Novellv Chapter 1642 Illegal Detention?
Chapter 1642 Illegal Detention?
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Hao took Huang Yimei's hand and walked out of the private room without looking back.
Zhuang Guodong's face burned, as if he had been slapped in public.
Mrs. Zhuang breathed a sigh of relief, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and sneered, "It's good that they're gone; they're no longer an eyesore. Guodong, it's not worth getting angry over someone like that."
"Mom, he..."
"Alright, he's just an arrogant young punk who doesn't know his place."
Zhuang Guodong felt a tightness in his chest, but since his mother had said so, he had no choice but to sit down again. But the moment his bottom touched the tatami mat, the door to the private room was pushed open again.
He assumed it was Qin Hao returning, and looked up, about to utter a sarcastic remark, but swallowed the words back—
Four burly men in black suits and sunglasses filed in.
These four burly men, each over 1.85 meters tall, with broad shoulders and thick waists, instantly made the originally spacious Japanese-style private room feel cramped when they stood in the room. They were expressionless, standing in a row like four human walls.
The chopsticks in Zhuang's mother's hand fell to the table with a "clatter".
"Who...who are you people?"
The burly man at the head of the group took off his sunglasses, revealing a square face, and said expressionlessly, "Young Master Qin instructed that you two please enjoy your meal. You are not allowed to leave this private room until you finish eating."
"What do you mean?" Zhuang Guodong stood up abruptly. "Are you attempting illegal detention?"
Before he could finish speaking, the burly man put his sunglasses back on, turned to the other three, and said, "Guard the door."
"Yes!"
The four people turned around in unison. Two stood guard at the door, and two stood on either side of the private room. It was a standard security position, and they looked like they had been professionally trained.
Zhuang Guodong then realized that Qin Hao wasn't just saying it for show.
His face turned ashen, and he pulled out his phone to dial: "This is illegal! I'm calling the police!"
The burly man at the door turned around and glanced at him, his eyes looking at him like he was looking at a child who didn't know any better.
Qin Hao's voice drifted in from outside the door, carrying a lazy, cold laugh: "That's only if you can get out of there. Oh, and take their phones too, give them back after you've finished eating."
Zhuang Guodong had just pressed 110 and hadn't even dialed the number when the burly man closest to him moved.
The movements were ridiculously fast.
Zhuang Guodong felt a sudden numbness in his wrist, and the phone slipped from his hand. He instinctively tried to resist, but the next second, his entire arm was twisted behind his back, and a tremendous force pressed him down onto the tatami mat. His cheek was pressed against the cool straw mat, and his nostrils were filled with the astringent scent of rush.
Another burly man bent down to pick up the fallen phone and casually stuffed it into his suit's inner pocket. The two worked together seamlessly, clearly seasoned partners.
"Let me go! You bunch—"
Zhuang Guodong struggled to get up, but the hand pressing on his back was like a mountain, unmoving. How could a white-collar worker who sat in an office all year round be a match for such a professional bodyguard?
Mrs. Zhuang's face turned deathly pale, her lips trembled, and it took her a long time to manage to squeeze out a sentence: "You...you're breaking the law!"
"Madam, please cooperate." The burly man at the head of the group walked up to her and held out his hand: "Mobile phone."
"What if I don't give it to her?" Mrs. Zhuang said through gritted teeth.
The big man didn't speak, but just tilted his head slightly to look at Zhuang Guodong, who was being pressed down on the tatami.
The meaning is clear: It's up to you.
Mrs. Zhuang's chest heaved violently, her face alternating between pale and flushed. She had lived most of her life and was quite worldly-wise, but this was the first time she had ever been cornered in a private room by four burly men.
After a tense standoff of more than ten seconds, she finally took her phone out of her bag and slapped it hard into the big man's hand.
"You wait, this isn't over!"
The burly man remained unmoved, put his phone away, and nodded to his companion who was holding Zhuang Guodong down.
The man then released his grip.
