Chapter Fifty-One: Zhuo Nan’s Lethal Power

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Yang Yilin moved gracefully, her steps light as she slowly approached Zhuo Nan and softly asked, "Good evening, sir. May I ask who you are?"

The woman before him was tall and slender, her bearing elegant and composed. Her hair was as black as lacquer, her skin as fair as jade, her beautiful eyes sparkling with intelligence. Every glance and every smile radiated an indescribable charm. She was like a peony on the verge of blossoming—beautiful but not gaudy, radiant yet never vulgar, exquisitely alluring and unmatched in grace.

Zhuo Nan stared at her, momentarily spellbound, saying nothing. Yang Yilin frowned slightly and repeated her question, "Sir, may I ask who you are?"

Only then did Zhuo Nan come to his senses, offering an awkward smile. "Sorry… My name is Zhuo Nan."

With a professional smile, Yang Yilin quickly ran through the list of tonight's guests in her mind, but found no mention of Zhuo Nan. Still, out of courtesy, she asked, "May I ask which guest you've accompanied tonight…?"

Zhuo Nan replied with a bright, sunny smile, "I came with Long Kun…"

Yang Yilin was briefly taken aback, but quickly recovered and smiled. "I apologize, I didn’t realize you were Mr. Long’s distinguished guest. Please forgive me…"

Zhuo Nan laughed. "No worries. Long Kun and the others are busy, so I’m just having a seat here. May I ask your name?"

"Here’s my business card…" Yang Yilin replied, politely presenting her card with both hands.

Zhuo Nan accepted it graciously, reading aloud, "Yang Yilin, Deputy General Manager of Longhua Leisure and Entertainment Corporation."

"Ah, Deputy Manager Yang, my apologies. I didn’t bring my own business cards… so I can’t give you one." Zhuo Nan smiled sheepishly.

"That’s quite all right…" Yang Yilin began, but before she could finish, Long Kun arrived with Old Wu—Wu Jianguo. Even before they reached the table, Long Kun was already calling out, "Brother Nan, Old Wu is here!"

Zhuo Nan shook his head in resignation, rising to greet Old Wu. "Long Kun, can you keep it down? You’re about to burst my eardrums."

Yang Yilin was dumbfounded. Long Kun was the owner of the bar and a major figure in the underworld, yet Zhuo Nan was teasing him without the slightest reservation. As for Long Kun, he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, clearly admitting fault.

"Old Wu, thank you again for tonight…" Zhuo Nan stepped forward, shaking Old Wu’s hand.

Old Wu chuckled. "Zhuo Nan, I knew you weren’t ordinary. Just one month, and you’re running such a big business."

"Old Wu…" Zhuo Nan gave him a look, and Old Wu immediately added, "Don’t worry, I haven’t told a soul about this."

"Alright then. Long Kun, make sure Old Wu and the other leaders are well entertained tonight," Zhuo Nan instructed, his tone commanding.

Yang Yilin watched, wide-eyed. Could this young man be the chairman she’d never met?

"Don’t worry, Brother Nan, the private room is ready. I’ll take them over now," Long Kun responded promptly.

"Good. Take care of it," Zhuo Nan replied, then turned to Old Wu, "No need for formalities between us. Sorry to trouble you again…"

"Don’t mention it. With our relationship… I’ll head over now," Old Wu said with a smile.

Once the two had left, Zhuo Nan turned to see Yang Yilin’s puzzled expression and smiled. "What’s wrong? Surprised? Yes, I’m the company chairman."

Yang Yilin’s mouth formed an O of surprise, but she recovered quickly. "Chairman, I’m so sorry for my earlier rudeness…" In truth, she couldn’t help but wonder—wasn’t he a bit too young to be chairman?

"Are you thinking I’m too young?" Zhuo Nan suddenly asked.

