Chapter 341: A Difficult Interview
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"I'm a professional talent agent. My company is the most famous entertainment firm in the country. I see star potential in you. If you are interested, call me anytime."
"Okay, thanks." Qin Guan stuffed the card randomly in his pocket without a pause. Then he kept walking, holding Cong Nianwei's hand. The man behind him shouted at him, "You can reach me on my phone 24/7. If you are interested, just call me!"
"Call me! I'm the best talent agent there is! Believe me!"
After several blocks, they finally got away from the man.
Cong Nianwei looked at the card with curiosity. "You have no agent in the US. Why didn't you consider his proposal?" she asked.
Qin Guan was hiding something, but he didn't want to tell Cong Nianwei about it. He threw the card in the nearest trash can without hesitation.
"Things here are not the same as in China. I'm a newcomer here. It would be a nightmare if I fell into the wrong hands."
"One can be austere if they have no selfish desires. That's me. I'm really firm, aren't I? I wouldn't be forced to do something harmful to you though."
"You mean..." This reminded Cong Nianwei of something. She sized Qin Guan up in an exaggerated manner. "Well, you are capable of attracting criminals..."
Qin Guan hugged her around the shoulders, and the two of them headed home. "I might have grown in the gutter, but I try to keep myself as pure as I can for you..."
A simple life was the best fate for an ordinary man. Qin Guan's part-time job hunt was going very well.
Both THE NORTH FACE and Hollister had sent him emails. Only CK didn't respond for a long time.
It was unbelievable. As a famous brand that had started its business by selling underwear, it was in big need of models for casual clothes and businesswear.
Rest assured, Qin Guan hadn't applied for the underwear position. He had applied for the apparel job.
Just as he was thinking about it, his phone vibrated. He had received a short notice for a follow-up interview. He hadn't gotten the job yet.
Wow! This was really one of the top 10 brands in the world. The process was much more complicated than it was with other brands.
Once they decided on a model though, they wouldn't let them go easily.
After class, Qin Guan gave his textbooks to Cong Nianwei. Looking at the setting sun, he told her, "Go home first. Save some food for me."
Cong Nianwei knew about his plans for that evening. He was wearing his business clothes after all.
The bus left the stop. Soon, Qin Guan arrived at the CK headquarters.
He got a numbered card from the staff. The interviewing room was on the second floor of the building. He pushed the door open and walked into a busy hall.
It was time for people to go home, yet the staff there looked much busier than usual.
Some assistants were pushing lines of hangers, and several designers were making changes to final designs on plastic models.
Qin Guan was not nervous at all. He carefully observed the models who were there for the follow-up interview. The naked ones were on the left, and the ones wearing clothes were on the right.
Different corridors led to different doors, behind which was a big hall.
Holding his card, Qin Guan found a quiet corner on the right and sat by the window.
After a while, an assistant with messy hair walked along one of the corridors and shouted at the waiting crowd, "Time for the apparel models! We're starting from No. 1. Ten minutes for each candidate. No waiting after the set time."
Suddenly, the models looked nervous.
No.1 strode toward the room.
Qin Guan was at the end of the line. When the guy before him left, he glanced at his watch.
Night had fallen, and the fashion capital had lifted its veil.
When Qin Guan entered the interviewing room, he realized that the interviews in China paled in comparison to these.
The room looked like it was still daylight outside thanks to the bright lights. The ceiling was about four to five meters tall, and all professional equipment and props were in place.
Considering the moving fake shelves and the full photographic equipment, this was no simple interview. It was an imaging test.
That kind of test was only used by top brands. Models had to interpret the featured apparel on the lens.
It was a difficult test. First, the models had to handle the lens well and show their best angle in the high-definition digital camera.
Second, they had to understand the concept.
Professional skills were not enough though. The models also had to catch the eye of the designer and stand out among the rest of the candidates.
The staff were optimistic about Qin Guan's ability to stand out. To be frank though, they did not believe that he would meet the first two requirements.
They wished that the chief designer of the final interview would give him a chance based on his appearance.
Qin Guan was surprised by the outfit he had to wear. It was businesswear. He had worn CK in China before, but most of it had been underwear.
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Chapter 342: Military Style
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
CK Apparel was light, elegant and bright in color, which men who engaged in press and design really liked. They considered the style elegant and fashionable.
Why had they made the autumn collection like that?
Qin Guan was wearing high black army boots with brass buckles and loose silk pants. His jacket was even more dramatic. There were tactical pockets on his shoulders and chest, which was a symbol of the US special forces.
The long-sleeved jacket was black, just like the pants, and reflected cold light under the lamplight. Qin Guan let out a sigh.
The flourishing city of New York couldn't cover the residents' sorrow and wounds. War did not seem that far to ordinary people. Both the government and ordinary citizens were hesitant about the TIPS plan.
