Jiang Xiaowan said something more later, but I had no intention of listening.
Because I had heard every word she said earlier.
As everyone else had graced the occasion to join Zhu Wenjing's dinner, after parting ways with Jiang Xiaowan and leaving the restaurant, I wandered aimlessly on the street alone for quite some time.
No matter where I went, my mind was filled with Jiang Xiaowan's words telling me to leave.
Frankly, if anyone else had said this to me, I would have paid no attention.
But Jiang Xiaowan was different; not only was she one of the Twelve Dark Lanterns, but she was also Ying Baolin's most loyal subordinate.
Of course, Jiang Xiaowan was not blindly loyal.
Her ability to see through Ying Baolin being misled by the information exposed by Mo Pingqiu, and the latter's assumption that I was also categorized among those with ulterior motives, was enough to prove Jiang Xiaowan's sharp discernment.
However, it has always been the case that the ruler is above, and the subjects are below.
Even if those below notice certain things, they cannot necessarily point them out directly; one must let the superior slowly realize it themselves.
It's like surviving in the workplace; if your boss gives a wrong order, can you point it out to them?
To put it bluntly, forget pointing it out, even hinting at it is not allowed!
In today's selfish society, leaders don't want talent; they want people who listen and follow orders!
If you have talent, doesn't that make the leader seem incompetent?
Therefore, knowing that she couldn't directly enlighten Ying Baolin, Jiang Xiaowan arranged to meet me and directly point things out.
Of course, whether Jiang Xiaowan truly wanted to save me is another matter, but it's certain that she couldn't bear to see Ying Baolin being misled by Mo Pingqiu.
As the old saying goes, "Listen to advice, and you'll have enough to eat."
How many people don't understand this principle? Only when things truly happen to them do they realize how difficult it is to make choices!
Leaving would definitely mean safety.
But behind safety lay the forfeiture of the Thousand King Token, and the inability to find the true culprit who harmed Uncle Tuo.
Is this the outcome I wanted?
Clearly not!
But if I don't leave, could this time's danger be fatal... I have no way of knowing!
If I lose my life, how can I even talk about revenge?!
Just as I was hesitating, my phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated.
Taking it out, I saw it was Shen Mengqing calling.
Shen Mengqing hadn't contacted me for a long time, and now she was calling me at such a critical juncture...
Thinking of this, I directly pressed the answer button.
As soon as the call was connected, I heard Shen Mengqing ask in an urgent tone, "Chen Xiang, are you free to talk now?"
"I am, go ahead!"
"This matter can't be explained clearly over the phone. Where are you now? I'll come to find you, and we can talk in person!"
After a moment of thought, I agreed to Shen Mengqing and gave her an address...
...
Ever since Yun Jin kicked me out of Ruichi, I hadn't met Shen Mengqing privately in any setting.
Now that she was looking for me in such a hurry, she must have something important to discuss.
I just wondered if it had anything to do with the Thousand King Token?
After arranging to meet Shen Mengqing at a barbecue restaurant less than two kilometers from the forcibly closed Ruichi Casino.
As soon as I entered, I saw Shen Mengqing already sitting there formally.
Clearly, she was very anxious.
Looking up at Shen Mengqing, I saw her wave at me as soon as she noticed me entering.
If Queen Bee Yu Shuang was the most beautiful woman I had ever met...
Then Shen Mengqing was undoubtedly the most elegant!
In my past impression, Shen Mengqing rarely waved at people in unfamiliar settings.
I could feel that Shen Mengqing seemed preoccupied tonight.
After sitting down, looking at Shen Mengqing, who was full of thoughts, I directly asked, "You wanted to see me about something?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Mengqing didn't speak but nodded slightly.
"What is it? Tell me!"
After I said this, I waited for a good two to three minutes.
Sighing softly, Shen Mengqing suddenly smiled.
However, her smile was filled with bitterness.
Seeing this, I didn't urge her but lit a cigarette and waited quietly.
After opening a bottle of beer on the table, Shen Mengqing poured me a glass.
As she pushed the glass towards me, she finally spoke.
"Chen Xiang, I consider you a friend!"
"If you also consider me a friend, then after drinking this glass of wine, tell me some honest words!"
"If you agree, finish the wine in the glass! If you disagree, just take a sip!"
Hearing Shen Mengqing speak so solemnly, I didn't waste any more words. I directly picked up the wine glass in front of me, tilted my head back, and drank it all down.
"Burp~"
After a full burp, I said, "You can ask your questions."
"The first question!"
After also downing a full glass of beer in front of her, Shen Mengqing stared at my face and asked in a deep voice, "Are you, by any chance, Lu Mingtai's disciple?"
"Yes!" I replied without hesitation.
Shen Mengqing didn't ask another question. After pouring another full glass of beer and drinking it, she continued to ask, "Were you transferred from the Xingjia club to the Wenzhou branch for that item?"
"That's right!"
As I replied, I also drank a glass of wine following Shen Mengqing's rhythm.
"You approached Aunt Jin also for that item, is that correct or not?"
"Correct!"
"So when something happened at the venue, you stepped up, also wanting to gain more trust from Aunt Jin through practical actions?"
"Yes!"
"You approached me, also for..."
"Yes!"
"..."
And so, in the format of one question, one answer, and one glass of wine, Shen Mengqing asked me seven or eight questions in a row.
Whether she asked a question or I gave an answer, we would alternately drink a glass of wine.
Under such high-frequency, fast-paced interaction...
Before long, a slight blush appeared on Shen Mengqing's fair face.
After drinking another glass of wine, Shen Mengqing blinked her bright eyes and looked at me, saying with great seriousness, "Actually, I know where that item is!"
Upon hearing this, I nodded slightly but didn't respond. Instead, I asked back, "So what? Why did you look for me today?"
Seeing that I wasn't following her lead, Shen Mengqing immediately sized me up with curious eyes and asked doubtfully, "Weren't you looking for that item all along?"
"Why do you have no reaction at all after I told you?"
*Clink...*
Lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag, I said in a low voice, "Because from the moment you called me, I guessed that you would come to talk to me about this matter today."