At his mention, Xing Jifu wore a thoughtful expression. Guo Feirong also furrowed his brow, while Huang Long seemed lost in thought. Their internal conflicts were one thing, but if outsiders dared to bully them or cut off their revenue streams, that was an entirely different matter.
Xing Jifu said, "Keep searching for Ahua. I want to see him alive or dead. I need to know who's behind this mischief."
"Yes." "Understood." "Yes."
Guo Feirong asked, "What about the Yunnan side? They contacted us again this morning. Should I go receive them personally?"
Xing Jifu's gaze swept over Guo Feirong twice. Though his expression remained neutral, it made the forty-something man pale slightly, realizing he had asked a foolish question.
Truth be told, his anxiety was understandable. With such a massive business and enormous market at stake, all three men present coveted control. Guo Feirong had already lost his capable subordinate Ahua. If he didn't step up now, what if the operation was taken away from him?
Huang Long chuckled half-jokingly, "Brother Rong, your brother-in-law's already been taken down. If you take over and something happens to you too... hahaha..."
Guo Feirong glared at him, inwardly cursing that you can't get ivory from a dog's mouth.
Huang Long couldn't care less—he'd always been irreverent. And he knew perfectly well that his sharp, easily offensive personality was precisely why Xing Jifu felt comfortable using him.
Xing Jifu said, "Enough, Ah Long, save your breath. This matter might run deeper than it appears. Let the Yunnan side wait for now—no meetings yet. I need to think it over before deciding."
With his final word, the matter was settled.
Xing Jifu said, "Yanjun is here too. Let's have lunch together."
Huang Long and Guo Feirong agreed, but Luo Yu smiled and said, "Boss, I'll have to pass. I've got plans with someone."
Before Xing Jifu could respond, Huang Long cut in, "Plans with who?"
Only then did Luo Yu reveal a hint of pride, casually remarking, "My girlfriend."
Luo Yu had become Xing Jifu's new right-hand man in recent years, yet he'd only ever fooled around in pleasure quarters without any serious relationships. His announcement surprised even Xing Jifu, who asked, "Who is she?"
Luo Yu said, "Let me be straight with you, boss—she's a policewoman. The one I pursued before, You Mingxu."
Xing Jifu glanced at him.
Huang Long snorted, "Stop boasting. Didn't you chase her forever without success? Why would a police officer fancy you? Watch you don't get yourself arrested."
Xing Jifu said, "Shut up and let him speak."
Luo Yu sneered at Huang Long and said, "Boss, don't mind him. I didn't succeed at first, but recently I did her a major favor, and her opinion of me has changed. There's hope now. I absolutely must go accompany her today, boss—my apologies."
This actually brought a slight smile to Xing Jifu's face. He nodded and asked, "What's her... situation?"
Luo Yu said, "Just an ordinary beat cop handling criminal cases—murders driven by revenge or passion, nothing connected to us."
Guo Feirong laughed, "If you're really set on dating a cop, why not charm some bureau chief's or department head's daughter? That'd be more useful."
Luo Yu said, "I want her."
Xing Jifu nodded, "Go ahead. But Ah Long has a point—dating a police officer? What were you thinking! Be careful not to play yourself into a trap."
Luo Yu said, "I know."Early this morning, You Mingxu received a text message from Luo Yu:
"Come alone. No tricks. Just have a proper meal with me."
Of course, You Mingxu had no intention of obeying him.
No. 23 Wenshan Road housed a restaurant called Rongfudi—private and luxurious. They managed to station two police officers disguised as waitstaff in the private room Luo Yu had reserved. Additionally, backup was positioned outside. Since Luo Yu recognized Jing Ping, Yin Feng, and the others, they were stationed in a neighboring building, observing through binoculars and monitoring the situation via a listening device.
You Mingxu wasn't nervous—Luo Yu was a smart man and wouldn't dare make a move against her under the watchful eyes of the police. What intrigued her more was—why had Luo Yu asked to meet her?
At noon sharp, You Mingxu arrived at the entrance of Rongfudi. The restaurant was designed as a traditional Chinese courtyard. Following a waiter, she passed through several moon gates and arrived at an antique wooden house, brightly lit and already occupied.
Upon entering, You Mingxu first noticed the waiter standing in the adjacent preparation room. The waiter glanced at her, then calmly continued his work.
The room was spacious, elegantly decorated in a classical yet understatedly luxurious style. Luo Yu sat at a round table, with a man and a woman standing behind him. Five or six others guarded the entrance.
You Mingxu had come dressed casually in a down jacket and jeans, while Luo Yu wore a brand-new suit, a crisp white shirt, and gleaming cufflinks—immaculately dressed. He glanced at her and signaled to the female subordinate beside him.
The female subordinate approached and gestured to search You Mingxu. With an indifferent expression, You Mingxu raised her arms. The subordinate confiscated a pair of handcuffs, a mobile phone, and a voice recorder, then glanced back at Luo Yu. You Mingxu remained composed.
"Take off her watch," Luo Yu said.
You Mingxu's expression turned cold—the listening device was hidden in the watch. Luo Yu was sharp-eyed indeed.
With the listening device also confiscated, You Mingxu sat down opposite him. Luo Yu raised a hand, and his subordinates filed out, taking the waitstaff with them and closing the door behind.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
In the building over a hundred meters away.
Jing Ping, Yin Feng, and Xu Mengshan held binoculars, clearly observing the two sitting face-to-face through the glass window of the room.
Xu Mengshan set down the monitoring equipment and said, "It's been taken."
Jing Ping replied, "Move Team One closer. If anything happens, they must reach that room within one minute."
"Understood," Xu Mengshan said, then chuckled. "But it should be fine. We've all seen Luo Yu's skills. If Sister You can keep her temper and not rough him up, that's already a win."
Jing Ping smiled faintly at that. Through the binoculars, he could see You Mingxu's calm demeanor, though she was noticeably colder in Luo Yu's presence. This woman seemed long accustomed to walking on the edge of a blade, much like himself.
Turning his head, Xu Mengshan noticed Yin Feng's expressionless face and cold gaze. Xu Mengshan was well aware of the old and new grudges between Yin Feng and Luo Yu. Now, for the sake of a lead, You Mingxu was dining with Luo Yu. Even if it was just a pretense, the jealousy radiating from Yin Feng was palpable. Xu Mengshan decisively patted his shoulder and said, "Don't be jealous. Luo Yu is scum, and Sister You hates scum the most." As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu Mengshan froze—he'd put his foot in it!
But Yin Feng didn't seem to mind. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. "Naturally."
Inside the private room.Luo Yu showed no urgency at all. He rose and walked to the nearby tea table, brewed a pot of Gongfu tea, then returned to pour a cup for You Mingxu. She sat perfectly composed, allowing him to serve her. After pouring the tea, Luo Yu leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Drink."
A single word, carrying a commanding tone yet seemingly laced with a man's provocation toward a woman.
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