I then remembered that she had given me the cigarette pack. I took it out and gave it back to her. Yang Wei lit one for herself, took a leisurely puff, then turned to look at me, exhaling a stream of smoke that landed right in my face.
I was a little annoyed, so I fanned myself with my hand and said coldly, "Miss Yang, don't you know that this is very impolite?"
“I’m very curious about you, Mr. Chen Yang,” Yang Wei suddenly smiled.
Her smile was strange. First, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and then the corners of her eyes followed. Her eyebrows were slightly raised, giving her a very charming look, but her eyes were darting around, making her seem somewhat unfathomable.
What is it about me that you're curious about?
“This is a big deal.” Yang Wei took a drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled before continuing, “I did a thorough investigation of Ye Huan before coming here… You don’t need to feel uncomfortable, this is a normal procedure. We can’t do business with someone without knowing anything about them.”
I nodded to indicate that I understood.
This is probably similar to how thieves scout out a place before committing a crime.
“We all know who Ye Huan is around. His most trusted subordinate is Jin He, but Jin He is just a bodyguard, one of his men, and doesn't have any other skills,” Yang Wei smiled. “This deal is huge. You need him to stay here to coordinate things and communicate with the boss behind it, so Ye Huan himself can't leave. I've always been curious about who he'll send to work with me. Because this deal requires someone to come with me to Las Vegas. After all, it's such a large sum of money; he can't just hand it over to me to take away. He'll definitely send someone to supervise it.”
Yang smiled and said, "This money will be used to open a new casino in Las Vegas. The casino shares will be jointly owned by both of us. In any case, you will need to send someone from here to join the management team. I was quite surprised that Ye Huan introduced you to me today... because I don't have any information about you in the files I have."
I remained silent.
Of course, I wasn't one of them.
What am I? Just a worker in a nightclub. Places like Jinbihuihuang may be considered top-tier in the city, but in the eyes of someone like Yang Wei, they're practically beneath her notice.
Aside from Huan Ge appreciating me and treating me well over the years, there's nothing else about me that's noteworthy.
Thinking of this, I said, "Does Brother Huan intend to send me to America... to be a casino manager?" I smiled bitterly, "But I don't know anything about these things... I haven't even been to college."
Yang Wei suddenly laughed, her smile carrying a hint of mockery.
"Universities? Mr. Chen Yang, you must be joking. Although I'm abroad, I still have a general understanding of what universities in China are like... Universities in China? What can you learn there?"
I nodded; she was right.
What is a university?
in the country, for over 90% of universities and over 90% of university students...
University = surfing the internet, playing games, skipping classes, reading novels, dating, cheating...
University has everything, including youthful years, but there's one thing missing... studying.
It can be said that all the skills that anyone needs to learn to work and earn money to support themselves after entering society are learned in society; nothing is taught in university!
Many times, I can't understand... people spend 70,000 or 80,000 yuan to go to university, waste four years, and then earn only 700 or 800 yuan a month after graduation... why?
Yang smiled and said, "If this business goes smoothly, our casino will open in six months. That six months is enough time for Ye Huan to train you into a qualified successor. I think that's why he brought you here tonight. Although your casino isn't as standardized as those in America, you can learn a lot here in a few months… But none of that matters… What matters is, who are you? What kind of person are you? What is your relationship with Ye Huan? Why does he trust you so much? Why would he entrust you with such an important task?"
I was about to speak when Yang Wei waved her hand and said calmly, "Actually, I don't need to ask you these things. I've already reported the matter back tonight. In a day at most, all your information will be on my desk, from your kindergarten records to your test scores in elementary school, to who you wrote love letters to in middle school, or even the first time you slept with a woman... I can find out everything I want to know!"
I snorted, feeling a little annoyed, but I knew she was telling the truth!
After thinking for a moment, I said, "Then why did you bring me here? And why are you telling me all this?"
"I told you, I'm curious about you." Yang smiled calmly, her smile carrying a mysterious air. Suddenly, she whispered, "Chen Yang... I even wonder if you might be Ye Huan's illegitimate son?"
