Ji Bo'an smiled and turned to enter the main gate.
Chen Jinzhao said to Wu Lingyun beside him, "Lingyun, let's go in."
Wu Lingyun nodded and followed Chen Jinzhao into the large courtyard.
Only after stepping through the gate did Chen Jinzhao notice a person standing on each side, silent as statues.
"Strange."
Chen Jinzhao thought to himself, "How did I not notice their presence before?"
This made Chen Jinzhao wary.
The Ji family exuded a peculiar aura, and he had to be on guard.
The large gate was closed by two servants. Chen Jinzhao shifted his gaze back to Ji Bo'an, who was already walking ahead. Suddenly, Wu Lingyun, behind him, grabbed Chen Jinzhao's arm, her face pale. "Cousin, why do I feel the atmosphere in the Ji residence is a bit terrifying?"
Wu Lingyun appeared panicked.
Chen Jinzhao gave Wu Lingyun a meaningful look and said, "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one can harm you."
"Let's follow them."
Wu Lingyun nodded vigorously.
Led by Ji Bo'an, they passed through numerous gates and entered the Ji family's main hall.
The sky was still shedding heavy snow, and the Ji family courtyard was filled with a festive atmosphere, which only made Chen Jinzhao feel more unsettled.
For a simple reason—
Everyone in the Ji family, from top to bottom, either had a blank expression or wore a conspicuously fake smile, clashing with the celebratory mood.
Sinister, eerie…
Chen Jinzhao's nerves were on edge. His intuition told him this would be no peaceful night.
He took a deep breath. For now, he could only bide his time and see what the Ji family was up to before making any plans.
Ji Bo'an stood in the main hall and turned to them with a smile. "Esteemed guests, the family banquet is not yet ready. Please have a seat for a moment."
At this moment.
A graceful and dignified woman appeared beside Ji Bo'an. Ji Bo'an continued, "General Chen, this is my wife, Dai Yin."
"Dai Yin, these two are General Chen Jinzhao and Wu Lingyun, the General Manager of Shenguo Pharmaceutical Company."
Dai Yin greeted them both.
Chen Jinzhao nodded slightly, finding Dai Yin and Ji Bo'an a well-matched couple.
However, like Ji Bo'an and the others in the mansion, Dai Yin's smile, though seemingly gentle, had an unnatural, mechanical quality.
"Dai Yin, please entertain our guests. I need to attend to other matters," Ji Bo'an said before leaving the hall.
Dai Yin invited them to sit. "Please, have a seat. I apologize if our hospitality is lacking in any way."
"There's no need to be so formal. We can manage ourselves," Chen Jinzhao said, taking the teapot from Dai Yin and pouring tea for himself and Wu Lingyun.
Wu Lingyun idly surveyed the surroundings while Chen Jinzhao engaged in polite conversation with Dai Yin, who sat to his other side. They discussed recent happenings in the Ji family, but without delving into any core secrets.
Wu Lingyun occasionally listened in, finding it uninteresting, and then looked around again.
"Why didn't General Chen bring his girlfriend?" Dai Yin suddenly asked.
Chen Jinzhao's eyebrows slightly rose as he looked up at Dai Yin.
Their previous conversation had focused on the Ji family. Dai Yin's sudden shift to Chen Jinzhao's girlfriend seemed too abrupt.
Dai Yin met Chen Jinzhao's gaze.
In that instant, Chen Jinzhao realized Dai Yin was in distress. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Chen Jinzhao remained composed. "She dislikes social interactions, and with her busy work schedule, she couldn't come."
Dai Yin hummed and lightly tapped her fingertips on the armrest.
This subtle action registered with Chen Jinzhao. His professional instincts told him Dai Yin might be trying to convey something. Realizing this, Chen Jinzhao turned away as if nonchalant, continuing to feign interest in Dai Yin's small talk.
From the moment he entered, he knew there were four surveillance cameras in the main hall, and no one's actions could escape their watch.
Dai Yin's position allowed her to use Chen Jinzhao's body to shield her tapping.
"It's Morse code," Chen Jinzhao realized.
He nodded and turned back to Dai Yin. "I'm listening. Please continue."
Dai Yin paused.
A hint of joy flickered in her eyes before she quickly suppressed it.
They continued their desultory conversation, but Chen Jinzhao's heart sank. Dai Yin was using Morse code to convey a single message:
"Danger, run!"
Chen Jinzhao's expression turned serious.
He had already sensed the peculiar aura emanating from the Ji family, and now Dai Yin's strange warning only intensified his suspicion. He hesitated: should he heed Dai Yin's advice and leave the Ji residence?
Or should he stay and make plans?
After a brief deliberation, Chen Jinzhao decided to stay.
An enemy hidden in the shadows was the most terrifying, capable of striking when least expected. It was better to confront the threat directly.
Seeing that Chen Jinzhao had no intention of leaving, Dai Yin grew more anxious. She continued to use Morse code to warn him, urging him to leave quickly. Only Dai Yin knew the true horror of the Ji family; if Chen Jinzhao didn't leave soon, it would be too late.
Chen Jinzhao shook his head, indicating his resolve to Dai Yin.
However, he then turned to Wu Lingyun, sitting to his right. "Lingyun, perhaps you should leave first. I need to discuss some serious matters with Ji Bo'an later."
"Go back and wait for me."
Wu Lingyun looked surprised, then shook her head repeatedly. "Cousin, we've already come. It would be impolite for me to leave now."
"So, I'll stay."
Chen Jinzhao didn't force the issue. As he turned back, a meaningful expression crossed his face.
Dai Yin, through Morse code, conveyed another message: the Ji family had set a trap in the courtyard and intended to kill Chen Jinzhao in a horrific manner, urging him to reconsider.
Chen Jinzhao asked what the danger was, but Dai Yin was vague, unable to describe it precisely.
Even so, Chen Jinzhao could sense an unprecedented level of danger, a crisis that grew stronger with each passing moment, comparable to the most perilous threats he had faced before.
Just then.
Ji family servants began serving dishes, quickly filling the table. Ji Bo'an and the Ji family patriarch, Ji Xiangyun, entered the main hall. Ji Bo'an said to Dai Yin, "Xiao Yin, you may be excused. We have some important matters to discuss with Chen Jinzhao."
"All right, please enjoy," Dai Yin said, giving Chen Jinzhao one last look before leaving the hall.
Ji Bo'an invited Chen Jinzhao and Wu Lingyun to sit, then poured them wine. He raised his cup and smiled lightly. "Allow me to propose a toast to General Chen. I hope General Chen will do me the honor."
Chen Jinzhao made no move to raise his cup. Instead, he looked up, his sharp gaze fixed on Ji Bo'an.
"I will not drink this cup."
"Ji Bo'an, speak your mind. I don't appreciate people beating around the bush."