(It's past midnight, it's been tough, so I'm still asking for recommendations, favorites, and subscriptions.)

It is located in an office building 300 meters south of Beisong Park.

Su Mu and I were on the eighth floor, staring at the wine-brewing pavilion in the center of Beisong Park. It was 7:30 in the morning, and there was still a long time before our agreed time of 10:00.

Su Mu said, "From yesterday until now, my men have circled the area several times but haven't found any ambushes. Now we're just waiting for them to arrive at ten o'clock. Do you have any other ideas?"

I shook my head and said, "That's it. What ideas can I have now? Let's just take it one step at a time and deal with whatever comes our way."

Su Mu said with a serious expression, "I'm afraid they're too greedy and want too much."

Time passed slowly. We talked about some things on the eighth floor, such as the resources controlled by Jiangbei and Biyuan, the future development direction of Jiangbei, and the character and personality of Li Shujiang, the leader of Biyuan.

Zhang Zhihao came up once during this time, but after a few words, he went back down to keep watch.

I know he's actually more worried than I am, but there's no use worrying now; we can only face it decisively.

Before long, it was already 9:40.

At this moment, Biyuan's car appeared on the park's road, gradually approaching the Zhujiu Pavilion in the center of the park.

After receiving Zhang Zhihao's message upstairs, we went downstairs.

"Are you ready? The real negotiations are about to begin."

I said, "I only need the person; everything else is up to you."

Su Mu smiled and said no more. The two of us went downstairs and saw Zhang Zhihao.

Zhang Zhihao said, "Someone just said they saw Sister Jing and Sun Zichen."

I nodded. "Okay, let's go, let's go negotiate."

We got in the car and drove into Beisong Park, and soon arrived at the lake in the center of the park.

The Wine-Boiling Pavilion is a pavilion in the middle of the lake. It is an open pavilion and is not very large, but it is beautiful.

The moment our group arrived, everyone at Biyuan became alert.

They all blocked the road leading to the Wine-Boiling Pavilion in the middle of the lake, clearly preventing us from passing.

After I got off the bus, I glanced at the wine-brewing pavilion in the middle of the lake and saw Sister Jing and Sun Zichen, who had injuries on their faces and were in poor spirits.

It seems Lu Yun's plan failed. I hope she has escaped safely. If something had happened, I don't know how I would face Sister Jing.

Su Mu and I stood by the lake. Zhang Zhihao wasn't there; he was nearby keeping watch so he could react quickly if anything happened.

If the three of us were all in the wine-brewing pavilion in the middle of the lake, it would be too passive.

I glanced at Li Shujiang, who was sitting in the wine pavilion. He looked like a middle-aged man, and the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes could not hide the fact that he had entered middle age. He looked very capable and was wearing a pure black t-shirt. He gave people an invisible pressure.

"Let's go and meet this Li Shujiang."

Su Mu walked ahead expressionlessly, heading onto the lakeside path leading to the Wine-Boiling Pavilion.

There were people on the path who wanted to stop him, but Su Mu walked past without any concern. The people blocking his way were intimidated by Su Mu's gaze and aura and had no choice but to give way.

As they passed, the other side made way for them.

In no time at all, the two of us arrived at the Wine Brewing Pavilion.

Inside the wine pavilion, Li Shujiang took two glasses from the person next to him, placed them on the stone table, and then took out a bottle of wine from his backpack.

I don't know much about alcohol, so I don't know what kind of alcohol he has in his hand.

Li Shujiang opened the bottle and poured the wine into a glass. He stopped when it was half full and set it aside.

"Why are you still standing? Sit down. I brought all the best wine for you this time." Li Shujiang looked up at Su Mu.

Su Mu smiled and said, "Let's talk business. Let those people outside leave first, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

Li Shujiang glanced at the people on the path outside and nodded, "That's right, let's leave then."

As soon as he finished speaking, the people around him ordered everyone outside to leave the area.

At this moment, only six people remained in the entire Wine Pavilion.

Jingjie and Sun Zichen were naturally here as well.

Li Shujiang gestured for them to proceed.

Su Mu then sat down, picked up his cup, and took a sip.

Li Shujiang said, "Authentic Scotch whisky, tastes good, doesn't it?"

Su Mu frowned and shook his head, saying bluntly, "It's not good at all, it's like taking a puff of a cigarette."

Li Shujiang picked up his cup, took a sip, and laughed, "That's because you don't understand."

Su Mu sneered, "Alright, stop acting like a refined scholar. Tell me, what exactly do you want to do by kidnapping my people this time?"

Li Shujiang ignored Su Mu's question, seemingly uninterested. Instead, he looked up at me and chuckled, "This guy next to you looks unfamiliar. Did he just join your Jiangbei group?"

Su Mu nodded. "Yes, is there anything else you want to ask? If not, can we get down to business?"

Li Shujiang put down his cup and said, "We can talk about serious matters, but there's a question I want to ask you, and I hope you can answer it truthfully."

"you say."

Li Shujiang said, "There's a school on the western edge of Jiaxing. I've heard that your men have been going there a lot lately whenever they have free time. I'm curious to know if that school is your secret base?"

Su Mu stared at Li Shujiang and said, "Yes, and then what?"

Li Shujiang raised an eyebrow. "Then, I wanted to settle some scores with you. After my men discovered the situation in Jiangbei, they went to monitor that school. Out of eight people who went, only one came back. How do you think we should settle this?"

Su Mu smiled slightly, "How can you blame me for this? Your own people made a stupid attempt to spy on the school, but ended up being discovered by my people instead. They were asking for death, and now they're trying to act virtuous after all? What are you trying to do?"

Li Shujiang's eyes twitched, and he said, "Su Mu, you're still the same old you."

Su Mu took a sip of his drink and said, "That's right, that's just how I am. What can you do about it?"

Li Shujiang glanced at Sun Zichen and Sister Jing, who were tied up beside him, and said, "Your two people are still in my hands. What do you think I can do to you?"

Su Mu crossed his arms, rested his elbows on the table, stared at Li Shujiang, and said, "Li Shujiang, if you dare to kill these two people, believe me, your Biyuan Garden will be completely destroyed tomorrow."

Li Shujiang laughed heartily, "Su Mu, who do you think you are! Do you really think I don't know your own limitations!"

"Yes, you planted a spy in Jiangbei, so it's normal that you know my capabilities, but..."

Su Mu frowned slightly at this point, then smiled and said, "Alright, enough of this nonsense. Let's get down to business. What do you want in order for you to release these two?"

(End of this chapter)