"...That's all I wanted to say. I don't understand much about the entertainment industry, but since I stumbled upon it, I had to speak up. The current atmosphere can't continue —it's unbecoming!"
Ning Fan recounted the situation to Qian Nengde, and the faces of Rong Yingjiu and the others had already turned ashen.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and after several seconds Qian Nengde finally replied, "Indeed, it's time for a thorough crackdown. Where are you now? I'll send someone to deal with it immediately."
"No need to be so polite, no need at all. Divine Doctor, if you ever have the chance, please come and visit me!"
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Qian Nengde, Ning Fan hung up the phone. He paid no mind to the reactions of Rong Yingjiu and the others, instead walking over to where Bai Yunxi and her group were.
"Let's go. You don't have to worry about the aftermath."
Without further explanation, Ning Fan, accompanied by a puzzled Bai Yunxi and Zheng Wenxiu, who had guessed something of the situation, left the hotel.
Rong Yingjiu, supported by others, leaned against the wall. Trembling, he watched the way Ning Fan and his company departed, his mind echoing the voice of Qian Nengde, plunging him into a state of panic.
"Boss Rong, the person that kid was talking to on the phone just now, gulp, it was him, wasn't it?" The boss beside Rong Yingjiu swallowed nervously, his expression anxious as he looked at him.
Rong Yingjiu turned to look back, his expression extremely ghastly, like that of a malevolent ghost.
"Impossible. That kid is just a security guard; how could he possibly be connected to Qian Nengde? Absolutely impossible!"
Rong Yingjiu refused to believe that Ning Fan really had contact with Qian Nengde, but even as he spoke, he lacked confidence, let alone the ability to reassure the others.
"Once we get back, find out everything about that kid, and that Bai Yunxi—I'll see to it that she's done for!"
"Boss Rong is right. Even a novice dares to be so arrogant!"
"Just wait until they're kneeling before us, begging!"
No sooner had Rong Yingjiu spoken than several others echoed him, but whether anyone felt truly confident inside was another matter.
Like soulless shells, the group lingered in the hotel for more than ten minutes, incessantly reassuring themselves that everything would be fine.
But just as they resolved to leave, a group blocked the entrance, and representatives from the public supervisory authority were also on the scene, approaching Rong Yingjiu and his associates directly.
"Rong Yingjiu, come with us. Someone would like to have a chat with you," said one of the police officers, standing in front of Rong Yingjiu.
"Why arrest me? I've done nothing wrong. I won't go!" Rong Yingjiu resisted fiercely, behaving like a hooligan.
"This is a warrant for your arrest."
The police officer's icy words and the arrest warrant brought Rong Yingjiu to utter despair. He wasn't kicking against a mere iron board, but one made of alloy steel.
Everyone was handcuffed and pressed into police cars. The onlookers in the hotel were abuzz with comments. Many recognized Rong Yingjiu, and if not for the police intervention, they would probably have recorded the scene and posted it on their social circles.
Meanwhile, Ning Fan had already taken Bai Yunxi and Zheng Wenxiu to the parking lot.
"Master Ning, was it to him that you made the call earlier?"
Seated in the back with Bai Yunxi leaning against her, both women were still shaken from the night's events, especially Wenxiu, who had taken a slap in the face to protect Yunxi and was still feeling the sting.
Upon hearing this, Yunxi also looked curiously at Ning Fan.
Ning Fan looked ahead, his tone very calm as he replied, "Ah, you mean Qian Nengde? I just happen to know him quite well, with his help you won't have to worry about this matter."
"Quite... quite well..." Such a description made Zheng Wenxiu's emotions rather complex, and she was also shocked to learn that Ning Fan was actually acquainted with Qian Nengde.
Qian Nengde was a big shot in the political arena, someone Zheng Wenxiu couldn't come into contact with, but she knew of him. His figure was often seen in the news, and with this thought, she finally felt relieved.
Meanwhile, Bai Yunxi was in a fog, the name Qian Nengde sounded familiar to her, but she couldn't quite recall who it was at the moment.
However, Zheng Wenxiu's gaze burned so intensely that even Ning Fan found it a bit difficult to bear.
"Wenxiu, who exactly is Qian Nengde?"
Seeing Bai Yunxi still looking confused, Zheng Wenxiu couldn't help but roll her eyes, saying irritably, "Who else could it be?!"
"Hiss, are you talking about that Qian Nengde!"
"Yes, that's the one!"
Apart from that Qian Nengde, who else could make a bigwig like Rong Yingjiu in the entertainment industry change color at the mere mention of his name.
Bai Yunxi realized that this matter had dragged in a major figure, and her look at Ning Fan suddenly became complicated.
"I'll just drop you off here then, right?" Ning Fan parked the car at the roadside, turned back, and asked the two women.
Zheng Wenxiu came back to her senses and nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, here is fine, Yunxi and I can go back on our own."
But as soon as she got out of the car, Bai Yunxi hesitated. She looked at Ning Fan in the car and then at Zheng Wenxiu before suddenly calling out to Ning Fan, "Wait a minute!"
Ning Fan rolled down the window, looking at Bai Yunxi with confusion, "What's the matter?"
"Do you have time right now?" Bai Yunxi asked, somewhat coyly, her cheeks gradually turning rosy.
Zheng Wenxiu looked at her in surprise, suddenly harboring a certain guess. She wanted to remind Bai Yunxi, but in the end, she held back.
"Yes." Ning Fan nodded, his expression growing even more puzzled.
"Could you, maybe, keep me company later, just you and me?"
Both Ning Fan and Zheng Wenxiu had the same reaction.
Zheng Wenxiu looked at Bai Yunxi and Ning Fan in astonishment. Bai Yunxi was actually inviting Ning Fan to be alone with her later?
Thinking this, Zheng Wenxiu's mind started racing, and she couldn't help but entertain the same thoughts as Bai Yunxi.
Ning Fan's domineering performance earlier not only showcased extraordinary skills, but also an intimidating background. Moreover, this man was unpretentious and easy to get along with. If we're being honest, such a man was quite appealing as a romantic prospect.
"Wenxiu, you go back first, I'll be fine on my own!" Bai Yunxi mustered up the courage to send Zheng Wenxiu back first.
Zheng Wenxiu hesitated, her gaze at Bai Yunxi was very complex, while the latter just thought she was being concerned for her, not knowing that Zheng Wenxiu in fact shared the same thoughts.
After struggling internally for a moment, Zheng Wenxiu couldn't help but sigh in her heart, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes unnoticed by the other two.
"Alright, just be careful."