Chapter 132 Gift

Chapter 132: A Gift

The Haicheng Chamber of Commerce hosted another banquet, a night where luminaries gathered and glasses clinked.

Jiang Luo arrived, too, in a white shirt with sequined embellishments. His unbuttoned stand-up collar revealed a metallic chain, and a diamond bracelet glittered on his wrist under the lights. Coupled with a face so handsome it drew gasps from all who saw it, his mere appearance instantly turned heads throughout the hall.

This time, Jiang Luo was quickly recognized—his "Buy clothes, find Shengfei" advertisement was simply too popular. Nowadays, Fang Linjun’s ad posters adorned every street and alley in Haicheng.

Within local business circles, news had already spread that Jiang Luo had expanded his business nationwide, all thanks to a female celebrity and a single advertisement.

"Chairman Jiang."

"Young Master Jiang."

Soon, many people in the hall approached, forming a circle around Jiang Luo.

Others gathered at the banquet noticed and began to chat:

"That advertisement—is there anyone with a TV who hasn't seen it by now?"

"Quite impressive. With just one ad, he’s put his brand on the map."

"Is it the advertisement that’s so effective?"

"You can't just say that. If he weren't capable, how would a clothing factory owner know to build a downstream brand? How many factory owners these days even think about creating their own brand and advertising? He’s the exception."

...

"Hey, isn’t that young Chairman Jiang from the pharmaceutical industry? Why are they heading over too?"

...

The "Chairman Jiang" they referred to was the husband of Zheng Bin’s sister and his family.

Jiang Luo’s connection with them naturally stemmed from Zheng Bin.

Moreover, ever since Zheng Bin started spending time with Jiang Luo, he had cut ties with the dubious characters he used to associate with in Haicheng and had stopped gambling.

Zheng Bin’s sister and brother-in-law, delighted by his transformation, had specifically asked Zheng Bin to invite Jiang Luo over. That’s how they became acquainted.

At the Chamber of Commerce banquet that day, Zheng Bin’s brother-in-law, young Chairman Jiang, happened to be there. He made a point to approach Jiang Luo, greeting him warmly and introducing him to various figures in the Chamber of Commerce, as Jiang Luo was unfamiliar with the circle. A group gathered around, engaged in lively conversation.

It was clear to everyone that Shengfei’s advertisement had taken off like wildfire, allowing Jiang Luo to expand his business nationwide. He was undeniably a rising star in the business world, with a boundless future ahead.

Naturally, many people came over to network and chat.

Even Chairman Qiu invited Jiang Luo to the sofa, where they sat and talked for a while.

In the eyes of others, Jiang Luo truly embodied youthful ambition and remarkable talent.

Jiang Luo left the banquet very late that night, his pockets stuffed with business cards.

As he walked, the breeze ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead. He descended the steps unhurriedly, exuding an air of casual ease, composure, and confident swagger, as if he were a young master from a prominent family.

Then, he entered a Mercedes-Benz—a rare model seldom seen nowadays—complete with a driver. Another car followed behind. Anyone who witnessed this scene would surely marvel at his affluence.

"Is the garment business really that profitable?" someone couldn't help but murmur.

Another speculated, "His family must be wealthy too."

"Didn't you hear? Someone just called him Young Master Jiang."

"Jiang? Which Jiang? What does his family actually do?"

"Hey, I heard his father is some leader in Pudong?"

"How do you know that?"

"Just heard it. The official himself admitted it and even asked Chairman Qiu and others to look out for his son."

"Really?"

...

Jiang Luo had indeed been in high spirits lately—his company’s financials were excellent, with money flowing in like a river.

Jiang Luo hosted a dinner, and You Junyu made a special trip, flying from Shenzhen to Haicheng. Along with Wang Chuang and Zheng Bin, the four of them went out to party.

The Haicheng of the wealthy was entirely different from that of ordinary people.

Take the Bund, for example—the row of European-style buildings stood resplendent and golden. Especially at night, when the lights came on, it revealed its true, glitzy, decadent face.

