Futile Devices Scans

Qi Mu exchanged contact information with Fang Ming Qian and arranged to discuss the details of their cooperation later. After that, Fang Ming Qian left together with Cheng Huai Song.

In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.

Qi Mu was very satisfied with what he had gained today. Because he was in a good mood, Jiang Shao seemed much more pleasing to the eye as well. He said gently, “You can go back first tonight. I won’t be returning for dinner.”

He still had a dinner engagement with several company presidents that evening.

Jiang Shao had been ignored by Qi Mu for the entire day. Now that Qi Mu had finally remembered him, it was only to tell him to go back alone. The anger in his chest flared up instantly.

When had he ever suffered such frustration? He had spent the entire day here like a fool. Yet what infuriated him most was that although his resentment had built to the breaking point, he could not bring himself to lash out at the man before him.

Seeing Jiang Shao’s expression suddenly turn cold, Qi Mu looked somewhat bewildered, unsure which of his words had been wrong. He had merely told Jiang Shao to return first.

Was this formidable ancestor not tired after staying here all day?

Qi Mu believed he had already been a considerate enough employer, but when facing a temperamental Long Aotian, he still often felt helpless. Just as he hesitated over whether he should appease Jiang Shao, he suddenly saw Lu Jin Wen approaching.

Alarm bells instantly rang in Qi Mu’s mind. He secretly hoped Lu Jin Wen was merely passing by, but unfortunately, Lu Jin Wen stopped directly in front of him.

On his left stood the temperamental Long Aotian, and on his right was the Long Aotian’s number-one lackey. Qi Mu suddenly felt as though there were nowhere to escape. His heart lurched. Had Jiang Shao finally decided to deal with him?

Otherwise, with Lu Jin Wen’s status, there was no reason for him to come over! He probably had malicious intentions!

But how had Qi Mu offended Jiang Shao this time? Could they at least let him understand why he was dying?

Every nerve in Qi Mu’s body tensed, and the smile vanished from his face. He focused all his attention on Lu Jin Wen and waited for him to speak.

Lu Jin Wen smiled amiably. “President Qi.”

Qi Mu looked grave. “President Lu knows me?”

Lu Jin Wen smiled. “I heard Chairman Cheng mention you. He had nothing but praise for you and said Qi Corporation is highly responsible.”

Because of Cheng Huai Song again?

Qi Mu froze slightly and relaxed a little, though he remained vigilant. “So it was Chairman Cheng who mentioned me. President Lu is so busy, yet you still remember an insignificant person like me. That is truly rare.”

Lu Jin Wen shook his head. “President Qi is being far too modest. I think highly of Qi Corporation, and I was also curious about you, so I came over to take a look. President Qi won’t mind, will you?”

Qi Mu slowly replied, “Of course not.”

“That’s good.” Lu Jin Wen smiled and casually extended his business card. “May I have the honor of becoming acquainted with President Qi?”

Qi Mu stared at the business card Lu Jin Wen was offering. Usually composed and skilled at socializing, he unusually remained frozen in place for a long moment without moving.

Lu Jin Wen had actually taken the initiative to befriend him?

Without the warning from that dream, Qi Mu might have felt flattered by such a scene… But now, faced with Lu Jin Wen’s overt friendliness, Qi Mu felt only suspicion and unease. Lu Jin Wen was behaving far too differently from how he had in the dream, and it made Qi Mu anxious.

He did not believe in windfalls from heaven, especially since Lu Jin Wen was one of Jiang Shao’s men. Had Jiang Shao instructed him to act this way today?

Lu Jin Wen did not become angry at Qi Mu’s discourtesy. His smile remained as he gently prompted, “President Qi?”

Qi Mu seemed to awaken from a dream. He accepted Lu Jin Wen’s business card, and his expression finally returned to normal. “It is my honor to meet President Lu.”

Whatever Lu Jin Wen’s purpose today, at least so far he had shown no hostility. Qi Mu did not need to overreact. He could remain unchanged in the face of every change and respond as the situation developed.

Besides, Qi Mu now had advance knowledge. The enemy was in the open while he remained concealed. Even if Lu Jin Wen truly tried something, Qi Mu was not entirely without means to deal with it.

Lu Jin Wen looked at Qi Mu thoughtfully.

