Chapter 235: Wine Banquet

Mei Li Hotel.

Aurora City's most luxurious accommodation, the Mei Li Hotel, was a twenty-three-story Western-style building. Its castle-like appearance stood out prominently in Aurora City, where most buildings were only four or five stories tall. In the hotel's grand lobby, a gleaming emblem of the Stellar Merchant Guild hung quietly.

Prosecutor Fang Lichang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in his room, looking down at the city he had lived in for over thirty years. Suddenly, it seemed less vast than he had imagined; simply standing there, he felt as if he had the entire city beneath his feet.

"Sir," a well-dressed waiter approached him from behind, speaking courteously, "Are you satisfied with your accommodation here?"

Fang Lichang nodded slightly.

"Where is Guild Leader Yan Shang? Has he not arrived?"

"The Guild Leader is not staying here himself, but he has instructed us to reserve the finest rooms for you and your companions. Furthermore, all your expenses for the next few days will be covered by the Stellar Merchant Guild," the waiter replied with a smile. "The Guild Leader mentioned that this is the Guild's own property, frequented by Aurora City's elite and influential figures. Even law enforcement officers wouldn't dare cause trouble here, so please rest assured."

"I understand Guyuan; he wouldn't do anything out of line. Whether law enforcement dares to come or not isn't important," Fang Lichang waved his hand dismissively. "However, regarding the information the Guild Leader has on me..."

"Please don't worry. The Guild Leader has stated that as long as Han Meng is sentenced to death in the judgment two days from now, all information about you held by him will be destroyed, and no one will ever know."

Seeing this, Fang Lichang finally relaxed slightly. He took a sip of red wine, and as the light, mellow fragrance filled him, his gaze overlooking Aurora City grew hazy.

"Sir, the Guild Leader has arranged a banquet for you all tonight in the Skyward Hall on the top floor. Please be sure to attend on time."

"Understood."

Fang Lichang seemed to recall something. "By the way, have all the others checked in yet?"

"The defendant's defense lawyer, the witness Old Man Ding, and eight journalists have all completed their check-in... Only Reporter Zhuo Shuqing from *Aurora Daily* has yet to register."

"Zhuo Shuqing..." Fang Lichang nodded slightly, not giving it much thought.

"I see."

The waiter respectfully withdrew, closing the door behind him.

He took the elevator to the first floor. Just as he was about to continue his work, he saw a young man enter the hotel lobby from behind the hotel's triumphal arch. Dressed in a brown jacket and carrying an expensive cross-body bag, the young man looked around curiously, seemingly intrigued by everything.

The waiter, seeing this, quickly walked forward, a polite, professional smile appearing on his face.

"Good evening, sir. Our hotel is fully booked today, so you..."

"Didn't someone say there's a banquet here tonight?"

The waiter paused, then asked, "Excuse me, what is your name?"

"*Aurora Daily*, Zhuo Shuqing."

The young man pulled out his press pass, a faint smile on his face.

"Ah, Mr. Zhuo! My apologies," the waiter chuckled awkwardly. "Of course, your room is ready. Please follow me."

Zhuo Shuqing followed him, his gaze falling on the Stellar Merchant Guild emblem in the center of the lobby, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Mr. Zhuo, do you not have any luggage?"

"No."

"Alright. Here is your room key. Your room is on the nineteenth floor. I'll show you the way."

The waiter pressed the elevator button for Zhuo Shuqing. Through the elevator's glass-enclosed structure, Aurora City gradually shrank beneath Zhuo Shuqing's feet, until the elevator slowly stopped on the nineteenth floor.

"Sir, this is your room."

The waiter opened the room door for Zhuo Shuqing. The furnishings inside were considerably simpler compared to Fang Lichang's room, yet they still far surpassed those of other hotels in Aurora City. Simple and elegant furniture adorned the room, and behind the three-meter-long writing desk was a massive window offering a panoramic view of Aurora City.

"For your safety and that of others, it's best you don't leave the hotel during this time. Should you require anything, please call me. Tonight's banquet will be on the top floor and officially begins at seven o'clock," the waiter expertly explained.

"Also, before attending the banquet, you should ideally complete a draft news report concerning the Han Meng case. The prosecutor will conduct an initial review then."

Zhuo Shuqing walked into the room and nodded slightly.

"Alright."

As the waiter closed the door, Zhuo Shuqing began to survey the room. His eyes, faintly tinged with blue, swept over every corner, seemingly checking for any hidden devices... like listening bugs.

But as it turned out, the Stellar Merchant Guild wasn't that cunning. After confirming the room's security, Zhuo Shuqing casually peeled off his 'face,' revealing Chen Ling's original features.

He slowly sat down on the leather sofa, his gaze falling on the stack of draft paper and the prepared fountain pen on the desk. He spoke softly,

"Using such a large hotel to ensure the court's judgment... that's quite an extravagance."

Zhuo Shuqing had been thoroughly intimidated by Chen Ling and naturally dared not get involved in the matter further. Chen Ling, on the other hand, needed an entry point to infiltrate the enemy's ranks, and Zhuo Shuqing's identity, coupled with this banquet, was undoubtedly the best choice.

Chen Ling pulled out a piece of draft paper and quickly began to sketch and write, connecting several keywords:

Spade 6, plague, organ trafficking, prosecutor, Old Man Ding, lawyer...

After the impressive performance in court, Han Meng's charges had become increasingly severe. To exonerate Han Meng, the issue needed to be addressed at its root. For Chen Ling, he already had a solution, but what he wanted was more than just clearing Han Meng's name...

A faint flicker of light danced in Chen Ling's eyes. After long deliberation, an excellent plan began to form in his mind.

He took a match from a box, struck it lightly, and the dazzling flame ignited a corner of the draft paper. The fire spread silently, as if intending to consume the entire cold night.

Seven o'clock.

Chen Ling, now disguised as Zhuo Shuqing, pushed open the banquet hall doors.

As the bright electric lights dispelled the dimness, a magnificent, opulent hall appeared before him. In a city where most ordinary households couldn't afford expensive electricity, nearly a hundred electric lights illuminated this hall. With the gentle flicker of elegant candles around the hall, the entire banquet room was as bright as day.

In the center of the banquet hall, a beautiful woman in a splendid gown played an antique violin, its melodious notes echoing throughout the gathering. A dozen or so figures strolled leisurely among the guests, occasionally raising their glasses and conversing animatedly.

"Mr. Zhuo, you've finally arrived." The waiter at the door checked off the last name on his list. Noticing the camera slung over Chen Ling's shoulder, he paused for a moment.

"Sir, photography is not permitted at this banquet..."

"Oh, is that so?" Chen Ling smiled faintly, unstrapping the camera from his chest and placing it on the table. "Then I'll just leave it here for safekeeping for now, if that's alright?"

"Certainly, please come in."