CH 44

“Zhao Qing?” The unexpected name made Zhang Rui instantly alert, and his body slightly leaned back in the opposite direction of Jin Zhou. “Why are you asking about him?”

“Just answer me honestly.” Jin Zhou’s arm was still on Zhang Rui’s shoulder. He casually looked around, then suddenly pulled Zhang Rui closer to him and pointed his chin at the courtroom door, lowering his voice. “Or should we continue with the lawsuit?”

The threat couldn’t be more obvious.

“Brother, let’s discuss this. I’ll answer your question. What does it have to do with Zhao Secretary?” Zhang Rui, whether friend or foe to Zhao Qing , needed to confirm this first before responding.

Jin Zhou naturally wouldn’t give Zhang Rui the upper hand and said, “i’m the one asking the questions here”

Zhang Rui somewhat sensed the unfriendly implication and cautiously replied, “I’m not familiar with Zhao Secretary, we just have some work-related interactions.”

Following up, Jin Zhou asked, “What kind of work?”

At that point, Zhang Rui avoided discussing the topic and changed it again, “Does this have anything to do with Sister Liu?”

“I realized you talk too much nonsense.” Jin Zhou withdrew his arm from Zhang Rui’s shoulder and walked towards the courtroom, stretching his legs. “I don’t want to waste any more time with you. Let’s go back and continue with the lawsuit.”

“No, let’s talk.” Zhang Rui quickly held onto Jin Zhou. “I’ll answer your question. And what about the lawsuit?”

“You return the watch and money, and we’ll call it even.” Jin Zhou’s toes were still pointing in the direction of the courtroom.

“But why are you asking about Zhao Secretary?” Zhang Rui’s expression still hesitated. “Won’t he cause trouble for me later?”

“Why would he cause you trouble?” Jin Zhou asked sharply. “Could it be that you’re involved in some shady business with him?”

“Of course not.” Zhang Rui immediately denied.

“In that case, I asked you a question, now answer it.” Jin Zhou’s patience was wearing thin, and his face showed impatience. “And i advice you stop wasting my time,”

“It’s just work-related stuff, nothing major.” Zhang Rui swallowed hard and struggled to say, “I help him plan parties.”

“Parties?” Jin Zhou suddenly remembered that Zhang Rui’s job at the Paris Temple was party planning, as mentioned by the branch manager of the Agricultural and Commercial Bank.

It seemed that his party planning work was not limited to the Paris Temple and he would take on some private projects outside too.

Taking on private projects was not uncommon, but the fact that someone like Zhao Qing, with his position, settled the payment with Zhang Rui in a personal capacity rather than on behalf of the company, seemed strange.

“To be precise, it’s a cocktail party.” Zhang Rui turned to check no one was around, speaking in a secretive tone. “I swear it’s a legitimate cocktail party.”

Just by looking at his demeanor, Jin Zhou felt like Zhang Rui was spouting nonsense again.

“What kind of cocktail party?” Jin Zhou asked calmly.

“It’s just big shots drinking and chatting, with some performances and entertainment.” Zhang Rui said and then changed the subject again, asking softly, “Brother, does this have anything to do with you?”

“I also want to earn some extra money, is that not allowed?” Jin Zhou finally stopped facing the courtroom, hooked his arm around Zhang Rui’s shoulder, and led him to a corner. “When will this cocktail party be held?”

“Two to three months from now, I think.” Zhang Rui slightly relaxed and he answered, “The next one is this Saturday.”

After Zhang Rui finished speaking, he suddenly looked at Jin Zhou suspiciously. “Big brother, what are you planning to do?”

“organize for me to get in.” Jin Zhou said casually. “I also want to meet some big shots.”

“How is that possible?” Zhang Rui immediately refused without even thinking, looking shocked. “They are all big shots, real big shots. Who are you compared to them?”

He realized what he had said and wisely shut his mouth. After a pause, he continued, “and furthermore it’s a masked party. The big shots all wear masks, so you won’t even recognize anyone.”

Wearing masks?

Jin Zhou immediately found it strange. What kind of party required masks?

Masquerade balls were common, occasionally organized in universities, but why would a group of big shots hold a masquerade ball?

