Chapter 263: Contacting Niu Ju

All right, Shi Yong, then keep snoring. Let's go inside and talk. I said to Shen Honghong.

Shen Honghong stepped aside, and I brought Xiao Fang into the room.

Shi Yong really started snoring again outside.

After I entered the room,

I said to Shen Honghong, "She's called Xiao Fang; she used to be a host at the provincial TV station. After hearing your reputation, she came specially to learn from you."

Xiao Fang immediately said to Shen Honghong, "Hello, Teacher Shen. I'm Xiao Fang; I once hosted a segment called 'Xiao Fang Helps You.' I don't know if you've heard of it, Teacher Shen."

Shen Honghong sized up Xiao Fang, then glanced at me.

She said somewhat angrily, "Mr. Zhao, it looks like you don't trust me, so you specially sent someone to monitor me. Let me tell you, I wanted to leave, and I just ran away."

I laughed and said, "Shen Honghong, Xiao Fang came specially to learn hosting from you—how could she be monitoring you? Besides, your leg is injured, so you're not very mobile."

In life, someone needs to look after you.

Monitoring you is just one aspect; we still don't fully trust each other.

After all, you can't know what's in someone's heart.

Shen Honghong, I'm telling the truth."

Hearing me say that, Shen Honghong didn't get angry—in fact, she calmed down.

"Well, since you're telling the truth, I don't have much to say either. You're Xiao Fang, right? Are you a graduate student?" Shen Honghong asked.

Xiao Fang shyly shook her head.

"I went straight into the provincial TV station after my undergraduate studies. I didn't pursue further education, but today I finally have the chance to learn from Teacher Shen. Please teach me well, Teacher Shen."

"That's fine; I have nothing else to do anyway, and having someone to chat with is nice." Shen Honghong said.

Xiao Fang quickly said, "Teacher Shen, in our eyes you're like a god. Being able to get into that kind of TV station makes you awesome."

"Living together with Teacher Shen is also an honor for me. May I ask what you'd like to eat tonight? I'll go buy it for you."

Has this Xiao Fang seen her idol? She's lowered her own status so much.

I said directly, "There's no host here for now; we're all about the same. Shen Honghong, you're a few years older than Xiao Fang, so you're like an older sister. As an older sister, you should take good care of your younger sister."

Also, we shouldn't have anyone serving anyone else among us.

Living together is for mutual exchange and learning. Do you understand? Everyone needs to be clear about their role.

"All right, Mr. Zhao, stop picking on me. I understand; my experience isn't any worse than yours." Shen Honghong said to me.

"Brother Jianqiang, you can go; I'll look after Teacher Shen here." Xiao Fang said.

I didn't want to say anything more.

So I left the room.

After coming out, I woke Shi Yong.

"Shi Yong, let's go get a drink."

When Shi Yong heard about drinking, he wiped his mouth and happily followed me.

We returned to Shangguan Zhuren's room, and Xiao Long came back too.

I had Xiao Long go outside to prepare some cooked dishes; today I'm exhausted and need a drink to relieve fatigue.

At that moment, Shangguan Zhuren was holding a wine cup.

"Today, since you managed to escape victorious, we must celebrate. You also brought an unexpected joy. I'm very happy; the day we defeat them is not far off."

We all happily clinked cups with Shangguan Zhuren.

Then we all drank it down.

Shangguan Zhuren then said, "The only regret is Li Ming's situation; we didn't anticipate it."

Shi Yong said, "That Kong Shi is basically not human; to joke about his own son's life, he thinks we wouldn't dare."

I think we should just cut off Kong Xiangju's hand and show it to Kong Shi,

to let him know we really dare to take his son's life."

I said, "Shi Yong, didn't I tell you? If we keep contacting Kong Shi repeatedly, we might expose ourselves in Shanghu. So for now, don't act rashly."

Xiao Long then filled our cups with wine.

I raised my wine cup,

"Shangguan Zhuren, I think we should try contacting Niu Ju to have him inquire where Li Ming is detained. At the same time, we can test whether Niu Ju is truly on our side."

Shangguan Zhuren pondered, "That's possible; I estimate Niu Ju probably wouldn't know. Because Kong Shi works behind Niu Ju's back."

I said, "Let's give it a try regardless—maybe we'll get some information."

Shangguan Zhuren said, "Then when do you plan to ask?"

I said, "After we finish eating."

Shi Yong said, "Brother, if it really won't work, I'll go to the detention center to inquire about Li Ming."

I said, "How would you inquire?"

Shi Yong said, "That's not easy; I'll pretend to commit some offense and let Niu Ju arrest me."

"That method won't work; if they know you've gone in, they'll just lock you up—you'd be walking into a trap."

"Then forget it, I'll drink." Shi Yong said, then raised his cup and downed it in one gulp.

We finished eating quickly,

I took out my phone and started contacting Niu Ju.

Niu Ju answered the phone quickly,

"Jianqiang, you scared me to death—you still dare come to Zaocheng? I've already gotten word that Kong Shi is all over looking for you. Where are you now?"

I laughed and said, "Niu Ju, I'm completely safe right now; they can't catch me. Rest assured. Did Kong Shi ask about Zhou Fuhai?"

"Of course he did; I explained to Kong Shi that I truly didn't know Zhou Fuhai was an impostor, and I didn't know whether the person I arrested was genuine or fake. I've already released him. The detention center staff also confirmed that I released him."

Fortunately, you got Zhou Fuhai into the mental hospital.

Otherwise, my crime would be serious.

Kong Shi and Zhang Zong both don't understand; I really don't know whether what I've caught is real or fake, anyway they're now confused.

Niu Ju said over the phone.

As long as Zhou Fuhai's matter doesn't implicate you, it's fine. Kong Shi wouldn't dare do anything to you, after all you're Zhou Renfeng's person. I believe Kong Shi won't sue you for now. I said.

Who knows? Anyway, it's already like this. I suspect Zhou Renfeng has already doubted Zhou Fuhai's identity; he had Liu Shiru come to verify this. Fortunately, you haven't seen him.

Have you contacted Kong Shi about Kong Xiangju's matter? Niu Ju asked.

I hurriedly said: "How do you know that?"

I certainly know, because Kong Shi gave me an order to investigate this person Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu has already been exposed. Give Xiao Wu a greeting and tell him to leave Shanghu for a few days.

Otherwise, if we really catch him, it'll be troublesome. Niu Ju worried.

Kong Shi had you investigate Xiao Wu, and we used Kong Xiangju to contact Kong Shi in order to get him to release Li Ming. As it turns out, this guy is so ruthless,

He would rather have us kill the hostage than release Li Ming.

I called you today just to ask one thing: do you know Li Ming's whereabouts? I said.

So that's how it is. You don't understand Kong Shi at all; when he gets ruthless, he doesn't even recognize his own relatives. What's his own son? Humph, this guy, I still understand him.

You think you can exchange Kong Xiangju for Li Ming? Impossible. They finally caught Li Ming, preparing to use Li Ming to lure you out.

Let me be frank with you: I really don't know Li Ming's whereabouts, because Li Ming wasn't captured by my people. It was Kong Shi who directly sent people to seize him.