The country focused on privacy and democracy, yet it was not completely against a plan that would make one million citizens spies of the government.
This was because of the fear of terrorist attacks, as well as the economic downturn. After all, those who would be monitored were not American citizens.
Qin Guan came back to his senses and put on his outfit.
After 10 hours of work, all the CK staff were annoyed. They were eager to enjoy the after-work parties, but they had to wait for the last interviewee. Qin Guan stepped into the room, walking neither too fast nor too slow.
He was like a frozen sucker in the intense summer heat.
I'm here. Pay attention to me.
The photographer, whose name was Mark, was a famous fashion expert in New York. He was tired from the hard work the interviews took, but Qin Guan's presence cheered him right up.
"Move! Move! This is the last series! Then we can get off work!" Mark shouted at the stunned crowd. All of a sudden, everyone got busy working.
"Qin Guan? Just perform. Don't pay attention to us. Just start anytime you like."
The annoyed chief designer, whose name was Sam, finally stopped frowning. He actually hadn't been satisfied with the previous models. They had been too slender or too delicate. They would have been perfect for CK's original style, but that season's collection was different.
According to the feedback of the marketing department, most Americans preferred a vigorous vibe. They liked dauntless, unyielding men.
In general, they were fond of clothes that gave off a sense of security and could be used in an emergency.
Office worker backpacks were larger than the previous year by thirty percent, and inner pockets were classified by different symbols.
They put flashlights and ropes inside for an emergency, so the clothes had to meet the main demands of the market.
Sam was now waiting for Qin Guan, the only model he had liked from the follow-up interviews, to show them his abilities.
"Okay, let's begin."
Qin Guan didn't waste their time. After speaking, he suddenly became a different person. He was no longer the same gentle guy, but a fierce, imposing man.
Shining spears and armored horses,
The symbol of war in ancient China.
The general was fighting on the battlefield,
He was the most commanding man there...
Qin Guan sat on a simple folding chair, like a warrior sitting astride a horse. He looked powerful and mighty, as if he was facing enemies, like the ancient warriors thousands of years ago.
The age of cold arms in China exceeded the imagination of Europeans, who used to fight with manure forks. Americans had an even more pitifully short history. Lacking any proper professional cultivation, Mark was stupefied, and so were the rest of the staff.
Suddenly, Qin Guan stood up and pushed the chair aside. He strode over to the crowd with rhythmic steps. His slender legs looked straight in his black pants. His delicate face looked firm and persistent, and his distinct muscles seemed ready to conquer.
Crack, crack.
The clicks of mutton were the only sound in the silent room.
Mark gradually calmed down when Qin Guan finished.
Qin Guan smiled at the crowd in the dark. "Thank you."
That's all? Mark looked at him in disappointment. Then he turned to Sam. Bro, once more?
Sam's expression was hard to make out in the dark. "Okay. Change out of the outfit and return it to the assistant."
Qin Guan bowed before them again and walked away.
When he left, Sam stopped pretending. All the staff was around him.
"Hurry! Show me the photos!"
Mark picked Qin Guan's photos out excitedly.
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Chapter 343: Saving A Beauty
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Qin Guan's fierce performance had overwhelmed them. The outfit did not look like it had been made for slender models, but for valiant soldiers.
Tough, but not rough. Idealistic, yet practical. The concept of the outfit had been interpreted perfectly by him.
"Pass?"
"Pass!"
Qin Guan's name was circled on the list.
Qin Guan had no idea about the final result, but he was confident. He had done his best, so he didn't care about the outcome. Actually, he owed this attitude to the money in his pocket. Several years ago, he would have even washed dishes at a restaurant in Chinatown for 500 dollars.
As he walked along the dark corridor looking for the elevator, Qin Guan suddenly heard cries and moans from the end of the hallway.
To go or not to go, that was the question. He was in an unfamiliar place, so he didn't want to poke his nose in other people's business.
This seemed to be the only way to the elevator though. Maybe those people hadn't expected that someone would use that corridor to get to the elevator.
Having no other way to go, Qin Guan kept walking down the hallway. He was a tall man, so he could see into the room through the window. Suddenly, his eyeballs nearly dropped out of his sockets.
This had to be the interview room for the underwear models. However, all the equipment inside had been shut off and the staff had left. Several dim lights and a shining laptop revealed that there was still someone inside.
There were several blankets spread on the floor. A naked girl was trembling, facing in Qin Guan's direction.
The man, who was standing with his back to Qin Guan, seemed to be a photographer, but Qin Guan had no clue what he looked like or how old he was.
"Lisa… Yes, baby... Like this... Hold me..."
Qin Guan glanced at his private parts. It was disgusting! They were wearing no underwear. Of course, this was some kind of deal. New models would do anything for their career.