Zhuang Guodong scrambled up from the tatami mat, his suit wrinkled, his hair disheveled, his carefully styled hair half-collapsed, looking utterly disheveled. He rubbed his aching shoulder, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"Barbarians! Robbers! You are nothing but a bunch of—"
“Sir, please return to your seat.” The burly man interrupted him, his tone as flat as if he were reading a menu.
Zhuang Guodong wanted to curse again, but when he met the unfathomable gaze behind the burly man's sunglasses, he swallowed the words back. He had already experienced the man's strength; he knew he wouldn't get the better of a direct confrontation.
He gritted his teeth and plopped back down on the tatami mat.
The body is honest.
Seeing her son's pathetic state, Zhuang's mother felt both angry and pained, but she also knew the wisdom of not fighting a losing battle. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
Just as the standoff was reaching its conclusion, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room.
"Hello, your food is served."
The waiter walked in carrying a tray and was visibly taken aback when he saw four burly men in black suits in the private room. But it was obvious that the owner had given special instructions, and he quickly regained his composure and placed the dishes on the table one by one.
The first course was an appetizer platter: pickled seaweed, mentaiko tamagoyaki, and crab chawanmushi.
Then came the sashimi boat: tuna belly, botan shrimp, sea urchin, and sea bream, arranged on crushed ice, presented as exquisitely as a work of art.
Next came grilled dishes, fried dishes, and boiled dishes, which were served one after another, quickly filling the entire table.
Normally, Zhuang's mother would have been eager to eat these delicious delicacies.
But at this moment, looking at the table full of delicious food, she only felt a churning in her stomach.
"Mom, what should we do?" Zhuang Guodong asked in a low voice.
Without saying a word, Mrs. Zhuang picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of tuna belly, and put it in her mouth.
It melts in your mouth and is rich in oil.
But after chewing it a couple of times, she felt like she was chewing wax.
"Eat," she squeezed out the word through gritted teeth.
Zhuang Guodong looked at his mother, then at the four burly men standing motionless at the door, and finally picked up his chopsticks.
-
At the same time, Huang Yimei couldn't help but whisper as she and Qin Hao walked out of the Japanese restaurant.
"Is doing this... somewhat inappropriate?"
Qin Hao led her towards the parking lot. Upon hearing this, he turned back to look at her, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Is there something wrong? Are you afraid they'll call the police?"
Huang Yimei didn't speak, but her eyes clearly showed worry.
Qin Hao released her hand, spread his hands, and made an innocent expression: "Do you think the police would believe that you locked two people in a private room, treated them to the most expensive Japanese food in Beijing, and then gave them 270,000 yuan after the meal?"
He paused, then said with a hint of mischief, "If this counts as illegal detention, then all the foodies in China would be vying to be detained."
Huang Yimei paused for two seconds, then burst out laughing.
Her smile, with her eyes crinkling, was bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights.
"You're full of bad ideas."
"You're not a mind reader, how did you know?"
Huang Yimei was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and slapped him in disgust: "Ugh, disgusting!"
Qin Hao laughed heartily, took her hand again, and their fingers intertwined.
"Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
"where to?"
"You'll know when it arrives."
Qin Hao drove her through most of Beijing, finally stopping by Houhai Lake.
On a summer night, a cool breeze blows across Houhai Lake, and the lights from both banks are reflected on the water, shimmering in the sunlight. Faint folk songs drift from the bar street, mingling with the chirping of cicadas, creating a rather pleasant atmosphere.
The two walked around Houhai Lake, ate a bowl of tripe at a roadside stall, and then slowly walked back.
When Qin Hao was almost home, his phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and answered, "Hello?"
The bodyguard's deep voice came from the other end of the phone: "Young Master Qin, they really can't eat anymore after the third book. The woman is already having stomach problems. What do you think..."
Qin Hao curled his lip, his tone filled with undisguised disdain: "You can't even handle eating this little bit? Useless."
Huang Yimei pinched him from the side.
Qin Hao winced in pain and changed his mind, saying, "Fine, take 70,000 from the briefcase I gave you and tell them to get lost."
"You four can divide the rest among yourselves."
On the other end of the phone, the bodyguard's voice clearly carried a hint of joy: "Thank you, Young Master Qin."
