Chapter Seventy-Nine: Unfathomable

Chapter Seventy-Nine: Unfathomable

"I hope I'm not interrupting any important discussions here?" Qin Wan’er sneered, eyeing the three most prominent figures of Hedong’s underworld gathered together. What kind of feast had they laid out for Sister Qingshuang, and what were their true intentions?

Jin Biao hurried to reply, "Of course not, of course not! Officer Qin, my nephew Yishan told me about you—said you’re a woman who’s every bit the equal of any man, a favorite in Director Chen’s eyes. Ha ha, please, say a few good words for my useless nephew, won’t you?"

"We’ve all heard of your exploits. Officer Qin, your abilities truly leave us in awe!" Wu Lei, well-versed in the art of flattery, knew that buttering up was always safe. Today, he was determined to keep a low profile—whether these people were truly capable or not, he’d swallow his usual arrogance and serve them humbly. After all, no one could guarantee who would rule Hedong in the days to come.

Qin Wan’er snorted. She had no intention of accepting compliments from these underworld ruffians. She coldly said to Jin Biao, "Don’t think you can do as you please just because Qi Yishan’s backing you!"

Jin Biao seethed inwardly, but maintained a smile. "Wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare, Officer Qin. From now on, we’re all friends on the same path. Let’s leave the past behind, shall we?"

Qin Wan’er nearly cursed aloud—she certainly didn’t want to be lumped together with these people! But seeing that Ruan Qingshuang and Xu Yun had come here, she swallowed her words, though her heart was troubled.

Damn Xu Yun, bringing Sister Qingshuang down this road. At first, Qin Wan’er thought they were just dabbling, hoping to avoid any more trouble for the medicinal cuisine restaurant, but now, Sister Qingshuang was aiming directly for the throne of the southern district’s underworld.

If that was the case, what should she do as a police officer? Wouldn’t she be caught in an impossible dilemma?

"Sister Wan’er isn’t with you lot," Guoguo suddenly piped up, clearly distancing Qin Wan’er. "Hey, we’re here to eat! Fatty, aren’t you going to ask when the food’s coming?"

The knot in Qin Wan’er’s heart loosened thanks to Guoguo’s interruption.

Jin Biao’s mouth twitched—this girl had no sense of propriety, daring to call him Fatty!

"Fatty Jin, I’m not here to chat with you. We’re hungry, get a move on," Xu Yun, as the godfather, naturally supported his daughter.

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei broke into a cold sweat. Few in Hedong’s circles dared to disrespect Jin Biao; even those who had their differences would address him as Brother Biao out of courtesy.

"Fatty Jin"—this was the first time they’d ever heard that, and the most shocking thing was that Jin Biao, usually quick-tempered, endured it, even managing a smile: "Alright, alright, let’s eat!"

"It’s time to serve the dishes!" Jin Biao turned and, with his usual authority, called to the waiter outside.

The top hotels in Hedong were indeed efficient. Within three minutes of Jin Biao’s command, a team of waiters brought in a dazzling array of dishes, announcing each as they placed it.

"Cordyceps fig stew, loofah and pig liver sautéed with lean meat, yam and lotus seed oxtail soup, Sichuan pepper black-bone chicken, dried shrimp and daylily fungus soup, cilantro beef stir-fry, lily chicken fillet sauté, rock sugar pig trotters, rose jujube goji paste, rock sugar lotus seed bird’s nest, wolfberry chrysanthemum ribs..."

Each dish was familiar—so familiar! Medicinal cuisine, and exactly the same as those from the Medicinal Cuisine House!

Xu Yun frowned. He remembered clearly that Dan Hongning had mentioned wanting to partner with Hedong International Hotel, but the owner had rejected them, so the Ruan family’s medicinal cuisine had never entered the hotel.

Why had a failed business deal now appeared before them?

Guoguo couldn’t help picking up some cilantro beef, marveling as she ate, "Hmm? Why does it taste so much like ours?"

Xu Yun didn’t need to taste it; the ingredients alone made it clear these dishes were made precisely according to Ruan Qingshuang’s ancestral recipes.

Damn! A knock-off!

"Heh, I knew Sister Shuang dealt in medicinal cuisine, so I ordered the hotel’s new medicinal banquet," Jin Biao said, oblivious to the suspicion on Ruan Qingshuang and Xu Yun’s faces. "Please, try it and see how it tastes."

Qin Wan’er wasn’t about to be polite with these gang leaders. She spun the wolfberry chrysanthemum ribs to herself, gave Guoguo two pieces, then two to Ruan Qingshuang. When she saw Guoguo pass her share to Qiu Yan, she gave Guoguo two more, then helped herself. With only ten pieces per plate, she left just two and spun the plate to Xu Yun.

