Chapter 054: Going with the Flow

“Another bottle, please”—this was a marketing strategy just beginning to catch on in beverage sales around 2002. Suited to the distinctive tastes of the Chinese market and the penchant of many for small bargains, this “Try Again for Another Bottle” gradually evolved into the best promotional tactic for all drinks in the years that followed.

But in the dim, ambiguous light of the bar, Lin Yu uttered the phrase, “Congratulations, try another bottle,” with such cold detachment that it sounded almost chilling. For Zhang Hongkai, whose head was already reeling from blows, it was nothing short of a dark, morbid joke.

And what was the answer to this riddle? Of course, it was Lin Yu himself.

“Stop! Lin Yu, just tell me how much you want for this bottle—I'll buy it!” Overwhelmed by the pressure, Zhang Hongkai instinctively reached for money as a solution.

He felt that tonight’s trouble was his doing, and Lin Yu would not let him off easily.

“Buy it with money?” Lin Yu halted Lian Jin, who was about to strike, and looked at the cowering Zhang Hongkai with interest.

Zhang, who had expected no mercy, was shocked to find that mentioning money actually bought him a chance to speak. Relieved, he thought, “No matter what, let me get through tonight first. Revenge can wait.”

“Lin Yu—no, Brother Yu—name your price. As long as I can afford it, I won’t bargain.” Sensing a glimmer of hope, Zhang Hongkai’s spirits lifted. “So long as money can solve it, it’s not really a problem,” he thought.

With that comforting thought, Zhang Hongkai, who had been slumping in defeat, unconsciously straightened his back.

“You want me to name it?” Lin Yu smiled. Now that he was in complete control of the scene, he spoke with such composure that every word made these spoiled rich kids tremble. Even this simple question made Zhang Hongkai shudder.

Ignoring the other’s pitiful nervousness, Lin Yu continued, “I can’t name a price, because I don’t know what your head is worth. You tell me.”

“Myself…?”

That stumped Zhang Hongkai. In his mind, his own head was priceless; how could he possibly put a value on it? He hesitated for a long while, unable to answer.

“Hit him!” Lin Yu gave a cold snort at Zhang’s indecision.

At the crisp but commanding order, Lian Jin immediately complied, swinging a bottle.

Smash!

Agh!

Two distinctly different sounds rang out almost simultaneously. The bar’s small space meant there was no lag between sight and sound, despite the difference in the speed of light and sound.

Receiving another heavy blow to the head, Zhang Hongkai was surprised to find he remained conscious.

“What’s going on?” he wondered awkwardly, glancing at Zhang Yang and Lin Lie collapsed on the floor. “These guys must be faking it. Two bottles to the head may draw blood, but it’s not like in the movies where you faint instantly like some damsel.”

Watching Zhang Hongkai’s pitiful yet resigned expression, everyone present couldn’t help but laugh. A few of the spoiled brats tried to hold back but failed; the laughter only made their heads throb more, their faces twisting in pain.

Sometimes, life is far more dramatic than fiction or film. Just an hour ago, these arrogant bullies had been in their element—now, each looked more wretched than the last. One could not help but recall the famous scene from “Flirting Scholar” and the classic line: “Who dares to be more miserable than I?”

Many in the room sighed at the unpredictable nature of life—not just ten years to the east of the river, ten years to the west, but changes that happen in the blink of an eye.

“Can you name your price now?” After teaching this gang a lesson, the fire in Lin Yu’s heart, stoked by the bullying of Zhang Zhilong, began to die down.

“Since Zhang Hongkai wants to settle this with money, and I happen to need some, why not give him a chance?” Deciding to extort a hefty sum, Lin Yu suddenly flashed a sly smile.

Utterly subdued, Zhang Hongkai’s heart skipped a beat. With a trembling hand, he raised one finger.

“A million? Too much. I don’t want it.” Lin Yu’s cold voice cut him off. “Ten thousand will do. No bargaining. After all, your family runs a hotel—this is nothing for you.”

“Ten thousand? Damn it! I was offering a thousand…” Zhang Hongkai silently wept inside. Ten thousand—that was his entire allowance for a year!

“Ah, better to survive this ordeal. If my head gets smashed, no amount of money will bring it back.” Zhang Hongkai sighed inwardly and nodded, his gaze dim.

“Don’t be too upset. This money is for my brother’s medical expenses.”

Never push too hard—a wise man always leaves room, lest the cornered dog leap over the wall. After intimidating them into paying ten thousand, Lin Yu quickly returned to his calm demeanor.

“Since you’ve agreed, pay up.” Lin Yu, tired of holding his gun in his left hand, switched to his right, pointing it at Zhang Hongkai.

A few in the room who knew guns noticed Lin Yu hadn’t even released the safety. They also realized he was carrying a standard police-issue pistol.

By coincidence, Zhang Yang and the others, planning to take advantage of Ye Ruoshui that night, had brought plenty of cash to smooth things over afterward. As a result, Lin Yu found it easy to collect ten thousand, which Zhang Hongkai handed over with both hands.

Though this wasn’t exactly a case of paying the culprit to avoid disaster, Lin Yu, upon receiving the money, decided to drop his plan to make these young masters kneel on broken glass.

He thought to himself, “Fleece the sheep for the cost of handling the sheep. This ten thousand will cover the aftermath. Who would have guessed I’d end up like General Huo Qubing, winning battles to fund more battles?”

After a moment’s silent reflection, Lin Yu surveyed the bar. Soon, he noticed Ye Ruoshui, half-collapsed on the sofa, her face flushed, fidgeting restlessly.

Clearly, the Spanish Fly in her drink was taking effect.

“Lian Jin, Ye Ruoshui drank wine laced with Spanish Fly. There are only two ways to counteract it: either she finds relief with a man, or she soaks in cold water for an hour. Otherwise, the fire inside will become unbearable. Now that things here are settled, go take care of her. Also, remember—if a girl spends too long in cold water, she might lose the ability to have children.”

Lin Yu addressed Lian Jin in an offhand tone. He did so partly because Lian Jin was useful, and partly because he could see Lian Jin cared for Ye Ruoshui, so he simply went along with it.

Hearing this, Lian Jin’s feelings became complicated—joy and anxiety flooding him as he hesitated, unsure what to do next.