I rolled my eyes and couldn't help but yell, "You're the illegitimate child!!"
The words had barely left my mouth when I immediately thought: Oh no!
Who is this woman? These words must have seriously offended her!
Unexpectedly, Yang Wei merely raised an eyebrow and said slowly in a cold yet complex tone, "So what if it is!"
Such a strong killing intent!
Part One: In the Martial World, Unable to Control One's Own Fate, Chapter Twenty-Four: Night Raid
Now it was my turn to be stunned.
After a few seconds of speechlessness, I looked at Yang Wei in surprise. Her expression was calm, and her tone was mocking: "What, do you find it strange? Or do I not seem like an illegitimate child?"
"No, you look a lot like... oh no, that's not what I meant." I was a little flustered, and sweat was breaking out on my forehead.
"It's nothing." Yang Wei took a drag of her cigarette. Her expression seemed calm, but there was a hint of coldness hidden in her brows. "I've never been ashamed of this identity. It's just an identity. I'm still me."
I thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "Why do you need to tell me something like this?"
Yang Wei laughed and pointed at me, saying, "It seems you really aren't part of this circle... Once we cooperate, even if you don't say anything, Ye Huan will tell you about me. I'll investigate him, so why wouldn't he investigate me? Besides, I've never hidden my identity, and I've never felt ashamed."
She paused, then lowered her voice, as if speaking softly to herself, "The one who should feel ashamed is not me, but my father."
I suddenly became curious. This woman seemed strange and complicated... She appeared proud and assertive, but for some reason, in that instant, I felt a pang of pity for her...
Perhaps sensing the somewhat somber atmosphere, Yang smiled, opened the car door, and got out. Our car drove off the winding mountain road and parked in front of the hillside. There was a small grove of trees around, and about ten steps away was a small hill. Of course, this wasn't a cliff or precipice; it was just a small hill, only two or three hundred meters high, with a valley below. It just looked like the terrain below was steeper.
The night air was crisp and cool. I got out of the car and took a deep breath, feeling a chill penetrate my lungs, instantly invigorating me. Yang Wei was right in front of me, standing on the hillside smoking. In the darkness, the cigarette between her fingers flickered like a tiny light. The evening breeze tossed her long hair, giving her a somewhat颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it implies a sense of listlessness, decadence, or dejection) look.
It was only then that I realized I had overlooked something: she was different from when I saw her at the casino; she had changed her clothes. No longer was she in a suit and skirt, but in a tight leather outfit with tall leather boots. The form-fitting leather was thin and tight, perfectly outlining her alluring figure.
On a night like this, in such a quiet place, standing with such a beautiful woman, feeling the evening breeze, and looking at the stars, must be a pleasant thing, right?
I gave a wry smile.
Yang Wei had already turned around. She glanced at me and said, "Mr. Chen Yang, thank you for coming out for a drive with me."
I smiled and said, "Thank you for the cigarette... but it seems you don't have a good impression of me."
Yang Wei walked over, glanced at me, and said, "Yes. In fact, I'm not targeting you, but I was against our business collaboration from the beginning."
"Why?" I asked casually.
Yang smiled and said, "It's simple. If it's just about cooperating with Mr. Ye Huan, I have no objection, because he is an extraordinary person. Cooperating with someone like him can ensure our common interests. However, it's a pity... your internal unity is not good. I seem to have heard that Mr. Ye Huan himself has some unresolved troubles. I'm afraid our business will be affected as a result."
I was taken aback. What trouble is Huan-ge in?
Yang Wei said calmly, "Within my family, I oppose cooperating with you. Similarly... not everyone within your organization wants to cooperate with us. It seems that some people in your organization have approached casinos in other Asian countries to discuss business cooperation, and Mr. Ye Huan seems to be aware of this as well..."
She could tell I didn't know much about these things, so she stopped talking after saying so much.