This was a dish Xu Yun often made for their meals, and it was always well received.

Xu Yun didn’t hesitate, taking the remaining pieces for himself, leaving none for the three men.

The five of them, like seasoned gourmets, began tasting the dishes, searching for the subtle differences from Xu Yun’s versions. Ruan Qingshuang was surprised to find that, aside from being slightly inferior in cooking technique, the dish was flawless—all ingredients matched, replicating her ancestral recipe exactly.

They had never partnered with Hedong International, yet the hotel had somehow obtained their family recipe. Someone must have leaked it.

But Xu Yun showed no reaction; this wasn’t the time to confront the hotel. When the time was right, he would arrange for an investigation.

Finally, Jin Biao stood up to pour wine. No one refused, but none drank either. After filling the glasses, Jin Biao spoke.

"Sister Shuang, the reason we invited you today is to ask you something," Jin Biao’s tone was extremely cautious.

Wu Lei, though unaware of Ruan Qingshuang’s strength, saw Jin Biao’s nervousness and grew serious, fixing his gaze on her.

"Ask me?" Ruan Qingshuang was taken aback.

At that moment, Ma Pinghai seemed unconcerned. He suddenly stood up, apologizing, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom. Please, continue your conversation!"

Jin Biao and Wu Lei were surprised—he left just as they began the main topic. What did it mean? Both knew Ma Pinghai was a slippery old fox, but leaving now was taboo.

Ma Pinghai ignored Jin Biao’s coughing and Wu Lei’s glances, striding out resolutely.

Jin Biao was embarrassed, glancing at Ruan Qingshuang, but saw neither joy nor anger on her face—she was utterly indifferent, as if Ma Pinghai’s departure meant nothing.

In that instant, Jin Biao seemed to grasp something—he was afraid, because he couldn’t fathom Ruan Qingshuang’s inner world. Only now did he understand why Xu Yun and Qiu Yan, such formidable figures, stayed by her side. She herself was unfathomable!

In truth, Ruan Qingshuang hadn’t cared what Ma Pinghai was doing. The reason was simple: she simply hadn’t thought about it. It wasn’t that Jin Biao couldn’t read her—it was that there was nothing for him to interpret.

"My stomach’s uncomfortable too," Xu Yun said, frowning and shaking his head. "Knock-off food never sits well—no authorization, so I’m not used to it."

Qiu Yan caught Xu Yun’s meaning, but Qin Wan’er and Guoguo were confused.

With two people suddenly gone, Jin Biao felt awkward, but pressed on, thick-skinned: "Heh, Sister Shuang, we wanted to ask if you’re planning to expand your influence?"

Ruan Qingshuang looked bewildered—she, the queen of Hedong’s southern district, truly knew little about underworld matters, and Jin Biao’s question left her dumbfounded.

Seeing her confusion, Jin Biao and Wu Lei felt a chill, even holding their breath. They quickly reached a silent consensus: if Ruan Qingshuang said she intended to expand, they would not hesitate to target Ma Pinghai, who had just left.

Qin Wan’er was exasperated—she knew perfectly well that Ruan Qingshuang wasn’t cut out for the underworld. But as a police officer, she understood the minds of these gang leaders.

Since Ruan Qingshuang couldn’t answer, Qin Wan’er spoke up, "You can rest easy. Sister Qingshuang isn’t looking to expand. But listen carefully—don’t let me catch you slipping up. Just because Sister Qingshuang won’t move against you doesn’t mean the police won’t."

Upon hearing this, Jin Biao and Wu Lei relaxed. They’d dealt with the police before, but what truly frightened them was Ruan Qingshuang—a newcomer more dangerous than any officer.

After all, in this world, being busted by the police leaves you a way out, but being destroyed by a rival leaves no way at all. The bigger you are, the harder you fall.

"Officer Qin, we’re all law-abiding citizens, ha ha, we’re just doing honest business," Wu Lei said, standing and pouring tea for everyone, since the waiters had been dismissed at Ruan Qingshuang’s request—she disliked being served.

Qin Wan’er scoffed at his flattery, glanced at the door, and muttered, "Xu Yun isn’t stuck in there, is he? Still not back?"

"Uh..." Guoguo was speechless. "Sister Wan’er, can you not say such disgusting things while we’re eating?"

No one had minded Qin Wan’er’s comment until Guoguo’s reaction, but now it ruined their appetite—though Guoguo herself continued eating heartily, given the hotel’s medicinal cuisine cost two or three times as much as at their own shop, she refused to waste a morsel.

Xu Yun wasn’t in the restroom—he just wanted to see what Ma Pinghai was up to.

Ma Pinghai didn’t disappoint. After ducking into the bathroom, he dialed a number: "Boss Kai, I found the person you asked me to look for..."