Chapter 3: This Place Won’t Do

Qiu Zhenhu’s expression was exceedingly grim; his plans had been completely disrupted because of his daughter’s secret affair with Ye Bufan. What had originally been a flawless scheme to swallow up the Duan family’s fortune now had to be shared with other families, lest they interfere. Yet, as his gaze fell upon Cao Mang, he felt a sense of satisfaction; such a formidable subordinate, utterly loyal and prepared to die for him, brought him genuine pleasure.

“You may go for now. Wait for new instructions.”

“At your command.”

After bowing respectfully, Cao Mang turned and left. Seeing the envious looks from other magnates, Qiu Zhenhu felt even more pleased.

Upon returning to the back entrance of the smoked meat shop, Gao Yanhong’s expression was complicated as she reached to open the car door.

Cao Mang’s low, ghostly voice sounded, “It was Qiu Zhenhu who had your father killed.”

Gao Yanhong froze. “What nonsense is this? You’re his handpicked enforcer. If you’re tired of living, don’t drag me down with you.”

“Believe it or not, it’s up to you. Just think it over carefully.”

Gao Yanhong was stunned. By the time she came to her senses, Cao Mang had already entered the shop. She hurried after him.

“Explain yourself, or I won’t let this go!”

Cao Mang picked up his phone, logged into Duan Xingyu’s encrypted email, opened a folder, and sent a document to Gao Yanhong’s phone.

“Delete it after you read it. Keeping it won’t do you any good. You’re just too beautiful for your own good, that’s all…”

Tears streamed down Gao Yanhong’s face; she could hardly believe what she was seeing. Just to possess her, he had arranged for her father to be killed in a staged car accident. She had even felt grateful, walking into the trap herself, played for a fool for years.

She felt on the verge of madness. Her eyes became vacant as she picked up a knife and turned to leave, only for Cao Mang to seize her wrist.

“Let me go! I’m going to kill him… kill him!”

Gao Yanhong screamed hysterically, then collapsed weakly to the ground.

“If you go now, you’re only throwing your life away. Only I can help you.”

Gao Yanhong clung to this, knowing a powerless woman like herself could never avenge her father alone.

“If you help me get revenge, I’m yours.”

“Don’t overestimate your worth. You’re just a discarded plaything. If you want revenge, prove your value.”

Gao Yanhong wiped her tears. “I’m not completely useless. Just tell me what to do.”

A smirk played at the corner of Cao Mang’s mouth. “Just do as you’re told from now on.”

At last, he had an ally, the first step on the path of vengeance.

Just as Gao Yanhong batted her lashes, intending to use her charms and deepen their connection, a knock sounded at the front door.

It was a bodyguard from the Qiu family, delivering supplies: a black stretch Hummer, suit, sunglasses, gold watch, walkie-talkie, and baton. A new assignment had also been issued—Cao Mang was now responsible for protecting Qiu Tianyi, the third young master of the Qiu family.

He arrived at a private club called Nightcat, where several scantily clad young women immediately swarmed over to greet him. But when they saw his powerful physique and unmistakable bodyguard attire, their interest quickly vanished.

Cao Mang barely glanced at them; none could compare to Gao Yanhong in looks or figure. He strode inside, looking down at the security staff.

“Excuse me, could you tell me where Young Master Tianyi is?”

The guards at this place were no pushovers, but Cao Mang’s aura, like that of a wild beast, startled them. Upon seeing his babyish face, however, they looked down on him again.

“You know the rules or not?”

He saw the man rubbing his fingers—clearly hinting for a tip. Cao Mang curled his lip.

“Forget it. I’ll find him myself.”

He moved forward, but was blocked. “This is a members-only club. Show your card. Kid, let me warn you, this is the East District—not a place for the Qiu family to cause trouble, got it?”

The East District was under the Ye family, who had long been at odds with the Duan family. Now that the Qiu family controlled the South District, Qiu Zhenhu had sent his son to court Ye Xingmei, hoping to secure their position through marriage.

Ye Xingmei was the owner of this club, a wealthy woman with many suitors, all hoping for both love and fortune.

Cao Mang barked, “Step aside!”

But the guard blocking his way raised his baton threateningly. “I’m not moving. If you don’t want a beating, wait outside.”

In the next instant, Cao Mang grabbed him by the throat, lifted him effortlessly, and tossed him aside.

“Trying to start trouble here? Get him!”

The rest of the security charged. Cao Mang’s hands were as broad as fans; with a single slap apiece, he sent each of them sprawling to the floor.

Such venues typically had both external and internal security. The external team kept order, but when trouble started, the internal guards would be called in.

A few internal guards rushed out, only to be dumbfounded—every guard at the entrance was unconscious on the ground.

Cao Mang shouted, “I just want to see Young Master Tianyi. You won’t even let me in the door—aren’t you taking things too far?”

You beat up so many people and say the Ye family is unreasonable?

The internal guards burst out laughing in exasperation, then attacked, some even drawing knives. Unlike the external guards, these were trained fighters—some had even killed before.

Ye Xingmei, still grieving Duan Xingyu’s death, was furious at the news that someone dared cause trouble in her club. She seized a katana and marched out, brimming with rage.

Reaching the door, she too was stunned. All her internal guards had been flattened with a single slap, left completely helpless, with knives and batons scattered across the floor.

Cao Mang, seeing Ye Xingmei emerge, knew he’d achieved his purpose.

“Miss Ye, I crippled Ye Bufan for you, and this is how you repay me?”

Ye Xingmei knew Ye Bufan’s arm had been broken, but never imagined it was this man’s doing.

Raising her sword, she demanded, “That’s a separate matter. What’s the meaning of coming here to trash my place?”

“It wasn’t my fault. I was just following orders to protect Young Master Tianyi. Your people picked a fight.”

He grabbed a guard by the hair and tossed him at her feet. “Ask him if you don’t believe me. Your club’s gotten too big for its boots, looking down on people.”

The security guard still tried to protest, “He doesn’t know the rules—”

“Not paying you a bribe is against the rules? If you’re so short on cash, just sell tickets at the door.”

Now Ye Xingmei understood, and gave the guard a hard kick.

She looked Cao Mang in the eyes, “Regardless, you beat up my people. I need an explanation.”

“Fine. Hit me as you like.”

“You said it!”

Ye Xingmei handed her sword to her female bodyguard and launched a flying kick at Cao Mang.

He stood his ground, hands in his pockets, taking the kick head-on. Ye Xingmei followed up with a flurry of kicks.

Afterwards, she bent over and rubbed her calves, pouting, “Are you made of iron? You’re so hard!”

Cao Mang replied earnestly, “My whole body is hard. Would you mind bending over from another angle?”

Ye Xingmei’s hand flew to her collar, her face darkening. She aimed a vicious kick at his groin, but he caught her ankle.

“Not there!”

Ye Xingmei scowled adorably, her tone half-pouting, half-threatening, “Let go. You said I could hit you as I pleased.”

Just then, a shout rang out, “Enough! Kneel down and apologize to Miss Xingmei at once!”

Cao Mang released her ankle and saw Qiu Tianyi walking over. He replied solemnly, “I kneel only to the family master and take orders from him alone…”