The Big Boss, Named Qin

The oval main stage featured a slender, glamorous singer swaying her delicate waist, her sweet voice rising and falling, stirring the audience's hearts.

A colorful light ball hung overhead, flashing rapidly with the rhythm, refracting dazzling light and enhancing the overall atmosphere, making the place gradually liven up.

In the private room on the second floor, the first thing that met the eye upon opening the door was a reddish-brown leather sofa against the wall, so wide and long it was almost enough for someone to lie down flat.

A young man in a white suit and black leather shoes sat in the middle, holding a sandalwood cane with a golden dragon head carving in his right hand.

He was tall, standing at least 1.9 meters, his strong muscles stretching the shirt underneath taut, revealing distinct lines on his chest.

"Entrusting Midnight Palace to you, Brother Ze, the business has indeed been getting better and better. A few days ago, I attended a banquet in the metropolitan area and heard the entrepreneurs and company executives talking about this place, praising you for your smooth operations and excellent service."

The young man leaned on his cane, gently stroking a silver ring inlaid with a square gem, exuding a formidable aura, like a coiled python lightly flicking its tongue.

"Thanks to your generosity, Brother Hao. If it weren't for your face, who would pay attention to a nobody like me from Old Factory Street."

Cheng Ze bowed slightly, lowering his head as he said:

"It's all thanks to Brother Hao providing food for me and the brothers below."

The young man seemed satisfied with the answer:

"It's no wonder Dad appreciates you so much. You've conquered the North Pass Street territory in just a few years. I told Dad about the idea you mentioned last time. After discussing it with my older brother, they think it's feasible.

The elites in the metropolitan area have grown tired of parties, drag racing, and contraband. They don't even react when they see a woman naked.

They need something more exciting. A fighting club is a good idea. Hold one every week, find some fierce and brutal fighters to get on stage, and the bloodier the scene, the better."

Cheng Ze hummed and stepped forward, ready to elaborate on the plan, but was interrupted by the young man:

"I don't think the club should be held at Midnight Palace. Too many eyes here, it's easy for things to get messy. Abiao, come here!"

The young man beckoned, calling the tall, baby-faced man standing by the door over.

"Brother Ze, Abiao has been with you for many years. He's reliable and puts my mind at ease. How about this: you focus on managing Midnight Palace from now on, and leave the Righteous Fist Society and the club to Abiao."

The tall, baby-faced man glanced at Cheng Ze beside him, then looked somewhat flustered, his mouth opening and closing as he mumbled, "Brother Hao, I can't do it. I don't have the ability. Let Brother Ze..."

The young man's eyebrows shot up, and he pointed at the baby-faced tall man named "Abiao" without politeness:

"I say you can do it, and you can do it! What, you only listen to Brother Ze? You disregard my words? Or am I, Qin Lihao, so insignificant that I can't make this decision?!"

Abiao was caught in a dilemma, trembling and not daring to speak.

The atmosphere became stiff for a few seconds. Cheng Ze lowered his waist even further, forcing a smile:

"Everything is up to Brother Hao! Abiao, work hard and don't disappoint Brother Hao."

The baby-faced man drooped his shoulders, his smile looking more like a grimace than a laugh, and nodded sullenly.

Caught between the boss, Brother Ze, and the boss's boss, Brother Hao, he felt like streaky pork sizzling on a red-hot iron plate, oil and sweat oozing out.

"Brother Ze, you've been with my dad since he was a sailor. Take good care of this place. In the future, use the dividends to support a woman, buy property in the metropolitan area, and live a comfortable life."

The young man, who called himself "Qin Lihao," patted Cheng Ze's shoulder and laughed heartily.

His gaze swept over the main stage, and he added, "The singer you hired? Too old. The big bosses who come here like them young, energetic, and obedient. Get rid of her quickly!"

By nine o'clock, Midnight Palace was filled with noise and revelry.

Well-dressed white-collar workers, arm in arm with beautiful women, occupied the booth areas, whispering sweet nothings and laughing.

The atmosphere group, called by marketing to liven up the place, weaved through the open seating area. Dressed in low-cut tops and hot pants, they shamelessly flaunted their bodies, repeatedly reenacting the thrilling drama of hunter and prey.

"I'm working, whose money isn't money to be earned!"

Qin Shi quickly entered his part-time role, carrying fruit platters and delivering drinks with swift movements.

Manager Yu, who was observing from the side, nodded repeatedly:

"That brat Ah Yuan finally introduced a reliable classmate. No more clumsy, timid bookworms.

But it's a shame for this newcomer to be a waiter. He'd be more suited for drink promotions."

Manager Yu smiled strangely. The plain, unremarkable uniform shirt and vest fit Qin Shi perfectly as he practiced the Old Martial Arts cultivation method, his figure becoming increasingly upright, highlighting his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs.

The single ladies sitting alone at the bar had their eyes light up, and the frequency of ordering drinks increased.

Although he was often stopped for pick-up lines and conversations, Qin Shi did not neglect his primary job, easily defusing them with his best smiling service.

"A natural Golden Gigolo Saint Body!"

Manager Yu exclaimed.

Such a delicate and handsome young face, appearing in the decadent Midnight Palace, was like a small white flower blooming amidst vibrant colors, drawing attention.

It made the lonely housewives in their secluded lives cast frequent glances, then whisper to their friends.

Following that, they took turns approaching him to ask for his contact information.

Seeing this scene, Xie Yucheng gritted his teeth:

"I'm seeing for the first time that working at Midnight Palace actually comes with such perks!" Li Yuan teased.

