He’d pawned the bracelet for 1,000 Oceans. After paying off his 880-Ocean debt, he had 120 left. Combined with the 5 Oceans he had on him, the total of 125 was certainly enough for a few more days of pleasure.
But that wasn’t what He Zhongchen cared about. He was focused on what Boss Huang had said.
"Boss Huang, have you lost your mind? Or are you looking down on me, He Zhongchen?"
"We’ve always settled up at the end of the month! And you’re bringing this up now?"
They had just settled this month’s bill two days ago. Logically, from that moment until the end of next month, he should be able to run a tab as he pleased.
Boss Huang still wore that punchable smile of his. "Young Master Chen, times have changed. Business is slow at my little shop. The Hall Master has ordered that no one is allowed to run a tab."
Of course, this was a blatant lie, targeted specifically at He Zhongchen.
The reason Boss Huang had managed a place like the Jinhua Building for so many years was his sharp eye for judging character.
By now, anyone with eyes could see that He Zhongchen no longer had any standing with the old master of the He Family.
As for the He Family’s flour mill business, it was now completely managed by the eldest son, He Zhongpeng, who had returned from the Western World.
And why was that? Old Master He wasn’t a fool.
He’d known for a long time that his second son was secretly siphoning money from the flour mill for his opium habit.
He Zhongpeng found out as well. After discussing it, the father and son decided to cut off He Zhongchen’s funds completely, only providing for his basic needs at home.
So, naturally, Boss Huang wasn’t about to extend credit to a pauper. If he couldn’t collect the debt, he’d be in for a miserable end.
Slowly, the smile on Boss Huang’s face vanished, replaced by a sinister expression.
"Young Master Chen, you’ve spent a total of three hundred Oceans these last two days."
He Zhongchen’s eyes bulged. "What? Why is it so expensive? I’ve only been here two days! And I only had a few pipes!"
Boss Huang said coldly, "The price of opium and girls has gone up recently."
"You—!"
He Zhongchen’s face flushed bright red. He wasn’t a fool; he knew he was being extorted.
Boss Huang ignored his fury, his gaze falling directly on He Zhongchen’s wrist.
An exquisite gold watch was fastened there.
Boss Huang narrowed his eyes, a smile returning to his face. "Young Master Chen, if you don’t have enough money..."
He paused before continuing slowly, "That gold watch of yours... I’d say it’s worth a hundred-odd Oceans."
「Night fell.」 The wedding at the He residence soon concluded. Lu Yun and his party returned to the Lu Family home, while the He Family estate remained brightly lit.
In the He Family’s main hall, the brothers He Xin Town and He Xinli sat drinking, their faces flushed.
Several plates of snacks sat on the table, and two or three wine jugs were already empty.
He Xinli took another large swallow from his cup and said excitedly, "Brother! With the backing of a powerhouse like the Lu Family, our He Family has finally cemented its place in Yun Port City! Hahaha!"
"That rascal Zhong Peng sure is lucky! How’d he manage to find such a wonderful wife!"
Seeing the envy on his younger brother’s face, He Xin Town couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "Hahaha!"
"Ah Li, don’t say that. That rascal Zhong Peng just stumbled into some good fortune."
But despite his words, the smug pride on his face was impossible to hide.
Just then, a staggering figure stumbled in from outside.
He Zhongchen took three steps and swayed twice, cursing under his breath as he shoved aside a few servants who weren’t quick enough to get out of his way.
His face was puffy in the way of someone who’d had his fill of opium, his eyes were bloodshot, and he radiated an indescribable aura of malice.
When He Xin Town saw the ghastly state he was in, the smile on his face slowly vanished.
"You defiant whelp! Where have you been for the past two days?"
"Today was your older brother’s wedding day, and you, his own brother, didn’t even show up?!"
He Zhongchen froze at his words. He raised his head and stared at his father.
The flames of jealousy in his bloodshot eyes instantly incinerated his last shred of reason.
’Gone for two days, and my "dear" father doesn’t even ask where I’ve been. The first thing out of his mouth is my older brother’s wedding.’
’Older brother... Older brother... It’s always about my older brother!’
He Zhongchen’s chest began to heave violently as he spat out a question: "Where did those two wretches go?"
The moment he said it, He Xin Town froze. Beside him, He Xinli was equally stunned.
He Xin Town was the first to react. He shot to his feet, roaring in fury, "He Zhongchen! What are you talking about? Kneel!"
As He Zhongchen’s second uncle, He Xinli sat frozen, his face ashen, not saying a word.
At the same time, he and He Xin Town were silently relieved. Thankfully, the newlyweds, He Zhongpeng and Lu Nianshu, had already moved into their newly built Western-style villa for the night. They hadn’t heard the animal’s vile words.
He Zhongchen looked at his father’s furious face and suddenly laughed. "You want me to shut up? You’re not worthy of being my father!"
As he spoke, his hand shot into his coat. He pulled out a gun and aimed the dark, gaping muzzle at He Xin Town.
He Xin Town’s eyes widened in shock. Beside him, He Xinli’s body went taut.
A gunshot shattered the silence of the spacious hall. The bullet went wide, striking the table to He Xin Town’s right and leaving a scorched hole.
From years of opium abuse, He Zhongchen’s hands trembled so badly he couldn’t even line up the sights.
But he was already raising the gun for a second shot!
In that instant, He Xinli moved. He closed the distance in a flash, appearing right in front of He Zhongchen!
As the captain of the regional guard, He Xinli had trained in martial arts since childhood. He was a genuine master of the Anjin Realm!

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