Jiang Luo’s meal alone cost over ten thousand yuan.

In a private VIP room, they enjoyed delicacies like seafood and bird's nest soup—dishes ordinary people could only dream of—along with song and dance performances for entertainment.

At one point, a magician performed, and both Wang Chuang and You Junyu crowded around to watch.

Jiang Luo, lounging in his chair, had just gotten off the phone with Huo Zongzhuo when Zheng Bin dragged a chair over and said, "Hey, remember that guy we saw at the Chamber banquet earlier—the overweight guy who kept handing out business cards?"

"Yeah, what about him?"

Jiang Luo remembered the man.

Zheng Bin: "He hit me up too, asking me to invest."

Jiang Luo naturally asked, "In what?"

Zheng Bin: "Computers."

Jiang Luo was taken aback.

Zheng Bin: "When you have time, I’ll bring him along. You can give me some advice, okay?"

Having spent more time with Jiang Luo, Zheng Bin had been influenced and developed a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit.

He didn’t know how to do business himself—he lacked the skill and was too lazy—but he had money, his sister had money, and his father had money. So, he wanted to try investing and make money without lifting a finger.

Zheng Bin had no one else to turn to for advice, so he sought out Jiang Luo.

Jiang Luo didn’t take it too seriously but didn’t refuse either. He agreed, "Sure, when I have time."

Zheng Bin urged further, "Let’s invest together. You’ve got money now—you’ve made so much."

Jiang Luo saw right through him and chuckled, "You’re just afraid of losing your investment and want to pull me in with you, aren’t you?"

Zheng Bin: "So, will you?"

Jiang Luo: "Let's check it out first. If the project's solid, we can invest."

Zheng Bin was delighted: "Bro, you're the man!"

Over there, having seen something in the magic show, Wang Chuang and You Junyu started hollering in unison, shouting and making a commotion.

At the same time, the door opened, and the manager led two waiters carrying a huge crab on a bed of crushed ice, entering the private room.

Later, after finishing the meal and leaving the restaurant, they got into their car at the entrance. Many out-of-town tourists strolling near the Bund—men and women, old and young—couldn't help but glance at Jiang Luo.

They were looking at a car they had never seen before.

They were looking at a strikingly handsome figure who clearly belonged to a different world.

They watched as that figure called over three other young men, got into the car together, and then the sleek, streamlined sedan drove away slowly under the dazzling, intoxicating lights.

Jiang Luo and the others went to a nightclub next, booked a large VIP room, and went in to sing, drink, and play cards.

Wang Junqing, along with Lao San and Lao Si, were waiting outside the VIP room.

The manager recognized Jiang Luo and was familiar with Wang Junqing and the others, so he knew better than to keep them waiting. He had chairs brought over, along with a small round table set with drinks and snacks.

So Lao San and Lao Si waited outside, snacking and drinking cola.

Inside the VIP room, Jiang Luo was already pretty drunk.

He was playing cards with Zheng Bin and You Junyu. Those two ganged up to cheat, and Jiang Luo lost several rounds in a row, and had to down several drinks as a result.

"Get lost."

Jiang Luo laughed and scolded: "Can't beat me fair and square, so you gang up on me right under my nose? Have you no shame?"

Zheng Bin, holding a hand of cards, leaned over to look at You Junyu’s hand and said smugly, shaking his head: "No shame, no shame at all."

"Straight!"

You Junyu played his cards, laying down "5, 6, 7, 9, 10, J, K." He simply pulled the missing "8" and "Q" from Zheng Bin’s hand, slammed them on the table, and gloated, asking Jiang Luo: "Want it?"

Jiang Luo found it amusing and cursed at them: "Partners in crime. No."

"You lose!"

You Junyu threw the remaining cards on the table: "Full house!"

There were only two 10s and two 3s on the table.

The missing 10, You Junyu had again pulled from Zheng Bin’s hand.

Jiang Luo laughed so hard his shoulders shook, cursing: "Fuck your grandpa."

