From rejecting the beautiful female CEO to becoming extremely powerful

Chapter 160 Can the Milky Way Hold It?

The inner door closed, blocking out the noise of cars outside.

Su Qingwan took two steps, reached into her coat pocket, took out a small black button, and stuffed it into Lu Yunzhou's hand.

"Take it with you."

Lu Yunzhou pinched the recording clip and flipped it over to examine it.

The button face only features the cloud pattern of Galaxy Group, and there are no buttons or lights on the edges.

"Encrypted recording; press twice in case of an out-of-control situation."

Su Qingwan raised her hand and pressed it against the back of his hand. "Don't move prematurely."

Lu Yunzhou put the recording clip into his pocket, looked up at her, and asked, "Is someone going to kill someone inside?"

Su Qingwan raised an eyebrow slightly.

She didn't answer, and turned to walk deeper into the main building.

The inner hall of this horse racing club is even more disciplined than the outside.

The floor was covered with dark wood planks, and several photos of horse racing hung on the walls. Six waiters stood on either side of the staircase leading to the second floor.

Everyone had their heads down, with hard objects hidden at their waists, and their shoes made no extra sound when they hit the ground.

Lu Yunzhou glanced around and pressed his palm against the outside of his pocket.

The recording clip was pressed against the fabric, carrying the cool feel of a piece of metal.

At the end of the stairs, someone was already there to greet us.

The man was in his early forties, sturdy, dressed in a gray-brown riding outfit, and carrying a riding whip in his hand.

He walks with his right foot landing heavily, a warm smile on his face, and his arms outstretched from afar.

"Chairman Su, coming to my place with people and hiding yourselves, I have to think twice."

Pei Zhongting stopped three steps away, his laughter echoing through the hall.

Qiao Man was standing next to him.

The popular actress was wearing a red riding outfit, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, and her makeup was exquisite. Her arm was pressed against Pei Zhongting, but there was no sense of intimacy between them.

Her gaze swept over Lu Yunzhou, finally settling on his collar where he wasn't wearing a membership badge.

The woman on the other side was dressed in black riding attire, her back straight, her riding boots polished to a shine.

She had shoulder-length short hair, delicate features, and calluses on all five fingers of her right hand from holding a knife.

She didn't look at Pei Zhongting, nor at Qiao Man, but stared at Lu Yunzhou's right shoulder.

Lu Yunzhou paused for a moment.

The woman could tell he had been injured last night.

"Mr. Pei, something urgent has come up. I'd like to ask if I can have a word with you here."

Su Qingwan stood in front of Lu Yunzhou, blocking his view.

Pei Zhongting smiled and stepped aside: "Of course. It's just that this gentleman doesn't have the authority of the Jockey Club, so according to the rules he can only stay in the lobby."

Qiao Man raised her hand to block the stairwell, her voice sickeningly sweet: "President Su, the second floor is only for members today. Your assistant can wait in the lobby; that shouldn't delay our conversation."

Lu Yunzhou looked up at her.

Qiao Man's hand was still in front of him, her nails were covered in sequins, and it was only half an arm's length away from his chest.

Su Qingwan reached out and brushed the hand away.

"He is my special assistant with the highest authority."

Her voice wasn't loud, but the hall fell silent for a few seconds.

"He came in with me today; he doesn't need to explain to anyone."

Qiao Man's smile froze, and her shoulder tensed as she withdrew her hand.

Pei Zhongting raised his hand and patted the riding crop, smoothing things over for her: "People of Chairman Su naturally have Chairman Su's rules. Let's go upstairs, the room is ready."

He spoke politely, but his eyes lingered on Lu Yunzhou for a while longer.

The woman in black also stepped aside.

As she made way, her right hand fell to her waist, revealing half of a black knife hilt beneath her sleeve.

Lu Yunzhou memorized that location.

Su Qingwan didn't turn around and led him upstairs to the second floor.

