Chapter 172 – Xiao Yuan’s Dilemma

Chapter 172 - Xiao Yuan's Dilemma

In the northern district of the capital, there was an inconspicuous coffee shop named Tantan Coffee House. Through its glass door, one could see that despite its spacious interior, it was devoid of customers, with only a few listless employees yawning idly. A "Temporarily Closed" sign hung perpetually on the entrance.

No one knew how such a poorly operating business could survive for so long. Was the owner foolishly losing money?

Jiang Xiaoying led Tang Fei to this place. As soon as she pushed open the door, the attendant at the entrance, without even looking up, said, "Sorry, we're not open yet. Please come back later."

Jiang Xiaoying replied familiarly, "We're here to watch the motorcycle race."

The attendant lifted his head and handed Jiang Xiaoying a room card. "Room 78 on the third basement floor."

Tang Fei and Jiang Xiaoying entered the coffee shop and headed for the elevator. Jiang Xiaoying pressed the button for the third basement floor.

"Little Ying, why are we going to the third basement? Isn't that where the parking garage is?"

"Master, there's nobody upstairs in the coffee shop. Everyone goes to the basement floors. Our room, number 78, is on the third basement level. It's quite interesting here. You'll see soon enough."

With a sense of curiosity, Tang Fei followed Jiang Xiaoying down to the third basement floor, where they found their way to Room 78 among a row of numbered doors.

The entire wall of the room was transparent, offering a panoramic view of the expansive underground race track, complete with identical slopes and obstacles as in major competitions.

The blinding white ceiling lights illuminated the subterranean circuit not just adequately, but strikingly so.

Inside the room, there was a large sofa and a coffee table. On the left wall, climbing gears hung, while on the right, a grid of nine screens displayed race track footage, akin to surveillance cameras.

Each screen also featured brief profiles of the racers and their respective popularity ratings.

Opening the fridge, Tang Fei found an assortment of beverages and drinks.

"What a fantastic private space, Little Ying. How did you find this place? It's great." Tang Fei sat on the sofa, facing the enormous glass window that overlooked the track. The location struck a perfect balance between tranquility and excitement, making it an ideal spot for solitude.

This space was both intimate and innovative. Who would have imagined that amidst the quiet ambiance of a coffee house lay such a contrasting motorcycle race track?

The psychological contrast was intriguing.

This kind of experience suited them well as celebrities, who had few opportunities to let loose. Here, they could indulge without any worries.

If they want to make a scene, let them. If they want peace, they have it.

This place feels very secure.

"My dad brought me here before, and I even met the owner. He's great at riding motorcycles and has participated in races himself."

"Why hasn't Xiao Yuan arrived yet?" Jiang Xiaoying checked the time while flipping through the profiles of the racers on the coffee table. "These racers don't seem exceptional at all. It's rather dull."

"What's wrong? You're interested in this?" Tang Fei also opened the booklet, noticing that several of the racers had won world championships. "Aren't these people quite accomplished?"

"Master, when I mentioned qualifications, I was referring to appearance. I haven't come across a driver as handsome as Boss Tan. Today's batch doesn't compare."

"Uh..."

In that case, I admit defeat on this one!

I thought you were genuinely interested in motorcycle racing, but it turns out you're all about looks.

"Tang Fei, I'll give Xiao Yuan a nudge." Tang Fei sent a message to Xiao Yuan, who promptly replied with a location. It showed she was close to the coffee shop. Tang Fei responded, "Once you arrive, text 78 for the room number. Come down to the third basement floor."

Twenty minutes passed, and Xiao Yuan still hadn't arrived. Tang Fei asked her again, and Xiao Yuan sent her location once more. She was still at the same spot.

Tang Fei sensed something was off.

"Tang Fei, Xiao Yuan has been at the same location for twenty minutes. I'll send someone to check on her."

Jiang Xiaoying replied, "Isn't it close by? Can I accompany you? Nothing should go wrong, right?"

Tang Fei said, "Xing Le and Guan Mo are both outside. For safety's sake, I'll ask them to come along too."

The two of them got into Tang Fei's car, with Xing Le taking the wheel and following Xiao Yuan's location. In just three or four minutes, they reached their destination.