Speeding up, Qin Guan tried to walk past the room. Out of sight, out of mind. Little did he know that the trembling girl would look up and spot him right away.
The photographer closed his eyes, waiting for her silently. Taking advantage of this, the girl mouthed something silently at Qin Guan.
"Help..."
There were several freckles on her fair skin. She looked like a little girl. No wonder that she had been held back alone. A girl with no idea of how the circle worked was the best prey.
Qin Guan couldn't stand to watch the young girl, who seemed to be the same age as Huang Jiajia. He stopped in his tracks. He couldn't just break in like that. Nothing had happened yet. Besides, the scared girl might take the photographer's side.
Thinking of that, Qin Guan put his backpack down in the corner and picked up a torn maintenance uniform from a storage compartment.
It must have been left there by the staff of the building. Qin Guan put it on, not caring about the dust or the smell.
Then he shouted loudly in the darkness, "Hello! Is anybody inside? Night maintenance! We'll cut off the power in a while. We're doing routine checks on the rooms."
He walked on with slow, heavy steps, as if knocking on pipes.
Frightened, the photographer opened his eyes and put on his pants in a hurry.
"Lisa, put on your clothes. So much for today..."
He would be embarrassed if he was caught like that. If it had been a staff member, the photographer would have bore a grudge against them, but a maintenance worker was hard to deal with.
If the worker saw them, he might take photos of them. He was famous in the fashion circle after all. The photos would attract an audience.
He cast a disappointed glance at the young girl and put on his pullover. Leaving the equipment on the table, he dashed out.
"Hey, bro! Watch it!"
The photographer crashed into Qin Guan's shoulder. He looked back at him without a word. That worker is really handsome. It's a pity he's not a model!
Qin Guan didn't speak much for fear of betraying his identity. He carried on his duty in a bold, generous manner. "Is anybody inside?"
Qin Guan was getting closer to the room. The photographer sped up and nearly stumbled over something in the dark corridor.
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Chapter 344: The Final Test
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Qin Guan cleared his throat to suppress his laughter. He waited outside until the girl got dressed.
"Don't stay around. Go!" Qin Guan shouted rudely at the model, keeping up his performance.
"Oh, thank you. I'm leaving..."
Trembling, the girl looked up and got a hold of his collar. She tried to keep her savior in her memory.
The pores on Qin Guan's face were invisible in the dim light. There was a beautiful shadow above his lips. Of course, one had to ignore the torn uniform with the blue stripes, which was stinky in the summer.
Lisa smiled in relief. She bowed before Qin Guan to express her gratitude.
Qin Guan just wanted to leave as soon as possible. Everyone would have helped a little girl unwilling to do such a thing.
"Go home as soon as possible. Take care of yourself."
Qin Guan waved at Lisa and left the corridor with his backpack.
He had to return his outfit to the assistant waiting for him. He thought she would blame him for being late, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she gave him a piece of paper with her phone number.
Qin Guan was in a relationship though, so he threw the paper into a trash can after leaving the building.
Giant colorful advertisement boards were hanging on the tall, cold buildings. Cars shuttled back and forth on the streets. Behind the bustling scene, sin was always lurking.
Qin Guan relaxed only when he got home and found Cong Nianwei in the kitchen.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home."
It was sunny the next morning. The fragrance of pine trees on campus covered the ugliness and darkness of the previous night.
Several weeks after classes had begun, the students already had to take quizzes. Qin Guan was surprised by the random timing.
The instructors didn't take inferior things like cheating into consideration. The answers to practical questions couldn't be found in a textbook.
As his classmates were writing swiftly, Qin Guan handed his paper in. At Columbia, students could hand in their papers at any time, which saved them time for the next subject they had to study for.
Qin Guan gestured at Xu Xiaoxiao to call him later and rushed out of campus.
As expected, he got a notice from CK about the final interview. He had to have final sample measurements taken at the CK headquarters.
If he didn't do anything wrong, after a small conference regarding the autumn collection, he would get a contract for the New York Fashion Week.
That was his final goal. He sent the notice to Sister Xue.
Considering her keen instinct for trends in the fashion circle, Sister Xue must have known about his intention to choose between those three brands.
She didn't disappoint him. As soon as she got Qin Guan's email, she began to make future plans, even though it was late at night.
First, she would release the news to his fan club, and then she would intervene with the promotion plan New Silk Road had decided on.
Wearing his school uniform, Qin Guan went into the building without a pause.
He looked professional, indicating his identity to the security and reception staff.
He is definitely a new model of some designer.
Sitting in a small meeting room, Qin Guan began to exchange information with other models, from whom he learned about the importance of the final test.
The final test was not just for the chief designer and the designing department. It was also an important event for the photographers, the PR department and the operational department. They all gathered together that day.
The small launching conference was not just about the next collection. It was also CK's final test of the market before the New York Fashion Week.
