Lu Zhi glanced at the exquisite cutlery. He was originally expressionless and not hungry. It was not until he saw the small note under the plate that his eyes narrowed. He turned the wheelchair towards it and picked up the note.
A string of ancient Roman numerals was written on the note. At a glance, it seemed random.
However, Lu Zhi recognized the handwriting.
It was graceful and upright.
It was Jian Jin's handwriting.
Moreover, the string of numbers was not random. It was a Morse code that he had invented. It could be specially interpreted into normal words.
Lu Zhi quickly deciphered the code—Qiao is in Country M.
Lu Zhi's expression suddenly changed!
He clenched the note tightly, and the veins on the back of his snow-white hand bulged. He turned around and punched the table, causing the wine gla.s.s to shake. The blood vessels on his neck bulged as he gritted his teeth and squeezed out two words. "d.a.m.n it!"
In the next second, his indifferent att.i.tude suddenly changed. He picked up the only office line and dialed a number.
It took a full ten seconds for the other end to pick up.
"Mr. Lu," an old-fas.h.i.+oned voice called out in a low voice.
Lu Zhi expressionlessly said in a cold voice, "I want to go out!"
* * *
The next day.
Qiao Nian followed Jian Jin's address to a clubhouse. The clubhouse was winding and quiet. The renovation was unique and elegant. There were flowers, birds, ponds, and fish everywhere.
She followed the waiter to a private room.
The waiter knocked on the door and respectfully said, "VIP, please wait a moment. I'll leave first."
"Yes," Qiao Nian replied, pressing her baseball cap to cover half of her face.
The door opened.
The waiter also left quietly.
Qiao Nian walked in. She saw Jian Jin as soon as she entered. She even stepped aside, not daring to look at her.
Other than Jian Jin, there were seven or eight other people in the private room. They looked like Tian Chen's men in Country M.
When everyone in the private room saw a young girl enter, they all revealed vigilant expressions. A woman with curly hair like instant noodles was the first to speak. "a.s.sistant Jian, who is she?"
A short and burly middle-aged man hesitated before saying with an unhappy expression, "You know we're talking about important things today. Why did you call your friend here? This is not appropriate."
Just because Jian Jin was ashamed to see Qiao Nian did not mean that she had to spoil them.
After closing the door, she immediately turned around and looked at everyone present with a sharp gaze. "Who told you that she's irrelevant?"
Everyone looked at each other and saw the words 'don't know each other' in each other's eyes.
Hence, the instant noodles-haired woman who spoke at the beginning sized up Qiao Nian with disdain. "CEO Lu's lover?"
The woman clicked her tongue and focused on Qiao Nian's chest. Then, she confidently puffed out her magnificent chest, her eyes filled with mockery. CEO Lu's lover wasn't that good. She didn't even look like a woman.
However, Qiao Nian walked straight over as if she did not hear them and sat at the master seat where Jian Jin had been sitting.
Everyone's expressions changed, and they looked at her unkindly.