Li Zhiyuan felt that the chances of winning the bet were high because if Brother Leopard knew he was the one who called the police yesterday, there was no way he would be so calm with him now.
After a pause, Li Zhiyuan continued, "Heh, yesterday there was even a lady who wanted to invite me next door, but I love watching billiards more. Besides, Brother Runsheng took the proprietress next door to the health center and told me to wait here for him to come back and take me home. I have to be a good boy and listen to my brother.
Right, Brother Runsheng?"
"Ah?" Run Sheng was using his right fingernail to clean his left fingernail, "Hmm, yes."
*He vaguely felt that something sounded off. When he was with Xiao Yuan, even though he was older, Xiao Yuan always made the decisions. So why did Xiao Yuan make it sound like he was the older brother who called the shots?*
*Wait a minute, who exactly was Xiao Yuan talking to?*
"Brother Runsheng, be quiet for a while. We’ll go home in a bit. Don’t make a fuss or talk."
Run Sheng obediently continued picking at his nails without saying another word.
Brother Leopard said, "That’s right, I bought a pack of cigarettes at that little shop yesterday, so I must have seen you then, but you probably don’t remember me."
"Uh," Li Zhiyuan lowered his head slightly and said apologetically, "I was probably too engrossed in watching billiards at the time."
It seemed that Brother Leopard indeed didn’t know he was the one who called the police. Moreover, judging by his demeanor, he didn’t seem to remember Run Sheng taking him to the health center either.
*Was it because he was unconscious at that time and hadn’t died yet?*
*But Brother Leopard’s soul should have left the health center and gone to the video hall after he died there, right? And he didn’t see Run Sheng at the health center?*
Li Zhiyuan recalled Run Sheng saying he tried to leave but was stopped by the staff at the health center for medical expenses. Run Sheng had no choice but to wait outside Sister Mei’s ward for her to wake up. Was that why they missed each other?
Brother Leopard asked again, "I just heard you say someone was taken to the health center, how is she?"
"The doctor said she’s fine, she’ll be okay after some rest."
Li Zhiyuan noticed that Brother Leopard’s gaze toward him softened a bit.
This was exactly why he’d intentionally brought up Run Sheng taking Sister Mei to the hospital earlier.
Actually, there was still another question, that was the fact that he could see them now, which was a huge flaw.
But simultaneously, this flaw seemed to be covered up by Li Sanjiang’s presence, since it was Li Sanjiang who first saw them and started drinking with them.
Li Sanjiang’s identity was somewhat special, being a Corpse Recovery Diver—a ferryman between the yin and yang—which inherently carried certain peculiarities. Not only the living but also the dead would seek their help.
There were similar records in the "Jianghu Chronicles."
At least so far, neither Brother Leopard nor Zhao Xing had shown any surprise that he could see them.
Even Run Sheng, under his cover, remained in a "as if seen" state.
Li Sanjiang gulped down another cup of wine, wiped his mouth, and then picked up a bite of food with his chopsticks to suppress it.
Li Zhiyuan quietly sighed. While he was here carefully and laboriously patching things up, his Grandmaster was indulging in eating and drinking.
Zhao Xing asked, "How’s the food today, are you satisfied?"
Li Zhiyuan bowed his head and continued eating the ribs, "Delicious."
Li Sanjiang nodded and said, "You Zhao family folks are sincere people, and the dishes on this table are genuinely good."
Li Zhiyuan guessed that Grandmaster must have mistaken Zhao Xing for some nephew of the Zhao family.
"That’s good, as long as everyone enjoys the food and drink. I’m just afraid we didn’t do well enough and neglected everyone."
Zhao Xing’s face showed a smile, but his complexion was already pale, making the smile even more unsettling.
Li Zhiyuan picked up a piece of salted meat, dipped it on the plate, and put it in his mouth.
Now, only the cold dishes on the table were still edible; the rest had gone cold.
However, this main family truly cared about the evaluation of their banquet.
Actually, at a wake’s feast, if the host, who should be resting there, personally got up to ask about it, probably no one would dare say the meal wasn’t good.
Brother Leopard said, "If I didn’t know your feast was good, I wouldn’t have rushed here to eat it."
Zhao Xing laughed, "Okay, in a couple of days, won’t I have to go to your place for a feast too."
Brother Leopard responded, "Hmm, but my family’s feast definitely won’t be as good as yours. Your Zhao family runs a big business, while mine is just small. After everyday expenses, there’s not much left. But when you come, I’ll surely treat you well, just like you’re doing today."
Zhao Xing waved his hand, "Eating and drinking isn’t the main thing. It’s all about the ambiance. With our relationship, there’s no need for those formalities."
Li Zhiyuan picked up a chopstick of cold dressed spinach. This posthumous exchange of inviting each other to their own feasts was truly novel.
*However, how should he naturally end this banquet?*
*Also, were these two showing up to drink with Grandmaster because they were lonely, or did they have something else in mind?*
Li Sanjiang looked at Brother Leopard, "What’s up, you’re also going to host an event at your place?"
"Yes, soon. As soon as my wife’s health improves, we’ll have to start organizing it."
"That’s not right. Your wife is sick, yet you’re out here drinking late. Shouldn’t you be going back to take care of her? That’s quite irresponsible. Also, hosting an event is troublesome. Since your wife is ill, you must be the one to handle everything. You can’t shirk your duties."
Li Zhiyuan immediately nodded in agreement, "When I fall sick, I hope someone is there with me."