"Whoa, that big? Are they real?" GS pulled the other woman into his arms and reached over to size her up.
"Of course they're real, Brother S. Didn't you just check for yourself?" the woman giggled.
"What about yours? Real or fake?" GS turned to Ann.
After working at the Night Harmony nightclub these past few days, Ann had seen customers of every description. A question like that didn't embarrass her. She simply smiled. "Of course they're real."
"I say they're fake. People these days are so dishonest. Everything's counterfeit-even a mouthful of breast isn't safe anymore!" GS drawled.
Ann had no answer to that. All she could do was smile. "You really know how to joke, Brother S!"
"Of course I'm joking." GS gave her an amused smile, then glanced at Mantis, who immediately caught on and handed him a stack of cash.
GS gave him an approving look. The kid was sharp and knew how to read a situation. He had the makings of a right-hand man.
GS pulled out ten hundred-dollar bills and laid them on the coffee table. "I'm particular about these things. I'd like to verify their authenticity."
"Brother S, I don't offer any other services," Ann said quickly.
"You don't have to do anything. I'll do it." GS put another ten bills on the table.
"Brother S, I really can't."
GS tossed the rest of the money onto the table and watched Ann with an amused look.
"How about now?"
"Brother S, it's not about the money." Ann looked at GS, her tone soft but firm.
In truth, she didn't have a bad impression of GS. He looked handsome and imposing in his suit, like an obviously successful man.
If GS were to court her, she might actually agree. But she didn't want it to happen like this.
"Brother S, Ann really can't, but I can," the woman on his other side said coyly.
"You? After accounting for depreciation..." GS took out a bill and slipped it down her neckline. "This is all I can give you."
"Brother S..." the woman whined, drawing out the words.
"If nothing else is on offer, we can at least drink, right?" GS wasn't angry. He had always preferred willing partners.
Ann finally relaxed. She filled several glasses. "Brother S, let me drink a toast to you."
"Sure!"
GS barely wet his lips before setting his glass down, smiling as he watched the others drink.
It wasn't just him. Mantis, Ah Bo, and the others did the same. Before long, even Ann noticed something was off.
Mantis and the others, in particular, sat with their backs ramrod straight. They didn't look like customers out for a good time at all.
"Brother S, I'm terribly sorry, but Ann has to move to another table." The madam pushed the door open, an apologetic look on her face.
"Sorry, Brother S. I have to go." Ann got up to leave.
GS caught her arm. "Another table? Did anyone ask me?" he said with an amused look.
"Brother S, Brother Sing of the Hung Lok Society requested Ann. Please don't make things difficult for me. How about I find you another girl?" The madam spoke placatingly, making sure to mention the other customer's identity.
An ordinary person would naturally have backed down rather than fight a gang member over her.
"The Hung Lok Society? Trying to scare me? I said she's not leaving!"
"Brother S, let me have a drink to apologize!" The madam poured herself a glass and was about to drink it when a hand pressed down on the glass.
"I said no." A faint smile remained on GS's face, but his eyes turned cold.
The madam's heart jolted. Knowing she couldn't persuade Brother S, she could only go to Gentleman Sing and ask him to resolve it.
"Brother Sing, he won't listen to reason. No matter what I say, he refuses to let her go!"
"Boss, I'll go see what kind of country bumpkin won't even show Brother Sing some respect." One of Gentleman Sing's men got up to head over.
Clang!
Gentleman Sing slammed his glass onto the table, then stood and walked out.
"Brother S, how about I sit with you again next time you come?" Ann pleaded quietly.
"I don't want next time. I want this time," GS drawled.
The door was kicked open with a bang, and several men filed in.
A somewhat refined-looking man walked in, swept his gaze around the room, and told Ann, "Come here!"
GS pulled Ann down beside him. "Even booking a hostess is first come, first served, isn't it? You're not following the rules. Want some fun? Sure. Get in line," he said with a faint, mocking smile.
"Do you know who I am?" Gentleman Sing asked in a low voice, looking at GS.
"Who are you? What makes you so fucking special?"
"Kid, you're not walking out of here tonight. You have my word." Anger rose inside Gentleman Sing as he spoke in a low voice.
"You say I won't walk out... I say I will." GS stood and walked toward Gentleman Sing.
"Then-"
Gentleman Sing had been about to say, "Then we'll see," but he only got one word out before GS pushed off his left foot, lunged forward, and delivered a kick.
Gentleman Sing clamped his legs together, his face contorting as he doubled over and dropped to his knees.
"Boss!" Gentleman Sing's men cried out in alarm and lunged at GS.
Mantis and the others sprang forward, drew short blades from behind their backs, and stabbed. They stabbed several men and drove the fight out through the doorway.
That was why they had been sitting so straight earlier. They all had knives tucked into the backs of their waistbands.
"Ah!" The women in the room screamed.
"Shut the fuck up!" GS kicked the glass coffee table over, and they instantly fell silent.
GS lit a cigarette and crouched in front of Gentleman Sing.
"I say you're not walking out tonight. Let's see whose word counts-yours or mine." As he spoke, he pressed the burning cigarette directly against Gentleman Sing's forehead. The stench of scorched flesh rose at once.
Gentleman Sing let out half a scream, cold sweat covering his head. He forced the words through clenched teeth. "Who are you?"
If he still couldn't figure out that these men were after him, and that Ann had merely been bait to lure him over, he would never have become Hung Lok's boss.
"You sent people to hack me up, and now you're asking who I am? That makes me very unhappy, Brother Sing!" GS grabbed Gentleman Sing by the hair and tilted his head back to face him.
"LS!" Gentleman Sing's pupils contracted. He had never imagined LS would be bold enough to bring his men straight into his business. Wasn't he afraid someone would recognize him and hack him to death here?
"Correct." GS abruptly shoved down, smashing Gentleman Sing's head against the floor.
Bang!
"But there's no prize." GS pulled Gentleman Sing's head back up. His face was covered in blood.
GS thought he looked much better like that. Festive.
"LS, we can talk. Otherwise, you won't get out of Tin Shui Wai," Gentleman Sing said through the pain, his face bloody.
"Let's find out!" GS stood, kicked Gentleman Sing in the face, then stamped on his ankle.
Gentleman Sing screamed, clutching his crotch with one hand and his foot with the other.
GS pointed at the mobile phone on the sofa.
The hostesses all stared at him in terror.
"Fuck, you can't even take a hint." GS went over, picked up the phone himself, and made a call.
"Brother S?" Big-Eyed Hua had been waiting beside the phone the whole time.
"Take the men and get moving. Drive every last Hung Lok man out. Hit Concrete first! And tell them I've got Gentleman Sing. Ask whether they want him alive or dead." GS gave the orders without hesitation.
Among Hung Lok's men, Concrete had the most power and the most underlings. He was also the most arrogant and the least liked.
If they hit Concrete first, no one would go to help him.
Once word spread that Gentleman Sing had been captured, the rest would definitely fall into disarray.
Mantis and the others held the way outside, chasing down and slashing Hung Lok's men. The whole nightclub descended into chaos.
GS returned to the sofa and put an arm around Ann.
"Keep singing. Keep drinking."
Before you continue