Although Qi Mu’s expression had changed only slightly and quickly returned to normal, Lu Jin Wen could still sense that Qi Mu was deeply wary of his arrival… Yet there was no reason for that, was there?

Could Qi Mu know something…?

Lu Jin Wen was about to probe further when he suddenly met the warning gaze Jiang Shao directed at him from beside Qi Mu.

Tsk.

He was only speaking a few words to Qi Mu. It was not as though he would eat him. Jiang Shao was already protecting him?

Although Lu Jin Wen grumbled inwardly, he knew when to stop. He smiled at Qi Mu and said, “Let’s stay in touch when the opportunity arises.”

Then he turned and left.

Only after Lu Jin Wen had walked far away did Qi Mu realize his palms were covered in cold sweat. Countless possibilities turned over in his mind.

He looked back at Jiang Shao with a complicated expression. His lips moved, but he ultimately failed to ask anything.

Within the nearly suffocating silence—

Jiang Shao suddenly turned away as well. He waved a hand and said coldly, “I’ll go back first.”

Qi Mu watched Jiang Shao’s decisive retreating figure. His tightly clenched heart loosened, yet remained suspended in midair instead of settling. It was as though he had been fully prepared for a difficult battle, only for the other side to retreat without saying a word.

Had he truly been overthinking things?

…

That evening, Qi Mu went to dinner with the company presidents who had invited him.

Qi Mu looked at the potbellied middle-aged men around the table, drinking and toasting one another. They had barely spoken for long before they began telling dirty jokes, recounting their romantic exploits, or boasting loudly. The private room quickly filled with smoke.

Qi Mu occasionally laughed along, but remained silent most of the time, secretly frowning.

He did not particularly enjoy this kind of occasion and felt unable to fit in, but such social engagements were unavoidable in business. Several people here were clients of the company, so he had no choice but to attend.

“Why isn’t President Qi saying anything? Come, come, have a drink.” The company president beside him lifted his glass with a smile.

Qi Mu disliked drinking and declined several times.

But the others all clamored for him to drink, saying refusing would mean he was not giving them face. They were all friends, so how could he refuse a glass? Did that mean he did not consider them friends?

Qi Mu truly had no choice and could only drink several glasses. The high-proof liquor burned as it entered his stomach.

Wonderful. Half a month of nursing his stomach had gone to waste.

Qi Mu sighed faintly.

Halfway through the dinner—

Qi Mu finally found an excuse, saying he needed to use the restroom, and left the private room.

The air outside was somewhat stuffy as well, but at least it was not as choking. Qi Mu truly did not want to return too soon, so he walked a little farther away and lowered his head to check his watch, planning to go back after fifteen minutes.

This upscale restaurant was not far from the summit venue and usually handled business receptions. Artificial rockeries and flowing water occupied the center of the lobby, while private rooms were arranged at staggered intervals. Landscaped partitions separated them, providing considerable privacy, so many people came here to discuss business.

Qi Mu did not want anyone to discover that leaving had merely been an excuse, so he walked between the artificial mountain displays in the center.

He intended to hide there and slack off for a while.

Slightly tipsy, Qi Mu leaned against a rock and casually looked ahead. Through the gaps between the short bamboo branches and leaves, he unexpectedly discovered that the door to a private room opposite him was partly open. Moreover, every person sitting inside happened to be someone he knew.

Lu Jin Wen, Cheng Huai Song, and Fang Ming Qian sat around the table, all wearing smiles as though discussing something.

There was nothing strange about encountering acquaintances here.

After all, this was the restaurant nearest the venue, and Qi Mu was hardly the only person with a dinner engagement. Plenty of summit attendees were here today. Moreover, seeing Lu Jin Wen chatting and laughing with Cheng Huai Song meant that what he had said earlier might have been true. Perhaps he really had approached Qi Mu because of Cheng Huai Song’s recommendation…

At the thought, Qi Mu’s suspended heart finally settled.

He had not expected such a minor change to cause so many butterfly effects. He had been overly nervous before.

Qi Mu had no habit of spying on others. Seeing that enough time had passed, he was about to leave when he suddenly noticed a furtive figure…

Li Xin quietly walked to the private-room door, but instead of entering, he stared inside with a shifting expression and an unpleasant look on his face.

