Chapter Eighty-Two: Reunion of Old Classmates

Chen Hao waited in the corridor for twenty minutes before suddenly feeling the urge to use the restroom. He headed to the bathroom on the other side of the hallway. Just as he entered, Zhu Xiaodao, accompanied by four thugs, pushed open the door to the private room where Dong Xiaohui and her friends were gathered.

Back in the VIP room, Zhu Xiaodao had sensed that Zhou Shi was becoming impatient, so he was eager to wrap things up here. He brought the four thugs along, determined that if the drug failed, they would use force to take care of the virgins in this room, then fetch Young Master Zhou.

Stepping into the private room, Zhu Xiaodao laughed and said, “Huihui, I heard from Juanjuan that it’s your birthday today, so I came by to check in. You really don’t treat me like a brother—having a birthday without even telling me. If I’d known, I could have brought you a diamond necklace in advance!”

While speaking to Dong Xiaohui, Zhu Xiaodao’s eyes lingered on Ban Qianqian, his face revealing a lecherous expression. He was quite satisfied with the virgins Dong Xiaohui had arranged, though a pang of regret flashed through him—such a beautiful girl couldn’t be his to enjoy, and giving her to please Young Master Zhou felt like a loss.

Zhu Xiaodao believed all women were vain. After seducing Dong Xiaohui and her friends, he found that spending a little money was enough to make them willingly submit. So he mentioned the diamond necklace, hoping Ban Qianqian would envy Dong Xiaohui; under the influence of rivalry, a woman might even willingly give herself for some trivial gain.

To his disappointment, Ban Qianqian showed no reaction to the mention of a diamond necklace. Instead, she frowned and said to Dong Xiaohui, displeased, “Huihui, didn’t you say today’s gathering was just us girls—no men?”

Dong Xiaohui replied softly, “I didn’t expect Brother Dao to be here. He’s the big boss at Huayang—there’s no harm in getting to know him.”

With that, she stood and raised her glass to Zhu Xiaodao. “Brother Dao, this was supposed to be a girls’ night. Not inviting you was my mistake, so I’ll drink as an apology.”

After downing her drink in one go, Zhu Xiaodao laughed. “Huihui, you’re straightforward as always. Since it’s a girls’ night, I won’t intrude. Let me toast all you beauties!”

The five girls picked up their glasses. Ban Qianqian stood as well, but her glass was empty. The world was too complex; she never drank with men in such places, and Zhu Xiaodao’s sinister aura made her even more cautious.

Seeing Ban Qianqian with an empty glass, Zhu Xiaodao’s face darkened. “Huihui, does your pretty friend look down on me? She won’t even drink a toast?”

Dong Xiaohui gently nudged Ban Qianqian under the table, whispering anxiously, “Qianqian, we can’t afford to offend this man. Just have a drink with him for my sake. I’m begging you.”

Ban Qianqian, soft-hearted, handed over her glass and said, “I can’t hold my liquor—just one drink.”

Zhu Xiaodao thumped his chest. “My word is my bond. I never force a beauty to drink—one glass it is.”

When pouring the wine, Zhu Xiaodao deftly blocked Ban Qianqian’s view, slipping a yellow powder from his palm into her glass. Handing it back, he announced, “Come on, let’s all drink together.”

Ban Qianqian brought the glass to her lips and drank, but didn’t swallow. Instead, she held the wine in her mouth. She’d learned a few tricks online for situations like this. After sitting back down, she took a napkin and pretended to wipe her mouth, spitting the wine into the tissue.

But such tricks couldn’t fool an old hand like Zhu Xiaodao. He’d been watching her closely and noticed what she did. His face turned cold. “Huihui, your friend really has no respect for me. First she avoids the toast, then spits out the wine. Fine—let my brothers help her drink.”

Seeing Zhu Xiaodao’s hostility, Ban Qianqian quickly took out her phone and dialed Chen Hao’s number. She had just connected the call when two thugs grabbed her arms, and another snatched her phone.

Zhu Xiaodao poured another glass of beer, this time openly sprinkling yellow powder into it. He leered, “This drug is top-notch. Give it three minutes and you’ll be burning with desire—even if a stray dog walked in, you’d be begging for it.”

