An Unusual Dinner Party

Less than a week after arriving in Xichuan, Mr. Zhuang had already purchased property here.

However, their convoy did not go home, but instead took Qin Mo to a restaurant.

On the way, Zhuang Huaisheng explained:

"Because of my health and the investigation into the poisoner, I haven't had time to thank you in person."

"This meal is something I owed you a long time ago, and today is the perfect opportunity to make up for it."

"Besides, since you're here, there's something else we can take care of as well."

Qin Mo didn't know what was going on, and subconsciously looked at Zhuang Xue'e in the back seat.

Zhuang Xue'e felt a little guilty, but when she thought about how Qin Mo had lied to her, she turned her head away and went back to being angry with a straight face.

Unable to get any answers from her, Qin Mo felt somewhat helpless.

"Mr. Zhuang, you're not talking about the marriage, are you?"

He brought this up, and the two people in the back seat straightened up.

Zhuang Huaisheng laughed heartily: "What, are you in such a hurry? It seems you're quite satisfied with my granddaughter?"

There's a catch in that statement.

While I'm satisfied, it seems unlikely that the engagement will be called off.

To say I'm not satisfied...

Qin Mo felt that Zhuang Xue'e was going to drive him crazy.

"Ahem, Mr. Zhuang, are you setting a trap for me?"

Old Zhuang laughed heartily again and patted him on the shoulder.

"No, not at all."

"Weddings are very important, but let's not talk about them today."

"I'm dealing with something else, which happens to be somewhat related to you."

Although he didn't know what it was, the car had already stopped, and Qin Mo got out.

After getting off the bus, they found people already waiting for them at the restaurant entrance.

It was a man and a woman, both in their early thirties, dressed modestly, exuding a resolute air.

With just one glance, Qin Mo could tell that they were likely from the military and were all martial artists.

When the two of them appeared, even the professional bodyguards following Zhuang Huaisheng seemed much less impressive.

As soon as the two saw them, they immediately came over and greeted Huo Shaochong first.

"Young Master."

Huo Shaochong is the young master of the Shenlong Army. Although his current status is only that of a major general in Xichuan District, with his father around, he will eventually return to the Kyoto headquarters after a few more years of training.

So naturally, the two of them treated him with great respect.

Huo Shaochong straightened his back and walked to the front.

"Grandpa Zhuang, let me introduce you. This is Fan Hongye and Wei Xinran."

"These two are elites from our Shenlong Army's Xichuan branch. Both are former special forces soldiers and are also Vajra Heaven Realm martial artists."

"I heard you were poisoned. There are all sorts of people in Xichuan, and it's probably not safe to rely on just a few ordinary bodyguards."

"That's why I specifically invited these two to come and protect you and Xue'e during this time!"

The Vajra Heaven Realm is already an extraordinary existence among ordinary people.

Moreover, these two men came from the Divine Dragon Army; if not veterans of countless battles, they had at least fought dozens.

They are experienced and have blood on their hands.

They escorted them, and ordinary people could not get close.

Zhuang Huaisheng knew that he had a desire to curry favor, so he didn't pay much attention to the two people he had invited.

After all, if they could act openly and honestly against them, the people behind them wouldn't just be using poison.

And he wouldn't really be without any backup plans.

However, since the two families were old friends, he still gave Huo Shaochong some face:

"You're so thoughtful."

Fan Hongye and Wei Xinran, on the other hand, held their heads high with aloofness and glanced at the people behind Elder Zhuang.

"Mr. Zhuang," Fan Hongye spoke first, "the other side has arrived. Your bodyguards won't need to go in later. Too many people will only cause trouble."

"Yes." Wei Xinran nodded as well: "With my senior brother and me here, we can protect you and Miss Zhuang's safety."

Huo Shaochong agreed, "Yes, Grandpa Zhuang, I'm here too. Having so many people going in would only attract attention."

Zhuang Huaisheng hadn't originally planned to bring so many people in for dinner, so he went along with their wishes. Except for his old butler who was always by his side, everyone else stayed downstairs.

Qin Mo had been silently following behind. Upon seeing this scene, he raised an eyebrow slightly: It seems this meal was anything but ordinary.

"Qin Mo, you and Xue'e will go together later."

Zhuang Huaisheng turned his head and gave Qin Mo a special instruction:

"Although nothing will happen, if anything unexpected occurs, you and Xue'e should go first."

Before Qin Mo could answer, Huo Shaochong said disdainfully:

"Grandpa Zhuang, you're overthinking it."

"With me here, even if they're arrogant over there, would they dare to touch you and Xue'e in front of me?"

"As for him..."

Huo Shaochong glanced at Qin Mo with disdain:

"Since he is your guest, Grandpa Zhuang, I will have someone make an effort to look after him."

"However, if he's scared, he can leave on his own."

Although he had lost to Qin Mo before, he didn't think Qin Mo was that strong.

That so-called teaching session was just him underestimating his opponent.

Moreover, swordsmanship is not his forte, so this kid took advantage of him.

Even if this kid is really capable, how could he possibly compare to experienced members of the Divine Dragon Army like Wei Xinran and Fan Hongye?

He had to show Qin Mo that even though Qin Mo was engaged thanks to the promises of the older generation, there was still an insurmountable gap between them!

Qin Mo could see through his provocation, but he didn't care at all.

"Since Elder Zhuang has said that this dinner is related to me, how can I possibly be absent?"

"It's just a meal, what danger could there be?"

"Right?"

Zhuang Huaisheng greatly admired his composure and patted him on the shoulder with a smile:

"That's right, it's just a meal. You and Xue'e are the main characters today, let's go."

The group entered the hotel, and the receptionist led them directly to the top floor.

It seemed someone was waiting for them.

Unexpectedly, the dining location wasn't a private room; the entire top floor had been booked and cleared out.

There were hardly any customers in the restaurant, and hardly any staff members were seen either.

Qin Mo felt something was strange as he went upstairs.

Logically, when guests book the entire venue, the hotel should provide more formal hospitality.

At the very least, the person sent to greet them should be a manager.

But when they came up, the person who led the way for them was just an ordinary waiter.

The other diners in the lobby also occasionally glanced at them.

Moreover, Qin Mo could smell the stench of blood emanating from them.

However, Fan Hongye and Wei Xinran, who were in charge of guarding, seemed unaware of these things.

After hesitating for a moment, he still offered a reminder:

"Gentlemen, I think we should call up the bodyguards downstairs as well?"

"I always felt that something was off about this hotel."

But Fan Hongye didn't even glance at him, as if he hadn't heard a word he said.

Wei Xinran gave him a cold glance, giving him only half a look:

"Heh, if you're scared, you can leave now."

Huo Shaochong crossed his arms and mocked:

"Weren't you putting on quite a show just now? Now you're scared?"

"Do you want me to walk you out? After all, I don't think you're brave enough to go downstairs alone."

Zhuang Huaisheng didn't mock him. He gave Qin Mo a reassuring look: "Don't worry, everything will be alright. You'll see in a bit."

Seeing that they didn't take it seriously, Qin Mo didn't say anything more.

However, he pulled Zhuang Xue'e to his side beforehand.

Without saying much, he simply said, "Stay close to me."