Chapter 148: Entering the Tiger's Den

Once Huang Wanting got into the car and managed to calm her nerves slightly, Jiang Muyun was the first to speak. "Sister Huang, you called me so early in the morning. Is there something urgent?"

Huang Wanting nodded first, then began to shake her head.

Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun exchanged a puzzled look and asked her in unison, "What on earth is going on with you?"

Gazing steadily at Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun, Huang Wanting slowly began to explain, "Ever since we parted ways that day, I’ve been paying close attention to my uncle’s restaurant and his every move. Just the day before yesterday, I noticed a female customer come in. I was the one who greeted and served her, but after waiting at the entrance for an hour, I never saw her come back out."

Before Huang Wanting could finish, Zhang Shen couldn't help but interrupt, "Are you trying to tell us—"

Perhaps Zhang Shen was simply too impatient and blurted it out the moment he heard this. Jiang Muyun, sitting beside him, thought to herself that this blockhead must have jumped to the wrong conclusion, and immediately rolled her eyes at him.

Catching Jiang Muyun's glare, Zhang Shen promptly swallowed his words and fell silent, listening quietly as Huang Wanting continued her story about Long Si's restaurant.

Seeing that Zhang Shen had stopped interrupting, Huang Wanting went on, "At first, I thought I might have been mistaken. But as you know, very few people visit my uncle’s restaurant on any given day, and I am the only greeter. Something felt off from the very beginning. Later, when we were preparing to close for the evening, I casually asked him about it. To my surprise, my uncle's expression instantly tightened with tension, and even the teacup in his hand dropped to the floor and shattered. That was when I realized something was terribly wrong."

Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun listened intently to Huang Wanting's account. To them, this was clearly no longer a simple, ordinary matter.

Huang Wanting continued, "I don't know if this has anything to do with the poisoning you mentioned, so I came to consult with you first. If my uncle really has done something illegal, I hope you can spare him."

In Huang Wanting's eyes, Long Si was her last remaining relative in this world. As his niece, how could she bear to watch her uncle fall into the clutches of the law? Right now, her only option was to turn to Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun for help.

Understanding the weight of her words, Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun exchanged another glance.

Zhang Shen spoke up, "From what you're saying, I think I understand what you're trying to convey, but I must make one thing clear first. Until I see the true nature of what is happening with my own eyes, I cannot make any judgments."

"Then what do you propose to do?" Huang Wanting asked, knowing that Zhang Shen must have thought of a way to get to the bottom of the matter.

"I need to enter the tiger's den. How else can I uncover the truth inside?"

As soon as Zhang Shen uttered those words, they met with strong opposition from Jiang Muyun.

"No! I absolutely will not allow you to risk your life like this. If anyone goes, it should be Wang Ying herself. No matter what, this is her family's affair. Charging ahead like this—people might think you've got feelings for Wang Ying!"

Hearing Jiang Muyun's words, Zhang Shen couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing. It was clear to him that Jiang Muyun cared deeply about him, especially judging by the look in her eyes just now, as if she might actually fall out with him if he really went.

"Didn't you raise no objections last time?" he asked.

"Hmph! Last time we were together. Otherwise, who would care to come here with you?"

Jiang Muyun's words once again filled Zhang Shen with a sense of warmth and affection. He knew this came from a place of genuine care, but on the other hand, if Wang Ying were to go instead, as a young woman she would face immense danger—especially after hearing Huang Wanting's chilling account.

Zhang Shen fell into deep thought, searching his mind for the right way to explain everything and soothe the young woman beside him.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Jiang Muyun said, trying to forestall any foolish heroics on his part. "How about I go in with you?"

Before Zhang Shen could reply, Huang Wanting poured a bucket of cold water on the idea.

"I'm afraid that won't work. My uncle's restaurant only allows one person to enter at a time. As far as I know, there has never been a precedent for two people going in together."

Jiang Muyun had an impatient streak, especially when it concerned Zhang Shen. Hearing this, she cast aside the politeness she had shown moments before and retorted directly, "I never realized your uncle's little temple had so many strict rules."

Knowing that Jiang Muyun was venting her frustration, Huang Wanting chose not to fire back.

After a long silence, Zhang Shen finally spoke.

"You two, please stop arguing. Since Long Si has his rules, we must play by them. At the very least, we should try courtesy before resorting to force. Otherwise, we won't even be able to take the first step."

"But..."

Although Jiang Muyun knew Zhang Shen's mind was made up, out of concern she still wanted to persuade him otherwise. Zhang Shen, however, understood her intentions well. Hoping to avoid a prolonged stalemate with her, he decided to make a swift and decisive choice.

Looking straight at Jiang Muyun, he said, "I have thought this through very carefully. Let me go in alone to scout the situation. If anything unexpected happens, I at least have a way to get out safely. You and Miss Mu can wait for me here."

Though Zhang Shen spoke in a calm and casual tone, he wasn't entirely certain of the outcome himself. Yet, having ridden the tiger, he had no choice now but to wade across the river by feeling for the stones.

Seeing the serious expression on Zhang Shen's face, Jiang Muyun realized that nothing she said would change his mind. She decided it was best to let him go and scout the place first, planning to figure out the next steps after his return.

"Then you must be very careful by yourself. Sister Mu and I will wait for you here." A deep, undisguised concern filled Jiang Muyun's eyes as she spoke.

"I will!"

With that, Zhang Shen turned to Huang Wanting and asked, "When shall we head over to your uncle's restaurant?"

"I think we should go right now."

"Right now?" Jiang Muyun hadn't expected things to move so abruptly. Zhang Shen, on the other hand, seemed quite satisfied with the timing.

"Alright, there's no time to waste. Let's get out of the car!"