Chapter 71

Chapter 65: Acting

Wen Liang had heard the name "Old Nine" before. He first heard it the night he was reborn, after saving Zuo Yuxi. He heard it again when he was surrounded by Mu Shanshan and her gang at the gate of No. 7 Courtyard, all because of Old Nine. The four small-time hooligans were so scared they turned and ran, with one of them, Liu Zhihe, being cornered in a small alley by Brother Gua. It was Brother Ming who came to his rescue...

So, Wen Liang had heard of Old Nine, but it was only today that he learned his full name: An Baoqing. What a great name!

Wen Liang stood up, extended his hand, and shook hands with Old Nine for three seconds before letting go. It was a gesture that was both warm and dignified. Although he had never asked Zuo Yuxi, Wen Liang understood that An Baoqing was one of the people she trusted the most. Despite never having met An Baoqing, both of them knew of each other's existence, which meant they were friends, not enemies. Moreover, Wen Liang had already received Old Nine's favor. If it weren't for his discreet warning to the local hooligans not to cause trouble, it's easy to imagine that Gu Wenyuan, Mu Shanshan, Bai Huan, and Hou Qiang could have gathered a group of small-time hooligans to harass Wen Liang to death. (See Chapter 19 of Volume 1)

"Mr. An, hello!"

An Baoqing smiled, and his chiseled face had a peculiar charm that could captivate the heart: "In Qingzhou, some call me Boss An, some call me Old Nine, some call me Brother Nine, and some call me Lord Nine. Of course, there are those who hate me and call me Bone-Scraper An. But I've never been called Mr. An before. Not bad, brother, you called it well!"

Liu Tianlai introduced him: "This is Wen Liang, a friend of mine." And that was all he said.

In 1995, many people started working right after high school or vocational school, and some even started working after junior high school. Although Wen Liang was only 16, he was tall and slender, spoke appropriately, and looked like he could be in his early twenties. Deep down, Liu Tianlai never thought of him as a high school student, so he naturally introduced him as a friend.

Few people in Qingzhou knew the true relationship between Zuo Yuxi and An Baoqing. They even had a minor conflict in public once. Zuo Yuxi, in front of many people, flew into a rage and threatened to shut down one of his nightclubs. At that time, Zuo Jing was still in power, but despite this, the nightclub was only closed for three days before reopening. Although An Baoqing had someone plead on his behalf and personally apologized, giving Zuo Yuxi face, a rumor quickly spread that Old Nine had connections above, and even the Zuo family had to reluctantly back down. This rumor seemed to be confirmed later, as Old Nine managed to get through several crises unscathed, and his reputation in the underground world of Qingzhou grew, eventually leading to his current status.

If Wen Liang knew all this, he would surely clap and praise: This double act was performed so well, not only concealing their relationship but also secretly helping each other without leaving any traces. So even if that day Zuo Yuxi had Brother Ming pass a message to Old Nine to tell the local hooligans not to harass Wen Liang, others wouldn't suspect the relationship between Zuo and An, thinking only that Old Nine was afraid of Zuo Yuxi and didn't want to offend her.

Reality is always more exciting than fiction!

During Zuo Jing's era, Zuo Yuxi had many resources at her disposal, and Liu Tianlai was far from being one of them, so he didn't know the inside story. In his view, given Wen Liang's relationship with Zuo Yuxi, it wasn't suitable for him to associate too much with this person, so his introduction was very brief, mentioning only the name and nothing else. Everyone was a seasoned player, and at this point, An Baoqing should have said a few polite words and then left.

But to Liu Tianlai's surprise, An Baoqing, as if he hadn't understood the hint, said: "Since he's a friend of Brother Liu, he's my friend too. Come in!"

The waiter, who had been waiting outside the door, quickly came in, hands folded over his abdomen, and listened attentively with his head slightly lowered. From this simple gesture, it was clear that An Baoqing was very good at training his staff.