It was a rather secluded alley.

Xing Le drove in, and soon, they could hear clear signs of an argument.

Peering through the car window, they saw a red car stopped in the middle of the road, with two men causing a disturbance.

One man sat on the hood of the car, while another had opened the car door, grabbing hold of the driver's hand.

The driver who was caught was none other than Xiao Yuan.

The man pulling her said, "You still say you have no money. How can you drive a car if you don't have any? If you don't give us the money today, I'll beat you to death, you good-for-nothing girl."

Xiao Yuan retorted, "Don't you know if I have money or not? You've been holding onto my bank cards! The car is provided by the company; if you damage it, you'll have to pay for it.

I simply don't have any money, not even a penny."

Sitting in the front of the car, someone said, "That's still your responsibility to compensate. It has nothing to do with us."

The man holding Xiao Yuan said, "Didn't you accompany a wealthy local yesterday? Just a tiny fraction of what he gave you would be enough for us. What have we done wrong as your brothers? Now that you've made it big, you won't even lend a helping hand? You're just heartless, wanting to see us suffer while you enjoy your riches alone."

Xiao Yuan fought back fiercely, "Stop talking nonsense!"

"We all saw it. Didn't that wealthy local send you home? I even took pictures. Don't deny it now. If you don't give us the money, I'll sell those photos."

Xiao Yuan struggled and was forcefully pulled by her hair, making her look up. "Give me the photos!"

"Look at your lying mouth. Who would believe you're broke? If you pay, the photos will stay on my phone. But if you don't, be prepared for intimate pictures of you and this dead fatty to be all over tomorrow."

On this occasion, Tang Fei and Jiang Xiaoying didn't dare to show themselves. As celebrities, they were at a disadvantage against ruffians. If things escalated, they would be the ones suffering. Thus, only Xing Le and Guan Mo got out of the car.

Intent on winning favor with Tang Fei, Xing Le appeared before Xiao Yuan with great authority and righteousness.

He sternly yelled at her two brothers, "What are you doing?"

Guan Mo frowned, assessing the two men. Their well-groomed appearance suggested they weren't upstanding individuals. From the conversation he had overheard, these two were actually Xiao Yuan's brothers. How could such a lovely girl have such despicable brothers?

As an experienced sister protector, seeing Xiao Yuan's reddened arm from their grip and her obvious distress from having her hair pulled, Guan Mo felt that these two didn't deserve to be called brothers.

They were disgracing the bond of siblings!

His face darkened, and his fists clenched audibly. "Let her go!"

"It's a family matter, so I advise you not to meddle. No matter what happens, we're still family. Family business is none of outsiders' concern," the man in the front seat said, pointing at Xing Le and Guan Mo.

Xing Le tilted his head. "I'm bored, and I love getting involved in other people's affairs."

Guan Mo: "You're just an eyesore. I feel like cleaning up trash."

Xing Le lunged forward, kicking the person sitting on the hood diagonally. The individual tumbled off and rolled on the ground for several meters before managing to stand up.

Guan Mo approached, grabbing the fingers of the person clutching Xiao Yuan's hair and arm. He forcefully pried them open and then punched their nose, causing them to howl in pain and cover their nose.

Guan Mo disdainfully said, "A grown man bullying a sister? What kind of person are you?"

"Great, so your lover is here. Xiao Yuan, just wait for it. Your photos will be all over town tomorrow."

With those menacing words, the two men scrambled away, leaving Xiao Yuan slumped over the steering wheel with disheveled hair and a weary expression.

Once they were gone, Tang Fei and Jiang Xiaoying finally emerged. They looked at the disoriented Xiao Yuan, unsure of what to say.

Tang Fei approached and spoke softly, "Xiao Yuan, are you alright? Do you need us to take you back?"

"I'm not going back. Don't make me go back. I can stay anywhere. I don't want to return home or go back to the company."

Jiang Xiaoying and Tang Fei helped Xiao Yuan out of the car. Jiang Xiaoying suggested, "Let's head to the café instead. It'll be quieter there."

"Alright."

Xiao Yuan mused, thinking that as long as it wasn't back to the company or home, any destination would do.