Chapter 9 Feast at Hongmen

Gao Xiaoming slumped in the car seat, playing a mobile game while cursing aloud:

“Who the hell does he think he is? He should count his blessings that I’m even willing to be his assistant! That bastard actually had the nerve to request a different assistant—fuck!”

Cao Jian, who was acting as the driver, turned the steering wheel and said, “Ming-ge, I really owe you an apology for this, but I was just too pissed. What kind of status do you have, and what does he have? He has no right to boss you around like that.”

He added, “I was just mad and wanted to stir the pot a bit and ruin his reputation so he’d be kicked out of the industry. Then you could find a real A-list actor to follow. Give it a year or two, and you’ll be a legit agent.”

Even though deep down he believed Gao Xiaoming was such a dumbass that he didn’t even qualify to be an extra’s assistant, that didn’t stop him from buttering him up.

Gao Xiaoming gave a cold laugh and said, “What you’ve done is nothing. Online gossip and rumors are vague at best—limited impact. Just watch. I’m going to ruin him today.”

Cao Jian replied, “Damn right. When it comes to dirty tricks, no one beats you, Ming-ge.”

Not long after, Xia Xiangyang called and said they didn’t need to make a detour to pick him up from the film studio—he’d catch a ride with a friend.

Cao Jian said nervously, “Ming-ge, you don’t think he’s bringing backup, do you? Trying to embarrass us?”

Gao Xiaoming sneered, “You’re giving him too much credit. He’s always putting on that honest and kind-hearted image—he’d never pull a stunt like that. Watch and see—once you apologize to his face, he’ll immediately act like everything was his fault and keep repeating, ‘It’s fine, it’s fine.’”

“Besides, he doesn’t really know anyone on Prince Regent. What friends could he have? Most likely it’s just Wang Youde. We’ll take care of that old geezer while we’re at it.”

Cao Jian said excitedly, “Ming-ge, you’re a genius! With your smarts, you shouldn’t be some manager—you should be a CEO!”

Gao Xiaoming replied, “Fuck off.”

He cursed on the surface, but inside, he was smug and content.

His uncle had only two daughters and had always treated Gao Xiaoming better than his own kids. When he graduated and entered the company, his uncle told him to work hard—the company would be his one day.

He might not be a CEO yet, but a seat on the board of directors was already a done deal.

---

Meanwhile

Xia Xiangyang and Wang Youde had gotten into Ji Hanzhang’s car. Once they were seated, Ji Hanzhang mentioned that he wasn’t feeling well and would rest for a bit, then leaned back and closed his eyes.

Xia Xiangyang and Wang Youde sat in the back row.

Wang Youde gave exaggerated winks and glanced at Xia Xiangyang: When did you get so tight with Ji the Movie King? Look at you, landing a dinner with him!

Xia Xiangyang, slightly guessing his meaning, winked back: I have no idea.

Wang Youde kept signaling with his eyes: Ji Movie King isn’t feeling well, and you still managed to get him to come to dinner? What kind of spell did you use on him?

Xia Xiangyang winked back: If he’s sick, why would he still come to dinner with us? I’m honestly freaking out right now!

Even though Ji Hanzhang had told them to make themselves comfortable and Xiao Zhang was quietly speaking with the driver, his overwhelming presence filled the cramped vehicle. Both Xia Xiangyang and Wang Youde felt the terror of being dominated by the “Prince Regent” himself.

They didn’t dare speak a word the entire ride.

About half an hour later, they arrived at Siyu Alley.

Xia Xiangyang saw the company’s van already parked outside the restaurant Color Feast and said, “Looks like they’re here.”

The van had been assigned to him by the company, but most of the time, it was used by Gao Xiaoming.

Xia Xiangyang spent most of the year on set and rarely needed the car. As long as it didn’t interfere with schedules, he didn’t mind who used it. Besides, even if he did mind, it wouldn’t change anything.

Ji Hanzhang glanced at the restaurant’s flamboyant sign that read “Color Feast” and said, “You two go ahead. I just remembered I have an important call to make.”

Xia Xiangyang hesitated slightly and said, “Okay. The private room is called Shi Se (Food & Color).”

Even as he said it, something felt off.

Why did the name of this restaurant’s private room sound… so improper?

Would Movie King Ji think he was some kind of sleaze?

But it was too late to change anything. Xia Xiangyang could only brace himself and say, “We’ll go in first, then. You go ahead and make your call.”

Ji Hanzhang nodded.

After Xia Xiangyang and Wang Youde entered the restaurant, Xiao Zhang couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t we book a congee place?”

Ji Hanzhang raised his eyes slightly and said, “The congee shop is close by. Once we’re done here, we’ll go over. The porridge should be ready by then.”

