Chapter Seventeen: Are You Even Worthy of Meeting Brother Virtue?

At this moment, Sister Hong, completely oblivious to her surroundings, let the strap on her shoulder slowly slide down her arm as her hand moved. The exposed swath of pale skin grew larger and larger, and even I, a man of strong passions, found myself parched and restless. But the memory of her calculating face during secret dealings instantly drained all appeal. I once believed all women were like Xiao Mi—youthful, lively, straightforward in love and hate. Yet Sister Hong before me exuded an unfathomable depth.

One of her snow-white legs stretched out onto the soft leather sofa, the other curled beneath her. Her whole body, wrapped in crimson, resembled a seductive serpent with its maw agape—a beauty dangerous and alluring. Even though I’d once entertained improper thoughts about her, what I saw now—the ivory skin—seemed more like the soft flesh of a monstrous white grub. If touched, that softness would conceal a deep, gaping abyss capable of swallowing even the strongest whole.

I struggled to suppress the tumult within me, shifted my gaze away, and forced myself to focus on my task at hand. Sister Hong’s allure was lethal, but I was keenly aware that the dangers she harbored were far more terrifying than her outward appearance.

“Sister Hong,” I broke the ambiguous silence, “I need your help.”

She looked up, her eyes glinting with teasing curiosity. “Oh? What kind of help?”

I hesitated, then handed her a business card—one given to me by Hu San. It belonged to Hu San’s creditor.

Her expression flickered, but instead of taking the card immediately, she continued peeling her apple. Only after finishing did she split it in two, offering half to me. She wiped her hands with a napkin, then picked up the card and glanced at it.

She read aloud, “Gao Qide?”

I nodded.

She looked at me, puzzled. “Why on earth would you get tangled with this man?”

I paused, then replied flatly, “It’s for a friend.”

Sister Hong laughed. “I mean…”

Though she didn’t finish the sentence, I caught the undertone. In her eyes, I was someone easily manipulated—someone I couldn’t afford to provoke.

Hearing my answer, her teasing expression faded, replaced by a somber gravity.

She spoke slowly, “Gao Qide—everyone in the circles calls him Brother De. He specializes in lending and pawn deals, has been doing business locally for years. At his peak, he ranked just below the city’s five great families as number six, though he’s declined in recent years. Still, his power remains among the top thirty.”

I nodded, silently noting these details.

She continued, “On the surface, Brother De seems amiable, but in truth, he’s ruthless. He keeps a team of enforcers for debt collection, notorious for their brutality. Warn your friend—crossing him is no joke.”

Rumor had it he carried many blood debts.

A chill settled in my heart. Only then did I realize how formidable the man Hu San had provoked truly was. No wonder Hu San was desperate.

But precisely because of this, the ritual would be all the more effective. Gao Qide was, without doubt, a perfect candidate for a blood sacrifice.

To help Hu San, I had no choice but to press forward. “Sister Hong, I have something urgent. Can you help me contact Brother De?”

She fell silent, as if deep in thought. Then she stood, walked to the window, and gazed out at the garden’s night view. Her voice was low and resolute.

“Ah Hu, I can help you with anything, but not this. The underworld has its own rules. You have nothing to your name—if you say or do something wrong, you’ll pay with your life. It’ll ruin you forever.”

I pleaded repeatedly for her to take me to Gao Qide, but she remained adamant. Her determination was unwavering, her eyes brooked no argument.

Frustration and anger began to simmer within me.

“Sister Hong, I truly need your help.” My voice trembled with desperation and helplessness.

She still stood at the window, back to me, as if pondering something. Her silence only heightened my anxiety.

I knew that without a more direct approach, I might never get to meet Gao Qide.

“If you help me, I’ll pay you two hundred thousand. Is that enough?”

I sprang to my feet, walked behind her, my tone urgent and resolute.

She finally turned, a cold sneer on her face, sizing me up as if I were a stranger.

“Are you joking? You’re offering me two hundred thousand?” Her voice was icy, as though she no longer recognized me.

“I’m not joking. I know you aren’t short of money, but I want you to understand—I genuinely want to meet him!” I said firmly.

Sister Hong didn’t reply immediately, but continued to scrutinize me with that chilling gaze, as if weighing my sincerity and resolve.

Those few seconds felt like minutes.

“Alright, three hundred thousand!” I gritted my teeth, silently praying she would accept.

She finally moved, stepping closer, her eyes swirling with complex emotion.

“Are you truly willing to pay such a price for this?”

She asked, her tone tinged with confusion.

“Yes,” I replied with conviction. “I must meet Gao Qide.”

Sister Hong sighed, as if making a difficult decision. She turned to the table, picked up the phone, and dialed a number. Her voice was low and steady, as though discussing something utterly ordinary.

“Hello, it’s me, Sister Hong. Arrange something for me—a friend wants to see Brother De.” She spoke a few brief words and hung up.

“Tomorrow night at eight, follow me to see Brother De. Let’s see how you die.”

She turned to me, her gaze sharp with warning. “Remember—when you meet Gao Qide, don’t speak out of turn or make any sudden moves. Otherwise, not even I can save you.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Gao Qide was a dangerous man—I’d need all my wits to face him.

The next evening, I arrived at the place Sister Hong had specified.

It was a discreet club, guarded by several tall, imposing security men whose eyes were cold and wary.

I drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and gave Sister Hong’s name.

The guards barely bothered to acknowledge me.

Just then, Sister Hong appeared behind me.

Only then did the guards open the doors.

Sister Hong strode in, while I was thoroughly searched, inside and out, before being allowed to enter.