Chapter 108: Hidden Blades in Words
Du Dahai stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray: "Mr. Bai, do we really have to pay this money?"
"I’ll say it again, it’s only right to repay debts. Besides, I’ve already given a 50% discount, that’s showing a lot of respect to you, Mr. Du!" Bai Shishi still refused to back down.
In truth, Bai Shishi was terribly afraid of provoking Du Dahai, the smiling tiger.
But Lin Tian’s words were fresh in her mind.
They clearly indicated to her that Du Dahai had his reservations, so she dared to provoke him with her words.
"Fine, since Mr. Bai insists I repay the money, then I, Du, have a few words to say today!"
Du Dahai downed a glass: "What about the incident with your femme fatale Mei Ruyan smashing up my bar last time?"
"And she injured my man Da Xiong, isn’t this something Mr. Bai should address?"
"What about your guy Qingtian last night, spewing lewd words at me and even calling people to hit me?"
"What? Do Mr. Du’s men like flirting with beauties when they see them? If rejected, they resort to force?"
"As for the matter between Mei Ruyan and Da Xiong, that’s between the two of them. Doesn’t Mr. Du know that Da Xiong admires Mei Ruyan?"
"But Mei Ruyan only likes women, you’re aware of that, aren’t you?"
Bai Shishi’s words perfectly explained the conflict between Da Xiong and Mei Ruyan.
At the same time, they took the upper hand: your men, Du Dahai, are bold, even daring to mess with me.
If flirting fails, they bring people over?
How do you manage your men, Du Dahai?
These seemingly simple words were actually coated with sharp edges.
Makes Du Dahai feel as uncomfortable as he’s eaten something foul.
Holding it in for a long time, Du Dahai nodded: "Alright, let’s put the matter between Da Xiong and Mei Ruyan aside for now!"
"I’ve learned all about Qingtian’s situation. It’s his fault; even if you killed him, I wouldn’t say anything!"
"Moreover, I already punished him yesterday, so let’s consider that matter settled!"
"If there’s anything else Mr. Bai is dissatisfied with, I’ll call Qingtian over right now and leave it to your discretion!"
Du Dahai pounded the table, looking resolute.
Bai Shishi smiled slightly: "No need for that, after all, he’s under Mr. Du’s command, and you’ve already disciplined him. If I hold a grudge, wouldn’t that make me seem petty?"
"Mr. Bai, I’ve also remembered the words you passed on!"
"But I have a question!"
"I’ve always wanted to ask Mr. Bai!"
Suddenly, Du Dahai shifted his conversational direction.
"Ask!" Bai Shishi said.
"Who exactly is this perfect student, Lin Tian?"
"Could Mr. Bai inform me a little?"
Du Dahai raised his glass, proactively toasting Bai Shishi.
"Indeed, after all this back-and-forth, it still comes back to the perfect student, Lin Tian."
Bai Shishi and Lin Tian almost simultaneously had this thought.
"Haha!" Bai Shishi displayed a mysterious smile.
"Mr. Du, it’s better not to ask about this perfect student. I’m only thinking of your good!" Bai Shishi intentionally dangled the mystery.
This really made Du Dahai anxious.
It’s like reading a novel written by Wuxiang Charcoal Egg, getting really into it, and suddenly it’s gone.
Almost makes you want to beat the author up.
"Mr. Bai, since this perfect student Lin Tian is so formidable, why not meet each other? I’ll arrange a dinner meeting, what do you think?" Du Dahai was still relentless.
All the seemingly useful talk with Bai Shishi was fundamentally to probe into the mystery of the perfect student Lin Tian.
"Mr. Du, Lin Tian isn’t on the same path as us!"
"I’m a woman, so he bears me no ill will, but you are a man, so it’s different!"
"I honestly have Mr. Du’s best interests at heart, that’s why I won’t introduce you to him!"
"Haven’t you heard, the more you know, the sooner you die?"
Bai Shishi threatened Du Dahai with jovial words.
The more mysterious the talk, the deeper Du Dahai’s frown grew.
"Not on the same path as us!" Du Dahai murmured to himself.
Although Bai Shishi didn’t reveal any information about the perfect student Lin Tian.
Du Dahai was still quick to catch the crucial information from Bai Shishi’s words.
Not on the same path?
What path are Du Dahai and Bai Shishi on?
To put it nicely, they are bosses of tea houses and entertainment clubs.
To put it bluntly, they are underground faction leaders.
Gang heads, that’s the path they’re on.
Being on a different path means that this perfect student Lin Tian doesn’t belong in our trade.
Listening to Qingtian, Lin Tian couldn’t possibly be a desk worker or a company boss.
Worker, farmer, businesspeople, student.
Worker, farmer, businessman, student.
Since it’s not among these four.
Then there’s only one possibility.
Officialdom.
Only someone with significant power wouldn’t even consider us.
This is the only answer that fits this perfect student narrative.
Seeing Du Dahai silent and thoughtful, sitting there pondering.
To alleviate the slight awkwardness, Bai Shishi offered another toast: "Mr. Du, since we’re here to drink, let’s keep our glasses full and have a drink!"
"Alright, drink up!" Since Bai Shishi offered an out, Du Dahai graciously accepted.
A bottle of liquor was quickly consumed.
Bai Shishi was already slightly tipsy, while Du Dahai remained unfazed.
After all, when it comes to drinking, men can usually hold their liquor better.
Seeing Bai Shishi slightly inebriated, Du Dahai came up with a plan: "They say truth comes out after drinking, maybe after getting Bai Shishi drunk, I can find out more about Lin Tian!"
"Miss Bai, come, let’s have another bottle!" Du Dahai produced another bottle of Maotai and opened it.
Bai Shishi was rubbing her temples with her right hand, clearly feeling the effects of alcohol, having drunk quite a bit.
"Mr. Du, no more for me, I’m feeling dizzy!" Bai Shishi refused aloud.
"Come on, I heard Mr. Bai is as good at drinking as men!"
"Since we’ve resolved the misunderstanding today, I’m happy, let’s just have two bottles, nothing more!" Du Dahai saw an opening and kept persuading her to drink.
"Resolved the misunderstanding?" Though Bai Shishi seemed slightly drunk, inside she was perfectly clear.
"Mr. Du, if you give me the money for the IOU, we’ll stay out of each other’s business in the future, and I’ll drink this bottle today!" Bai Shishi said dazedly.
"The whole bottle?" Du Dahai asked, holding up the Maotai.
"Sure!" Bai Shishi nodded: "At worst, I’ll just get drunk!"
Bai Shishi was so straightforward, and Du Dahai didn’t dilly-dally: "Someone, bring a pen!"
The waiter came in with a pen and handed it to Du Dahai.
Du Dahai took out a check from his pocket and quickly wrote on it with the pen.
Finished, he tore the check.
"Thirty-two million, not a penny more or less!" Du Dahai pressed the check under the bottle of Maotai on the table.
The meaning was clear: finish this bottle of Maotai, take the money, and consider the misunderstanding resolved.
From now on, they’d stay out of each other’s affairs.
With her head low and hand shielding her face, Bai Shishi’s mouth showed a fleeting smile...