’d buy at three hundred, as many as I have. The suitcase he’s carrying is full of cash. Clients like him are rare. Want to move a batch now?”

Chai Jin followed his gaze, then took a sip of tea and replied casually, “Three hundred? Not interested. Let’s wait. I’m in no hurry—I can wait a month or two if needed.”