Trapped in a Cage - Chapter 3

The private booth was heavy with the scent of alcohol, and every corner was filled with a vibrant, sensual atmosphere.

“Young Master Pei.”

Inside the room, a middle-aged man in a formal suit stood up, raising a glass of red wine with an air of profound respect and sincerity.

Pei Sichen sat in the center of the sofa, his long legs crossed. He tilted his head, completely ignoring the offered glass, and lit a cigarette for himself.

White smoke blurred his features. The kaleidoscopic lights played across his brooding eyes, making him appear sinister and unpredictable.

Su Jiachen spoke up, breaking the awkward silence: “Vice Mayor Lin is a man of a thousand responsibilities. I imagine you have been exceptionally busy lately.”

The man addressed as Vice Mayor Lin wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. He bowed toward Su Jiachen and chimed in repeatedly, “The economy in Haishi City has been volatile lately. The initial investment for the development zone construction was too large, leading to a broken capital chain. Many projects have been forced to stop. Coupled with the impact of the pandemic from a few years ago, national consumption levels have dropped severely. Salvaging this economic decline is not something that can be solved overnight.”

Su Jiachen took a sip of his wine. “The issue with the development zone is not difficult to solve. You only need to increase the penetration of the petty bourgeoisie, reduce cost consumption, and then leak a false rumor that the government is preparing to build a city within a city. Using that piece of fat as bait, people will naturally step forward to solve your current troubles.”

Vice Mayor Lin looked troubled. “But would that not be too risky? Once the news spreads, it will inevitably trigger a new round of chaos in the financial market.”

The profits brought by a new economic zone would be enough to make capitalists’ eyes turn red with greed, but the day the lie is exposed, the resulting blow would be catastrophic.

Su Jiachen let out a nonchalant laugh. “Vice Mayor Lin, in this world, more companies go bankrupt every day than there are skyscrapers in Haishi. The people who jump off buildings because of money, if lined up, would be taller than the city’s highest tower. Throw down those moldy real estate projects and assets you are holding. Otherwise, how can you get those hunting dogs who smell blood to willingly hand over real gold and silver to take over the deal?”

“But,” Vice Mayor Lin started.

“Only chaos can bring life back to stagnant water. Being timid will only make you look like a fool,” Pei Sichen interjected from the sofa, his expression cold and mocking.

“But with such a high risk, I fear those people will not fall for it.”

“They will fall for it.”

Pei Sichen sat up elegantly and looked at the crimson liquid before him. He leaned forward slightly, the shifting lights illuminating the emotions flowing in his eyes. It was a cold indifference and a nearly cruel sense of clarity and calculation.

“The greater the risk, the higher the profit. Those people will not pass up this opportunity. Just like a hunting dog gripping rotten meat, they will not let go until they have torn off a piece. What you should do is not fear the storm, but ride it. Release the news. The stock market sectors will yield even more than you expect.”

Su Jiachen patted Vice Mayor Lin on the shoulder and waved for someone to bring a glass of wine to him. “Once the news is out, countless investors will flock to it. When those self-proclaimed clever hunting dogs think they are sitting securely on high, you have the State Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission timely release some vague refutations or announce one or two harmless plans. The panic following greed will make the crash even more frenetic.”

Vice Mayor Lin’s forehead was covered in sweat, but his eyes revealed a flicker of being persuaded.

“At that time, Vice Mayor Lin will personally support a wave of emerging industries to stabilize the stock market. Not only will the development zone issues be solved, but even half of the previously buried landmines can be removed in the process. As for how many small fry get crushed along the way,” Su Jiachen chuckled, his eyes showing the same coldness as Pei Sichen’s, “that is just the natural law of the market. What does that have to do with you, Vice Mayor Lin?”

Su Jiachen’s words were like a sharp knife, precisely dissecting the core of profit and risk, painting an economic massacre as a capital feast.

“In this gamble, you and we have only one outcome: winning. Mayor Lin, have you thought it through?”

