Glug!
The leftover broth in the hotpot bubbled, and the swirling steam passed between the two of them, dissolving into nothingness as it collided with the retro-style decorated walls.
Although it was clearly dinnertime, the hotpot restaurant had somehow quieted down. With Zhou Wang’s insistence, Jiang Mo finally ate a little something and went to the outer hall, leaving the room for the two of them.
The conversation had to be private, so the senior’s considerate avoidance saved Zhou Wang from a burden on his conscience.
...
[Mysterious and Great: Prologue—Please engage in a private conversation with the target, Wang Ruixi, using the system’s provided keywords. Rewards will vary based on the completion of the conversation and the Host’s performance.]
[Have you ever thought, you could have lived a different life?]
[Keywords: Trauma, Agreement]
...
According to Zhou Wang’s own understanding, this was probably similar to a "role-playing" game, and he needed to play the role of "himself" well.
Zhou Wang still hadn’t figured out whether that part of his life was suppressed memories or distorted time and space by the system, and whether people like Wang Ruixi and Caroline originally existed...
But it seemed not to matter anymore.
At this moment, Wang Ruixi sat before him, a real, living person, visible, tangible, and clearly possessing thoughts and emotions.
His life had undergone a dramatic change, and the only thing left to do was to seize this immense fortune...
Before Wang Ruixi arrived, Zhou Wang had contemplated the system-provided "keywords" for a long time and had developed his own initial plan.
He hadn’t yet drunk the Fenjiu he just received; Zhou Wang now unsealed it, poured a glass for each of them.
A flicker of surprise passed through Wang Ruixi’s eyes, but he still obliged and took the glass.
"What’s up?"
Zhou Wang noticed the brief unusual expression and asked with a smile.
"Mr. Zhou, you used to never touch white wine; you said... all alcohol that interferes with brain function is a toxin, and it left a deep impression on me."
Wang Ruixi explained.
Zhou Wang merely smiled lightly, "Perhaps because I later realized, occasionally, the brain should take a break."
Wang Ruixi nodded knowingly, saying with a hint of significance, "It should be so; earlier... it was probably because you were too tense."
"How are things on that side?"
After clinking glasses with Wang Ruixi, Zhou Wang naturally asked.
"The surveillance was handled, and we obtained letters of forgiveness from that girl named Sisi and Wang Feiyu, each received a two-thousand-dollar economic compensation."
Mentioning business, Wang Ruixi said seriously, "In addition, based on the information I just received, Mei Song Trading Company, with Cao Meijuan as the legal representative, has been investigated due to economic crimes, and Cao Meijuan herself has been summoned. A group company belonging to the Wang family had its bank accounts frozen for illegal loan use, following reports, related departments are investigating their involvement in money laundering and other crimes..."
What Wang Ruixi spoke of seemed like two unrelated matters, yet, upon hearing them, Zhou Wang felt a bit dazed.
The first thing reflected adherence to the law, handled impeccably by Wang Ruixi, leaving no hidden dangers.
As for the things Wang Ruixi "heard" after that, it went a bit beyond Zhou Wang’s expectations.
He had initially thought, at most, it was to give these families a profound lesson that might hurt them, but who could have known...these families were already so unclean that no one could blame anyone.
It’s just that these moves from the mysterious strength happened so quickly...
Zhou Wang gave Wang Ruixi a deep look, quickly pulling back the oddity in his gaze, merely nodding nonchalantly. Then he remembered something, "You didn’t seem to mention Liao Jianli?"
Upon Zhou Wang’s inquiry, Wang Ruixi hesitated briefly, then took out the rose gold business card uniquely belonging to Zhou Wang, placing it on the table.
Zhou Wang picked up the cool-textured card, slightly rubbed it, then raised an eyebrow toward Wang Ruixi.
He realized it was something Wang Ruixi retrieved from Liao Jianli, but didn’t understand why he brought it out now.
"You gave him the card, should you also give him an opportunity?"
Wang Ruixi asked softly, "After all, this card represents your friendship..."
Though subtly spoken, Zhou Wang immediately understood.
He was the practical head of Cloud Trust and the sole OP of Earth "Online." The business card he personally handed out was supposed to have more significance beyond its own.
Not everyone was eligible to receive a card from him, and having received it signified a certain level of acknowledgment from Zhou Wang...
Or rather, it touched upon an issue of "prestige."
This point had not occurred to Zhou Wang before, and for a moment, he couldn’t help but look at Wang Ruixi with an odd expression.
...Could you flaunt like that?
Old Wang, you’re a master at this!
But soon, Zhou Wang’s gaze chilled again, and he said flatly, "So... you’re teaching me how to do things?"
This startled Wang Ruixi into standing immediately, bowing, "Sorry, Mr. Zhou, I overstepped!"
After Wang Ruixi held the bowing posture for several seconds, Zhou Wang waved a hand, "Forget it, sit down."
Wang Ruixi breathed a sigh of relief, and after sitting back down, Zhou Wang poured him another glass of wine, smiling slightly, "I’m sorry, earlier, I felt a bit unwell and lost control of my emotions..."