Chapter 200: With Bad Luck, You Might Just Run Into a Piece of Work

Gu Shengsheng said, "Oh, in that case, I’ll just tell my aunt about you hiding a secret stash of money. I hear she hits pretty hard."

"Oh, come on, Shengsheng, don’t make things difficult for me! I really can’t say."

Gu Shengsheng smiled. "Fine, I won’t make things difficult. You don’t have to say anything—just nod or shake your head."

"Mr. Ryan’s true identity... it has a lot to do with me, doesn’t it?"

He gave a slight nod, then, as if trying to deceive himself, snatched his jacket from his workstation and bolted!

’It’s over, it’s over, I’m so screwed!’

’This time, no one can save me...’

’This is definitely going to end in disaster.’

Zhao Dehai knew deep down that if he tipped off Lu Shijing now, he would be caught in the crossfire from both sides.

After some thought, he decided to just play dumb and convince himself he didn’t know anything.

He’d adopt the strategy of complete ignorance. He knew nothing. Nothing happened. No trouble today. Just the simple routine: go home, eat, sleep.

’Yep, that’s the plan.’

After successfully convincing himself, his steps felt a little lighter on the way home.

Gu Shengsheng had a faint inkling of the truth herself. It was an absurd theory, one she had dismissed at the very beginning.

But now, other than her deceased husband, no other possibility seemed likely.

’Thinking about it, it makes sense. Someone who could connect with so many seemingly unrelated people—Grandma, Lin Kai, even Zhao Dehai... for all of them to actually be connected to *that* person wouldn’t be strange at all.’

’If Ryan’s identity really is connected to Lu Shijing... then I need to find someone unrelated, but capable, to help me investigate.’

After thinking it over, Gu Shengsheng decided to contact Zhao Han.

She gave him a call, and he was waiting for her outside the Cultural Relics Bureau.

Seeing him smiling at her from his car, Gu Shengsheng asked curiously, "Not in a rush with your deliveries today?"

"I delivered to the goddess Linnin today, and I mentioned you. I told her I helped you, and she actually talked to me for a bit longer. Sister Gu, having you to bring up really works wonders."

"..." Gu Shengsheng was speechless for a moment, suddenly unsure if meeting him was a blessing or a curse.

She decided to get straight to the point. "Zhao Han, there’s something I need your help with."

"Just spit it out, Sister Gu. You know I’ll help you with anything."

Gu Shengsheng leaned in and quietly explained everything. As she spoke, the color drained from Zhao Han’s face.

Just when he looked like he was about to refuse, Gu Shengsheng said, "You’re the only one I can ask for help with this. And you have to keep it a secret. Don’t let anyone else know. Thank you."

Her eyes were filled with sincerity as she looked at him.

Seeing how much Gu Shengsheng trusted him, Zhao Han was instantly fired up, as if he’d gotten a shot of adrenaline.

"Alright, Sister Gu, leave this to me! I’ll get you the results by tomorrow morning."

"If my delivery buddies can’t do it, I’ll use my family’s connections to get it done for you!"

He had the air of someone who would see it through to the end, and Gu Shengsheng thanked him profusely.

Afterward, Gu Shengsheng insisted on treating Zhao Han to a meal. He tried to refuse at first, but she was firm.

"Zhao Han, just tell me what you want to eat. This is a one-time offer, so go wild. You won’t get another chance to fleece me."

"..." Sure enough, Zhao Han swallowed hard. Being treated to a meal by Gu Shengsheng was a first. How could he not seize this opportunity?

"I want to go to the Sea View Restaurant. The average cost is one hundred thousand per person. Sister Gu, shall we?" When it came to having a good time, Zhao Han was a pro.

In fact, he’d started delivering food precisely because he’d gotten bored of all the fun and games. At least it was a steady job.

Gu Shengsheng followed him to a high-end Sea View Restaurant, where Zhao Han had his own exclusive VIP room.

Seeing the treatment he received, Gu Shengsheng couldn’t help but tease him. "Not bad at all. You already had a life of luxury and still chose to live like this."

"Money itself is pretty meaningless, but I’m really happy delivering food now. I get to meet a lot of interesting guys, and I even hang out with them at night, eating instant noodles and playing games at an internet cafe."

Listening to him speak with such high spirits, Gu Shengsheng felt the contrast was a bit stark.

’He’s playful when he should be, but he never drops the ball when it’s time to be serious. He’s sensible and polite. His personality is actually a bit like Linnin’s.’

As she was thinking, he was already ordering. Gu Shengsheng wasn’t a picky eater; she could eat anything.

Zhao Han said, "Sister Gu, a lot of the people here are socialites, the newly rich, or powerful experts who come to talk business. You might even run into people from old antique-dealing families."

Gu Shengsheng said calmly, "I have a pretty clear understanding of myself. I’m a scum magnet. As long as I don’t run into some weirdo looking for trouble, I’ll be fine."

As they spoke, the huge table of food they had ordered arrived. Zhao Han was the type who would go all out whenever he got the chance.

Like a true nouveau riche, he said to the waiter, "Hey, I want five bottles of Maotai, and some cocktails. The pre-mixed kind you make—give me a case of those."

Seeing his enthusiasm, Gu Shengsheng was amused. "Can you finish all that? Or should we just get it to go?"

"No! I haven’t had a proper feast in a while. Tonight is Sister Gu’s treat, and there won’t be another chance. Besides, helping you with this is putting my love life at risk."

"Honestly, Sister Gu..."

Gu Shengsheng laughed. "Then eat up."

She had already sensed that people were, intentionally or not, staring at their table.

Considering how extravagantly Zhao Han was acting, all while wearing his yellow delivery uniform, it was no wonder people thought they were just a couple of nouveau riche.

Gu Shengsheng herself wasn’t dressed much better. She was in comfortable, casual clothes that would have looked more appropriate for a run or for digging up herbs in the mountains.

Everyone else was in suits and ties, and the women were wearing exquisite makeup. They were the only two who looked out of place, yet they had walked in with an "I’m loaded" expression.

Because of this, the waiters occasionally shot them looks of contempt. It wasn’t obvious, but Gu Shengsheng noticed.

As a precaution, she placed the voice recorder she always carried on the table.

’After all, in others’ eyes, "nouveau riche" like them were the easiest targets.’

Zhao Han, however, was completely oblivious, eating and drinking with gusto.

Other people drank alcohol to savor it, but Zhao Han was different. He was simply eating so much that he’d choke, and he needed the liquid to wash it down.

’Treating Maotai like water... Gu Shengsheng had rarely seen anyone like him. Was he born with a superhuman tolerance for alcohol?’

Just as she had that thought, Zhao Han finished a bottle and a half of Maotai and passed out.

He was mumbling nonsense, looking completely out of it. Gu Shengsheng had been keeping an eye on the door, assuming they would find a chance to come in.

’To think I’d have to be the one to give them an opening.’