There would be three top brands from France and Italy at the fashion week, which made CK, a traditional brand from the US, feel threatened.
Unlike CK, which was very flexible, they were brands that tailored to traditional styles. Upper-class men always preferred extreme elegance though. CK had to stress on the trend.
That was the reason they were using their full strength.
As the models of the apparel group entered the bustling backstage area, the underwear models got off the stage and changed clothes behind the curtains. They turned around calmly and began to swiftly put on their outfits.
A designer with all his tailoring tools hanging from his body asked the models to get on the stage one after the other.
Qin Guan was pulling his sweater down when he saw Lisa staring at him with red cheeks.
The girl had recognized her savior right away when she had gone backstage. However, the noisy crowd discouraged her from walking up to him.
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hapter 345: Appreciation From An Old Manager
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Qin Guan smiled and nodded at her. Then he turned around to wait in line.
A short-haired girl beside Lisa asked her curiously, "Who's that? An Asian face is rare here! Do you know him?"
"Not exactly." Lisa looked gloomy. He witnessed that awkward incident the other day. She was feeling perturbed and depressed.
She didn't even know his name. They were not even acquaintances.
The girl beside her kept asking questions. "Wow! You like boys like that? I'm worried about him. The old directors of the operational department will want to include an Asian face in such an important conference."
"Even if he passes the test though, he might still be weeded out at the fashion week..."
Lisa couldn't help but feel nervous for her savior, while the other girl, whose name was Veronica, grimaced disdainfully.
"No. E-116..."
When Qin Guan heard his number, he suddenly changed his attitude, which had attracted attention from the other models.
He showed them the real power of the Asian model who had earned a place among them.
As his army boots stomped on the floor, all the interviewers fixed their eyes on the approaching boy.
The two senior managers of the operational department were shocked by Qin Guan and his outfit. They frowned slightly when they saw his skin clearly though.
An Asian...
They both remained silent. The two photographers had a completely different expression though. Sam was too excited to control himself. His fingers were constantly clicking on an imaginary button.
The other photographer was Jones, the guy Qin Guan had met in the dark corridor. Apparently, one could never avoid their enemies.
Jones recognized Qin Guan right away and became furious
You dared mess with me! I'll pay you back. An eye for an eye...
And that's exactly what he did. Smiling, he turned and told Douglas, the most old-fashioned man in the operational department, "It seems that our brand is going along with the trend of globalization. I wonder if other brands of our level will have the same idea though."
Douglas didn't say anything. He just folded his arms over his chest.
Jones didn't get a response, so he backed off awkwardly.
By that time, Qin Guan had gotten the approval of the tailoring designer, who had finished taking his measurements.
It was time for the final test. The chief designer spoke up.
"Could you make time in your schedule for our conference? It's between November 5th and November 8th."
"No problem."
"You were this year's Asian Fashion Man and the first Asian male model on VOGUE's cover. Why did you decide to continue your career in New York?"
It seemed that they considered him a representative of the Asian continent.
Qin Guan answered slowly, selecting his words carefully.
"Actually, I'm a foreign student in New York. I'm enthusiastic about the profession though, so I wanted to get a part-time job while I'm studying."
"Oh?"
The interviewers seemed interested. Many girls and boys in the modelling circle started working at a very young age.
Their goal was to become famous as early as possible. A foreign student engaging in modelling would spark their interest.
"Are you an undergraduate student?"
"No, a postgraduate."
"At the State University of New York, the Municipal Academy of Arts or the Community College?"
This was an insult to the fashion circle, and it made everyone angry.
Jones came back to his senses and realized what he had asked. He closed his mouth like a clam in an effort to protect himself.
"At the Finance Department of Columbia University..."
Are you kidding? You must have walked into the wrong interviewing room! Wall Street is north of here!
Trying to remain serious, Douglas finally opened Qin Guan's file.
"Why don't I see this in your resume?"
"According to the rules, I couldn't include any information irrelevant to the profession."
"Hmm, strict and modest. You are a true Columbia student."
What do you mean? Was that a compliment?
Qin Guan was confused when he saw Douglas hand the file to the chief designer.
"Not bad!"
The old men nodded together for the first time, which made the chief designer feel extremely flattered. Jones wisely remained silent.
Wait and see, bastard. You'll really enjoy working with me.
Qin Guan did not care about his malevolence. He was completely unashamed.
After Qin Guan left, Douglas asked the chief designer to stay behind.
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Chapter 346: Slow Down, Grampa
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"Make a collection for the boy. It would be beneficial for you."
Douglas' indication was clear to the chief designer. The brand had to find a new direction the following year. His promotion of Qin Guan had attracted attention from the senior executives of the company.
Meanwhile, Qin Guan's phone was packed with messages. Most of them were from old Columbia professors, assigning more homework to him.
