Chapter Thirty-Six: The Remarkable Mother and Daughter (Part Two)

After being scolded so harshly by Zhang Yiyi, Wang Kai was so exasperated he almost wanted to end his own life.

“I’d love to talk about backbone, I’d love to play the rascal to the end, and I really did behave like that in the past—but you’ve brought the army here! How do you expect anyone to survive that?”

Wang Kai had some connections in Yanjing, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to run such a big establishment in such a chaotic place. On his way here, he’d called a few people, and all of them had promised to help. But after waiting almost the whole day, not a single person had called him back. He’d just phoned the local precinct chief, hoping the police would take over the case. That bastard brushed him off with a couple of words and then hung up on him.

At times like this, who would dare to get involved?

“Madam, this really is just a misunderstanding. I was at home resting tonight. Who could have expected your daughter to encounter something like this here? Of course, it’s still my responsibility. I failed to ensure proper security at the club, and I didn’t protect my guests. I apologize. I sincerely apologize to your daughter.”

Wang Kai turned to Wang Jiujiu, smiling as he asked, “Miss, what kind of car do you like? I saw a red Mercedes SLS AMG at the auto show the other day—it has those gullwing doors young people love. How about I have it delivered to your school tomorrow?”

Although the sports car cost over three million, Wang Kai thought it was worth it if it could settle the matter perfectly.

He didn’t expect Wang Jiujiu to shake her head. She pointed at the security manager and said, “I find your security measures here very strange. When someone led a group to attack us, your staff—rather than stepping in to resolve the conflict or calling the police—just stood by and watched. Then, when my friend knocked out that thug, they jumped out and accused us of making trouble and demanded the police handle it. What’s that about? Do you think we’re easy targets? Or are those thugs all your friends?”

“I—I really didn’t know about this,” Wang Kai said, his face twisted in misery. He turned and shouted, “Li Ming, get over here!”

“Mr. Wang,” Li Ming approached, trembling. Ever since he’d found out who these people were, he knew things wouldn’t end well for him.

“Is what this young lady said true?” Wang Kai pointed at Wang Jiujiu.

Li Ming wanted to deny it, but seeing Wang Kai’s look, he quickly nodded, “Yes. At the time, I—”

“You didn’t realize I have the power to shut this place down, did you?” Wang Jiujiu added with a cold laugh.

Smack!

Wang Kai slapped Li Ming across the face and cursed, “Useless! Business is business—every guest is to be treated fairly. Why did you take sides?”

“Sorry, boss. Because the ones fighting were my friends,” Li Ming confessed through clenched teeth. He knew someone would have to take the fall for this. Now that the boss had picked him, he could only hope for compensation later.

“Your friends? Just because they’re your friends, you let them do whatever they want? Why would I hire a lackey like you? Get your things and get out, you’re fired. Don’t bother coming back,” Wang Kai said with disgust.

“Yes, yes, thank you, boss, thank you. I’ll leave right now,” Li Ming stammered, bowing repeatedly before fleeing.

Only then did Wang Kai turn to Zhang Yiyi, plastering on a smile. “My apologies. Who would have thought it was an inside job? This was a failure of judgment on my part—I'm to blame. However you wish to handle it, Madam, I’ll comply without reservation.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Zhang Yiyi waved her hand. “You put on quite the show with that performance. That slap was real, too—far more entertaining than what you see on TV. Very satisfying. Let’s just call it even.”

“How can I let it go so easily? Just give me an address and I’ll send the car over. This whole mess was my fault, and I really do think that Mercedes would suit the young lady’s style,” Wang Kai replied, beaming.

“No need. Our little Jiu isn’t meant for that kind of luxury. She feels extravagant enough just taking a cab. I wouldn’t dare let her drive something so flashy—besides, even I’ve never driven one,” Zhang Yiyi laughed.

“No problem. I’ll send two over. Madam—”

“Are you done yet? I said no, so it’s no. And if you call me Madam again, I’ll lose my temper. Madam, my foot—do I look that old to you?” Zhang Yiyi snapped, pointing at him.

“Oh, sorry, my mistake, my mistake. A slip of the tongue. You’re—Miss is very young and beautiful,” Wang Kai stammered, knowing better than to offend her.

“Jiujiu, let’s go,” Zhang Yiyi called gracefully, clutching her purse.

Wang Jiujiu gave Qin Luo a wry smile. “Let’s go, Teacher Qin.”

Having a mother like this was truly mortifying.

“Teacher Qin?” Zhang Yiyi suddenly turned, her eyes sweeping appraisingly over Qin Luo, her voice suddenly soft and sweet. “Oh my, so you’re Teacher Qin? I’ve heard Jiu talk about you so many times—she says you’re handsome, a wonderful teacher, kind-hearted, witty—”

“Can you talk normally?” Wang Jiujiu stamped her foot in embarrassment.

