Chapter 19: The Exclusive Club

Zhuang Chen nodded, as expected. He had indeed heard the old master mention the Chang'an Club a few times before. The chairwoman was Chen Lihua, a woman of deep background, owner of the country's first museum dedicated to rosewood. The master liked beaded bracelets, so he would often talk about it.

Seeing Zhuang Chen's interest, Xia Long continued, "I've been there a few times. The service is impeccable, and every member is either wealthy or of high status. Even Li Chao-jen and Henry Fok are long-standing members."

"I heard the annual membership fee is two hundred thousand US dollars, and you need a referral to even qualify. So..."

Zhuang Chen nodded, picked up his phone, and dialed his private line for the second time, requesting to join. Ten minutes later, he received a reply.

"You are now a senior member of the Chang'an Club, entitled to all services, and may visit at any time."

Ending the call, he headed out straight for the Chang'an Club, eager to see this legendary top-tier establishment for himself.

Xia Long said nothing, but was inwardly shocked. He knew that the Chang'an Club was not a place just anyone could join.

Number 10 Chang'an Avenue—its very location attested to the club's extraordinary status. Membership required the recommendation of an existing member, and the conditions were extremely stringent.

You had to be between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five, the head of a company, with assets of at least a billion, and preferably fluent in English.

It was said that once the membership reached a thousand, no more would be admitted. The club already had over nine hundred members. Every staff member could easily call each member by name, and knew their dining preferences as intimately as family.

Countless so-called business elites would go to great lengths just for an ordinary membership, craving entry into this elite circle. With luck, one might meet a big shot, gain new resources, and soar to new heights.

This overly low-profile new boss before him—he had assumed he lacked any background, yet with a single call...

Zhuang Chen said nothing, sensing the subtle emotions shared between Xia Long and Xia Hu. He laughed inwardly. The more mysterious, the better; letting others remain in the dark about one's background was the best defense.

They arrived at the club's underground parking lot, took the elevator to the lobby on the first floor, and as soon as they exited, a beautiful hostess approached respectfully. "Good morning, Mr. Zhuang."

Zhuang Chen nodded, growing accustomed to this treatment, and said casually, "It's my first time here, show me around."

"Of course, this way please." The young woman beamed and began the tour. "The first floor is the main hall. Our chairwoman is the country's foremost collector of rosewood, so all the furniture here is made of it."

"This is the Golden Throne Hall, constructed from the finest rosewood in a one-to-one-hundred scale, flawlessly recreated using micro-carving and openwork techniques..."

"Floors two to seven are VIP lounges—eleven rooms in various styles, plus six multifunction halls capable of hosting banquets for fifty people."

"The eighth floor is mainly for Chinese banquets, accommodating up to one hundred forty guests, or two hundred for cocktail parties."

"The ninth floor is for Western banquets, with a capacity for one hundred people. There is also the members' bar and a Japanese banquet hall."

"The tenth floor has two standard indoor tennis courts; the eleventh has a swimming pool, standard squash courts, a dance studio, a wine bar, and a steam bath."

"The twelfth floor houses professional spa rooms, a Thai-style massage area, a Japanese massage zone, and a beauty salon."

As Zhuang Chen toured the club, his first impression was of opulent, palatial grandeur. Priceless rosewood furniture and collectibles were everywhere.

The elevator stopped at the eighth floor. The hostess said with confidence, "This is the finest Chinese restaurant in the capital—'Pure Goblet, Red Candle.' It is also the club’s largest and most extravagantly decorated facility. Here, you can enjoy exquisite Cantonese cuisine and regional specialties from all over the country. There are also dozens of private dining rooms."

Zhuang Chen admired the classic décor. The private rooms bore auspicious names: First Rank, Double Happiness, Three Fortunes, all the way up to Nine Blessings and Ten Perfections—names steeped in wealth and good fortune.

