Trafford's Trading Club

674: Chapter 87: Sprint 674: Chapter 87: Sprint A day is a reflection of a lifetime.

For some reason, Zhu Maolin suddenly remembered this phrase.

He felt like a traveler on his way home, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Wanting to return to that empty house, wanting to be beside the person who always treated him as a treasure, no matter how insignificant he was.

How to express those words.

How could he forget the vows made when entering the hall amidst blessings.

The streetlights on the late-night streets flashed by, the night passing hastily.

He suddenly felt grateful for the time he met Xiao Lu…

He finally figured out what it was about Xiao Lu that attracted him, why it made him feel so peaceful and comfortable.

Xiao Lu had the shadow of Hou Chen Yuhuan in her — as if it was a tailor-made encounter, the feeling Xiao Lu gave him was exactly what his wife, during their passionate romance when she was still his girlfriend, had given him.

A girl who could bring the feeling of a passionate romance…

Xiao Lu was such a magical girl.

After parking the car, Zhu Maolin hurriedly walked away from the space he had bought.

Next to the black SUV, there was also a motorcycle covered with a tarp.

Zhu Maolin glanced at it instinctively.

This motorcycle was also his, but it hadn’t been on the road for a long time — even though it was still being maintained.

This seemed a bit like his effort with the family, where both he and Hou Chen Yuhuan were trying their best to hold it together, attempting to mend that crack, yet never able to truly fill it.

Gradually drifting apart, gradually becoming indifferent…

Watching the elevator floor numbers flash one by one, everything in front of Zhu Maolin seemed to be intersecting.

So many days and nights, so many nights when he never went home and worked overtime until late at night, did she also carry the ready-to-eat meals bought from convenience stores or fast food outlets by herself, watching the elevator numbers jump?

That day, after finishing a photo shoot, he rarely came back early and had to cook a bowl of noodles for himself, eating while watching TV — did she also adjust the house lighting to dim, not even tasting the food she was eating, nor understanding what the voices from the TV were saying?

This was something he could completely imagine, yet he always dared not face it, even avoided it.

It wasn’t that he had no reaction at all towards his wife.

Instead, every time it was like a volcano about to erupt… but each time in the end, he always remembered that one accident.

The child used to sleep beside him and her when they were young. “Not at home…”

He hurriedly opened the door to the house, it was already past midnight, but the house was empty.

This time, Zhu Maolin directly picked up the phone, not texting, just to make a call to Hou Chen Yuhuan — the number you dialed is switched off.

Zhu Maolin sat down on the sofa suddenly.

Then, the phone suddenly rang. … …

A few wealthy wives following behind discreetly didn’t step forward to speak until they saw Hou Chen Yuhuan leave this floor with Liu Zixing.

Because they couldn’t grasp the others’ background, these wives had no choice but to give up, leaving sullenly to discuss among themselves.

The security at the top of the hotel club seemed to have been instructed, very politely escorting them all the way until both were completely out of the hotel club area.

However, at the gate, the security stopped their steps.

Liu Zixing also stopped here, seemingly planning to call a taxi — this person, who just won a huge sum of money and frequented such upscale gambling halls, was going to call a taxi?

Hou Chen Yuhuan didn’t want to delve deeper into his affairs — even up to now, she didn’t know his name, only knowing from the casino’s reference to him that his last name was Liu.

She didn’t plan to ask, just wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible and go back to her room, no different from an empty one.

Tired today, maybe she could sleep. “You can leave from here.” Liu Zixing looked at Hou Chen Yuhuan, “When the car comes, you get in first, I’ll wait for the next one.”

Hou Chen Yuhuan just nodded, a brief encounter, nothing more, but she still expressed her thanks — at least he indeed brought her out of the hotel club safely.

Liu Zixing checked the time, unknowingly it was already past midnight… now it’s after twelve… less than an hour away from one o’clock in the morning.

He silently calculated the time in his heart. “Young Master Liu, we meet again!”