"Let's go back." Yang Wei threw away her cigarette butt. "I was just curious about you and wanted to get to know you to see what kind of person you are. Now my curiosity has been satisfied."
After she finished speaking, she walked past me and headed towards the sports car.
"Strange woman," I shook my head and walked behind her...
Suddenly, in the dim moonlight, I seemed to see something flash to my left... that glittering light had a metallic quality...
An alarm bell rang in my mind immediately! Almost as a reflex, I suddenly lunged forward, my hands already on Yang Wei's shoulders from behind. The two of us fell to the ground together with the force of my impact, then rolled around a few times in a disheveled manner. But then I heard a very crisp "ding" sound!
The bright light struck the car body, and a spark flew out in the darkness! It fell to the ground, and only then did I see that it was a dagger!
Before I could get up, I saw three or four figures rushing out of the woods on one side. In the darkness, I could see that they were several burly men, all dressed in black suits, holding long, gleaming weapons, including steel pipes and what appeared to be machetes!
Damn it!
Without thinking, I immediately let go of Yang Wei, rolled to the side of the car, and grabbed the dagger on the ground! It was cool to the touch, with a cork handle, blood grooves, and sharpened edges on both sides. I gripped the dagger in my backhand, and the person behind me rushed towards me!
The first target was clear: me! These attackers were obviously veterans! They wanted to take down me, the only man capable of fighting back! A gust of wind blew, and the man, wielding a steel pipe, brought it down on my head. I sidestepped, advancing instead of retreating, and rammed my shoulder into his chest. Caught off guard, the pipe missed its mark, and I slammed my shoulder into him. I instinctively plunged my dagger into his shoulder, simultaneously slamming my left elbow into his chest! The man groaned and fell to the ground. Before I could turn, someone else came crashing down behind me. I rolled on the ground, and with a clang, the attacker's blade struck the ground. I swiftly kicked out with both legs, landing a kick on his ankle. The man cried out and collapsed. I had already turned sideways, one hand bracing myself on the ground, the other slashing heavily at his neck.
After being attacked, Yang Wei immediately tried to open the car door, but someone had already caught up with her and grabbed her arm. Strangely, when I stood up, I heard a muffled groan behind me, and the burly man who had grabbed Yang Wei knelt down, clutching his abdomen... Thinking of the high, thin heels under Yang Wei's leather boots that night, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt...
Someone pounced on me from behind, grabbing me with a steel pipe he was holding, which was wedged against my neck. I tried to break free twice, but couldn't. At that moment, someone else rushed to my left and swung their weapon at me! Helpless, I could only raise my left arm to block...
With a loud bang, I felt a sharp pain in my arm, but thankfully the man was holding a steel pipe, not a machete; otherwise, I would have lost my arm tonight.
The pain fueled my fighting spirit. I grabbed the arms of the person holding me with both hands, strained my waist, and threw him over my shoulder. Just then, I heard a scream from Yang Wei. I saw that her arms had been twisted. Yang Wei was obviously stronger than the average girl. The guy twisting her arms seemed to be struggling and hadn't been able to completely control her yet.
I pounced forward as fast as I could. Yang Wei saw my movement and suddenly ducked down, exposing the man to me. I took a deep breath, leaped to the side, and jumped a meter into the air. Then, I kicked him squarely in the chest with my right leg! A very sharp spinning kick sent the man flying two meters backward!
I didn't look at him again. I knew the power of my kick. If an ordinary person were hit by it, they would break at least two ribs! Hmph, I've been learning kung fu from my master for several years, and I've mastered quite a bit of the Tan-style leg techniques!
I pulled Yang Wei up with one hand and caught my breath. It had been a long time since I'd been this active, especially with a powerful move like the roundhouse kick I just did; I rarely use those moves.
Suddenly, I saw a strange glint in Yang Wei's eyes, directed at my back! A thought struck me; without turning around, I threw the dagger with my backhand, simultaneously pulling Yang Wei aside…
With a soft thud, the dagger I threw was knocked away by the newcomer's palm! I turned around and saw clearly what the other person looked like. He was a man wearing a black jacket and was not carrying a weapon.
