Chapter 20: Underground Ring

“Sorry,” I said softly to Ye Ying.

“It’s fine. Let’s go.” She kept walking.

“Where are we going now?”

“Zero Bar… taking you to meet someone…”

“Bar? Who?” I asked, puzzled.

“You’ll know when we get there… Taxi!” She hailed a cab at the roadside.

“…”

“You’re paying!”

“Uh!”

Ye Ying and I took a taxi to a luxury shopping mall. Across from it was a bar. The bar was different from what I imagined—its sign wasn’t flashy like others; instead, the words ‘Zero Bar’ were written in a classical style.

If not for the word ‘bar’, I’d have thought it was a café…

“That one?” I pointed.

“Mm, let’s go.” Her voice was soft. I felt her attitude had improved a bit after our chat about Xian’er.

“Are you sure?” Across the road, I could clearly see a group of people in front of the bar. Some were squatting, some standing, smoking, drunk—all ages. They were chatting loudly, occasionally dropping f-bombs. Obviously a bunch of thugs.

If I were alone, they’d probably just glare at me. No big deal.

But with Ye Ying, a pretty young college girl, I sensed trouble. Today she wasn’t wearing her usual queen outfit—she had on ordinary sandals instead of heels, and a simple long dress instead of her form-fitting pants.

With her stunning beauty and that pure, natural black straight hair, she was a deadly weapon!

“Hehe, you took down the city karate champion. Afraid of a few thugs?” She seemed to read my mind and teased me with a smile.

Then she started crossing the street.

That smile caught me off guard! So beautiful! Even if I got beaten to death, I’d protect her! Though she often bullied and tricked me, that was a beauty’s privilege.

I quickly followed, afraid someone would harass her—though I doubted anyone could.

Sure enough, the moment she reached the bar entrance, the thugs’ eyes lit up!

Whistles erupted.

“Hey, little sister alone? Want big brother to keep you company?” A bald thug blocked her way, flirting.

“Hey! Baldie, don’t cut in line. I saw her first.”

“Hehe, this chick is fresh.”

“Top-notch!”

Ye Ying had been smiling while chatting with me, but now her gaze turned cold.

“Oh, that look—kinda feisty.”

“Nice~”

Her eyes grew colder. Bad news. I quickly squeezed in, grabbed her wrist, pulled her behind me, and shielded her.

“Hey! Who are you?”

“What’s your problem? Looking for a beating?” Seeing some kid pull the girl away, the thugs all started yelling.

Ye Ying, pulled behind me, looked at my hand on her wrist. Surprisingly, she didn’t shake it off. Her expression softened a bit, and she watched me, lost in thought, saying nothing.

But I didn’t notice.

“I’m saving you guys!” I said earnestly to the thugs.

“What? Kid, you asking for a beating?” The bald one pointed at me angrily.

“Tch, I’m not afraid even if all you trash come at once.” I grinned arrogantly.

“Damn it! Brothers, get him! Beat him till his own mother won’t recognize him!” the bald guy roared.

“What’s all the noise!” Just then, the bar door opened.

“Brother Bin!” the bald guy called out.

“Brother Bin!” the thugs echoed.

“What’s the ruckus?” A man in a black suit stepped out. He was clearly the leader—unlike those shady thugs, he seemed like a real gangster.

“Boss! This kid is causing trouble in front of the bar!” the bald one accused first.

“Huh? Do you know whose turf this is? Daring to cause… Ah! Miss Ye!” The suit man had been shouting at me, but when he saw Ye Ying behind me, he was startled!

“Long time no see, Xiao Bin. You’re a big shot now, huh? Quite impressive!” Ye Ying smiled at him from behind me.

That smile—I knew it well. A smile hiding a knife.

“I wouldn’t dare.” Xiao Bin actually bowed to us.

“Is Han Xiao here?” Ye Ying continued.

“Brother Han is inside.”

“Let’s go, Xiaobai.” Ye Ying turned to me, still stunned, and led me inside.

“Allow me to escort you,” Xiao Bin offered.

“No need.” As Ye Ying passed him, she patted his shoulder. “Keep up the good work.” She was totally acting like a boss.

Then Ye Ying and I successfully entered.

“Brother Bin? Who are they?” the bald thug asked, his gang still in shock.

Xiao Bin expressionlessly undid his suit button, then suddenly threw a right hook at the bald guy’s face!

“Pfft!” The bald man was sent flying, his jaw dislocated, a few teeth flying out.

“Who is she? I’m your boss’s boss. Do you know who my boss Han Xiao’s boss is?” Xiao Bin roared, then kicked the bald man repeatedly. The other thugs didn’t dare help—they knew who Brother Bin was.

“f*cking hell! What are you looking at? Get lost!” Exhausted from beating, he shouted at the thugs. They immediately helped the half-dead bald man and fled.

“Phew.” He took a deep breath.

Once they were gone, Xiao Bin pulled open his white shirt at the shoulder. The whole shoulder was swollen—purple and red!

That was where Ye Ying had patted him.

“Terrifying woman,” he muttered with a bitter smile.

Inside the bar, Ye Ying pulled me through the frenzied crowd toward the back.

At the end, there was a room guarded by two men in suits. Ye Ying ignored them and pushed the door open.

“Only you would dare push open my door like that, Ye Ying.”

The room looked like a movie set for a mob boss’s office—a huge luxurious desk, a man in a suit sitting in the middle. But the boss wasn’t the old man I’d imagined. He was young, around twenty-five, with silver hair. Handsome, no doubt—a sharp cold face, imposing without anger, full of presence. Very masculine in his suit!

“I need to talk to you.”

“… You two, leave and close the door,” Han Xiao said to the guards.

“Yes!” They withdrew and shut the door.

“Miss, what’s up now?” Unlike his cool demeanor in front of his underlings, he relaxed a bit, though his face remained cold.

“Introducing a partner to you.” Ye Ying pointed at me.

“Huh? This is?” Han Xiao looked at me with a cold face.

Guess his handsome face comes with a permanent cold expression…

“Hello, I’m Li Xiaobai.”

“Han Xiao.” He still answered coldly.

“He’s our new partner. I found him to replace Xiao Wu,” Ye Ying explained.

“Uh.” He was startled.

“…” I clearly saw him shiver when he heard the name Xiao Wu—only for a moment, but I caught it.

Clearly, he’d also been tricked by Xiao Wu before.

“Why are you looking for me today?” But he quickly recovered.

“Underground boxing match. Sign me up,” Ye Ying said with a light laugh.

“Sign up? Him? Sure, right away.” Han Xiao agreed instantly, still with a cold face, but I sensed a hint of delight!

“Don’t you… want to ask my opinion?” I weakly interjected.

“Follow me.” Ignoring me, Han Xiao stood up, opened the door, and led the way.

“Let’s go,” Ye Ying said equally dismissively, following him.

Felt like boarding a pirate ship… Being tricked again…

We stopped at another room. Han Xiao opened it—inside was an elevator!

We entered. He pressed a basement button, and the elevator descended.

“Ding.” The doors opened.

A wave of human heat hit us! Ear-splitting cheers and shouts!

The underground venue was packed!

In the center was a boxing ring enclosed in a steel cage!

Two boxers were fighting—fist to flesh, fist to blood, no mercy! Muscles colliding!

“Welcome to my playground.”

Han Xiao turned and said, still expressionless, but his tone revealed his excitement. Ye Ying was unfazed—probably not her first time. As for me…

Scared shitless! No doubt about it—I’d been tricked again!

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