Chapter Forty-Three: The Broker

“Mr. Ye?”

“Master Liu, we meet again,” Ye Qiu sighed helplessly. “You really can’t help yourself, can you? Now, there’s no way to avoid you, even if I wanted to.”

Master Liu’s face twitched uncontrollably.

This guy acted just like a hotheaded fool. Yet, recalling the scene at the hospital that day, Master Liu refrained from lashing out immediately. After all, his father only went to that shabby plastic surgery clinic for the sake of Old Man Xuanyuan.

The few young men who followed Master Liu couldn’t stand watching any longer. One raised his hand and slapped Ye Qiu right across the face.

Smack.

The attacker was stunned.

The one struck was stunned as well.

The man with his hand still raised looked at it hovering in midair, then touched his burning cheek. He saw a shadow flash before his eyes, and the next moment, his face was swollen—like a dream, except dreams didn’t hurt so much when you got slapped.

“Damn it, I’ll kill you!”

These two were used to bullying others; they’d never been on the receiving end. Grabbing wine bottles, they charged at Ye Qiu, aiming for his head.

Those lounging on the sofa, watching the drama, grabbed their bottles and rushed over as well.

“Ah!” Jin Yueyun cried out in fright, clinging tightly to Ye Qiu.

This little chubby girl was surely a mole sent by the other side—who holds onto their own team when a fight breaks out?

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Several more blows landed.

Master Liu’s cronies lay sprawled on the floor, clutching their heads, howling in agony.

Ye Qiu lazily dusted off his hands. “You all looked so fierce, but just one hit and you’re wailing like banshees. Pathetic.”

“Mr. Ye, these gentlemen’s elders are prominent figures in Linhai. What you’ve done here will make it impossible for you to take a single step in this city,” Master Liu warned, his arrogance tempered by cunning. He was no fool—one sentence, and Ye Qiu had offended several of Linhai’s elite.

“Oh? Is that so? Since I’ve already offended so many big shots, what’s one more—Master Liu included.”

Smack…

A flurry of slaps landed on Master Liu’s face. In the blink of an eye, both his cheeks swelled up like a pig’s head.

He stared blankly, clutching his face.

He had actually been struck.

In Linhai, on his own turf, someone dared to hit him. Not even Murong Xiaofeng would dare slap him so brazenly.

“You’re dead. All for a streamer, you dared to offend the Liu family of Linhai?” Liu Qing’s eyes burned with fury, his mind racing with countless ways to finish Ye Qiu.

“First, Taozi is a host for Ye Qiu Group—you’re not worthy. Second, I’m the manager of the group’s influencer department. Anyone who dares touch my people, I’ll show them why the flowers bloom so brilliantly.”

Ye Qiu still hadn’t revealed his identity as the Angel of the Burning Sun. Unlike abroad, there was no need to make a scene or expose himself for someone like Liu Qing.

“You’ll regret this,” Liu Qing spat coldly, his gaze murderous as Ye Qiu picked up Taozi and strode out. His stare seemed capable of grinding Ye Qiu’s bones to dust.

“I’ll be waiting for you,” Ye Qiu replied without turning his head.

As he exited the private room, the dozen men standing at the door exchanged glances, eager to act but hesitant.

They were all security from the bar, drawn by the commotion. But seeing Ye Qiu’s boldness—daring even to lay hands on Master Liu—they couldn’t quite figure out who he was.

Ye Qiu arched his brow, impatience in his voice. “Out of my way.”

The lead security captain hesitated, but braced himself and said, “Sir, you assaulted guests in our venue. You can’t just leave without explaining yourself.”

“I never repeat myself.”

Ye Qiu patted Taozi, preparing to set her down.

At that moment, Taozi clung to Ye Qiu’s neck like a lifeline. The captain’s words made her tremble uncontrollably.

“Don’t worry about them—they’re just a bunch of mongrels.”

Gently, Ye Qiu set Taozi down. He was like a lion among hyenas, leaving the pack howling in misery.

In just a few moments, the hyenas lay scattered across the floor.

“Let’s go.”

Still shaken, Taozi felt herself lifted again, carried by Ye Qiu. Yet, in this moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of safety and warmth.

“Mr. Ye.”

Just as they reached the entrance, Xue Yishou, Jin Liu, and Fan Wencheng hurried after them.

“That’s enough for tonight.”

“I’ll drive,” Xue Yishou said eagerly. He knew this was a rare chance to shine.

As the car reached the entrance, the battered security captain, accompanied by a burly, rough-looking man, shoved aside the idle troublemakers and strode straight toward Ye Qiu.

Well now.

The newcomer was quick and wasted no words. He charged at Ye Qiu, aiming a kick at his chest.

“Stop!” Fan Wencheng shouted in alarm, rushing over to intervene. “Hu Lao Si, are you out of your mind?”

He swung a slap, but before it landed, Hu Lao Si caught it effortlessly, his expression disdainful. “Mr. Fan, the boss’s orders. I advise you not to meddle, or you’ll end up just like him—left behind in Linhai.”

“You say that again!” Fan Wencheng, whether at home or abroad, was always in demand. Politicians come and go, but brokers like him connect all walks of life. His vast network earned respect from both officials and underworld figures—the bar’s owner included.

But tonight, it seemed the owner had specifically ordered Ye Qiu to be detained, ignoring even Fan Wencheng’s influence.

This enraged Fan Wencheng. If people stopped giving him face, how could he continue as a broker?

“You just wait.”

Fan Wencheng angrily broke free from Hu Lao Si and dialed a number.

Moments later, the sound of police sirens approached—bright lights replaced the bar’s enchanting night glow.

Fashionable men and women poured out, cursing, faces showing disappointment and even frustration—some had nearly scored, only to be chased out at the last moment.

Hu Lao Si’s face darkened, his sharp eyes fixed on Ye Qiu.

He hadn’t expected Fan Wencheng to challenge the boss.

All because of this young man.

Not long after, Hu Lao Si received a call from the owner.

He gave Ye Qiu a deep look, the image of Ye Qiu’s cold indifference etched in his mind.

“Mr. Ye, apologies—I’ll give you an explanation.”

Though the bar owner was a prominent figure in Linhai, with powerful connections, Fan Wencheng sensed that aligning himself with Ye Qiu would be worth it.

“Good.”

Ye Qiu nodded slightly, opened the car door, and slipped inside.

As the car pulled away, one of the troublemakers in the crowd sidled up to their leader.

“Black Brother, are we just going to stand by and watch?”