In hearing Su Jiachen address him as “Mayor,” the man’s expression froze, and his breathing grew heavy. Looking at the wine glass before him, he remained silent for a few seconds before picking it up and draining it in one gulp.

“Young Master Pei, Young Master Su, it is a pleasure to collaborate.”

“Mayor Lin is truly decisive,” Su Jiachen laughed, following suit by drinking his wine. “Then this glass is to your boundless future, Mayor Lin.”

Pei Sichen remained calm and indifferent, showing no surprise at the predetermined result. Shorting the economy and swallowing profits; they did not care how many people would be driven to desperation by this financial storm. They only cared that the final ownership of the interests fell into their hands.

Jiang Ruobai woke up three days later.

After opening his eyes, the first thing he did was crawl to the hospital toilet and vomit until his world spun. It was not just physiological nausea; the psychological shame and trauma of the harassment were the hardest to endure.

During his hospitalization, the only person who came to visit was Zhou Luo, who had entered the An Se training at the same time as him.

Zhou Luo told him that it was Pei Sichen who had saved him from Zhou Taohai and had him sent to the hospital. Now, rumors were flying throughout An Se that Pei Sichen had taken an interest in Jiang Ruobai.

“Brother Bai, if you really get favored by Young Master Pei and strike it rich, do not forget about me.”

As Zhou Luo spoke, his eyes held both curiosity and envy. After all, to be favored by such a powerful figure, even if there was no lasting future, the benefits would be enough for them to live a stable life in a small county for the rest of their days.

Jiang Ruobai could only offer a bitter smile. He knew that Pei Sichen’s kindness was purely to watch him as a joke. How could a person of that status ever be interested in someone like them? Besides, Jiang Ruobai looked up at the familiar white ceiling, but his mind filled with the gentle smile of his wife.

The experiences at An Se these past few days had made him realize that, by any means necessary, he had to gather the surgery fees quickly and then leave An Se for good.

Remembering something Zhou Luo had mentioned before, Jiang Ruobai grabbed Zhou Luo’s shoulder and asked urgently, “Zhou Luo, what was that guaranteed stock you told me about a few days ago?”

“Brother Bai, did you not say before that you thought it was too risky and were not planning to invest?”

Zhou Luo had indeed mentioned the stock to Jiang Ruobai before, but Jiang Ruobai’s attitude had been very firm. Normally, he would not participate in such gambling investments, but thinking of the unpaid medical bills from the hospital and his experience at the club, Jiang Ruobai felt his skin crawl. He could not wait any longer.

“Actually, I just want to earn more money so I can leave An Se sooner,” Jiang Ruobai said with a weary expression.

Zhou Luo nodded. He could see that Jiang Ruobai did not belong in this circle and had only come to An Se out of desperation.

“Brother Bai, do not worry. I heard this news from my boyfriend. He has friends in the city government. It is said the government has big plans coming up. He has inside information. If you trade with me, this will definitely be a guaranteed win!”

“Thank you,” Jiang Ruobai said from the bottom of his heart.

He and Zhou Luo were not actually close; they had only spoken a few times. He had not expected Zhou Luo to be so willing to help him. Zhou Luo scratched his head and gave a simple smile. “Brother Bai, you are being too formal. There is no need for thanks. If you have any problems in the future, just ask, and I will do my best to help.”

“I am truly grateful, Zhou Luo. If you encounter any problems in the future, I will do my absolute best to help you too!”

Zhou Luo was amused by Jiang Ruobai’s serious expression and laughed brightly. “Brother Bai, you do not need to be so polite. But speaking of which, Brother Bai, how much do you plan to invest?”

Once the joking was over, Zhou Luo brought the topic back to business. Jiang Ruobai’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of struggle in his eyes.

“Zhou Luo, what was the return rate you told me last time?”

Zhou Luo held up three fingers. “At least three times.”

That meant if he invested ten thousand, he could get thirty thousand. His wife’s surgery fee was 500,000. To gather enough, he would need to invest over 100,000. But he only had 50,000 right now, which was all the savings he could manage.