Masquerade balls were held in situations confidentiality was required, hiding behind a mask, allowing participants to freely express themselves.

If it were a masquerade ball among young people, it wouldn’t be surprising. However, when the parties involved were successful individuals, even middle-aged people with families, what was the need to maintain secrecy?

“Isn’t wearing a mask more convenient?” Jin Zhou followed Zhang Rui’s words and said, “If you let me blend in, no one will notice.”

“How is that possible?” Zhang Rui looked at Jin Zhou as if his profession had been greatly insulted, frowning. “This is a small gathering. Do you think hundreds of big shots who sit together and chat wouldn’t notice an extra person”

That made it even more strange.

A small gathering implied that the parties likely knew each other, so why would they bother with masks?

“Aside from the big shots, won’t the staffs be present?” Jin Zhou said again, “There must be waiters.”

It would be even more convenient to blend in as a waiter, without arousing suspicion. However, Zhang Rui said, “That won’t work either. The waitstaff are all stunning beauties. Do you think it’s easy to impress those big shots?”

“Huh?” Jin Zhou didn’t understand. “Beauties?”

“Models over 1.78 meters tall, with a figure of 90-60-90 as a basic requirement.” Zhang Rui glanced at Jin Zhou’s legs and continued, “Even if you cut off your balls, you’d still need to get breast implants and padded buttocks, got it?”

Upon hearing that, Jin Zhou laughed.

He put his hands in his pockets and casually said, “Wow, an orgy party?”

Zhang Rui’s face changed when he heard that and he quickly pushed Jin Zhou against the wall corner. “Don’t talk nonsense, what do you mean orgy party?”

“Isn’t it?” Jin Zhou leaned against the wall in a relaxed manner, not paying attention to how loud his voice was. “A small-scale gathering that happens every two or three months. Participants must wear masks, and all the waitresses are tall and have long legs. Isn’t this just an orgy party?”

“Hush!!!” Zhang Rui nervously stopped Jin Zhou. “This is the courthouse! Keep yor voice down. What are you blabbering about?”

Jin Zhou couldn’t help but find it amusing. He took out his phone that was recording and shook it. “Organize for me to get in, or you’ll have even bigger trouble.”

In the end, Liu Qian and Zhang Rui reconciled, and the wrongful retaining case came to an end.

Retrieving her watch, Liu Qian finally removed her frog-like glasses. She told Jin Zhou that she set a date and invited him for dinner, and then the two of them went their separate ways in the courthouse lobby.

Unlike Liu Qian, who looked relaxed , Zhang Rui had a worried expression on his face, showing no signs of relaxation even after escaping a disaster.

While the calamity of prison and financial loss had been avoided, he was still trapped in a cage by Jin Zhou and couldn’t be happy no matter what.

On the surface, the case was closed by Judge Chen, but in reality, Jin Zhou marked it with a dash –

The matter was not yet over.

After Zhang Rui left in frustration, Jin Zhou waited for Yang Shiyu outside the courthouse as usual.

Forgetting to bring cigarettes, his fingers felt itchy. He thought about asking the security guard for one, but decided against it. It wouldn’t hurt not to smoke for a day

It didn’t take long for Yang Shiyu to come out of the courthouse with a case file in his hand. Seeing Jin Zhou’s leisurely appearance, he asked, not surprised, “Did you win?”

“Of course,” Jin Zhou smiled and casually said, “Are you free on Saturday? I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Yang Shiyu glanced at Jin Zhou and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but quickly returned to normal. “A judge cannot accept a lawyer’s invitation.”

“Is it considered an invitation if I treat you to dinner?” Jin Zhou said unhappily, “Even old married couples go out to eat without so many rules.”

Yang Shiyu looked at Jin Zhou again, apparently not noticing anything wrong, and said lightly, “I’m not free on Saturday.”

He waved the case file in his hand. “There are a lot of cases piling up at the end of the year, and I need to settle them as soon as possible.”

“Is that so?” Jin Zhou pretended to be disappointed, “But on Saturday, I wanted to formally introduce you to my brothers.”

“You’re having dinner with your brothers on Saturday?” Yang Shi Yu asked.

“Yes, they have been very helpful with this case,” Jin Zhou replied.

