"Er Zhu, don't listen to them. I admire your kindness even more."
Zhang Qiang gently patted Er Zhu's shoulder, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"Tell me, what's going on?" Er Zhu didn't reply. He picked up the gift box from Fang Zhou City and walked towards the main hall.
As soon as the serious matter was brought up, Zhang Qiang's face darkened. He walked and explained in detail to Er Zhu.
It turned out that half an hour ago, at Wang Xiaofeng's birthday banquet, a Ms. Chen, a friend of Wang Xiaofeng, suddenly called the police, claiming that a sapphire necklace worth a hundred million yuan, which she had prepared for Wang Xiaofeng, had gone missing.
Upon receiving the report, Zhang Qiang rushed to the scene as quickly as possible. He first arranged for bodyguards to check all incoming and outgoing pedestrians at the entrance, while he, along with police officers, went to retrieve the surveillance footage. When he returned, he witnessed the scene just as it unfolded.
"Did you find anything?" Er Zhu asked softly after hearing Zhang Qiang's account.
This matter not only involved the hotel's reputation but also the Wang family. Er Zhu naturally cared more. Although such trivial matters were simple for him, to avoid arousing suspicion, he wanted to leverage the police's efforts.
"The surveillance footage from that period has been deleted, so we found nothing. However, I've already blocked all exits. The thief must still be at the birthday banquet."
Zhang Qiang sighed helplessly, then suddenly as if struck by an idea, said with a determined look.
"Er Zhu, you must help me. The sapphire is too valuable. If this case isn't solved, I might lose my police uniform."
Suddenly, Zhang Qiang seemed to recall something, grabbed Er Zhu's arm, his eyes full of pleading.
"Yes, Er Zhu, you're very capable. You absolutely must help us. Ms. Chen is a distinguished lady. If the sapphire necklace isn't found, none of us will escape!"
Hearing Zhang Qiang's words, Officer Li, standing nearby, grasped Er Zhu's other arm and also cast a pleading look at him.
"That's right, Er Zhu. Please help us, just for the sake of our friendship." Officer Zhang, seeing that Zhang Qiang and Officer Li had spoken, quickly pleaded for help.
"Okay, you guys investigate first. We'll talk if you can't figure it out." Er Zhu had intended to refuse, but he feared they might truly fail to catch the thief and damage the hotel's reputation, so he didn't give a definitive answer.
"Great, with your words, we're relieved. By the way, why are you here?"
Seeing Er Zhu nod, Zhang Qiang's eyes lit up, and the extinguished hope in his heart reignited, his confidence soaring!
Suddenly, he glanced at the gift box in Er Zhu's hand and asked with confusion and surprise.
"Attending Wang Xiaofeng's birthday banquet. Old Master Wang invited me." Er Zhu looked at the gift box in his hand and then at the banquet hall just ahead, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Attending such banquets was a waste of time for him, but he had to show respect to Old Master Wang. He had intended to leave after delivering the gift, but it seemed that wouldn't be possible now.
How dare someone steal in his hotel! He wanted to see who this person was!
As they spoke, they arrived at the banquet hall. The moment Er Zhu reached the entrance, Wang Xiaofeng came to greet him.
"Brother Er Zhu, why are you only arriving now? I thought you weren't coming."
Wang Xiaofeng, wearing a white satin fishtail gown, enthusiastically linked her arm with Er Zhu's, her eyes filled with adoration.
She had been waiting here for a long time, waiting for Er Zhu, she hadn't even bothered about the thief.
The strong scent of perfume wafted towards him, and Er Zhu almost fainted. What was Wang Xiaofeng up to? With such meticulous grooming and that fiery gaze, was she trying to seduce me?
Er Zhu glanced at Wang Xiaofeng speechlessly, casually withdrawing his arm while lost in thought.
He had finally managed to focus on his career lately, and he didn't want any more romantic entanglements, especially from an arrogant little princess like Wang Xiaofeng...
Feeling her hand suddenly empty, a flicker of disappointment crossed Wang Xiaofeng's eyes. However, in front of Er Zhu, she didn't dare to act out. She intended to link arms with Er Zhu again, but at that moment, her grandfather arrived.
"Er Zhu, now that you're here, I'm relieved."
Seeing Er Zhu, Old Master Wang stroked his beard and walked over with a smile. Just as he was about to exchange pleasantries, he suddenly noticed Zhang Qiang and the others behind Er Zhu.
"Hasn't the thief been caught yet?"
Old Master Wang's face instantly darkened. He pointed at the various dignitaries and influential figures in the banquet hall, his eyes flashing with anger.
Such an incident at a birthday banquet was undoubtedly a slap in the face for the Wang family!
He had thought this minor issue would have been resolved long ago, but he hadn't expected the thief to still be at large!
"Old Master Wang, please don't be angry. We will definitely find them and provide you and Ms. Chen with a satisfactory answer."
Seeing Old Master Wang's displeasure, Zhang Qiang quickly bowed. After saying this, he headed into the banquet hall.
"Er Zhu, I'm so sorry to have made you witness this spectacle." After Zhang Qiang and the others left, Old Master Wang's old face turned red with embarrassment.
Consider their Wang family, one of the wealthiest families in Liu Town, yet such a thing happened. It was truly detestable!
"It's nothing, just a thief. It'll be fine once they're caught," Er Zhu said dismissively, waving his hand. He glanced at the various dignitaries and influential figures in the banquet hall, still maintaining a calm expression.
"Brother Er Zhu, is this the gift you prepared for me?" Wang Xiaofeng was about to say something more when she suddenly noticed the gift box in Er Zhu's hand and quickly snatched it. She was overjoyed.
She had initially thought it was good enough that Er Zhu would come, but she never expected him to prepare a gift for her, and judging by the packaging, it was very valuable!
"Wow, it's so beautiful! Brother Er Zhu, I love this gift!"
The moment the gift box was opened, a set of shimmering sapphire jewelry appeared before Wang Xiaofeng's eyes. This set included a sapphire necklace and two sapphire earrings. The sapphires were incredibly clear, and it was evident they were no ordinary pieces!
"Miss Wang, this set is very expensive, at least three hundred million!"
The surrounding guests, sensing the radiant glow of the sapphires, crowded around to take a look. As Wang Xiaofeng was about to say more, a woman with an extraordinary temperament said with envy.
"Miss Miao, is what you're saying true?" Wang Xiaofeng blinked her large eyes and excitedly clasped Miss Miao's hand.
The Miao family was also a prominent and respected family in Liu Town, and had been long-term partners with the Wang family. The Miao family primarily dealt in jade and jewelry and was known as the "Number One Treasure of Liu Town"!
"Of course, Miss Wang. Have you forgotten? I grew up surrounded by these jade and jewelry pieces."
Miss Miao smiled gently and lightly patted Wang Xiaofeng's hand. Her gaze then shifted to Er Zhu behind her.
Although this man named Er Zhu had a rustic name, he was handsome and had an extraordinary presence. How wonderful it would be if he were her boyfriend!