Ban Qianqian struggled desperately, shouting, “Huihui, Lili, call the police, now!”

Her roommates and classmates remained unmoved. They, too, had lost themselves at KTV once and believed that after tonight, Ban Qianqian would simply become one of them. Human nature is terrifying—those who have fallen often hope others will fall with them.

At that moment, Ban Qianqian understood everything. Her face contorted with rage and grief. “Even as a ghost, I won’t forgive you.”

Just as Zhu Xiaodao was about to force the drugged drink on Ban Qianqian, the private room door was flung open. Chen Hao burst in, blood boiling at the scene before him. He grabbed a beer bottle from the table, strode up behind Zhu Xiaodao, and smashed it against the back of his head.

“Ah!” Zhu Xiaodao let out a cry of pain, dropping his glass to the floor with a clang. Blood trickled down his neck from the wound. He turned, face twisted in fury. “Wreck this brat for me!”

The four thugs released Ban Qianqian and lunged at Chen Hao, bottles in hand. Chen Hao was no match for all four. He took a bottle to the head, blood streaming into his eyes, but he fought on madly, sustaining several injuries.

One against four—he was quickly subdued. Ban Qianqian was also pinned to the sofa by Dong Xiaohui and the others. Zhu Xiaodao picked up a beer bottle, smashed the end, and, grinning cruelly, advanced on Chen Hao. “It’s been too long since I saw blood. I won’t be satisfied until I cripple you today.”

Ban Qianqian kept struggling, biting down hard on Dong Xiaohui’s arm, drawing tears of pain. Dong Xiaohui finally pried her off and, in anger, raised her hand to strike, but Zhu Xiaodao snapped, “Don’t hit her. Young Master Zhou will be here soon. If she’s disfigured, he won’t be pleased and I can’t answer for it.”

With that, Zhu Xiaodao continued toward Chen Hao, sneering, “I’ll geld you first—let’s see how it feels to watch your beautiful girlfriend be played by others, helpless.”

Chen Hao bitterly regretted not stopping Ban Qianqian from coming to the Diamond Club. Watching Zhu Xiaodao approach, he felt powerless. If he lost his manhood, he’d have no will to live. Worse, he feared for Ban Qianqian—if he died, she’d still be at their mercy; would their only reunion be in the afterlife, even with his memories of the future?

Suddenly, Ban Qianqian ceased struggling. Coldly, she said to Zhu Xiaodao, “If you hurt him, I’ll bite my tongue and end my life. I’ll do whatever you want, but you must let him go.”

Chen Hao’s heart ached; his eyes grew damp. He struggled with all his might—he would rather die than see Ban Qianqian harmed.

Zhu Xiaodao put down the broken bottle and said, “I’m almost jealous, you little brat. This beauty would do anything for you.” He turned to Ban Qianqian. “As long as you cooperate and keep Young Master Zhou happy, I’ll let him go.”

Ban Qianqian closed her eyes in agony, her petite body trembling as crystal tears streamed down her pale cheeks, breaking Chen Hao’s heart. All he could do was hope Wang Ying had received his message, that the police would come to the Diamond Club in time to save both him and Ban Qianqian.

Chen Hao was always thorough. While waiting in the corridor, he had prepared a message stating he was in room 818 at the Diamond Club and to call the police immediately upon receiving it. Of all his friends, he trusted Wang Ying the most—she always handled things rationally. When there was no response to Ban Qianqian’s call, he sent the message to Wang Ying before rushing into the private room.

Meanwhile, Zhu Xiaodao hurried to the VIP room to inform Zhou Shi that everything was settled—the virgins and even the girl's boyfriend were ready. He’d heard that Young Master Zhou had some twisted tastes and loved the thrill of taking a girl in front of her boyfriend. What could be more exciting?

Zhu Xiaodao’s gamble paid off. Hearing this, Zhou Shi stood up eagerly. “Let’s go see.”

The door to the private room opened. Zhu Xiaodao entered first. Chen Hao looked up just as Zhou Shi followed him in, and exclaimed in surprise, “Zhou Shi.”

Zhou Shi was equally astonished. “Chen Hao.”