Chapter 126: The Problem with the Light Ball

"Boss Zhou, Mr. Du, please believe me, my renovation team is working as fast as possible."

"Manager Rao, it's not that we don't trust you, but look over there—the Shenzhou Company's dance hall opened today, while our progress hasn't even reached half yet. This is unacceptable!"

An Audi sped down the road, carrying Zhou Ming, Kong Xiaolin, Du Peng, and Manager Rao. Zhou Ming and Kong Xiaolin sat in the back seat, listening to Du Peng and Manager Rao argue in the front. Zhou Ming couldn't help but say, "Manager Rao, Mr. Du is just impatient. After all, their venue has opened, and he's worried they might establish their brand first. If we lag behind, it will be troublesome."

Manager Rao replied, "Boss Zhou, I understand your and Mr. Du's feelings, but I can assure you, if they finished the renovation that quickly, there must be a problem!"

This made Zhou Ming's heart stir: "What kind of problem?"

Manager Rao shook his head and said, "Boss Zhou, I can't guarantee anything until I see it in person."

Zhou Ming nodded and fell silent. Soon, Du Peng drove directly to Shenzhou Company's dance hall. The dance hall, named "Golden Splendor," was, according to Du Peng, more like "Monkey Wearing a Crown." Located in the Sanyuan area, it wasn't as prime a location as Zhou Ming's venue, but its advantage was the higher number of foreigners in the vicinity, which ensured a steady flow of visitors once it opened.

Arriving at the location, they got out of the car. Zhou Ming looked up and saw the dance hall's neon lights flashing brightly, creating a somewhat luxurious atmosphere. The staff at the entrance were sweeping the floor, and there was a faint smell of firecrackers in the air, indicating that the opening ceremony had just been completed. As the dance hall that opened before Zhou Ming's, they naturally wanted to check it out.

As Zhou Ming and the others walked over, a young man in a crisp suit emerged from inside. He looked surprised to see them but quickly put on a smile and said, "Oh? Isn't this Advisor Zhou and Mr. Du? What brings you here? Welcome, welcome!"

Seeing this person, Du Peng coldly snorted, "Little Niu, so you're in charge here?"

From Du Peng's words, Zhou Ming realized this person's identity. Du Peng had mentioned before that a person named Niu Jie was also a red descendant under the imperial city of Yanjing. Due to his surname Niu and his lower status in the family, they nicknamed him "Little Niu," which eventually became "Little Niu" in casual use.

Niu Jie's face turned a bit awkward when called by his nickname in front of others, but he quickly recovered, laughing and saying, "Boss, you think I have the capability? This dance hall was supervised by me. It might be a bit faster than Mr. Du's place, so I hope Mr. Du won't mind."

Du Peng couldn't be bothered to engage with him. Zhou Ming then asked, "Manager Niu, can we take a look inside?"

"Of course, welcome! Please come in."

Niu Jie gestured them in and led them into the dance hall.

The decor of this dance hall was similar to old dance halls Zhou Ming remembered. It was just a large hall with tables and chairs for resting on both sides. In the center of the dance floor was a light ball that projected many different colored laser beams. Zhou Ming found it quite ordinary, but for people unfamiliar with this kind of setting, it was an enchanting experience, almost like entering another world. As a result, many people were already dancing excitedly in the center of the dance floor.

Although Du Peng was displeased that they opened before them, he was surprised by the scene inside. He quietly asked Zhou Ming, "Is this what the finished dance hall looks like? It's quite impressive."

"Once ours is finished, it will be even better," Zhou Ming replied.

"Advisor Zhou, Mr. Du, would you like to dance or sit down first?" Niu Jie asked.

Since they weren't there to dance, Zhou Ming told Niu Jie they'd sit for a while. Niu Jie then found them a spot and had tea and snacks brought over.

"Advisor Zhou, Mr. Du, what do you think of my dance hall?" Niu Jie asked proudly.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng didn't answer immediately but turned their attention to Manager Rao. Zhou Ming asked him, "Do you have any comments?"

Manager Rao considered for a moment and said, "The renovation of this dance hall was definitely not done by a professional team. While it looks fine at first glance, there are significant issues upon closer inspection."

Hearing this, Niu Jie was immediately displeased. "Manager Rao, why do you say that?"

