Chen Yi worked under Zhang Shi, his quick-witted mind and youthful appearance allowing him to adapt effortlessly—whether through banter, anger, or posturing. Initially, Zhang Shi used him as a driver for errands and messages. At the nightclub, which often hosted influential figures, Chen Yi handled situations better than the rough-edged types and was bolder and more skilled than the hospitality manager, managing social interactions quite well. Zhang Shi also owned investment and trading companies, occasionally handling projects or deals. Chen Yi followed along but never took any benefits for himself, instead building goodwill everywhere. Zhang Shi observed him coldly for a while, noting his lack of greed or impatience, and concluded he was truly talented. Zhai Fengmao heard about it too and, during a return to Tengcheng, even drank a toast offered by Chen Yi.
With a sliver of authority, Chen Yi still had to guard against jealousy from his peers. Mainly due to his youth, lack of major accomplishments, and no solid foundation, he relied on cleverness to quickly rise from internal security to earning respect at the nightclub—though not without attracting envy.
That Spring Festival, Chen Yi received a bonus of tens of thousands of yuan, the largest sum he’d ever gotten, which he promptly squandered. He spent it on treating those around him, saving just a bit to invite Bo Zai and his crew for a lively New Year’s feast and drinks.
He booked a seafood restaurant and a luxury KTV room for a full day of activities, dragging Miao Jing along to eat and have fun. Miao Jing, her face cold, refused, leading to a quarrel between them. Eventually, she was pulled out the door. It was the first time Miao Jing sat at the same table as Dai Mao and the others, watching indifferently as the group smoked, drank, and boasted. She sat numbly beside Chen Yi, even her way of holding chopsticks seeming detached from the world. The brothers felt awkward and tried to engage her in conversation, but this only sparked trouble. Chen Yi’s expression darkened as he told everyone to ignore the bookworm. Miao Jing’s face fell, and the siblings exchanged sharp, loaded words at the table, leaving the others stunned.
Finally, Miao Jing put down her chopsticks, said she was full, and needed to go home to do her homework. With her high ponytail swinging, she walked out of the restaurant and strolled alone on the deserted Spring Festival streets.
Not long after, Chen Yi rushed out, calling her name in frustration from behind.
“What’s your problem? It’s the New Year—can’t you give me some face in front of my friends over a meal?”
“I’m not causing trouble. I’m just a bookworm. I need to go back and do my homework.”
“Miao Jing, are you acting up again?”
“You’re the one acting up! You’re the sick one!”
“What’s wrong with me?” he yelled. “Let people see that attitude of yours—why are you treating me worse and worse? I provide your food and clothes; shouldn’t you be nicer to me?”
“Yes, you provide my food and clothes. One day, I’ll pay back every cent!”
“There you go again.” He fumed, his eyes catching a string of red. “Want some candied hawthorn?”
“No.”
“Then what’s really going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Everything said at the table was a joke. Those things have nothing to do with me. I know my limits—I won’t touch anything I shouldn’t.”
Chen Yi quickened his pace, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. He pushed her against the nearby railing, holding her in an embrace, and pointed. “Look, there are lantern boats on the river.”He nuzzled against her neck and planted a soft kiss, murmuring gently, "It's the New Year, don't be upset."
Miao Jing's heart fluttered slightly. Suppressing her irritation, she furrowed her delicate brows and stared at the river ahead.
His arms held her tightly, his tall frame pressed against her back. His breath carried a faint, warm scent as he rubbed his chin against the top of her head a few times. Miao Jing could feel the movement of his Adam's apple and neck through her hair.
"Only a few months left until the college entrance exam. Once you leave and we can't see each other, are you going to call and scold me every day?"
"Other girls aren't like this with you. Can't you wish me well? I remember you weren't like this before."
Leaning on the railing, Miao Jing gazed at the river with melancholy and confusion.
After the Spring Festival, the final semester of high school began. Students at key high schools faced immense pressure, and Chen Yi knew this was a critical period. He didn't want to upset her further, so he deliberately avoided Miao Jing when hanging out or chatting with his friends.
His own life wasn't entirely peaceful either. There were people who tried to trip him up. Zhang Shi had a group of around a dozen followers, some higher or lower in status. Though they ostensibly obeyed Zhang Shi, they all took their cues from Zhai Fengmao. Behind the scenes, there were plenty of underhanded schemes and conflicts, mostly concealed beneath a veneer of harmony. Some harbored grievances or reservations about Chen Yi, and since they all worked at the same nightclub, they occasionally caused him trouble, leading to friction.
Chen Yi wanted to eliminate anyone standing in his way.
It all started with incidents in the nightclub's "party rooms." The operation was well-concealed, and whether due to the nightclub's powerful connections or other reasons, it had never been detected during routine inspections. Chen Yi knew that undercover police had been investigating since the end of the previous year. Later, a plainclothes officer was nearly exposed, but Chen Yi discreetly helped cover for him, allowing the officer to escape safely and redirect suspicion toward a rival group that had conflicts with Zhang Shi—a notorious local gang from the Northeast. The two factions fought over territory and business, and it was common for them to double-cross each other. They were all cut from the same cloth, none cleaner than the other.
Chen Yi kept a low profile, his status and position inconspicuous. He worked diligently on the construction site every day, ensuring the fire never reached him. He watched the drama unfold with detached amusement, hoping the two groups would stir up more trouble—perhaps even some violent clashes—to keep Zhai Fengmao and Zhang Shi busy cleaning up the mess, maybe even sending a few troublemakers to "rest" at their base near the Yunnan border.
The cleanup, however, uncovered a few individuals who had been acting out of line. Zhai Fengmao, who rarely made appearances, showed up at the nightclub with a rare stern expression, dealing harshly with those who had betrayed him or acted carelessly.
Around this time, Zhou Kang'an, who was still investigating the "Han Ge" shooting case, also got involved in this brawl.
Zhai Fengmao likely had ties to drug trafficking behind the scenes, but he kept his hands clean. The operation was managed by two old-timers who had been with him from the start—even Zhang Shi wasn't involved. Everything was handled with extreme discretion. This time, however, some people ended up in a bad spot. Zhang Shi picked two clever individuals and pushed Chen Yi into Zhai Fengmao's line of sight.
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