Chapter 330 - Warped Flattery (1/2)
Chapter 330: Warped Flattery
Shang Jianyao gave a terse acknowledgment. “Your father dances well. You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
He didn’t seem to hear what Zhao Yide was saying.
Upon seeing that October Xue and the others didn’t comment, Zhao Yide could only repeat, “My father has something he wants your help with. I wonder if you are willing to meet him.”
Jiang Baimian’s thoughts raced as she said mischievously, “As the saying goes, a gentleman doesn’t stand under a dangerous wall. It’s fine if we meet, but we can’t do it at Zhao Manor. We have to find a place where everyone feels at ease.”
Zhao Yide found this reasonable and nodded in agreement. “Alright.”
He was just about to suggest a meeting place when Shang Jianyao suddenly patted his shoulder. “Let’s eat first; we’ll talk later. It won’t taste good when it’s cold.”
Zhao Yide slowly turned his head and looked at Shang Jianyao, only to see his sincere and serious expression.
Retracting his gaze, Zhao Yide picked up a small spoon and arduously finished the rice with potato stew meat.
He almost cried from eating.
Shang Jianyao glanced at him and suggested, “If you don’t like meat, I can help you.”
Zhao Yide quickly replied, “Alright!”
Jiang Baimian pursed her lips slightly.
…
After the sun set, in Weed City’s Central Square.
Zhao Zhengqi—who was wearing a beanie and a loose robe—sat on a bench, enjoying the night breeze. He looked a little wooden as he watched the bodyguards around him try their best to stop the city’s citizens and Ruin Hunters from approaching.
This was the meeting place Jiang Baimian had chosen.
As she and Shang Jianyao walked toward Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen consciously spread out and monitored their surroundings. Their focus was on the surrounding high-rise buildings, mainly to prevent them from being sniped.
As for the square, most of it was within the range of Shang Jianyao’s Awakened ability—Hands Immobility. There was no need to pay too much attention.
“Long time no see.” Zhao Zhengqi stood up with a smile when he saw October Xue and Zhang Qubing approach.
Shang Jianyao spread his arms and made a gesture of him offering a hug.
The fat Zhao Zhengqi stroked his white beard, smiled, and accepted the enthusiastic hug.
“Your dance left a deep impression on me.” While hugging, Shang Jianyao patted Zhao Zhengqi’s back.
Zhao Zhengqi quickly retracted his hand, stood up, and sighed with a smile. “When I was young, everyone lived a very difficult life. We often relied on singing and dancing to lift the mood.”
As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and gently shook Jiang Baimian’s hand.
After the four of them sat down, Jiang Baimian went straight to the point. “Senator Zhao, why did you want to meet us?”
Zhao Zhengqi glanced at his eldest son, Zhao Yide, and deliberated over his words. “Pardon me for asking, but where do you plan on going next? What are your plans? I can’t let my request delay your business.”
He was very, very humble.
Jiang Baimian smiled and replied, “We plan on going to a few large factions to try our luck and hope for a better development.”
Zhao Zhengqi revealed an understanding expression. “Then, I would like to invite the few of you to make a trip to First City—uh—the real city.”
“You encountered some problem?” Shang Jianyao asked in concern.
Zhao Zhengqi took the opportunity and said, “Our Zhao family has a few manors on the south bank of the Red River around First City’s suburbs.”
Upon seeing Jiang Baimian’s faint smile, he quickly explained, “As the saying goes, we can’t put all our eggs in one basket.”
Jiang Baimian nodded slightly, and Zhao Zhengqi continued, “Something happened to those manors some time ago. They weren’t able to turn in last year’s earnings as scheduled. They said that it was due to the weather that their production was severely reduced.
“I sent a steward, and he reported that it was indeed the case. I also sent Yide’s younger brother, and he also sent a telegram back saying that there was nothing abnormal. I originally believed it until a friend of mine happened to pass by those manors in First City and discovered unknown people entering and leaving.
“I secretly sent a Ruin Hunter team from First City to monitor the manors for a week and confirmed that unknown people often appeared there. I got another Ruin Hunter team to enter the manor to investigate. In the end, they reported that there were no strangers.”
“It sounds very bizarre.” Shang Jianyao stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Zhao Zhengqi looked like he had found a savior. “Yes, I’m very worried about my child and my few trusted aides. I was just considering if I should hire the guild’s Advanced Hunter to help when Yide told me that you were back. In my heart, you are stronger than Advanced Hunters.”
He remembered that Oudick had also become Zhang Qubing’s ‘friend.’
Shang Jianyao fell into deep thought. Jiang Baimian smiled at Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide but didn’t say a word.
Zhao Zhengqi gritted his teeth and said, “I know that I’m not trustworthy in your hearts. I’m willing to be affected by that ability again and ‘become’ your friend. That way, you’ll know if I’m lying.”