Yang Yilin, her thoughts exposed, looked embarrassed but answered honestly, "It’s not what I expected…"

Zhuo Nan chuckled and asked, "What did you imagine I’d be like?"

Yang Yilin blurted out, "At least in your forties…" Realizing her bluntness, she hurried to explain, "I’m sorry, Chairman Zhuo, I didn’t mean it that way."

Waving his hand with a smile, Zhuo Nan said, "Don’t call me Chairman Zhuo—I’m not an old man." This only made Yang Yilin worry she’d upset him. She wanted to explain, but feared making things worse. Yet if she said nothing, he might hold it against her, and she could lose her job. Working for the underworld was unsettling, but the pay was excellent, and jobs like this weren’t easy to find…

Seeing her anxious, awkward expression, Zhuo Nan laughed. "No need to explain, I was just joking. Since you’re the deputy general manager, I hope you won’t reveal my identity to outsiders." As he finished speaking, his tone grew serious.

Yang Yilin immediately straightened up and nodded. "Don’t worry, Chairman Zhuo, I’ll keep it confidential…"

Zhuo Nan smiled again. "I told you, don’t call me Chairman Zhuo. Don’t you think it makes me sound ancient?"

Yang Yilin thought to herself, "If I don’t call you Chairman Zhuo, what should I call you? Should I copy Long Kun and call you Brother Nan? But you’re probably younger than me…"

Zhuo Nan saw right through her and said directly, "Just call me Zhuo Nan from now on. It’s simpler."

Yang Yilin hesitated. "I’m not sure that’s appropriate…"

"What’s inappropriate? Do as I say," Zhuo Nan interrupted brusquely. Yang Yilin was startled—so even the more approachable ones in the underworld were all the same.

For some reason, Yang Yilin found conversation with Zhuo Nan surprisingly easy, and the two discussed company management for a while. During this, Paigu and Du Fanhao stopped by to greet Zhuo Nan, but seeing his attention was on the beauty, they tactfully withdrew, not daring to interrupt his romantic pursuits.

When it was time for the ribbon-cutting, Zhuo Nan didn’t attend; Long Kun, Yang Yilin, and several honored guests handled it. Only after the ceremony did the official business begin. Long Kun arranged a private room for Old Liu from the detective squad, Chief Gu from Beiping Road Station, and others, bringing in six or seven stunning young women to accompany them, then discreetly excused himself. What happened inside was no longer his concern.

At that moment, Zhuo Nan, Long Kun, Yang Yilin, Du Fanhao and his wife, Old Wu, Paigu, Hou Fei, Hu Li, and Shi Yang were in another private room. "Old Wu, thanks again for your help," Zhuo Nan said, taking an envelope from Long Kun and handing it to Old Wu.

Old Wu glanced at the envelope—it looked to be about five thousand yuan—smiled, and pushed it back to Zhuo Nan. "Zhuo Nan, I didn’t do much, just made an introduction. I can’t accept such a heavy gift."

Zhuo Nan was briefly surprised, then understood—Old Wu wasn’t refusing because the amount was small, but because he had ambitions. He wanted to join Zhuo Nan’s circle. As the saying goes, ‘soldiers and bandits are one family.’ Zhuo Nan, so young, was already running a large enterprise—naturally Old Wu wanted to hitch his wagon to this rising star.

Zhuo Nan smiled, putting the envelope away. "All right, Old Wu, let’s not beat around the bush. I get your meaning, brother. Come, let’s drink." He raised his glass, and everyone followed suit, raising their glasses and waiting for Zhuo Nan’s words.

"Everyone, tonight I make a promise: stick with me, and you’ll eat well, drink well, make more money than you can spend, and have more women than you can count… Cheers!" With that, he drained his glass and wiped his mouth with his sleeve, utterly unconcerned with appearances.

Everyone else followed suit, emptying their glasses in one go.

Yang Yilin, however, looked uncomfortable. Zhuo Nan’s words were clearly meant to rally his men like a gang boss, and she found it hard to listen.