However, among them was also a strange text from Xu Xiaoxiao: "Call me back".
Qin Guan called him immediately.
"Qin Guan, my grandpa's birthday banquet is tomorrow. Come watch my performance!"
"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow. What should I wear? Should I bring a present?"
"Us young guys will have a cocktail party after the banquet. Formal attire is mandatory. And you are the best present for my grandpa!"
What a silly boy! No one can go to a birthday party without a present.
Qin Guan was not worried about that though. He was good at dealing with old people.
Cong Nianwei had been invited by Wendy to join an architecture club at Columbia, so she couldn't attend the banquet with him.
Standing before an ancient style mansion, Qin Guan fixed his black bow tie and called Xu.
"Let him in! He is my friend!" The honest gatekeeper saw Xu shouting from the second-floor balcony and let Qin Guan in without a word.
A shrine with joss-sticks was placed before the Guan Emperor [1], looking striking in the broad, elegant hall.
It was surprising to see such a traditional idol in a modern house.
Qin Guan followed Xu to a small hall on the second floor. There was a stage inside set up for a small-scale martial arts play.
"Look at me!" Xu pulled Qin Guan to the backstage area to show off.
Can I tell you the truth? You look like Pigsy [2] when you're playing the Monkey King.
Qin Guan noticed that Xu Xiaoxiao had a lingering charm thanks to his makeup and costume. He just reminded him, "Stand still on the stage and watch your posture."
It was better for Xu to stand still while he was singing.
"Okay!"
Qin Guan took his present out. "According to your description of him, I think your grandpa will like this."
It was a delicate snuff bottle, half a finger tall. It was made of transparent glaze, and the bottle cap was red coral. Red fancy carps were painted on the bottle.
It was an elegant bottle with an auspicious implied meaning.
"Good snuff is hard to find in China. I took only a little abroad for fear of the custom check."
Qin Guan took out a small antique case. It was snuff from a store at Tianhuizhai, which could be dated back to the Qin Dynasty.
Cigarettes had replaced snuff for the time being. White people of the last generation preferred to play with the bottles.
As a banana boy [3], Xu had never seen such a unique thing. He fondled the two items admiringly.
"I'll deliver them for you."
By that time, people were already heading upstairs one after the other.
The guests were all polite. They found their seats by looking at the numbers on their cards. Qin Guan peered out from the gap between the curtains. He felt a solemn vide in the room.
There were similar Asian faces all around. Everyone was talking to each other happily. Qin Guan got a faint idea of what Xu's family was like.
A thin old man in a Tang suit sat down at the seat of honor. He seemed hale and hearty. Xu's father announced the beginning of the banquet.
"Where is Xiaoxiao?" Strict Grandpa Xu liked his eldest grandson the most.
Xu's father knew about his plan. He smiled awkwardly. "Dad, everyone is here. We should just begin. Xiaoxiao will get here soon."
Grandpa Xu looked around and waved his hands at random. "Okay."
The opera troupe began its performance. Since this was a birthday banquet, the opera "Ma Gu Offers Birthday Felicitations" was a must.
The curtain rose and a plump lady walked on the stage. She sang along to the rhythm.
The chatting audience was shocked.
At the beginning, they didn't recognize Xu Xiaoxiao because of the thick makeup on his face, but his voice betrayed him.
"Ha ha ha..."
"Good!"
Grandpa Xu spit his water out. Xu's father grinned at him awkwardly. "Slow down, grampa."
[1] Guan Yu, a character from "Romance Across Three Kingdoms", the most popular god of Chinese people overseas, especially gangsters.
[2] The Monkey King's younger brother in "Journey to the West", who was originally a pig.
[3] A nickname for Chinese-Americans (ABC). It means that they have yellow skin, but deep down they are white.
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Chapter 347: Chinese Freemasons
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Xu seemed to be a good actor and grandson.
When he finished the aria, he bowed before his grandfather and said, "I wish you happiness as immense as the Eastern Sea, and a life as long as the Southern Mountain."
Then he moved around his long sleeves. "I'm leaving..."
He was still the Monkey King. The audience was laughing and applauding.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Qin Guan went off the stage together. Everyone was making jokes about him.
"Grandpa, this is my friend from college, Qin Guan."
Qin Guan took a bow. "May your life be as long as pines and cranes!"
"Thank you, boy," the old man said with a smile.
"Grandpa, this is a present from Qin Guan. It's really beautiful!" Xu took out the small bottle proudly, as if it was his own present.
Grandpa Xu looked at the small item carefully. It was not expensive, but it reminded him of times past.
"I like it. It's much better than the scratcher you got me."
"It's a massage chair! You're biased!"
His father kicked him on the butt. "What are you talking about? Go! You kids go play by yourselves!"
Xu made a face as he pulled Qin Guan away.
