Huo Xiao was very worried.
"Dad, can the person you invited really help us solve this problem?" Feeling uncertain, she started to pester Huo Zhen.
Huo Zhen glanced at her and replied, "I don't know. But if even he can't help, then I'm out of options for this matter."
Hearing this, Huo Xiao grew extremely anxious. After much thought, she said, "No, Dad. I'd better go to Chu Yan earlier."
Upon hearing this, Huo Zhen's eyebrows twitched in shock. "What are you going there so early for? It's still two hours before our appointed time."
Huo Xiao argued plausibly, "I can go there earlier to get the situation. Even just looking at the menu is better than sitting here doing nothing."
Huo Zhen thought there was some logic to it. Instead of having Huo Xiao pester him here, it was better to send her away.
However, Huo Zhen didn't forget to remind her, "Take Shen Shaoqing with you."
If Huo Xiao went alone in advance, God knows what trouble she would cause.
Hearing this, Huo Xiao readily agreed. After all, it was Shen Shaoqing's company. It would seem more sincere to have the person involved present.
After getting Huo Zhen's permission, Huo Xiao immediately contacted Shen Shaoqing. Then the two rushed to Chu Yan ahead of time.
They arrived early, but there wasn't really much to do. Huo Xiao really did drag Shen Shaoqing along to check on the ingredients. They walked around here and there, and finally managed to wait until the appointed time.
Huo Zhen arrived first.
Not long after the father - daughter reunion, they were informed that the guest was about to arrive at the door. To show their sincerity, Huo Zhen asked Huo Xiao and Shen Shaoqing to go to the door to greet the guest in person.
When seeking help from others, Huo Xiao put on a humble attitude and didn't think there was any problem at all.
She even asked, "Dad, aren't you going with us?"
Huo Zhen: "..."
"Don't be silly. We are asking for a favor, but there's no need to put ourselves in such a low position! Going too far will only make people look down on us and demand exorbitant prices!" Huo Zhen was really exasperated by Huo Xiao.
Huo Xiao pouted and ignored Huo Zhen. She took Shen Shaoqing's arm and walked towards the door.
They didn't wait long at the door before they saw a car stop in front of Chu Yan. Huo Xiao recognized the license plate number that Huo Zhen had told her about. Immediately, with a beaming smile, she pulled Shen Shaoqing forward. At the same time, the car door opened, and a middle - aged man got out.
"Uncle Liao," Huo Xiao called out sweetly at once. She seemed to have seen a life - saving straw and smiled extremely sweetly.
She thought everything was going in a good direction, completely unaware that the scene of her and Shen Shaoqing standing at the door of Chu Yan to greet Uncle Liao had already been captured by a private detective hiding nearby.
Seeing this scene, the private detective was extremely excited. He picked up his camera and was about to take a series of photos. But just after taking a few, before he could capture the key moments, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"That's him. He's been lurking around here furtively."
A female voice, like a thunderbolt.
The private detective was startled and instinctively turned around. Before he could clearly see the face of the speaking woman, he saw the security guards of Chu Yan rushing up. They immediately subdued him with his hands behind his back, and the camera in his hand was also snatched away by the security guards.
"Give me back my camera!" The private detective was extremely anxious when he saw his camera being snatched.
The security guard looked at the photos in the camera and his face darkened. "You've violated the guests' privacy. Call the police immediately!"
Then he looked at the woman who had alerted them and smiled gratefully. "Miss Meng, we really appreciate your reminder this time."
When the security guard turned around, it revealed the true appearance of the person behind. Only then did the private detective clearly see the woman's face.
Although he had never met her before, as a private detective specializing in investigating the wealthy families, he was very familiar with the information of the young ladies from these families, even if she wasn't from Jing City.
Meng Shuluo, the eldest daughter of the Meng family.
The private detective never expected that he would be defeated by this young lady.
Meng Shuluo smiled slightly at the security guard. "I just happened to pass by and saw it. I hope it hasn't caused too much trouble."
The security guard thanked Meng Shuluo again, and then took the private detective away.
Meng Shuluo always had a smile on her face. After the security guards left, when she saw Huo Xiao and the others still standing at the door, she sneered slightly. "Stupid."
She had no interest in reminding Huo Xiao of anything.
However, the security guards had seen the photos in the camera. After sending the private detective to the police station, they quickly informed the people in the photos.
Before Huo Xiao and Shen Shaoqing could invite Mr. Liao into Chu Yan, the security guard rushed over and told them about being photographed.
Mr. Liao's expression changed slightly.
Huo Xiao was still throwing a tantrum there. "What's wrong with you? How could you let a private detective sneak in? This has violated our privacy!"
The security guard apologized repeatedly.
Shen Shaoqing was more alert than Huo Xiao. He immediately realized something. He instinctively turned to look at Mr. Liao. Just as he was about to speak, Mr. Liao smiled and said first, "Miss Huo, I just remembered that I have something to do. Let's make another appointment some other time."
After saying this, without giving Huo Xiao a chance to persuade him to stay, he turned around and left.
His car was still parked in front of Chu Yan. It was convenient for him to leave.
Huo Xiao was stunned.
"Uncle Liao, we..." She quickly chased after him, trying to persuade him to stay. But Mr. Liao had already gotten into the car. As soon as he got in, the driver stepped on the accelerator. Before Huo Xiao could say much, the car had already driven away with her life - saving straw.
Huo Xiao stared at the car in disbelief and then got extremely angry. "Damn private detective! He's ruined our plan!"
Shen Shaoqing gave her a complicated look. Since he needed her help now, he said nothing.
But Huo Zhen had no such concerns.
When the two returned to the private room and Huo Xiao was complaining about this matter, Huo Zhen was so angry that he shouted, "Are you an idiot?"
Huo Xiao felt wronged. "Dad, I didn't ruin this. Why are you scolding me?"
"Do you think that private detective came to take pictures of whom? You stupid girl! You almost fell into a trap and didn't even know it! Qing Nuan is only under investigation now, and there's no definite information yet. Once it's exposed that we've privately invited someone to dinner and the photos get out, what do you think others will think?"
Huo Zhen was so angry that he pinched the bridge of his nose.
By then, people would only believe the photos. Even if Qing Nuan had no tax problems, people would think it was suppressed by powerful connections and capital!
Fortunately, the security guards of Chu Yan were reliable.
After calming down, Huo Zhen asked, "Who have you offended recently? The other side is obviously aiming to destroy Qing Nuan."
Huo Xiao immediately thought of the suspect.
"Ling Nuan!" Huo Xiao was extremely certain. "It must be her doing."
Hearing this name, Shen Shaoqing's heart ached, but at this moment, he just lowered his eyes to hide all his emotions and remained silent.
Huo Zhen asked, "Are you sure it's her?"
"Who else could it be? The only person who has grudges against me and Qing Nuan is her. Moreover, she used to work in Qing Nuan, so she must have something unfavorable to Qing Nuan in her hands!" When it came to matters related to Ling Nuan, Huo Xiao's IQ was actually on point.
Huo Zhen's face darkened. "To catch the bandits, first catch the leader. If we want to save Qing Nuan, we must first strangle the source."