Xia Tingfeng was not at all intoxicated.
He also knew that the fool with a large patch on his chest hadn’t drunk too much either!
It was all just an act!
Yet, he still wanted to laugh a little.
’How stupid can this guy be to patch his chest like that?’
’Does he fear others might not know he’s a corrupt official?!’
’Is his brain soaked or kicked by a donkey?’
Zhao Qichen couldn’t help but snicker on the side.
’Such a fool dares to plot any wicked schemes!’
’No matter how you look at it, it seems like we’re bullying him!’
However,
The food and wine were quite to his liking.
The mutton and beef were good and of a different flavor than those in the Capital City!
That night.
The drinking session lasted until late at night!
During the time, Xia Tingfeng and Liu Shouwei kept flattering each other.
Liu Shouwei was setting a trap.
Xia Tingfeng wanted to appear eager to make connections.
Both understood each other, playing their own little games internally.
By the end, Liu Shouwei had drunk too much.
He mumbled, slurring his words.
"Brother Xia, from now on we’re brothers!"
"You must visit Yinshan City often!"
"Our common folks lack experience, we need merchants like you! Hiccup..."
Xia Tingfeng quickly agreed.
"As long as you don’t mind, I am at your service!"
Liu Shouwei was very satisfied.
He patted Xia Tingfeng on the shoulder and left with his men, leaving the room in a mess.
Just as he was about to call someone to tidy up,
a butler brought in a group of servants.
"Old Master Xia, our master said you are a guest, you should have a good rest, leave these to us!"
Xia Tingfeng and Zhao Qichen exchanged a glance, then nodded after a moment.
"Alright!"
"Thank your master for me!"
The butler quickly shook his head.
"No, no!"
"Our master said that Old Master Xia is a distinguished guest, we should treat you well!"
Xia Tingfeng’s expression remained unchanged, he simply said.
"Thank you then!"
Then he left with Zhao Qichen.
...
Back in the room.
Xia Tingfeng pretended to be drunk, Zhao Qichen was by his side taking care of him.
The two began loudly discussing irrelevant topics.
While communicating genuinely on paper with swift strokes.
Xia Tingfeng: "They’re watching us!"
Zhao Qichen: "Yes, we must be cautious not to show any flaws!"
Xia Tingfeng: "Don’t worry! No need to be overly tense, act as usual! Our main task now is to follow the vine to the melon!"
Once we find that ultimate melon behind everything.
He will then launch a direct attack!
Zhao Qichen nodded secretly and wrote on the paper.
"What does he want by tricking us here?"
Xia Tingfeng thought for a moment.
"Kill, rob, destroy evidence!" It’s really just these few things.
What other ways could that fool have?!
Zhao Qichen thought it over and relaxed.
"We must be cautious!"
Xia Tingfeng nodded, and the conversation ended.
...
Since that day.
Liu Shouwei came by every now and then.
Without much to say, just drinking, bragging, and chatting.
During the time, Liu Shouwei kept intentionally or unintentionally prying into the Xia Family’s background and support.
Xia Tingfeng pretended to let slip when he was drunk, revealing a few phrases.
"My father disappointed my mother, disappointed my sister, disappointed the one who was waiting!"
"After mother died, father married another woman!"
"When they had children, they didn’t care for us anymore. Surely with a stepfather comes a stepmother!"
"Though mother was against giving me this position!"
"Luckily, being the legitimate son and eldest, all the family assets are mine without contest!"
"Later... stepmother grew jealous..."
Xia Tingfeng successfully created a dramatic backstory of a flourishing family business, with internal feuds, and steamy scandals.
He even shed tears when he was sad.
His facial expressions, the look of heartbreak.
The loneliness and desolation after his mother’s death, instantly surged into his heart and appeared on his face and in his eyes.
The realism even astonished Zhao Qichen in front of him.
If he wasn’t his real uncle, he would have believed what he said without hesitation!
Even he was convinced.
Let alone the half-drunk Liu Shouwei!
Feigning sympathy and shared sadness while secretly rejoicing inside!
’Perfect!’
’No background, easily killable!’
’Killing a hundred merchants like them wouldn’t raise concern!’
’Haha, once you die, I’ll transport your valuable goods and make a fortune!’