Chapter 105: Bamboo Green, you are quite the big client yourself.

The night grew late. The full moon was bright and clear, casting a silvery glow over the small town.

Han Family Pavilion remained brilliantly lit, and the Big Boss was in high spirits. Only Zhu Yeqing walked step by step from the pavilion toward the tavern.

Arriving at the tavern, he found the doors already bolted for the night. After a moment’s thought, he stepped forward and knocked with a rhythmic cadence.

A moment later, the door creaked open. Xue Ke’ren, eyes heavy with sleep, muttered, "Who is it? Don't you know we're closed?"

Zhu Yeqing chuckled softly. "My apologies, Miss Xue, for the disturbance."

Xue Ke’ren paused, examining the middle-aged scholar before her. "You know me?"

Zhu Yeqing neither confirmed nor denied it, smiling. "I am called Zhu Yeqing. I have come at the request of the Big Boss to pay a visit to Boss Zheng. I hope you will forgive my intrusion."

His manners were impeccable.

Xue Ke’ren looked him over carefully. "Zhu Yeqing? And who is this 'Big Boss'?"

Zhu Yeqing smiled gently. "The Big Boss is simply the Big Boss. Boss Zheng will surely understand."

Unsure of how to handle him, Xue Ke’ren said, "Wait here. I will go see if the boss is asleep."

Zhu Yeqing nodded with a smile.

...

In the backyard, Xue Ke’ren reached the door of Zheng Jian’s room. "Knock, knock, knock. Boss, are you asleep?"

Zheng Jian was currently tallying his resentment points. His total had climbed back up to over 7,000, mostly gained from his tireless teasing of Xue Ke’ren, with a portion provided by the "heartless boy" Cao Bing. That young man alone had contributed two 666s and one 999 in a very short time—he was truly a top-tier client.

"I'm asleep!" Zheng Jian called out without looking up.

Xue Ke’ren: "..." Do you take me for a fool?

Resentment from Xue Ke’ren +500. She was already irritable from being woken mid-slumber, and Zheng Jian’s snide remark sent her frustration soaring.

"Boss, someone is here to see you. His name is Zhu Yeqing. He says he was sent by the Big Boss," she said, suppressing her patience. There was no helping it; he was the boss, and she was just the employee.

Zheng Jian paused, thinking for a moment before recalling who Zhu Yeqing and the Big Boss were. He owed this to the "Memory Enhancement Pill"; otherwise, he might not have remembered them at all.

Zhu Yeqing... the version that left the deepest impression was the one played by Gu Caobin in the film adaptation: "Zhu Yeqing is strong liquor, and also a poison." Deeply hidden, wise yet rational, maintaining a human exterior while his soul remained twisted.

This was a reimagining; the original Zhu Yeqing was more like a venomous snake—cold, ruthless, and possessing little martial skill, yet possessing a heart of extreme malice.

"I'm not seeing him!" Zheng Jian said lazily. Different paths meant different goals. Zheng Jian didn't consider himself a saint, but he had no desire to deal with a venomous snake lurking in the shadows like Zhu Yeqing.

"Understood, boss." Xue Ke’ren replied briskly. She didn't like Zhu Yeqing either; she was clever enough to sense the hypocrisy and malice beneath his gentle exterior.

"Boss Zheng, I waited outside, but the night is cold and I have grown chilled. I had to let myself in. Please forgive me!" Zhu Yeqing’s voice drifted in from not far behind Xue Ke’ren.

Xue Ke’ren was startled and spun around, only to see Zhu Yeqing standing there with a smile.

Zheng Jian’s voice came from inside. "Forgiveness is the business of the Buddha. As for me, I am currently debating whether to send you to meet him."

Zhu Yeqing faltered, nearly thrown off balance by Zheng Jian’s brazen remark.

Resentment from Zhu Yeqing +1999.

"Holy cow!" Inside the room, Zheng Jian was overjoyed. There were advantages to being small-minded. If it had been Xue Ke’ren, a 666 would have been a good haul, but this Zhu Yeqing had coughed up 1999 directly. Impressive, truly impressive!

"Fine, come in and speak." Having gained the points, Zheng Jian’s annoyance at being disturbed in the middle of the night vanished instantly. He invited Zhu Yeqing inside.

What can I say? I’m just a man who sees profit in resentment!

Zhu Yeqing was taken aback again; he couldn't keep up with Zheng Jian’s train of thought. But a change of heart was a good thing—it meant he wouldn't have to return to the Big Boss empty-handed.

Inside the room, Zheng Jian lit a lamp, changed his clothes, and came out to the main area to invite Zhu Yeqing to sit.

"Boss, please sit. I will go brew some tea," Xue Ke’ren said with a smile before retreating.

Zheng Jian looked at Zhu Yeqing. His face was handsome, his features refined—he looked the part—but the coldness that flashed in his eyes from time to time confirmed he was indeed a venomous snake.

"Let’s speak plainly. Why has the Big Boss sent you?" Zheng Jian yawned.

Zhu Yeqing smiled faintly. "Boss Zheng is a straightforward man; I admire that. I will be blunt: the Big Boss has always admired the heroes of the pugilistic world. Having heard of your recent deeds, he holds you in high regard and wishes to make your acquaintance. Please accept this small token of his sincerity!"

As he spoke, he drew a bank note from his sleeve—ten thousand taels!

Zheng Jian’s eyes were sharp; he saw the denomination instantly, and his heart skipped a beat. "Damn, they’re actually that rich!"

A ten-thousand-tael gold note—that was ten thousand taels of gold. This wasn't copper; this was something that could truly be exchanged for gold!

Seeing Zhu Yeqing about to place the note on the table, Zheng Jian flicked his wrist. A surge of internal energy erupted, catching the note in mid-air and forcing it back into Zhu Yeqing’s hand.

"I appreciate the Big Boss’s kind intentions, but I cannot accept this!" Zheng Jian’s smile vanished. This was hot money.

Zhu Yeqing’s expression shifted, and just as he began to speak, Xue Ke’ren entered with the tea.

Zheng Jian picked up his teacup. "Ke’ren, see our guest out!"

Xue Ke’ren immediately stood beside Zhu Yeqing. "Please, Mr. Zhu."

Zhu Yeqing had no choice but to rise and leave.

Xue Ke’ren ushered him out of the tavern and immediately bolted the door.

Watching the closed door, a flicker of ruthlessness crossed Zhu Yeqing’s eyes before he walked away.

In the back room, the system prompted: "Resentment from Zhu Yeqing +999."

Zheng Jian knew that Zhu Yeqing now hated him, but he didn't care. With the methods at Zhu Yeqing’s disposal, he couldn't touch him. If he really dared to play dirty, well, he would show him what it meant to strike at a snake's heart!

...

Back at the Han Family Pavilion, the Big Boss looked at the disgruntled Zhu Yeqing and chuckled. "What, you failed?"

Zhu Yeqing bowed. "It is my fault for disappointing you, Big Boss. Please punish me."

The Big Boss waved a hand. "Nonsense, how could I blame you? That man surnamed Zheng doesn't know what's good for him; he’s beneath notice. Don't take it to heart, Strategist. You’ve worked hard tonight, go and get some rest."

Zhu Yeqing bowed respectfully and withdrew.

As Zhu Yeqing left, the Big Boss said coolly, "And Ziling?"

"Reporting to the Big Boss, she has already been delivered to the Strategist’s bed!" a burly man replied from behind him. It was Iron Tiger!