Chapter 197 - 159: Louwailou Restaurant

"...You mean to say?" Yang Youqian picked up on the implication. His mind reeled for a moment, but then his eyes filled with understanding.

Indeed. With both the captain and vice-captain compromised, it would be stranger if the Second Special Operations Team... didn’t have problems as a whole.

He’d only managed to climb the ranks because he was a commoner from the urban renewal district. He had relied on raw power, slowly growing stronger, to claw his way into this position. Because of his origins, he never saw eye-to-eye with the captain and vice-captain, and their relationship was strained—which was precisely why, under these special circumstances, he had been handpicked for a promotion by Captain Huo.

"So, what’s our next move?" Secretary Zhang asked, his brow furrowed in deliberation.

"Follow me," Chu Bamboo said, striding toward the main entrance.

Secretary Zhang instinctively glanced at Yang Youqian, only to find that the man didn’t even look back. He was already following Chu Bamboo... as if on a subconscious level, he trusted him implicitly.

"..." ’What else can I do?’ Secretary Zhang sighed to himself and followed along.

...

Joy Street.

Louwailou Restaurant.

The building was a magnificent, imposing structure, its layers of upturned eaves and interlocking brackets stacked one on top of the other. Every carving was exquisitely complex, whispering tales of countless romantic escapades.

By now, the sky had taken on the chill of evening. The towering, vermilion doors stood wide open, flanked by high-hanging lanterns whose flickering candlelight revealed a scene of sheer opulence.

Secretary Zhang had changed into a white traditional jacket and was wearing sunglasses. Though his face was fixed in its usual smile, there was an undeniable awkwardness about him.

After all, the moment he stepped inside, the gorgeously dressed women soliciting patrons had swarmed him like sharks smelling blood, giggling sweetly as their hands began to grope and wander... He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

’It wasn’t that he’d never been to Louwailou Restaurant before, but this was official business!’

’And standing right next to me is the chosen prodigy of his generation, the one favored by Huo Gong himself!’

What if this prodigy happened to mention this during his next meeting with Huo Gong... The very thought made Secretary Zhang’s heart stop.

If the circumstances had been different, he would have loved to give each of these dazzling women a good kick and send them packing.

And another thing...

Secretary Zhang stiffly pushed away yet another probing hand and glanced over at Chu Bamboo, who stood completely unbothered, his powerful aura keeping everyone at a distance. A retort was stuck in his throat, but he had no idea how to even begin voicing it.

’Why are they all over me but not Chu Bamboo? If they’d just drag him into this mess, I could finally relax a little!’

But... why?!

’Clearly, Chu Bamboo is far more charismatic, so why are they only targeting me...? Is it just because of my disposition?’

’But my status isn’t low either! Is the difference in our auras really that huge?’ Secretary Zhang felt his pride sting.

As for Yang Youqian, he stood silently beside Chu Bamboo like a guardian statue. Between his murderous aura, his menacing muscles, his less-than-refined features, and the fact that he didn’t look like he had any money, no courtesan dared to approach him.

"Well, well, look who we have here!" With a coquettish laugh, the Madam, a woman in her forties smelling of rouge and powder, sidled up to Secretary Zhang. "Sir, it’s been quite some time since you’ve..."

"We’re on official business! Official business!" Secretary Zhang hastily cut the Madam off. How could he dare get into a long chat with her now? He shot a cautious glance at Chu Bamboo, his back already drenched in sweat.

"Private Room Eighty-Seven." Chu Bamboo looked at the Madam, his eyes narrowing as he spoke abruptly. "We want to book Private Room Eighty-Seven."

The Madam froze, looking at Chu Bamboo with hesitation. "This... young sir! Well, you see, I don’t think we have a Private Room Eighty-Seven. No, no... it’s not that it’s occupied, we simply don’t have one!"

"You can go ask Xu Yao. She knows the details," Chu Bamboo said, his expression perfectly calm.

Shock and suspicion flickered across the Madam’s face. She shot a cautious glance at Secretary Zhang, who nodded gravely. "What are you looking at me for? Just do as this gentleman says!"

The Madam’s heart skipped a beat. She knew who Secretary Zhang was... Louwailou Restaurant had a reputation to uphold: no matter a client’s identity, they were sworn to absolute secrecy...

This was part of the reason their business was so successful. But for someone to make a man like him act this way... this... who was this young scion?

’No, no, considering Secretary Zhang’s identity... could this young man... be a Huo?!’

At this thought, the Madam’s attitude instantly became far more respectful and reserved. "I’ll go right now! Right away... Also!"

The Madam then swept a dark gaze over the surrounding women. ’What a useless bunch. They’ve likely just run into a Young Master Huo, and they actually ignored him?’

’Damn them! Damn them all to hell. If they could just manage to ensnare this potential Young Master Huo... wouldn’t the Jinghai City Police Chief Bureau become their patron? The implications were monumental!’

"I’ll deal with all of you later!" The Madam’s voice was practically squeezed through her gritted teeth. She waved her hand forcefully.

Instantly, panic flickered across the faces of the surrounding courtesans. Not daring to utter a word, their demeanor became reserved as they beat a hasty, flustered retreat.

Turning back to the group, the Madam plastered a smile back on her face and quickly excused herself.

...

「A moment later.」

A figure in a white silk dress approached. She was a woman with skin fairer than snow and a cool, aloof air, yet she also possessed a hint of delicate fragility that set her completely apart from the atmosphere of Louwailou Restaurant. She positioned herself near Chu Bamboo, a subtle, elegant fragrance wafting from her.

