Chapter 342 Fatal Invitation
Su Wantang stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window on the top floor of Tangdixuan, holding a gold-embossed invitation in her hand.
As night fell in Beijing outside the window, neon lights began to illuminate the city. Her gaze, however, fell upon the exquisite card in her hand, which bore the large characters "Haitang Technology Exchange Conference."
"Miss, the invitation has already been sent out through Elder Chen's network of connections." Qin Zheng walked in from outside, his voice very low.
Su Wantang turned around, her pregnant belly was already very obvious, but her back was still straight.
"Everyone on the list has received it."
"I've received them all." Qin Zheng took out a small notebook. "Several veteran experts from the military industry system, two section chiefs from the Ministry of Culture, and several business people are all on the list."
Su Wantang took the notebook, flipped through it, and a smile curved her lips.
"What about Joanna?"
“She received it yesterday afternoon.” A cold glint flashed in Qin Zheng’s eyes. “According to the brothers, she smiled as soon as she received the invitation.”
He laughed.
"Yes, she thought you were showing weakness and trying to win her over through business cooperation."
As Qin Zheng spoke, a mocking expression appeared on his face. "She even told her accomplices that this was a good opportunity to infiltrate Haitang Technology."
Su Wantang put down her notebook and sat down at the coffee table.
"Then let her come."
She picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea was warm, just right to soothe her throat.
"Young Miss, will that 'Viper' come?" Qin Zheng asked, his fists clenching unconsciously.
Su Wantang glanced at him.
"Will come."
Her voice was very confident.
"The invitation letter listed the names of Mr. Chen and several high-ranking military and political advisors. It was impossible for him not to be tempted."
Qin Zheng took a deep breath, his eyes almost overflowing with killing intent.
"This time, I'm determined to catch him myself."
“Yes, I will.” Su Wantang stood up, walked up to him, and patted him on the shoulder. “But remember, I want him alive.”
Qin Zheng nodded and turned to leave.
Su Wantang was left alone in the room.
She walked to the window, looked down at the brightly lit streets, and gently touched her pregnant belly.
"Baby, when your dad comes back, the three of us will be reunited."
Her voice was soft and gentle.
But a cold, sharp glint flashed in those eyes.
...
In an abandoned art studio on the outskirts of Beijing, Joanna was holding the gold-embossed invitation, examining it repeatedly under the light.
“Look, these names are all very important people.” She handed the invitation to the middle-aged man opposite her. “Bai Shu is trying to curry favor with us.”
The middle-aged man took the invitation and glanced at it.
He was dressed in a well-fitting Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses, making him look like an official from the Ministry of Culture.
But his eyes were as cold as a venomous snake.
"Trying to be friendly?" He sneered. "I don't think so."
Joanna paused for a moment.
"Viper, what do you mean?"
“This Bai Shu is no ordinary plant,” Viper said, placing the invitation down.
"She managed to take over Derentang and establish Haitang Technology in such a short time, and even got an old fox like Old Chen to endorse her. Do you think she's a naive and innocent girl?"
Joanna's expression changed.
"So you mean..."
“This might be a trap.” Viper stood up and walked to the window. “But we have to go.”
"Why"
"Because Haitang Technology may very well possess what we need."
Viper turned around, his glasses reflecting a cold light under the lamp. "Besides, Old Chen and his people will be there. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Joanna bit her lip.
"What if we go there and it really is a trap?"
“So be careful.” Viper walked back to the table, picked up the invitation, and said, “You’re in charge of entertaining, and I’ll keep watch. If anything seems amiss, we’re out of here.”
Joanna nodded, but felt uneasy.
She had a feeling that this matter was not so simple.
...
In the kitchen of Courtyard No. 1, Meng Wan was preparing a late-night snack for Su Wantang.
She cut the fruit with gentle and meticulous movements.
"Mom, don't bother, I'm not hungry." Su Wantang walked into the kitchen and tried to take the knife from Meng Wan's hand.
