At this mention, Xing Jifu showed a thoughtful expression. Guo Feirong also furrowed his brows, while Huang Long appeared contemplative. His internal feuds with Luo Yu were one thing, but outsiders trying to bully them and cut off their revenue streams was another matter entirely.

Xing Jifu said, “Keep looking for A-Hua. Whether alive or dead, I want to see who’s pulling strings behind the scenes.”

“Yes.” “Understood.” “Yes.”

Guo Feirong asked, “What about the Yunnan side? They were still in contact with us this morning. Should I personally go meet them?”

Xing Jifu’s gaze lingered on Guo Feirong, and though his expression remained neutral, it made the forty-something-year-old man’s face change slightly, realizing he’d asked a foolish question.

One couldn’t blame him for being anxious—with such a massive business opportunity and market at stake, which of the three present didn’t want to take charge? Guo Feirong had already lost his capable A-Hua; if he didn’t step up now, what if the opportunity slipped from his grasp?

Huang Long chuckled, half-jokingly saying, “Brother Rong, you’ve already lost your brother-in-law. If you take charge again and something happens to you… haha…”

Guo Feirong glared at him, internally cursing that no pearls could come from a dog’s mouth.

Huang Long couldn’t care less; he had always been uninhibited. He knew well that it was precisely his caustic, easily offensive personality that made Xing Jifu trust him.

Xing Jifu said, “Enough, A-Long, hold your tongue. This matter might run deeper than we know. Let’s keep the Yunnan side waiting, for now, no meetings. Let me think it over before deciding.”

Once he made the call, the matter was settled.

Xing Jifu said, “Since Yanjun is here, let’s have lunch together.”

Huang Long and Guo Feirong agreed, but Luo Yu smiled and said, “Boss, I’ll pass. I have an appointment.”

Before Xing Jifu could respond, Huang Long jumped in: “With whom?”

Only then did Luo Yu show a hint of pride, saying casually, “Girlfriend.”

As Luo Yu had become Xing Jifu’s new confidant, he had only played around in entertainment venues these past years, never having a serious relationship. His statement surprised even Xing Jifu, who asked, “Who is she?”

Luo Yu said, “Let me be upfront with you, Boss. She’s a police officer. You know, You Mingxu, the one I pursued before.”

Xing Jifu glanced at him.

Huang Long snorted, “Stop bragging. Didn’t you chase her for ages without success? Why would a police officer be interested in you? Be careful not to get yourself arrested.”

Xing Jifu said, “Shut up and let him speak.”

Luo Yu sneered at Huang Long and said, “Boss, don’t listen to him. True, I didn’t succeed at first, but I recently helped her with something important. She’s changed her view of me, so things are looking up. I must accompany her today. My apologies, Boss.”

This brought a slight smile to Xing Jifu’s face. He nodded and asked, “What’s her… situation?”

Luo Yu said, “Just a regular police officer handling criminal cases—homicides, crimes of passion, that sort of thing. Nothing related to our business.”

Guo Feirong smiled and said, “If you’re going after police, why not pursue a bureau chief’s or department head’s daughter? That would be more useful.”

Luo Yu said, “She’s the one I want.”

Xing Jifu nodded: “Go ahead. But A-Long has a point—dating a police officer—what an idea! Be careful not to get yourself caught up in trouble.”

Luo Yu said, “I understand.”

—

Early that morning, You Mingxu received a text from Luo Yu:

“Come alone, and don’t try anything unnecessary. Just have a proper meal with me.”

You Mingxu naturally wouldn’t follow his instructions.

Rongfu Di Restaurant at 23 Wenshan Road was an exclusive, luxurious establishment. They managed to place two officers disguised as waiters in Luo Yu’s reserved private room. Additionally, others were stationed in the surroundings. Jing Ping, Yin Feng, and the others whom Luo Yu would recognize were watching through binoculars from the adjacent building, monitoring the bug’s feed.

You Mingxu wasn’t nervous—Luo Yu was too smart to try anything right under the police’s nose. She was more curious about his purpose in inviting her.

At noon sharp, You Mingxu arrived at Rongfu Di’s entrance. The place was built like a traditional Chinese courtyard. Led by a waiter through several moon gates, she reached an old-style wooden building, brightly lit inside, where someone was already waiting.

Entering the room, You Mingxu first noticed the waiter standing by the preparation area, who glanced at her before continuing his work normally.

The room was spacious, decorated in classical elegance with understated luxury. Luo Yu sat at a round table, with a man and woman standing behind him. Five or six more guards stood by the door.

You Mingxu had come in casual wear—down jacket and jeans—while Luo Yu wore a crisp new suit, pristine white shirt, and gleaming cufflinks, impeccably dressed. He looked at her and signaled to his female subordinate.

The woman approached, indicating she needed to search You Mingxu. You Mingxu raised her arms impassively as the woman confiscated her handcuffs, phone, and a voice recorder, then looked back at Luo Yu. You Mingxu remained composed.

Luo Yu said, “Take her watch too.”

You Mingxu’s expression cooled—the listening device was in the watch, and Luo Yu was quite sharp-eyed.

With the bug confiscated, You Mingxu sat across from him. Luo Yu raised his hand slightly, and his subordinates all left, taking the waiters with them and closing the door.

Only the two of them remained in the room.

In the adjacent building, over a hundred meters away.

Jing Ping, Yin Feng, and Xu Mengshan all held binoculars, clearly seeing the two sitting across from each other through the room’s windows.

Xu Mengshan put down the monitoring equipment and said, “They took it.”

Jing Ping said, “Have Group One move forward. If anything happens, they must reach that room within one minute.”

Xu Mengshan said, “Alright,” then smiled, “But it should be fine. We’ve all seen Luo Yu’s skills. If Sister You can control her temper and not do anything to him, that’s good enough.”

Jing Ping smiled at this comment. Through the binoculars, he could see You Mingxu’s composed expression, though she was notably cold toward Luo Yu. This woman seemed long accustomed to walking on a knife’s edge, just like him.

Xu Mengshan turned to see Yin Feng’s expressionless face and cold eyes. How could Xu Mengshan not know about his old and new grudges with Luo Yu? Now You Mingxu was dining with Luo Yu for leads. Though it was just for show, this man’s jealousy… tsk tsk. Xu Mengshan quickly patted his shoulder and said, “Don’t be jealous, Luo Yu’s a scumbag, and Sister You hates scumbags the most.” Then Xu Mengshan caught himself—the wrong thing to say!

But Yin Feng didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, his lips curling coldly: “Naturally.”

In the private room.

Luo Yu showed no urgency, rising to walk to the tea table where he prepared kung fu tea, then returned to pour You Mingxu a cup. You Mingxu sat perfectly composed, letting him serve her. After pouring the tea, Luo Yu bent down to her ear and said: “Drink.”

A simple word, carrying both a commanding tone and seemingly a man’s flirtation with a woman.