“Brother Bai, let me remind you first: the stock market is always risky. If you are worried, it is fine to invest less at the start.”

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Ruobai said firmly, “I want to invest 50,000.”

Zhou Luo tried to dissuade him: “Brother Bai, think about it again. 50,000 is not a small amount of money.”

Jiang Ruobai shook his head. “I will invest 50,000. Zhou Luo, please handle the operation for me. As for the money, I will transfer it to you in three days.”

Seeing Jiang Ruobai’s determined expression, Zhou Luo did not press further. He nodded. “Brother Bai, do not worry. I will make sure this is handled well.”

“You are the one helping me. I am the one who should be thanking you.”

“What is help between brothers? Brother Bai, just focus on recovering; do not worry about anything else.”

Jiang Ruobai’s eyes reddened. It would be a lie to say he was not moved. Before he could voice his gratitude, he was interrupted by a phone call. The caller was Li Hai, the floor manager for the first floor of An Se.

Each floor of An Se had its own person in charge; the higher the floor, the greater the power. As a waiter on the first floor, Jiang Ruobai was under Li Hai’s management. Worried that his absence these past few days had angered the manager, Jiang Ruobai nervously pressed the answer button. “Hello, Manager.”

“Xiao Jiang, how has your recovery been these past few days?”

What came through the receiver was not a scolding for his absence, but Li Hai’s warm concern. This demeanor was a far cry from the image of the man who would curse them out at the drop of a hat. The massive contrast left Jiang Ruobai, who had prepared for a tongue lashing, feeling momentarily lost.

“I, I am much better, Manager. I can come to work tonight.”

“No rush. It is fine to rest a bit longer. After all, your health is what matters,” Li Hai said considerately.

Jiang Ruobai shook his head, thinking Li Hai was being polite before firing him. He said quickly, “My body is fine now. Do not worry, Manager, I will definitely be at my post on time today.”

“Well then, since you are so insistent, Xiao Jiang, I will put you on the schedule. Since you are still recovering, I will not put you on the late night shift. You can just work the early shift.”

Jiang Ruobai was overwhelmed by Li Hai’s kindness and expressed his gratitude repeatedly before hanging up. The smile on Li Hai’s face vanished the instant the call ended.

A young man standing beside Li Hai asked with confusion, “Brother Li, why were you so polite to Jiang Ruobai? Is he not just an ordinary waiter?”

“What do you know?! Someone who can come out of Young Master Pei’s booth intact and be saved by him; do you think he is just an insignificant person?”

“But he is just a Beta, and he cannot even have children. Why would Young Master Pei be interested in him?” the young man asked unpleasantly.

Li Hai raised an eyebrow, scanned the young man from head to toe, and warned: “Keep your little schemes to yourself. Who Young Master Pei takes an interest in is his business, but you had better not move with any ill intentions. Think of Sisi. You do not want to spend the rest of your life as a living corpse in a hospital with a feeding tube.”

Thinking of the Omega who had ignorantly tried to seduce Pei Sichen, the young man’s face turned pale. The tragic sight of the woman being carried out that night was still vivid in his mind. Although his heart was filled with jealousy and disdain for the Beta named Jiang Ruobai, his fear kept him from making any moves for the time being.

Li Hai added: “In An Se, mind your mouth and your eyes. Learn to read the situation and know your place if you want to live a long life.”

The young man lowered his eyes, his tone begrudging yet resigned. “I understand.”

Li Hai could tell from the young man’s expression that he had not completely given up, but he had said all he could. How much the boy took to heart was up to his own fate. People like Pei Sichen were a chasm that they could never cross, let alone provoke. Those princes who appeared to stand at the top of the pyramid were actually a pack of thorough madmen. Dealing with madmen never led to a good end.

Recalling that meaningful phone call and knowing how malicious those people could be, Li Hai actually felt a bit of pity for the honest Beta. He only hoped the man could survive tonight in one piece.

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