"Drink! Drink!"

You Junyu and Zheng Bin shouted.

Wang Chuang handed over the drink: "Come on, brother, don’t you get it? They’re trying to get you drunk."

"Drunk so they can screw you."

You Junyu's words were venomous.

Jiang Luo took the glass, snorted a laugh: "Screw me? Dream on. Maybe in the next life."

Jiang Luo needed to use the restroom. When he stepped out of the VIP room, the hallway was shaking from the booming music of the dance floor.

Only Lao Si was at the door. Seeing him, he lifted his cola can in a silent question. Jiang Luo waved a hand to say he was okay and headed toward the restroom on his own, loosening his collar as he walked. His steps were noticeably unsteady.

Jiang Luo had just entered the restroom at the end of the hallway when, shortly after, Wang Junqing returned from taking a call, and Lao San also returned after fetching cola.

When Wang Junqing came back, he instinctively asked: "Has Mr. Jiang come out?"

"He did," Lao Si said, munching on sunflower seeds and gesturing toward the other end of the hallway. "He went to the restroom."

Wang Junqing glanced at him: "Why didn’t you follow him?"

Saying this, he headed toward the restroom.

At the men’s restroom at the end of the hallway, he pushed the door open and went in. There was no one at the sinks or the urinals.

"Mr. Jiang?" Wang Junqing called out, walking further in to check the stalls.

To his surprise, all the stalls were empty—the restroom was completely empty!

"Mr. Jiang!"

Wang Junqing’s instincts screamed that something was wrong. His face tightened instantly, and he quickly checked every corner of the restroom. Still no one.

Upon a more careful search, he noticed an inconspicuous dark door in one corner. Pushing it open, it led to a narrow alley outside, but aside from a trash can, the alley was empty.

Not good!

Wang Junqing rushed back, ran to the VIP room, and pushed the door open. As expected, Jiang Luo was not inside.

"Search for him!"

Wang Junqing, his expression grave, stepped out of the VIP room and immediately called for Lao San and Lao Si.

How could this happen?

Lao Si’s face also darkened.

Huo Zongzhuo was driving back to Wukang Road when his mobile phone rang. It was Xue Zhizhong calling, asking where he was and if he could come to a hotel on a certain street.

"What's up?" Huo Zongzhuo asked directly, driving with the mobile phone pressed to his ear.

"I've got something special for you. Think you could..." Xue Zhizhong didn’t elaborate, hinting without saying more.

Huo Zongzhuo understood—Xue Zhizhong was once again making an "offering" to him.

Meeting at a hotel led Huo Zongzhuo to suspect that Xue Zhizhong might have prepared something like a valuable painting that couldn’t be handed over directly—Xue Zhizhong had previously mentioned giving him a painting he'd bought at auction.

He thought it over, considering that Jiang Luo was out having fun with friends and likely wouldn’t be home until late. Having time, Huo Zongzhuo said: "Alright, I’ll come over."

He hung up. Huo Zongzhuo turned the steering wheel at the intersection and made a U-turn.

Arriving at the hotel, Huo Zongzhuo picked up the room key that had been prepared for him at the front desk, then took the elevator upstairs.

Room 1236. On reaching his floor, Huo Zongzhuo headed toward Room 36.

He arrived, swiped the card—a beep—and pushed the door open, stepping inside.

As he walked into the suite’s living room, Huo Zongzhuo was still wondering what exactly Xue Zhizhong had arranged for him when his cell phone rang.

Answering the call as he moved further into the room, Huo Zongzhuo heard Wang Junqing’s voice on the other end: “Mr. Huo, Jiang Luo is missing.” At the same moment, he looked up and caught sight of Jiang Luo’s figure lying on the bed.

Jiang Luo?

As Huo Zongzhuo held the phone to his ear, his heart sank. He realized almost instantly what Xue Zhizhong had really gotten for him tonight.

“He’s with me.”

Huo Zongzhuo said coolly, hung up the phone, tossed the phone aside, and strode quickly toward the bed.