Once ace of spades and all the foreign liquor were lined up, Xiao Chen dutifully asked, "Young Master Jiang, how many bottles shall I open first?"
"Open a few? Open them all!" Jiang Cheng declared grandly.
Hearing Jiang Cheng wanted all three great divine dragon sets uncorked, Xiao Chen secretly rolled his eyes.
Rich folk really treat money like dirt!
The moment dozens of ace of spades bottles hissed open, the room exploded.
Down on the floor, plenty of pretty girls began angling for a chat.
If they could latch onto a table—and a bottle of ace of spades—they'd happily be "taken for free."
At first every eye was on Jiang Cheng in the center seat.
But once they spotted Zhou Ying beside him, they switched targets fast.
Wang Zheng, Chen Hao, and Qian Geng didn't stand on ceremony.
In minutes each had an arm around a string of girls scoring eighty-plus on looks, flirting up a storm.
Lin Feng, Guo Qian, and Zheng He were far more reserved.
Apart from quietly sipping, they spent every spare second fawning over Jiang Cheng.
It reeked of desperate loyalty.
Half an hour late, Wang Qiang finally showed.
He'd arrived ages earlier but hovered outside, knowing exactly what awaited him.
Only after long mental prep did he slink in, deflated.
Zhou Ying shrank against Jiang Cheng the instant she saw him.
"Why is he here?" she whispered.
Jiang Cheng patted her hand. "I invited him."
"Huh?" Zhou Ying was lost.
Noticing every guest had been present last night, Wang Qiang read Jiang Cheng's intent.
Fury raged inside, yet not a flicker showed.
Head bowed, he stepped up and bowed. "Young Master Jiang, I was wrong last night. Please be magnanimous—don't hold it against me."
Jiang Cheng sighed and shook his head. "I'm just a country bumpkin; how would I dare?"
Wang Qiang was out of options; everyone knew his family was finished and had deserted him.
He'd offended too many; if his house fell, he'd be crushed.
"I was drunk, talking nonsense. Take it out on me however you want—just let me off," he begged.
Jiang Cheng eyed the bottles. "You looked pretty cocky smashing them last night."
Reading the look, Wang Qiang inhaled. "If it'll cool your anger, smash me!"
"Can't do that—we've all had nine years of compulsory schooling, unlike you. Tell you what: I'll treat you to three bottles of ace of spades. Heard you can smash bottles in the air; I've never seen it. Care to show us?"
Wang Qiang understood instantly. He jerked his head up, eyes wide—he hadn't expected this humiliation—yet dared not refuse.
He drew a harsh breath, glared at the bottles, and said, "Right, that's my party trick. Anything for you, Young Master Jiang."
"Great. Brother Qiang, give us a demo—and everyone, film Young Master Wang's special skill."
"Come, Brother Qiang, say something."
"Here's a little act—hope you enjoy," Wang Qiang said, voice bitter.
He gritted his teeth, grabbed a bottle of ace of spades, squeezed his eyes shut, and slammed it against his head.
Enduring the pain, he seized the second, then the third, smashing each against his skull.
When the third shattered, Jiang Cheng led the applause. "Thanks for the show, Young Master Wang—epic!"
"Hell of a performance, Xiao Qiang!" Wang Zheng chimed in.
"Eye-opener—always knew Brother Qiang was ruthless to others, but to himself too—respect!" Chen Hao clapped.
By now Wang Qiang was reeling, blood trickling down his forehead.
He managed a thank-you to Jiang Cheng, then collapsed.
Xiao Chen, watching from the side, hurried over. "Um, Young Master Jiang, should I call an ambulance?"
"Do that. Clean up too—don't let anyone get cut," Jiang Cheng said calmly.
"Yes, sir." Xiao Chen instantly arranged for a cleanup crew.
Once the floor was spotless, Jiang Cheng raised his glass. "Thanks for coming today—cheers, everyone!"