“You can go by yourself,” Yang Shi Yu said. “I truly don’t have the time.”

“Fine,” Jin Zhou pouted, appearing unhappy on the surface but delighted in his heart.

Jin Zhou didn’t actually want to invite Yang Shi Yu for dinner.

The masquerade party was scheduled for Saturday night at 8 o’clock, and he had to find an excuse to slip away.

If the excuse happened to raise Yang Shi Yu’s suspicion, there was a chance that Zhuang Yu might secretly follow him. Therefore, he thought of using the excuse of celebrating the victory of the lawsuit with his brothers.

He knew that Yang Shi Yu never really liked his group of friends, so he probably wouldn’t attend an occasion with them around. This way, he would have time for solo action without arousing Yang Shi Yu’s suspicion.

“Where can we find a 1.78-meter female model?”

The next morning, Jin Zhou, Sun Yi, and Xiao Wu gathered in the auto repair shop to discuss their infiltration of the masquerade party.

Jin Zhou didn’t hide from them that he was investigating Wang He Tai. After all, Sun Yi had already helped him investigate Wang Da Rong, and Xiao Wu spent all his time in the shop, so he couldn’t keep it a secret.

“I can go,” said Luo Xue Qing, sitting on the side.

Sneaking into the party was not an easy task, and Jin Zhou needed assistance, so he called Luo Xue Qing as well.

As a journalist in the social news department, Luo Xue Qing was interested in the party herself.

“Luo Reporter,” Xiao Wu hesitated and asked, “Are you 1.6 meters tall?”

“In high heels, I’m 1.65 meters,” Luo Xue Qing replied confidently.

Jin Zhou sighed and asked, “Do you know anyone with connections to models?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to find someone from outside?” Luo Xue Qing pondered and said, “You have already been in contact with Zhao Qing. If something goes wrong, it could be very dangerous.”

Jin Zhou also understood this.

Wei Jie alone almost cost him his life. If he caught Zhao Qing’s attention, it would be equal to exposing himself directly to Wang He Tai.

“How about Wu’s girlfriend?” Sun Yi suggested, “Isn’t your girlfriend around 1.68 meters?”

“But she falls a bit short,” Xiao Wu said with a troubled expression, “and she’s not very smart. I wouldn’t feel at ease letting her go, it’s too risky.”

“Then who else?” Sun Yi furrowed his brow, thinking, “There are plenty of 1.78-meter tall men on the street, but where can we find a 1.78-meter tall woman?”

As he said that, he muttered to himself, “And we need someone we can trust; there’s simply no one.”

Jin Zhou also knew that and said with a headache, “Only guests and models are allowed at the party, and Zhang Rui can’t arrange for anyone else to enter.”

“Or…” Sun Yi suddenly looked at Jin Zhou, “Jin Zhou, how tall are you?”

“1.83 meters,” Jin Zhou said, bewildered. “Why?”

Luo Xue Qing suddenly looked at Sun Yi and said, “Are you suggesting…”

“What do you think?” Sun Yi and Luo Xue Qing exchanged glances, playing dumb.

“I think it could work,” Luo Xue Qing nodded, “Wearing flat shoes would be a perfect fit.”

“Huh?” Jin Zhou was completely confused, looking at the two. “What are you talking about?”

“Jin Zhou, it’s you who will go,” Sun Yi stared straight at Jin Zhou, “You’ll dress up as a woman.”

“What?” Jin Zhou was stunned.

Xiao Wu finally caught up with the conversation and suddenly realized, “Makes sense!”

“Your facial structure doesn’t have obvious angles,” Luo Xue Qing analyzed, “And your frame is on the slender side, not bulky.”

“No, no, wait a minute,” Jin Zhou quickly stopped them, “Are you intentionally messing with me?”

“No, there’s another problem,” Luo Xue Qing changed the subject and said to Sun Yi, “Where should we hide the hidden camera? They will search us before entering.”

“That is indeed a problem,” Sun Yi rubbed his chin, then suddenly looked at Jin Zhou’s butt, “There’s a place we can hide it.”

Jin Zhou immediately understood what Sun Yi meant and slapped him across the face. “Fuck you!”