Poisoning

"Hey-hey..."

She turned around, took off her mask, and revealed a flawless face.

It really is Lu Xiaobei!

I was shocked. How come this guy always appears in unexpected places and at unexpected times?

You are Lu Xiaobei, not Sakuragi Hanamichi!

"Ah?"

Fan Changgui and several other executives were also shocked, staring at Lu Xiaobei in disbelief.

Although a big boss like Fan Changgui must have seen his fair share of female celebrities, a top-tier female star with Lu Xiaobei's style is quite rare, especially one who appears in this way!

"Sit."

I pointed to the empty seat next to me.

Lu Xiaobei sat down, looking at me with a guilty expression.

When did you get back?

"Not long, about half an hour."

Lu Xiaobei said, "I originally wanted to come here for a free meal, but I didn't expect the business to be so good. All the private rooms were full, so I couldn't resist the urge to work as a waiter."

"Were you recognized?" I asked.

"Several tables recognized me, hehe..."

"You're still chuckling."

I asked, speechless, "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet. I was planning to have the kitchen cook a few dishes for me to eat while sitting on the rocks by the lake. I didn't expect that you added dishes to this private room, so I came to serve the food and test your eyesight."

"I'm truly impressed by you..."

I turned to Fan Changgui and the others and said with a smile, "Mr. Fan, Xiao Bei is my friend. Now that she's back, how about we add a few more dishes and an extra pair of chopsticks? She can have her meal in our private room, is that alright?"

"Of course!"

Fan Changgui nodded repeatedly. "It's an honor for us old guys to have dinner with Lu Xiaobei!"

The other executives nodded repeatedly. "That's right, that's right!"

So, Lu Xiaobei stayed in our private room and we added a few dishes especially for her.

The conversation gradually shifted from international affairs to music. Two of the executives said they had bought Lu Xiaobei's album and played it on repeat in their cars, showing they were die-hard fans.

"Drop!"

A message came from Lin Qingying: "Ding Han, I can't make it tonight. There's a second event, a last-minute business partner reception in the new district. I have to go."

"Then drink less yourself, and take Shen Man with you, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

"Yes, I brought it. Go home after you finish your breakfast."

"Good."

I put my phone away and glanced at Lu Xiaobei was craning his neck to look at my phone.

"See that?"

"I saw it."

She said sullenly, "Ding Han, if only you were half as gentle with me as you are with Lin Qingying."

I feel a bit guilty and don't know how to respond.

Lu Xiaobei came and went in a hurry.

After we finished eating in our private room, they left, saying they found it interesting to be guest waiters and would continue their guest roles.

Shortly afterward, the dinner party ended, and Fan Changgui left with several senior executives.

Meanwhile, I saw Lu Xiaobei being photographed by fans while serving food on the terrace, and she was smiling sweetly.

"Xiao Bei."

During a break from her work, I went up to her and said, "I'm going home now. Where are you staying tonight?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm staying in Lake View Room at the e-sports hotel. I made plans with Sister Xiaoman a few days ago."

When are you leaving?

"Leaving tomorrow morning."

"Ah?!"

I glared at her and said, "Then why did you come back?!"

"Because..."

She thought for a moment, "This is the only place where I can stop and rest, and clear my head. Is that explanation reasonable?"

"Reasonable."

I nodded. "Then I'll be going. Don't stay out too late, go back to the hotel early, it would be best if Sister Xiaoman or Zhao Yihang came to pick you up."

"I'm not kidding."

She said angrily, "I'm helping with the business of our Stream City No. 1, can't you tell?"

"..."

How could I not see it?

If you dine at Stream City No. 1, you'll have the chance to meet Lu Xiaobei, who's playing the role of a waitress. Once this news spreads, Stream City No. 1's business will surely flourish even more, which is quite a testament to her hard work.

"Alright, I'm going now. I'll treat you to something delicious another day."

"When is 'another day'?"

"I'll wait until you come next time."

Okay~~

She smiled sweetly, picked up her tray, and went back to work.

Around 10 PM.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the click of the living room door opening, and Lin Qingying returned home.

"Xiao Ying."

I got up from the sofa and took the computer and bag from her hands.

"Ding Han, wait..."

She opened her arms, her pretty face slightly flushed, and said, "Give me a hug first!"

"Um!"

I put down the documents, turned around, and hugged her.

Gently stroking the hair behind her head, feeling her heartbeat, it felt wonderful.

Of course, the heart rate I felt wasn't very clear, since there was a significant barrier in between.

The hug lasted for a full two minutes before Lin Qingying left my embrace, turned on her computer to work for a while longer, and then opened the bag next to her, inside which was a box of exquisitely packaged tea.

"Biluochun?"

"Um."

She nodded. "The company bought these as gifts for clients. Shen Man gave me a can. Try it, and if you like it, I'll bring some more back."

"Oh..."

My gaze lingered briefly on the tea canister.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, a line of text slowly emerged from the tea canister—

[Biluochun] (Superior Grade - Contaminated): Superior grade Biluochun tea, but it has been contaminated with deadly toxins.

