Chapter 14: Rules Must Not Be Overstepped

Liu Qing’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Sister Hong, this guy caused trouble on our Black Rose turf, and he even dared to flaunt Sister Rose’s name to show off. Are you… sure you want to help him?”

Sister Hong pressed her lips together in a smile and replied, “He did it to save one of my people. I think I have no reason not to help him. I hope you’ll give me this favor, Brother Qing.”

“Heh… Is your favor really that valuable, Sister Hong?”

Sister Hong toyed with the jade ring on her finger and smiled calmly.

“Compared to you, Brother Qing, my favor is certainly worth little. Still, we all work under Sister Rose. Someday you may need my help.”

Director Du bellowed angrily, “Liu Qing, you can’t just agree so easily! What about my reputation?”

Liu Qing patted Director Du’s shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Director Du. You’re my friend. Here in Black Rose, nobody can push you around!”

With that, he turned to Sister Hong and snorted, “Sister Hong, it’s not that I won’t give you face. But my friend has been wronged! Unless you help him vent his anger, I can’t honor your request today!”

Sister Hong nodded with a smile. “You’re right. After all, it was my staff who didn’t take proper care. How about this, Brother Qing: I’ll send two girls to keep Director Du company as an apology, and also send you both two bottles of Romanee-Conti to help you cool off. How does that sound?”

Director Du grinned smugly, but he wasn’t satisfied. He folded his hands behind his back, raised his chin, and shot Sister Hong a sly glance. “No way! You think you can brush me off that easily?”

Sister Hong frowned slightly, displeased by his rudeness. Yet her composure prevented her from showing her anger, and she continued to smile. “Then what do you want, Director Du?”

Director Du rolled his eyes, snorted, and held up two fingers, waving them. “I don’t want much. Just two things!”

“First, I want that girl, Xiaoxue, to keep me company!”

Sister Hong’s expression turned cold. “That’s out of the question. Xiaoxue’s had a hard life. She’s only here to earn money for her mother’s medical bills, not to sell herself. I, Sister Hong, would never force my people into that.”

Seeing Sister Hong’s firm stance, Director Du considered briefly, then waved his hand. “Fine, then pick two other girls. But let’s be clear—I won’t pay a penny. You’re treating me!”

Sister Hong sighed gently. “That I can agree to.”

Director Du nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s more like it. As for my second demand…” He trailed off, then shot Ling Xiao a vicious glare and jabbed his finger at his face, shouting, “I want that kid to kneel and kowtow to me in apology!”

Sister Hong was momentarily stunned, then sighed. “Is there really no room for compromise? I could send you two extra bottles of wine—why do you have to treat him like this?”

Director Du sneered coldly. “That slap I took wasn’t for nothing! I’m telling you, today he either kneels, or I’ll have Liu Qing get his men to break his legs, so he’ll never walk again!”

Ling Xiao glanced at him indifferently. “You really have a death wish.”

Director Du spat. “Bah! You brat, you’re about to die and still try to act tough? Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? I, Director Du, could drown your whole family with a single piss!”

Ling Xiao shook his head. “Enough. Talking to an idiot like you is a waste of my time.”

“Fine! You refuse a toast and insist on punishment—seems like you’re set on dying!”

Xiaoxue was beside herself with worry, clutching Sister Hong’s hand. “Sister Hong, please, I beg you, save him! He did this all for me!”

Sister Hong couldn’t help but try to persuade him, “Kid, why don’t you just show a little humility and admit you were wrong? There’s no need to be so stubborn.”

Ling Xiao’s face was expressionless. “He… isn’t worthy.”

Liu Qing snorted coldly. “Well, aren’t you full of yourself! Think you’re somebody special? Men, seize him! Break his legs and let’s see how arrogant he is then!”

Xiaoxue’s tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with Sister Hong, but Sister Hong only shook her head, unwilling to say more.

She had already pleaded for Ling Xiao—it was Ling Xiao himself who didn’t know what was good for him. The young are often too hot-blooded; even if she saved him today, he’d land himself in trouble sooner or later. Sister Hong could no longer be bothered.

Just as Liu Qing’s men were about to make a move, a sharp voice rang out in the corridor.

“What are you all doing? Why are you crowding around the restroom door? Don’t you have work to do?”

Everyone was momentarily stunned. Liu Qing and Sister Hong immediately turned and bowed deeply.

“Sister Rose, what brings you down here?”

It was Black Rose herself. She had come down out of curiosity, having noticed Ling Xiao’s long absence. Unexpectedly, she found a crowd blocking the restroom door.

She frowned and asked, “What I do is none of your concern. But all of you, why are you gathered here?”

Before Sister Hong could reply, Liu Qing spoke up, “Reporting to Sister Rose, there’s a punk who hit one of our clients and refuses to apologize. I was just about to have the boys teach him a lesson!”

“A punk?”

Black Rose’s eyelid twitched, a sense of foreboding creeping over her.

“Take me to see him.”

“Yes!”

Liu Qing immediately brought Black Rose to the front of the group and pointed at Ling Xiao. “Sister Rose, it’s this brat!”

Heaven knows, the instant Black Rose saw Ling Xiao, her legs nearly gave out. Her entire back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

“Sister Rose, you’d best get back to your work. Things might get bloody here, and I wouldn’t want to offend your eyes.”

Black Rose swung her hand and slapped Liu Qing hard across the face.

“You idiot!”

Without a second thought, she hurried over to Ling Xiao, uncaring of the dirty floor, and knelt to kowtow before him.

“Please spare me, Young Master! It was my failure to discipline my subordinates that led to your disgrace. I deserve a thousand deaths!”

The corridor fell instantly silent. No one dared even to breathe. All eyes were fixed, wide and unblinking, on Ling Xiao.

This was the legendary Sister Rose of River City! How many people trembled at the mere mention of her name? In all of River City, she was one of the few who could walk anywhere unchallenged.

And yet, here she was, kneeling before an ordinary young man!

Worst of all, Liu Qing and his group had managed to offend Ling Xiao at just the wrong time.

Heavens—could their luck possibly be any worse?

At that moment, both Liu Qing and Director Du were left staring in utter shock and despair.