"My dad is always like this. I have nothing in common with those old men. Let's go hang out with people our age."
Xu led Qin Guan to the wing hall, where all young boys and girls had gathered. It was much more fun there.
"Sir, the guests are all on the roof garden..." the steward whispered to Xu Xiaoxiao.
"Let's go up to the roof. We'll have a drink in the New York night!"
The young men followed them up.
The roof was American in style, as well as all the guests. There were white and black faces everywhere around them, unlike the yellow faces down in the hall.
"They are our business partners and friends. Of course, there are also several adventurers here..."
Xu winked at several hot girls like a womanizer. Qin Guan cast a supercilious look at him. "Where is the food? Do you know what time it is?"
Xu struggled under Qin Guan's grip.
"It's right there… Let me go!"
Qin Guan saw an acquittance by the table. He was in no mood to greet the guy though. He let Xu Xiaoxiao go and headed for the barbecue instead.
Jones was surprised to see Qin Guan at the party. He had tried his best to get an invitation to the birthday banquet. He had even used his reputation as a top photographer.
To be frank, he was just working there, taking nice pictures for the guests. He was hoping to expand his interpersonal connections that way.
Xu's family was the largest Chinese family in New York, and they were very rich and powerful in Chinatown. How had a little-known Asian model qualified for an invitation to the banquet? Jones shuddered.
Thank god I didn't play any dirty tricks on him, or I would have ended up in a garbage bag in the river the next day.
The Xu Family were Chinese Freemasons [1], the largest branch of the Hip Sing Association. Although they had been whitewashed many years ago, they still maintained a relationship with the Chinese reactionary gang.
The boy is really close to the third generation of the family!
Jones drank a glass of champagne in one go to get over the shock.
The atmosphere was perfectly harmonious on the roof. Grandpa Xu walked up the stairs slowly. On the small podium on the roof, the Mayor of New York was about to extend his own wishes for his birthday.
After his speech, all the guests clustered around the old man, expressing their respect for the Asian big shot.
He left after several routine greetings. Then the party began.
Holding a hot girl, Xu Xiaoxiao walked up to Qin Guan, who was buried in food in the corner. "Hey, dude. Don't focus only on the food. Look at Lily's friends over there! What do you prefer? Black, white or Asian?"
"F*ck off! Cong Nianwei would kill me. You can have them all if you want..."
Meanwhile, a burly chap was heading upstairs, the wooden floor creaking under his feet.
1. [1] It originated from an underground organization called "Hong School" during the early Qing Dynasty. It aimed to overturn the Manchu Sovereign and restore the Han Dynasty.
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Chapter 348: Robbery
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
A Barbie-like girl was following him. She was Asian and she was wearing a black gauzy skirt that looked like an umbrella.
"Yamaguchi Tsutomu?"
"Yamaguchi Tsutomu?"
Xu Xiaoxiao and Qin Guan called her name out together in one voice.
"How do you know her?"
Xu looked at Qin Guan in surprise. Unconsciously, he said, "£$^%*^*&^&?"
Qin Guan swallowed a shrimp. "What are you talking about? Can you speak like a normal human being? Or were you rendered speechless by that beautiful girl? Beauties of her kind are rare in the US."
Xu let out a breath at Qin Guan's ignorance on argot. Then he patted Qin Guan on the shoulder. "Just enjoy your food. You can leave any time you like. Just tell me in advance."
Qin Guan nodded in confusion. Xu let the hot girl go and walked up to Yamaguchi Tsutomu.
Yamaguchi Tsutomu had been looking around blankly until Xu approached her. Then she noticed Qin Guan behind him.
She had been looking for him for a long time. Looking back, she saw Qin Guan sitting there eating meat...
She bowed in his direction. The big man next to her, who was her loyal servant, had also met Qin Guan in Shinjuku. The honest man bowed before Qin Guan silently.
"My distinguished guest, shall we talk downstairs?"
Xu didn't want to attract other people's attention. He gestured to Yamaguchi Tsutomu and they headed downstairs.
Qin Guan was nearly full. He set his plate down on the table and turned around to leave. I've met so many acquaintances at this party! I better go home now.
He sent a message to Xu and left the noisy party unhurriedly.
He idled on the quiet road in his Burberry formal wear, humming a song. His house was close by, just a couple of blocks away, but he hesitated on the crossroads. The road on the left led to a black neighborhood.
The road on the right would take him an extra 10 minutes.
Qin Guan was a brave man, so he wasn't afraid of anything. The black neighborhood is no hell. I'll take the road on the right though.
Qin Guan chose the longer way without hesitation. It was a wise choice.
Experienced robbers were the most difficult to deal with. Those smart guys waited there to find more victims.
Qin Guan's wise choice didn't help him though. He was surrounded in no time, with no way to escape.