"The ninth floor features 'Tokyo Bridge' and the 'Naples Italian Restaurant.' We have a sushi bar, a barbecue house, and two authentic tatami rooms."

"Our head chef once served royalty, and the Italian restaurant offers genuine Italian cuisine and wine."

The hostess recited details with obvious pride, as if working at the Chang'an Club was the highest honor one could achieve for their family.

She drew closer to the tall and imposing Zhuang Chen, her breath fragrant and seductive. "We have several original menus, crafted from the finest global recipes and ingredients. Prices range from 8,888 to 48,888 yuan."

"If you dine here as a guest with a member whose card number is within the top hundred, you’re exempt from the fifteen percent service charge."

"Of course, as a senior VIP, you're entitled to all top-tier services. If there's anything you require, it would be my honor to serve you!"

After the tour, Zhuang Chen nodded to himself in approval. Chen Lihua was indeed worthy of her reputation as the country's wealthiest woman. With the Chang'an Club, the Rosewood Museum, and other enterprises, she was renowned worldwide.

In 2012, she was listed among Time magazine's one hundred most influential people globally, with a fortune exceeding fifty billion. Her power and background were truly unfathomable.

No wonder she dared to place a dragon throne in the lobby. Any single private room cost at least a million to decorate, not to mention the countless antiques. The capital’s top club lived up to its name.

They reached the top floor, where the hostess suggested, "Our masseurs here are highly skilled. Many members like to relax in the hot springs first. Would you like to try?"

Zhuang Chen's eyes lit up at the idea. He changed clothes and entered the hot spring area. Finding it empty, he slid into a small pool, the warmth enveloping every pore—utter bliss.

"You two should enjoy a soak as well!" he said to Xia Long and Xia Hu. The two exchanged glances—this was the Chang'an Club, perfectly safe, and such an opportunity was rare. They took turns finding a large pool to enjoy.

"This is the life..."

Zhuang Chen closed his eyes, thoroughly relaxed. No wonder people chase after wealth so relentlessly—a life of luxury was truly addictive.

Davis had not lied—the Wade Fund was indeed excellent, immensely powerful!

After more than forty minutes, Zhuang Chen stood, rinsed off, and went to the massage room to unwind further.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Zhuang. I am Technician No. 3. It’s my pleasure to serve you!"

Soon a slender, refined young woman in white entered. She respectfully helped Zhuang Chen remove his shirt and lie down on the massage bed.

"May I recommend you try the essential oils—purely herbal, to relax the muscles, nourish the liver and kidneys, and perfect for restoring your energy..."

The masseuse knelt gracefully, warmed the oil between her palms, and began to work it into Zhuang Chen's back. Her hands alternated with practiced ease—firm yet gentle, even and measured, each movement following the proper sequence.

She massaged from the feet toward the heart, employing every technique: pressing, stroking, pulling, kneading, and pinching.

Zhuang Chen closed his eyes, enjoying the smooth, warm touch; her pressure shifted from light to heavy, the heat intensifying, especially as she worked up to his inner thighs, stirring an involuntary tension through his whole body.

"Please relax..." The masseuse, sensing the taut muscles and noticing a certain restlessness, settled herself upon his back, upper body pressed close. She deliberately leaned in to whisper, breath hot against his ear, "This is a normal reaction... Your body is really... strong!"

Her words tickled his ears. Feeling her supple form grind against his back, a wave of heat surged through him. He reached for her curves, drawing a soft, coquettish sigh.

He let go, surrendering to the attentive massage. The young woman quickly composed herself and continued her skilled service. Members here were all men of means, no strangers to such things—leaving it at that was the most tantalizing approach.

"It was a pleasure to serve you. I’m Number 3—don’t forget me!"

When she left, Zhuang Chen stood, feeling refreshed and full of energy, his back still warm. He hadn't expected the essential oils to be so effective.

This was a good place—he would certainly return. He stepped out to explore other diversions, when suddenly something caught his eye.