Just as Li Ziming was complaining inwardly, the very old man in front of him asked, "You came to discuss some business with me, didn't you?"
"Yes." Li Ziming nodded and admitted it directly without beating around the bush.
"Have a seat." The very old man raised his right hand and pointed at the single-seat sofa beside him, inviting Li Ziming to sit.
Since he knew little about the person before him, Li Ziming remained somewhat wary. At the other man's invitation, he slowly walked to the single-seat sofa and sat down.
"Tea or coffee?" The very old man rose, preparing to go to the kitchen and pour his guest something to drink.
"You don't need to get me anything. I'm not thirsty right now..." Seeing the other man trembling as though he might stumble and fall at any moment, Li Ziming hurriedly stopped him.
"Oh." Seeing that his guest did not want a drink, the very old man sat back down.
Did Third Master Xu give me the wrong address? Li Ziming thought.
After this brief interaction, he found the old man before him increasingly unreliable.
"Who introduced you?" The very old man lifted his teacup and took a sip, spat a tea stem back into the cup, and then asked.
"Third Master Xu sent me."
"Oh, him! We haven't been in contact for a long time. I heard he suffered a major loss recently and was seriously injured."
"..." Li Ziming pursed his lips and thought quickly before smiling.
"The rumors going around are false. Third Master Xu wasn't seriously injured."
"So they were false." The very old man gave Li Ziming a meaningful look, then did not continue discussing the matter.
"I usually get off work at nine. If you'd arrived a few minutes later, you would