The oval main stage featured a graceful and dazzling singer, swaying her slim waist as her sweet voice rose and fell, stirring the audience's hearts.
Colorful light balls hanging overhead flashed rapidly with the rhythm, reflecting dazzling rays and enhancing the atmosphere, gradually making the place livelier.
On the second floor, opening the door revealed a brown-red leather sofa hugging the wall, wide and long enough for a person to lie down.
A young man in a white suit and black leather shoes sat in the center, holding a carved golden dragon head mahogany cane in his right hand.
He was tall, standing at a full 1.9 meters, with strong muscles stretching the shirt tightly, revealing distinct chest lines.
"Midnight Imperial Palace is handed over to Cheng Ze for management; the business is indeed getting better. The other day, I attended the Urban Circle banquet and heard those corporate bosses and company heads mentioning here and praising your comforting work and excellent service."
The young man leaned on his cane, gently stroking a silver ring with an embedded square gemstone, exuding a pressing aura like a coiled python, softly flicking its tongue.
"Thanks to Hao brother's blessing, if it weren't for Hao brother's face, who would deal with me, a rogue from Old Factory Street?"
Cheng Ze bent slightly at the waist, lowered his head, and said:
"All thanks to Hao brother for giving something to eat to me and the brothers under me."
The young man seemed quite pleased with this answer:
"No wonder my father appreciates you so much, establishing the territory of Beiguan Street in just a few years. I conveyed your idea last time to my father, and after consulting with my older brother, they found it feasible.
The Urban Circle elites, tired of all kinds of parties, racing, and contraband, and even indifferent to seeing women naked.
They need something more stimulating. A fighting club is a good idea, holding it weekly, bringing in fierce and strong boxers to fight, and making the scenes as bloody as possible."
Cheng Ze responded with an "嗯" and stepped forward, ready to discuss more specific plans but was interrupted by the young man:
"I feel the club's venue cannot be in Midnight Imperial Palace. There are too many people here, prone to trouble. A Biao, come here!"
The young man beckoned, calling over a tall guy with a baby face from the doorway.
"Cheng Ze, Ah Biao has been with you for many years. He is reliable and gives me peace of mind. Instead, you focus on looking after Midnight Imperial Palace; leave Righteous Fist Society and the club operation to Ah Biao."
The baby-faced tall guy first glanced at Cheng Ze beside him, then hesitated and stammered:
"Hao brother, I can't manage it; I lack the ability, better let Ze brother…"
The young man frowned coldly, rudely pointing at the baby-faced tall guy named "A Biao":
"I say you can do it, then you can! What, you only listen to Cheng Ze? Ignoring my words? Or is my word as Qin Lihao so insignificant that I can't decide this matter?!"
A Biao was in a dilemma, trembling and dared not speak.
The atmosphere stagnated for a few seconds, and Cheng Ze bent his waist even lower, forcing a smile:
"Everything is up to Hao brother! A Biao, do well and don't disappoint Hao brother."
The baby face lowered his shoulders, smiled bitterly, and nodded in agreement.
Squeezed between the top dog Ze brother and the top of the top Hao brother, he felt like a slab of pork belly on a hot iron plate, sizzling with sweat.
"Cheng Ze, you've been with my dad since he was a sailor. Look after this place well, later get dividends to maintain women and buy an Urban Circle residency rights, living comfortably."
Calling himself "Qin Lihao", the young man patted Cheng Ze's shoulder and laughed heartily.
Gazing at the main stage, he added:
"The singer you hired? Too old, the big bosses coming here prefer younger ones, full of youth and vitality, and obedient. Quickly replace her!"
...
...
At nine o'clock, Midnight Imperial Palace began to burst with noise and excitement.
Well-dressed white-collar workers, holding beautiful young ladies, flirting and laughing in the booth areas.
The marketing team called to liven up the scene, moving through the scattered table area, wearing low-cut tops and hot pants, flaunting their flesh temptations, repeatedly enacting the predator-prey drama.
"Working, making money from anyone is still making money!"
Qin Shi quickly entered his part-time role, serving fruit plates, delivering drinks, his movements swift.
Manager Yu watching from the side kept nodding:
"That rascal Li Yuan finally introduced a reliable classmate, no longer a clumsy, timid nerd.
But this newcomer, it's a waste serving; selling drinks suits him better."
Manager Yu's smile was peculiar, an ordinary shirt, vest, and work uniform worn by Qin Shi, who had just started the Old Martial Arts Training Method, fitting perfectly, showcasing his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs.
The single ladies sitting at the bar sparkled their eyes, increasing the frequency of ordering drinks.
Although constantly engaged in flirting conversations, Qin Shi didn't delay his duties, skillfully using his best smile to dissolve the encounters.
"A born champion gigolo Holy Body!"
Manager Yu sighed.
Such a gentle yet handsome young face appearing in the luxurious Midnight Imperial Palace, like a wildflower growing amongst the glamorous flowers, catching much attention.
Lonely married women frequently cast glances and then whisper conspiracies with their friends.
Immediately afterward, each stepped forward to request his contact information.