Pei Zhongting, Qiao Man, and the woman in black followed, their footsteps following in three different rhythms, which Lu Yunzhou could clearly hear.

Upon reaching the door of the rest suite, Su Qingwan pushed it open and waited for Lu Yunzhou to enter before turning back to look at Pei Zhongting.

"President Pei, there's no need to follow the people outside."

Pei Zhongting stroked his chin: "Chairman Su is still so cautious."

The door closed behind them.

The suite is furnished with a wine cabinet, a tea table, and a rectangular conference table.

Outside the window was the horse farm, where several horses were being led into the shed, their chains clanging against the wooden posts.

Su Qingwan walked to the window but did not sit down.

"Pei Zhongting is one of the seven disciples appointed by Ninth Master."

Lu Yunzhou stood by the door, his gaze sweeping across the room: "What is meant by 'Seven Disciples'?"

"Ninth Master has seven positions under him. Those who can sit in those positions all have a business and a group of people under their control."

Su Qingwan raised her hand, took off the earring from her ear, and placed it on the corner of the table.

"Pei Zhongting controls the Jockey Club and also several underground funding channels in the east of the city."

Lu Yunzhou looked towards the door: "Where's Qiao Man?"

"A woman on the table. She knows how to drink with customers, how to talk, and how to test the limits of customers for Pei Zhongting."

"The one in the black shirt?"

Su Qingwan pushed the pendant aside: "Ayase Maki is from Japan. She stayed by Pei Zhongting's side, not to sing, nor to ride horses."

Lu Yunzhou touched the old wound on his right shoulder: "She used a knife?"

"Close-quarters swordsmanship."

Su Qingwan looked up at him: "You caught her gaze just now, so she already sees you as a rival."

Lu Yunzhou sat down on the sofa, loosening his collar to let in some fresh air: "What did Pei Zhongting want to talk to you about?"

Su Qingwan did not speak immediately.

She took a bottle of water from the liquor cabinet, unscrewed the cap, and simply placed it on the table.

"He wants Xinghe to admit to a debt and hand over some of the interests in Nanwan Old Port."

Lu Yunzhou tapped his knee with his finger.

Nanwan Old Port is a project of Fengming Group, and Yuanchuan just won the preliminary bid.

When Pei Zhongting reached out, it was as if he had directly pressed down on Feng Qianyi and himself.

"You agreed?"

Su Qingwan glanced at him: "If I agree, I won't bring you in today."

She walked to the table, picked up the bottle of water, and took a sip.

"Pei Zhongting never wanted just a contract. He wanted to see if Xinghe would back down, and he also wanted to confirm how many people around Xiao Sihai could support you."

Lu Yunzhou leaned back on the sofa, mentally reviewing the number of people downstairs.

There were at least two groups of guards outside the door, and people were also watching the horse farm outside the window.

By holding the negotiations at the Jockey Club, Pei Zhongting essentially blocked his escape route in advance.

Su Qingwan noticed his movement and lowered her voice: "I told you to stand to my left, not so you could show off. If someone draws a knife, step back behind me first."

Lu Yunzhou looked up: "Are you afraid something will happen to me?"

Su Qingwan tightened the bottle cap, her knuckles resting on the bottle.

"If you die here, I'll have to clean up the mess for Ye Churan, Shen Luoyan, and Mu Qingying."

Lu Yunzhou looked at her but didn't respond to the joke.

Su Qingwan looked away and added, "Don't flatter yourself."

There were three knocks on the door.

Su Qingwan placed her hand on the doorknob and turned to look at Lu Yunzhou.

"Remember, whoever strikes first tonight will pay the price."

Lu Yunzhou stood up, pressed the recording button in his palm, and followed her to the door.

A soft click came from the door lock.

Ayase Maki was already standing in the middle of the corridor, with half of the hilt of her sword sticking out from her waist.

Qiao Man leaned against the railing, holding a wine glass in her hand.