Just as he reached the entrance, he was stopped by the doorman. "Sir, please show your invitation. The venue is booked for private use tonight, and no one without an invitation can enter."
Xie Sui chuckled. These scumbags were trying to put him in his place.
He pointed to his face. "Me. Don't you recognize me?"
The doorman's eyes flickered with guilt, but he persisted. "I'm sorry, sir. We only recognize invitations, not people. Without an invitation, no one can enter. Perhaps you can have a friend you know come pick you up?"
Xie Sui gave a wicked smile. "What if I insist on going in? It's just a job, a thousand bucks a month. Is it worth risking your life?
Brother, listen to me. Take care of yourself. It's the saddest thing in life to have money but no life to spend it!"
Xie Sui clapped him on the shoulder and pushed past him into the venue. The doorman tried to stop him, but Ah Hua glared menacingly. "Don't push your luck. This is a fight between gods, and you're looking to die if you interfere."
The doorman immediately backed down. He had tried to block them, but failed. What could he do?
He could just quit. He had already received his benefits, and a doorman job was easy to find anywhere.
With that thought, he made peace with himself.
Xie Sui took the elevator to the banquet hall. As he entered, he heard the melodious sound of violins and bursts of laughter, a lively scene.
Xie Sui walked in and saw a group of people gathered in a circle, laughing heartily.
Around them, many people watched with varying expressions – some sympathetic, some entertained, some gloating.
"Miss Afeng, you must drink this cup. I'm toasting you."
"How can you not drink it? This bottle of red wine costs a hundred thousand. You can't even earn that much in a month of acting. We're doing you a favor by letting you drink it. Don't be ungrateful."
Xie Sui immediately understood. They were bullying his artist. He shouted, "Keep your face to yourself. Why are you giving it to others? Who cares about your face? You're so thick-skinned, do you like giving it to others that much?"
The crowd immediately froze. They parted to let Xie Sui through, and he saw the situation inside, his pupils contracting instantly.
Qiu Caijie exclaimed excitedly, "Mr. Xie, you're finally here! Afeng is our artist, they..."
"I know."
The girl named Afeng was drenched in wine, her eyes glazed over, on the verge of losing consciousness.
She was naturally beautiful, with a slightly fuller figure, making her appear exceptionally alluring at the moment.
Xie Sui took off his suit jacket and draped it over her. He helped her up, "I'll take you back. You've been wronged. Don't worry, I will avenge the humiliation you suffered today."
A tear trickled from Afeng's eye. She was still rational, but she didn't want to wake up, didn't want to face any of this.
"Mr. Xie, don't leave! We all work in the same circle. You're so arrogant and look down on everyone. You don't even bother to come when invited. Who do you think you are!"
Several people blocked Xie Sui's path, their intentions hostile.
Xie Sui handed Afeng over to Qiu Caijie, and without a word, threw a punch. Blood instantly gushed from the man's nose, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"You, Xie Sui, how dare you hit someone? You're too arrogant!"
"Today, I am arrogant! Is bullying a woman the upbringing of you Hong Kong people? Bah! I don't care to join such a circle."
Another punch, and all the men who had blocked him were beaten down. His cold eyes swept over the crowd. "Who else wants to try?"
"Mr. Xie, you've gone too far. Every circle has its own rules. You're breaking them by doing this."
An elder with white hair, in his sixties, walked out. Though not tall and a bit stout, he exuded a strong presence, the kind of man who had long held power.
Lin Tianxiang followed behind him, along with several middle-aged men who looked like executives, all glaring at Xie Sui.
"Who are you? Is this your house? You make the rules? Who sets the rules?"
Qiu Caijie explained, "This is Mr. Jiang, the president of the Film Association. All films must be reviewed by him before they can be released."
This was the man who held the fate of all filmmakers in his hands; he couldn't be offended.
Xie Sui, however, was unfazed. "President Jiang, hello. Let me witness your Hong Kong rules. Is it to gang up on a weak woman?
I understand you're xenophobic, it's only natural. But if you have a problem, come at me directly. Using such despicable tactics on my subordinates is an insult.
I, Xie Sui, don't care to join such an association."
President Jiang said, "They were just having a bit of fun. If you can't handle a little teasing in this business, you should quit while you're ahead."
"Fun?"
Xie Sui casually picked up a glass of wine and splashed it directly onto President Jiang's face. Everyone was stunned. How dare he?
"I'm having fun with you too. You're not going to back down, are you?"
Qiu Caijie's heart pounded, and she looked at her boss in disbelief, trembling slightly with excitement. He was so dominant. Was this Xie Sui's true nature?
Lin Tianxiang was also stunned. How could he? This was President Jiang!
"Mr. Xie, are you crazy?"
"Lin, have you pacified your wife? You haven't cleaned up your own mess, yet you dare to show up? I think you have too much time on your hands and want to spar with me?"
Xie Sui grabbed Lin Tianxiang by the collar. Lin Tianxiang swallowed. "Mr. Xie, let's talk things out properly. No need for violence."
"I'm telling you, you still think I'm easy to bully? Violence is the only way to make you remember. Anyone else want to have some fun?"
His gaze swept over the crowd. They were all bullies who preyed on the weak, lowering their heads and avoiding Xie Sui's gaze.
"Security, call security! If we don't teach you a lesson today, do you think we Hong Kong people are made of clay?"
Xie Sui excitedly said, "Ah Hua, can you handle it? If not, let's call for backup. What are we afraid of in a fight?"
Ah Hua replied, "Do these scumbags need backup? I can handle them alone. Mr. Xie, step back, so you don't get any blood on you."
Xie Sui found two bottles of red wine and smashed them. The shards of glass glinted coldly. With a rogue swagger, he said, "It's fine. I'll fight with you. It's been a while since I've stretched my muscles. Let's have a good practice today."
The security guards charged forward with their batons. Everyone moved aside. Xie Sui and Ah Hua faced over a dozen bodyguards, showing no fear.
However, it felt a bit lonely, like the tragic heroism of a lone warrior.
President Jiang's eyes darkened. He said fiercely, "Attack! Just leave them breathing!"
Xie Sui's heart seethed with anger. That old man. He shouldn't have just splashed wine on him. He should have broken his nose right then and there.
Suddenly, Xie Sui's mind raced. "Ah Hua, hold them off for me. Just two minutes."
"Mr. Xie, you should leave quickly. I can handle this. You being here would just be a burden."
Xie Sui was speechless. "I'm the boss. Do you look down on your boss? Do you want to be unemployed?"
Ah Hua was speechless, neither crying nor laughing. This was no time for jokes, Mr. Xie!