“Brother Dong, you’re here?” The shadowy youth who had been trailing behind Yang Yi and his group spoke up immediately upon seeing his boss arrive.

“En. Did that kid go inside?” The person arriving, the so-called Brother Dong, walked over with a few lackeys and asked.

“He’s already inside!”

“Good. Let’s go.”

But just as Brother Dong finished speaking and was about to step inside, a subordinate suddenly stepped forward and said, “Brother Dong, this place belongs to Boss Hu. Shouldn't we…”

“En?” Brother Dong paused, sensing what the subordinate meant. He had always kept his own affairs hidden from Boss Hu. If some ruckus were caused inside today, it would certainly attract unwanted reprimands. Although Boss Hu was his uncle, the underworld had its own rules. The more he considered it, the deeper Brother Dong’s frown became.

It was at this precise moment that the shadowy youth who had first greeted them at the entrance piped up, “Brother Dong, Boss Hu appears to be out today!”

“Boss Hu is gone?”

“Yes. I just asked Snake Ba’s men; they said Boss Hu has an important meeting and has already left for it.”

“Good, that’s perfect. Let’s go in!” Brother Dong’s lips curled into a sinister smile as he spoke.

Inside the private room, Yang Yi and his companions were singing, dancing, and drinking. Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou were already flushed crimson from the alcohol, but only Fatty Lin and Yang Yi remained entirely unperturbed. For the two of them, alcohol was hardly anything significant, merely a stream of ethanol sliding down the throat.

“Brother Yi, that kid outside followed us for so long. Do you think any trouble might brew?” Fatty Lin, watching Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou mangle some foreign song, slowly approached Yang Yi and asked quietly.

“There are always plenty of clowns in this world, especially ones acting over women. I suspect those tailing us are connected to that bunch from the other day. It seems women truly are a source of calamity sometimes,” Yang Yi said, taking a small sip of beer, a wry smile playing on his face.

“So, are we going to run into trouble later?” Fatty Lin inquired.

Yang Yi looked at him, perplexed as to the meaning behind his words. But catching the excitement in Fatty Lin’s eyes, Yang Yi understood that Fatty Lin was inherently combative. Yang Yi had promised him he would let him truly stretch his legs in this world. Since coming out, he had been pushing things along, yet they hadn't done anything substantial. This realization brought a faint smile to Yang Yi’s lips. “Probably not in here, given this is TV [venue name/context]. I trust they have security here. But outside? I can’t guarantee anything.”

“Heh heh!” Fatty Lin chuckled, as if hatching some nefarious plan.

Yang Yi shook his head with a wry smile and continued, “Fatty, we’re just here to have fun today. Let’s enjoy ourselves and not overthink things so much.”

“Mmm…” Fatty Lin assented.

“Damn it, Boss, Second Brother, you guys are too unfair! Drinking without calling us!” Xu Ming slurred, his eyes hazy and his face bright red.

“Exactly, exactly! Unfair! Come on, brothers, bottoms up!” Ye Xiaohou also chimed in, his speech thick and unclear.

Yang Yi and Fatty Lin exchanged a look and shook their heads; those two were probably already quite drunk.

“Snake Ba!”

“Oh, Brother Dong, what wind blew you in today?” a middle-aged man with a rather sleazy appearance greeted them playfully.

“Cut the nonsense. Where is my uncle?”

“Oh, Boss Hu went to the main headquarters for a meeting,” Snake Ba replied.

Brother Dong thought to himself, Excellent. This might be a chance sent by heaven. He said to Snake Ba with deep meaning, “Hey, Snake Ba, your buddy needs your help with something!”

“Heh, whatever Brother Dong requires my services for, just say the word. Haha, no need for the word ‘help’!” Snake Ba knew exactly who this young man was. Boss Hu had strictly instructed him to watch over this place. But if Boss Hu’s nephew came asking for a favor, it probably wouldn't be anything good, yet offering a smooth favor wasn't necessarily a bad idea.

“Snake Ba, you’re smart!” Brother Dong thought inwardly, then continued aloud, “Don’t worry, it won’t cause you any trouble. I just need you to lend me a few enforcers.”

“Enforcers?” Snake Ba frowned slightly. Loaning out enforcers was no small matter. He couldn't help but ask with suspicion, “Brother Dong, did some blind fools offend you?”

“Hmph, don’t concern yourself with that. One word: are you lending them or not?” Brother Dong knew Snake Ba was hesitant due to concerns.

“This… Brother Dong, loaning out enforcers…”

“Stop wasting time. Don't worry, nothing will happen. Just teaching a couple or three unobservant brats a lesson. Besides, even if something does happen, it won't fall on your head—I’ll take the blame!” Brother Dong cut Snake Ba off before he could finish, preemptively offering a defense.

Hearing this, Snake Ba thought that while that might be true, he was still hesitant. After all, loaning out muscle wasn’t his decision to make alone. But constrained by the status of this young Brother Dong, who was Boss Hu’s nephew, he wrestled internally for a while before finally agreeing, “Alright, Brother Dong.”

“Very good. Snake Ba, rest assured. Once I finish this matter, you will naturally fare better than you do now. I’ll put in a good word for you with Boss Hu,” Brother Dong said, not forgetting to offer a sweet incentive while making someone do his bidding.

Upon hearing Brother Dong’s words, Snake Ba’s already sleazy face broke into an even wider grin. It was hard to imagine a middle-aged man following the commands of a youth, needing to help him ascend in status. The underworld truly belonged to those with power, connections, and guts.

“Damn it… I’m about to burst! Why is Fourth Brother taking so long in the restroom!” Xu Ming stood before the restroom door, clutching himself, proclaiming he was about to wet himself.

Yang Yi and Fatty Lin burst into laughter seeing Xu Ming like that. Fatty Lin quipped, “Third Brother, you should just use the restroom outside. Fourth Brother is probably jerking off in there.”

“What the—that bastard, shameless! I’ll just go to the outside restroom then,” Xu Ming muttered before turning to leave.

Yang Yi asked, “Third Brother, are you really okay?”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just this little bit of alcohol won’t take me down.” Xu Ming finished, then rushed out clutching his crotch.

“Wow, so that’s how you brag,” Fatty Lin murmured, watching Xu Ming’s retreating back.

“Hmph!” Yang Yi shot Fatty Lin an exasperated look. “Fatty, I think you’re getting more shameless. Have you forgotten our principles?”

“Uh, well… that, sorry Brother Yi. I can’t help it. If we tell Fourth Brother to go to the restroom and he takes this long, what else could he be doing besides jerking off? Unless there’s a woman in there?” Fatty Lin said with a smirk, fully aware of what Yang Yi meant.

【Huge thanks to all the brothers and sisters for your support; this humble writer will work hard and push forward with renewed vigor!】