There were three unarmed criminals around him. Qin Guan thought of all the skills he had been gifted with and chose one in hopes of shocking them.
He shouted like Bruce Lee in his fine black clothes, and then he span around and performed a side kick.
He followed up with a handspring, a handspring front tuck and a somersault. Finally, he took a stage pose and ended his performance.
He beckoned arrogantly at the black men. "All men are brothers. Gentlemen fight fair! One on one, come on!"
His floor exercises had landed him out of their ring of encirclement. The three robbers were right across from him.
"Bro, he seems fierce. Who should go first?"
The leader knocked the other man on the head. "You idiot! We are robbers, not martial artists! Don't listen to him. We all attack together!"
They all approached Qin Guan. The closer they got to him, the more surprised they looked.
That Asian boy seems like a real martial artist!
To be on the safe side and ensure their success, their leader murmured, "Weapons..."
He seemed cautious, which was wise of him. Qin Guan's outfit could be sold for thousands of dollars at a second-hand designer shop. He was also wearing a diamond watch and sapphire sleeve buttons.
In fact, Qin Guan looked like a real nouveau riche. It was a pity that he hadn't taken his wallet with him.
Qin Guan realized that his pose was useless. He was still trying to think of a plan when the three guys took their knives out.
They were flick knives, as long as a grown man's palm.
According to Qin Guan's estimation, they could make a big hole in his body. He was not frightened though. When facing beasts, one had to be brave.
"Come on!" he shouted loudly.
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Chapter 349: Hands Up
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Actually, his unspoken words were "Chase me"!
The three men were shocked by his shout. Taking advantage of this, Qin Guan ran away at full speed.
Don't laugh at those guys for wearing tracksuit pants and running shoes. Maybe they were from the US. That was a Rule of Living there.
Qin Guan ran down the empty street without scruple. If he could get away from that isolated alley, he would be able to get to his apartment building, where someone might come to his aid. Encouraged by that thought, Qin Guan ran like a vigorous tiger.
Unfortunately, there were certain shortcomings between different races.
Which race was the best at running? The black race... Which race was the strongest in the world? The black race...
The wind roaring in their ears cheered them up, reminding them of the traditional honor of their race. Black men like us can't catch up with a f*cking Asian? That's ridiculous!
Qin Guan was getting closer to the building. He was hurriedly looking for his key in his pocket. Key! Key!
Suddenly, a swift, violent wind blew by him. The shortest black man was blocking his way.
"Bro, calm down!" Qin Guan was disappointed by the lack of witnesses. By the time the police arrived, he might only be left in his underwear.
Just before he surrendered to his enemies though, his savior showed up out of the blue.
"Who dares cause trouble on my turf?" It was the German guy.
Joseph was standing by the entrance with his bag. He seemed to have just returned from college.
"What are you doing here?" one of the black men said in German. Qin Guan was confused. Those black guys could speak German? Joseph could speak English!
When he turned around, Qin Guan saw the three guys step back together with a serious expression.
They had only taken one step away. The three men living at the bottom of society were not kind-hearted.
"We're robbing him... Mind your own business..."
Then they saw Joseph clearly under the lamp light. Letting out a breath, they became arrogant again.
It's only a student. So what if he's German? They were planning on robbing them both.
Before they could show their knives again though, the tall German guy took out a black pistol from his bag calmly. The cold shining barrel was pointed at them.
"Knives down! Hands up!" he said in fluent English.
Qin Guan thought that things were not going well. He rushed up to Joseph, but his effort was unnecessary.
The three guys threw their knives to the ground and kneeled down without hesitation. "Bro, spare our lives. We just wanted money. We're no pimps or drug dealers."
Surprised, Qin Guan stood next to Joseph by the entrance.
"Shall we call the police?"
"Are you kidding? There's no point. What if they cause trouble for you every day after they are bailed out? Better save yourself that trouble. Let's go inside."
They entered the building and closed the door behind them. The three guys left with their knives.
"Thank you so much..."
Qin Guan expressed his sincere appreciation to Joseph. He was in no mood to ask about the gun. Joseph didn't take it seriously. Before entering the room, he said, "There are some rugby league matches in a few days. Could you please ask John to lend us Susanna's cheerleading squad?"
"Why? You have your own cheerleading squad, don't you?"
"The Columbia basketball team always comes first. The rugby team comes second," Joseph answered awkwardly. "All the beautiful girls are on their team... We are ashamed of having the ugliest ones, so we borrow theirs every time."
"Okay, I'll ask him. Wait for word from me."
"Thanks!"
Alas! Beauties were always energetic. What miserable lives were the members of the rugby team leading!
Qin Guan arrived home safely. Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao was in trouble. Yamaguchi Tsutomu had gone to his grandfather's party with evil intentions.