Zhuo Nan noticed her reaction and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong, not used to it?"

Everyone turned to look at her, making her uneasy. She spoke softly, "I suppose I’m not used to it…"

At once, the room erupted in laughter. Thankfully, Sun Yan, the other woman present, came over to stand beside Yang Yilin and said with a friendly smile, "Deputy Manager Yang, these guys mean no harm. Once you get to know them, you’ll see."

Hearing this, Yang Yilin smiled helplessly and nodded. Long Kun, unable to resist, boomed, "Stop fussing! Brother Nan, I’ve arranged for a few models to come in… Old Du, since your wife is here, you’re out of luck. The rest of us, one each!"

Du Fanhao protested, "Kun, bring them in if you dare—Sun Yan won’t even let out a peep…"

Well, he’d done it now. Sun Yan shot him a glare, walked over, and whispered, "Husband, what nonsense are you talking?"

Everyone watched Du Fanhao, gloating. He’d been so smooth before, but now he wilted. "Honey, you’re always so understanding. I was just putting on a show for the guys…"

"I’ll show you a show!" Sun Yan, hands on hips, grabbed Du Fanhao by the ear. "I may not say a word, but I’ll deal with you all the same. Out! Don’t embarrass yourself here—let’s see if I can’t make you beg for mercy…"

"No, please… Brother Nan, Brother Kun, save me…" Amid his pitiful cries, Du Fanhao was dragged out by his ear.

"Serves him right for bluffing," Long Kun laughed, gloating. "Paigu, go bring the girls in. Tonight, let’s drink our fill!"

Paigu obeyed and left. Yang Yilin then said, "Everyone, I’ll get back to work. Please enjoy yourselves…"

"Deputy Manager Yang, you can’t leave! I didn’t arrange any girls for Brother Nan; you’ll have to play the part," Long Kun teased mischievously.

"This…" Seeing everyone’s eyes on her, Yang Yilin realized she wasn’t going to escape tonight. She regretted ever getting involved with the underworld—she should have known better. Now she was in too deep. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she dared not refuse; if she upset these men, the consequences could be dire. She glanced at Zhuo Nan, steeling herself—if he tried anything, she’d fight to the bitter end.

Just then, Paigu returned with six scantily clad, provocatively dressed women. All the men, except for Zhuo Nan, took one for themselves. Zhuo Nan glanced at them, shook his head, and quietly said to Yang Yilin, "Let’s go."

Without waiting for her response, he took her hand and led her out, leaving the lustful men to their own devices.

Once outside, Zhuo Nan released her hand and turned to her. "Business seems good tonight. I’ll be leaving now. If Long Kun asks, just tell him the truth."

"But…" But what? Yang Yilin found herself at a loss for words.

Zhuo Nan turned to look at her, and for no reason at all, said, "What’s wrong, can’t bear to see me go?"

Startled by his words, Yang Yilin blushed and retorted, "You really are shameless…"

He laughed. "I’m off then. The rest is up to you." With that, he turned and walked out of the bar.

Yang Yilin stood there, unsure what to think. The events of the evening left her with a strange, unprecedented feeling she couldn’t quite describe. This young man was truly extraordinary…

Just then, Sun Yan came over, having just given Du Fanhao a piece of her mind. "Miss Sun…"

"Deputy Manager Yang, is something wrong?" Sun Yan asked with a smile.

After hesitating, Yang Yilin finally asked, "May I ask how old Zhuo Nan is?"

Seeing her expression, Sun Yan covered her mouth, giggling to herself. "Brother Nan, your charm is deadly…" Out loud, she said, "He’s fifteen. Don’t let his age fool you—he’s a force to be reckoned with…"

Hearing this, Yang Yilin looked around awkwardly, then quickly found an excuse to leave. Watching her retreating figure, Sun Yan thought, "This good girl is about to fall into the devil’s hands…"