The place Chen Mu picked wasn't among the most luxurious in Qu City, but it had an elegant atmosphere and did a good job protecting its guests' privacy.
When they reached the hotel restaurant, Shen Lian messaged Chu Yilan to let him know. He and Chen Mu had only chatted for a dozen minutes or so before Sun Binghe arrived.
Assistant Sun had "unhappy" written all over his face.
Chen Mu asked him, "Who upset you this time?"
Sun Binghe sneered. "Too many idiots. I don't even know where to start."
"To be fair," Shen Lian said, taking an empty cup and pouring tea, "by your standards, eighty percent of the world are idiots."
Sun Binghe remained expressionless. "Ninety percent."
"How come you're alone? Where's Assistant Yang?" Shen Lian asked casually.
Sun Binghe's expression shifted ever so slightly, as though his irritation had suddenly taken tangible form. Others would have struggled to notice, but Shen Lian spotted it at once and slapped the table. "Oh, is Assistant Yang on a business trip? Or was he sent out on assignment? That's why you're unhappy, isn't it?"
Sun Binghe: "..."
Chen Mu looked impressed. Nothing got past Teacher Shen.
Sun Binghe said, "No..."
"Oh, come on, tell us. We're all friends here."
Only after half a minute did Sun Binghe drawl, "He's on assignment. Two weeks."
"How many days has he been gone?"
"Four."
Shen Lian said, "Then you've still got a long wait ahead."
Sun Binghe said, "...Teacher Shen, you could be a little more tactful."
Shen Lian raised his chin slightly. "Last time I went to Hengtai to see Chu Yilan and fell right outside the elevator, were you tactful when you mocked me?"
Sun Binghe: "..."
At the time, Shen Lian had been holding a bouquet of vivid red