Bai Xiaosheng, Sun Xuanbei, and Chu Dashan followed the assistant up the stairs.
The floor they arrived at was special: the decor was of a high caliber and it was very quiet, unlike the smoky chaos of a typical KTV, with excellent sound insulation in each private room.
Each room’s door had a name, titled with "Palace" or "Hall," like "Tianlugong" or "Tianxi Palace"... or "Fuyun Hall" and "Hongyuan Hall"...
Whoever named these didn’t hold back on grandiosity, yet the names bordered on tacky.
"This way, please," the assistant led the way with a smile, respectfully saying to Sun Xuanbei, "Madam, this is the floor we use to entertain our VIP guests, not just anyone can come here. Our Manager Zhang is already waiting for you there."
Zhang Zhihao had only asked the assistant to bring people over; the assistant thought Bai Xiaosheng and Sun Xuanbei’s party were esteemed guests, so his demeanor was extremely attentive.
"Which Manager Zhang, Zhang Zhihao or Zhang Xuan?" Sun Xuanbei called out directly by name.
"Yes, it’s Manager Zhang Zhihao," the assistant replied.
"Is Zhang Xuan here?" Sun Xuanbei asked again.
This time the assistant simply smiled and did not answer.
Chu Dashan walked in with his head high, closely following Sun Xuanbei.
Seeing the assistant’s attitude, he immediately felt reassured, convinced of their success with the teacher leading the way.
Those of the Zhang Family should show respect to their juniors, and it was improper not to personally come down to greet them.
Walking side by side with Chu Dashan, Bai Xiaosheng played with his phone, sending messages.
"Bai, what are you doing?" Chu Dashan nudged him and whispered, "Don’t rely on your connections now, we don’t need them! Didn’t you see, the Zhang Family is extremely respectful toward the teacher!"
Bai Xiaosheng chuckled, "I’m sending a message to my driver, so he can find me once we’re done here."
As they were talking, they heard the assistant announce their arrival.
"Here we are, Hongfu Palace. Please, Madam!" The assistant smiled and gestured for them to enter.
Bai Xiaosheng also sent the name of this room, Hongfu Palace, to Feng and the others.
After sending the message, Bai Xiaosheng saw that Chu Dashan had already entered and the assistant was smiling at him.
Bai Xiaosheng stepped inside, but before entering, he took a deep look at the seemingly festive name—"Hongfu Palace."
"A banquet of Hongmen inside Hongfu Palace," Bai Xiaosheng muttered to himself.
"Ah, what did you say?" the assistant asked curiously.
"Nothing, just thinking out loud," Bai Xiaosheng replied with a smile.
Hopefully, I’m just being paranoid!
Upon entering the room, Bai Xiaosheng discovered how absurdly large it was; several people could run and jump around with plenty of room to spare.
What are these rich folks doing with such a big room? Could it be they want to watch some kind of performance here? Bai Xiaosheng wondered.
Across Sun Xuanbei’s shoulders, Bai Xiaosheng caught sight of a man lounging on the sofa. Only when they entered did he slowly stand up, the smile on his face both insincere and perfunctory.
"Good day, Mr. Sun! I am Zhang Zhihao, the junior here and also the general manager," the man said with a smile, hurrying to introduce himself.
Bai Xiaosheng glanced deeply at this Manager Zhang Zhihao; beneath his smile lay malice.
Apart from Zhang Zhihao, there was another man in the room.
That man wasn’t tall, with a buzz cut and brown skin. His neck was nearly as thick as his head, with a muscular build that gave him the appearance of a bearman, and dense tattoos covered his ears and nape.
His gaze was sharp as an eagle’s, intimidating anyone he looked at.
"This guy is not simple!" Bai Xiaosheng thought to himself.
As if sensing something,
The man’s gaze swept across the room, pausing on Sun Xuanbei for a moment, then turned to Chu Dashan, and finally fixed on Bai Xiaosheng.
Bai Xiaosheng calmly met his gaze.
The person was indeed very interested in him.
With a smile on his face, Zhang Zhihao said to Sun Xuanbei, "Master Sun, my apologies for not coming out to meet you! Your arrival truly brings glory to this humble place!"