Xiao Zhang: “Huh?!”

Just then, a business van pulled into the adjacent parking space. Several heavily made-up, scantily dressed women got out and immediately began chattering.

“This gig’s so easy. Just take a few photos and get paid.”

“This restaurant looks fancy. You think they’ll let us in?”

“Pfft, the boss already made arrangements. Just say we’re guests in the Shi Se room. He even arranged a lounge for us—told us to wait for the message before going into the private room.”

“I’ve heard of this place before. One of my girlfriends has worked with them. They only want young and pretty girls to entertain rich and powerful men.”

“They doing sex work?”

“No shit. Would you say no for that kind of money? It’s thousands, even tens of thousands for one night.”

“Damn, that’s easy money.”

The women weren’t speaking loudly, but the two cars were parked close enough for their conversation to be heard clearly.

As they strutted into Color Feast, Xiao Zhang’s eyes widened in shock, jaw practically dropping: “Th-those women are…? No way, right? But Xia-laoshi said the private room is called Shi Se… this, this, this…”

What the hell was going on?!

Their Ji Movie King was a paragon of virtue, an untouchable flower on a high mountain peak! Could that shameless Xia Xiangyang be trying to drag him into a prostitution scandal?!

Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!

“Teacher Ji, maybe we should just go to the congee place now? If Hui-ge finds out about this, he’s going to kill me.”

Xiao Zhang was referring to Ji Hanzhang’s manager, Deng Wenhui.

Ji Hanzhang pulled out his phone and dialed a number: “Let’s do a good deed first.”

The call connected quickly.

Under Xiao Zhang’s stunned gaze, Ji Hanzhang spoke calmly and gently: “Hello, I’d like to report a crime.”

So he really did have an important call to make.

As always, law enforcement in Huaguo worked with astonishing speed. Within moments, multiple police cars came roaring down the street and quickly surrounded Color Feast.

A few minutes later, the same women were escorted out in handcuffs, along with the restaurant owner.

Just then, several people burst out of a car nearby with cameras, snapping photos like crazy.

The police officer shouted, “Who are you people? Do you realize you’re obstructing law enforcement?!”

The lead officer, a lean man with sharp eyes, squinted at the reporters and said, “Take these people in too!”

He gestured to one of his men, “Tell the team inside to check if any celebrities are among the guests.”

“Got it, boss.”

The officer waved him off and scanned the vehicles parked outside. His eyes landed on a pair of deep, calm eyes behind a half-open van window. He narrowed his gaze and stared at the man for a few seconds before turning away and shouting, “Let’s go!”

The police sirens faded into the distance. Despite the winter chill, Xiao Zhang was drenched in sweat from fear.

“I thought they were going to arrest us too.”

Ji Hanzhang glanced at him and said calmly, “Let’s go.”

---

A few minutes earlier, in the Shi Se private room

Cao Jian, smiling ingratiatingly, said, “Mr. Xia, since Ji Movie King isn’t here yet, how about we have a drink first? I sincerely apologize. I messed up badly, posting nonsense online. Please don’t take it to heart. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

They had already spiked the alcohol. Gao Xiaoming had ordered him to do whatever it took to get Xia Xiangyang to drink it.

Xia Xiangyang smiled, “It wouldn’t be right to drink before our main guest arrives. I’ve already said it’s water under the bridge. Just be more careful with your words from now on.”

Gao Xiaoming thought Xia Xiangyang must be a moron. Ji Hanzhang was way out of his league—there’s no way he’d come to dinner just because Xia Xiangyang asked. He was probably just stringing him along.

Still, he went along with Cao Jian and added, “It’s just a drink. Once the toast is made, we can all move on and not have to waste Ji Movie King’s time rehashing this nonsense.”

Xia Xiangyang glanced at Gao Xiaoming.

If he hadn’t reminded himself to be cautious, he might not have suspected anything. But now… something felt off. Why were they so desperate for him to drink?

Cao Jian exchanged a look with Gao Xiaoming and said, “Mr. Xia, are you refusing to drink because you haven’t forgiven me, or because you’re not giving me face?”

Xia Xiangyang started to respond, “I’m not—”

At that moment, the private room door burst open with a bang. Two stern-faced police officers walked in and said, “Good evening. The restaurant is under suspicion of organizing and harboring prostitution. Please cooperate with our investigation.”

Gao Xiaoming’s first reaction was to look at Cao Jian and whisper, “Did you call the cops?!”

Cao Jian looked baffled, “No, I didn’t!”

Weren’t they supposed to wait until Xia Xiangyang had drunk the spiked wine and the girls had entered the room before calling the police?

Why the hell did they show up early?!