Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 651 - Chapter 651 Chapter 37 Consequences

Chapter 651: Chapter 37 Consequences Chapter 651: Chapter 37 Consequences “`

Ji Chai swallowed the harsh words, took the banknotes and pointed backwards, “Walk a hundred meters forward, and the place where a doorman welcomes guests is the one.”

Li Yan nodded and brushed past Wenle, who was wearing a mask and sunglasses.

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At the time, Hong Kong was bustling with colorful prosperity, people were avidly horse racing and stock trading, and the nightlife was dazzlingly intoxicating. Japanese nightclubs, led by Zhongxing Baode and the newly established New Tokyo, were thriving in Hong Kong, squeezing out Western dance halls and traditional Cantonese opera singing clubs to the point where they could barely survive.

During Zhongxing Baode’s heyday, its nightly revenue exceeded ten million Hong Kong dollars, employing over a thousand hostesses, including beauties from Ukraine and Russia, and having more employees than some listed companies. Even Hollywood superstar Sylvester Stallone and the Royal Madrid Team had come by its reputation. Zhongxing Baode even advertised on television multiple times, using pictures of promoters dressed in belly bands, bikinis, and flight attendant outfits, attracting business and promoting a new vitality in Hong Kong citizens’ nightlife.

“Judy, didn’t you tell me you’ve switched to a vegetarian diet? When the manager told me you were coming, I thought that fatso was fooling me.”

Maggie looked to be in her twenties, with neat short hair, a sweet smile, and a sizzling figure. Having entered the scene five years ago, she was now the top manager here. Initially, to recruit her, Zhongxing Baode’s owner offered an annual salary of over a million, which was legendary in the industry. Maggie herself was also very tactful, maintaining close personal relationships with many tycoons.

Judy got out of the car, removed her sunglasses, and hugged Maggie intimately, cheek to cheek, before teasingly asking, “Don’t you welcome me?”

“Of course not, but since Kowloon City caught fire two years ago, you haven’t visited. I called you several times, and you wouldn’t grace us with your presence. But today, since you’re here, I’ll make sure you leave satisfied. Let me tell you…”

Maggie whispered to Judy for a short while, and Judy showed a half-doubting expression, “Is it really true?” Maggie laughed continually, “Isn’t it true? Won’t you know in a bit?”

Li’s indifferent gaze swept over the passing pedestrians, out of sync with the lively atmosphere of music and dance. Suddenly, the scent of perfume hit her, and Maggie almost clung to Li, cooing, “Li, long time no see. How heartless of you not to greet me at all. Let me introduce you to a place that’s really impressive, and if you’re not satisfied, the treat’s on me.”

Li turned her face away stiffly, remaining silent.

Judy wrapped an arm around Li’s waist and whispered with a smile, “Don’t put on such a stiff face when you’re out having fun. Come on, let’s go. Otherwise, it’ll give us away.”

Li’s voice was mosquito-thin, “How are you so sure he’ll come back? If he doesn’t show up, won’t you have no show to run?”

Judy gritted her teeth, “If he doesn’t come, then that’s the end of it. Do you think I really care for him to come?!”

Li rolled her eyes, and as they chatted and laughed on their way into the venue, they turned and entered a private room.

The first floor was relatively quiet with wooden partitions. The bar’s glassware was filled with chilled foreign liquors. Li Yan, sitting in a corner of the bar, pretended to hold up a newspaper. When Yang Zichu reported, Judy had already set off, not to Zhongxing Baode but after driving around for over an hour. So, Li Yan had even arrived before Judy. He had also heard every word of their conversation just now.

Soon, Maggie, humming a tune and walking with jaunty steps, descended the stairs to the bar, calling out to a handsome young man mixing drinks, “Lu.”

He looked up and smiled, “What can I do for you, Maggie?”

Maggie whispered, “Go attend to the guests in Room One, and be on your toes. Don’t talk nonsense; I don’t think she’s in a good mood.”

“Got it, Maggie.”

Lu was exceptionally tall, with a babyface. He stood with an erect and powerful posture, certainly not the frail type, and when he smiled, two dimples appeared on his face, which made him quite popular with the girls.

As he walked out from behind the bar, he happened to pass by Li Yan, who stopped him.

Lu was initially startled before presenting a professional smile, “Sir, may I help you?”

“Nothing much, just wanted to buy you a drink.”

“`

Speaking of which, Li Yan passed over a glass of brandy.

Lu looked at Li Yan with a somewhat strange expression on his face, then declined politely, “I’m sorry, sir, I still have work to do.”

maggie sensed something was off and came over as well, “My name is maggie, I’m in charge here, sir, is there anything I can help you with?”

Li Yan’s expression was very natural, “I wanted to buy him a drink, but he doesn’t seem too keen.”

“The thing is, sir, the guests in VIP Room 1 have already made an appointment with Lu. How about I arrange for someone else…”

“I’ve been watching him for a long time, and I haven’t seen anyone make an appointment with him. Aren’t we all guests here? Do you think I can’t afford it?”

With that, Li Yan glanced at Lu again, “I think he’s quite nice.”

maggie sized up Li Yan and the smile on her face dimmed a bit, she said softly, “Sir, you’re clearly not gay, if you’re looking to cause trouble, I’ll call security.”

Li Yan fumbled in his pocket and handed a check to maggie, “Does this not count as causing trouble then?”

It was a bank draft for five hundred thousand yuan, later sent to Zhongxing Baode’s office by someone on behalf of Jin Boqing, two in total, even Ren Ni, who had only shown his face once during the entire Jinmen Face Painting Incident, got a share.

maggie glanced at the numbers on it, her lips somewhat dry, and she plastered on an ingratiating smile, “Then I won’t disturb the two of you.”

After speaking, she gave Lu a significant look and turned to leave.

Even in Longcheng, patrons who spend five hundred thousand in one night were rare, and since Judy hadn’t specified anyone, it wasn’t a problem for maggie to find another popular male host.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave.”

Li Yan, smiling, placed his hand on Lu’s shoulder, “I have a big appetite, he won’t be able to handle it alone.”

With a five hundred thousand bank draft in hand, maggie looked at Li Yan with eyes softer than those of a first love, “You’re quite the joker, sir, Lu is a professional.”

Li Yan looked serious, “Don’t underestimate me, I really do have a large appetite.”

Lu stared at the broad palm on his shoulder and swallowed involuntarily.

maggie was somewhat hesitant, “So what are you suggesting, sir?”

“Ten of them, I’ll invite them for a drink, this draft should be more than enough, right?”

“It’s definitely enough…”

maggie swallowed, struggling internally.

Longcheng was known to have a thousand hostesses, and male hosts were a different matter altogether; besides, maggie really didn’t dare to use “ordinary goods” to fob off Judy, and this man in front of her was clearly no pushover, leaving maggie somewhat at a loss to weigh the situation.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the door, with many customers glaring angrily, but as soon as they saw who it was, they quickly lowered their heads.

Zhan Guzai walked in swaggeringly with a dozen gang members in tow, looking around until his eyes lit up upon seeing maggie, “maggie, has Sister Judy stopped by?”