Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

"Of course." Chen Hai held Pei Jing's hand, his happiness overflowing. "Jingjing loves the eggplant from Lao Xu's barbecue place the most, so let's go there."

"Okay, wherever you want to go, that's where we'll go."

Thirty minutes later.

Lao Xu Barbecue.

Chen Hai truly lives up to his reputation as a warm-hearted man; he knows exactly what Pei Jing likes to eat, whether she wants it spicy or cumin-flavored.

The barbecue we ordered was all tailored to Pei Jing's taste.

Even whether or not one can drink alcohol requires Pei Jing's consent.

"Director Qi has been promoted, so why don't you have a drink with him?"

With Pei Jing's permission, Chen Hai ordered a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor), poured a glass for Qi Tongwei, and then poured one for himself.

As for Pei Jing, she was drinking a beverage.

"Senior, it's only because you came today. If it were anyone else, Jingjing wouldn't allow me to drink."

“What do you mean?” Pei Jing retorted, “Chen Hai, you don’t have to accommodate me. Besides, drinking makes a person irrational. Drinking less will make you more sober.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Hai gave a silly smile.

Qi Tongwei wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, he decided to keep quiet.

Well, judging from the current situation, Chen Hai's eyes are only on Pei Jing.

He paid close attention to Pei Jing's every move.

But feelings are like sand; don't hold them too tightly, or they'll all slip away sooner or later.

Why didn't you remind Chen Hai?

Because only the person drinking the water knows whether it's hot or cold...

Chapter 118 When the Snipe and the Clam Fight, the Fisherman Benefits

The three of them ate barbecue and chatted about trivial topics, including their university days.

University life was lush and verdant, yet hazy and dreamlike.

It was at that time that Pei Jing, in her white dress, captivated Chen Hai's heart.

Now that my beloved is by my side, I couldn't be happier.

What if you're happy?

Drink some more!

Normally, when Chen Hai wants to drink with his buddies, Pei Jing always advises him to drink less.

Today was an unexpected day.

Pei Jing not only didn't tell Chen Hai to drink less, but also said that if he was happy, he could drink as much as he wanted.

When the goddess spoke, Chen Hai was like he'd been injected with adrenaline, and he wanted to have a drinking contest with Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei understood Pei Jing's meaning.

After thinking for a while, he kept raising his glass until he got Chen Hai drunk and made him slump on the table, no longer able to move.

"Chen Hai, wake up."

Pei Jing patted him on the shoulder.

There was no movement, and soon the sound of snoring could be heard, indicating that they had entered a deep sleep.

Qi Tongwei lit a cigarette, squinted, and scrutinized the woman opposite him.

"Director Qi, isn't it a bit impolite of you to stare at your good friend's girlfriend like that?"

Qi Tongwei glanced at the sleeping Chen Hai, then raised an eyebrow at Pei Jing, "Miss Pei, Chen Hai is my brother. If you don't like him, then don't bother him."

Pei Jing rested her chin on her hand and smiled seductively, "Director Qi, are you misunderstanding something? Chen Hai and I are lovers, how could I not like him?"

"You can't hide the look in someone's eyes when they like them. Chen Hai poured his heart out to you, but you never even opened your eyes to look at him."

"So what?" Pei Jing also took out a thin cigarette, lit it skillfully, took a deep drag, and chuckled, "My relationship with Chen Hai is none of anyone else's business. Besides, Director Qi, do you even know me?"

“Pei Jing, born in 1970, is from Hangzhou. Her father passed away when she was ten, and her mother remarried in another province when she was eleven and never came back. From then on, you and your elderly grandmother depended on each other for survival.”

"When I was fifteen, my grandmother was trapped in a fire and died tragically."

"At the age of seventeen, you were admitted to Handong University through your own efforts, majoring in political science and law. During your time at university, you always worked two jobs and were self-sufficient in both tuition and living expenses."

"At the age of twenty, I interned at Jinling Law Firm, where I met Zhao Ruilong. Later, thanks to my keen sense of smell and calm mind, I was recruited by Zhao Lichun."