-
Inside the Japanese restaurant, the bodyguard hung up the phone and gestured to his two companions standing guard at the door.
The two immediately moved aside in the doorway.
Mrs. Zhuang had long since given up; her face was pale, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead. She had forced herself to eat most of the third menu, and her stomach was churning; she felt like she could vomit at any moment.
Seeing the doorway open, she rushed out without even grabbing her bag, clutching her stomach.
Zhuang Guodong wasn't much better off. He had originally wanted to say something harsh to save face, but just as he reached the door, a sudden sharp pain shot through his stomach, and his face changed drastically.
He clutched his stomach and stumbled toward the bathroom.
The bodyguards watched this scene expressionlessly, packed their briefcases, counted out seven stacks of cash and placed them on the table, then filed out.
The entire process was quiet, efficient, and professional.
-
The next day, at Qingting Company.
Jiang Xueqiong called Huang Yimei into her office and asked bluntly, "How's the Zhuang Guodong matter going?"
Huang Yimei hesitated for a moment, but still briefly recounted what had happened.
After hearing this, Jiang Xueqiong was stunned for three seconds, then burst into laughter and slapped the table.
"Hahahaha—only he could come up with such a trick!"
Huang Yimei said with a bitter face, "Of course, we've lost a lot of money, both inside and out."
Jiang Xueqiong was silent for two seconds, then laughed even harder.
"Your boyfriend is ruthless." She wiped away tears of laughter. "But then again, things that can be solved with money are really no big deal for him. After this, Zhuang Guodong probably won't dare to bother you anymore."
After that day, Zhuang Guodong took seven days off.
Colleagues in the HR department whispered that it was acute gastroenteritis, and the person was so sick with diarrhea that they looked completely different.
When he returned to work seven days later, his colleagues were all shocked.
The once dashing and confident Zhuang Guodong was gone, replaced by a sickly man with a sallow complexion, pale lips, and an inability to straighten his back when he walked.
He had lost a lot of weight, and the suit that used to fit him looked loose on him, as if it had been borrowed.
However, just as Jiang Xueqiong had predicted, Zhuang Guodong never approached Huang Yimei again.
It's not that I'm scared of Qin Hao.
Rather, it was because he had lost face so badly in front of Huang Yimei that day that he now avoids her whenever he sees her.
-
Three months have passed in the blink of an eye.
Huang Yimei's work at Qingting gradually got on track. She was naturally smart and quick to learn, and with her willingness to work hard, she quickly went from a menial assistant to a capable assistant.
Perhaps it was because of her potential, or perhaps it was because of her relationship with Qin Hao, but Jiang Xueqiong valued Huang Yimei more and more.
That day, she called Su Gengsheng into her office.
“Gengsheng, take Yimei with you on your business trip to Shanghai this time.”
Su Gengsheng was slightly taken aback: "President Jiang, that exhibition in Shanghai is of a high level. Is it appropriate for her to go?"
“Perfect.” Jiang Xueqiong picked up her coffee cup, her tone confident: “Yimei is a talented girl, she just lacks experience. Take her out to see more of the world and train her to become a curator.”
Su Gengsheng was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Okay."
She was actually a little surprised. The training path for curators is completely different from that for ordinary assistants; Jiang Xueqiong seemed to be grooming Huang Yimei as her successor.
However, to be fair, she actually had a good impression of Huang Yimei.
This girl possessed something she envied but could never have: a radiance and freedom that emanated from her very being. She was like a sunflower, always growing towards the sun, and even if she was occasionally obscured by dark clouds, it was only temporarily.
And what about Su Gengsheng himself?
She felt like a reed growing in the mud, desperately trying to grow upwards, but her roots were stuck in the mud, and the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.
She was stuck in the mud, yet she longed for the sunshine, rain, and fresh air outside.
Huang Yimei is exactly the kind of person she aspires to be.
-
The following day, at Beijing Capital International Airport.
Su Gengsheng, dragging his suitcase, waited for Huang Yimei in the coffee shop in the waiting area.
She arrived an hour early, ordered an Americano, and opened her laptop to handle emails.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out from above.
"Good morning, Manager Su."
