Free Web NovelChapter 154: Chapter 153: Xianlido, Young Master Cai
After finishing the dish of Poison Pills, the white cyclone in his Dantian spun rapidly, releasing streams of Innate Primordial Qi. This qi quickly purged the residual toxins from Fu Juemin’s body and repaired the damaged areas.
Having finished, Fu Juemin strode out of Mei Lin.
Big Cat, carrying a tray, followed closely behind him and began to report in a flat tone, "...We’ve finished our background check on the person partnering with Mr. Fu. His name is Liu Huaixiang, a kinsman of the great Liu Clan from the Southern Ocean.
The Liu Clan is indeed in the lumber business in the Southern Ocean region. This Liu Huaixiang doesn’t hold a high position in the clan. Two months ago, he left the Liu Clan to strike out on his own. His trip to Shenghai is, in fact, to find a reliable business partner..."
Fu Juemin nodded slightly.
Although his father, Fu Guosheng, now intended to "abandon" him, as a son, he couldn’t just ignore his own father.
The Qinglian Gang also had a branch in the Southern Ocean. While its influence wasn’t immense, investigating the background of one or two people there was still a piece of cake.
Fu Juemin planned to secretly help Fu Guosheng pave the way for his trip as much as possible. After all, he couldn’t let his own father get bullied while he was away.
"Tell the brothers over there to help look after things... If anything happens, remember to tell me immediately."
"Yes."
Exiting Mei Lin and entering the house, a servant immediately brought him warm clothes and ginseng tea.
Fu Juemin rinsed his mouth with the warm tea to get rid of the lingering unpleasant aftertaste, and then called over Big Cat.
"Get ready. You’re accompanying me to an appointment."
Just yesterday, Shen Yijun, known as Young Master Cai—one of Shenghai’s four great young masters of "Power, Wealth, Letters, and Martial Arts"—had sent an invitation, asking him to meet at Xianlido at eight o’clock tonight.
Fu Juemin had a rough idea why this Shen Yijun wanted to meet him.
He had nothing better to do. Besides, he was quite curious about this Young Master Shen. Shen Yijun, despite being born to a concubine, had somehow managed to overshadow all the direct heirs and become the leader of his generation in the Jiangnan plutocrat Shen Family.
So, he decided he might as well go and meet him.
.....
At 8:15 PM, the Public Concession’s Ten-Mile Foreign Field was already a sea of dazzling lights.
Several sedans, like black fish, slid into the brilliant river of light on Starlight Road.
They drove past one dazzling, multicolored neon sign after another, finally stopping before an arch-like building with a "Xianlido" sign hanging above it.
The doorman in a red uniform and top hat immediately recognized the prestige of a gold-emblem sedan among them. Although it was his first time seeing it, he still rushed forward without hesitation.
But before he could reach the car to open the door for the honored guest inside, he was coldly blocked by several burly, fierce-looking men with pistols at their waists.
Immediately after, the car door opened, and a figure slowly emerged.
Fu Juemin was wearing a rock-gray suit tonight, without a tie. His attire was somewhat casual.
But with his tall, imposing figure and handsome features, he still exuded an undeniable air of nobility. The moment he stood up straight, it was as if he instantly absorbed some of the surrounding glitz, revealing an undercurrent of calm, restrained charisma.
Starlight Road, the ten-mile playground. Fu Juemin had heard of it for a long time, but this was his first real visit.
Looking around, he saw the area was bustling. Aside from the vendors with cigarette boxes, newsboys, and flower sellers, almost everyone on the street was impeccably dressed.
Behind him was Buye Heaven, almost directly across from Xianlido. Standing on the street, one could clearly hear Western jazz music coming from two different directions.
Fu Juemin casually adjusted his cuffs, then, with a calm expression, walked straight toward the splendid entrance under the Xianlido sign.
His entourage of Qinglian Gang men cleared a path, roughly shoving aside the well-dressed elite gentlemen in suits who were escorting their female companions.
The sound of Western jazz grew louder, mingled with the wail of a saxophone. The lazy melody gradually became more passionate... As Fu Juemin reached the main hall, a wave of opulence washed over him.
The first thing that caught his eye was a black-and-white, diamond-patterned marble dance floor, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the enormous chandelier above, which was adorned with crystal pendants.
The light was a warm gold, generously splashing over everyone. In the center of the dance floor was a circular, rising stage. A deep purple velvet curtain hung from above. A beautiful woman in a sapphire-blue, rhinestone-studded fishtail dress was singing on the stage, backed by a group of happily dancing women in red dresses with slits that went all the way up to their thighs.
The dance floor was surrounded by circular, deep-red booths with uniform velvet sofas. Each booth had a tall champagne bucket and an ornate ashtray.
—The sounds of laughter and conversation, the clinking of glasses, the sharp clicks of high heels on the floor, all mixed with the music. Combined with the smell of cigars and perfume, it created a scene of dazzling extravagance that could sway one’s heart.
