Chapter 004: Roses in Full Bloom

Chapter 004: The Blooming Rose

The night was deep and tranquil.

Watching the seductive figure emerge from the police station’s entrance, Chu Fei finally breathed a sigh of relief. Though Fu Ziqing had promised to help him save someone, there were conditions attached; if there truly were serious problems with Qi Hong, that woman would never get involved. Seeing Qi Hong walk out now, Chu Fei knew his judgment had been correct—there were no major issues with Qi Hong, or at least nothing that could be discovered at present. It was easy enough to imagine; even if she was the mistress of the gang leader Cai Nine, she wouldn't know much. Every successful mafia boss is a shrewd schemer, and would never confide too many secrets to a lover.

“Let’s go!”

Seeing Chu Fei waiting for her at the entrance, Qi Hong was not surprised. She spoke naturally.

They hailed a taxi and returned to the Dust Bar. The earlier turmoil hadn’t affected business; the noise and bustle continued unabated.

Qi Hong cast a complicated glance at the bar, then turned and walked toward the parking lot.

“Aren’t you going in, Sister Hong?” Chu Fei asked curiously.

“I’m tired, I want to rest,” Qi Hong stopped and turned back, flashing a charming smile at Chu Fei, “You’ll take me home.”

Usually, when a woman asks a man to escort her, it’s either because she regards him as insignificant, or because she has another motive altogether.

Chu Fei didn’t think Qi Hong had either motive, but he didn’t dwell on it. He grinned and said, “Alright!” and followed her to the parking lot.

Qi Hong’s car was a gleaming silver Audi R8—the same model driven by Iron Man in the movies. Dominant, flamboyant, with a latent wildness. Chu Fei was surprised that Qi Hong, such a seductive and sensual woman, drove a car like this.

Some say you can tell a person’s character from their car. If that’s true, then Qi Hong’s personality and her appearance are polar opposites.

Qi Hong lived in a villa district in the city center, not far from the bar—a drive of less than ten minutes.

Following Qi Hong’s instructions, Chu Fei parked the car in front of the petite two-story villa. He looked over the exquisitely designed house and couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration. Owning such a villa in the heart of Kun City was no easy feat. He glanced again at the Audi R8. Luxury car, luxury house—Qi Hong was certainly not just wealthy. If someone claimed this woman had no other means, Chu Fei would never believe it.

Qi Hong didn’t get out immediately. Instead, she reached into the glove compartment, took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, and lit it.

It was the first time Chu Fei had seen Qi Hong smoke. Her movements were beautiful—surrounded by smoke, her delicate, fox-like face was even more enchanting. Chu Fei found himself staring, his eyes glazed.

“Do you like what you see?” Qi Hong suddenly turned, smiling with irresistible charm.

“I do.” Chu Fei replied, openly admiring her. He reached over, took the cigarette from her lips, placed it in his own mouth, and took a deep drag to calm his growing agitation. At that moment, Qi Hong made him feel an urge to hold her down and ravish her thoroughly.

Qi Hong was taken aback, but didn’t get angry. She lit another cigarette and spoke softly, “Would you like to hear a story?” Her voice was ethereal.

“No.” Chu Fei shook his head bluntly.

“You…” Qi Hong stared at him for several seconds, then gritted her teeth and cursed, “Chu Fei, you really are a bastard.”

“I am a bastard, after all,” Chu Fei replied, unconcerned.

“Pointless.” Qi Hong shook her head suddenly and got out of the car.

She glanced at the villa, then turned back to Chu Fei, “Do you want to come in for a visit?”

Chu Fei looked up at the expensive villa, then shook his head, “Forget it, Sister Hong. You’re so seductive, I’m afraid if I go in, I’ll turn into a beast and ruin you.” He grinned at her.

“Coward!” Qi Hong cursed, biting her lip, “I’m not afraid, so what are you afraid of?”

Chu Fei only smiled.

“Go on, I’m tired, I need to sleep,” Qi Hong said, turning away. She tossed out, “It’s hard to get a taxi here at this hour. Take my car.”

“No need. I live in the slums—narrow place. I can’t fit such a nice car there,” Chu Fei shrugged and walked toward the community entrance.

Qi Hong turned, stunned, watching Chu Fei disappear into the night. She muttered under her breath, “This bastard—does he have lust but not courage, or does he just look down on himself?” She shook her head and entered the villa.

