Chapter 786
All the money went to the vase
Standing behind her, Qiu Qiaoqiao's cool gaze still held a trace of shock from the "power show" that had just taken place in the conference room. The dramatic change in the bankers' expressions gave her a more direct understanding of the power Chen Xiao wielded.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, unsurprised by the result. He calculated that once those banks officially severed ties with [Black Cat], the system task should be completed.
Just then—
"Buzzing—"
His phone, which was on his desk, vibrated.
It's a message from "Technician Number 8":
The boss's name is Zhao Rui!
Zhao Rui?
Chen Xiao frowned slightly, and with a flick of his finger, immediately forwarded the name to Zhao Xiangjun.
Soon, Xiangjun's reply appeared:
I don't know him.
Don't you recognize Xiangjun?
A sharp glint flashed in Chen Xiao's eyes. Was it a member of a collateral branch of the Zhao family? Or someone merely using the Zhao family's name to intimidate others?
Zhang Ziqian spoke at the opportune moment, her voice calm:
"Boss, I checked the registration information for [Tianchi Hot Spring]. The legal representative is Shen Guang."
Chen Xiao's lips curled into a knowing, cold smile as he tossed his phone back onto the table.
"Yes, as expected."
His tone carried a hint of sarcasm:
"The 'legal representative' in such places is nothing more than a puppet ready to take the fall at any time. The real boss always stays hidden behind the scenes."
His gaze drifted out the window, seemingly piercing through the city's steel and concrete, locking onto the "Zhao Rui" hidden in the shadows.
It's only a matter of time before we find you. You actually went and claimed to be connected to me, trying to smear me. For that alone, you should be forced to stop and rectify your behavior.
buzz-
Just then, his phone received another message. When he opened it, it was from Xiao Wu: "Chen Xiao, come soak in the hot springs and play a few rounds of cards?"
Go to a hot spring?
Chen Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Good, he'd go and meet them in person, and finish the mission that way. As for playing cards? He had no interest in that.
However, the next message Xiao Wu sent immediately afterward made a hint of amusement flash across his eyes:
Hey, I have an older brother here today! It's Mr. Yang, the one I mentioned to you last time, who's really close to this boss! He's a real tycoon! If you're as good as you were yesterday, win even more; it's better than any investment!
Mr. Yang? Is he very familiar with the boss?
Chen Xiao's smile deepened.
"it is good!"
This time he didn't refuse, replying quickly with his fingers:
I'm very interested in this Mr. Yang.
Xiao Wu replied with a smiley face.JPG. "Who wouldn't be interested? This old guy is more popular with young girls than any of us. Don't let your good looks fool you, he's only useful to technicians like number 8. Between you and General Manager Yang, the other technicians would definitely choose him."
Chen Xiao looked at the screen and smiled faintly.
He hadn't planned to hire any other technicians. That number 8, with her clear sense of boundaries, was quite interesting.
Xiao Wu's message popped up again, eager to appear:
[Chen Xiao, hurry up and come! Let's discuss how to open a 'black room'! We've run into this fat sheep; it would be a shame not to fleece him as much as possible!]
Hiring a private room? Are several people working together to swindle someone?
A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in Chen Xiao's eyes.
Despicable.
He was too lazy to reply, so he put away his phone, stood up, and said to Zhang Ziqian:
"Ziqian, I'm going to Tianchi Hot Spring to take a bath. You stay at the company and handle the business."
He paused, then added, with a hint of mischief:
"Otherwise, you'll be quite bored over there."
Soak in a hot spring?
Zhang Ziqian and Qiu Qiaoqiao exchanged bewildered glances. What kind of crazy move was he making now? It would be normal for an ordinary man to like going to places like that. But who was Chen Xiao? With the office area's hot spring facilities being so luxurious, he didn't need to go there.
As for finding beautiful female technicians? What technician could be as pretty as the woman beside him?
This is also Chen Xiao's fault. He only said that he wanted to target the "Black Cat Loan Platform", but he didn't say that he wanted to stop and rectify the "Tianchi Hot Spring".
He had no past grudges or recent conflicts with the owner of Tianchi Hot Spring, so who would have thought he would target someone he didn't even know?
"Boss, take the security personnel with you."
Chen Xiao waved his hand; of course, she didn't need to remind him. Chen Xiao knew his current identity—that a single move could affect the whole situation—so he couldn't afford to relax his vigilance regarding his safety.