'Depend on!?'

My mind started buzzing. I hurriedly opened the jar to check, but there was no poison visible to the naked eye. However, I clearly trusted the system more.

"Xiao Ying."

I became increasingly wary. "Did Shen Man personally hand you this can of tea?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?" She still had no idea.

"This can of tea has been poisoned."

"What?"

In an instant, Lin Qingying's expression shifted from panic to anger and confusion, before she regained her composure a few seconds later.

"Ding Han, are you sure this can of tea has been poisoned?"

"Yes, my player system notified me."

I frowned at her. "My player system definitely wouldn't malfunction. Think about it yourself, who could have done this?"

"First of all, Shen Man is unlikely to be the one."

Lin Qingying calmly analyzed. "I trust her completely, and she has no reason to do such a thing. Secondly, Shen Man got the tea from the logistics department and then put it in my trunk. It's hard to say at which point it was poisoned."

I picked up the tea canister and examined it closely. I eventually found four inconspicuous needle holes on it, indicating that the toxin had been injected.

Last time, Xie Zheng brought Chen Jingyao to Jiang Xiaoyun's birthday party to plead for Chen Jingyao. At that time, I could already see that the internal strife between the two factions of Yue Ning was almost irreconcilable. I just didn't expect that the other side would use such extreme methods.

With Lin Qingying removed, Yue Ning's power will naturally fall into the hands of Xie Zheng's faction.

If Lin Qingying gets into trouble, Xie Zheng will be the biggest beneficiary, without a doubt.

"Xiao Ying, it seems someone really wants something to happen to you."

I gently put my arm around her shoulder and said, "From this moment on, your every food and drink, every contact you have, needs to be protected. How about this, I'll have Ruolin come over; from now on, she'll need to protect you 24 hours a day."

"Ding Han, what about you?" She bit her red lips.

"Protecting you is the first step; I'll move on to the second and third steps."

I immediately took out my phone and called Ruolin.

"Ding Han?"

It was a little noisy on Ruolin's end. "What's wrong?"

"You go outside first, the Flowers Blooming on the Path are too noisy."

"Um."

She rushed outside the store. "What happened?"

"Ruolin, someone poisoned Xiaoying's tea today. I suspect someone wants her dead."

"No way, has the internal strife at Yuening really gotten this bad?"

"Yes."

I calmly said, "I detected that the tea leaves were contaminated with toxins using the player system, so I hope you can come to our house immediately and protect Xiaoying 24 hours a day from now on. As for the music restaurant, you can leave it to the manager for now. I'm really sorry to take up your personal time this time."

"Ding Han, what kind of talk is that?"

Ruolin was a little annoyed. "Ying'er is not only your girlfriend, but also my best friend. Protecting her is my duty. I'll take a taxi there right now."

As she spoke, she suddenly gave a slightly lewd laugh, "So, does that mean I can sleep with Ying'er tonight?"

"Ahem, theoretically yes, come over here quickly."

"They're here!"

After hanging up the phone, I looked at Lin Qingying again and asked, "Do you have anyone at the police station? If so, you can file a report. This can of tea is evidence; have them take it for testing, and then follow the clues to see if you can find the mastermind behind it all."

Do you think you can find it?

"It's difficult."

I shook my head and smiled.

Xie Zheng, that cunning old fox who leaves no room for error, will definitely try to absolve himself of all responsibility. Even if this matter is investigated further, it will probably only lead to a scapegoat that the other party has put forward.

However, it's impossible to do nothing. Collecting evidence is merely preserving physical evidence as one of the trump cards to bring down Xie Zheng's faction within Yuening.

Soon after, Ruolin arrived, and then the police arrived as well.

The other party carefully took the evidence, gave brief statements to Ruolin and me, and then left, leaving only the three of us in the living room.

"Go to sleep. We can talk about tomorrow's problems tomorrow. Don't let it affect your rest."

I yawned.

Lin Qingying preoccupied, but still managed a smile, "Okay, time to sleep!"

The next day, early morning.

As usual, after washing up, I went downstairs to have breakfast with Lin Qingying, except today Ruolin was also there.

Is this how you usually are?

Ruolin asked, "Shall we eat downstairs together after we get up?"

"Um."

Lin Qingying nodded.

"Sigh, I really envy this kind of life."

"Yeah?"

I smiled slightly, "If you're really envious, then find a boyfriend."

"Who says you have to find a boyfriend if you envy this kind of life?" Ruolin retorted.

"So what do you want?"

"I can move in with you!"

"You..."

I rolled my eyes.

Lin Qingying couldn't help but chuckle.

After dinner, Ruolin accompanied Lin Qingying to Yuening, while I went to the Player Black Market.

The black market remained as quiet as ever.

Tea Room.

"Old Zhou."

I plopped down opposite Zhou Jihuan, the Guide, and said, "I'd like to ask you for a favor?"

"Ask me... for help?"

Zhou Jihuan taken aback at first, then overjoyed. "Tell me quickly! Whatever it is, just ask, and I'll definitely help you to the end!"