Zhang Yiyi shot her a glare and whispered, “What do you know? I just want to get on good terms with my future son-in-law.”

“Even if you do, you don’t have to act like this. You’re a grown woman—why pretend to be so young?”

“You brat, do you want me to sew your mouth shut? Who’s old? I’m still young! Don’t forget, last time we went out, someone thought I was your sister—”

“You—” Afraid her mother would say something inappropriate in front of Qin Luo, Wang Jiujiu quickly interrupted, “Alright, nothing’s wrong here. You should head home. Gao Shen, send my mom back. I’ll go back to school with Teacher Qin.”

“Jiujiu, I might need to report back to the chief,” Gao Shen said with a forced smile. He didn’t dare be alone with her mother.

“You can report after you see her home.”

Gao Shen had no choice but to agree, looking utterly miserable.

“Oh, come on, why leave so early? It’s rare for everyone to get together. Come, Xiao Qin—no, Teacher Qin, let’s sit and chat a while. Haha, how’s our little Jiu doing?”

“She’s doing well. Shows a lot of potential in her studies,” Qin Luo replied, bewildered by the woman’s odd behavior.

“Oh? And besides studies?”

“Everything else is good, too,” Qin Luo laughed, even more confused.

“That’s wonderful. Our Jiu is just like me—beautiful, gentle, and kind. You two should get along well in the future.”

“Mm, we will,” Qin Luo nodded. “And how’s your health? Jiujiu mentioned you haven’t been well.”

“My health? Oh, my Jiu is so thoughtful. I always thought she didn’t care about her mom, but it turns out she even told her teacher about my headaches these last couple of days,” Zhang Yiyi said, surprised and delighted.

“Headaches?” Qin Luo asked, puzzled.

Wang Jiujiu panicked, signaling her mother desperately, clutching her stomach and pulling a pained face.

“Ah, right. Actually, besides headaches, my stomach hasn’t been feeling well either,” Zhang Yiyi said, flashing her daughter an OK sign.

Wang Jiujiu frantically waved her hands, indicating that wasn’t it.

Zhang Yiyi grew anxious and pulled her daughter over. “You brat, what illness did you tell them I had?”

“—Gynecological problems.”

“Gynecological?” Zhang Yiyi exploded, swinging her purse at Wang Jiujiu’s head. “You wretched child, of all the illnesses, you had to pick that one for me? If I’d known, I never would have given birth to you.”

Wang Jiujiu ducked and ran. “It was urgent! Who had time to think? What’s wrong with a gynecological problem? It’s still a health issue!”

The two of them began bickering and scuffling on the spot, leaving the three men nearby gaping in astonishment.

“Are these two really the chief’s family? They don’t look it. Have I been duped?” Wang Kai wondered.

Catching a glimpse of Qin Luo’s expression, Wang Jiujiu suddenly stopped and shouted, “Composure! Mind your composure!”

Zhang Yiyi realized they weren’t at home, hurriedly smoothed her hair, and said sweetly, “Don’t mind us, everyone. Jiujiu and I are just playing around. Haha, we’ve always been this close.”

“Not at all, not at all, we don’t mind,” the men said, waving their hands awkwardly.

Zhang Yiyi sat beside Qin Luo and said warmly, “Teacher Qin, being a teacher is tough. You need to take care of your health. Come by our house whenever you have time—I’ll make you some soup.”

“Can you even cook?” Wang Jiujiu sneered.

“You brat, can’t you keep quiet for once? Do you want me to sew your mouth shut?” Zhang Yiyi shot back, but restrained herself for the sake of appearances in front of Qin Luo.

“I will. Thank you,” Qin Luo replied with a smile.

“Alright then. Jiujiu, please see her back to school. Gao Shen, let’s go,” Zhang Yiyi called.

“Oh,” Gao Shen emerged from the corner, looking glum.

“Haha, let me see you out,” Wang Kai said quickly, following after Zhang Yiyi with a cheerful face.

He’d expected the issue to be hard to resolve, but this woman had let it go so easily. He was overjoyed.

But as for Tao Ran, it would be difficult to get him out of this. Oh well, everyone has their own ways—let them fend for themselves.

Anyone who offends people at this level deserves what’s coming to them.

“Oh, by the way,” Zhang Yiyi suddenly turned back at the entrance of the Golden Palm, as if she’d just remembered something.

“Is there anything else, Chief?” Wang Kai said with a smile. Since he couldn’t call her ‘Madam’ or ‘Miss,’ he settled on ‘Chief.’

“Gao Shen, have this place closed down tomorrow,” Zhang Yiyi instructed.

“Yes, ma’am. Consider it done,” Gao Shen replied with a grin.

Wang Kai collapsed onto the ground, utterly miserable.