Chapter 298: with translation of chapter title

I heard Zhang Zong say this,

My purpose has been achieved; I just wanted to meet and talk with Zhang Zong.

Some things are really inconvenient to say over the phone.

To make Zhang Zong believe me, I didn't hesitate,

I directly said: "Zhang Zong, I'm in Huaihai City. Whenever you come, I'll welcome you."

"In Huaihai City, I want to see you today; dare you tell me the exact location?" Zhang Zong asked over the phone.

"What's there to dare? I trust Zhang Zong. I'm staying in room 1208 of the Yin Du Hotel in Huaihai City. Zhang Zong, if you want to bring people to arrest me,

then go ahead and arrest me; I won't run anyway.

Being arrested by Zhang Zong would also be an honor for me, Zhao Jianqiang; what car are you driving, and what's the license plate?" I said directly.

"Good, you're a man. I'll send you my license plate number in a moment. I'll arrive in about two hours; let's not miss each other." Zhang Zong said.

"Okay, we won't miss each other." I finished and hung up Zhang Zong's phone.

After I put down the phone,

I hurried out to find Shangguan Zhuren and told him I had already contacted Zhang Zong.

Shangguan Zhuren then asked: "What did Zhang Zong say?"

I said: "I've already told him I'm currently at the Yin Du Hotel in Huaihai City and asked him to come find me. He has agreed."

"He agreed. Is he coming alone?" Shangguan Zhuren said.

"I don't know; he didn't say, and I didn't ask. I feel he'll come alone; he said he'll arrive in two hours.

I'll wait for him in the hotel; Shangguan Zhuren, you take Li Ming and the others out to find a guesthouse to stay in,

if he comes alone, I'll have you all come back.

if he brings many people, then I'll perish with him.

"Either way it's death; at worst we die together." I said.

"Jianqiang, if you perish with him, what's the point? We revolve around you.

"Let's do this: we won't leave; I trust your feeling. But we also need to prepare a countermeasure.

"Jianqiang, did he tell you his license plate number correctly?"

I nodded,

At that moment my phone rang; I saw it was a message from Zhang Zong.

It was the car information.

It seems Zhang Zong is also trying to make me trust him.

I gave the message to Xiao Long to look at.

Shangguan Zhuren said: "I'll make the arrangements; Xiao Long, you go downstairs in a moment and must watch this vehicle at the hotel entrance, see whether he comes alone or with people."

Xiao Long said: "Okay, Shangguan Zhuren, I'm off now. If anything happens, I'll contact you promptly."

After Xiao Long finished speaking, he went downstairs.

Shangguan Zhuren then said: "Shi Yong, go to the underground parking lot and also watch this vehicle, see whether Zhang Zong gets out of the car alone."

"Understood, Shangguan Zhuren; if he brings people, I'll go up and beat them right away." Shi Yong said.

"Not to beat him, but to tell us we need to leave here quickly." Shangguan Zhuren said.

Shi Yong chuckled,

"I understand."

"Li Ming, the two of us will watch in the hotel lobby, looking for anyone entering who feels off." Shangguan Zhuren said.

Li Ming nodded.

"Jianqiang, in a moment, open several more rooms at the hotel. If there's an emergency, we'll move into other rooms to hide first.

"Don't bother Shen Honghong for now; let her continue resting in the room."

After I heard Shangguan Zhuren finish speaking,

I then said: "Okay, Shangguan Zhuren, following your arrangement, let's split up."

Then everyone left the rooms.

Only I remained in the room, quietly waiting for Zhang Zong.

Two hours—neither long nor short.

I walked back and forth in the room, occasionally picking up my phone to look,

always worrying that Xiao Long, Shi Yong, and the others would call to tell me of an emergency, prompting me to go to another room immediately.

That would completely ruin my plan.

My phone never rang.

It was very quiet.

I smoked in the room, looking out the hotel's ground-floor window.

Outside on the street, many people were setting up stalls selling New Year goods; in a week it will be New Year.

Time really flies.

Another New Year is coming.

How should I spend this year? Where to spend it? Everything is unknown.

Just as I was feeling a myriad of emotions inside, a knocking sounded outside.

It should be Zhang Zong arriving.

I hurriedly turned to open the door.

After I opened the door,

I saw Zhang Zong standing alone at the doorway,

The two of us exchanged a smile,

"Jianqiang, you really are waiting for me in this room." Zhang Zong said.

"Zhang Zong, a person should keep his word. I'm certainly waiting for you; you came alone, right? You won't come to arrest me, will you?" I proactively reached out my hand.

"Based on what you said, Jianqiang, if I wanted to arrest you, I wouldn't wait two hours to arrest you."

"All right, let's not talk about useless stuff. Why don't you invite me to sit inside?" Zhang Zong said, smiling as he held my hand.

I held Zhang Zong's hand and brought him into the room,

Then I had him sit on the sofa,

After Zhang Zong sat down, I poured him a cup of water,

Zhang Zong took it,

He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket,

"Jianqiang, take a look what kind of cigarette this is."

I looked and saw it was the White General cigarette we used to smoke often in Lanling,

"Zhang Zong, why did you switch to this cigarette after returning to Zaocheng?"

"It's mainly to reminisce the past. Have one; the old taste is still the best—whether it's China or Su Smoke, none are as strong as the White General." After saying that, Zhang Zong took out one and tossed it to me.

I took it,

Then I lit it for Zhang Zong,

After Zhang Zong took a puff, he looked at me and asked directly, "Do you really intend to have Xiao Shitou acknowledge me?"

I nodded,

"Zhang Zong, I'm never joking. I must have Xiao Shitou acknowledge you, and it must be from the heart.

I must let him know that you are his biological father."

Seeing my serious expression,

Zhang Zong was very pleased,

"Jianqiang, since you say that, I owe you a favor. You'd better leave Huaihai quickly; Kong Shi is currently coordinating the people on this matter in Huaihai.

They plan to round you all up during the Spring Festival.

Now it's just a matter of paperwork.

They're likely to act before the year ends.

I laughed,

"Thank you, Zhang Zong. I don't know why you're telling me this; by doing so you're basically betraying Kong Shi and his people.

I'm somewhat puzzled—wouldn't arresting me be in your interest?"

Hearing me say that,

Zhang Zong laughed heartily and said, "Jianqiang, how to put it? Previously, arresting you was in my interest.

Knowing that people change and circumstances change,

so do interests.

Now arresting you is no longer in my interest."

"Could it be just because you want Xiao Shitou to acknowledge you?"

Actually, even without me, Xiao Shitou would eventually acknowledge you, since you are his biological father." I said, looking at Zhang Zong.

Zhang Zong also looked at me,

"Jianqiang, having Xiao Shitou acknowledge me is just one aspect.

Let me be frank with you,

I not only want Xiao Shitou to acknowledge me,

I also want to leave a career for Xiao Shitou; otherwise I wouldn't be a qualified father.

I'm already at this age,

I have many ailments; I don't know when I might collapse.

If I can leave a career for my son before I die, then I'll be content."