Chapter 21 Planning

That night, everyone slept especially soundly. After all, with Li Shanru there, the crisis had been resolved. Tomorrow night, everyone would treat her as Zhang Shiwei had been treated, a kind of karmic cycle.

At daybreak, the Zhou butler appeared as usual, bringing breakfast. After confirming that Song Keli was still alive, the Zhou butler couldn't hide the glee on his face. "You masters have worked hard. Please continue your efforts. As long as you get through this last day, Madam Su said she will reward you handsomely! Then we will send people to take you home."

"Thank you, Madam Su, and thank you, Butler Zhou," everyone replied.

Although the words sounded nice, Jiang Cheng and the others knew in their hearts that they would not be going home. Knowing so much, the other side would definitely not let them leave. When the time came, they would probably be silenced.

After a few polite words, the Zhou butler left with his men.

"Damn traitor!" Fatty muttered, staring at the Zhou butler's back.

Yuan Shanyuan waited until the figures of the Zhou butler and his men had completely disappeared before turning around and looking at everyone, "It seems we need to prepare early. After tonight, these Dongyang people are likely to attack us."

Ding Zhenzong frowned. "It shouldn't be. Tonight, we have Li Shanru as a scapegoat. As long as Li Shanru dies, the mission will be over."

"I don't think so," Li Bai analyzed. "Li Shanru's death corresponds to the way that ghost steed kills people, but whether these Dongyang people abide by the rules is questionable."

"I agree with Elder Yuan and Li Bai. Since there is such a possibility, we must prepare in advance. It's better to be safe than sorry." Jiang Cheng also felt that things were not that simple. These Dongyang people might be the final hurdle of the mission. Besides... the most important *Gui Jun Tu* (Ghost Steed Painting) was still missing.

Yao Shunyu's frivolous voice sounded, "Then let's settle it like this. Let's not be idle today. Everyone should try to think of ways. Once the Dongyang people really confront us, we must at least have the confidence to escape. Of course, it would be great to kill them all." Yao Shunyu revealed a strange smile that made people shudder.

Song Keli and Li Shanru both needed someone to watch them. Jiang Cheng took Fatty and left first. Lin Qianqian seemed particularly interested in Jiang Cheng, chasing after him to ask if she could join, but Jiang Cheng refused again.

On the way, Fatty asked suspiciously, "Doctor, did you find something wrong with Lin Qianqian?"

"Everyone here has a problem," Jiang Cheng said without turning his head.

This time, perhaps the Dongyang people had relaxed their vigilance. There weren't even people monitoring them along the way. But for safety's sake, Jiang Cheng still made a detour before finally arriving at Baomo Studio.

After entering, the old gentleman led them upstairs.

Jiang Cheng and Fatty sat quietly in the empty tea room for a while, then heard a burst of hurried footsteps upstairs. Then the door was pushed open, and the shopkeeper they had seen before walked in quickly, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Jiang Cheng didn't waste any time and directly told the man about the situation in the Su residence, especially Song Keli's situation. The man listened with a face full of anger and slammed the table. "Sure enough, that villain Song Keli hasn't left Shanghai. He's being monitored by those Dongyang people! Good, very good. Tonight, we'll catch him. With his confession, let's see how those Dongyang people can quibble!"

Jiang Cheng also had a rough understanding of the historical background of this mission. The all-out war had not yet begun. Although the Dongyang people were arrogant, they couldn't be said to be unscrupulous yet, especially in a big city like Shanghai, where envoys from various countries gathered. If things like killing people and seizing treasures were exposed, it would be difficult for them to clean up.

"But there are Dongyang people stationed around there," Fatty kindly reminded, worried that his compatriots would shed blood in vain.

Unexpectedly, the man smiled freely. "You two brothers have gone deep into the tiger's den, truly heroes, but don't underestimate us. Mr. Ke Gong and the other six gentlemen all unfortunately died in order to protect these cultural relics and keep them on Chinese soil rather than let them fall overseas. Compared to them, what is this little risk we take?"

"But thank you two brothers for the reminder. We will make careful arrangements to minimize the danger," the man assured Jiang Cheng and Fatty.

Jiang Cheng picked up a pen and paper, quickly left an address and a sketch on it, and then handed the paper to the man. "The above is the specific address where Song Keli is hiding. He is in the north-facing bedroom on the 3rd floor. I also drew a sketch. The marked location is the Dongyang people's stronghold, located on the 4th floor of a teahouse not far from the Su residence."

The man solemnly took it with both hands, checked it, and nodded. "Okay, I'll arrange it later. Tonight, we'll cooperate from the inside and outside."

"Not so fast, there's one more thing I need to remind you, sir. You need to wait until after midnight before taking action," Jiang Cheng said very seriously, looking into the man's eyes.

It was obvious that the man couldn't figure out why, but trusting Jiang Cheng, he didn't ask any more questions and agreed readily. After checking some action details, Jiang Cheng bid farewell and left with Fatty.

Without rushing back, Jiang Cheng took Fatty, and Fatty took the money. The two of them found a decent restaurant nearby and ordered a table full of hearty dishes. Jiang Cheng ate very well, but Fatty seemed to have something on his mind and didn't eat very well.

"Thinking about what will happen to Li Shanru?" Jiang Cheng picked up a chopstick of vegetables and put it in his mouth, asking vaguely.

Fatty, whose thoughts had been seen through, did not quibble and nodded. "Yeah, Doctor, I think we might be too arbitrary. Li Shanru said she wanted to open her phone and explain to us, but none of us gave her a chance."

"Because it's unnecessary," Jiang Cheng held out two fingers. "Two points. First, the possibility of her being misunderstood is very small. This can be seen from her previous performance. Second, and most importantly, everyone hopes she is Zhang Shiwei's accomplice."

"Hopes..."

"Yes, maybe that word is too gentle. Let me change the word, needs, we need her to be Zhang Shiwei's accomplice!" Jiang Cheng's tone became heavier. "Only in this way can everyone push her out without any moral pressure, as tonight's scapegoat. How much she knows about Zhang Shiwei's affairs is not important. What's important is that because she's here, we're all safe tonight, understand?"

After a moment of silence, Fatty nodded. "Understood."

"If you understand, then continue eating. This braised fish is good, much better than what you make." Jiang Cheng carelessly picked up half a fish and put it on Fatty's plate. "Eat it while it's hot, it won't taste good when it's cold. I don't have money to take you out to eat when we get back."

Fatty picked up his chopsticks, gently poked at the fish, and then put them down again as if he had no appetite.

Putting down his chopsticks, Jiang Cheng sighed. "Are you worried about Li Shanru suffering in their hands?"