“Host, I’m back! Huh, where are you?”
Just as the situation had become awkward with only Liu Zelan trying to lighten the mood, Qiu Yunzheng heard 288’s return. The system immediately started making its presence known with excited noises.
“Hmph, good that you’re back. 288, help me check if there’s anything suspicious here. Like whether the food is poisoned or if there are any drugs.”
Since her occasionally unreliable cheat had returned, Qiu Yunzheng naturally wanted to make full use of it by putting 288 to work.
“ヽ(￣▽￣) Here I come!” Let me scan… Huh? Nothing unusual. All normal dishes, and no suspicious people either.”
288 was indeed delighted. Having tasks to complete, especially when the host needed help, made the System feel important.
After confirming the food was safe, Qiu Yunzheng grew even more curious.
Wang Xuecha felt utterly dismayed seeing Qiu Yunzheng ignore her warning and casually sit down to eat. She couldn’t openly express her concern too obviously.
Wang Xuecha thought to herself that she could at least call the police later—the best solution she could devise. If Qiu Yunzheng still ended up in trouble, she had done all she could. Her spirits dampened, making her expression even gloomier.
Though eating, Qiu Yunzheng kept observing Wang Xuecha’s expressions without comment, feeling unexpectedly relieved. At least Wang Xuecha wasn’t the kind of person she had suspected. As she had guessed, Wang Xuecha must have her reasons.
If this were truly just a simple gathering as Liu Zelan claimed, Qiu Yunzheng would be the first to doubt it. It seemed even stranger because if that were the case, Wang Xuecha wouldn’t have urged her to leave quickly.
Soon, as they were halfway through the meal, Qiu Yunzheng noticed something odd: every dish seemed deliberately laced with alcohol, though not heavily. Initially, she dismissed it as the restaurant’s specialty, thinking the stronger wine flavor was just part of the cuisine. Besides, the System had confirmed the food was fine.
But after eating more, she realized something was wrong.
Qiu Yunzheng suddenly felt dizzy, as if drunk. She never drank—not even a drop—because she had learned from past experience in her dorm that alcohol made her intoxicated instantly.
She had assumed the wine was used for cooking, like marinating to remove odors, and that the alcohol would evaporate with heat. But now she suspected the dishes were spiked with strong liquor after cooking, possibly with a mild alcohol taste.
Putting down her chopsticks, Qiu Yunzheng looked up at Liu Zelan across the table, feeling slightly tipsy. Still, she could control herself and wouldn’t collapse easily, thanks to her Enhancement Fluid-enhanced physique.
“288, use my phone to call Instructor Gu. I’ve been tricked.”
Qiu Yunzheng remained calm. Though alcohol affected her, she had backup.
“Huh? It’s connected. But host, what do you mean ‘tricked’?”
288 was curious.
Ignoring the System, Qiu Yunzheng stared at someone.
“You added a lot of wine to the dishes, didn’t you? You went through a lot of trouble to make this meal seem normal.”
Liu Zelan gazed at Qiu Yunzheng, who sat at the head of the table. Her exquisitely beautiful face, flushed from the alcohol, looked even more captivating. Even Liu Zelan couldn’t help admiring her, thinking of the ancient saying: “A pink face and peach blossoms reflect each other’s brilliance.”
“Young Master Wang went to all this trouble for you. We’re just decoys. Honestly, I thought it might fail, but I don’t know why you didn’t leave.”
Liu Zelan’s smile faded as she spoke slowly. She didn’t dislike Qiu Yunzheng—in her eyes, Qiu Yunzheng was quite decent. But she needed money desperately, and Wang Wende offered enough to tempt her. That was all there was to it.
“Just to get me drunk? And you think that’ll work? There’s more to this, right?”
Qiu Yunzheng disregarded Liu Zelan’s excuses. Having gone this far, why pretend innocence? Better to get to the main event.
“Clap clap clap! As expected of the woman I’ve pursued for three years without success. Even in such a disadvantageous situation, you maintain your composure. Admirable!”
This time, Liu Zelan stayed silent as someone walked in from outside, applauding smugly. It was Wang Wende.
Seeing Wang Wende and his conceited grin, Qiu Yunzheng gritted her teeth in anger. Even drunk, she could take on ten Wang Wendes. Let him believe it or not.
“Hah, some people enjoy being lapdogs, but I don’t like being licked. It disgusts me. So, are you one?”
Qiu Yunzheng showed no mercy, mocking him outright. Meanwhile, she mentally asked 288:
‘288. This is what you call no suspicious people? (⊙o⊙)… Does the System not consider a beast like Wang Wende strange?’
288: ′●＿● Damn, villains ruin my reputation.
“Heh, keep talking tough. Let’s see how long you can keep it up.”
Wang Wende’s once-handsome face twisted with rage, turning red as his eyes bulged in fury.
Seeing her most detested person and fueled by alcohol, Qiu Yunzheng’s violent impulses surged.
“288, if I get too drunk to control myself, remember to take over my body. Just make sure he doesn’t die. I need to vent this malice, or I won’t feel satisfied.”
“Okay, host. 288 will complete the mission.”
288: The host is so scary! I suspect she’s doing this on purpose to take revenge, making it justified self-defense.
Meanwhile, outside the small restaurant.
Lin Han Nuo and the others protecting Qiu Yunzheng exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.
“Major General Gu? Why are you here in person? Didn’t you say you have an important mission tomorrow? And…”
Lin Han Nuo exclaimed in shock, genuinely startled. Weren’t they supposed to observe and adapt? Why was Gu Hanfeng unable to stay put and coming himself? What was this about?
“Hmm, I received Qiu Yunzheng’s call. She didn’t say anything, so I was worried. If things get out of hand, it’s better if I’m here.”
A sharp glint flashed briefly in Gu Hanfeng’s eyes, though his handsome face remained expressionless. No one detected anything unusual from his formal tone.
Lin Han Nuo, however, didn’t buy it. The Gu Hanfeng she knew wasn’t like this. She felt speechless:
Seriously, bro? First, you act all high-and-mighty and cold-blooded, and now this? Do you know what you look like?
Like a self-proclaimed strict father who’s actually a famously hypocritical, doting dad, dear.
One phone call and you can’t sit still anymore. How impressive.
If Gu Hanfeng knew what Lin Han Nuo was thinking, a bloodbath might ensue—starting with beating Lin Han Nuo up first, without holding back just because she’s a girl.