Chapter 78: Heaven and Earth Destroy Those Who Do Not Act for Themselves

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Every Man for Himself

Jin Biao stood before the fallen lobby manager, his face dark with fury. "I told you to treat my distinguished guests properly, and you dare to put on airs and chase them away? Are you tired of living?"

The lobby manager, still dizzy from Jin Biao’s slap, was dumbfounded. How could he have known Jin Biao’s guests would be such unremarkable people? Jin Biao had only mentioned a man and a woman, not five guests. He had never imagined these were Jin Biao’s honored visitors.

But he dared not explain, only endured the burning pain on his face as he crawled up from the floor, apologizing profusely. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I deserve to die. I was blind, I didn’t know you were Jin Biao’s guests. I deserve to die!"

Jin Biao glanced at Xu Yun out of the corner of his eye; seeing that Xu Yun’s anger was not yet appeased, he promptly kicked the manager, sending him flying several meters. The female attendants were so frightened their legs turned to jelly.

Even then, no one dared step forward to intervene. Everyone working at the International Grand Hotel knew Jin Biao—a man even their boss wouldn’t dare provoke.

"Enough," Xu Yun said, knowing Jin Biao was waiting for his word. The lesson should suffice.

Jin Biao spat contemptuously at the manager. "I’ll tell your boss later—you’re done here! Can’t even handle the simplest task of recognizing important guests, and you call yourself a manager? Get out!"

The battered manager pleaded desperately, "Brother Biao, please, I admit my mistake, I apologize, I deserve to die! Please, don’t let the boss fire me, let me keep my job!"

Jin Biao couldn’t care less about his job or whether he’d have food to eat. "Too late! Get out now!"

"That’s enough," Ruan Qingshuang finally spoke up, unable to bear seeing someone forced into a corner without a way out.

Jin Biao paused, looking at this gentle woman who had suddenly asserted herself, and found himself admiring her.

Originally, Xu Yun had intended to ignore the fate of the manager, but since Ruan Qingshuang spoke, he wouldn’t stand aside. "Jin Biao, since Sister Shuang has said so, don’t go overboard."

Jin Biao was surprised, though he didn’t know why Xu Yun deferred to Ruan Qingshuang, he complied. "Today, for Sister Shuang’s sake, I’ll let you off. Consider yourself lucky!"

"Thank you! Thank you, Brother Biao! Thank you, Sister Shuang!" The manager nearly bowed in gratitude, terrified not only of being fired, but also of his boss learning he’d offended Jin Biao—he might never work in Hedong again.

As they passed by him, Xu Yun remarked, "The customer is king. As someone in the service industry, you should understand this. Don’t look down on people. Anyone who comes here—even an old scavenger buying a bun—deserves a smile. That’s basic professionalism."

Once Jin Biao led the group out of the manager’s sight, the man finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Jin Biao, after I beat you up so badly, you’re not here to throw a feast of vengeance, are you?" Xu Yun finally addressed him.

Jin Biao hurried to explain, "Don’t say that, brother. I’m broad-minded. We only met after a fight. As your elder brother, I burned down your shop that day, so today I must make amends."

"Jin Biao, don’t think you can do as you please just because your cousin has your back," Qin Wan’er said coldly.

Truth be told, Jin Biao hadn’t expected Xu Yun to bring the police, but he kept his composure. "Officer Qin, we’ll all be family from now on, no need to be so hostile. If you ever need Jin Biao, just say the word."

Qin Wan’er turned away, thinking, "Who’s family with you?"

"Jin Biao, since I dared to come, I know what you mean," Xu Yun smiled. "But if you try any tricks, I won’t be patient."

Jin Biao replied, "Brother, you’re mistaken. I’m hosting today to apologize and to build bridges. Ma Pinghai from the north and Wu Lei from the west both want to meet Sister Shuang, the woman who’s taken the southern second district by storm." He boasted, "To have you all here is a great honor for me."

Xu Yun snorted dismissively. "If you have something to say, say it directly. Sister Shuang doesn’t like roundabout talk."

Jin Biao’s mouth twitched; though dissatisfied, he held back his temper. If Han Xin could endure humiliation, Jin Biao could learn patience today.

The Hedong International Grand Hotel was no mere name; its decor was dazzling, with the most luxurious private rooms fitted with crystal chandeliers shining like stars, rich hardwood floors, and massive rosewood tables and chairs worth a fortune.

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei were smoking inside. When they saw Jin Biao arrive with his guests, they stood to greet them, astonished that he brought five people, family in tow.

