Chapter 177 Someone Courting Death
"Well, well, well, who's this pretty lady?" The short, fat man known as "Old Yang," reeking of alcohol, slurred as he reached out to touch Tan Ailing's shoulder. It was clear he had drunk quite a bit.
"Get lost!" Eric, disgusted by such a person, used a shield of air to push his hand away.
"Kid, do you know who I am? Let me tell you, you better not act arrogant in front of me!" The short, fat man shouted at Eric while rubbing his hand in pain. Then, with a lecherous look at Tan Ailing, he continued, "Sweetheart, I'm the general manager of 'Star Entertainment Company.' If you agree to go out with me, I can arrange a performance opportunity for you, one where you can perform alongside top domestic stars!"
Seeing that Tan Ailing was ignoring him, the man's face turned red with anger. "If you dare not listen to me, I can use my power to make sure you can't survive in the entertainment industry. Think it over carefully and don't drink the penalty wine!"
It seemed this short, fat man was one of the few high-level executives unaware of Tan Ailing's identity. Not only did he mistake her for a performer, but he also wanted to impose a "hidden rule"? How clueless...
However, Eric and Tan Ailing were surprised that this man dared to cause a scene while drunk right in front of their new boss! Was he brainless, or did he simply not respect Tang Feiyan?
"Let's go, Yang! This lady doesn't need your opportunity, and she doesn't need you bothering her. Come on, let's go!" The middle-aged man yelled, evidently aware of the identities of the handsome man and woman. Sweat was forming on his forehead.
Describing tonight as "a troubled time" couldn't be more accurate. Just as the drunk was being dragged away by his friend and Tang Feiyan leaned into Eric's embrace, another unexpected event occurred!
"Bang!" A gunshot rang out, followed by deafening screams.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"What's going on? What's happening?" Tang Feiyan was still confused, while Tan Ailing's eyebrows shot up.
"Don't move! Nobody move! This is a robbery. No calling the police, or I'll kill you! Take off your valuable jewelry and watches and put them in the bag quickly!" A robber grabbed the short, fat man and held a gun to his head, shouting loudly.
Although Eric thought the short, fat man deserved it, he couldn't let these two robbers ruin Ling Yan Group's high-level gathering.
"Ailing," Eric called softly.
"What is it?" Tan Ailing responded quietly.
"When the robber comes to take your jewelry, seize his gun and subdue him."
"No problem, it's a small matter!"
"Wait," Tang Feiyan suddenly whispered. "Eric, Ailing, let me handle this! I've been practicing martial arts for so long but never had a real chance to test it."
Seeing the pleading look on Tang Feiyan's face and glancing at the two robbers, whose skills were only mediocre, Eric finally said, "Alright, but be careful of his gun, okay?"
"Got it!" Tang Feiyan said excitedly, "With my pre-heaven level skills, dealing with two ordinary martial artists is a piece of cake!"
"Don't be too overconfident! Your combat experience is limited, so be cautious!" Tan Ailing warned, "And don't be too conspicuous in front of these ordinary people..."
"Understood!" Tang Feiyan nodded, looking obedient, "What about the other one? He's far from us and has a hostage. If I don't use my full power, I might not be able to take him down..."
"Leave him to me, don't worry."
Tang Feiyan glanced at Eric, nodded, and smiled while cracking her knuckles. "It's time for us to show our skills!"
The timing was perfect. When the robber tried to snatch her pearl necklace, Tang Feiyan kicked the gun out of his hand. Although she only displayed second-rate skills, the disarmed robber was no match for her and was quickly subdued.
Eric took advantage of the distraction caused by Tang Feiyan's attack and used a reduced-power "Wind Blade" to hit the other robber's right hand, making him drop his gun. The terrified "Old Yang" seized the opportunity to escape. With no hostages and a wounded hand, the robber was quickly overpowered by the hotel security and the police were notified.
"Bingo!" Tang Feiyan shouted to Eric. He smiled and gave her a high-five, but that wasn't enough to express her excitement.
With her enthusiasm, Eric had no choice but to join her in a spontaneous dance. When they finally came back to their senses, they realized everyone was staring at them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, don't be alarmed. This was a special performance arranged for you. We hope you enjoyed it." Tang Feiyan said with a slight bow, using these words to smooth over the incident and give herself an excuse for the earlier outburst.
