Boss Zhao Seeks Help

On the other side.

Jiang Cheng, who had just walked to the neighboring residential complex, was still pondering, muttering to himself, "That kid is being dishonest; he didn't even mention he had a girlfriend."

Just as he was considering how to interrogate Shen Qing another day, his phone suddenly rang in his pocket.

Seeing the contact name, Jiang Cheng was momentarily stunned.

"Boss Zhao?"

At this moment, in a room in the city center containing only a table and two chairs.

Boss Zhao's hand gripping the phone was covered in sweat.

He looked anxious, pacing back and forth. Ever since he had been invited here, aside from a few questions at the start, he had been left alone for the past half hour.

Those coffins did indeed have something to do with him.

But it was merely a distant relative who had paid him, claiming an elder in the family believed in such things and wanted to find a suitable place to bury a few coffins. Who could have known it would end up like this?

He had made several calls, but no one had paid him any mind.

Finally, he thought of Jiang Cheng, the young man from that special department who called him "Big Brother."

Although he knew both brothers seemed to dislike him and he had no idea what status that young man held in the department, he had no choice but to treat a dead horse as if it were still alive.

The phone seemed to ring for a long time, and just as Boss Zhao was about to collapse, it was finally answered.

"Oh my, Old Jiang, you finally picked up."

His voice was completely devoid of his previous impatience and his high-and-mighty boss persona.

"Something up? Boss Zhao?" Jiang Cheng's voice was indifferent.

"Oh, it's like this—"

Hearing that tone, Boss Zhao hurriedly thought of an excuse to avoid being hung up on.

"It's about the compensation for Old Wang we discussed earlier, plus your wages and overtime for this period. I've gone to great lengths to finally scrape it together. Check your account; the accountant should have transferred it to you."

As he spoke, he immediately contacted his accountant on WeChat, deciding to go all out—it was only money, after all!

"There's just one more thing: is that brother of yours around?"

"Qingzi? We don't live together." Jiang Cheng became instantly vigilant. "Boss Zhao, what exactly do you want?"

The words had barely left his mouth.

Looking at the bank notification that had just arrived on his phone—a total of 350,000—Jiang Cheng frowned immediately.

Old Wang's level ten disability compensation was 150,000, and the workers' wages for the last month were also 150,000, but what was the meaning of the extra 50,000?

Since when had this Skinflint Zhao become so generous?

Clearly, before Old Wang was even set for surgery, he had only offered 10,000 to brush them off.

And he had business with his little brother?

"It's just... a small matter..." Boss Zhao stammered.

He didn't dare utter a single word about the monster until he had gotten through to Shen Qing.

The staff here had asked him a few simple questions and then ignored him, as if they were intentionally letting him make his phone calls.

"Sorry, Boss Zhao."

Jiang Cheng's voice turned cold. "I don't understand what you're talking about. My little brother just delivers food; I doubt he can help you. Also, I'll transfer that extra 50,000 back to you in a moment."

A boss with assets worth hundreds of millions asking his little brother for a favor while stammering—was he looking for a scapegoat?

Thinking of this, Jiang Cheng hung up the phone directly and immediately transferred the excess money back.

Although he knew this wouldn't lead to anything good, he didn't want the other party getting involved with Shen Qing.

"I'll face whatever comes. At least the money arrived, which counts as a good thing."

Jiang Cheng shook his head. He didn't believe that by making concessions, Skinflint Zhao would treat him any better. Wasn't this the same guy who had refused to pay compensation until the very end?

At worst, they'd get fired. It wouldn't be them breaking the contract, and since the money had arrived, they could just find another construction site.

And while Jiang Cheng was still worried about his own situation, in reality, Boss Zhao was unable to save himself.

The moment he hung up the phone, Fang Shu pushed the door open and walked in.

"Finished your call?"

Fang Shu sat in the chair opposite Boss Zhao, crossing his hands. "Have you thought about how to explain yourself? Don't tell me again that those coffins have nothing to do with you. Do you really think we'd believe that?"

He had only wanted to see who Boss Zhao would contact under pressure.

However, judging by the few calls just now, this Boss Zhao was quite clever; he hadn't mentioned a single word about the supernatural world.

Although most people ignored them the moment they heard there was trouble involving the government.

"There is also the matter of your tax evasion and bribery of government officials, but rest assured, that doesn't fall under our jurisdiction. You won't have to go to prison until the current matter is concluded."

Skinflint Zhao swallowed hard, realizing that this time, he might truly be unable to get out.

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng had already returned home. He took out his keys to open the door, only to find the lights in his house were already on.

An unexpected voice rang out, gentle and soft, carrying a hint of weariness.

"Back so late again. Have you eaten?"

Jiang Cheng looked up, and upon seeing the person sitting on the living room sofa, he immediately smiled. "Wan'er? You're back."

"Why didn't you tell me in advance? I could have gone to the station to pick you up."

He walked over, his gaze falling on Su Wan's face, and he froze for a moment.

She was wearing light makeup, but faint dark circles were still visible under her eyes, as if she had been crying.

"About the money... I wasn't able to borrow any."

Su Wan had no intention of talking about her own affairs, instead remaining concerned about that issue.

Jiang Cheng felt very uncomfortable, a tightness constricting his chest.

He walked over, sat down beside Su Wan, and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Su Wan leaned into him, her shoulders trembling slightly as if she were suppressing something.

Jiang Cheng's feelings were even more complicated; as a man, he actually needed his wife to go to her maiden home to borrow money.

He knew full well that her family favored sons over daughters and treated her poorly. Even if she didn't say it, she must have been scolded again.

They probably said things like how she married a good-for-nothing man who came with a burden, and that he couldn't even provide for the household yet still thought about spending money elsewhere.

"It's fine, the money issue has already been resolved."

Jiang Cheng tightened his arm around her.

Although he might face retaliation or be given a hard time later, the immediate problem was at least solved.

He had survived his most difficult times, so what was this compared to that?

"Resolved?"

Su Wan was stunned and looked up; she knew the personality of Skinflint Zhao all too well.

"Speaking of which."

Jiang Cheng laughed. "It actually has to do with Shen Qing. He hasn't been honest; I feel like he's hiding quite a few things from us. Your mind is quick, help me analyze it."

He recounted the events of the day, picking and choosing what to share.

It was meant to be a distraction, and in the end, the two of them didn't really analyze anything.

They only reached one conclusion: as long as Shen Qing hadn't committed a crime, it was fine.

"That man surnamed Zhao won't try to trip you up, will he? Forget it, at worst, you can just change jobs."

"But, that young girl you mentioned..."

Su Wan was more concerned about this issue; even if Jiang Cheng were temporarily unemployed, they still had her.

"Hmm, she is quite pretty, but looking at her, she doesn't give off the vibe of an ordinary girl."

Jiang Cheng scratched his head; he couldn't quite put his finger on that temperament, but it was definitely different.

"However, she doesn't seem very good at interacting with people; she's a bit introverted."

"How old is she? What's her name?"

"How would I know? That brat just said she's a friend staying over."

"Staying over? Staying over and wearing his clothes? I'll have to ask that brat about it one of these days."