Reservoir Dogs chapter 72
Jiang Wenhao
“What now? Did you call him here to take your place?” He balled up the inhibitor patch and threw it away, turning to Chen Jin with a malicious grin.
Chen Jin lifted his head, his hair soaked and sticking to his face. His cheeks were swollen, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth, indicating he’d been slapped multiple times. He looked pitiful as he lowered his gaze. “Second Young Master, it was my fault for not recognizing who you are. I made a mistake. He’s just here to deliver the money; don’t hold it against him.”
The rich second generation tilted his shoulder and looked back at Xiao Zhou. “So, how much did you bring? Let’s see if it’s enough to buy both of you.”
Xiao Zhou slowly lowered the hand covering his gland. The rich second generation’s alpha scent, mixed with the sharpness of alcohol and cigarettes, was overwhelming and unpleasant.
He took out a card and placed it on the table. “I only brought fifty thousand.”
The rich second generation scoffed. “What’s that supposed to cover?”
Xiao Zhou said, “Enough to replace a set of clothes.”
“You think I care about clothes?”
Xiao Zhou glanced around the room, estimating the time. “What do you want, then?”
The rich second generation smiled lewdly. “Alright, fifty thousand to let one person go. The other comes with me to a hotel. You decide who stays and who goes.”
The surrounding friends laughed, and Xiao Zhou frowned but remained silent. Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang.
“Who do you think you’re taking to a hotel?” Someone walked in, the light from the hallway casting their shadow. The voice was cold and stern. “Didn’t I tell you not to cause trouble? Do you think my words mean nothing?”
The rich second generation trembled at the sight of the newcomer, his arrogance disappearing instantly. He quickly conceded, stammering, “Ge.”
Jiang Wenxing stood at the door, his tall figure outlined by the light. He glanced around the room, pausing when he saw Xiao Zhou.
Jiang Wenhao explained cautiously, “I was just having a drink. He was the one who started it.”
The woman in the room stepped forward. “Yes, yes, it’s not the Second Young Master’s fault. Xiao Jin is new and made a mistake, spilling some drink and dirtying the clothes. We’ve brought the money to compensate.” She turned to Jiang Wenhao with a flattering smile. “Second Young Master, you’re generous. He’s been punished enough. Let’s just let it go.” She waved at Chen Jin to come over. “Xiao Jin, apologize to the Second Young Master again.”
Chen Jin stood up from where he’d been kneeling, his face bruised and swollen. He walked with a limp, his head bowed, and apologized, his voice trembling and pitiful.
Jiang Wenhao remained unsatisfied, his expression dark.
Jiang Wenxing gave him a sideways glance. “What? Still want to take someone to a hotel?”
Jiang Wenhao refused to accept it, “Ge, this person hit me first.”
“What did he do to you?”
“He slapped me.”
Before the words were even out, there was a loud sound. Jiang Wenxing raised his hand and slapped Jiang Wenhao, making his head turn to the side. “You got hit by an omega, and you still have the nerve to talk?”
Everyone present was stunned by the sudden action. Jiang Wenhao held his face, full of suppressed anger.
Amidst the chaos, there was suddenly a commotion outside.
In the private room, a phone rang. A woman took out her phone and answered the call, her expression changing instantly. Her voice became sharp, “What’s going on? Why are the police here suddenly?”
The person on the other end said, “Someone reported that we are harboring minors for prostitution and engaging in sexual activities…”
Before they could finish speaking, the door of the private room was already being knocked on, “Police inspection…”
One by one, they lined up to check IDs. All the private room doors along the corridor were wide open, with occasional complaints and warnings being heard.
The bar was suddenly subjected to a surprise inspection. The woman, looking nervous, hurriedly went out to reassure important guests, leaving no time to manage the situation in this private room. She thought that since Jiang Wenxing was here, things wouldn’t get too out of hand.
Jiang Wenhao, having been hit in public, felt humiliated but didn’t dare to confront his brother. After the police left, he grabbed his clothes and left with a livid face, saying nothing. Once he left, the others in the private room couldn’t sit still either, and they all dispersed. In no time, only Xiao Zhou, Chen Jin, and Jiang Wenxing were left.
Xiao Zhou walked over to check Chen Jin’s injuries. Seeing that he was fine, he looked up at Jiang Wenxing and asked, “Can we leave?”
Jiang Wenxing nodded, “Of course, you can leave anytime you want.”
Xiao Zhou took off his jacket, wrapped it around Chen Jin, and held him as they walked towards the door.
Jiang Wenxing suddenly called out his name, “Xiao Zhou.”
Xiao Zhou turned around, “Hmm?”
Jiang Wenxing hesitated, “You recognized me, didn’t you?”
Xiao Zhou raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, “How could I not? It’s only been five years, not enough to change that much.”
Jiang Wenxing looked at him, “Can we talk?”
Xiao Zhou paused for a moment, then nodded again, “Sure, but let me take him home first.”
Seeing them talking as they walked out the door, Chen Jin tugged at Xiao Zhou’s clothes and asked softly, “Do you know the eldest son of the Jiang family?”
Xiao Zhou said, “Former classmates.”
Chen Jin gasped slightly, “Wow, no wonder everything went so smoothly. Today was really lucky.”
Xiao Zhou agreed, “Yes, we were lucky. When you called me, I didn’t know it had turned into such a mess.” Chen Jin had downplayed the situation when he called, not explaining it clearly, leading Xiao Zhou to come over without realizing how bad it was. If Jiang Wenxing hadn’t intervened, even with the police involved, things could have gotten much worse.
Chen Jin lowered his head guiltily, “I’m sorry, Zhou Ge. I was just afraid you wouldn’t come. I didn’t have anyone else to help me, and I was so scared.”
Xiao Zhou was silent for a moment, feeling a bit uneasy. But he always knew Chen Jin was cautious and distrustful of others, which was related to his upbringing. Chen Jin’s parents had passed away, and he lived a poor and hard life with his grandmother, making it hard for him to trust others. Even in prison, he was the most cunning and shrewd. He initially approached Xiao Zhou with the same goal as stutterer before him, purely for personal gain, as Xiao Zhou appeared strong, and befriending him provided protection. But Chen Jin had indeed helped Xiao Zhou a lot, once enduring severe postoperative pain to steal painkillers for him by breaking his own finger.
Because of his understanding of Chen Jin, Xiao Zhou had arranged for several drivers to call the police before entering the bar, timing it right. However, without Jiang Wenxing’s intervention, even with the police involved, they might have faced further troubles.
“Next time, tell me the full situation. I won’t ignore you,” Xiao Zhou said, hailing a taxi for Chen Jin. “You go back and rest well.”
As Chen Jin got into the car, he looked up and asked, “Zhou Ge, aren’t you leaving?”
Xiao Zhou replied, “I ran into a friend, catching up.”
Chen Jin smiled, his delicate features undiminished by his injuries, “That eldest son, right?”
Xiao Zhou smiled slightly and closed the car door for him, “Alright, you head back early.”
As the taxi drove away, Xiao Zhou turned back and saw Jiang Wenxing already waiting at the door.