Fu Juemin and his entourage stood on the steps at the hall’s entrance, blocking a crowd of people from coming or going. Yet they didn’t move, simply watching the scene before them in silence.
Many people in the hall noticed their arrival. Appraising gazes were constantly cast their way, people curiously speculating about Fu Juemin’s identity.
"Young Master, it’s 8:20."
Fu Juemin casually motioned a man to his side and lit a cigarette. Hearing Big Cat’s quiet reminder, he said nonchalantly, "No rush... It’s only proper to let the one requesting a favor wait a little."
Just then, an eager voice called out.
"Young Master Fu, what an honor to have you!"
A middle-aged man in a suit and glasses hurried over to greet him from a distance, his face plastered with a smile.
He seemed to be one of Xianlido’s managers. Before he could reach Fu Juemin, he was blocked by the Qinglian Gang men. He didn’t get annoyed, however; instead, the smile on his face grew even more eager.
"Young Master Shen Yijun has a private room ready and is waiting for you on the second floor.
Shall I take you up now?"
Fu Juemin glanced at the man but didn’t speak, his gaze still fixed on the dance floor.
The man stood to one side, looking a little awkward. It wasn’t until a song on the stage ended that Fu Juemin finally stubbed out his cigarette and gave a quiet command to his men: "All of you, find your own spots.
Remember, all expenses tonight are to be put on the tab of Young Master Shen Yijun of the Shen Family."
"Thank you, Young Master!"
The Qinglian Gang men cheered with wide grins and immediately dispersed.
Seeing that Big Cat was still standing by his side, Fu Juemin couldn’t help but pat his arm and say with a smile, "Don’t be so tense all the time. When it’s time to relax, you should really relax..."
With Fu Juemin’s current strength, he was gradually no longer in need of Big Cat’s round-the-clock, close-quarters protection.
Big Cat obviously knew this. After a brief hesitation, he nodded and went down into the hall. He alone occupied an entire booth.
After seeing his men settled, Fu Juemin finally turned his gaze to the man who had been standing there awkwardly for so long and said flatly, "Alright, lead the way."
The latter replied with an obsequious smile and hurriedly led Fu Juemin up the golden spiral staircase next to the dance floor.
"When did Shen Yijun get here?"
On the way, Fu Juemin casually asked the manager leading them.
The man quickly replied, "He arrived at seven o’clock. He’s been waiting in the private room for you for over an hour. We were getting worried, but at last, Young Master Fu, you’ve arrived..."
Fu Juemin gave a casual "oh" and asked no more questions. He followed the man down a long corridor covered in a thick carpet until the clamor of the dance floor behind them was almost inaudible. They finally stopped in front of a large, double-leaf door of brass and oak.
The middle-aged manager stepped forward, knocked gently on the door, and then pushed it inward, opening a crack.
"Young Master Fu, please. Young Master Shen is inside.
If you need anything, just ring the bell to call for us."
After speaking, he bowed respectfully and retreated.
Fu Juemin reached out and gave the door a hard push, then slowly walked into the room.
As soon as he entered the vast, luxurious private room, he saw a young man in a plaid suit. He was of medium build with delicate features, holding a wine glass and looking at him with a grin.
"Fu Lingjun! Young Master Fu!"
The man casually put down his wine glass and immediately came forward to greet Fu Juemin with a loud laugh, showing not the slightest hint of displeasure from having waited for over an hour.
"I’ve heard so much about you! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you today!"
"Young Master Shen."
Fu Juemin looked at the affable man before him, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then was led by the arm with immense enthusiasm to a sofa.
In the entire room, besides Fu Juemin and the man before him, there was no third person present.
However, there was a small door in the room, which seemed to lead to an inner chamber.
Fu Juemin glanced toward the small door, his eyes flashing for a moment, but he said nothing. Pretending not to notice, he casually leaned back on the sofa.
Shen Yijun, playing the host, poured Fu Juemin a glass of Western liquor. Then, he took something out from his coat, a mysterious expression on his face, and presented it to Fu Juemin with a smile. "A small gift to mark our first meeting. I have a feeling... Young Master Fu will like it."
Fu Juemin glanced at the item Shen Yijun was offering and saw that it was a milky-white snuff bottle. At first glance, other than its exquisite craftsmanship, there was nothing remarkable about it.
But seeing Shen Yijun’s secretive yet expectant expression, it seemed this item wasn’t so simple after all.
Fu Juemin narrowed his eyes and reached out to take the snuff bottle that Shen Yijun was holding in his palm.
The instant his fingers touched the snuff bottle, a jolt, like an electric shock, shot through him.
"Hm?!"
Fu Juemin picked up the snuff bottle, its body as fine and smooth as porcelain, and raised his head, his gaze fixed deeply on Shen Yijun.
As if he had been waiting for this exact reaction, Shen Yijun burst out laughing and clapped his hands. "I knew I wasn’t wrong! Young Master Fu saw it at a glance!"