No one saw the hint of bitterness that flickered deep in Qi Hong’s alluring eyes.

——

Qi Hong hadn’t lied. At this hour, it was truly hard to find a taxi. Chu Fei wandered the street for nearly half an hour without seeing a single cab.

As he fretted, a black Buick business van suddenly pulled up beside him.

“Swish!”

The door opened, and a man in his thirties climbed out, striding quickly toward Chu Fei.

Chu Fei’s brows furrowed. The man’s quick steps and, above all, the aura of cold ferocity he emanated tipped Chu Fei off—this was no ordinary person.

Bad news.

“Can I help you?” Chu Fei stood his ground.

“Someone wants me to warn you—stay away from Qi Hong in the future.” The man stopped two meters away, fixing Chu Fei with a steely gaze, his presence radiating a chilling pressure.

“Cai Nine?”

Chu Fei raised an eyebrow, glancing at the business van not far away. He could vaguely sense a pair of gloomy eyes watching him.

“Kid, I don’t care who you are or what you want. Stay away from Qi Hong, or else…” The man, ignored by Chu Fei, became furious. He hadn’t finished his threat when his face changed—Chu Fei was suddenly right in front of him. Before he could react, he was airborne, pain searing through his thigh so intensely he nearly fainted.

“I hate being threatened,” Chu Fei said, his expression darkening. He ignored the man he’d kicked aside and looked again at the business van.

“Crash…”

The door opened, and four men emerged. One was a burly middle-aged man, at least six foot one, exuding a natural, fierce aura. What caught the eye wasn’t his height or presence, but the obvious absence of a pinky finger on his right hand.

Cai Nine.

He wasn’t ninth in rank—it was simply that he had only nine fingers. The missing finger was rumored to have been chopped off his first year in Kun City by another gang boss. That ordeal became his rebirth—he rose rapidly through ruthless methods and even changed his name to Cai Nine.

Chu Fei had never met Cai Nine in person, but instantly recognized him and guessed his purpose.

“Impressive—no wonder you dared to hit my man,” the burly man moved forward a few steps, not even glancing at his kicked subordinate, eyes locked on Chu Fei.

“Don’t provoke Qi Hong again. Otherwise, I don’t care who you are—I’ll sink you in the Yangtze.” After a good ten seconds, Cai Nine spoke. His voice was quiet, but arrogant, domineering, and vicious.

Chu Fei laughed, looking back at Cai Nine. “I barely know Qi Hong.” Not out of fear—just stating the truth. He’d only spoken to her for the first time today; they really weren’t close.

“That’s best,” Cai Nine smiled as well, but his gaze deepened.

Just then, a taxi passed by. Chu Fei flagged it down, but before leaving, he cast a meaningful glance at a young man behind Cai Nine. The man looked familiar. After a moment’s thought, Chu Fei remembered seeing him at the Dust Bar, more than once. He’d never paid attention before, but now realized he was likely assigned by Cai Nine to protect—or perhaps monitor—Qi Hong.

This alone showed the strength of Cai Nine’s possessiveness.

Chu Fei suspected Qi Hong herself, shrewd as she was, must be aware that Cai Nine kept someone watching her.

What Chu Fei couldn’t understand was why, in that earlier situation, this young man hadn’t intervened when Qi Hong was slapped.

…

“Nine Brother, you’re just letting him go like that?” The young man Chu Fei recognized looked at his boss in confusion. He called him “Nine Brother,” not “Nine Uncle”—only the closest could use that term.

After speaking, the young man glanced at the companion who was now struggling to his feet, rage barely contained in his eyes.

“This man is dangerous,” said the only scholarly-looking man behind Cai Nine, his deep eyes following the departing taxi.

“That’s right. He’s dangerous. Things are messy right now; unless absolutely necessary, don’t provoke him. But if he bothers Qi Hong again, hmph…” Cai Nine glanced at the man, turned toward the van, his final words laced with menace.

Dangerous? So what? He’s just one man…

The young man was dissatisfied, but dared not speak. Nine Brother’s decisions were never questioned.

As for the fellow deemed dangerous by Nine Brother—he’d better know his place. Otherwise… The young man’s eyes flashed with ferocity and a hint of eager excitement.

…

Chu Fei reached home close to midnight.

He hadn’t been entirely truthful; though he claimed to live in the slums, it wasn’t cramped—especially his own place. He couldn’t say he could park a thousand cars outside, but a hundred or so would be no problem. He lived in an area slated for demolition; aside from a few isolated buildings, the rest had already been torn down.