A van suddenly stopped in front of Liu Zixing and Hou Chen Yuhuan, with a few men in coats getting out without a word, surrounding the two.

One of them sneered, “Young Master Liu, can you even escape from the dog cage?

Quite capable, huh?

And still in the mood to play with women here?

But we’re not feeling well…

Are you going to come along obediently, or do we have to force you?”

Hou Chen Yuhuan didn’t dare speak but instinctively clutched her clothes tightly in shock — she looked toward the security booth not far away, only to see those previously exceptionally polite people now acting like they didn’t see a thing, ignoring the situation.

Out of this range, it’s not under their jurisdiction…

That’s probably what they were instructed to do, right?

Hou Chen Yuhuan suddenly had this realization.

What to do?

She was frantically thinking.

Liu Zixing, at this moment, calmly said, “Where’s your boss?

Let him come see me, don’t worry, I won’t leave…

Is he in the other car?

Why doesn’t he come down?”

About three meters behind the van, a white Bentley Continental just stopped, and Liu Zixing was looking at this car… it was Brother Panther’s vehicle. “Why so much nonsense, just come with us!” “Don’t use force.” Liu Zixing shook his head, “You’re just seeking profit, go tell your boss that I have something to discuss with him.” “We’ll talk later!” The man sneered, directly placing his hand on Liu Zixing’s shoulder, and the other few big guys were about to lay hands on Hou Chen Yuhuan as well.

At this moment, another man, seemingly a driver, got out of the white Continental and shouted, “Let him come over, the boss wants to see him!”

The crowd then relented, directly escorting Liu Zixing to the front of the white Bentley Continental, while Hou Chen Yuhuan was still closely watched by several big men.

She could only drop her head in terror, huddling her body, even more, too afraid to speak. “Get in!”

Liu Zixing was practically pushed into the car.

In the back of the car, Brother Panther was smoking a cigar.

Seeing Liu Zixing come up, he grinned — it was just him and Liu Zixing in the car. “Young Master Liu, oh Young Master Liu, you really know how to run.” Brother Panther squinted his eyes, “Ears… they don’t hurt anymore?” “Pain.” Liu Zixing said calmly, “It’s still faintly throbbing even now, even uncomfortable.”

Brother Panther’s voice turned cold, “And you still dared to run?” “If I didn’t run, I wouldn’t be able to repay the money.”

Liu Zixing shook his head and took out the folded check from his clothes, “This check is issued from the casino inside, there shouldn’t be any problems.

The amount on it, including the debt I owe, with interest and principal, should cover more.

You can verify it.”

Brother Panther frowned, stared hard at Liu Zixing, then swiftly snatched the check from Liu Zixing’s hand, and handed it out of the car window to the driver, “Check if it’s correct!”

A moment later, the driver quickly said, “Boss, it’s real.”

Brother Panther wiped his eyebrow with his hand, remained silent for a while, just glanced at his subordinates by the minivan, then suddenly took out a cigar from the backseat cabinet, “Want a smoke?” “No, I don’t smoke.” Liu Zixing shook his head.

Brother Panther chuckled and said, “Don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t whore… just love gambling.

If not for this hobby, you might have been a good man!” “If there’s nothing else, can I leave now?” Liu Zixing asked calmly at this point.

Merely a facade of calmness — because even having great luck at present, it’s uncertain if Brother Panther would let him go easily after taking the money.

Before the time runs out, luck at least guarantees he won’t die… but whether he falls into a trap is unknown — he was actually extremely nervous.

Only after gambling against the mysterious boss, the mentality when facing Brother Panther was different… at least in terms of so-called momentum. “Did you win this from the casino inside?”

Liu Zixing nodded.

Brother Panther remained silent for a while, “The amount on this check is just right… you seemed prepared in advance, did you already know I’d return?”

Liu Zixing said, “Not sure, I was just guessing.

Originally intended to clear this debt, so prepared in advance.

Since you’re here, I’ll give it to you.”

Brother Panther nodded, suddenly slapped his thigh, “Alright, meetings and partings are destined, parting is such sweet sorrow.

