Chapter 17: An Unexpected Encounter

Ma Lianhao’s desperate plea was cut off as the phone was snatched away. 

A sinister voice slithered through: “Young Master Jiang, care to join me for a drink?”

Jiang Feng’s brow furrowed—it was Li Yuanjue.

Ma Lianhao, though careless, had survived years in Yanjing without a powerful backing, relying on his knack for navigating social waters. He knew who to avoid crossing. If he was in trouble, someone had targeted him deliberately. 

Jiang Feng’s mind flashed to Li Yuanjue, and hearing his voice confirmed it, darkening his expression.

He’d never liked Li Yuanjue, but he wasn’t one to stir trouble. At Huatian Racecourse, only Li Yuanjue’s arrogance had provoked a response—otherwise, Jiang Feng wouldn’t have bothered. Yet Li Yuanjue had the gall to use Ma Lianhao as bait to threaten him. With a cold smile, he said, “I’m interested.”

“Great. I’m waiting at Red Devil Bar,” Li Yuanjue replied, hanging up before Jiang Feng could respond. He kicked Ma Lianhao in the stomach, toppling him.

Ma Lianhao groaned, face ashen, gasping, “Young Master Li, you said you’d let me go if I called Jiang Feng.”

“Let you go? Did I say that?” Li Yuanjue flicked his fingers, lounging on a sofa with a smug grin.

His effeminate features twisted into a creepy smile, chilling Ma Lianhao. Realizing Li Yuanjue had played him—his real target was Jiang Feng, the promise a ruse to lure him here—Ma Lianhao’s face reddened, itching to lunge at him.

Li Yuanjue glanced sidelong, drawling, “What, Ma Lianhao, not happy?”

Ma Lianhao had heard of Li Yuanjue’s vindictive streak and ruthless tactics. Fearing worse, he stammered, “N-no…”

He pinned his hopes on Jiang Feng, praying he wouldn’t falter, or they’d both be done for tonight.

Li Yuanjue laughed, sparking laughter from the others in the room. One handed him a cigar, lighting it with a match, grinning, “Why waste words on this guy, Young Master Li? Just beat him half-dead and toss him out. Why bother with Jiang Feng?”

“Beating a dog is only fun in front of its master,” Li Yuanjue said, exhaling smoke, his smile venomous.

Since Jiang Feng humiliated him at Huatian Racecourse, Li had been seething. Verbal insults he might’ve swallowed—Li Yuanjue’s family was slightly weaker than Jiang’s—but Jiang Feng’s public slaps, stripping his dignity before a crowd, were unforgivable.

He knew he couldn’t use family ties against a playboy like Jiang Feng. It had to be playboy versus playboy, repaying the shame tenfold. He’d been hunting for his chance.

Tonight, drinking at Red Devil Bar with his crew, he spotted Ma Lianhao. Normally, he’d ignore such a nobody, but Ma had witnessed his disgrace at Huatian. When Ma walked into his trap, Li Yuanjue couldn’t resist playing with him.

Jiang Feng’s thrashing of Li Yuanjue at Huatian had spread through the circle. Li Yuanjue’s words clarified his intent—his anger wasn’t just about beating the dog but its master too. 

Someone grinned, “Right, that’s the way. Let’s watch the show.”

“It’ll be a hell of a show,” Li Yuanjue said, his tone heavy with menace.

*****

Around ten p.m., the streets were quiet, save for passing cars. 

Under dim streetlights, two women strolled slowly.

The woman in white, her lavender hair loosely tied, radiated gentle elegance. Her nose wrinkled, her mind elsewhere, tinged with annoyance—but no emotion could dim her vibrant allure. The woman in red, though striking with bold makeup and a fiery figure, paled in comparison.

The red-clad woman spoke. “Qingxuan, it’s late. Let’s head home.”

“Not yet. Walk with me a bit more,” Ye Qingxuan said, her eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts.

The red-clad woman studied her. “You can’t fool me, Qingxuan. I heard Young Master Qin visited your family tonight, and you slipped out. Is it about him?”

“No, it’s not,” Ye Qingxuan said softly.

The woman giggled. “Is he visiting too often, stressing you out?”

Ye Qingxuan frowned, silent.

Sighing, the woman said, “Qingxuan, I don’t get you. Young Master Qin’s perfect—character, family, looks, talent. How are you not moved?”

“I see him as a brother,” Ye Qingxuan replied gently.

“Brother?” The woman laughed. “If he heard that, he’d be heartbroken.”

Ye Qingxuan didn’t smile. “Minmin, I asked you to keep me company, not lobby for him. Keep talking, and I’ll walk alone.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll stop. Geez, it’s not like Xu Minmin’s on Qin’s payroll,” Xu Minmin said, wrinkling her nose before grinning. “So, where to? We can’t just wander forever.”

Ye Qingxuan wasn’t sure. She rarely went out, always escorted, and tonight just wanted to clear her head without a destination. “Let’s walk a bit more and go back.”

Seeing a nearby bar, Xu Minmin considered suggesting a stop but knew Ye Qingxuan disliked such places. She decided to walk a little longer and head home—Ye’s beauty drew eyes, and while most wouldn’t dare approach, stray thugs could spell trouble.

As they walked, Xu Minmin noticed Ye Qingxuan pause, staring at a bar called Red Devil. Following her gaze, she saw Jiang Feng at the entrance. Though his flashy style had toned down, almost like a different person, Ye Qingxuan recognized him instantly.

Since Jiang Feng refused to meet her at the Jiang estate, she’d been puzzled by his sudden change. Seeing him now, her expression turned odd. Zhao Wuxia had claimed he was too busy reading to see her—yet here he was at a bar. Instinct told her his refusal was a ploy to play hard-to-get, a bid for her attention. She’d wondered if something was wrong with her, but maybe his nature never changed.

Xu Minmin spotted Jiang Feng too, sneering, “Qingxuan, that’s Jiang Feng, right? Out late partying—he’s got some energy.”

Ye Qingxuan nodded absently. Sensing her mood, Xu Minmin didn’t dwell but added curiously, “I heard you visited the Jiangs, and he refused to see you.”

“Yes,” Ye Qingxuan said, nodding faintly. She hadn’t understood then, but now she did.

“A guy like him, always buzzing around like a fly, annoying everyone—how could he refuse you? Just pulling some cheap trick,” Xu Minmin scoffed.

Ye Qingxuan gave a wry smile, saying no more. She took Xu Minmin’s hand. “Minmin, I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

Jiang Feng hadn’t seen Ye Qingxuan. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have approached—not now. He strode into Red Devil Bar.

At ten p.m., the bar pulsed with life—crowds roaring, music pounding. Though he’d partied here with Ma Lianhao before, his mindset had shifted, and the scene now repelled him.

“Young Master Jiang, it’s been ages—I’ve missed you! Don’t leave tonight; let’s have fun,” a garishly dressed woman cooed, clinging to his arm as he entered.

Jiang Feng knew her type—seeing him as a mark. The old Young Master Jiang wouldn’t have spared her a glance, and he, with his vast experience, was even less impressed. Pushing her off, he asked, “Which room is Li Yuanjue in?”