"Hey, young man, you've got some skills." The man sneered, his steps suddenly quickening as he approached. He swayed slightly, his arms swirling in a wide arc, his right fist aimed straight for my heart. I snorted. Judging from his movements, he was clearly trained; this simple "Black Tiger Strike the Heart" move was both powerful and fast. I stepped back half a step, one hand across my chest, waiting for his fist to land. With a quick pull, I shifted my body back, then grabbed his wrist and twisted it forcefully! This use of leverage to pull and twist his wrist caused him to groan, forced to take a half-step forward. I launched a kick at his left shoulder, forcing him to raise his left arm to block.
With a thud, he staggered to his feet, and I quickly pushed him back two steps. He exhaled, "Hmph, Tan Tui, not bad."
"That's enough to beat you up!" I retorted without backing down. Hmph, fighting! That's what I, Xiao Wu, love most!
"Again!" The man twisted and charged again, but this time he didn't dodge my punch. I punched him in the shoulder, but he just grunted, swayed slightly, and grabbed my shoulder. I gritted my teeth and threw myself into his arms. With a thud, we both fell to the ground. As we tumbled, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. It turned out that he had taken the opportunity to punch me in the ribs twice. Fortunately, we were close together, so he couldn't exert much force. Otherwise, I felt that this man's hands would have been enough to break my ribs!
He was very strong and seemed to have practiced grappling techniques. I was entangled by him and couldn't do anything. I tried to strike his waist and abdomen twice, but he held me down. At this moment, I couldn't help but feel uneasy!
Who is this person?
He's incredibly skilled! He's no ordinary person!
When I was attacked, I initially thought it was some kind of thugs roaming the mountains. I had read reports that the mountains are popular spots for young people to have sex, which has led to the rise of thugs who exploit the remoteness of the area to extort money from couples.
At first I thought I had encountered this kind of person, but now it seems not, because I feel that the people I knocked down were all burly men, especially the guy I'm fighting now, he's very skilled and definitely not an ordinary thug!
In the midst of the struggle, I suddenly grabbed his hair with my other hand and pulled hard. The man cried out in pain, and I had a clump of hair in my hand. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I did not block or defend against his punch, but instead used my other hand to forcefully cut under his armpit.
We both groaned at the same time. I felt a tightness in my chest from his punch, while he was hit under the armpit, and his arm would probably be numb and sore for a long time.
I managed to twist him away; he knew grappling techniques, and at this close range, I was at a huge disadvantage. But just as I rolled two steps back and was about to stand up, I suddenly felt something pressing against the top of my head…
Looking up, I saw the guy's face contorted in pain, panting heavily, one arm hanging limply at his sides, but in his other hand he was holding a black object pressed against my head...
It's a gun!
"Damn it!" I cursed inwardly, glaring at him through gritted teeth.
"Stand up, move slowly." He was panting, but there was a hint of smugness in his eyes. "Kid, you're pretty good at fighting. You've injured several of my men... But so what if you're good? Do you think this is an action movie? If you push me too far, I'll send you to eat bullets!"
My chest ached so badly I gasped for breath, and I stared into his eyes: "Where are you from?"
He didn't answer, but suddenly raised his fist and punched me in the stomach!
I snorted and staggered backward, taking four or five steps before I could barely stand. Then I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, a sweet taste in my mouth, and I bent over and vomited.
Fortunately, there was no vomiting of blood; it was just a normal reaction to a severe blow to the stomach.
"Kid, don't dodge!" He sneered and lunged at me again, this time kicking me in the stomach! Damn! If that kick lands, I'll be childless! I quickly dodged, but he kicked me in the thigh, and I fell backward.
Yang Wei was then arrested and dragged to the man's side. Yang Wei seemed somewhat panicked, but I could see that her eyes were very cold.
The man with the gun looked Yang Wei up and down and whispered, "It's her, no doubt about it."