Chapter 356: I Can’t Even Be Bothered to Lie to You

Chen Yu Grand Hotel.

Private Room Number 1.

Four people were seated around a table.

Sitting at the head of the table was the middle-aged man who had clashed with Xu Shaochen earlier this morning over his goddaughter. His real name was Cui Xin, a local entrepreneur in Jiangzhou who ran a food processing company.

Sitting to his left was Cui Yang, the cousin he mentioned earlier who works in the bureau.

The other two were Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao, the ones investigating Gu Weilong’s death and directly targeting Xu Shaochen.

Being able to get these two to show up today was all thanks to Cui Xin’s cousin, Cui Yang.

“Director Cui, who is this…”

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao exchanged glances, looking at Cui Xin with guarded and questioning eyes.

After all, investigating Xu Shaochen in Jiangzhou is a risky business. One wrong move and they could lose their heads.

“Weren’t you two asking me about the inside story behind Gu Weilong’s death? I thought about it, and perhaps only my cousin knows some details, so I arranged for you to meet him.”

Cui Yang, having worked within the system for so many years and serving as a department director, naturally had the ability to hide his true intentions. His tone and expression were flawless.

“Thank you, Director Cui, for keeping our matter in mind, and also thanks to Mr. Cui.” Although Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao still felt wary, they did let out a slight sigh of relief.

Cui Xin smiled nonchalantly and said apologetically, “It’s too early to be thanking me. Although I know a bit about this matter, I don’t have all the details. But as luck would have it, I know one of the people involved.”

“Is that true!”

As soon as Cui Xin finished speaking, Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao blurted out, staring at him with eager eyes.

If they could find evidence that Xu Shaochen was behind this, they would never have to worry about money for the rest of their lives.

That’s why this person Cui Xin mentioned was critically important.

“Of course. But no need to rush. That individual should be arriving soon, and I believe you will both be satisfied.”

Cui Xin smiled warmly, glancing at his watch.

Weren’t they aiming at Xu Shaochen?

Xu Shaochen would be here soon. This would probably be a big surprise for them.

“Mr. Cui, words can’t express my gratitude. I will remember this favor.”

Chen Jing solemnly picked up his Wine Glass and looked at Cui Xin.

“Please.”

Cui Xin also raised his glass in a gesture, and they both drank it all in one go.

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao, both in their twenties, had been played like a fiddle by the Cui brothers throughout the evening, exchanging toasts and even calling each other brothers.

“Bang!”

At that moment, the door to the private room was pushed open, and Xu Shaochen walked in with Long Yi and three others.

“Xu Shaochen!”

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao were stunned at first. Then, their expressions changed drastically. They were just about to stand up when Long San and Long Si stepped forward and pushed them back into their chairs.

“Mr. Xu, you’re here. It’s these two who have been investigating the Gu Weilong incident, and it’s clear they’ve been targeting you.”

Cui Xin and Cui Yang got up and walked over to Xu Shaochen, showing respectful expressions as they pointed at Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao.

“Mr. Cui, what do you mean by this?”

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao’s faces turned grim as they gritted their teeth.

“What do I mean?” Cui Xin chuckled, a mocking expression on his face. “Didn’t I tell you I knew one of the people involved? Now that the person is here, aren’t you satisfied?”

And it was the most important person, Cui Xin added inwardly.

The details of the Gu Weilong case were indeed tightly sealed by the relevant departments, but someone like Cui Xin, of course, knew the inside story. Both deaths last night were connected to Xu Shaochen.

“You…”

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao were furious, glaring at Cui Xin. They hadn’t expected to be played like this.

“Speak.”

Xu Shaochen coldly uttered a single word, not bothering to beat around the bush.

“What do you want? What do you want us to say? We’re just here on vacation! I should be asking you what you mean by all this!”

Zhao Rongyao shouted at Xu Shaochen, clearly showing false bravado, trying to flaunt his ‘courage.’

“Desperate struggle. Vacation? If that’s the case, let me treat you to a ‘special’ Jiangzhou experience. Take them to the rooftop and throw them off.”

Xu Shaochen sneered, casually waving his hand at Long San and Long Si.

“You wouldn’t dare!”

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao’s faces instantly turned pale.

“Why wouldn’t I? With over seven billion people in the world, what difference does it make if two of them die, like squashing two ants?”

Xu Shaochen sneered at them, his eyes flashing with a chilling intent to kill.

Both of them felt a cold shiver run down their spines. Indeed, what wouldn’t Xu Shaochen dare to do?

If he didn’t dare, then Sanzi wouldn’t have fallen, and Gu Weilong wouldn’t have been shot. So why wouldn’t he dare?

“I don’t care who you work for, but money can always be earned, while you only have one life. Only those who have brushed shoulders with death truly understand the value of living. I hope you won’t make any foolish decisions while you’re still young.”

Seeing that he had scared them, Xu Shaochen began to slowly coax them along, softening his stance just a bit while still keeping their nerves on edge.

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao’s expressions were conflicted. If they talked, they would be exposed. But if they didn’t, they would die right now.

“I know what you’re struggling with. You’re afraid of retribution from the mastermind behind you. But if you talk now, I can give you a sliver of hope—a chance to escape. If you don’t talk, the next second you’ll slip off the rooftop and end up as a splatter on the ground. You decide what’s more important.”

Xu Shaochen hammered another blow into their minds, swaying their inner struggle toward his side.

“If we talk, will you let us go?” Chen Jing asked, staring at Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen shook his head without hesitation. “I can’t even be bothered to lie to you: I won’t. Perhaps because I’m too narrow-minded, I can never forgive anyone who harbors ill intentions toward me. But I’ll give you half an hour. After that, the entire city will be hunting you.”

Only now did the two understand what Xu Shaochen meant by a ‘sliver of hope.’

Half an hour—not much time, but enough to have at least a small chance of survival.

Cui Xin and Cui Yang exchanged glances, both amazed by Xu Shaochen’s confidence.

He didn’t even bother lying to Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao because he believed they weren’t worthy of it. That was the level of his confidence and pride.

Chen Jing and Zhao Rongyao looked at each other, then, as if making an immense decision, Chen Jing gritted his teeth and said to Xu Shaochen:

“Alright, I’ll talk.”