Tang Feiyan was greeted with applause from Eric. Genuine or not, a sense of relief was evident on everyone's faces, except for "Yang," whose pants were soaked.
Eric gave Tang Feiyan a meaningful glance, and she immediately said a few words to lighten the mood before following Eric and Tan Ailing to the balcony where little Feng Qian was.
Little Feng Qian was still engrossed in her handheld game, entirely unaffected by the events outside. When she saw Eric, she merely gave him a sweet smile and then continued with her game.
Eric didn't disturb her. After sitting down, he asked, "Feiyan, what was that argument in your group about? Was it that 'Yang' causing trouble for you?"
Tang Feiyan nodded and said, "It started because Yang insisted that I drink a toast with him, which led to the commotion."
"Insisted?" Tan Ailing, noting Tang Feiyan's choice of words, asked in surprise, "It sounds like he doesn't respect you at all?"
Tang Feiyan didn't hide her disdain as she nodded and explained, "Yang is the general manager of Star Entertainment Company. He doesn't have much talent, but he has extensive connections in both the underworld and the business world..."
"Does he have some kind of background?" Tan Ailing speculated, given that a person with little talent but extensive connections would naturally arouse such curiosity.
"No," Tang Feiyan shook her head, disdain evident on her face. "Yang built his wide network by frequently forcing some lesser-known artists from his company, who are eager for fame, to provide 'special services' to officials and wealthy businessmen..."
Eric and Tan Ailing fully understood the implication of her words. After a moment of silence, Eric said, "We don't need such people in Ling Yan Group!"
"Don't worry, Eric, I'll handle it!" Although Tang Feiyan knew that firing Yang might cause some trouble, she would unhesitatingly carry out any of Eric's decisions, especially one that aligned with her own wishes.
At this moment, Tan Ailing suddenly asked, "What do you make of those two robbers?"
Although Eric didn't know why she was asking, he replied, "With their skills, they shouldn't be here committing armed robbery."
Tang Feiyan hesitated for a moment and said, "I noticed that the robber who tried to take my necklace was wearing a world-class watch on his wrist. The market price is at least eight thousand. I'm not sure if it's fake, though..."
"Definitely suspicious..." Tan Ailing mused to herself.
"What's wrong?" Eric asked.
"I've been feeling like those two robbers looked familiar. After thinking about it, I realized they resemble two profiles I saw in the organized crime investigation department's records..."
"What did you see?" Eric felt there was something fishy going on.
"It's been a while, so I can't remember the details clearly!" Tan Ailing said apologetically. "But I'm certain that in the Axe Gang's enforcer group, there are two people who look a lot like these robbers!"
The Axe Gang, one of Shanghai's four major gangs, was founded in the early 20th century by Wang Yaqiao, the so-called "number one assassin in the world" at the time. Though it was considered a patriotic organization back then, it has since devolved into Shanghai's most violent criminal syndicate, engaging in robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and more. The gang currently has over three thousand direct members and eight publicly known top-tier experts.
Eric had heard of the Axe Gang but didn't understand why they would come to rob Ling Yan Group's high-level gathering. However, it seemed Tang Feiyan knew more about the situation!
"Eric, Ailing, there's something I haven't told you," Tang Feiyan said, furrowing her brow. "Since Ling Yan Group officially announced its establishment, we've received several calls claiming to be from the Axe Gang, demanding three million in exchange for our safety in Shanghai. I thought they were prank calls until tonight..."
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" Tan Ailing was a bit angry, though her ire was directed at the Axe Gang, not Tang Feiyan! After all, she had been the head of the organized crime investigation department, the natural nemesis of such criminals, but now she was being extorted by these "rats"...
"I thought they were just prank calls~~" Tang Feiyan looked aggrieved.
"Enough!" Eric said with a smile. "Ailing, contact your former colleagues to confirm the identities of these two robbers. If they're indeed from the Axe Gang, we'll take action."
"Eric, what kind of action are you planning?" Tang Feiyan asked curiously.
Eric revealed a smile with a hint of cruelty and said, "Since someone is courting death, we might as well oblige them..."