"Bring another pot of Biluochun," An Baoqing said as he sat down at the tea table. "Today, Brother Liu has honored us with his presence, and all expenses are on me. Come, come, sit down. Brother, it's been a while since I've heard Brother Liu's guidance."

Liu Tianlai couldn't say anything more and sat down with Wen Liang. Wen Liang suddenly smiled and said, "Mr. An is a businessman. Brother, may I ask, what do you think is the most profitable business in Qingzhou?"

Liu Tianlai couldn't figure out Wen Liang at all. He smiled but quickly calculated in his mind: What does he mean by this? It sounds like he's mocking An Baoqing for not being in a legitimate business.

"Of course, the most profitable business is the one that makes the most money!"

Wen Liang clapped his hands and said, "Exactly! So, Mr. An, what do you think is the most profitable business now?"

"The most profitable business relies on connections and capital, but let's not talk about it."

Wen Liang smiled, "This time, Mr. An is wrong!"

"Oh, where am I wrong?" Liu Tianlai chimed in, afraid that An Baoqing might lose face. Despite the friendly conversation, one word from Wen Liang could offend him.

"The most profitable business relies on this!" Wen Liang pointed to his head, his expression calm.

An Baoqing's eyes narrowed even more, "What do you mean by that?"

"In my view, Mr. An's Great World can be very profitable. Just by putting a little effort into the details, it can earn much more than it does now."

Even Liu Tianlai was interested. Wen Liang continued, "For example, when you want to add a pot of Biluochun, customers often have to shout loudly for the waiter. If the waiter isn't around, they might even have to go outside to call. If this happens frequently, wealthy and influential people will inevitably feel annoyed, and the Great World will lose a significant source of income."

An Baoqing smiled, "That's true, but everyone is the same. Can we really assign a waiter to each room? People who come here generally want a quiet place to talk..."

"Because everyone is the same, if you do something different, you'll stand out immediately." Wen Liang changed his tone and asked, "Mr. An, have you been to a hospital?"

When Wen Liang mentioned the hospital, An Baoqing seemed a bit displeased, and Liu Tianlai kept giving Wen Liang warning looks. Wen Liang ignored them and continued, "In hospital wards, there's a wired call system. When a patient presses a button at the bedside, the main unit at the nurse's station lights up, making it very convenient. Although this system requires wiring and is expensive, I think if it's adapted for the Great World, it will immediately attract many repeat customers. The cost-benefit ratio should be easy to calculate." At that time, only good hospitals had such wired call systems, and wireless call systems wouldn't be widely used until after 2000. In Qingzhou, such call systems in the catering and entertainment industry were not yet a concern.

When Wen Liang mentioned the call system, An Baoqing's eyes lit up. He clapped his hands and said, "Good idea, great idea! Brother Wen, your idea is worth a fortune."

But Wen Liang shook his head, "Mr. An, you're wrong again. This idea is worth nothing!"

An Baoqing and Liu Tianlai, both seasoned players, were stunned and asked in unison, "Why?"

"If you implement this, other clubs will follow suit. Within a month, the whole of Qingzhou will have this system. Objectively, you won't have an advantage for more than a week. Isn't this idea worth nothing?"

Even with his strong will, An Baoqing was intrigued: "Brother Wen must have a better idea. Please, speak your mind."

"The Great World has six floors, and anyone can come and go. People with real status will feel their dignity is compromised. But if only the first and second floors are open to the public, and the third to sixth floors are members-only, meaning only those who pay for a VIP card and are certified by the club can become our VIP members and enter with dignity. People have levels, and levels create vanity. With vanity, people will naturally flock to it. This is a long-term strategy and the best way to attract high-quality customers. What do you think, Mr. An?"

An Baoqing stood up abruptly, disregarding his status, and bowed to Wen Liang, saying, "Brother Wen, you're a timely rain! To be honest, the Great World has been operating at a loss for two or three months. Today, after hearing your words, I finally understand what the most profitable business is. I've learned a lot, a lot!"

