Today, Jiang Luo attended the Chamber of Commerce banquet. Zheng Bin’s brother-in-law, Mr. Xiao Jiang, happened to be there and came over to greet him, introducing him to various people unfamiliar with the Chamber. A crowd soon gathered, and the conversation flowed warmly.
Anyone with eyes could see it: the Shengfei ad had been a massive hit, and Jiang Luo had leveraged it to take his business nationwide. Clearly, he was a rising star in the business world, with a bright future ahead. Naturally, more people came over to socialize and network.
Even Chairman Qiu had someone call Jiang Luo over to sit on the sofa and chat for a while. To everyone else, Jiang Luo appeared confident, ambitious, and impressive for his age.
He left the banquet quite late, pockets stuffed with business cards. As he descended the steps, the wind lifted strands of hair from his forehead. His relaxed pace and composed, confident air made him look like the young master of a prestigious family.
He got into a rare, unfamiliar model of a Mercedes, with a driver, and another car trailing behind. Anyone seeing him would sigh at the luxury.
“Is clothing really that profitable?” someone muttered.
“His family must be rich too,” another guessed.
“Didn’t you hear them calling him Jiang Shao?”
“Jiang? Which Jiang? What’s his family business?”
“I heard his dad is some official over in Pudong.”
“How do you know?”
“Word of mouth. The official admitted it and asked Chairman Qiu to look out for his son.”
“Really?”
Indeed, Jiang Luo was in high spirits lately—company accounts looking excellent, money flowing in like water.
He treated everyone, and You Junyu flew in from Shenzhen to Haicheng for the occasion. Along with Wang Chuang and Zheng Bin, the four of them went out to celebrate.
To Haicheng’s wealthy, the city appeared very different than to ordinary people. For example, the Bund, with its row of European-style buildings, looked magnificent, especially at night when the lights revealed the city’s opulent face.
Jiang Luo’s meal alone cost over ten thousand yuan. The private VIP room offered delicacies like seafood and bird’s nest not available to the public, with live singing and dancing for entertainment.
At that moment, a magician entered to perform. Wang Chuang and You Junyu went over to watch.
Jiang Luo, lounging in his chair, had just hung up from Huo Zongzhuo’s call when Zheng Bin dragged a chair over.
“Hey, remember the chubby guy from that Chamber banquet we met earlier, always handing out business cards?” Zheng Bin asked.
“Yeah, what about him?” Jiang Luo replied.
“He came to me, wants me to invest,” Zheng Bin said.
“What’s his business?” Jiang Luo asked.
“Computers,” Zheng Bin replied.
Jiang Luo raised an eyebrow.
“Next time you’re free, I’ll bring him over, you can give me some advice,” Zheng Bin continued.
Having spent more time with Jiang Luo recently, Zheng Bin had developed a bit of business sense. He didn’t know much about running a business, but he had money, as did his sister and father, so he wanted to make investments and earn passively.
Jiang Luo didn’t make a big deal, didn’t refuse, and agreed: “Sure, when I have time.”
Zheng Bin tried to cajole him: “We can invest together. You have all that money already.”
Jiang Luo smirked. “You just don’t want your own money to fail, so you’re dragging me into it, huh?”
“Works for me?”
“Let’s see. Good projects, I’ll invest.”
Zheng Bin was thrilled. “Good brother, that’s solid!”
Meanwhile, something in the magician’s act caught Wang Chuang and You Junyu’s attention, and they began cheering loudly.
At that moment, the manager entered with two servers, carrying a large platter of giant crabs on crushed ice.
After finishing, they left the restaurant. Many tourists near the Bund stopped to watch—some at the rare cars, some at the handsome figure who clearly didn’t belong to their world, and some at the entourage of young men accompanying him. The sleek cars glided slowly under the dazzling lights.
Later, they went to a nightclub, booked a large private room to sing, drink, and play cards. Wang Junqing’s brothers waited outside. The manager, recognizing Jiang Luo and the others, set up chairs and a small table with drinks and snacks for them. The brothers sat outside, snacking and watching.
Inside, Jiang Luo had already had a few drinks. Playing cards with Zheng Bin and You Junyu, he kept losing as they cheated together, drinking several rounds.
“Damn it,” Jiang Luo laughed. “Can’t beat me fairly, so you cheat right under my eyes? Shameful!”
Zheng Bin whispered to You Junyu, “No shame, none at all.”
“Straight!” You Junyu played cards “5,6,7,9,10,J,K,” missing the 8 and Q. He grabbed the missing cards from Zheng Bin and threw them on the table, smirking: “Want them?”
Jiang Luo laughed, scolding, “Partners in crime. No thanks.”
“You lost!”
You Junyu threw the remaining cards down: “Full house!” Only two 10s and two 3s were on the table—the missing 10 he again took from Zheng Bin.
Jiang Luo’s shoulders shook from laughter. “Damn you!”
“Drink! Drink!” they shouted. Wang Chuang handed a glass: “Come on, brother, don’t you get it? They want to get you drunk.”
“If I get drunk, screw you,” Jiang Luo teased.
“You wish,” he chuckled, taking the drink.
Later, heading to the restroom, the corridor thumped with music. Only one of the brothers was at the entrance; Jiang Luo signaled he was fine and went on, loosening his collar, clearly tipsy.
After entering the restroom, Wang Junqing returned with a drink, joined by another brother.
“Has Jiang Luo come out?” he asked.
“Yes,” the brother nodded. “He went to the restroom that way.”
Wang Junqing followed, only to find the men’s restroom empty. Every stall, every corner—no one.
Checking carefully, he discovered a dark hidden door at a corner, leading to a narrow alley outside, with nothing but trash bins.
“Not good!”
Wang Junqing ran back to the private room; Jiang Luo was gone there too.
“Go find him!” he shouted, gathering the brothers.
Meanwhile, Huo Zongzhuo, driving back along Wukang Road, received a call from Xue Zhizhong asking if he could come to a hotel on a certain street.
“What’s the matter?” Huo Zongzhuo asked as he drove.
Xue Zhizhong didn’t explain, only hinted. Huo Zongzhuo immediately understood—he was being offered a “gift,” likely a valuable painting that couldn’t be delivered directly.
Knowing Jiang Luo was out late with friends, he said, “Okay, I’ll go.”
At the hotel, Huo Zongzhuo picked up a pre-prepared room key, rode the elevator, and headed to Room 1236 on the 36th floor. Swiping the card, he entered the suite.
In the living room, as he wondered what Xue Zhizhong had prepared, his phone rang. Picking it up, he heard Wang Junqing: “Boss Huo, Jiang Luo is missing.”
Looking up, he spotted Jiang Luo lying on the bed.
Jiang Luo?
Holding the phone, Huo Zongzhuo’s heart sank. He immediately realized what Xue Zhizhong had brought for him that night.
“He’s here with me.”