Chapter 1182: Confrontation Behind the Chessboard

As the standoff between the two parties reached a freezing point, Han Xiang suddenly stepped forward, placing himself between Sun Bumian and Ying Fu.

"Please excuse us, Mr. Sun... My student is introverted and quiet, quite shy, and not good at socializing... He just stood up too quickly by accident and didn't see you approaching. Please don't take offense, Mr. Sun."

Han Xiang's voice, like a spring breeze, gently diffused the tense atmosphere. With an apologetic smile, he bowed to Sun Bumian.

After saying this, he turned his head to Ying Fu and feigned a scolding:

"How many times have I told you to avoid trouble when you're out... If it weren't for Mr. Sun's exceptional magnanimity this time, you'd be in for it! Go back and sit down properly!"

Ying Fu gave Sun Bumian a cold glance, then slowly walked back to his seat and sat down.

Ying Fu knew perfectly well that Han Xiang stepping in at this moment was to draw fire away from him. Otherwise, if Sun Bumian kept harping on him, something was bound to happen eventually... However, now, under everyone's watchful eyes and at the center of attention, it was practically impossible for him to slip away unnoticed.

Once seated, Ying Fu's gaze, like a drawn sword, cut through the crowd and landed directly on the inconspicuous small table opposite him.

The young man in the black Tang suit slowly took a sip of hot soup, as if all the disputes here had nothing to do with him...

If Ying Fu had merely been suspicious of Chen Ling upon seeing Sun Bumian enter earlier, then after Sun Bumian's unreasonable antics just now, Ying Fu was now absolutely certain that this person was none other than Chen Ling with a new face!

Sun Bumian's actions earlier must have been orchestrated by Chen Ling... and the purpose was to delay Ying Fu here.

Now, Chu Changqing was probably in danger...

Sun Bumian saw how easily Han Xiang's words absolved Ying Fu, and his eyes behind his sunglasses immediately narrowed.

"Heh, nice words... Who are you?"

"This old man is Han Shuzhi. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Sun." Han Xiang bowed again. "I've long heard of your great name, Mr. Sun. Seeing you today, you truly have the complexion of a youth with the hair of an elder, and an extraordinary demeanor."

"This old man? How old are you to call yourself an old man already?" Sun Bumian snorted,

"Han Shuzhi... I remember now. You're Han Wenshu's grandson. Back when that kid, Han Wenshu, was following me around begging for tanghulu, his attitude was much more likable than yours."

The moment these words were spoken, cold sweat immediately trickled down Han Xiang's back...

Sun Bumian's casual remark was a massive elevation in seniority, instantly changing their status from equally ranked dinner guests to that of an elder and a junior. Sun Bumian bullying Han Shuzhi would be unreasonable, but if an elder were teaching a lesson to a grandchild, it would be considered discipline and guidance, which even Bureau 749 couldn't interfere with.

"Alright, alright."

Just as Han Xiang's mind raced, Sun Zhongliang's voice came from behind.

Sun Zhongliang, holding a wine glass, slowly walked up to the two of them.

"Both of you are esteemed guests of our Bureau 749, and Mr. Sun has just returned from America after a long time. It's a rare gathering today, so let's not be so quick to anger... Mr. Sun, I'll have someone get your clothes changed right away. Please, everyone, give me some face and let this matter pass, alright?"

Sun Zhongliang was quite helpless. The banquet hadn't even begun, and the two most senior figures were already at loggerheads. Whose fault it was didn't matter; what mattered was ensuring this incident didn't spoil the mood for the other guests.

"Director Sun, you're too kind. Mr. Sun and I were just chatting, there's no anger at all," Han Xiang immediately interjected. "However, it's true that my student made a mistake, and as his teacher, I must offer Mr. Sun a sincere apology...

It's truly not easy for Mr. Sun to promote the awakened lion culture by himself overseas. We, your juniors, have long regarded Mr. Sun as a benchmark. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll certainly bring my student to your home to apologize again!"

With Han Xiang having gone this far, Sun Bumian naturally found it difficult to erupt. He merely said with a straight face:

"No need to come apologize at my home. In a bit, let's have a few good drinks... But no escaping midway, alright?"

"Mr. Sun, you can rest assured," Sun Zhongliang chuckled. "Mr. Han and I will drink with you. Tonight, we won't stop until we're thoroughly drunk!"

"I won't get drunk, I'll drink juice, but you two have to drink alcohol."

Han Xiang: ...

With things having escalated to this point, Han Xiang could no longer refuse and had to bite the bullet and agree.

Seeing this, Ying Fu's hand, holding his teacup, subtly clenched...

He looked across the room at Chen Ling, who was still leisurely eating, and his expression darkened.

Ying Fu knew perfectly well that on the chessboard of this confrontation, his most important chess piece had been silently captured by Chen Ling... In this first round, Chen Ling had completely gained the upper hand.

But Ying Fu couldn't just give up. Even without Han Xiang, he still had other pieces he could use.

Ying Fu lowered his head, subtly pretending to eat, but his fingers gently moved in a corner beneath the table, as if writing something...

Tiny strokes formed at his fingertips, then converged into a long, worm-like creature made of brushstrokes, about the size of a pinky finger. It silently rolled off the table corner and slowly crawled towards Fu Kun and Zheng Zhiqing in the distance.

Fu Kun and Zheng Zhiqing, having less seniority in Bureau 749, were seated relatively farther away. Since Ying Fu couldn't use electronic devices to send them messages, he could only resort to such discreet methods.

No matter how many tricks Chen Ling had, he couldn't intercept this most ancient form of communication.

As Ying Fu watched from the corner of his eye, the brushstroke-worm slowly moved. Just as it was about to cross the aisle, a lizard's red tongue suddenly shot out from the side, instantly enveloped the worm's body, and then swiftly swallowed it!

Ying Fu: ?

Ying Fu was startled. He turned his head and saw a small embroidered silk lizard, about the size of a pinky finger, crouching under Yao Qing's table. It was smacking its lips and blinking its eyes at Ying Fu, its dull pupils looking incredibly adorable.

Yao Qing, idly playing with an embroidery needle, subtly glanced at Ying Fu. Then, he fiddled with the embroidered silk lizard's rear end for a long time, and astonishingly, pulled out the brushstroke-worm again!

He poked Xiao Chunping, who was sitting in front of him:

"Grandma! Look! That poser next to me was secretly releasing a worm, and I caught him!!"

Ying Fu: ???????

Ying Fu had almost forgotten that Yao Qing, who had been constantly spying on him, was sitting right next to him... But how had he spotted such a covert method? And how had he embroidered a tiny lizard specifically to eat his worm in such a short amount of time?!

Xiao Chunping turned around, took the brushstroke-worm, examined it carefully for a moment, and then slowly looked at Ying Fu.

She said calmly:

"Young man, just eat your food properly. Don't be like your teacher, always resorting to petty tricks..."

Xiao Chunping casually pinched the brushstroke-worm to death, tossed it into the trash can, then turned back to continue eating her mini hotpot... Yao Qing, meanwhile, turned his head and silently made a face at Ying Fu.

Ying Fu: ...