Chu Fei hadn’t chosen this place for lack of money, but because it was closest to Xiao Man. From his window, he could see her fragile silhouette coming and going to work. Yet, even now, Chu Fei hadn’t mustered the courage to meet her—he simply didn’t dare.

“Er Gou, you bastard, you left so easily, dumping such a big problem on me.”

Entering the room, Chu Fei habitually stood at the window, gazing at the small building where the girl lived. It was pitch black; everyone inside had gone to sleep. He smiled wryly, took a quick wash, and climbed into bed.

Then…

After tossing and turning for half an hour, Chu Fei finally confirmed one thing: he had insomnia.

Not only insomnia, but his mind kept conjuring images of Qi Hong’s seductive face and her incendiary, alluring figure, along with that teasing smile. As for Cai Nine’s appearance, he’d already forgotten all about it.

What a mess.

Chu Fei smiled bitterly.

If it were just Qi Hong appearing in his mind, it wouldn’t be so troubling. After all, Qi Hong was such a tempting creature; countless bar patrons privately fantasized about her. What really bothered Chu Fei was that, along with Qi Hong, his mind conjured the fiery rookie policewoman.

What was that supposed to mean?

Did he actually have improper thoughts about that big-breasted, airheaded rookie?

Chu Fei felt disgusted with himself, yet had to admit that the rookie’s outfit was certainly provocative.

After another twenty minutes of restlessness, Chu Fei sat up, glanced at the bathroom, debating whether to take a cold shower to calm himself—or, he looked down at his hands—should he resolve his needs manually? He’d never resorted to that, not once in his life.

Just as Chu Fei was biting his lip in indecision, a gentle knocking sounded at the door.

“Who’s knocking at this hour?”

Chu Fei was startled. He hadn’t lived here long and barely knew any neighbors.

The knocking came again—soft, just enough for Chu Fei inside to hear, but not loud enough to disturb the neighborhood.

Chu Fei grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his waist, and strode to the door. He flung it open and was stunned, exclaiming, “You?”

“Why, aren’t you going to invite me in?” Qi Hong, seeing Chu Fei clad only in a towel, blushed, but quickly regained composure and laughed coquettishly.

“Heh.” Chu Fei smiled, stepping aside.

“You actually live in a place like this?” Qi Hong entered the living room, curiously surveying the modest one-bedroom. Earlier, when Chu Fei mentioned living in the slums, she thought he was joking. She hadn’t expected it to be true.

“I’m just a lowly employee at an ad agency, making three or four thousand a month—not like you, Sister Hong, rich enough for luxury cars and villas.” Chu Fei grinned, not the least bit embarrassed. As he spoke, his eyes involuntarily lingered on Qi Hong’s sensitive curves, all the while wondering why she’d come to him so late.

“Is that so?” Qi Hong smiled, not believing his words. She trusted her own instincts—Chu Fei was definitely not ordinary; this was just a façade.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Qi Hong finally noticed Chu Fei’s flushed eyes, her heart skipping a beat.

“Sister Hong, what brings you here so late?” Chu Fei sidestepped her question, grinning wickedly as he approached.

“I couldn’t sleep alone, wanted someone to talk to.” Qi Hong smiled.

“Just talk?” Chu Fei moved closer, suddenly reached out, hooked her pointed chin with two fingers, and pressed a deep kiss to her crimson lips.

“Sister Hong, your lips are so soft!” Chu Fei exclaimed as he raised his head, his smile not only mischievous but also burning.

“You’re bullying me,” Qi Hong pouted, as if feigning innocence, but made no effort to resist.

The next moment.

Chu Fei suddenly bent down, scooped Qi Hong into his arms, and strode toward the bedroom.

“Chu Fei, what are you doing?” Qi Hong instinctively struggled, but not fiercely.

“Sister Hong, you came to me so late for comfort, didn’t you? Now you’re pretending to be pure? Let’s see how I deal with you…” Chu Fei laughed wickedly, tossing Qi Hong onto the bed and following her.

“Rogue…”

Qi Hong cursed, weakly.

In that moment, Chu Fei completely forgot Cai Nine’s earlier warning. Even if he remembered, he wouldn’t care. He was now burning with desire—Qi Hong had come to him seeking solace; if he didn’t do something, he’d despise himself.