Wang Jingfei picked up the coat from the floor, shook off the dust, and draped it over her shoulders. She smoothed her hair and said, "I need the Hong Kong lawyer from Hualong Company to get involved in this case as soon as possible."
Zhang Xiaohua, expressionless, replied, "I'll take care of the notification."
"Duan Hai, what's the situation?" Guo Xiaopeng's usually calm demeanor vanished, replaced by urgency. "I've heard there's drugs in Wang's room."
Guo Xiaopeng was shocked, gripping the receiver tighter. "Drugs? Impossible!"
"The information is reliable."
Guo Xiaopeng asked hastily, "Meth or heroin?"
"Heroin."
He pressed, "Are you sure?"
Duan Hai's voice was firm, "Absolutely sure."
Guo Xiaopeng sighed slightly in relief, but his mind raced as he hung up the phone.
The phone rang again, jolting him from his thoughts. He picked it up quickly. The voice on the other end made him struggle to remain composed. "Chairman Dai, hello!"
"I heard my agent is in trouble?" The voice was calm yet stern. Guo Xiaopeng couldn't avoid the direct question and replied simply, "Yes."
Chairman Dai's tone became icy. "What's the issue?"
Guo Xiaopeng answered truthfully, "There are drugs in her room."
"That's absolutely impossible!" Chairman Dai's voice was resolute.
"I find it hard to believe too," Guo Xiaopeng hedged.
"There's not a shred of possibility!" Chairman Dai corrected him firmly.
Guo Xiaopeng wiped the sweat from his forehead, speechless.
"You must give me a convincing explanation!" Chairman Dai's voice grew harsh. Guo Xiaopeng hurried to respond, "We're actively trying to rescue her."
"It's not about a rescue; she's been framed!" Dai Tian was clearly outraged. Guo Xiaopeng fell silent again.
"Is this related to Haizhou Pharmaceuticals?" Dai Tian's question was more probing. Guo Xiaopeng's head buzzed, and he denied immediately, "Absolutely not!"
Chairman Dai's tone became purely formal. "The arrest of Ms. Wang Jingfei severely affects the cooperation between Hualong Company and Haizhou Pharmaceuticals. I will send a team of lawyers to resolve everything legally. If necessary, I will come personally."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Guo Xiaopeng quickly said, "There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Chairman Dai. We can handle this."
"I have lost confidence in Haizhou Pharmaceuticals' capabilities. As for other issues, I don't need to spell them out, do I, Chairman Guo?" Dai Tian's voice carried finality before the line went dead with a sharp click.
Panicked, Guo Xiaopeng dialed Mayor Jin's residence, but the maid answered, saying the mayor was not home. He left an urgent message for the mayor, feeling desolate as he hung up.
He leaned back on the sofa, eyes closed in deep thought. A hand reached over the back of the sofa, massaging his shoulders. Startled, he turned to see Liu Mei. "It's you. When did you get here? I didn't notice."
Liu Mei sat beside him. "The house is so big, you wouldn't know if another person was here." She stretched lazily. "I've already taken a nap."
Guo Xiaopeng suddenly remembered. "Weren't you detained? How did you get out?"
Liu Mei's voice was tinged with bitterness. "I'm just someone without anyone to care for, so I had to figure it out myself."
"How?" Guo Xiaopeng asked distractedly.
"Where there's a will, there's a way," Liu Mei replied vaguely. Guo Xiaopeng asked, "Have you heard about Wang Jingfei's arrest?"
Liu Mei shook her head, the gesture making her look alluring in her nightgown. "I knew she was trouble from the start."
Guo Xiaopeng, hands behind his head, continued his interrupted thoughts. "Drugs? It's not possible."
Liu Mei rolled her eyes. "There's nothing impossible in this world! Don't think just because she has some fancy degree, she wouldn't do drugs."
"Don't mix personal grudges with business," Guo Xiaopeng snapped.
"What personal grudge do I have with her?" Liu Mei enjoyed the moment of Guo's frustration inwardly, but kept her face neutral.
Guo Xiaopeng stopped arguing, lost in his thoughts again. After a while, he muttered, "Impossible. All signs point to it being absolutely impossible."
"What makes you say that?" Liu Mei interjected.
Guo Xiaopeng, needing to discuss his thoughts, said, "You know she studied at the Police Academy for two years. She should know the dangers of drugs. Plus, from my observation, she has strong self-control."
Liu Mei was taken aback. "What? She was a cop?"
"Not a cop, but she studied at the academy," Guo Xiaopeng clarified.
"That's the same thing!" Liu Mei grabbed his hand. "We should get rid of her in prison!"
Guo Xiaopeng pushed her hand away. "I hope she's not a cop now."
Liu Mei, feeling slighted, said, "You can't let her go, can you?"
"You're underestimating me," Guo Xiaopeng replied proudly. "Heroes don't mix with romantic entanglements. Either will ruin great achievements."
Liu Mei, confused, asked, "Then what are you worried about?"
"Wang Jingfei isn't alone. She's an agent for Hong Kong's Hualong Company," Guo Xiaopeng explained.
"So what?" Liu Mei shrugged.
"It means millions in investments," Guo Xiaopeng emphasized.
"We have billions!" Liu Mei retorted.
"That's total assets—equipment, inventory, raw materials, debt. Those can't be liquidated," Guo Xiaopeng explained.
Liu Mei, thinking it over, fell silent. Guo Xiaopeng continued, "The money from Hong Kong, I moved it around to a safe place for emergencies. But if she's in trouble now, not only will the remaining funds not come, but Hualong might recall the previous allocations."
Liu Mei realized the seriousness, but if Wang was a cop, it wasn't just about money; their lives were at risk. She blurted out, "But don't forget, she's a cop, a heroin addict!"
Her words jolted Guo Xiaopeng. How did she know about the heroin? He stood up, glaring at her. "Did you do it?"
Liu Mei, cornered, retorted, "So what if I did?"
Guo Xiaopeng's face moved close to hers. "Who did you send?"
"I did it myself!" Liu Mei stood up, defiant. "You knew that Hong Kong bitch was an undercover cop, but you couldn't deal with her. What kind of businessman are you?"
Her words inflamed him, and before she could finish, a slap landed on her face, leaving five red marks.
"I warn you, never step into this house again!" Guo Xiaopeng shouted, then coldly added, "If you harm Wang Jingfei again, it won't end well for you!"
Liu Mei, clutching her cheek, slowly understood. Guo Xiaopeng pointed to the door. "Get out!"
Trembling, Liu Mei repeated, "I'm leaving. I'm leaving." She ran out into the darkness.