Chapter 39: Justice

As soon as he stepped out of the private room, Hong Chen requested a phone call. The manager silently agreed, and with three security guards escorting him, they made their way to the security office.

The manager addressed the dark-skinned young man with medium-length hair seated behind the desk, “Director Xiao, this person is not a member. He’s been caught stealing a watch worth over a million, with both the item and the thief apprehended. The victim is a friend brought in by a gold card member.”

Director Xiao lifted his eyes, “What’s the procedure?”

The manager grinned, exposing eight stark white teeth, “The usual rules.”

Director Xiao nodded, his gaze settling on Hong Chen, his tone indifferent, “Two options: lose your right hand, or compensate five times the value of the stolen item.”

Hong Chen’s eyes flickered. The club’s punishment was indeed severe. He’d heard that in some places, when a pickpocket was caught, they’d lose a finger; here, it was a whole hand. And for a watch valued at over a million, five times meant more than five million—a sum most ordinary families in Qing City could never hope to amass.

Sensing Hong Chen’s thoughts, the manager said coldly, “The minimum membership for Paradise Club No. 1 requires at least twenty million in corporate assets, or a recommendation from a legal person. What our members value most is not the club’s ambiance, but whether their privacy and safety are guaranteed.”

“If you’d returned the item before we checked the surveillance, it could have been settled as a private matter. Now that we’ve investigated, it must be handled officially. The outcome will be made public to all members. If you choose the fivefold penalty, the club won’t keep a cent—it’ll all be distributed as bonus to the members.”

The manager spoke righteously, giving an impression of impartiality. Hong Chen neither agreed nor disagreed, simply replied, “As I said before, I didn’t take the watch. I demand to see the surveillance footage myself.”

The manager waved a finger dismissively, “You’re not a member. You don’t have that right.”

Hong Chen’s eyes narrowed in confusion, “What do you mean? Only members can view it?”

The manager replied, “Different membership levels have different privileges. Even gold card members can only request us to review the footage—they can’t view it personally. Unless you’re a platinum card member.”

Hong Chen frowned, “So, your club can frame me however you want?”

The manager’s expression darkened sharply, “Watch your mouth, kid. Our club’s reputation isn’t yours to tarnish…”

He was still threatening when suddenly the security office door swung open. A middle-aged man with an imposing aura scanned the room before quickly approaching Hong Chen, asking cautiously, almost deferentially, “Are you Mr. Hong?”

Hong Chen glanced at him coolly, “I am. Are you the person in charge here?”

The man replied hurriedly, “I’m tonight’s deputy general manager. My surname is Mo. Please let me know how I can assist you, Mr. Hong.”

Seeing Deputy Manager Mo’s respectful demeanor toward Hong Chen, the manager, Director Xiao, and the three security guards were all dumbfounded.

Hong Chen smiled at the manager—a smile that, in the manager’s eyes, seemed almost devilish, making his nerves fray. Then, Hong Chen spoke a single sentence that struck the manager like a thunderbolt, draining all color from his face.

“You said the surveillance clearly showed me putting the item in that coat pocket. I told you to remember your words. Now, please repeat them.”

...

Inside the private room.

Perhaps out of consideration for Lin Yuxin’s feelings, no one mentioned Hong Chen again. Nearly ten minutes passed before Liu Qian couldn’t help but ask, “Feiyang, what do you think the club will do about this?”

As soon as she voiced her doubt, everyone turned their gaze to Chen Feiyang, including Lin Yuxin, who had been quietly lost in thought but now looked up, her eyes tinged with urgency.

Chen Feiyang hesitated, looking at Liu Qian, then Lin Yuxin, and said tactfully, “Paradise Club No. 1 is on par with Wang Teng Club. Not long ago, Wang Teng Club had a similar case—a man took a jade ring worth about three hundred thousand, left by a client at the sink. The club checked surveillance, and the man ended up losing two fingers.”

