"Uh…"
The guard at the entrance looked uneasy the moment he saw Han Yuyao storming toward him.
As the largest club in Tianhai, the Imperial Prestige Club had its own powerful network. Ordinary police inspections never posed a threat; unless there was an exceptional circumstance, even getting through the door was impossible.
But the woman standing before him was no ordinary officer.
As a guard at this club, he naturally knew who she was—the eldest daughter of the Han family, one of Tianhai's Four Great Clans.
One look was enough to remind him: this was someone they could not afford to offend.
"What? Do you plan on stopping me?"
Seeing the guard hesitate, Han Yuyao's face darkened instantly.
The tension in the air was about to snap when a sultry, alluring voice suddenly rang out.
"Well, if it isn't my little sister from the Han family. What brings you here today?"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
From inside the club, a tall and voluptuous beauty stepped out slowly.
She was wrapped in a form-fitting qipao, her fiery curves accentuated by its fine silk. Red lips parted just slightly as she walked forward with a smile in her peach blossom eyes. Her aura carried the grace of old traditions mixed with a dangerous, irresistible charm.
In an instant, she drew every pair of eyes to herself.
But to this woman, Han Yuyao's sudden arrival seemed nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"President Zuo!"
The guard quickly moved aside with deference as soon as he saw her.
Han Yuyao narrowed her gaze at the woman, scoffing coldly.
"What's this, Zuo Jingxue? Are you planning to stop me too?"
The bystanders watching from a distance shook their heads at the standoff.
"Looks like President Zuo won't be able to protect her precious club tonight."
"In the end, her background just can't compete."
The woman facing Han Yuyao was none other than Zuo Jingxue, also from one of the Four Great Clans of Tianhai—the Zuo family.
Her background was formidable, and her abilities even more so. In just a few short years of managing the Imperial Prestige Club, she had transformed it into Tianhai's most extravagant den of indulgence, turning losses into massive profits.
But unfortunately, she wasn't a direct heir of the Zuo family. She came from a collateral branch, and no matter how capable she proved to be, she was never given the full recognition she deserved.
Had it been an ordinary officer knocking at her door, Zuo Jingxue might have found a way to handle it.
But the Han family was different—the only clan among the Four Great Families with a thousand-year lineage in ancient martial arts. And Han Yuyao was their eldest daughter.
Her identity and background alone were overwhelming. In comparison, Zuo Jingxue's position wasn't even on the same level.
Against a daughter of the Han family, whether in the underworld or the political world of Tianhai, there was hardly anyone who dared refuse face.
Even the mysterious owner behind the Imperial Prestige Club seemed insignificant in comparison.
Han Yuyao glared at Zuo Jingxue with obvious disdain.
The two had known each other for years, but their relationship was far from amicable.
Back when Huang Yu was still in Tianhai, her younger brother Han Kun had often dragged him here to carouse. She had come many times herself—always to drag people out.
Her impression of Zuo Jingxue was anything but favorable.
"Now, now."
Zuo Jingxue fluttered the small folding fan in her hand and forced a smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of irritation.
"But dear sister of the Han family, surely this is just a misunderstanding? Our Imperial Prestige Club has always operated legally. We pay tens of millions in taxes to Tianhai every year…"
She stepped forward, reaching for Han Yuyao's hand with feigned warmth, trying to pacify her.
But Han Yuyao brushed her hand aside without hesitation, her voice cold and sharp.
"Don't call me sister."
"My brother and that bastard Huang Yu learned all their vices in your club. I haven't even begun to settle that debt with you."
"Now get out of my way. I don't have time to waste on your nonsense."
Zuo Jingxue's lips twitched, though her face remained composed. Inwardly, she cursed.
Your useless brother and Huang Yu? If they hadn't been backed by the Han and Huang families, I would've banned those little degenerates long ago. And you dare blame me for their corruption?
Still, she managed a troubled look, hesitating. Secretly, she gestured for her people to summon reinforcements from the family.
If Han Yuyao really stormed in unchecked, tonight's business would suffer dearly.
"We're going in."
Nearly six minutes had already passed in this standoff at the entrance.
Han Yuyao's patience was wearing thin. Every moment wasted gnawed at her—what if something truly happened to her brother?
Her heart tightened at the thought. Without another word, she raised her hand.
At once, over twenty officers surged forward in formation.
"Officer Han, what are you doing?"
"Official police business. Step aside and cooperate!"
…
Compared to the chaos at the club entrance, the scene inside one of the VIP rooms was a different world entirely.
Han Kun had already plunged into his own private carnival.
Dozens of people lounged around on plush sofas, while Han Kun—somehow holding a basketball—started dribbling clumsily between his legs. After a few awkward moves, he tossed the ball aside and broke into a wild dance.
He belted out lyrics at the top of his lungs:
"You walking toward me makes my heart burn with desire—You're mine, I'm yours, who else could we be?"
…
"One more glance and I'll explode,Step closer and I'll melt away—"
…
He sang while tossing flirtatious looks at the enchanting woman in the front row, convinced he looked devastatingly cool.
The woman responded with exaggerated cheers, as though captivated.
"Bravo!"
The crowd around the stage erupted into whistles and applause, their faces full of admiration.
But none of them noticed the flicker of disdain and cold calculation in the woman's eyes as she watched Han Kun's ridiculous dance.
The guards, lulled by the atmosphere, grew careless, lingering near the doorway.
This was the perfect chance.
Everything was unfolding just as planned—until—
Bang!
The door flew open with a violent kick.
"Motherf—!"
The sudden crash startled Han Kun, then filled him with fury. "Which blind bastard dares kick open my door?!"
But before he could unleash his rage, the face in the doorway came into focus—cold, familiar, and terrifying.
"Who are you calling blind?"
That voice sent a shiver through Han Kun's chest.
"B-big… sis…"
Sweat broke out on his forehead as he took two awkward steps back, forcing a nervous laugh.
"No, no, I wasn't talking about you! I meant… someone else."