Su Gengsheng looked up and saw Qin Hao's bright, smiling face, almost spilling his coffee.
Qin Hao was dressed casually in a white T-shirt and light blue jeans, with a pair of limited-edition sneakers on his feet. He looked refreshing and flamboyant.
"This is work, not a vacation." Su Gengsheng closed his laptop, his tone clearly displeased. "Why did you bring him along?"
Qin Hao sat down opposite her with a grin.
"Manager Su, you don't need to worry about me. I've arranged the plane tickets and hotel. I'll just accompany you and won't cause any trouble. Besides, if you run into any problems, I might be able to help."
Su Gengsheng rolled his eyes: "Your family has business in Shanghai too?"
My maternal grandfather's family is from Shanghai.
Su Gengsheng: "..."
What else could she say?
She looked at Huang Yimei and said seriously, "Don't let him affect your work, or I will report this to President Jiang truthfully."
Huang Yimei gave an OK sign and cheerfully took Qin Hao's arm: "Don't worry, Su Su, I know what I'm doing."
Su Gengsheng shook his head helplessly as he watched the two being so affectionate.
"Let's go check in."
The three of them got up and walked towards the check-in counter. Qin Hao naturally took the suitcases from Huang Yimei's hands, carrying one in each hand, while Huang Yimei linked arms with his free arm. The two chatted and laughed, like a young couple going on their honeymoon.
Su Gengsheng walked behind, watching the two figures from behind, feeling a mix of emotions.
-
Two hours later, the plane landed at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.
Qin Hao had arranged a car in advance, a black Mercedes-Benz van, with the driver holding a sign and waiting at the arrival gate.
After getting on the bus, Su Gengsheng habitually made plans for the next step.
"Yimei, give me your ID card. We need to check in at the hotel later."
Just as Huang Yimei was about to reach into her bag, Qin Hao preemptively pulled out two ID cards from his pocket and handed them over.
"No need to trouble Manager Su, I've already booked the room in advance."
Su Gengsheng took the ID cards and saw that one belonged to Qin Hao and the other to Huang Yimei.
She looked up at Huang Yimei.
Huang Yimei blushed slightly, but did not deny it. She just smiled with her lips pursed and looked out the window.
With Huang Jianzhi and Wu Yuejiang, the elderly couple, watching over them in Beijing, the two of them really had no chance to spend the night alone.
It's so hard to get to Shanghai, but the emperor is far away...
"You two really don't try to hide it at all," Su Gengsheng said, handing back his ID card with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Qin Hao and Huang Yimei exchanged a glance.
"What's there to hide about love between men and women?"
Before he could finish speaking, Qin Hao put his arm around Huang Yimei's waist and leaned down to kiss her.
It wasn't a light, fleeting kiss, but a full, deep French kiss.
Su Gengsheng watched this scene expressionlessly.
She should have looked away, coughed to remind them to be mindful of the occasion, or done something to break the awkward atmosphere.
But she did nothing.
She just watched, watching Huang Yimei with her eyes closed and her eyelashes trembling slightly, watching the strength of Qin Hao's hand on Huang Yimei's lower back, watching the intimate and unrestrained relationship between the two of them, oblivious to others.
A hint of envy flashed in Su Gengsheng's eyes.
That kind of envy is complicated, like a fine needle gently pricking the softest part of my heart.
She had also fantasized about love. But her youth lacked a sunny boyfriend, intimate kisses, and spontaneous trips.
Her youth was filled with that nightmare that could never be washed away.
Thinking of this, Su Gengsheng's eyes suddenly darkened.
After envy comes endless sorrow and resentment.
-
The car was parked in front of the hotel.
This is a five-star hotel. The lobby is magnificent, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the third floor, reflecting dazzling light.
Su Gengsheng went to the front desk to register his room, while Qin Hao led Huang Yimei directly to the elevator.
The moment the elevator doors closed, Qin Hao pressed Huang Yimei against the elevator wall.
Did you miss me?
Huang Yimei was pinned down by him, her back pressed against the cool mirror surface, while his burning chest pressed against her. The contrast of ice and fire made her tremble slightly.