"My name is Ruo Xue. Sister Xu has sent me to guide our honored guests upstairs..."

Chu Bamboo raised an eyebrow and followed her. As they ascended the carved staircase, he could see the artfully arranged private rooms on the second and third floors.

The doors to the private rooms were crafted from precious wood and inlaid with an assortment of gems and pearls, projecting an air of unparalleled prestige.

The doors were shut tight, soundproofing the rooms and making it impossible to hear what was happening inside.

This extreme privacy was the primary reason why Secretary Zhang, and many other men of official standing, preferred to come here—

Compared to other brothels where patrons vied for the top courtesan, sometimes even coming to blows, Louwailou Restaurant exuded an elegance and discretion from top to bottom that seemed completely out of place... Everything was perfect, aside from the exorbitant prices.

For the officials of Daqian, simply satisfying their desires was enough. ’As for fighting and getting into jealous squabbles with other clients... what, you think your position is too secure? You must have a death wish!’

Soon, on the fourth floor, Chu Bamboo met Xu Yao. She appeared to be less than thirty years old, dressed in a magnificent red gown that flawlessly accentuated her voluptuous figure. With fiery red lips and bewitching eyes, her every gesture exuded a mature, captivating charm.

"Well, well, our young guest," Xu Yao’s voice dripped with a natural, innate allure. "And..."

"Let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we, Miss Xu?" Chu Bamboo said evenly. "After all, you’re the only official member of the Joyful Union Association in this entire Louwailou Restaurant, aren’t you? There might be a few others, but they’d just be considered unofficial personnel, right? The kind who don’t even know about super... ’Kung Fu’?"

"As someone whose duty is to gather intelligence for the Joyful Union Association, you must know who I am."

What a bombshell to drop right at the start.

Secretary Zhang’s eye twitched. He opened and closed his mouth several times, but no words came out.

’But... you... I... Holy fuck!’

Meanwhile, Yang Youqian’s body went taut in an instant, his gaze sharpening as he prepared to strike.

As for Ruo Xue, who stood beside Xu Yao after guiding them here, she was now trembling uncontrollably. She could no longer maintain her aloof composure, her face a mask of pure terror.

As an ordinary person, she was of course unaware of the Joyful Union Association’s connection to the Demonic Path—but even publicly, the Joyful Union Association was known as an evil cult suppressed by the government!

Ruo Xue had her suspicions, of course. After all, the connection between a brothel and the Hehuan Sect was practically an open secret. But for it to be exposed so bluntly, and by a group of what seemed to be high-ranking officials...

She couldn’t begin to imagine what would happen next.

"I... I don’t know what you’re talking about, young sir!" Xu Yao’s reaction was lightning-fast. Her face contorted in fear, her body trembled, but her performance was flawless from start to finish.

"Private Room Eighty-Seven." Chu Bamboo shot Xu Yao a cold glance. "Nothing else here is your concern. Don’t tip anyone off. Otherwise, I’ll have your Madam Lin over at Station One prepare herself."

At the mention of "Madam Lin," Xu Yao’s expression froze for a split second. It was a dead giveaway. And even though she instantly reverted to her previous look of frail terror, Secretary Zhang had already caught on, a playful and knowing glint appearing in his eyes.

"Since you’ve put it that way, what else can I possibly do?" Xu Yao dropped the stubborn denials, putting on a pitiful, wronged expression and starting to whimper as she moved to lead the way.

However, Chu Bamboo walked right past her, taking the lead.

Xu Yao: "?"

Before Xu Yao could even process what Chu Bamboo was up to, she watched him pick up his pace, weaving through a series of turns before expertly entering an empty corridor.

Without even looking, he gave a light tap to the wall at the end of the corridor, and it swung open to reveal a hidden passage. He moved with a familiarity that suggested he had been here countless times before.

Xu Yao: "..."

’Wait, you already know where Private Room Eighty-Seven is?!’

Xu Yao’s frail expression, so perfectly crafted to inspire pity in men, almost cracked. She was screaming internally... ’Then what did all my earlier hesitation and denial look like in his eyes? A joke?!!’

Chu Bamboo strode inside, sat down directly on a chair, and shot a look at Xu Yao. His voice held a clear warning. "I’ll repeat myself... Don’t do anything extra. Now get out."

Xu Yao was silent for a moment, then said timidly, "Should I have Ruo Xue come and keep you company...? You see, Ruo Xue is our newly chosen Snowflake Courtesan for the year, and she’s still a virgin. Normally, buying her freedom would cost a fortune, but you, sir, are so dashing, and Ruo Xue was smitten at first sight. We at Louwailou Restaurant aren’t like those cruel, tyrannical brothels. When true love blossoms, we’re willing to let them go... if you’d like!"

"Get out," Chu Bamboo’s voice took on an icy edge. ’I knew they had this strategy, but to claim they’d just let someone go because of ’love at first sight’... it’s laughable. To put it bluntly, it’s just a tactic to gift women to powerful officials they want to curry favor with, all under the guise of ’freedom’!’

’Only an idiot would fall for that! On the surface, it’s an elegant, high-class flesh trade. But on a deeper level, they wrap the sordid business in the trappings of ’true love.’ This strategy is certainly leagues above the other brothels out there.’

’No wonder the Hehuan Sect managed to build a top-tier establishment like Louwailou Restaurant... Ordinary brothels stood no chance against it. In terms of both operations and strategy, Louwailou was simply on another level!’