Xia Chuyi finished talking with Huo Shiqian and came out of the room.
Xia Chengzong had finished counting the warehouse inventory and was standing in the courtyard, his expression still somber.
He glanced at the two people, avoiding Huo Shiqian’s gaze, and said to Xia Chuyi, "We haven’t done any business these past two days. Chen Hai hasn’t delivered any goods, so we don’t have much left, but we still have enough to treat our guests to a meal."
Xia Chuyi casually nodded at her second brother and said, "Good, then I’ll take out the things we need in a while."
Her demeanor was so natural, as if nothing had happened.
Then turning around, she said to Huo Shiqian, "Brother Shi Qian, in a while I’ll make some delicious food and invite Director Chang and Xiao Wang over..."
Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Huo Shiqian’s cold voice, "No need. The crackdown on gangsters is an urgent matter, and they don’t have time to indulge in food."
Xia Chuyi: "...Actually, there’s no need to be in such a hurry, right?"
She had a vague premonition about what Uncle Liberation Army wanted to do.
Huo Shiqian didn’t pay her any attention and said sternly to Xia Chengzong, "Xia Chengzong, right? You should know where Li Qiang is hiding out. I’d like to meet him in person."
Xia Chuyi: ...As expected.
Xia Chengzong looked at Huo Shiqian and, lowering his head, said, "Okay."
Xia Chuyi looked at her second brother, then at Huo Shiqian.
Alright, it seemed this was the bottom line for Uncle Liberation Army; he had to burn away the fury with Li Qiang first.
She blinked, tilting her head, and looped her arm around Huo Shiqian’s, smilingly saying, "Brother Shi Qian, let me go with you!"
Huo Shiqian glanced at her lightly and said indifferently, "What? Don’t you trust me?"
"Absolutely not!" She responded without thinking, straightened her smile, and said solemnly, "It’s just that I want to spend more time with you. I can’t bear to be apart from you for even a second!"
Her tone was unwavering and resolute.
Joking, how could she say that she indeed didn’t trust him... It wasn’t a lack of trust, it was just the fear that Uncle Liberation Army’s rage was so strong, he might not distinguish friend from foe and set everything ablaze, taking her second brother with it.
Xia Chuyi’s flattery was excellent, and Huo Shiqian’s ears turned imperceptibly red. He said with a calm facade, "...Fine, it’s dangerous for you to be alone in the store."
Dangerous... cough cough!
"Brother Shi Qian, you’re so kind!" Xia Chuyi smiled like a sly fox.
"Let’s go." Huo Shiqian pulled Xia Chuyi over and said to Xia Chengzong, "Please lead the way."
"Mm," Xia Chengzong replied in a low voice.
Xia Chuyi was somewhat worried for her second brother; after all, Li Qiang used to be like a big brother to him, and by leading them to him now, it was tantamount to betraying Li Qiang.
Should she try to persuade Uncle Liberation Army again?
Huo Shiqian noticed her subtle expressions and shot her a look, so she immediately put on a neutral face.
Forget it, actually having her second brother lead the way might be a good thing; it could give him a chance to completely fall out with Li Qiang.
Having thought it through, she didn’t say or do anything else, just obediently followed along.
The shanty town in Ling County.
Xia Chengzong pointed to one of the larger shanty houses and said, "It’s that place. Brother Qiang... Li Qiang usually hole up there."
This place was crowded and complicated, the favorite dwelling place of Ling County’s riffraff.
"Hmm." Huo Shiqian pursed his lips as he looked toward the courtyard, his face brewing a storm.
Xia Chengzong glanced at him, then stepped forward to knock on the door.
After knocking for a long time, they heard a loud voice from inside asking, "Who’s there?"
When the door opened, they saw one of Li Qiang’s lackeys who normally followed him.
"Yo, it’s you?" The lackey called back inside to Li Qiang, "Brother Qiang, it’s Xia Chengzong!"