Manager Rao hesitated at first, but Zhou Ming encouraged him to speak freely. He then said, "Some minor issues aside, which won't be visible at night, my main concern is the light ball on the ceiling. I've seen similar ones in the provincial dance troupe, and they are very heavy. You're using such a thin iron frame to hang it, which is quite unsafe!"

Niu Jie scoffed, "What's unsafe about it? You make it sound like you're an expert. Look, it's spinning just fine, isn't it?"

Zhou Ming said, "Manager Niu, this person is Manager Rao from Lingnan Decoration Company. He's the most professional in the entire Lingnan province. You'd better take his advice. I'm also a bit concerned about that light. It's best if you find an opportunity to fix it."

Du Peng added, "Yeah, Little Niu, if you don't fix it and it falls and injures someone, it'll be a problem."

Niu Jie said, "Advisor Zhou, Mr. Du, if you're just here for a visit, I welcome you with open arms. I can even offer you a free meal. But if you're here to criticize, then that's a different story."

"Little Niu, what do you mean by that? Do you think we came here to cause trouble?" Du Peng said unhappily.

Niu Jie retorted, "Aren't you? I know opening before you makes you uncomfortable, but we're acting within our rights. It's not like we used any underhanded tactics. You're just slow with your renovation, so don't blame me. Now you come in and curse that the light will fall and hurt someone. Isn't that intentional?"

"Manager Niu, you're overthinking it," Zhou Ming said with a smile. "However you think, we're just giving you a reminder. After all, if that light does fall and injure someone, your venue might be shut down."

Niu Jie was momentarily taken aback. As a person from that era, he didn't understand what Zhou Ming meant by "overthinking," but he understood the rest of Zhou Ming's words. With a disdainful and mocking look, Niu Jie said, "Advisor Zhou, should I thank you for the reminder? You really are our Nanjiang development advisor, aren't you? Do you talk just to satisfy yourself?"

Du Peng said, "Little Niu, you're getting more and more brazen. Are you suggesting we're intentionally cursing you?"

"It's your problem," Niu Jie retorted. "You come in without a word of praise and immediately say our light will fall and hurt someone. How is that not intentional?"

Du Peng slammed the table and stood up, "Little Niu, haven't I taught you a lesson in a long time? Your guts are getting bigger and bigger!"

Niu Jie instinctively took a step back. Zhou Ming pulled Du Peng back and signaled him to calm down. Then Zhou Ming said to Niu Jie, "Manager Niu, you're really misunderstanding. Whether you believe it or not, we're just here to take a look. Manager Rao is an expert in this field, so he gave you a reminder. If you don't believe him, that's fine."

"I'm misunderstanding? Are you trying to treat me like a three-year-old?" Niu Jie said. "If you were just here to visit, why bring Manager Rao? You're clearly scheming!"

Niu Jie then sneered, "What's this about Nanjiang development advisor? Is this all you've got? You can manipulate land deals, but when others do the same, you cut off their funds and call the police on them. Now that we've opened a dance hall, you come here to curse us. Can you be any more despicable?"

"Damn it, Little Niu, did you eat shit today? Your mouth stinks. Let me see if I don't tear it apart today!"

Du Peng, with a fiery temper, was about to strike Niu Jie. Niu Jie quickly dodged and said, "Mr. Du, do you really think I'm afraid of you? This is Boss's place; do you dare make a move here?"

"I'll just ask him for an apology later. But you, you won't escape today," Du Peng said.

Zhou Ming held Du Peng back, saying, "Calm down, Du Peng. We're not here to cause trouble."

At this moment, Niu Jie added fuel to the fire, "Yes, you might as well just get lost with your tail between your legs!"

"Say that again, I dare you!" Du Peng pointed at Niu Jie.

As Du Peng and Niu Jie were arguing, a sudden metallic crackling sound was heard

. Despite the loud disco music, Manager Rao heard it.

"Boss Zhou, Mr. Du, stop arguing for a moment. It sounds like something might be happening. Isn't that light ball about to fall?" Manager Rao said.

Hearing Manager Rao, Niu Jie disdainfully said, "This Manager Rao from who knows where, you really think you're an expert? Just because you say it'll fall doesn't mean it will! Even if your head falls, it won't drop!"

But as if Heaven was against Niu Jie, as soon as he finished his confident words, there was a "crack" sound, and the light ball suddenly fell, hitting the crowd on the dance floor below.