Deadly Trap.

Chapter 45. Drinking Poison
Slowly, Su Li recalled her brief encounter with Gu Mufeng the previous night. He had placed the Sword of Damocles into her hand.

Su Li's cheeks were slightly flushed.

Throughout the entire ordeal, only she remained by Gu Mufeng's side: "Not only was there champagne, but Mufeng only took two sips."

After that, Gu Mufeng was called away by Zhou Yi.

Despite blushing, Su Li addressed the people in front of her gently in front of Li Enzuo and Quenxus, her eyes sparkling as if she were being coquettish.

“Hmm, champagne.” Li Enzu couldn’t help but recall, smacking his lips repeatedly, “Last night’s stuff was really suitable for poisoning. That kind of bubbly, astringent taste, can mask any poison.”

Clearly, champagne is not Lee Enzo's favorite.

"Besides, colchicine won't take effect immediately. Judging by the timeline, it will likely take effect around the end of the concert, starting from the start of the auction. But is that feasible? With so many people present?"

"The seating arrangement at the cocktail party is pre-arranged. The drinks are also provided uniformly. It's not difficult to just poison the glasses beforehand."

Unusually, Quenxus, who usually stood silently behind Gu Mufei, slowly joined the discussion this time: "Boss, I'm afraid this won't be easy to investigate."

“But!” Li Enzuo’s gray hair was disheveled from being grabbed. “Boss, didn’t you say that the enemy was just forcing you to withdraw? What ‘City of Man’…”

Clearly, Li Enzuo could memorize "Toxicology" with ease, and "The Art of War" was as easy as using a sieve.

"How did it turn into murder?"

“The situation has changed.” Gu Mufeng said coldly, “I’m afraid they can only achieve their goal if I die.”

His indifferent words struck a chord with Su Li, but the answering machine in the front hall beeped twice. Quenxus went to answer it. Li Enzuo and Su Li were both lost in their own thoughts. For a moment, no one spoke in the living room.

"Boss, it's Dai Ze. He said you sent him."

Gu Mufeng glanced at his watch. Lost in their deductions, it was already eleven o'clock. He had only skimmed less than a quarter of the group's report.

Putting aside the official business that he couldn't possibly finish reading on time, Gu Mufeng gently clenched Su Li's fingertips, then reluctantly let go of her soft hand.

He stood up, took a few steps on the Persian carpet covered in lapis lazuli and blue flowers, and pondered what to do next.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks: "Quenxus." His phoenix eyes narrowed indifferently.

"Boss?"

"Have Dai wait in the front hall. I need to speak with Renzo for a few minutes."

After Quenxus obediently withdrew, Gu Mufeng spoke to Su Li: "Su Li, you must know..."

His eyelashes fluttered slightly as Gu Mufeng secretly glanced at her. As if sketching a picture, he deeply remembered Su Li's appearance—sleepless and without makeup all night for him.

Before Su Li could notice, he quickly lowered his gaze again: "...I have to do something today. I can't stay with you."

Hearing him say this, Su Li pictured his solemn all-black attire today; and above that, his cold and aloof face, so businesslike and ruthless.

Last night, while he had a high fever, he poured out his memories of Yiheng to her, expressing his sincere feelings: "informing the widow of her death," and even, "the best brother in the world."

Her heart clenched suddenly. Su Li knew his feelings were genuine, but he had to become someone else.

All these feelings surged into Su Li's heart, a jumbled mess of emotions. With her eyes lowered, she couldn't help but feel heartache for him.

"Today is New Year's Day. Su Li, I'll have Li Enzo take you there and keep you company. He's really good at cheering people up," Gu Mufeng said casually. "Renzo, is that alright?"

"Huh? Ah. What's so difficult about that? Leave it to me." With a pure smile in his dimples, Li Enzuo always seemed like a child who never grew up.

Although he didn't understand how his boss, who was so jealous yesterday that he wanted to kill him on the spot, had fallen into his lap for this top-notch job today, he wasn't unwilling to do it because it would make the pretty young lady happy.

"Take Su Li to Yun Jian, which is nearby, and have lunch with the landlady Lulu," Gu Mufeng said casually.

But all he could think about was how Li Enzuo and Lulu could help Su Li forget the fear of death and stop blaming herself and feeling sad. At this moment, what she needed was not to see him, not to face the darkness with him, but warmth, rest, and safety.

He paused for a moment, then, as if insisting, solemnly said to Su Li, "I'll pick you up tonight. Wait for me."

Gu Mufeng watched as Li Enzuo led Su Li out of the room.

His heart felt utterly empty. The spacious and bright living room felt like a completely empty shell, where Gu Mufeng sat quietly alone. The unfinished report remained unattended.

After a moment, he stood up again. In the foyer, his toes touched the base of the solid wood wall. From behind the wall, the umbrella stand slid out smoothly. He took a soft breath before reaching his hand inside.

Behind the black umbrella with its mismatched handle, he drew a jet-black Tang sword.

Facing the front hall, he pushed open the door.

In the front hall, the Uyghur carpet was as red as blood. Dai paced back and forth on it anxiously.

Upon looking up and seeing Gu Mufeng, Dai immediately stopped: "Mufeng, I received news last night: Yiheng—"

A cold glint sliced ​​through the air, tracing a sharp, endless arc. Gu Mufei drew his sword:

“Come on. Explain yourself, Dai Ze.” Startled at first, Dai Ze's outstretched arms, facing Gu Mufei, hovered in mid-air. Then, his broad shoulders dropped.