"Don't we see each other every day?"
“That’s different.” Qin Hao’s lips brushed against her earlobe, his voice low and husky: “In Beijing, with your parents watching over you, I have to sneak around even to kiss you.”
Huang Yimei's ears tickled from his hot breath, and she laughed as she pushed him away, saying, "There are security cameras in the elevator."
"What's there to be afraid of? When handsome men and beautiful women kiss, others will only find it pleasing to the eye."
As Qin Hao spoke, he kissed her again.
The elevator arrived at the floor, made a "ding" sound, and the doors opened.
The two stumbled and staggered as they walked out, kissing each other, like two drunk people.
The corridor was carpeted thickly, making no sound underfoot. The wall lamps cast a warm yellow light, stretching their shadows long and intertwined.
Qin Hao had one arm around Huang Yimei's waist, while the other hand reached into his pocket for the room key.
He tried to touch her several times but couldn't, because Huang Yimei's hand was also in his pocket.
"Stop messing around, I'm looking for my room key."
"I'm looking for whoever caused the trouble."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Finally, I pulled out the room key, and with a "beep," the door opened.
The two squeezed into the guest room, and the door clicked shut behind them.
Then, for more than ten hours in a row, the door was never opened again.
-
The next morning, at 7:30.
Su Gengsheng stood at the door of the suite Qin Hao had booked and rang the doorbell three times.
No one answered.
She pressed it three more times.
Still, no one answered.
She took a deep breath and began to knock on the door.
"Boom boom boom -- boom boom boom --"
After knocking for the third time, the door finally opened.
Qin Hao stood at the door, his hair disheveled, shirtless, wearing only a pair of athletic shorts. He squinted, looking like he hadn't woken up yet.
"Manager Su, so early?"
"Good morning?" Su Gengsheng raised his wrist, almost shoving the watch against his face. "It's 7:30. We agreed to leave at 8:00. We still have half an hour."
"Oh." Qin Hao yawned and stepped aside. "Come in."
As Su Gengsheng entered the suite, the first thing he saw was the things on the living room floor.
The yellow dress Huang Yimei wore yesterday was crumpled up on the carpet, with one high heel next to it, the other one nowhere to be found.
Further inside, there were several empty wine bottles, two wine glasses, and an opened box of chocolates scattered on the coffee table.
A men's T-shirt was draped over the armrest of the sofa.
The entire room was filled with an indescribable atmosphere.
Su Gengsheng stood there expressionless, unsure of where to look.
"Susu, you're here?"
Huang Yimei's voice came from the direction of the bedroom.
Su Gengsheng turned his head and saw Huang Yimei walking out of the bedroom, wearing a loose white shirt, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, and her face radiant with an indescribable glow.
That radiance wasn't from cosmetics or the angle of light, but from an inner glow, a radiant glow that came from within.
"Are you... sure you can handle this?" Su Gengsheng couldn't help but ask, "Or maybe I should just go by myself."
Huang Yimei walked over with a smile, bent down to pick up the dress from the ground, her movements as natural as picking up a fallen leaf.
"No need, I'm young and recover quickly."
Su Gengsheng's face stiffened.
Are all young people these days so wild? Is this the kind of thing that can be discussed in public?
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
"Then I'll go see the exhibition with Susu first." Huang Yimei changed her clothes, walked up to Qin Hao, stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek: "You wait for me obediently at the hotel, don't wander off, okay?"
Qin Hao chuckled: "The way you're saying it makes it sound like I'm being kept by a sugar daddy?"
"Of course, I'm a high-income earner now, making three thousand a month." Huang Yimei patted his face seriously: "I can still afford to support you."
Su Gengsheng couldn't stand it any longer, so he turned around and walked to the door: "Five minutes, or I won't wait."
After seeing Huang Yimei off, Qin Hao didn't rest either.
He took a shower, changed his clothes, took a laptop out of his suitcase, and then went out.
He didn't go shopping on the Bund or eat snacks at the City God Temple; instead, he took a taxi directly to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Huang Yimei refused to spend her father's money, so she had no choice but to work harder and earn it herself. (End of Chapter)