Watching this scene, Xie Yucheng gritted his teeth:
"It's my first time finding out that working at Midnight Imperial Palace can lead to such fortunes!"
Li Yuan teased:
"Remember Yu brother mentioning, in the Urban Circle, it's called 'Card Face meeting.' Both are high school seniors; Qin Shi belongs to the 1.8-meter athletic type, you, just an ordinary background board, incomparable."
Xie Yucheng protested:
"Qin Shi on his first day at part-time earned more tips than me! My mom used to say that being handsome can't feed us! She lied to me!"
Li Yuan shrugged:
"Don't envy. Midnight Imperial Palace has many marketers, bringing beautiful and handsome people here to play every night. Didn't you hear them say, rich people's play is very perverse, steel wool, whips, can you handle it?"
Xie Yucheng immediately felt a chill below, untrained in Iron Groin Kung Fu, not wanting to experience rich women's joy toys.
"No way! Tomorrow I must share half of Qin Shi's Nutritional Paste! I hope my brother does well but not overly so!"
While these two were joking, the door to the second-floor booth opened with a bang.
Qin Lihao in a white suit walked in the middle, followed by Midnight Imperial Palace's revered Ze brother, stooping like an underling.
"Who's Ze brother? The one in the suit?"
Qin Shi finally took a breather, escaping the harassment of some older ladies, sneaking into the corner.
"The suit guy is Ze brother's big boss's son, from the same family name as yours, Qin."
Xie Yucheng stroked his chin:
"Everyone calls him 'Hao brother.'
Quite imposing!
Qin Shi pondered, if Ze brother was "Chen Haonan," could Hao brother be "Jiang Tianxing?"
Seeing his arrogant attitude of looking down through his nostrils, how more like "Dongxing Yaoyang?"
"What's Ze brother big boss's background?"
Qin Shi inquired curiously.
From ancient times, such relatively lively organized groups cannot make it to the forefront.
Often backed by big bosses providing financial support or connections.
Known as the "Great Water Faucet."
"No idea. Never heard Ze brother mention."
Li Yuan shook his head.
"Anyway, very powerful, closely tied with Tai'an Metropolitan Area."
...
...
"Cheng Ze, no need to send off."
Qin Lihao smoked a cigar, exhaling blue smoke:
"A Biao counts as a formidable general under your command. I take him away; you won't get mad and complain to my father, right?"
Cheng Ze lowered his shoulders, respectfully:
"Hao brother jokes, Ah Biao and I both earn our living under the big bosses. Without the big boss's support, rogues like us, if not starved to death, are beaten to death."
A silver-gray extended sedan stopped at Midnight Imperial Palace's entrance; Qin Lihao shook his suit, holding a thick cigar, bent over, and sat inside.
Only when the engine roared did that million-worth extended model roar away.
Claiming "Beiguan Street No. 1" Cheng Ze slowly straightened his waist.
"Ze brother…"
Faithful accomplice wanted to say something.
"Hao brother does so for his reasons."
Cheng Ze waved:
"Don't interfere with Righteous Fist Society anymore. Hao brother is setting up clubs; boxers definitely won't suffice. Midnight Imperial Palace follows old rules, recruiting some dropouts, poor kids, giving work and teaching slowly."
Faithful accomplice grumbled:
"Hao brother wants to monopolize the club's business, clearly states it, why trample Ze brother's face like this."
Cheng Ze glared, expressionless:
"Stop talking nonsense, club surnamed Cheng? This venue, including dozens of shops in Beiguan Street, all surnamed Qin.
Hao brother wants to replace people, exchange blood, he decides."
Stepping back into Midnight Imperial Palace, Cheng Ze resumed his usual calm, entertaining key clients with drinks, maintaining relationships with frequent VIPs.
Around 10:30 PM, the first round of song and dance ended, intermission.
Finishing work, Li Yuan led Qin Shi to the front booth where Cheng Ze was seated.
"Ze brother, this is my classmate Qin Shi, seeking a summer job."
Cheng Ze squinted his eyes:
"Nine High?"
"Qin Shi excels academically, making it into New One High."
Cheng Ze was slightly surprised, Old Factory Street workers' kids getting into Tai'an Metropolitan Area schools was very challenging.
He waved, calling the manager:
"Okay, Qin Shi, right? Xiao Yu, get him a work badge."
After speaking, Cheng Ze pulled out his wallet, drawing several bills and handing them to Qin Shi.
"Study hard, working here is fine, but don't be misled. You get into college, I give you a big red envelope."
Qin Shi took the money with both hands, showing a grateful expression:
"Thank you, Ze brother!"
Cheng Ze had drunk quite a bit tonight, his gaze slightly blurry, casually asking:
"Li Yuan, you're a Nine High student, why say Qin Shi is your classmate?"
Li Yuan responded truthfully:
"Qin Shi and I attend Liang teacher's tutoring class together. His physical talent is excellent; whatever Liang teacher teaches, he learns very well!"
Liang teacher…Training Method…Technique…Old Martial!
Cheng Ze suddenly stiffened, his reclining body sitting upright.
He stared directly at the gentle-looking Qin Shi.
"Are you Liang teacher's apprentice?"