The place where he met Wei Qianlin was an unassuming café near Imperial University.
"You took a lot longer than I expected."
Hua Jian was somewhat displeased. Wei Qianlin should have been a swift, decisive blade.
Who could have imagined he would drag things out this long?
Wei Qianlin had been through a great deal over the past few days. His initial indifference toward the beautiful man before him had given way to nothing but wariness.
Despite the scorching weather, he wore a black hoodie and kept his head lowered, revealing only half his face.
"Cui Zhao really won't get out?"
"Only for now. That's why I'm in a hurry. How did the task I gave you go?"
Wei Qianlin's mouth twitched. "Everyone in Qing Province is afraid of Cui Zhao. Getting two people to report him under their real names was the best I could do."
Hua Jian's gaze shifted. "So it worked?"
Wei Qianlin nodded stiffly. "Thank you for helping me find that surveillance footage. Otherwise, I'd still think I killed that man by hitting him with my car."
He gritted his teeth and continued, "But I can't stay here long. Cui Zhao is more terrifying than you imagine. Even with what happened in Qing Province, they won't be able to keep him locked up here."
As he spoke, a brown paper bag appeared in his line of sight.
"This is what I promised you."
Hua Jian pushed the money across to Wei Qianlin.
Wei Qianlin looked alarmed. "You're just leaving me on my own?"
"We agreed to work together," Hua Jian said evenly. "Whether you bore any responsibility for what happened back then, and whether the things you've done for Cui Zhao over the years broke the law... never mind. I'll recommend a good lawyer, but those