"I remember Brother Ze mentioning this is called a 'Face Card Game' in the metropolitan area. We're all seniors, but Ah Shi is a tall, lean Sports Academy guy. You, on the other hand, are just a background extra. You can't compare."

Xie Yucheng grumbled indignantly, "Ah Shi's tips on his first day of part-time work already surpassed mine! My mom always told me that being handsome doesn't put food on the table! She lied to me!"

Li Yuan shrugged. "Don't be envious. Midnight Palace has so many promotions, bringing in beautiful women and handsome men every night. Haven't you heard them say rich people have weird tastes? Things like steel wool, whips... can you handle that?"

Xie Yucheng felt a chill run down below. He hadn't practiced the Iron Crotch technique and didn't want to experience the joy of a rich woman.

"No way! Tomorrow, I'm going to mooch half a portion of Nutritional Paste from Ah Shi again! I want my brother to do well, but I don't want him to do this well!"

As the two bantered, the door to a private room on the second floor burst open.

Qin Lihao, dressed in a white suit, walked in the middle, while Brother Ze, revered like a god by the Midnight Palace staff, followed him, head bowed as if he were a subordinate.

"Who is Brother Ze? The guy in the suit?"

Qin Shi finally caught his breath, having escaped the harassment of a few young married women, and retreated to a corner to slack off.

"The guy in the suit is the son of the big boss, Brother Ze. He's from your family, both surnamed Qin."

Xie Yucheng stroked his chin. "Everyone calls him 'Brother Hao'."

Quite imposing!

Qin Shi mused. If Brother Ze was "Chen Haonan," then this Brother Hao must be "Jiang Tiansheng," right? Looking at that arrogant air of looking down on everyone, isn't he more like "East Star Yaoyang"?

"What's Brother Ze's big boss's background?" Qin Shi inquired curiously.

Historically, such vibrant organizations usually couldn't stand on their own. They were often backed by big bosses who provided financial support or connections. In other words, the so-called "sugar daddy."

"I don't know. I've never heard Brother Ze mention it." Li Yuan shook his head. "Anyway, they have a lot of influence and are closely connected with the Tai'an Metropolitan Area."

"Ah Ze, you don't have to see me out."

Qin Lihao, smoking a cigar, exhaled a plume of blue smoke. "Ah Biao is one of your fierce generals. I'm taking him with me. You won't be angry, will you? And complain to my dad?"

Cheng Ze lowered his shoulders, bowing respectfully. "Brother Hao, you jest. Ah Biao and I are just trying to make a living under the big boss. Without the big boss's support, guys like us would starve or get beaten to death."

A silver-gray stretched limousine pulled up to the entrance of Midnight Palace. Qin Lihao adjusted his suit, a thick cigar in his mouth, and bent down to get inside.

Only after the engine started and the multi-million dollar stretched Dragon sedan sped away did Cheng Ze, known as "Number One on North Pass Street," slowly straighten his back.

"Brother Ze..."

His trusted subordinate wanted to say something.

"Brother Hao has his reasons for doing this," Cheng Ze waved his hand. "From now on, don't get involved with the Righteous Fist Society. Brother Hao wants to start a club, and he'll definitely need more fighters. For Midnight Palace, we'll continue to recruit poor kids who dropped out of school, give them a job, and teach them slowly."

The subordinate grumbled, "If Brother Hao wants to monopolize the club business, he should just say so. Why humiliate Brother Ze like this?"

Cheng Ze glared, his expressionless face stern. "Stop talking nonsense. When did the club ever belong to the Cheng family? This place, including the dozens of shops on North Pass Street, belongs to the Qin family. If Brother Hao wants to change people, change the blood, he decides."

Stepping back up the stairs into Midnight Palace, Cheng Ze's face was calm and indifferent. He continued as usual, drinking with major clients and socializing with regular VIPs.

Around ten-thirty, after the first round of singing and dancing, there was a break. Li Yuan, finished with his work, led Qin Shi to Cheng Ze's front-row booth.

"Brother Ze, this is my classmate A'Shi. He's looking for a summer job."

Cheng Ze narrowed his eyes.

"From Ninth Middle School?"

"A'Shi's grades are good. He got into New No. 1 Middle School."

Cheng Ze was slightly surprised. For a child of Old Factory Street workers to get into a school in the Tai'an Metropolitan Area through their own merit was extremely difficult.

He beckoned to the manager.

"Alright, A'Shi, is it? Xiao Yu, get him an employee ID."

After speaking, Cheng Ze took out his wallet and handed a few bills to Qin Shi.

"Study hard. You can work here, but don't get led astray. If you get into university, I'll give you a big red envelope."

Qin Shi extended both hands to take the money, putting on an excited, well-behaved expression.

"Thank you, Brother Ze!"

Cheng Ze had drunk quite a bit tonight, his eyes slightly hazy. He casually asked, "A'Yuan, weren't you a student at Ninth Middle School? Why did you say A'Shi was your classmate?"

Li Yuan answered truthfully, "A'Shi and I are in Teacher Liang's cram class together. His physical talent is amazing. He can learn all the cultivation methods and fighting styles Teacher Liang teaches!"

Teacher Liang... cultivation methods... fighting styles... Old Martial Arts!

Cheng Ze suddenly jolted, sitting up straight from his relaxed posture on the sofa.

He stared intently at the refined and gentle Qin Shi.

"Are you Teacher Liang's disciple?"