The basement level is the parking lot for the group's senior executives and some employees. The lighting is dim, and the air is filled with the smell of engine oil and rubber. Vehicles of various brands are neatly arranged.
Chen Xiao's gaze, however, bypassed the gleaming sports cars and executive vehicles, and landed precisely on a square, angular, matte black steel behemoth in the corner—his Brabus G900 "boxy car" that hadn't been driven in a long time.
A long-lost, almost primal urge surged into my heart in an instant!
He strode over and opened the car door—the heavy door made a dull, solid "click."
He settled into the highly supportive racing seat, and the familiar feeling instantly returned. He gripped the thick, cold steering wheel, his fingers tracing the exposed carbon fiber texture on the center console.
Insert the key and turn it!
"boom--!!!"
A deep, violent roar, like a beast awakening, instantly shattered the tranquility of the underground parking garage! The roar of the twin-turbocharged engine, carrying a surging, heart-pounding power, echoed wildly in the enclosed space!
A wild smile curved Chen Xiao's lips.
He slammed on the gas!
"Om-!!"
The huge box, like an enraged bull, suddenly unleashed terrifying thrust, and the tires screeched as they rubbed against the ground!
With unstoppable momentum, the car sped out of the parking space, creating a gust of air, and raced toward the exit!
The surging power was clearly transmitted to his body through the seat and steering wheel. The roar of the engine thundered in his ears, and the scenery outside the window rushed past!
At this moment, Chen Xiao, sitting inside the steel beast, seemed to have broken free from some invisible constraint.
While waiting for his ride at a traffic light intersection, he suddenly remembered to send a message to technician number 8: "I'm here!"
Ten minutes passed, and the other party still hadn't replied. This annoyed Chen Xiao a little, but then he chuckled. Had he been too domineering? The other person didn't know his identity, and besides, maybe they were busy and hadn't seen his message.
It wasn't until Chen Xiao drove his car to the parking lot of [Tianchi Hot Spring] that he received a reply from technician number 8: "I'm here, and then what?"
Chen Xiao laughed angrily: "Isn't that obvious? Of course I'm telling you to wait for me."
After a long pause, he said, "Alright, sir, I'll give you face!"
"What kind of face is this?" Chen Xiao jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut.
"Don't be too greedy."
Just as Chen Xiao was about to stop replying, she sent another message: "By the way, when you come up later, bring me a drink from downstairs."
Chen Xiao navigated the changing area with practiced ease, his gaze sweeping over the second-floor lounge area's dazzling array of free drinks. Juices, carbonated beverages, energy drinks… a vibrant array of colors. He knew these were unlimited for guests, but strictly forbidden for the staff. If they wanted a drink, they could only sneak a sip under the pretense of "getting it for a VIP."
Chen Xiao paused slightly. Carbonated drinks?
He remembered the technician, number 8, from yesterday—the coolness of her fingertips and her clear eyes. Was he really going to give her this stuff filled with industrial saccharin and bubbles?
He shook his head and turned to walk towards the parking lot.
Chen Xiao opened the car door and reached into the hidden car refrigerator in the back seat. The refrigerator was filled with cold air and neatly arranged several bottles of drinks with different packaging, but all exuding an extraordinary aura.
His fingers traced the expensive water and vintage wines, finally stopping on a retro-styled glass bottle with a shimmering amber sheen.
Antique Lemonade
A bottle of this "liquid gold" costs 1.4 RMB. He's recently gotten tired of its overly refined taste, so he's putting it to good use.
He casually picked up the expensive bottle of lemonade as if it were just an ordinary bottle of mineral water. Back in the changing room, he quickly showered, changed into the bathrobe provided by the club, casually stuffed the antique lemonade into the large pocket of the bathrobe, and then headed straight for the third floor.
He did not contact Xiao Wu. He did not intend to expose himself in the card game too early before his target, "General Manager Yang," showed up.
As soon as I stepped onto the soft carpet on the third floor, a customer service manager dressed in a well-fitting suit and with impeccable makeup greeted me with a professional smile:
"Welcome, esteemed guest! Would you like to try a foot massage or something else today?"
Chen Xiao's tone was flat:
"Foot massage, I booked technician number 8."
"Ah—?" The customer service manager's professional smile froze instantly, and he let out a short exclamation, his eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment!