He appeared very enthusiastic.
"You must be Zhang Xuan’s son, indeed, you resemble your father when he was young," Sun Xuanbei said indifferently and then added, "Not only in looks but in actions too."
There was a hint of irony in his words.
"Master Sun, you flatter me, please, come and sit," Zhang Zhihao, as if not catching the insinuation, eagerly offered a seat.
Sun Xuanbei, without any reservation, walked straight to the sofa across and sat down.
Bai Xiaosheng and Chu Dashan followed suit.
Chu Dashan stood slightly behind and to the side of Sun Xuanbei, Bai Xiaosheng, scratching his head upon seeing this, felt it inappropriate to sit on equal terms with Sun Xuanbei, so he stood just behind him, inside.
By age, Sun Xuanbei was older than even Bai Xiaosheng’s parents, and he was a professor, a senior intellectual.
Paying respects as a junior shouldn’t be considered a loss, Bai Xiaosheng thought to himself.
Yet by standing in such a way, he became even less conspicuous.
However, Chu Dashan smiled at him, clearly thankful for his respectful demeanor.
After all, Bai Xiaosheng was giving face to his own teacher.
Sun Xuanbei was somewhat surprised but didn’t insist on Bai Xiaosheng coming forward to sit.
"With my reputation, this matter should be settled shortly, slighting this young Mr. Bai for now; I can thank him later." Sun Xuanbei thought to himself.
Across from him, Zhang Zhihao made himself comfortable on the sofa and said with a chuckle, "Master Sun, for what purpose do you grace us with your presence this time?"
Sun Xuanbei’s brows twitched as he said to Zhang Zhihao, "Young man, you say you have long admired me, which means you’ve heard of me—no doubt from Zhang Xuan. I am his elder sister in terms of our mentor-disciple relationship, which makes me somewhat of an elder to you as well. So, putting aside my own pride, I’m here to ask you for a person! You had someone take away Huo Qianxun, now hand her over to me!"
After finishing, Sun Xuanbei added, "Also, a melon forced off its vine is not sweet; stop engaging in such shameless acts in the future!"
The visit was instantly a reprimand.
This is way too impolite, to talk , even if it’s valid, is bound to end in a rupture! Bai Xiaosheng inwardly grimaced with a wry smile.
As expected, Zhang Zhihao’s amiable expression tightened.
"From my father’s perspective, you are an elder, and today I have set aside all other matters to meet with you, a distinguished guest, which shows my respect for you," Zhang Zhihao said coldly. "As for Qianxun, I didn’t tie her up and bring her here; she came on her own two feet. Moreover, we are dating—do you plan to interfere in that? I am curious as to what relation you claim to her!"
His words were razor sharp and unkind!
Bai Xiaosheng sighed to himself. At least, at the Feast at Hongmen, there was a feast to enjoy; they had just sat down without even a sip of tea, and the conflict was already brewing!
"Zhang, how can you speak to my teacher... to your elder like that! If you’re going to talk this way, then we won’t negotiate with you. Call your dad out to speak to his elder sister!"
Unable to restrain himself, Chu Dashan raised his voice.
At these words, the last of Zhang Zhihao’s smile disappeared, he cocked his head and pointed at Chu Dashan with his hand.
"What business is it of yours? Do you even have the right to mention my dad?" Zhang Zhihao retorted sharply.
"You!" Chu Dashan was instantly enraged.
"Enough!" Sun Xuanbei barked, turning to look at Zhang Zhihao, "Kid, let’s cut through the preambles. I’m a straightforward person, you be direct too, how do we get the person back."
Zhang Zhihao’s directness brought a smile to his face.
"I’ve heard that both Master Sun and your disciple practice martial arts, which I quite enjoy watching. How about we make it interesting with a bet? If you can beat my man Lei Zha, then I’ll consider it," Zhang Zhihao playfully suggested.
The burly figure by his side stepped forward, looking indifferently at the three of them.
Before Sun Xuanbei could even reply, Chu Dashan leaped forward saying, "Fine, then I’ll take you on!"
With Chu Dashan accepting the challenge, Sun Xuanbei couldn’t go back on his word and simply nodded.
"If that’s the case, let’s fight!"