The Kaixuan Tower, for all its opulence, wasn't particularly large, spanning just three floors and operating as a single establishment.
The private room Zhang Yang and his companions required was on the second floor. The staircase leading up was a spiral affair, situated right beside the main entrance, and the hostess in the black uniform guided Zhang Yang and the others directly toward it.
As they walked, the hostess in the black uniform couldn't help but steal glances at Zhang Yang.
Typically, those who patronized their most luxurious private rooms were VIP clientele; the kind of spending that easily ran into thousands deterred most ordinary folk. Those who actually gained access were either major business owners, the wealthy elite, or government officials.
Yet, no matter how she looked at him, Zhang Yang didn't have the appearance of a rich man, let alone an official. Apart from an agreeable demeanor, everything else about him seemed quite ordinary.
“Manager Liang!”
Before they even reached the staircase, two people descended from above. One of them was greeting the lobby manager with a smile. Mi Xue and Hu Xin both instinctively turned their heads away upon hearing the voice.
Among the two descending the stairs, one was a middle-aged man in his forties who appeared somewhat balding, and the other was Zhou Yichen. The one greeting the lobby manager was this Chairman Zhou.
“Mr. Zhou, Young Master Zhou, why are you coming down?”
The hostess in the black uniform glanced at them, involuntarily quickening her pace by a couple of steps, maneuvering to pass Zhang Yang and his group.
“We’re here to meet someone. What are you up to?”
The middle-aged man was halfway down the stairs by then, speaking loudly with a chuckle. His eyes, however, kept sweeping over the hostess in the black uniform, though he quickly shifted his gaze to the side.
He saw the group following behind Zhang Yang.
More accurately, he saw Mi Xue. Mi Xue’s pure, beautiful, and charming face possessed an impact that was far from ordinary. Her title as one of the campus's four great beauties wasn't earned lightly. With just one look, the man froze right there.
“Manager Liang, what are you doing? Are these people short on cash to spend here? Are you planning to escort them out?”
Zhou Yichen hadn't noticed the expression on his companion's face. He was nearly at the bottom of the stairs now. His words were directed at the hostess, but his eyes were fixed on Zhang Yang’s group.
Within his gaze, there was a distinct flavor of vengeful glee.
“Zhou, what did you just say? Who is short on cash to spend here?”
Hu Xin, having the fieriest temper, immediately yelled out, rolling up his sleeves as if preparing to charge forward, but fortunately, Gu Cheng grabbed hold of him.
“I mean you few, of course, not including Mi Xue. Mi Xue, if you like it, I can bring you here to dine every day from now on!”
Zhou Yichen looked down from his superior position, feeling an indescribable sense of satisfaction. He smiled at the furious Hu Xin below, finally letting his eyes settle back on Mi Xue.
Looking at Mi Xue, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. What a lovely girl. Why didn't I make a move sooner? Two of the campus's four great beauties had already fallen to my hands; Mi Xue is my third target.
“Go to hell with your nonsense, Chengzi, don’t hold me back! I have to beat him up today!”
Hu Xin’s eyes were red with rage, while Gu Cheng desperately held him back. The hostess in the black uniform stood frozen. Thankfully, the lobby security guards noticed the rising tension and rushed over, standing cautiously nearby.
“Hu Xin, did you forget what I told you earlier? Why lower yourself to the level of a dog? What does that make you?”
Zhang Yang turned back and shot Hu Xin a stern look. Upon hearing Zhang Yang’s words, Hu Xin paused slightly, and his raging emotions quickly subsided.
“You’re right. We shouldn't stoop to the level of an animal!”
Hu Xin scratched his head and let out a chuckle, but he still extended his fist toward Zhou Yichen, signaling a warning.
Zhou Yichen blinked in surprise, then erupted in anger: “Zhang Yang, don't push it too far!”
Zhang Yang completely ignored Zhou Yichen, instead smiling at the hostess and saying, “Miss, may we proceed upstairs now? You’ve caused us to lose quite a bit of time!”
“Ah, yes, sorry, we’ll go right away!”
When Zhang Yang spoke, there was an indescribable aura about him that caused the hostess to respond instinctively, her heart rate quickening unintentionally.
The hostess in the black uniform understood clearly that a person possessing such presence was definitely no ordinary individual. She realized she had misjudged the situation completely today.
“Manager Liang, wait. Who are these people?”
They had only taken a few steps when Zhou Yichen and the middle-aged man also descended the stairs. The middle-aged man directly intercepted them, asking in a low voice.
As he spoke, he scrutinized Zhang Yang from head to toe, before his eyes returned to Mi Xue, a flicker of greedy desire flashing deep within them.
“Mr. Zhou, these are our guests. They requested a large private room, and I am taking them there now. I’ll come have a few drinks with you later to apologize!”
The hostess in the black uniform said with a smile, then lightly patted Mr. Zhou’s arm, throwing him a flirtatious glance.
This Mr. Zhou was clearly experienced; if Hu Xin or Gu Cheng had seen the look in the woman’s eyes, they would likely have been utterly spellbound.
Zhou Yichen frowned, looking at them in surprise. He was about to speak, but this time the hostess didn't give him the chance, leading Zhang Yang and the group up the stairs.
The middle-aged man started to move to intercept them again, but his expression suddenly changed. It instantly shifted to a cordial smile, and he strode towards the main entrance.
“Captain Liu, I was just coming out to meet you! You’re here already. Forgive my poor reception, truly, forgive my poor reception!”
Mr. Zhou’s demeanor changed rapidly. His earlier arrogance towards the black-uniformed lobby manager vanished, replaced by obsequiousness as he hurried to the front door, stretching out both hands and bending over to grasp the hand of the person just entering.
Zhou Yichen had no time for anything else, quickly following along, smiling broadly as he greeted the newcomer.
Their exchange made Zhang Yang and his companions unable to resist looking back. As Zhang Yang turned, the person who had just entered was also looking at them. Seeing Zhang Yang, both men paused in surprise.
The person who had entered was someone Zhang Yang had met, though not well acquainted with: Liu Xiaotang, the eldest son of his landlord, Old Man Liu. Zhang Yang only knew he worked at the Public Security Bureau, though he wasn't sure of his specific role. Liu Xiaotang was wearing a black shirt today.
“Xiao Zhang, what a coincidence, you’re here too?”
Liu Xiaotang called out loudly to Zhang Yang, a smile on his face. He walked directly over, causing Zhou Yichen’s outstretched hand to freeze awkwardly in mid-air.
“Liu, ...”
“Just call me Brother Liu. I just came from the old man’s place. Thanks to that prescription you gave him, he’s much better. He was just praising you highly a moment ago, saying he wants to buy something in the next couple of days to properly thank you!”
Liu Xiaotang warmly shook Zhang Yang’s hand. This time it was Zhang Yang’s turn to feel a bit embarrassed. He had only met Liu Xiaotang a few times, never expecting such enthusiasm.
“Brother Liu is too kind. It was the least I could do. It’s good that Old Man Liu is feeling better!”
Zhang Yang released his hand and rubbed the back of his head. Calculating the time, Old Man Liu had been taking his medicine for five or six days, which was when it should start showing its effects. Zhang Yang was genuinely pleased that Old Man Liu’s condition had improved.
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