After finishing the statements, it was past nine in the evening.
“Grumble…”
Lin Wan frowned, “I’m starving.”
Her cultivation was advancing, but not yet to the point of short-term fasting, so her energy consumption was high.
Having skipped dinner, even a normal person would be hungry by now, let alone Lin Wan, who needed more energy.
“Let’s find a barbecue place for some grilled food.”
“Mr. Lu, Miss Lin.”
On the other side, Tony emerged from another interrogation room.
“Thank you, Mr. Lu, for saving my life.”
Tony shook hands with Lu Zheng, “You two probably haven’t eaten dinner yet. How about joining me for a late-night meal?”
Lin Wan looked at Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng saw no issue. He had saved the man’s life, so what’s wrong with accepting a meal?
The three reached the bureau’s entrance, where a stretched Rolls-Royce was parked, flanked by four or five men in black suits. A man in his fifties, resembling a private butler, stood quietly by the car door.
Seeing Tony, the older man stepped forward, bowing slightly, “Young Master.”
He spoke in Italian, which Lu Zheng couldn’t understand.
Tony said in Chinese to the older man, “These are Mr. Lu and Miss Lin. They saved me and caught the man my brother sent.”
The older man, in fluent Chinese, said to Lu Zheng, “Greetings, thank you both for saving my young master.”
Lu Zheng smacked his lips, wondering when Chinese became a global language.
“No need for thanks, it was just a coincidence.”
Tony told the older man, “Back to the hotel, I’m treating Mr. Lu and Miss Lin to a late-night meal.”
The older man promptly opened the car door, “Please, enter.”
Lu Zheng, without hesitation, led Lin Wan inside, followed by Tony.
The older man took the front passenger seat, while the other men in black had their own cars.
“Anthony, does the restaurant have barbecue?”
“Yes.”
The butler, Anthony, nodded, “The hotel’s fourth floor has a restaurant specialising in barbecue, open until two in the morning.”
“Good.”
Lu Zheng nodded, noting Tony had overheard his conversation with Lin Wan.
…
At the hotel restaurant, a five-star establishment by the river, the barbecue meat and seafood were excellent.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan, seated, accepted Tony’s thanks again and dug in without restraint.
“Miss Lin, a police officer,” Tony said, amazed. “I never would have guessed. I thought beautiful female officers like in the movies were fictional. I’ve never seen an officer as stunning as Miss Lin in Italy.”
“It’s a pity I didn’t hear Mr. Lu’s piano performance today. I’m heading back soon, but I hope to enjoy your performance next time I’m here.”
“If you two have time, please visit Italy. Let me play the host.”
“Don’t worry about my brother. This was his desperate move, but he failed and left evidence. He’s permanently lost his chance to inherit the family.”
“You’re so sure the assassin was sent by your brother?” Lu Zheng asked, glancing at Lin Wan. “Did the assassin confess?”
Lin Wan shrugged, “How would I know?”
Tony shook his head, smiling, “It was definitely him. In our family, only he and I are heirs, so there’s no room for anyone else to frame him.”
“Alright…” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, “Italy… family… fighting for inheritance to the point of hiring assassins…”
Lu Zheng munched on a lamb skewer, looking pointedly at Tony, “Your family…”
Tony waved his hands, “No, no, you’re mistaken. While we have to maintain certain connections for practical reasons, we’re not the mafia.”
“Not mafia, yet hiring assassins? What would the real mafia do then!”
Tony gave a wry smile, “Ordinary people don’t usually get involved with the mafia. Italy isn’t as dangerous as you think.”
Lu Zheng nodded, “I believe that.”
“So, I’m heading back to handle family matters,” Tony said. “My father is retiring soon, probably handing over the family affairs to me in two or three months. As for my brother…”
Tony shrugged, “He broke the rules. He’ll likely be sent by the family elders to manage something small in South America or Africa.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, “You’re not worried he’ll try something again?”
Tony shook his head, “No, he’s permanently out of the inheritance line. Even if I die, it won’t be his turn.”
Lu Zheng nodded, asking casually, not caring about Tony’s family drama. Saving Tony was an accident, only because the assassin was sloppy, poisoning both glasses on the tray.
Seeing Lu Zheng and Lin Wan weren’t interested in his family affairs, Tony shifted topics, chatting with Lu Zheng about music and with Lin Wan about cases he’d heard about in Italy.
The meal lasted until eleven, when Lu Zheng and Lin Wan took their leave.
…
The hotel arranged a car to drop them off at a mall in the city centre.
Then the two walked home.
“Tony was lucky. If you weren’t there, he’d be dead,” Lin Wan said.
“Yeah,” Lu Zheng nodded, then grinned, “I saved his life, and all I got was a meal. Feels like a loss!”
Lin Wan nodded repeatedly, “Exactly, he didn’t even have the sense to offer a bank card!”
Lu Zheng added, “Or give me an offer I couldn’t refuse to be his poison tester.”
They exchanged a glance.
“Not professional at all!”
“Are you reading too many novels? Always slacking off with novels?”
“You’re the one reading too many novels, how else would you know so much?”
…
The next day, Lu Zheng got a call from Lin Wan.
“The assassin confessed, it was indeed Tony’s brother,” Lin Wan said.
“He confessed that easily?” Lu Zheng was surprised.
Lin Wan was speechless, “Caught red-handed, it’s not some complex mystery game. Why hide it?”
“So, what’s the verdict?”
“Follow the process. On our turf, we play by our rules.”
“Beep beep—”
At that moment, Lu Zheng received a message. Checking it, he saw Tony was returning to Italy and bidding him farewell.
“He’s inviting us to Italy for National Day, covering all expenses.”
“I’ve figured it out. We always find ways to travel for free.”
Lu Zheng sighed, “What does that have to do with me? I’m helpless here.”
Lin Wan also sighed, “Helicopter crashes, poisoning cases, the cost of free trips is too high!
If you weren’t so capable, two lives would be gone, and what trip would there be!
Next time we travel, can we just pay for it?
Free stuff is too expensive!”
