Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Stack of Banknotes Slaps Your Face

Soon, Ye Qing’s graceful figure appeared at the entrance of the hospital. She glanced around briefly, then walked up to a black SUV and got in.

Ma Wu said nothing, immediately started his sports car, and followed the SUV from a distance.

The SUV drove at a moderate pace, heading northward through the city. The northern district was the old part of H City, less developed and poorly planned, filled with bars, karaoke lounges, and numerous red-light areas. Compared to the eastern and western districts, the north was far more chaotic, a haven for all sorts of criminals.

Though Ma Wu was puzzled why a woman like Ye Qing would venture into such a place, he nevertheless tailed her, step by step, in his supercar.

Inside the SUV, the man driving glanced at the rearview mirror and said to Ye Qing, who sat in the passenger seat, “Zhu Ye Qing, someone’s following you.”

Ye Qing’s demeanor had completely changed. In the hospital, she was gentle and charming, a breath of fresh air. Now, she was like a sheet of ice, cold enough to wound anyone who looked her way.

She looked in the rearview mirror at Ma Wu’s Phantom supercar and said to the man, “I see him. Don’t mind him. Just drive to our destination.”

The SUV continued smoothly, crossing a bridge connecting the northern and eastern districts, finally stopping beside a bar in the northern district.

Ma Wu followed, parking his car across the street from the SUV. He looked up at the bar’s name—Eddie Bar.

Eddie Bar’s exterior was eccentric; the walls were unpainted, exposing rows of red bricks. It looked shabby, but had a peculiar artistic charm, making it a favorite haunt for many young people.

Ye Qing remained in the SUV, glancing at her watch, not getting out.

Since Ye Qing hadn’t moved, Ma Wu also stayed put. Around six o’clock, Ye Qing finally stepped out of the car and walked into Eddie Bar.

Ma Wu waited half a minute, then got out and entered the bar himself.

The moment he stepped in, the thunderous music made Ma Wu’s ears uncomfortable. Eddie Bar was a lively place with resident DJs and singers, blasting fast-paced music every evening.

Men and women danced wildly in the crowd; many young women didn’t mind strangers getting close, as if lost entirely in the music.

The dazzling stage lights swept back and forth, making Ma Wu’s eyes ache. He turned around several times but couldn’t spot Ye Qing.

He tried to push deeper into the bar to search, but the crowd was too thick; he couldn’t get through. In the end, he settled for a seat near the bar.

Beside him sat a seductive woman. She eyed Ma Wu and beckoned with a finger, “Handsome, won’t you buy me a drink?”

Ma Wu was anxious to find Ye Qing. Besides, the woman’s heavy makeup and overpowering perfume unsettled him; he had no interest in her.

He waved her off, saying, “I’m not interested. Go find someone else.”

The woman wasn’t pleased by Ma Wu’s brusqueness, refusing to give up. “Come on, loosen up! Buy your big sister a drink—it won’t hurt. Or maybe I’ll dance with you later; wouldn’t that be nice?”

Annoyed by her persistence, Ma Wu finally retorted, “You call yourself big sister? At your age, still trying to hook up with men? Just enjoy yourself and stop bothering me. I have things to do.”

The woman felt deeply insulted, unable to sit still. She jumped up and shouted, “Did you just call me old? Are you trying to be banned from here? I’ve never seen a man so lacking in manners!”

Ma Wu looked at her seriously. “My manners aren’t for brainless women like you. You’d better stop now.”

The woman faltered under Ma Wu’s gaze, about to reply when a group of young men strode over.

The leader wore a gold chain and sported brands like Adidas and Nike, swaggering with a gang at his heels. He spotted the woman, slapped her on the backside and said with a smirk, “Hey, isn’t this Sister Qin? Who’s stupid enough to offend my Sister Qin?”

Sister Qin immediately found her confidence. She pointed at Ma Wu in frustration, “It’s this guy! He called me ugly and old. Brother Qiang, do you think I’m ugly? Am I old?”

“Oh, come on,” Brother Qiang teased, running his hands over her waist, “How could that be? Our Sister Qin is the most gorgeous. Isn’t that right, boys?”

The young men hurried to agree, “Of course! Sister Qin could never be ugly!”

Brother Qiang finally gave Ma Wu his full attention, extending a hand. “Hey, which crew are you from? Why so rude right off the bat?”

Ma Wu remained expressionless. He had no interest in bantering with Brother Qiang. He knew that unless he dealt with these clowns, he couldn’t go search for Ye Qing.

He reached out and shook Brother Qiang’s hand.

The moment Ma Wu’s hand touched his, Brother Qiang squeezed hard, pressing his thumb painfully into Ma Wu’s palm as a show of dominance.

But Ma Wu, trained in basic combat and firearms, had strength far beyond Brother Qiang’s. He casually applied pressure, crushing Brother Qiang’s fingers together.

A cracking sound came from Brother Qiang’s hand. His eyes reddened with pain, and he gritted out, “Alright, let go! That’s enough for a handshake!”

Ma Wu released his grip, leaving a bright red imprint on Brother Qiang’s hand, as if branded.

Brother Qiang was nearly consumed by rage. His pride in his handshake was shattered by this man, embarrassing him in front of his crew. Even Sister Qin’s gaze lost its admiration.

He summoned the bartender and ordered a bottle of Royal Salute. Turning to Ma Wu, he said, “You’ve got some strength, eh? Been doing manual labor? Even a guy like you comes here to drink? What can you afford?”

He grinned and said, “Royal Salute—two thousand a bottle. Ever tried it? Want a taste? If you do, maybe I’ll let you have a sip. Kneel and call me ‘Master,’ apologize to Sister Qin, and we’ll call it even. How about it?”

His crew erupted in laughter. Several girls, heavily made-up, sidled up to Brother Qiang, pressing themselves against him and teasing, “Brother Qiang, you’re so bad—why bully a laborer? Hahaha…”

Ma Wu shook his head and laughed in exasperation. These fools had no idea they were provoking a true player.

He called the bartender over and said, “Bring me a glass of your signature Azure Steel.”

At his request, both the bartender and Brother Qiang were stunned.

Azure Steel was Eddie Bar’s specialty, crafted by an imported master bartender. It used rare red wine, blended with select ingredients and expert technique, turning the wine a striking blue-green. It was a spectacle.

A single glass cost thirty thousand—a luxury few could afford.

The bartender rolled his eyes and said, “Can you afford that? Don’t make random orders to save face. If you can’t pay, you won’t walk out of here.”

Brother Qiang and his crew laughed even louder. “This broke loser knows about Azure Steel? Not bad.”

“Hahaha, he’s so naïve—he thinks just naming it means he can afford it!”

A flicker of annoyance crossed Ma Wu’s face. Suddenly, he grabbed the bartender’s collar, pulled him close, and slapped his face with a thick wad of hundred-yuan bills. “That’s your tip. Thanks for the reminder.”

Then he produced a dark gold card and handed it to the bartender. “Settle the bill with this card. However many glasses your bartender can make tonight, I’ll take them all.”

The bartender stared at the card—black with a gold stripe along the edge, understated yet exuding luxury.

“This… this is a Dark Gold Card from Huaxia Bank!”