Xu Yun let Ruan Qingshuang enter first; she smiled politely at the strangers but said nothing.

He followed, quickly sizing up the two men—each reigning over their territory. Unlike Jin Biao’s brashness, one was shrewd and calculating, the other modest and cautious.

Qiu Yan and Guo Guo came in next. Xu Yun immediately noticed the shrewd man’s expression change dramatically, his pupils widening.

That must be Ma Pinghai.

Xu Yun could also guess why Ma Pinghai reacted so strongly to Qiu Yan and Guo Guo; he must know something. Perhaps Red Scorpion’s contacts in Hedong City were through him.

Xu Yun trusted the cab driver, Feng Wei, wouldn’t have lied under threat, so he was certain Red Scorpion was connected to Ma Pinghai.

Sweat beaded on Ma Pinghai’s forehead; his anxiety and excitement were hidden deep, but the subtle changes betrayed the crafty old fox.

"Hmph, so this is it—a gathering of Hedong’s underworld bosses," Qin Wan’er said coldly as she entered last. "I shouldn’t have come today."

Qin Wan’er’s reputation had spread throughout Wenhui District and Hedong City. Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei had seen her photo in the papers and heard tales of her crushing the southern underworld. They never expected to meet her in such a setting.

This resolved their puzzlement over how a woman could rise so quickly in the southern second district; it wasn’t just expert support, but also police backing.

"Since we’re all here, let’s eat," Guo Guo said, unconcerned, boldly dragging Qin Wan’er further inside.

Ma Pinghai’s gaze never left Guo Guo, his expressions subtle yet varied—Xu Yun found it fascinating to watch.

"Not going to introduce us?" Xu Yun prompted.

Jin Biao obliged, gesturing to Ruan Qingshuang for Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei. "Now you see her in person—the legendary Sister Shuang of the south. She’s united Wenhui and Hongnan districts in just a few weeks!"

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei both greeted her, "Sister Shuang, a pleasure!"

Neither man was convinced; they thought, if they had police protection, they wouldn’t lose to a woman. Their rise to power had been anything but easy.

"This is Ma Pinghai, the northern boss," Jin Biao said, giving a thumbs-up, then pointed to Wu Lei. "Don’t let his youth fool you—he’s the top figure in the west."

By introducing these two, Jin Biao wanted Ruan Qingshuang and Xu Yun to realize that Hedong’s underworld wasn’t so easily moved; the division of power wouldn’t change overnight. Better to stay in the south.

Ruan Qingshuang had never seen such a scene. The thugs she’d encountered were only at the level of the South City Three Tigers. Now she faced true kingpins, and was at a loss for words.

"Youth can’t compare to Sister Shuang," Wu Lei laughed awkwardly. The woman before him was only twenty-six or seven, and he couldn’t see what made her capable of ruling the south.

Whatever the case, Wu Lei decided to play it by ear—whichever side looked stronger, he’d join. Being a turncoat wasn’t shameful; survival was key. He was sure Jin Biao and Ma Pinghai each had their own schemes. In these times, every man for himself!

Ma Pinghai, meanwhile, was distracted; his attention was not on Ruan Qingshuang, but wandered, repeatedly settling on Guo Guo and Qiu Yan, each time his eyes flashing with excitement.

How could Ma Pinghai not be pleased? He’d shown Jin Biao and Wu Lei the photos, but Jin Biao had tossed them aside. Now the people themselves were delivered to him. All he had to do was inform the person living at his house, and Jin Biao would be in trouble too.

Initially, Ma Pinghai had wanted to turn on Jin Biao, ally with Ruan Qingshuang, and unite north and south to recruit Wu Lei, then destroy Jin Biao together. But now, with the mighty man poised to act, both the south and east would be leaderless—he and Wu Lei could split the city, and the mighty man might even help him, making Wu Lei no match. He could unify Hedong.

No one in history had ever ruled all of Hedong’s underworld. The thought that he might achieve it made Ma Pinghai secretly smile.

But all of Ma Pinghai’s subtle expressions did not escape Xu Yun’s notice; he observed every reaction. Qiu Yan also sensed something was off—each time Ma Pinghai’s gaze fell on her or Guo Guo, she felt uneasy.

Now, Qiu Yan’s mind was fixed on one terrifying thought—regardless of whether her instincts were correct, she wouldn’t let Ma Pinghai survive the night. Her sixth sense told her he was dangerous and must die.

Jin Biao proceeded to introduce everyone, revealing Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei’s identities to the group.