Today, the second floor of "Suhe" is quiet and peaceful. In the charming background color, a wisp of old-fashioned smoke floats gently. It makes people inexplicably think of this sentence: Where it festers, it often blooms like peach blossoms.

  Actually, there's no big fanfare. It's just taking this place for a meal. The wine table is already set up.

  "Sit down, sit down." Liu Yu called out. This was Hu Lai's first legitimate wife. She was a steady and calm person, the kind who remained unruffled in the face of change.

  "Hu Shao, this place is lively! It's been open for a few years now." Zhang Ning smiled and slowly sat down.

  "It's been four years. Cough. Small gathering. Can't compare to the capital city. Tomorrow, brother will enter the capital. And there are still a few of Laborer's friends who will take him out to see the big world." Liu Yu got up and poured tea, smiling as he did so.

  Zheng Jing, who had been silent all along, suddenly looked up and asked, "Is there a lot of wine?"

  "Maotai?" Liu Yu looked at the wine in his hand.

  Zheng Jing nodded slightly. "There's a lot. Send two bottles downstairs."

  Everyone knows who this is for. Who would have known.

  "It was sent early. Came once. Saw it and sent it."

  "Oh." Zheng Jing's eyes drooped slightly.

  Covert war. Covert war...

  It's still Hu's territory. Hu Shaoren hasn't arrived yet. The people below all know how to "welcome" him. They are all eager to curry favor with him.

  Downstairs. On the table over there are two bottles of Maotai sent up.

  Wei Xiaobai narrowed his eyes. "What's this for."

  The waiter smiled professionally and warmly. He slightly bowed his head. One hand pointed to the Moutai (a Chinese liquor brand). "Today, there's an event in our store. The prize draw has chosen your table."

  "Hmm, this is the first time I've heard of it. Su He's being quite generous." Next to him, someone subtly picked up a bottle of Maotai with two fingers, clearly being sarcastic. Who ever gets such an unexpected "windfall"? Anyone who sees it would be suspicious, okay?

  The waiter didn't say anything else. He stood up, smiled politely and said "Take your time." Then he turned around and left.

  Wei Xiaobai glanced at the Huanhuan beside him. Huanhuan's attention was not on the Maotai, but she stared blankly at a deck of cards in her hand.

  Wei Xiaobai sidled up and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hmm? What are you thinking?"

  Her whole body was soft and smooth. There was a faint scent of white wine on her body. Surprisingly, she couldn't smell any perfume. It was just the scent of wine. Xiao Bai burrowed into her neck, wanting to smell the intoxicating aroma of her skin.

  Cozily leaning on him. "I saw the bow and arrow on this sign. Suddenly remembered that Li Shimin's imperial bow and arrow were all one size larger than ordinary people's. One arrow can penetrate a wooden board. 'Arrow through seven layers, Bow through six jun'. It was Fang Xuanling's flattering article written on the door panel. Li Shimin had been through hundreds of battles. He led the charge in every battle. The soldiers thought it was most amazing that he had never been injured by swords or arrows. Not a single scar. Can be a swimsuit model on the cover of a magazine."

  Wei Xiaobai nodded. She could keep up with her anywhere and anytime.

  "Li Shimin is a san. In the fourth year of Wude, he and Wang Shichong died in Luoyang. Li sent cavalry into the array to be dispersed. He and Qiu Xinggong were surrounded by layers. The two were calm and composed, with no chaos. Li's mount was shot through with arrows. Qiu changed his mount and continued to fight. Qiu walked step by step, protecting Li with a long knife. Step by step, they broke out of the encirclement. This battle from morning till noon killed more than 7,000 people. Blood flowed like rivers. Hehe, there's an opportunity. You be Li Shimin, I'll be Qiu Xinggong. Definitely protect you to the end." Xiaobai whispered into her neck, "I'll also protect you."

  Two people are here with unfulfilled ambitions and you're being so gentle with each other. Never mind. Indeed, there's still some predictability to it. Who would have thought what comes next...

  Second floor. The wine party is still going on.

  "I heard this time Director Zheng came to Han is to help the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection investigate." Liu Yu spoke up again.

  "Uh-huh. Mainly it's Guan Jun who is in charge. We are just assisting." Zheng Jing hadn't drunk any alcohol. What was knocked over earlier was a cup of plain water.

  "Ah, General Guan has worked hard this time." Liu Yu stood up and held his wine cup to toast General Guan.

  Guan Jun also stood up. A smile on his face. Tapped him lightly. "Thanks, I still need your help, Hu Shao and others. There's indeed something like that. Want to find someone."

  Everyone slowly sat down.

  Guan Jun rubbed the rim of his cup, softly uttering three words: "Wei Xiaobai."

  Zheng Jing's right leg was always pressed on top of his left leg. He leaned back in his chair, relaxed. One hand rested on his knee, rubbing a cigarette that had not been lit. His eyelids drooped, and he remained silent.

  At this time, Gong Xiaoyue, who had been silent since he came in, smiled and puffed on his cigarette. He flicked the ash into the ashtray on the table with a seemingly careless gesture, but actually glanced at Zheng Jing.

  "There's no need to look for him. He's just downstairs. Otherwise... Please come up and sit down now."

  Gong Shaoyi didn't say a word. Hu Lai, on the other hand, had no one to continue the conversation with. Just then, Zheng Jing slowly lifted his head and smiled faintly at Gong Xiaoyue.

  "I've heard that Wei Xiaobai's waters are quite deep. It's so casual to invite people for a drink, I'm afraid of not being hospitable enough."

  Gong Xiaoyue raised an eyebrow and smiled very freely, but accidentally touched Lu Xun beside him.

  "Give a shout-out to Old Chen, the Jiangsu armed police officer. Just say that Su He's side is having a big drinking party today and doesn't want to be disturbed. Keep an eye on the surroundings. Don't let anyone in who comes."

  "Alright." Lu Xun smiled and got up to make a phone call.

  Gong Xiaoyue looked at Zheng Jing again and leaned back comfortably against the chair.

  Zheng Jing glanced at Gong Xiaoyue. He elegantly sipped some plain boiled water, his lips curling up slightly as if with a hint of a smile.

  ("As If" is now open for subscription. Please see details in the top post below.)