I’m only after money, not willing to do more…

Since Young Master Liu can repay, I’ve got nothing to say.

We’re still friends, and if you come to hang out, you are still a VIP!” “We’ll see.” Liu Zixing nodded.

Until he left Brother Panther’s car and walked to Hou Chen Yuhuan’s side, watching those subordinates driving off in their van, he still felt a bit surreal… that Brother Panther let him go so easily. … … “Boss, are we just letting him go like this?” On the road, the driver ahead — who was actually also a confidant, asked puzzledly, “This Liu Zixing supposedly won several billion from that new casino.”

Brother Panther bit his cigar and sneered, “He just won money and we received the news already, and came over, does that seem right to you?” “You mean it’s intentional by the new casino?”

Brother Panther said calmly, “The background of this casino is intricate, whether intentional or not, there’s no need to get involved in its murky waters.

It does its high-end market, I do my business, and there’s no conflict for now.

We don’t need to let others use us as a tool.

However, that’s not the main reason, the important part is… today it’s inconvenient to deal with Liu Zixing… see how things go, if he screws up, even if he doesn’t owe money, I’ll take him out.

For now… consider him lucky.” “Why?” the driver asked in shock.

Brother Panther let the driver stop the car, asked him to wait outside.

After smoking alone in the car for a while, he hesitated to pick up his phone and after a moment of hesitation, made a call.

Soon after. “Hello?

Panther…

Why are you contacting me now?”

Brother Panther cleared his throat, “Ah… it’s me, Zhu Maolin, long time no see, you… how are you recently?

Where are you?” “Not bad, just got home… what’s up?”

Brother Panther said, “Nothing, just suddenly thought of you, so I’m calling to say hi… haven’t seen you in ages, right?

When are you free for a drink?” “Let’s see, been quite busy lately.”

Brother Panther thought for a while and said, “I say, Zhu Maolin… is there something wrong with your relationship with your wife?”

After a long silence. “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

Brother Panther said, “Zhu Maolin, don’t be mad…

I just saw your wife walk out of a hotel club with a guy.

I couldn’t figure out their relationship and didn’t show myself in front of your wife.

Afraid she’d recognize me… though she only met me once at your wedding five or six years ago, she probably wouldn’t remember.”

Noticing the prolonged silence on the other end, Brother Panther said angrily, “Brother, is there really an issue?

Your wife dared to cheat?!

Just say the word!

Just one word from you, and I’ll bust those two bastards right in front of you!!

Damn!

Back then when I was starting as Brother Panther, doing underground racing, you got me my first big win!

And it was you Zhu Maolin who took the knife for me, otherwise, I’d have grass growing over my grave by now!

This life, I only consider you as my brother!

If you can swallow this, I can’t!!” “What are you saying.” Zhu Maolin said slowly, “I trust her… don’t do anything rash.

Just tell me where.” “Uh… just at the new Four Seasons Hotel Club.” Brother Panther poked his head out the window.

At this moment, the driver suddenly said urgently, “Boss, I just saw Liu Zixing encounter a bunch of fierce people.” “What?

Where are they?” Brother Panther asked in shock. “He was dragging a woman and rushed… rushed in that direction.” The driver pointed and added insult to injury, “This guy offends so many people.

Didn’t he owe money somewhere again?”

Brother Panther with anger said, “Are you eating shit?!

You see someone daring to make a move, and you don’t react at all!

Call for backup!!

I dare anyone to touch them!

Hurry!!

Chase them!!” “I-I’m going… right now…”

Brother Panther was quickly whispering into the phone, “Zhu Maolin, don’t worry!!

Anyone daring to touch your wife, I will kill them!!

Zhu Maolin…”

Beep — Beep — ! … …

A sudden roar erupted from the residential parking lot, causing the parked cars to buzz like startled little animals.

Only to hear another engine roar, a modified black motorcycle burst out from the downhill of the underground parking lot.

The honking of the parking lot’s cars persisted, as if sending off a departing king.