Chapter 41: The Origins of Zhou Dan Zhuang

"Everyone stay calm, the police are handling this!"

"Ouch..."

All the thugs were sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain; their leader, Blondie, was especially battered, his face swollen and bruised.

Clutching his battered face, Blondie shouted at Zhou Danzhuang, "You... Don’t you care about your fourth uncle's life? Our boss said, as long as you bring the money and yourself here within half an hour, your fourth uncle will be spared!"

Zhou Danzhuang’s face was anxious. "Where have you taken my fourth uncle? Release him now! Otherwise, I’ll have all of you thrown in jail!"

"Ninth Sister, that’s not the way to interrogate." Ye Fei grinned and said, "Let me show you how to deal with villains."

He stepped forward and pressed his foot down hard on Blondie’s arm, increasing the force gradually.

The sharp pain made Blondie inhale sharply, but he stubbornly kept silent.

Ye Fei smiled playfully, then pressed even harder.

Blondie screamed, "Ahhh, my hand!"

"Cursed bastard!"

Ye Fei’s stomp shattered all the bones in Blondie’s fingers; the agony was nearly enough to make him faint.

Ye Fei remained indifferent, expressionless, as he pushed aside Blondie’s mangled hand and slowly raised his right leg.

"I’ll count to three," Ye Fei said coolly. "If you don’t speak, I’ll cripple your arm next."

Blondie’s face was filled with terror, tears and snot streaming down. He begged, "Spare me, brother! No, no! Hero, I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! Please, be gentle! I make my living with these hands!"

After Blondie finished explaining, Zhou Danzhuang’s expression darkened.

It turned out that the so-called fourth uncle had recently become addicted to gambling, spending an entire night at a place called "Hundred Dragons Casino." He lost nearly half a million, then borrowed another half million from the casino boss. He was gone for two days and nights, losing everything.

When Huang Duocai finally came to his senses and tried to leave, the casino owner was already watching him. He sent men to stop him, demanding he settle his debts. Coming from a modest family, there was no way Huang Duocai could pay up so quickly.

The boss threatened to chop off his hands, claiming it was a fair exchange—life for debt.

Desperate to survive, Huang Duocai begged for mercy. Uncle Long, the casino boss, finally sneered and offered a deal.

Not long ago, Uncle Long had seen Huang Duocai out with Zhou Danzhuang, and was immediately taken with her striking figure. After some inquiries, he set up a trap, luring Huang Duocai into debt, then making it clear: if Zhou Danzhuang would spend two nights with him, all the debts would be cleared.

Seeing the gleaming knives wavering at his throat, Huang Duocai was so frightened he agreed without hesitation, telling Uncle Long’s men where Zhou Danzhuang could be found, promising to use her body to pay off his debts.

And thus, this scene unfolded.

"Get out," Ye Fei waved the thugs away. They hurried off, scrambling toward the end of the street.

Zhou Danzhuang stood, chopsticks in hand, her expression gloomy, feeling deeply unsettled.

"Ninth Sister, this fourth uncle..." Ye Fei leaned in and asked softly, "Why doesn’t he share your surname?"

"Because he’s from my adoptive parents’ family," Zhou Danzhuang sighed. "I was adopted when I was young. Lin Qiqing and Master never told you?"

"Adopted?" Ye Fei was momentarily speechless. "No, they never did."

The feeling of being betrayed by one’s own kin is never pleasant; anyone would feel the same.

Especially since this fourth uncle, who had long been kicked out of the family, was once one of Zhou Danzhuang’s dearest relatives in childhood.

Ye Fei sat back down, unconcerned, and said to Zhou Danzhuang, "It’s nothing to be upset about. You can’t know a person’s heart. Just sever ties with such a beast."

Zhou Danzhuang shook her head, "Little Brother, my fourth uncle has always been good to me. He’s not the gambling type. If anything happens to him, Fourth Aunt will be devastated. And no matter his faults, he’s the backbone of their family. How can I just stand by and do nothing?"

"So what’s your plan?" Ye Fei looked at her with interest. "Will you go and offer yourself to that boss for a night?"

Zhou Danzhuang bit her lip, "Don’t forget, I’m a police inspector. If they really try something, I’ll have the evidence to arrest them!"

Ye Fei sighed, "Ninth Sister, you really are all chest and no brains. Acting like this won’t save your fourth uncle. It’ll only alarm them, making them act rashly. Besides, your uncle owed the money first. I bet those people had him sign an IOU. If it comes to a real dispute, you’ll lose for sure."

Zhou Danzhuang slammed her chopsticks on the table, angry. "Then what do you suggest? I can’t just let him die!"

"Let’s go. I’ll help you rescue your fourth uncle," Ye Fei grabbed her hand and hailed a cab.

"Ah... Wait!" Zhou Danzhuang barely had time to protest before she was dragged into the taxi.

"Deal: once this is over, you’ll treat me to a meal at a diner. Agreed?" Ye Fei said with a grin.

"You? Can you handle this?" Zhou Danzhuang looked worried. "Maybe I should just call the station for backup?"

"No need. I can handle this minor problem." Ye Fei shook his head, his eyes radiating an arrogant confidence, as if he looked down on all the world.

Zhou Danzhuang was still hesitant, but for some reason felt a sudden sense of security.

They left their meal behind and quickly drove to the "Hundred Dragons Casino."

Compared to the bustling streets of Las Vegas, this casino was barely the size of a small shopping mall. Two security guards stood slouched at the entrance, wearing ill-fitting suits, and blocked their way.

"Stop right there!"

"One thousand for entry."

One of them held out his hand.

"Go inside and tell your boss we’re here for Huang Duocai," Ye Fei said coldly, not wasting words.

The two guards exchanged glances, then hurried inside.

Two minutes later, one came back out, his face sullen. He glanced at Zhou Danzhuang, giving her a forced smile. "Go in. Our boss is waiting for you."

Ye Fei and Zhou Danzhuang stepped through the casino doors. The place was dim and chaotic, smoke thick in the air. Gamblers crowded every corner—winners laughing loudly, losers cursing, some wild-eyed patrons shouting to borrow money for another round.

Zhou Danzhuang, seemingly visiting such a place for the first time, looked around curiously.

Led by the security guard, the pair were taken to an office at the far end of the casino. Pushing open the door, they found a burly man covered in tattoos sitting on a sofa, a thick cigar clenched between his teeth, his right hand gripping a gleaming fruit knife.