Due to its unique geographical location, aside from the larger hot spring pools, there are also many very small hot spring pools in the mountains.

The larger ones naturally fell into the hands of various resorts, since they had the financial and influential power; the smaller ones were more secluded, and most people were not willing to come, so they were mostly occupied by locals, who turned them into tiny farmhouse hot spring inns.

If it were just hot springs alone, business would naturally be limited, and with the location being remote, even with lower prices, there wouldn't be much business. Because of this, the locals found another way, adding many colorfully dubious side industries to these hot spring inns...

From the first inn, the business gradually developed and spread, creating an ever-growing industry chain, eventually forming a region that was not large, but where the entertainment industry was exceptionally developed.

Thus, the entire Maple Valley became a thorough industry hub, but unfortunately, with various interests intertwined and the local populace's strong resistance, it forced the upper government to turn a blind eye, as they were powerless to intervene.

The Spring Clubhouse that Ding Chuchu mentioned, of course, was not one of those small-time hot spring inns but was the largest and most upscale club, occupying several of the best spots in the hot spring area. With massive power backing it and substantial funds, it naturally became the undisputed boss of Maple Valley.

As club systems evolved, the Spring Clubhouse also kept up with the times, adjusting its business model, no longer engaging in low-end industries, but instead developing high-end ones.

To say it was high-end, in reality, it was the same old content, just wrapped in a different package. The true change lay in the clientele it served.

From originally allowing anyone willing to pay to enter, it evolved to now, where only guests with membership cards could come in, thereby keeping pace with the high-end clubs in the city.

While this approach impacted the club's business to some extent, it's undeniable that such a setting suddenly provided a new leisure destination for young masters from both provincial and city levels.

These people were mostly good-for-nothing scions, while others toiled away at work to earn a modest salary, they just needed to move their lips a little to see a flood of banknotes pouring in. Having lost their ambition, they naturally had to idle away their days.

Thus, establishments like the Spring Clubhouse became a frequent haunt for them. Before it accepted all comers, making them feel it cheapened their status, but now, with only such members able to play there, didn't their prestige soar?

Yet, because of its bad reputation, the real big-shot young masters wouldn't be caught dead in such a club. Those who frequented it were mostly lower-tier young masters or rich second-generation kids with money to burn.

"Late at night, why are you, a girl, going to such a place?"

It was precisely because he knew what a mess that place was that Qin Fang found it baffling that a young girl like Ding Chuchu would go there at such a late hour—it was indeed dangerous.

Moreover, the security in Maple Valley had always been terrible, with a very complex mix of various powers at play. Li Rui might be the underground boss of Ninghai, but there were still two places beyond his control.

One was the south of the city occupied by Tiger, which was about one-fifth the size of Ninghai—not too small, but not very large either.

The other was Maple Valley.

Small as it was, not even making up one-fifth of Tiger's turf, Maple Valley's level of prosperity could compete with that of the city center.

Tiger controlled the south city; that was the result of a power struggle between two forces, beyond the reach of Li Rui, as long as it didn't reach the point of a complete fallout, neither party was likely to engage in any intense conflict.

But Li Rui's influence couldn't extend to Maple Valley either, not because the underground forces there were too powerful, but simply because the local forces were truly a tragedy. The locals were far stronger than any hooligans or thugs.

An elderly lady barely able to walk without trembling, she'd dare to pick up a kitchen knife and fight you to the death if provoked...

If you dared fight back... well, that was just asking for big trouble. Expect to be chased by hundreds wanting to beat you down; you wouldn't even think of getting out of Maple Valley, ending up crippled instead.

Of course, if you were to spend at Maple Valley, everyone would treat you as if you were their closest kin, venerating you as if you were the Buddha himself.

The more money you spent, the more enthusiastic the service you enjoyed.

If someone was willing to throw around a lot of cash, whatever service you wanted could be prepared for you. Qin Fang had even heard that, years ago, a local couple complained that their business was too good and they didn't have enough girls, so not only did the madam herself step in, but she even pulled her daughter who had just started middle school into the business too…

Such was the local custom, and the chaos that reigned here could be easily imagined.

For someone like Ding Chuchu, who looked as innocent as a little white flower, just stepping into a place like this—even if it was a high-class establishment like the Spring Clubhouse—would only be slightly safer.

If she dared to wander around blindly, Qin Fang was almost certain that she would definitely encounter some customers in high spirits, seeking entertainment…

"A classmate of mine made an appointment there. I heard it's not very peaceful, so I could only turn to you for help…"

Ding Chuchu was still her usual self, seemingly very naive. But from the spinning glint in her eyes, it wasn't hard to tell that her thoughts were definitely not as simple as what she was saying.

"The meeting is set for midnight?"

Qin Fang naturally didn't believe her; whatever event it was, it wouldn't have to be set in the middle of the night. Wasn't it blatantly obvious that there was some ulterior motive?

"Could it really just be for street racing…"

Qin Fang pondered that things couldn't be that simple and hesitated about whether to call Ning Weiqiang to ask if there was a better way to handle the situation. Ding Chuchu was really too much to deal with.

"Sigh, Uncle, you have so many concerns… If you aren't willing to go, then I'll just find another uncle to help…"

As she spoke, Ding Chuchu, the young girl, was about to open the car door and slip out, and she moved with surprising speed.

But she wasn't faster than Qin Fang. Just as half of her body emerged from the car, Qin Fang grabbed her and pulled her back in, "Fine, you're ruthless, aren't you? I'll take you…"

Although the relationship between the two wasn't particularly good, they were acquaintances after all. Besides, she was on good terms with Ning Weiqiang and was still quite young. Qin Fang certainly did not want to see a news headline like "Young female corpse found in Maple Valley, suspected to have been sexually assaulted before death" the next day…

"I knew it, Uncle, you're the best to me…"

Ding Chuchu immediately smiled sweetly and launched herself onto Qin Fang, rubbing her developing chest against his arm non-stop, making Qin Fang smile bitterly.

"Don't say I'm the best to you. You'd do me a favor by staying out of my sight from now on…"

Qin Fang shook his head and started the car, speeding towards Maple Valley. With him and Qin Shouxiong watching over, there weren't many people who could trouble them, at least ensuring the little girl's safety.

In the Audi speeding along, Qin Fang didn't bother with the bothersome girl next to him, instead focusing on driving. However, in his mind, he was contemplating how to implement his plans for the future, considering how to deal with the lunatics Song Gang and Cao Chun lurking in the shadows.

"Uncle, that thing I said earlier was true!"

At that moment, the girl leaned close to Qin Fang's ear and whispered, an abrupt statement without any context...(To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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