Chapter 10

The entrance to the club fell silent for a moment, and everyone instinctively stood straight. 

Sheng Changyu slowly ascended the steps. 

He was out for some leisure, dressed with a bit more care: dark striped dress pants, a light gray shirt, with the cuffs neatly in place. 

He was tall, and even in just a shirt and dress pants, there was a certain sternness, almost military-like, to his appearance. 

His features were sharp, his skin was dark, but his facial features were strikingly handsome, almost to perfection. 

Among the men present, except for those hiding in the shadows, none could compare to him. 

He gave a faint glance around. “Why are you all standing like this? Waiting for me to inspect you?” 

His words made everyone feel slightly embarrassed. They shifted a little but didn’t dare act recklessly. 

Sheng Changyu then looked at the lady who had just mocked Ning Zhen. “Do you have an issue with my wife?” 

The lady, Miss Su, the eighth daughter of the Su family, turned pale and trembled, wishing she could disappear into the wall. No longer arrogant, she stammered, “N-no, I wouldn’t dare, Governor.” 

“You better not,” Sheng Changyu’s lips tightened slightly, clearly displeased. 

Miss Su nearly knelt before him. “Governor, I deserve to die.” 

“You certainly do. Go die somewhere far away so you don’t dirty my sight. Now leave.” Sheng Changyu said. 

Miss Su’s legs trembled as she fled. 

Even the Su family members didn’t dare speak up for her. 

Ning Zhen noticed that these pampered sons of Sucheng, who were usually so arrogant, acted like mice avoiding a cat when faced with Sheng Changyu. 

It wasn’t just the Su family; even Ning Zhen’s brothers didn’t dare breathe too loudly at the moment. 

“My lady, please.” Sheng Changyu turned his steps and looked at Ning Zhen. 

It was as if they had arrived together, but Ning Zhen had just gotten there earlier. 

With such respect shown by Sheng Changyu in public, Ning Zhen gracefully accepted it. 

She even went a step further, holding his arm lightly, her smile faint but saying nothing. 

Sheng Changyu didn’t shake her off and led her into the club. 

The Ning family members:  

A man standing behind the Su family, his gaze unclear, looked at Ning Zhen and Sheng Changyu but remained silent. 

“Are you afraid of him?” the man asked Su Rong. 

Su Rong replied, “He’s the Governor. He has men and guns.” 

Hearing this, Ning Ce sneered. 

The Su family feared Sheng Changyu, and not just because he was the Governor. 

Back when Sheng Changyu and Su Qing’er were in love, he had developed a grudge against the Su family. 

The Su family had many descendants, but Su Qing’er wasn’t as cherished as Ning Zhen. In fact, she was often overlooked and mistreated at home. 

When Sheng Changyu found out, he went to the Su family and whipped her father. 

At that time, Su Qing’er’s father wasn’t yet the governor, but he was still an official appointed by the Northern City government. Furious, the Marshal imprisoned Sheng Changyu for half a month. 

That’s when the feud between Sheng Changyu and the Su family began. 

Even though Su Rong often used his sister as an excuse to mock the Ning family, he wasn’t a brother who truly cared for her. 

After the Marshal passed away, Sheng Changyu became the Governor, and no one dared to restrain him. The Su family avoided him like the plague. 

During Su Qing’er’s funeral, Sheng Changyu caused a huge commotion at the Su family home. 

There was a local custom that unmarried children could not be buried in the ancestral tomb unless they had a ghost marriage. 

The Su family had to either find a ghost husband for Su Qing’er or bury her elsewhere. 

When Sheng Changyu heard about this, he had the Su family’s ancestral tomb and shrine bombarded with cannons. 

The Su family eventually rebuilt the tomb and buried Su Qing’er in the best feng shui spot in the ancestral graveyard, and only then did Sheng Changyu stop. 

Thus, even though Su Qing’er had been the love of Sheng Changyu’s life, the Su family had gained nothing from it. Instead, they were constantly resented by him. 

If it had been someone else humiliating Ning Zhen today, Sheng Changyu probably wouldn’t have bothered to intervene. 

“What’s going on with Zhen’er?” Ning Yi, the second son of the Ning family, squeezed next to his eldest and third brothers. “Why did she leave with Sheng Changyu?” 

