Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

As the night deepened, the hotel lobby remained brightly lit. Zhao Shufang stood by the window, gazing at the city lights outside, her heart filled with confusion. She had never imagined she would be embroiled in such a complex situation, facing such a formidable opponent. Everything seemed calm, but undercurrents were surging, gradually approaching the brink of danger.

"What are you thinking about?" Lu Lingyuan's voice broke her thoughts. He stood not far away, his hands in his pockets, staring at her sharply.

Zhao Shufang turned her head and met his gaze for a moment. She took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "I wonder if all this is beyond our control."

Lu Lingyuan was silent for a moment, then walked over to her and looked out the window. "It's inevitable that things will get out of control," he said softly. "But at least we have the initiative."

Zhao Shufang turned and faced him. "Initiative? You mean the intelligence?"

Lu Lingyuan nodded. "Yes. Through the clues Ji Feng gave us, we finally found a breakthrough point. Now, the question is how we can quickly and covertly contact these people, break their defenses, and obtain more information."

Zhao Shufang's brow furrowed, clearly not fully trusting this plan. "You're right, but the power behind these people is enormous. Even the smallest mistake could expose us."

Lu Lingyuan smiled, a hint of confidence in his tone. "Yes, we must be careful, but more importantly, we must remain calm. Every step must be cautious, but also decisive."

Zhao Shufang was silent for a moment, then whispered, "I know, Ling Yuan, I'm just a little worried."

Lu Lingyuan walked up to her and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, we will succeed."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. "I understand. I will prepare everything."

"Let's get some rest tonight." Lu Lingyuan stood up straight, a determined light flashing in his eyes. "Tomorrow is the key. The first person we are going to meet is the first step to a breakthrough."

Zhao Shufang nodded. Although she still felt uneasy, she knew she couldn't back down. At this moment, any hesitation could lead to failure.

The next morning, Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan arrived at a hidden bar. The bar's decor was discreet, seemingly ordinary, but in reality, it was a gathering place for many business leaders and high-ranking politicians. Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan stood at the door. After a brief greeting, Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and opened the door.

The air inside was somewhat dull, with low music mingling with the aroma of wine. The surrounding lights were dim, with only a few spots illuminating faces in the corners. This was the place where many business negotiations and secret transactions took place.

"You came quite quickly." A low voice suddenly came from behind.

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan turned around and saw a middle-aged man in a black suit approaching them. He had a faint smile on his face, but that smile was cold and distant.

"Mr. Shen." Lu Lingyuan greeted briefly in a respectful tone.

"Yeah." Mr. Shen nodded slightly. "Now that you're here, let's not waste any more time." He looked at Zhao Shufang, his eyes scrutinizing her. "Are you Zhao Shufang?"

Zhao Shufang nodded, but she felt a little nervous. Mr. Shen was the first key figure they came into contact with, and also one of the breakthrough points.

"I know you're here to ask me for help." Mr. Shen's tone remained calm, as if he had a very clear understanding of everything. "But you'd better understand that the price of help is not small."

Lu Lingyuan's eyes were sharp, and he immediately responded: "Mr. Shen, we have prepared the price. We will do our best to meet your request."

Mr. Shen smiled faintly, his eyes penetrating. "That's good. However, before you make a decision, I must remind you that you're dealing with more than just a business rival. There are countless complex connections behind that person." He paused, "If you truly wish to proceed, you must be prepared to be dragged deeper into the quagmire at any moment."

Zhao Shufang said nothing more, her eyes determined. She knew there was no turning back for her and Lu Lingyuan.

"I know." She replied in a deep voice.

"Okay then." Mr. Shen nodded. "Today, let's discuss the details of our cooperation."

A few hours later, Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan left the bar and sat in the car, a depressing atmosphere hanging in the air.

"How is it?" Lu Lingyuan asked.

Zhao Shufang frowned slightly. "What Mr. Shen said makes sense. There's definitely a lot of people behind that person. I really don't know if we can succeed."

Lu Lingyuan was silent for a moment, his eyes determined. "We have no way out now. The only thing we can do is give it our all."

Zhao Shufang nodded and took a deep breath. "I know, Ling Yuan. No matter what, I will not back down again."

As the cityscape outside the car window gradually blurred, Zhao Shufang's heart grew heavy. She knew that every next step could determine their survival. All she could do was remain calm and face the challenge head-on.

However, deep down in her heart, there was still a voice reminding her that this game was far more complicated than she had imagined.