Chapter 40: Showing Up to Provoke
Wu Yifan had barely stepped back into Infinity when he spotted Ye Xiwen, lounging at the bar like she'd been waiting. Her eyes locked onto his, sharp and expectant—she knew he'd gone to Yingjie Group.
"Boss Ye? What brings you down here? The team's handling things—you should rest. Don't overwork yourself," Wu said, pasting on a friendly grin, the kind that usually deflected questions.
"How'd it go with Wang Xuefei?" Ye stood, cutting straight to the chase, no small talk, no patience.
"Wang Xuefei? Who's that? A customer? I'm just a security guard—I don't keep track of names," Wu said, feigning confusion. He'd perfected the "dumb grunt" act over his year at Infinity.
Ye's jaw tightened. "Cut the act, Wu Yifan." Her voice was low, dangerous. "I sent you to negotiate. Did you or didn't you?"
"Negotiate? Oh! Right. But I didn't see her. Yingjie Group's receptionist said she was busy. Maybe next week?" Wu shrugged, pulling out a cigarette—anything to look casual.
"Next week? The deadline's in three days!" Ye's tone rose. "Where were you, then? Hiding? Drinking? Don't lie to me."
"Hey, I was at a mahjong parlor! Lost a fortune—this month's gonna be tight," Wu said, lighting the cigarette. "New place, down the street. Packed, too—might be my new spot."
"A new mahjong parlor? Interesting." Ye crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "My assistant checked the usual spots—you weren't there. Did you teleport? Or are you just bad at lying?"
"Ah, right! It's *new*—she wouldn't know it. Real nice, though. Fancier than the old one. No more scowling owners," Wu said, piling on the details, hoping she'd buy it.
"Fancy, huh? Take me there." Ye stepped closer, her perfume—something floral, crisp—hitting his nose. "I'm bored. A little mahjong sounds perfect. Work can wait. Show me this 'new parlor.' I want to see your 'skills.'"
Wu froze. *She's calling my bluff.* Ye rarely pushed this hard. Usually, she treated his "missions" like long shots, not life-or-death. Today, though, she was relentless, her gaze burning into his. He shifted, uncomfortable. "You… you want to play mahjong? Now?"
"Unless you're scared. Or… there is no new parlor," Ye said, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "C'mon, Wu. Let's go. I'll even buy the first round."
Panic flickered in Wu. *What if she calls the bluff?* He'd survive a scolding, but failing the rent deal? Ye might fire him. And he needed this job—for the steady cash, sure, but also… well, Infinity was the only place that felt like "home" lately.
He didn't know Ye's real fear: word had leaked—Qian Baoqing, owner of rival club East Coast, was rallying thugs and officials to shut Infinity down. She needed cash to renovate, to stay competitive. If Wu failed, Infinity might fold. Hence the urgency.
"Lead the way," Ye said, already heading for the door.
Wu dragged his feet, racking his brain for an exit strategy, when a commotion outside stopped them. A crowd—tough-looking guys in leather jackets, a sleek black car—blocked the entrance. At the front stood Qian Baoqing, decked out in a too-bright blue suit, tie askew, a gold chain glinting. He looked like a caricature of a gangster.
"Well, well! If it isn't Boss Ye. Leaving so soon?" Qian leered, his eyes raking over her like she was a prize, not a person.
Ye stiffened, disgust flashing across her face. "Qian. What do you want? We have no business."
Qian threw back his head, laughing loud enough to scare nearby pigeons. "Business? Not exactly. More… a friendly visit." He gestured to a man beside him—mid-30s, immaculately dressed, with a calm, confident smile. "This is Ah Shuai, my new bartender. Heard Infinity's got a 'legendary' mixologist—best in Beitian. He wants a little competition. See who's really king of cocktails. All in good fun, of course!"
Wu and Ye exchanged a glance—both knew this was no "friendly" contest. Qian was here to humiliate them. A bartender showdown? It was a jab at Infinity's pride, a way to make them look weak.
Ah Shuai nodded, polite but sharp, like he already knew he'd win. His hands were steady, his posture relaxed—this wasn't his first rodeo.
Ye's throat went dry. Infinity's bartender, Lao Li, was good, but… Ah Shuai looked *pro*. Like he'd trained in Paris, or Tokyo. She forced a smile. "Friendly competition? East Coast's a giant—beating us wouldn't prove much. Save your time."
"Time? I've got plenty. Or are you scared, Boss Ye? Afraid your 'legend' can't hack it?" Qian taunted, grinning. "C'mon. What's the harm? A little fun. Unless… you're worried we'll expose your 'star' as a fraud."
Ye's jaw tightened. She knew Qian was baiting her, but backing down would look worse—like Infinity was weak, scared.
Before she could answer, a shout cut through the tension.
"Boss Ye! Boss Ye! It's bad! Real bad!"
Liao Zhiyuan, one of the waiters, came sprinting out, face white, tripping over his own feet. He skidded to a stop, chest heaving. "They… they're here! All of them!"
Ye's blood ran cold. *Qian's backup? Already?*
Qian's grin widened, sharp as a blade. "Told you. Fun's just getting started."
Wu tensed, scanning the crowd behind Qian—more thugs, some in suits (probably the "white collar" goons Ye feared). This wasn't just a bartender contest. It was a siege.
Ye met Wu's eyes, a flicker of panic in hers—*what do we do?*
Wu's mind raced. 6 enhancement points left. Enough for a boost, but against this many?
He grabbed Ye's arm, low enough for only her to hear. "Stay behind me."
For once, Ye didn't argue.
The fun, it seemed, was over.
Trouble had arrived—guns blazing.