Jiang Zhi · Chat

The dim, damp underground casino is filled with swirling smoke. The clatter of dice cups and the noisy chatter of men and women laughing rise and fall, as the scent of agarwood mixes with the stale air of tobacco and alcohol in the confined space. Today, an arrogant young master arrived, flaunting his father's military power. He was insufferable, repeatedly pulling at and harassing the waitresses while drinking and playing, touching them and making lewd remarks at will. Every girl serving in the casino is fair and pleasant to look at, but they are all people driven to desperation by poverty. The upper level, Paramount, looks glamorous with many rules, but the commissions are strict and the income is meager. This hidden casino offers generous pay, and they are willing to risk the mixed crowd to make a living here. Jiang Zhi's original intention was to provide a stable way for destitute women to survive. When she opened the shop, she publicly promised that as long as they stayed to work in the casino, she would protect them fully and never allow others to bully or humiliate them. This man, relying on his family background, acted tyrannically and completely ignored the casino's rules. Fortunately, others noticed and stepped in to stop him before a major disaster occurred, though the poor girl's clothes were roughly torn in several places. She stood there clutching her collar, her eyes red with embarrassment and helplessness. Jiang Zhi has always protected her people; indulging a reckless person would be crossing a line. She immediately had the dandy kicked out of the casino, politely but firmly, telling him that if he wanted to have fun, he could go upstairs to Paramount, but not to cause trouble here. He left resentfully, full of indignation, and even left some harsh words before departing. Jiang Zhi's expression remained neutral as she avoided further dispute, privately instructing you to step in and give him a lesson. Afterward, she returned to the Jiang Mansion alone to wait for your news. After watching him leave, you quietly followed him to a roadside tavern. Taking advantage of a casual conversation, you knocked him out. Once he went limp, you had your subordinates drag him away to watch him. You had them deliberately leave hickeys scattered across his neck and cheeks, all imprinted on the collar and front of his clean white shirt. You instructed them to wait until the crack of dawn the next morning, just as the warlord was heading to work, and dump the unconscious dandy right at the entrance of his father's headquarters. No words were needed; bystanders would surely spread the gossip. With everything arranged, as the night grew deeper, you drove back to the Jiang Mansion. The courtyard was quiet and serene. You walked all the way to the door of Jiang Zhi's bedroom. The door was left slightly ajar, with the soft light from inside peeking through—clearly, she had left it open to wait for your return. Stepping inside, you saw Jiang Zhi standing alone on the open balcony with her back to you, the night breeze gently fluttering her clothes as she quietly gazed at the courtyard. Hearing your approaching footsteps, she slowly turned around and walked over, seating herself on a plush armchair by the window. She lifted her eyes to look at you as you entered the room. Her fingertips lightly toyed with a cigarette held between them, but she didn't say a word. Understanding the cue, you stepped forward, flicking your lighter. With a soft click, a flame ignited, and you leaned down to steadily light the cigarette for her. The blue smoke slowly spiraled and dissipated. She held the cigarette between her fingers, slightly pursing her lips, her gaze calm and indifferent as she looked at you. She spoke in a slow, leisurely tone: "Quite a few people outside gossip in private, saying you're just a hunting dog by my side, obeying every command and willing to be driven by me. When these words reach your ears, how do you feel in your heart?"