Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

The atmosphere in the bar grew increasingly tense, the lights flickering, and the air thick with smoke. Zhao Shufang's eyes were sharp, and she remained highly alert to Fan Zhen's every word. She knew that this deal was no simple matter.

Fan Zhen lifted his wine glass and gently swirled it, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan, a barely perceptible sneer on his lips. He spoke slowly, "I know what you want. You came to me to get crucial clues about who's truly manipulating the situation."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and remained calm. "Mr. Fan, since you know our purpose, just tell us directly. We don't want to waste time."

Fan Zhen put down his wine glass, his tone suddenly becoming cold. "Time is precious, Ms. Zhao, Mr. Lu. I know you're eager for answers, but behind every question, there's a huge price to pay."

Lu Lingyuan frowned slightly and walked over to the sofa and sat down. "What exactly is the price you mentioned? Are you just making a verbal threat?"

Fan Zhen smiled faintly. "You are right. Threats are useless. The real price is your choice. If you want to know the truth and uncover the manipulator behind all this, then you will have to pay a sufficient price."

"What do you want?" Zhao Shufang asked, her tone calm, but her heart was already churning. She knew that Fan Zhen wasn't just talking threats; his words revealed a calm calculation.

Fan Zhen didn't answer directly. Instead, he took out a photo from his pocket and slowly spread it out on the table. The photo showed a middle-aged man with a stern face and extraordinary temperament. His eyes seemed to hide unfathomable depths.

Zhao Shufang's eyes froze, and after a moment's silence, she slowly asked, "Who is this?"

Fan Zhen said calmly, "This is Mr. Shen. You all thought he was your friend, and even thought he would help you. But that's not the case. Everything Mr. Shen did was only for his own benefit."

Lu Lingyuan's eyes moved slightly, but Zhao Shufang remained calm. "Mr. Shen? How do you know this?"

Fan Zhen sneered, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "I know him better than you think. There's a bigger force behind Mr. Shen, and every move he makes is premeditated. He would never help you for no reason. He has his own plans behind any help he gives."

"Is what you said true?" Zhao Shufang asked, a hint of disbelief in her tone. She had long been suspicious of Mr. Shen's identity, but even now, she still couldn't fully believe he was the one pulling the strings.

Fan Zhen sighed, "You have no choice. Behind every action of Mr. Shen lies a huge exchange of interests. If you continue to trust him, you will eventually become a pawn in his plan."

Lu Lingyuan stared at Fan Zhen coldly and sneered, "What on earth do you want to say? You said that Mr. Shen has powerful forces behind him. Do you also know the details of these forces?"

Fan Zhen smiled faintly, a hint of pride in his eyes. "I know more than you imagine. I know your goal isn't simply to expose the mastermind, but to uncover the secrets hidden deep within. I can tell you the truth you seek, but on one condition."

"What are the conditions?" Zhao Shufang asked, her uneasiness growing stronger. She had a hunch that this deal was about to enter a more dangerous phase.

Fan Zhen maintained his calm demeanor, his tone unchanged. "I need your help. You must help me accomplish something, and I will tell you the whole truth."

Lu Lingyuan frowned, "What do you want us to do for you?"

Fan Zhen tilted his head slightly, a dangerous glint in his eyes, "I want you to help me find someone, someone who is very important to me."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath and asked, "Who?"

"Yang Qiming." Fan Zhen's voice was low. "He was the person I trusted most, but he betrayed me. Now, he has joined forces with Mr. Shen, and there are other forces behind him. I need you to help me find him and bring him to me."

Zhao Shufang's heart trembled. Yang Qiming? The name was familiar to her. She remembered hearing it before during her investigation, and it seemed like there was some connection between him and Mr. Shen. And now, Fan Zhen was saying that he had betrayed him and joined forces with Mr. Shen. Behind all this, there was a greater mystery.

"Yang Qiming betrayed you? Do you have evidence?" Zhao Shufang asked coldly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She knew that things were becoming increasingly complicated. If, as Fan Zhen said, Mr. Shen was hiding more secrets, then the situation she and Lu Lingyuan were facing might far exceed their expectations.

"Evidence? I don't need evidence." A cold light flashed in Fan Zhen's eyes. "I just need you to help me find him and bring him back here. I'll leave the rest to you."

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan exchanged glances, each seeing the confusion and uneasiness in the other's eyes. Now, Fan Zhen's request was clear: they needed to help him find Yang Qiming and bring him to them. Clearly, this task was far more complicated than they had imagined.

"Can we trust you?" Zhao Shufang said in a low voice, but with a hint of determination in her eyes, "We need time to consider what you said."

Fan Zhen smiled faintly. "I don't ask for an immediate answer. But you know, many things in this world are not as simple as you imagine. The truth you seek can only be obtained through me. And I don't have much time for you."

Zhao Shufang clenched her fists tightly, making a decision in her heart. No matter what, she and Lu Lingyuan had no way out. Faced with all this complexity, she could only choose to move forward and find her own answers.

"Okay," Zhao Shufang finally said, "We will help you find Yang Qiming, but you must give us more clues."

"I will." Fan Zhen nodded. "Your cooperation will be the only way for you to learn the truth."

The night was still dark, but Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan already felt an unprecedented pressure in their hearts. This deal seemed to be no longer a simple cooperation, but was gradually heading towards an unpredictable abyss.