Half an hour later, Tao Ju really arrived at Zuo Tai's residence.
However, he was not able to see the person who theoretically held the highest authority in East 824 District right away. Instead, under arrangements made by Zuo Tai's housekeeper, the "Aunt Hu" he had contacted by phone last night, he first settled his mother, whose mind had suffered a tremendous shock. Then he was assigned a guest suite to rest in and wait for Zuo Tai to wake up and receive him.
As for when "after she wakes up" would be, that was another question entirely.
It was currently the darkest stretch before dawn. How could Tao Ju possibly sleep? He brewed himself a pot of strong tea, sat in the suite's sitting room, and grimly endured the coming hours.
The tea was still scalding hot when a ringtone suddenly sounded in the quiet sitting room. Someone was calling him.
Tao Ju jumped, only to see an unfamiliar number. Under normal circumstances, he would never answer a call from such a number in the middle of the night. But after everything that had happened last night and this morning, he did not dare act carelessly. After hesitating for two seconds, he answered.
Then an intensely grating voice and form of address entered his ear. "Yo, brat."
Tao Ju inhaled sharply and instinctively pressed the wristband's speaker against his cheek to keep the sound from carrying too far.
It was Pawa, who had just disappeared.
"Landed safely? Still remember your partner?" Pawa laughed hoarsely, not giving Tao Ju a chance to speak before continuing, "Remember my terms. I can help each other with Zuo Tai. What I want is to be cleared in the end. I know Zuo Tai can make that happen. Before that, I'll allow her to