Meng Wan dodged it.
“You’re two people now, how can you not eat?” She put the cut fruit into a plate.
"Besides, you've been so busy these past few days, as your mother, how can I not make sure you get some nourishment?"
Su Wantang's nose felt a little sore.
She had never experienced this feeling of being loved in her modern life.
"mom……"
"Stop talking, eat up." Meng Wan handed her the fruit plate, her eyes full of heartache.
“I know you’re working so hard for Jingyan and for this family. But you also need to take care of yourself. Otherwise, when Jingyan comes back and sees how thin you’ve become, he’ll be heartbroken.”
Su Wantang took the fruit plate, her eyes slightly moist.
"Mom, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
Meng Wan patted her hand.
"I trust you."
She paused, then said, "Are you confident about tomorrow's plans?"
Su Wantang nodded.
"have."
Meng Wan looked at her, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes.
"That's good. Go on, get some rest, there's a tough battle to fight tomorrow."
Su Wantang carried the fruit platter back to her room, lay down on the bed, but couldn't fall asleep.
She touched her belly, her mind filled with Lu Jingyan's face.
"Jingyan, are you doing well in the Northwest?"
She murmured to herself, tears streaming down her face.
...
The next evening, the banquet hall on the top floor of Tangdixuan was brightly lit.
Su Wantang wore a well-fitting maternity cheongsam, the dark green fabric embroidered with delicate begonia flowers, which accentuated her slender and charming figure.
She stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, personally inspecting every detail.
"Qin Zheng, are the communication jamming devices all set up?"
“It’s all set up, Miss.” Qin Zheng stood behind her, his voice deep. “With just your command, the signal in the entire banquet hall will be cut off.”
"Very good." Su Wantang nodded. "Are all the guards in place?"
“Everything is in place.” Qin Zheng pulled out a diagram. “This is our deployment. There are people watching every corner, and the target will have no chance to escape.”
Su Wantang took the diagram, looked at it, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"It's not hard work." A determined glint flashed in Qin Zheng's eyes. "For the young lady, for the brothers, what's a little hardship?"
Su Wantang patted his shoulder and turned to walk into the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was already filled with people, all of whom were introduced by Mr. Chen from various walks of life.
They gathered in small groups, talking in hushed tones.
Su Wantang picked up a glass of juice and weaved through the crowd, exchanging a few pleasantries with people from time to time.
Her smile was gentle, and her demeanor was graceful; she looked just like an ordinary pregnant woman.
But her eyes remained fixed on the direction of the entrance.
Finally, at exactly 7 p.m., Joanna and Viper appeared at the entrance.
Joanna wore a red dress today, which perfectly accentuated her voluptuous figure.
She linked arms with Viper, a polite smile on her face, looking just like an ordinary couple of guests.
But Su Wantang saw wariness and probing in their eyes.
She put down her juice glass and slowly walked towards the two of them.
"Miss Qiao, welcome."
Her voice was gentle, and she had a faint smile on her face.
Joanna paused for a moment, then smiled and extended her hand.
"Sister Baishu, thank you for your invitation."
Su Wantang grasped her hand, with a firm but not too strong grip.
"It is my honor to have Miss Qiao here."
Her gaze shifted to the viper, a profound meaning flashing in her eyes.
"And this is...?"
“This is my friend, Director Li from the Ministry of Culture,” Joanna introduced.
The viper stretched out his hand, a formulaic smile on his face.
"Miss Bai, I've heard so much about you."
Su Wantang held his hand and felt the warmth of his palm.
"Director Li, you're too kind."
She released her grip, picked up a glass of juice, and looked calmly at the two of them.
"Please make yourselves at home, the exchange meeting is about to begin."
She turned and left, her back view slender yet resolute.
Joanna and Viper exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
“She seems…” Joanna lowered her voice, “not nervous at all.”
The viper didn't speak, but its eyes swept around the banquet hall.
His intuition told him that something was wrong.
But he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
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