"In the past few years, under Zhao Lichun's instructions, you have either followed Zhao Ruihu or Zhao Ruilong. Although you are called a secretary, your role is more like that of an advisor."

"Has that enough said?"

In the height of summer in July, on a cool night, the sounds of cicadas and frogs filled the air.

There was only one table of customers at the barbecue stall.

The owner was dozing off in a rocking chair, and the remaining charcoal in the barbecue grill glowed faintly in the wind.

Under the open-air fluorescent lights, Pei Jing's delicate face was cold and pale, her slender fingers clenched tightly together.

After a long while, his face regained a little color.

“Director Qi, I consider you one of my own. Is it really okay for you to reopen my wounds like this?” Pei Jing stubbed out her cigarette, staring at Qi Tongwei with a mixture of emotions in her eyes.

“These are scars? I don’t think so!” Qi Tongwei shook his head and said seriously, “Miss Pei, in my opinion, your past experiences and hardships have nothing to do with scars. It is precisely because of those unbearable past experiences that you are so strong.”

"What do you mean by that?" Pei Jing narrowed her eyes, her expression a mixture of trepidation and caution.

Qi Tongwei said softly, "Miss Pei, it's truly not easy for you to be where you are today. It reminds me of myself back then, struggling in the mud! However, I want to remind you, and the person behind you, that you'd better not cause trouble in the muddy waters of Handong. If I catch you doing something wrong, I won't show any mercy!"

Pei Jing took a slow breath and tentatively asked, "So, Director Qi knows who's behind me?"

"It's not hard to guess: when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits."

Pei Jing continued, "So? Who's behind me?"

Qi Tongwei shook his head. "I don't want to be too explicit, nor do I want to make enemies with the people behind you. If he has any firsthand information but it's inconvenient for him to come forward, you can act as the middleman and pass it on to me!"

"Director Qi, you are even smarter than I imagined."

“I know, I’ve always been smart!” Qi Tongwei turned to stare at Pei Jing. “So, you have inside information?”

Pei Jing no longer concealed her true intentions, "Han Bing has four identities and passports, one from China, one from the United States, one from England, and one from northern Myanmar."

"go on."

“Those guys under you, those hotheads in the Third Procuratorial Department, have gone to the Archives Bureau in a big way to look for evidence. This has already alarmed Han Bing. He might run away in the next couple of days.”

Qi Tongwei nodded. "I think that's also the purpose of your trip, isn't it?"

“That’s right.” Pei Jing said expressionlessly, “Originally, I wanted to take advantage of the barbecue to subtly pass on this information to you, but you’re too smart, so let’s skip those procedures.”

"How long have you been watching Han Bing?"

"For a long time, including those whistleblower letters, not all of them were the work of the Han University gang."

"Understood." Qi Tongwei nodded, then looked at Pei Jing again. "One last question, I hope you can answer me honestly."

"Director Qi, please speak."

"Putting you aside personally, is the person behind you clean?"

Pei Jing stood there, stunned, and remained silent for a few seconds.

He then countered with, "I wonder what standard Director Qi uses for 'cleanliness'?"

"No one is perfect, that's your standard."

Pei Jing nodded vigorously, "If he can rise to power, he will definitely be better than Xiao Hongyun and Liang Qunfeng."

"understood."

"Then I can go?"

"No way!" Qi Tongwei pointed at Chen Hai, who was sleeping like a log, and said with a headache, "He's your boyfriend, are you planning to leave him here alone?"

Pei Jing rubbed her temples. "Director Qi, I'm a girl. Do you expect me to carry him back? I can't do that!"

"You're being dramatic, you can do it."

After saying that, Qi Tongwei paid the bill and left.

Pei Jing shook her head.

With her thin arms and legs, it was indeed difficult for her to carry the burly Chen Hai on her back.

Then look at Qi Tongwei.

He had disappeared into the pitch-black night.

Left with no other choice, Pei Jing turned on her phone, intending to seek help, but looking at the few lonely people in her contacts, she gave a bitter smile.

She was even more lonely than Li Dakang.

No relatives, no friends, not even colleagues.