Chapter 219: Meeting Kong Shi

I didn't reply to Red Rabbit's message; let her get more anxious, I guess.

Meeting Kong Shi at three p. m.; should I contact Kong Shi in advance?

I stared off, holding my phone.

At that moment, Zhou Fuhai's phone rang.

I saw the number and recognized it,

It was Secretary Li, who works with Kong Shi, calling.

Don't ask; it's about arranging the meeting.

So I answered Secretary Li's call,

the first time impersonating Zhou Fuhai on the phone, and I felt a bit nervous.

I tried to control my breathing,

then asked in Mandarin, "May I ask who is calling?"

"Hello, Mr. Zhou, this is Secretary Li of Kong Shi, welcome to Zaocheng. Kong Shi would like to invite you to lunch; may I know if that is convenient for you," Secretary Li said over the phone.

When I heard that, I realized Kong Shi was inviting Zhou Fuhai to eat.

I definitely wouldn't attend such a meal. First, dining with Kong Shi wouldn't show Zhou Fuhai's stature. Second, saying too much risks mistakes.

On the phone I directly refused: "Secretary Li, we have already arranged to meet at three p. m. at Zaocheng Grand Hotel, so we won't have lunch together.

Tell Kong Shi that I, Zhou, have understood."

"Alright, Mr. Zhou, see you at three p. m., the conference room on the third floor of Zaocheng Grand Hotel, right? I'll set it up in advance," Secretary Li asked.

"Yes, we'll meet at three."

I said that and hung up.

Just after hanging up, the phone rang again,

The caller ID showed Honghong; no need to ask, it was Shen Honghong calling.

I hadn't replied to her message, so she called.

I could only bite my teeth and answer,

"Fu Hai, why haven't you replied to my message? You're making me anxious. When will you return? I miss you, what should I do?" Shen Honghong said urgently over the phone.

This woman is really thirsty.

I've looked at their Chat Log,

Zhou Fuhai always calls Shen Honghong "Honghong",

so I said over the phone, "Honghong, stop messing around; I have important business here."

"Why haven't you replied to my message since last night up to today? Where on earth are you?" Shen Honghong asked.

"My phone fell into water; it was just repaired. I'm in Zaocheng. I'll be back soon," I lied.

"My phone fell into water—are you lying to me? I won't be able to see you soon, and that hurts. Fu Hai, why did you go to Zaocheng? I'm coming to Zaocheng to find you," Shen Honghong said.

This woman wants to come to Zaocheng; I can't let her. If she arrives, damn, everything will fall into chaos.

In a serious tone I said, "Honghong, listen. I have a very important matter here; I'll finish it quickly and then go back."

Shen Honghong asked over the phone, "Is it the old man who sent you?"

I didn't know who the old man was that Shen Honghong mentioned; I guessed maybe Zhou Renfeng. Does Shen Honghong also know Zhou Renfeng? I thought to myself.

I could only say, "Yes, I'll explain in detail when I get back. I have something else here, hanging up."

Shen Honghong kept wailing on the phone,

It's killing me.

I thought, Zhou Fuhai is scheming to take your life, and you still despicably keep in touch with him. This woman is truly damn despicable.

I hung up directly.

After the call, I went downstairs to the hotel buffet and ate a little.

Then I returned to the room to rest a bit. I wanted to call Shangguan Zhuren to ask how the real Zhou Fuhai was doing.

I recalled that Shangguan Zhuren had specifically arranged not to let me contact them. Forget it, I won't contact them for now.

Time quickly reached three o'clock.

I put on Zhou Fuhai's clothes, stepped heavily, and walked toward the third-floor conference room.

Today I have to meet Kong Shi; if he wants to know the former Zhou Fuhai, that'll be troublesome.

Shangguan Zhuren and I are only speculating; we don't know whether Kong Shi knows Zhou Fuhai or what the real situation is.

I don't know what will happen.

Sigh, whatever happens, I must face it.

I rode the elevator and soon arrived at the third-floor conference room entrance.

Secretary Li was waiting for me at the door.

Seeing me approach, she proactively bowed and greeted,

"Hello Mr. Zhou, Kong Shi is already inside waiting."

I glanced at Secretary Li,

Secretary Li also looked up at me,

From her gaze, one could see she was somewhat surprised.

I only nodded at Secretary Li and walked into the conference room.

Kong Shi was pacing back and forth inside, and upon seeing me enter,

he proactively extended his hand,

"Mr. Zhou, pleased to meet you. I am Kong Shi, welcome to Zaocheng."

From this sentence I can tell that Kong Shi does not know Zhou Fuhai.

My heart relaxed all at once.

Then it's easy to handle.

I reached out my hand and shook Kong Shi's briefly,

"Hello, Kong Shi, let's sit down and talk."

Kong Shi stared at me without blinking,

his gaze was even more surprised than Secretary Li's,

I ignored Kong Shi's gaze and naturally sat down in a chair.

Kong Shi looked for a while; needless to say, he was full of questions at that moment, but he dared not ask more, just kept moving his eyes back and forth.

At this point I said to Kong Shi, "Please sit, Kong Shi; you standing while I sit isn't right, is it?"

I spoke in standard Mandarin.

Upon hearing my words, which were in standard Mandarin and with a hoarse voice, Kong Shi felt much more at ease.

Then he sat in a chair in front of me,

his body not fully seated on the chair, but only half, leaning forward, showing his humility.

I deliberately reclined in the chair, putting on an air of looking down from above.

At this moment Kong Shi proactively took out a cigarette,

offering me a smoke.

I directly refused,

"Thanks, I won't."

I can't smoke because when I smoke I have a habit of lifting my hand slightly, a gesture Kong Shi also knows.

Kong Shi also put away his cigarette,

and then smiled, saying, "Mr. Zhou, our city is promoting smoke-free meeting rooms; it's perfect that you don't smoke, which matches our city's campaign. Have you gotten used to Zaocheng yet, Mr. Zhou?"

I merely gave a faint smile,

"Not bad."

and then said nothing more.

The air felt a bit oppressive.

Kong Shi was even more nervous than I was.

I saw some sweat appearing on Kong Shi's forehead.

I thought to myself, today I'm going to play you to death.

I didn't speak again, just looked up at the ceiling.

Kong Shi also looked up at the ceiling.

After looking for a while,

then lowered his gaze to the floor. Kong Shi hurriedly lowered his head, searching the ground for something.

After a long time, I finally lifted my head and moved it a bit.

Kong Shi also moved his head along with me; the Kong Shi who used to act high and mighty before me now resembled a little child, following my lead.

I again deliberately picked my nose, pulling out nose hairs.

If I keep doing this, Kong Shi will probably go crazy.

Kong Shi finally couldn't hold back,

and said, "Mr. Zhou, a few days ago I reported some matters about Zaocheng to the Zhou leadership; I don't know if the Zhou leadership has replied yet."

At this point I casually pulled that letter out of my pocket and threw it right in front of Kong Shi.

Kong Shi hurriedly picked it up,

opened the letter and began to read it carefully.

After he finished reading,

his gaze changed; the earlier look of surprise and suspicion vanished instantly.

No need to ask, he has seen Zhou Renfeng's handwriting before.

It was still the familiar script.

He now completely trusts me.