Dai Ze seemed relieved: "As expected, you knew."

"Dai Ze, for the sake of our twelve years of friendship," Gu Mufeng said through clenched teeth, his lips remaining perfectly still, "I'll only give you one chance."

The blade in his hand was perfectly straight, its chilling light gleaming as it moved from the base of his thumb to Dai Ze's throat, a meter away.

"Explain clearly: Why did you betray me?"

Dai Ze's lips twitched first, revealing a bitter smile. He didn't rush to speak. Then, with the knife tip pressed against his throat, Dai Ze pressed down on the blade, but deliberately lowered his head, as if to make his stance clear.

He pulled open his dark gray suit jacket with his left hand and reached inside with his right, groping around. In a flash, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a plastic lighter that looked at least twelve years old.

In silence, he focused intently on lighting the cigarette, once, twice, then placed it in his mouth. After a few gentle puffs of smoke, Dai Ze finally spoke:
"Mu Fei, does this count as betrayal? What if I said I just wanted you to get away unscathed and go back to the life you were supposed to live?"

Even the thick smoke at the corners of his mouth wouldn't dissipate, and Dai let out a deep sigh. He brought the cigarette back to his lips, silently took another drag, and then continued slowly:
"It's been twelve years, Mu Fei. We've actually known each other for a full twelve years."

From the back alley where we worked in nightclubs, to the rainy night when you seized power, we were forced to flee, and we cursed each other. Of all the people who are still alive, only I have seen your past; and only I understand your motivation for working day and night.

"Because we are friends. At least, we used to be. You are smarter and more visionary than me, so I am willing to help you in every way, even if it means leading you down the gray path."

"However, I've gradually come to understand: when you say you understand the possible consequences, you actually..."

Dai exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"You were already prepared to die."

"You repeatedly put yourself in the most dangerous position, flaunting your power and manipulating others, like bait deliberately waiting to be hunted."

"To achieve your goals, you will stop at nothing, shutting down your heart, shutting down all your emotions, and completely cutting ties with everyone who loves you or whom you love."

Meeting Gu Mufeng's cold gaze head-on, Dai Ze coldly questioned:
"Xiao Fan's brother has never been this kind of person! Now, Gu Mufeng, are you even a truly alive person?"

Upon hearing Xiao Fan's name, Gu Mufeng's pupils constricted instantly. His killing intent surged. The straight blade in his right hand subtly protruded forward, and a line of blood appeared on his throat.

"Are you done?" He could barely hold back his trembling, relying solely on willpower, and pulled the blade back again. "Dai Ze, you're really bad at making excuses."

"An excuse?" The voice was hoarse.

Dai Ze spat out the cigarette butt he was biting down on, stepped forward with his leather shoe, and stomped on the scarlet carpet, grinding it viciously with his heel. His throat pressed against Gu Mufeng's blade, blood beading further. Dai Ze roared in fury:

“Gu Mufeng, do with me as you please! But! You think I’m being unreasonable; but if Xiaofan were still alive, she would be standing right here today, watching you.”

Would she want to see you living like this, a mere tool?
"Can she forgive me for supporting you like this? Can she forgive me for watching you relentlessly pursue your goals, for planning to die for revenge, for fighting to the death?!"

"So, when Cheng Shining from the Xizi District Police Station said to me—"

"Cheng Shining?" Gu Mufeng interrupted coldly.

"Yes, Cheng Shining!" Dai roared.

He said that because he was in charge of Xiao Fan's case back then, now only he and I can stop you. But no matter how much he talks, you won't listen.

"In particular, the police have recently discovered several major moves by the underworld in Minzhou: the Tianxing Gang and the Dilong Society are having secret dealings. He doesn't want you to get involved in the power struggle within the underworld."

"Back then, Cheng Shining carried the guilt of not being able to bring the real culprit who killed Xiao Fan to justice for many years. He doesn't want to see you again—"

"Dai Ze, are you stupid?" Gu Mufeng gritted his teeth, gripping the Tang sword tightly in his right hand. "You just believe everything he says?"

"Otherwise what? I may not be as smart as you, but I will think twice before I act. As long as Cheng Shining provides me with your whereabouts, he will take care of the rest: if the underworld tries to harm you, he will send the police to help you."

“I’ve reviewed everything. None of our businesses are truly illegal. Without evidence, Cheng Shining can’t do anything to us. He’s willing to protect you, so why wouldn’t I?”

The blade remained motionless. Gu Mufeng stared intently at Dai Ze.

The sharp tip of the knife had already drawn a line of blood from Dai Ze's throat, while Gu Mufeng tried his best to process Dai Ze's words without any emotion.

After a long pause, his lips trembled slightly, Gu Mufei determined to get to the bottom of everything. His lips barely moved, but through gritted teeth, he coldly forced out a single sentence:

"What about Vain?"

>>>>>
Next Chapter: Parting Ways
[Author's Note | Chapter 45]

To some extent, this was the first time Gu and Su truly joined forces: Su Li carefully observed and provided clues, while Gu Mufeng made meticulous deductions.

When husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break even metal! (Take him away!)

Did readers feel Gu Mufeng's deep thoughtfulness towards Su Li, and Su Li's understanding towards President Gu?
Will Gu Mufeng and Dai Ze's twelve-year relationship end in a break or a reconciliation?

Tell me your thoughts in the comments section, and feel free to make your own guesses about what will happen next!
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(End of this chapter)