"But, at 6:30 p.m., it's the busiest time in the restaurant. Do you think the boss will let both of us go out at the same time?"
In the restaurant, Old Meng asked Mu Zi while wiping the tables.
Mu Zi slowly stood up from his seat, closed his book, stretched lazily, and glanced around before whispering, "I have my ways. When the time comes, just be sharp and act accordingly."
After saying this, he twisted his neck and walked towards the jeep parked outside.
This guy, why does he seem so unfathomable? Old Meng thought to himself as he watched Mu Zi's retreating figure.
"Uncle Meng, come here and teach me how to drive!"
Mu Zi's voice suddenly came from the driver's seat of the jeep...
The afternoon passed quickly.
Finally, the sun set completely below the horizon, and the night enveloped the city like a giant shroud. The neon sign of Ningxiang Pavilion, shaped like a lotus flower, lit up, dazzling in the colorful night. The busiest time of the day for business was about to begin.
The lady boss stood in a corner of the first-floor lobby, chatting casually with a few waiters.
"Boss, this is the list of customers who reserved private rooms over the phone today." Mu Zi hurried down from the second floor, approached the lady boss, and handed her a list.
"Oh, got it." The lady boss took the list and was about to examine it when a harsh sound, like a wounded owl, suddenly rang out, startling her and everyone around.
"Sorry, my phone." Mu Zi apologized with a smile, took out his cell phone from his pocket, and walked towards the door while answering the call.
"Yes, it's me! Ye Bo, is everything going smoothly on your end? What? Right away? Okay, I'm coming now! Yes, I'll be quick..."
The lady boss and the waiters watched Mu Zi's back, all sharing a look that said, "You really have personality."
Just as they were about to resume their conversation, Mu Zi suddenly ran back in, looking anxious, and said to the lady boss, "Ning Jie, sorry, but I have to go to the provincial hospital! The hospital is reimbursing part of Ye Zi's surgery fees, but they need a certificate from her school tonight! I must go right away!"
"Really?" The lady boss stood up, concerned, "But isn't it too late for anyone to be at the school? How will you get the certificate?"
"I've called the principal. Ning Jie, I must leave now, you'll be busier tonight!"
With that, he turned and ran out in a hurry.
"Wait!" Just as he reached the door, the lady boss called out to him, "How are you going?"
"By taxi!" Mu Zi answered anxiously.
"That's too inconvenient. Let me have Zhao Ge drive you." She was about to call on the walkie-talkie when Old Meng, who was standing by, came over. "I heard the boss say that some important guests are coming tonight, and he needs to greet them personally, so let me and Mu Zi go."
The lady boss pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, take the jeep, but be careful on the road!"
"Okay! Thanks, Ning Jie!" Mu Zi thanked her and hurried out, with Old Meng quickly following...
"Now I'm curious, was that phone call real or fake?" In the jeep, Old Meng asked Mu Zi curiously.
Mu Zi narrowed his eyes, checked the time on his phone, and replied calmly, "Fake."
"Admirable..." Old Meng raised his thumb in admiration...
After half an hour, in a smoky internet café filled with the sound of keyboard clacking and swearing.
"Mu Zi, are you sure you used to be good at CS?"
After Mu Zi was shot in the head for the eighth time, Old Meng looked at him skeptically.
Mu Zi wasn't as skilled as he claimed, and Old Meng was beginning to seriously doubt if Mu Zi was just a novice.
Mu Zi shook his head innocently, "I haven't played in a long time, so I'm rusty."
"Oh, I see." Old Meng nodded as if understanding, then suddenly asked, "How do you control the direction?"
"I forgot." Mu Zi spread his hands, replying very naturally.
Mu Zi checked the time on his phone and suggested to Old Meng, "How about playing three hundred more rounds?"
Old Meng raised both hands, "No! I'd rather play with a bot."
"Then I'll go buy you cigarettes. Wait here." Mu Zi said, taking off his headset, standing up, and heading towards the door.
"Okay, hurry back. I'll teach you when you return!" Old Meng, thinking of the pack of Sanwu cigarettes, urged him on.
"The keys." Mu Zi walked
to the entrance of the internet café, then came back and stretched out his hand to Old Meng. "Give me the car keys."
"You... can drive?" Old Meng asked in disbelief.
"Didn't I learn?" Mu Zi said confidently.
Old Meng reluctantly pulled out the car keys and said, "Then be very careful! If you damage the boss's car, we will be..."
Before he could finish, Mu Zi snatched the keys and ran out, shouting, "I'll be back soon!"
Old Meng's hand lingered in the air for a few seconds before he lowered it with a wry smile, "It's good to be young..." Then he returned to his engrossing game...
Mu Zi walked out of the internet café, got into the car, started it, and drove off smoothly.
It was Mu Zi's first time driving. His operation was clumsy, but he didn't panic; his face was full of confidence.
His heart was calm like still water, but his brain was rapidly processing.
According to the exact information he received at noon, their shift would end around 7:10 p.m., followed by a short twenty-minute meeting with the department managers to discuss preparations for receiving VIPs the next day. The meeting would likely end around 7:30 p.m.
It was now 7:10 p.m. It would take ten minutes to drive from here to Mingdu Business Hotel, just enough time.
Mu Zi drove while silently calculating.
Honestly, the chances of this plan succeeding were not high. First, the accuracy of the timing had to be certain. If Liu Jie left work early or late, the plan would fall through. Secondly, Mu Zi wasn't sure if Liu Jie would immediately leave on his motorcycle after work, or if he would take the right-side passage. So, the probability of success was just over sixty percent. But Mu Zi decided to take the risk. There was no other choice due to the urgent time constraint!
From now on, I pray that everything goes as planned...
As he prayed, Mingdu Hotel was already in sight.