Both Ning Yian and Ning Ce frowned slightly. 

“Say something. Should we go save her?” Ning Yi asked again, “Should we go home and grab our weapons?” 

Ning Yian clicked his tongue and gave him a disdainful glance. 

Jin Nuan tugged at his sleeve. “You fool, she’s married to the Governor. What are you going to save her from?” 

Ning Yishen:  

Ning Yian pondered for a moment. “ Third brother, after you go in, find the Governor’s private room and go say hello.” 

Ning Ce: “Alright.” 

Ning Zhen and Sheng Changyu took the elevator to the fourth floor of the club, which was also the top floor. 

The top floor was reserved for distinguished guests, with four private rooms, each decorated in Baroque style, exuding luxury and sophistication. 

Amidst the lavishness, there was an unmistakable air of decadence and corruption. 

Ning Zhen was someone who could adapt to any situation and appreciate any style. 

At the door of the private room, Ning Zhen stopped. “Governor, thank you for earlier. I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ve arranged to meet my brothers in Room 3, right next door.” 

With that, she attempted to withdraw her hand from his arm. 

Sheng Changyu’s dark eyes narrowed, a sharp edge hidden beneath the calm exterior. “Abandoning me after crossing the river, Madam Sheng?” 

Ning Zhen: “I’m just afraid of intruding.” 

“Do you know how to play cards?” 

“Yes.” 

“How well?” Sheng Changyu asked again. 

Ning Zhen: “If it’s bridge, I can count cards. If I’m your partner, I can ensure you win all night.” 

Sheng Changyu gave a faint, ambiguous smile. 

“Come in.” He pushed open the door to the private room, inviting Ning Zhen inside. 

A man was sitting inside, smoking. A thin layer of smoke veiled his face, his pale complexion giving him the appearance of a statue. 

“Here already?” he said. 

Sheng Changyu introduced Ning Zhen. “This is Cheng Baisheng, a friend of mine.” 

Cheng Baisheng’s father worked in the military supply department, and he and Sheng Changyu were close friends. 

“Ning Zhen, you can call me Baisheng,” Cheng Baisheng said casually. 

He addressed her by name, not as “Madam.” 

Ning Zhen nodded politely. 

They sat down, and the club’s owner brought in four hostesses. 

Each woman was exceptionally beautiful, with alluring figures, holding intricate and mysterious masks. 

Sheng Changyu stood up and examined them one by one. 

Ning Zhen thought he was choosing one of the women, but instead, he selected a white fox mask. 

The mask was beautifully crafted, yet eerie, with ruby tears set beneath its eyes. 

“Everyone leave, I won’t need your services tonight,” Sheng Changyu ordered. 

He tossed the mask to Ning Zhen. “You promised me a win. If I lose even one game, you know the consequences.” 

Ning Zhen bit her lip slightly. 

“What’s wrong, unwilling to serve?” he asked, his tone casual yet teasing. 

Ning Zhen: “Not at all. I’m just concerned that with Mr. Cheng present, your guest must be quite important. I’m not sure I can manage.” 

“Just now, you were boasting. The Ning family always behaves like this—‘all show and no substance,’” Sheng Changyu’s dissatisfaction poured from his sharp gaze. 

Suppressing her anger, Ning Zhen calmly said, “If the Governor trusts me, I’ll give it a try.” 

She put on the mask. 

The blood tears fit perfectly beneath her eyes, revealing only her misty eyes and full red lips, making the mask appear both seductive and intense. 

Sheng Changyu glanced at her several times. 

Ning Zhen tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze, like a fox who had taken human form. 

There was a touch of enchantment about her. 

Sheng Changyu looked again at Cheng Baisheng. 

Cheng Baisheng gave a slight smile. 

Soon, their guest arrived, a German man. 

At the table, the conversation turned to arms deals, with Cheng Baisheng acting as the translator. 

Ning Zhen’s role was to deal cards and be part of the group. At critical moments, she let Sheng Changyu lose two rounds, which pleased the arms dealer. 

The negotiations went smoothly. 

They played cards until three in the morning. After arranging to meet at the consulate in three days, the German man took his leave. 

“It’s late. Let’s go get some midnight snacks,” Sheng Changyu said, pushing back his chair and stretching. 

Ning Zhen: ? 

Was she going too?