This reaction made Chen Xiao raise an eyebrow slightly.
Is it so unusual to book a technician in advance?
The customer service manager immediately realized his lapse in composure, quickly adjusted his expression, and explained with an apologetic tone and a hint of barely perceptible gossip:
"I'm so sorry! Please don't misunderstand, esteemed guest!"
She lowered her voice, with a hint of mystery:
"The main reason is... Technician No. 8 never adds customers' contact information! That's her ironclad rule! So before, no customer had ever been able to 'book' her!"
She paused, then emphasized:
"Customers come to the shop and ask her for a call on the spot, but she might not even answer! It depends on... well, on her mood and whether she's available."
It turned out to be the case.
A faint smile played at the corners of Chen Xiao's lips. It seemed that his statement yesterday, "I never add people on WeChat," wasn't just an excuse, but actually true. This woman was interesting.
"This way, VIP!" The customer service manager led him to a private room for two. The corridor was softly lit and filled with a faint aroma of essential oils.
On the way, the customer service manager, seemingly unable to contain his curiosity, whispered again:
"Boss, you don't know, several regular customers just asked for number 8! But number 8 just said she was 'waiting for someone' and wouldn't answer anyone!"
She glanced back at Chen Xiao, her eyes filled with inquiry and a hint of envy:
"It seems we've been waiting for you!"
Chen Xiao smiled and casually asked:
"Is number 8 so popular?"
The customer service manager smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes.
"Of course! She's beautiful!"
She lowered her voice and added in a more exaggerated tone:
"Don't even mention the third floor, even the fourth floor... we can't find anyone prettier than her!"
Fourth floor?
Chen Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he keenly grasped this keyword.
He casually followed the conversation and asked:
"Oh? The third floor is for foot massages, so what kind of services are available on the fourth floor?"
The customer service manager introduced the services with ease and fluency, without any pauses:
"The fourth floor is our more upscale SPA area, which you, our VIP guests, are welcome to experience."
She wore a standard service smile.
"The aromatherapy back massage was professionally performed, and I felt completely relaxed and comfortable afterward!"
Her answer was impeccable, as if the fourth floor really was just an ordinary SPA area offering "more comfortable essential oil back massages".
But a hint of understanding flashed deep in Chen Xiao's eyes.
Back massage with essential oils?
I'm afraid it's much more than that.
He didn't ask any more questions, just nodded and followed the customer service manager into the reserved double room. The room was warmly lit, with two massage chairs placed side by side, and soothing music playing in the air. He casually placed the bottle of antique lemonade worth 1.4 yuan on a small table beside him, waiting for the eccentric technician number 8 to arrive.
The sound of high heels clicking could be heard, and Chen Xiao recognized the voice as belonging to Number 8.
Knock knock knock—
Sure enough, with a knock on the door, technician number 8 entered. Sexy, beautiful, she looked like a big star; no wonder customers flocked to her.
Adding to what I just learned from the customer service manager, she's always been cold and aloof to customers. But men are just like that; they like it that way.
The more a woman ignores a man, the more interested he becomes; it's an innate desire to conquer.
Chen Xiao is the same way; sometimes, he feels that he is quite pathetic.
“Here, this is for you—” Chen Xiao pointed to the drink on the coffee table.
I met him yesterday, the 8th, and we got along quite well. I put the toolbox down and, following Chen Xiao's pointing finger, asked, "Ah, what's this? Didn't I say I wanted a Coke?"
Chen Xiao glared at her: "What's so great about those carbonated drinks? This one's not bad, I only gave it to you because you seem like a nice person!"
Number 8 ignored him and picked up the Antique Lemonade.
"The bottle is quite exquisite, but I've never seen this drink before." Clearly, she thought it was also a drink from the second floor, and that it was a new drink that she hadn't seen before.
Chen Xiao didn't explain. He lay down and soaked his feet in the foot bath, which he seemed to enjoy.
"My goodness, the money for this drink probably went into the bottle. Is it even drinkable?" Number 8 exclaimed after admiring the bottle.
"You're really wasting your breath," Chen Xiao said with a laugh.
"Try it and see how it is. You can take the bottle home as a souvenir."
Technician Number 8, while unscrewing the bottle cap, replied, "Come on, don't act like I'm some kind of country bumpkin. A bottle like that, and I'm taking it back to my dorm? You're going to make me a laughingstock." (End of Chapter)