Chen Feiyang glanced at the shocked faces around him, paused, then continued, “Shi Jie’s Patek Philippe is worth nearly a million. I estimate, at minimum, the club will require him to lose three fingers, or pay several million in compensation, which will be distributed to the members as a year-end bonus.”

Lin Yuxin’s face went pale. She’d expected the club might resort to private punishment—a few blows, pain but no lasting injury—but hadn’t imagined it would be as severe as finger amputation. As for several million in compensation, Hong Chen simply couldn’t pay.

No matter what, until the divorce was final, Hong Chen was still her husband. When he was caught with the goods, she had indeed felt disappointed and wanted to abandon him. But now, as she calmed down, she found she couldn’t.

“Feiyang, could you call the manager? I’d like to talk with him,” Lin Yuxin said urgently, setting aside her usual composure.

“Yuxin, he brought it upon himself,” Lu Ke’er said angrily. But seeing Lin Yuxin’s pleading look, she sighed and supported her, “Feiyang, maybe you could ask, just so Yuxin knows where she stands.”

Chen Feiyang looked troubled. “You’re not members; the manager won’t talk with you. I could step in, but the outcome must be reported to all members. If I intervene, people might suspect I’m connected to him.”

Everyone understood. Hong Chen was a thief; if Chen Feiyang helped him, his reputation would suffer.

“Yuxin, I have to be fair. You rejected Feiyang and chose him. Now you want Feiyang to help him. No matter how generous Feiyang is, you can’t expect him to repay wrong with kindness,” Shi Jie said, his face dark, making Lin Yuxin choke back whatever she wanted to say, falling into abrupt silence with a touch of self-mockery.

Shi Jie’s words were harsh but honest. Chen Feiyang wasn’t exploiting the situation—why should he help?

If she were in his place, she wouldn’t be so soft-hearted.

While Lin Yuxin was quietly mocking herself for letting her emotions cloud her judgment, the private room door was knocked. With permission, the manager entered, followed by three security guards—and Hong Chen.

“The club wishes to inform you of its decision: lose your right hand, or compensate five times the value of the stolen item,” the manager said, not giving anyone a chance to speak. His gaze fixed solemnly on Shi Jie, “What’s the market price of your watch?”

“Shi Jie…” Lin Yuxin tensed, mouth opening, but Shi Jie cut her off, “Yuxin, I hope you’re fair. He’s a man—he should take responsibility. I won’t inflate the value. This Patek Philippe’s official online price is one million three hundred twenty thousand. My father had it brought from Switzerland, which, at the exchange rate then, was about one million and forty thousand. Let’s call it a million.”

A million—five times is five million!

Lin Yuxin’s pupils contracted sharply, her spirit drained, stunned into stillness. If one million could save Hong Chen, she might still find a way. But five million left her utterly hopeless.

“So, it’s either lose his right hand or pay five million. Mr. Chen, you’re a gold card member and have advisory rights. What’s your opinion?” The manager bypassed the others, directly asking Chen Feiyang.

“Feiyang, for Yuxin’s sake, maybe…” Lu Ke’er was conflicted. Chen Feiyang glanced at Lin Yuxin, seeing hope rekindled in her eyes, and after a moment’s thought, said helplessly, “Yuxin, I’ll be fair too. I’m no saint—personally, I don’t want to help him. But for your sake, if you insist on saving him, I won’t object to the club’s decision. If you can cover most of the five million, I can lend you the rest. That’s my limit.”

As soon as Chen Feiyang finished, Hong Chen, who had been sitting in silence like a criminal, let out a sigh, lifted his head, and swept his gaze across the group. He spoke calmly, “You keep talking about fairness. Now, it’s time for me to demand fairness for myself.”

With that, he turned toward the door and called, “Deputy Manager Mo, please come in.”

The door opened immediately. Deputy Manager Mo, stern and imposing, strode in with Director Xiao behind him.

The manager, who had just been so grave, suddenly changed to an expression bitter as gall. He turned to face Hong Chen and, with a thud, knelt.

His abrupt gesture nearly shocked everyone out of their wits; jaws dropped, faces frozen in astonishment.