Wen Liang also stood up, sidestepping to show he didn't deserve the gesture, and waved with a smile, "This idea isn't mine. Two places in Beijing started implementing it at the beginning of the year, and a friend told me it's working well. I'm just passing on what I heard. Mr. An, don't be too polite!"

These words were a mix of truth and falsehood, but they had a special effect at that moment. Liu Tianlai found them even more incredible. Even An Baoqing, who was in the business, didn't know about this. How did Wen Liang have this information? While it wasn't a secret, it wasn't something an outsider could easily know. Could it be that the Wen family had connections in Beijing? If so, Zuo Yuxi's attitude towards Wen Liang would make sense. But how did this explain Wen Huiming, a mere deputy director, who, after joining Xu Fuyan, was squeezed out of existence? Ah, no! Wen Huiming's article seemed to be written with confidence, as if he had known the news from Beijing in advance...

Liu Tianlai was stunned by his own imagination and looked at Wen Liang differently. An Baoqing walked to the door and whispered, "Call Du Niang over."

After a moment, a beautiful woman in a light green dress walked in, slender and graceful, with a face like a painting, long hair cascading over her shoulders, and a set of tea utensils in her hands. She moved with the grace of a well-bred lady, knelt at the end of the tea table, and said softly, "I offer tea to the esteemed guests." Her voice was melodious and captivating, leaving a lingering impression.

An Baoqing pointed to her, "This is the Great World's top tea artist, Du Niang. I don't easily bring her out for anyone but the most important guests."

Liu Tianlai had heard of Du Niang's reputation but knew that with his status, he wouldn't be able to enjoy such treatment. Today, he was benefiting from Wen Liang's presence, and his look at Wen Liang became even more different.

Wen Liang was taken aback, "Du Niang? What a great name. Are you sure you're not here to make a joke?"

"Tea has three colors: red, green, and blue. Red tea is valued for its color, green tea for its fragrance, and blue tea for its throat feel. Biluochun, also known as Dongting tea or 'Fragrant Killer,' is not considered top-quality unless it is covered in fine white hairs, with a silver-green hue. Tea art has twelve steps, the first being to light incense to clear the mind."

Du Niang's fingers were slender and graceful. She lit an incense stick and inserted it into the burner. Soon, the room was filled with a peaceful and solemn atmosphere.

"The second step is to wash the cups, cleansing the heart and soul." Du Niang poured boiling water into the cups, rotating the bottom gently. Her fair wrists and skin, as white as snow, contrasted beautifully with the clear water, making her look pure and spotless.

"The third step is to cool the water, nurturing harmony..."

The twelve steps of tea art were performed smoothly. When Du Niang finally spoke, "Du Niang thanks the tea," everyone was pulled out of the serene and profound atmosphere. Liu Tianlai clapped and laughed, "Excellent, no wonder you're the Great World's top artist. Boss An, with such a beautiful and talented woman, how can you say you're not making money? Hahaha."

This might have been the most elegant thing Liu Tianlai could say. Wen Liang, sitting close to Du Niang, could see a slight, almost imperceptible smirk on her face.

"An ancient poem says, 'The green of Biluochun and the beauty of Taihu Lake, the new rain and the fragrance of the clouds and water.' After drinking this cup of tea from Du Niang, I understand its true essence. Its beauty, color, fragrance, and taste are all perfect, truly delightful and unforgettable."

Du Niang looked up, her eyes smiling, a mix of amusement and annoyance, and glanced at Wen Liang, a completely different allure from her earlier elegance.

Wen Liang smiled, his eyes clear and calm. Liu Tianlai's heart raced, feeling dry and thirsty, and he drank the tea in one gulp. He had seen many beautiful women before, as a deputy director of the Public Security Bureau, but he was still captivated by this woman's expression. An Baoqing remained silent, his eyes narrowed, observing the two men from the moment Du Niang began her performance. Despite Liu Tianlai's efforts to hide his feelings, the seasoned players in the room knew he had been affected.

Drinking even the dregs of the tea, how could it be anything but a sign of being captivated?