Qi Mu: ?

Qi Mu had only seen them by accident, but Li Xin truly seemed to have come specifically to spy on them.

What was happening now?

Had Qi Mu recently awakened some strange constitution that guaranteed he would stumble upon secret scenes every time he went outside?

Qi Mu drew in a deep breath and turned away.

He should return.

When the others at the dinner table saw Qi Mu come back, they teased him again, saying it would not do for President Qi to have such a low alcohol tolerance and that he needed more practice. Then they urged him to drink several more glasses.

Qi Mu truly had poor alcohol tolerance, and his stomach burned badly. He waved his hand and said he genuinely could not drink anymore.

Only after seeing that Qi Mu’s face had turned completely red did they finally stop pressuring him.

Qi Mu barely endured until the dinner ended. After bidding everyone farewell, he slowly left the hotel from the rear entrance. In his condition, he certainly could not drive. He had just taken out his phone to summon a car when he suddenly noticed Li Xin intercepting Lu Jin Wen in the shadows to the rear right, seemingly intending to speak with him.

Qi Mu’s head felt heavy. He wondered why he kept encountering them today and turned to walk in the opposite direction. However, he accidentally stumbled, and a hand suddenly reached out from beside him, firmly supporting his arm.

Qi Mu turned his head in surprise and froze. “President Fang?”

Fang Ming Qian also smelled faintly of alcohol, but he seemed to have drunk very little and looked perfectly sober. He nodded. “We meet again. What a coincidence.”

Because Qi Mu had been drinking, his mind was somewhat muddled, and he spoke whatever came to mind. “Why isn’t President Fang with President Lu?”

Fang Ming Qian looked deeply at him and smiled. “My task has already been completed.”

Qi Mu’s mind was not functioning well enough to understand those words, but after turning sluggishly, it still realized he had accidentally revealed that he had seen them. His face reddened. “I didn’t look on purpose…”

Fang Ming Qian smiled knowingly. “I know.”

Although Fang Ming Qian showed no displeasure whatsoever, Qi Mu still felt somewhat embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Fang Ming Qian looked at him, paused, and said, “You’re drunk. Let me take you back.”

Qi Mu politely refused. “There’s no need to trouble President Fang…”

But Fang Ming Qian did not release his arm. His attitude remained gentle, and his words were calm and measured, making people instinctively trust him. “We should be staying at the same hotel, shouldn’t we? I happen to be returning as well. It’s on the way, so it’s no trouble.”

Since Fang Ming Qian had put it that way, Qi Mu no longer refused.

He followed Fang Ming Qian into the car.

Fang Ming Qian had also been drinking, so he did not drive. His chauffeur took them back to the hotel in little more than ten minutes.

Fang Ming Qian got out first, opened the door, and reached in to help Qi Mu out. Looking at the man who could barely stand steadily, he asked, “Which floor are you staying on?”

Qi Mu mumbled a room number indistinctly.

The chauffeur saw this and said, “Why don’t I escort President Qi back?”

Fang Ming Qian shook his head. “There’s no need.”

He loosely supported Qi Mu into the elevator. Since Qi Mu was dazed and kept sliding downward, Fang Ming Qian had no choice but to wrap an arm around him and let him lean against his shoulder.

They soon reached the correct floor, but without a key card, they could not enter.

Fang Ming Qian turned toward the man leaning against him. Qi Mu probably had very little tolerance for alcohol. His fair face was almost entirely flushed, and beneath his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes looked somewhat unfocused. Sensing Fang Ming Qian’s movement, he raised his head to look at him, his gaze seemingly veiled in mist…

The question Fang Ming Qian had been about to ask abruptly stopped. He stared at Qi Mu for a moment before seemingly finding his voice again, speaking even more gently. “Where is your key card?”

Qi Mu blinked, looking confused. After a while, he murmured, “It’s…”

Qi Mu’s voice was somewhat hoarse and indistinct. Fang Ming Qian lowered his head and leaned closer, trying to hear what he was saying…

Suddenly, the door ahead flew open from the inside. Bright light spilled out from the room. Fang Ming Qian narrowed his eyes against it, focused his gaze, and looked up at the tall man emerging from within.

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