"To the bar—find a woman," Yang Chen said, turning back with a serious expression.
Lin Ruoxi couldn't believe her ears. How could anyone be this shameless?
Seeing her stunned look, Yang Chen chuckled. "What? Jealous?"
"You're too full of yourself. Don't flatter yourself," Lin Ruoxi said coldly.
"Then why that look?" Yang Chen asked.
Lin Ruoxi huffed, turning away silently. But the sarcasm and disdain in her eyes spoke volumes.
Yang Chen didn't push it—let her think what she wanted. He walked out on his own.
Bar Street was eerily quiet during the day. A few stray cats and dogs wandered the empty roads, a stark contrast to the night's chaos.
Yang Chen pushed open the door to Rose Bar, greeting the dozing bartender Xiao Zhao, then headed for the back corridor.
The servers inside recognized him and didn't stop him, greeting him respectfully—clearly aware of his close relationship with Qiangwei.
The corridor behind the bar was surprisingly long—over fifty meters. At the end stood two tall men in tailored suits, guarding an ornate wooden door three meters away. They bowed in unison when they saw Yang Chen, gesturing for him to enter.
Yang Chen nodded, pushed open the carved door, and was greeted by a natural scent—faint lavender.
The room was enormous, with polished tan wood floors and black marble walls. A massive leather bed, over seven feet wide, sat in the center. Coffee-toned decor cast a dim, seductive glow, exuding understated elegance. One wall was made of glass, leading to an outdoor swimming pool and a small garden.
Who would've guessed a noisy bar hid such a peaceful retreat—this was Qiangwei's "home."
The moment he stepped inside, a sharp chill pricked Yang Chen's subconscious. Without hesitation, he raised his right hand to block!
Whoosh! A blade sliced through the air. A fair hand holding a glinting dagger stopped an inch from his cheek—blocked perfectly!
Her sneak attack foiled, the dagger spun in her hand in a fluid motion, stabbing again at Yang Chen's ribs.
Yang Chen remained calm, his hand sliding down her warm arm. He gripped it gently, applying a slight outward force—her dagger-wielding arm could move no closer.
Realizing she was outmatched, she lifted her leg to kick his lower back. But Yang Chen saw every move. He shifted his grip down her arm, and the dagger blocked her leg mid-lift!
"Enough!" Qiangwei pouted, throwing the dagger to the floor. "This is no fun! I don't know how you train—you're younger than me, but your skills are freakish!"
Yang Chen released her creamy arm, lingering on the soft touch. He turned, smirking. "Not bad—faster than a month ago. Good progress."
"Still useless against you…" Qiangwei rolled her eyes, slumping onto the bed. Dressed casually in her own room, she wore a white lace silk nightgown, her pink thighs exposed—glowing with ivory luster.
Yang Chen's gaze drifted there involuntarily…
Qiangwei's eyes lit up with pride. For some reason, the man she admired kept his distance. But clearly, he couldn't resist her body. Giddy, she blew him a flirtatious wink—enough to make a man's soul melt.
"Yang Chen… am I pretty, Brother?"
"Pretty…" Yang Chen swallowed hard. Had the heavens made a mistake? This woman was from hell—only devils had curves like this.
"Wanna touch…" She blinked, slowly pulling her collar aside to reveal pale, smooth skin.
Yang Chen gasped. He'd seen countless beauties—his wife Lin Ruoxi was breathtaking—but Qiangwei, though slightly less stunning, was a top-tier beauty with a mature, irresistible figure.
She was like a blooming red rose, her sweet scent dizzying.
Yang Chen stepped closer, leaning down to stare into her seductive eyes. He grinned mischievously. "Qiangwei, I do want to touch you. But if I do, will you chop my hand off with that dagger?"
"Can you stop me?" she purred, her breath warm.
"You're too tempting—I might lose my strength," Yang Chen admitted.
"Wanna test it?"
Yang Chen took a deep breath, savoring her orchid-like scent, but his eyes remained clear. "What do you need me to do for you?"
At his words, Qiangwei's glowing eyes dimmed. Disappointment, sorrow, pain, and rage flickered across her face—mixed emotions making her laugh bitterly. "Heh, Yang Chen… that's how you see me?"
"How do I see you?" Yang Chen asked, amused.
"You think I seduce you just to use your strength for my own gain?" she said bluntly.
"Your power is terrifying—I've never met anyone who feels as invincible as you…"
As she spoke, she pulled her collar closed, covering her skin. She looked at Yang Chen seriously, her voice soft. "And I do need you. My Red Thorn Society and my father's West Alliance are the two biggest gangs in the West District… on the surface.
But my society is too new. If we fight a real war, the West Alliance might lose some men—but my Red Thorn Society would be wiped out entirely."
Her soft face turned cold. "Yang Chen, do you remember the night we first met? I was ambushed—all my men killed. I ran for my life through the streets alone…"