Wen Liang was the most enigmatic of them all. Young and full of vigor, he faced such a beautiful woman with either perfect self-control or deep scheming, leaving others in awe.

It was only then that Liu Tianlai truly looked at Wen Liang with new respect, sincerely admiring him and no longer daring to underestimate him.

Du Niang left gracefully, and Liu Tianlai excused himself to go to the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, Wen Liang's expression turned serious, and he said in a low voice, "Director Zuo sent you?"

An Baoqing was slightly taken aback. Seeing Wen Liang's playful eyes, he knew he couldn't hide it and changed his demeanor from the earlier familiarity, saying calmly, "Yes, she was worried that Liu Tianlai wouldn't be fully committed, so she asked me to support you."

From the moment An Baoqing stayed behind, Wen Liang had been guessing his intentions. After much thought, he concluded that it could only be because of Zuo Yuxi. It wasn't hard to guess. An Baoqing was a shrewd person and wouldn't be so enthusiastic towards a young man he had just met, just for Liu Tianlai's sake. His true purpose was to provide a stage for Wen Liang to perform, to work together to put pressure on Liu Tianlai.

At the Imperial Garden, when Wen Liang proposed talking to Liu Tianlai, it seemed casual but was actually a subtle way to seek Zuo Yuxi's approval. Although they were close, certain relationships needed to be smoothed out, and only by thoroughly subduing Liu Tianlai could they work seamlessly in the future. But he was also afraid that Zuo Yuxi might have other thoughts, so he used this hint, which allowed him to advance or retreat as needed. If Zuo Yuxi refused, it wouldn't hurt their relationship. Zuo Yuxi, being perceptive, immediately understood his meaning and called Liu Tianlai without asking any questions, which made Wen Liang's heart warm.

Given their relationship, they might not need to be so cautious, but even the closest people have their own boundaries. Zuo Yuxi always gave Wen Liang the impression of being a strong-willed woman in power and control, evident from her relationship with An Baoqing. So Wen Liang's careful approach was not a sign of distance but a sign of genuine care for their relationship.

When Wen Liang and Liu Tianlai entered the Great World, An Baoqing, on the sixth floor, received the news. For a guest like Liu Tianlai, every waiter remembered him, so in high-end places, it was impossible for someone with status to pretend to be an ordinary person. An Baoqing thought for a moment and called Zuo Yuxi. He had actually met Wen Liang before, but Wen Liang didn't know it.

When An Baoqing called, Zuo Yuxi thought for a moment and still felt uneasy. Liu Tianlai seemed generous and open, but he had high standards and ambitions. Although Wen Liang was resourceful, his foundation was too shallow, and Liu Tianlai might not take him seriously. Since they coincidentally went to the Great World, it was a good opportunity for An Baoqing to support Wen Liang, putting pressure on Liu Tianlai.

Although these matters were complicated, Wen Liang understood them clearly in an instant, moved by Zuo Yuxi's细腻心思 (delicate thoughts), and immediately took the opportunity to give An Baoqing some business advice. An Baoqing played along, and the two, without rehearsing, put on a convincing act in front of Liu Tianlai.

Wen Liang smiled, "Brother Nine, I've heard so much about you, but meeting you in person is even better."

"Brother Wen, you flatter me!"

An Baoqing's words were brief, his face serious, a stark contrast to his earlier friendly demeanor. Perhaps this was his true self in private.

"I'm curious, if I hadn't said those things, how would you have shown me respect to put pressure on Liu Tianlai?"

An Baoqing said calmly, "Wen Huiming once saved me. Kneeling to a small benefactor, what's the harm?"

Wen Liang was startled and laughed bitterly after a moment, "That's overkill, too much..."

When Liu Tianlai returned, An Baoqing resumed his friendly businessman persona, praising Wen Liang's youth and noble demeanor. Liu Tianlai echoed the praise, and this time, at least seventy percent of it was genuine.

After a while, An Baoqing took his leave, returned to his office, and called Zuo Yuxi, saying respectfully, "Sister Zuo, congratulations, you've found a great helper..."