Chapter 393: What kind of people are hiding in 152 Xiangcheng?_3
 

“`

To have Jian Zhonghai waiting here so early…

Who could be the VIP that Jian Zhonghai is waiting for?

He felt even more fortunate that he hadn’t gone to the Ji Family today.

“I have prepared a dinner for you and your distinguished guest,” Ren Qian handed a gift list to Jian Zhonghai, “Please see if there is anything your guest might not like.”

It’s not easy for someone like Jian Zhonghai to come to Xiangcheng.

Recently, Ren Qian’s power had become more dispersed, and the items he had prepared for Jian Zhonghai were extremely rare.

Jian Zhonghai looked it over and his attitude towards him improved significantly.

Ren Wanxuan and Qiu Boqing stood aside, unable to say anything in such a situation.

The few people were just talking.

Jian Zhe appeared from behind the crowd. When Ren Wanxuan saw Jian Zhe, she was shocked, “What are you doing here?”

Did Qiu Xuezheng let something slip?

She couldn’t help but look at Qiu Xuezheng, frowning.

Did Bai Lian also know?

Jian Zhe just walked forward, stopping beside Jian Zhonghai: “Grandfather.”

Grandfather?

Jian Zhonghai’s grandson?

Ren Qian and Ren Wanxuan were dumbfounded. How could a member of the Jian Family appear in Xiangcheng?

Jian Zhonghai had two sons and two daughters, and several grandchildren. Among them, Jian Rong was his favorite and had been cultivated by his side since childhood. As for Jian Zhe…

From childhood, he had been hiding comic books under the bed. Jian Zhonghai had scolded his family extremely harshly.

He glanced at Jian Zhe without saying anything.

Jian’s father pulled Jian Zhe aside and scolded him in a low voice, “Your grandfather arrived yesterday, how come you are only here now?”

“I went to the library with Sister Bai.” Jian Zhe spoke up, “Sister Bai is very impressive. I think her calligraphy…”

Although Bai Lian was two years younger than him, they were used to calling her sister.

He tried to promote Bai Lian to his father.

Jian’s father interrupted him, not caring who Sister Bai was, and just coldly looked at Jian Zhe, “Can’t you make some normal friends? Look at Jian Rong’s friends, then look at yours. Never mind that, can’t you tell the difference between your grandfather and other people in importance?”

“Isn’t Jian Rong also not here?” Jian Zhe didn’t want to argue about this with his father. He looked around and didn’t see Jian Rong.

“You think you are like Jian Rong?” Jian’s father lashed out again, “He is studying in the mansion, waiting for your elder uncle. Your grandfather will personally take him there.”

Jian Rong was the hope of the Jian Family. His matters were of utmost importance. How could he possibly be here?

If Jian Rong could go, why couldn’t he?

Jian Zhe was very unsatisfied.

He decided to go back and study for four more hours that night.

**

Meanwhile.

At the Ji Family, Ji Heng was playing chess with Director Chen. When Director Chen saw Jiang Fulai, he quickly got up and with teary eyes offered his seat, “Sir, would you like to play a few games with Uncle Ji? I’ll go help in the kitchen.”

Ji Heng didn’t seem to care, but his play was incredibly fierce at five-in-a-row.

Jiang Fulai glanced at Director Chen, then sat down opposite Ji Heng, picking up a white piece casually. The ordinary white piece seemed to exude the radiance of white jade in his hands.

Jiang He sat on a slightly higher stool next to Ji Heng, holding a fruit dish and watching the two play chess.

Ji Heng arranged the black pieces and upon seeing Jiang Fulai sit down, suddenly asked, “Do you know how to play Go?”

“A little,” Jiang Fulai nodded.

“Okay,” Ji Heng decided on the spot, “then let’s play Go.”

The white pieces go first, and Jiang Fulai made the first move.

Chess is like life.

Ji Heng played a solid and reliable style, while Jiang Fulai’s style was inscrutable, appearing very casual. Bai Lian stood to the side and watched for a while, until she received a message from Dean Jian—

Dean Jian: [[Image]]

Dean Jian: [What’s this place?]

Looking down, Bai Lian saw a picture by the Xiangcheng Building with Dean Jian’s luggage beside it.

Bai Lian: [Weren’t you on the seven o’clock train?]

Dean Jian: [There’s a villain among the crowd]

Bai Lian: […Wait there]

She told Ji Heng she was going to pick someone up at the city gate. The city gate was close to Purest Street, just four stops away.

Jiang Fulai watched Bai Lian leave, then raised his hand to play another piece. Ji Heng didn’t pay much attention to this move but after the tenth piece, the white pieces on the board formed a pattern full of hidden danger, step by step leading to a trap.

Ji Heng’s mouth twitched—

No way, who changes their playing style midway through a game??

At the city gate.

When Bai Lian found the person, Dean Jian was standing next to his silver luggage, looking quite desolate.

“You’re alone?” Bai Lian thought he had company.

“It’s the holidays, I didn’t want to make anyone work overtime,” Dean Jian looked up and explained, “I’m not a three-year-old child.”

His trip to Xiangcheng had been leaked by someone.

So he had to abandon the train and take a bus from Beicheng to Xiangcheng, which was quite a hassle.

He was unsure whether he could still check into the hotel he had booked. Dean Jian looked at Bai Lian, puzzled, “Is the tourism industry here so developed?”

But last month, Xiangcheng suddenly became incredibly popular, and with the Tourism Bureau seizing the opportunity to promote it, all the hotels in Xiangcheng were fully booked after the second day of the lunar month and impossible to reserve.

Otherwise, Dean Jian certainly wouldn’t have troubled Bai Lian. He was a person who did not like to impose on others.

“Let’s go to my grandfather’s for dinner first.” Bai Lian went to pick up Dean Jian’s suitcase.

“It’s very heavy…” Dean Jian started to protest. His 28-inch suitcase contained not only daily necessities but also a slightly smaller zither case.

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Lian effortlessly lifted it with her left hand.

“…”

**

At the Ji Family.

Director Chen came out with a glass of milk for Jiang He, “Where’s Miss Bai?”

He looked around, not seeing Bai Lian.

“Gone to pick someone up,” Ji Heng replied without looking up, while Jiang Fulai returned his attention to Director Chen.

Gone to pick someone up?

Xu En and the others were not around, so who else was in Xiangcheng? Director Chen pondered for a moment, then discussed with Ji Heng, “Uncle, let’s go fishing tomorrow. In another two days, big brother Ji won’t have time.”

Ji Shaojun would have to start working on the eighth day of the lunar month, and Director Chen would also have to work.

Ji Heng, frustrated by the chess game, responded perfunctorily, “Alright, alright.”

Five minutes later, Ji Heng said to Jiang Fulai, observing his playing style, “Don’t deliberately lose.”

Jiang Fulai, who had been letting him win from the start: “…”

Twenty minutes later, looking at the besieged black pieces, Ji Heng conceded, “…Let’s play five-in-a-row instead.”

“Dinner’s ready,” Ji Shaojun came out with bowls and chopsticks, peering outside, “Alian hasn’t returned yet?”

As he spoke, there was a commotion outside the door.

“`