Japan was the only country where her gang was active. Yamaguchi-gumi [1] was both good and evil. They were involved in both politics and business. They openly controlled the business of black and white people.
There was an old saying about brave people and how they always succeeded. That year, Yamaguchi-gumi saw that they had a chance in the US and took it.
[1] The largest gang in Japan.
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Chapter 350: The Russian Tearoom
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
It was the best time for an external power to penetrate a country that was suffering from a bad economy and widespread panic. Yamaguchi Tsutomu's trip to New York was a test.
In the US, the domains of different gangs were intertwined with each other. Nearly all top 10 gangs had a branch in New York.
There were not just Chinese gangs in Chinatown. Russians had also come to the harbor with tankers, and the Scottish, who engaged in construction, were just as difficult to deal with.
The fate of a Japanese gang without any foundation that wanted a share of the cake would depend on the local gangs' decision. A powerful dragon could not crush a snake after all.
Yamaguchi Tsutomu was not a reasonable girl though.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Yamaguchi. I have no idea why you visited us. The Xu Family is only a branch. We have been far from the center of power for a long time. Besides, we do not engage in the business you are proposing."
"To be frank, Chinatown is not what it used to be like 10 years ago. That business disappeared during the general repression five years ago."
"We are all honest businessmen. We have no idea about the business you deal in. Maybe you can find someone else."
Xu Xiaoxiao was no longer the retinue following Qin Guan around. Sitting by a round table of dalbergia odorifera calmly, he shook his head, blowing at the non-existent tea leaves in his cup.
Yamaguchi Tsutomu sat across the table with a poker face. Wild rivers and seas were occupying her mind. This was her first stop in New York. They are showing no interest in our high profits!
Actually, she had found the wrong person. The Xu Family had been whitewashed up to the third generation. Their successors were all engaging in business and politics.
The Chinese race was the keenest on politics. They had realized pretty early that the US government would not tolerate the expansion of gangs, so they had gone ashore as quickly as possible.
You are a greenhand with no idea about the situation. You dare come bother law-abiding citizens like us! We are kind enough not to report you to the New York police!
Yamaguchi Tsutomu felt defeated by the stubborn boy. Without saying anything else, she patted the table and stood up.
"Okay, we are leaving. Let's not delay each other anymore. Time is precious after all."
"That's it!" Shocked, Xu nearly dropped his cover.
The representative of Yamaguchi-gumi left the hall, where there were only odds and ends of the banquet. Xu took an enjoyable sip of his tea.
"Has grandpa left?"
His guard craned his neck at him. "He got home safely..."
"Ha!" Xu put his cup down on the table. "A strong wind is coming... My soldiers are ready to fight..." [1]
The Peking Opera echoed in the empty hall.
They will play a role in Chinatown. There is another group waiting on the streets, who loves our motherland even more than Chinese Freemasons. They are former Chinese soldiers. They are loyal, well-armed and ready to risk their lives to protect Chinatown.
"Release the news to Han Zhujiu and his guys," Xu instructed his guard. "Yamaguchi-gumi will move a large quantity of white powder [2] to the Lower East Side. They will give those Japanese a lesson."
Yamaguchi Tsutomu has a long way ahead of her. Italian and Mexican businessmen won't let her in the drug business. They will detain the Japanese visitors in New York. It will be interesting!
"I'll kill them all..." [3]
It was a beautiful morning in New York. Qin Guan was admiring the location of the CK fall collection launching event. It would be held at a cafe on the Upper East Side.
He didn't know New York well, but when he was led to the hall, he realized it was a unique place.
The Russian tearoom, which was decorated like an ordinary Manhattan cafe, had a hidden beautiful inner world.
Every restaurant and building on the Upper East Side was full of intricate details.
The Russian tearoom had been founded by the Russian Royal Ballet Group, which had wanted to provide a gathering place for Russians in New York. It had become a club for film stars and politicians by then though.
Qin Guan handed his backpack to the waiter. Madonna used to be a waitress there.
The hall was decorated with red and gold ornaments of a traditional Russian style. There were crystal ceiling lamps and countless oil paintings in the room. The whole restaurant was as beautiful and luxurious as a royal palace.
Thanks to its Baroque style, the hall was like the resplendent, magnificent Russian palace. Only the first floor was open to the public though.
Qin Guan didn't look around. As a guy of fine taste, the luxurious hall hadn't shocked him.
The CK launch event would take place on the second private floor. The VIP meeting room was only open to large-scale gatherings. Qin Guan went in, showing no interest in the transparent crystal floor or the glaze-colored ceiling. What impressed him was the 15-feet bear ice sculpture standing in the lounge.
It was only mid-October. It must have taken a lot of work to make it stand there.
Then he realized his ignorance. The gorgeous light was not coming from the ceiling lamps.
[1] Peking Opera
[2] Drugs
[3] Peking Opera
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