CHAPTER 230: CHAPTER 230: AN UNINVITED GUEST

Shen Zhaoli, who had been upstairs for quite some time, finally came down holding the phone, his expression agitated, and said, "Bian Yue! A call from Shen Jinci!"

Bian Yue turned to look at Shen Zhaoli abruptly, her expression urgent as she ran towards him, impatient to take the phone from him.

Her palms were sweaty as she took the cell phone and brought it to her ear, her voice trembling, "Jinci... where are you?"

The sunlight in S state carried the salty smell of the sea breeze. Shen Jinci stood inside a church, his fingers covered in blood. As he listened to Bian Yue’s voice, he said in an unruffled and gentle tone, "Yueyue, I’m on a business trip, didn’t I tell you?"

"When will you be back?" Bian Yue asked eagerly. "I want to come find you."

"Very soon, I’ll be back in a few days," Shen Jinci paused, then comforted her softly, "It’s chaotic abroad. If you come now, you’ll only distract me. Wait for me in Xiangjiang, okay?"

Bian Yue’s anxiety was somewhat soothed by Shen Jinci’s voice, but the sense of panic had not completely faded. Her eyelashes trembling, she whispered, "I’m very worried about you, Jinci. I believed what you told me last time. Can you just come back now? Please, don’t stay abroad."

On the other end, Shen Jinci fell silent for a moment. Squinting his eyes, he looked at the blood on his fingers and after a brief contemplation, whispered back, "I promise you, I’ll come back as quickly as I can. Yueyue, don’t worry."

Bian Yue wanted to say more, but Shen Jinci said, "I have some things to deal with right now, I’ll contact you later, okay?"

Bian Yue knew that Shen Jinci would not be so blunt with her unless it was truly urgent. Reluctantly, she still said ’okay.’

The call ended with a busy tone. Shen Zhaoli, seeing Bian Yue’s lost expression, said helplessly, "Miss, now that you’ve heard Shen Jinci’s voice, can you be at peace? How about you give me back my phone and go home to rest?"

After speaking, Shen Zhaoli moved towards Bian Yue, intending to take back his phone, but Bian Yue suddenly gripped it tightly and ran outside without turning back.

Not to mention Shen Zhaoli, even Wen Jiao, who was standing by, was stunned by this unexpected turn of events.

"Bian Yue, what are you doing with my phone!" Shen Zhaoli chased after her while running and shouting, "Stop! My phone is important!"

Wen Jiao came back to his senses and also ran out following Shen Zhaoli.

Bian Yue had already gotten into a car parked nearby. She sat in the car, rolled down the window, and looked at Shen Zhaoli’s anxious face, "I’ll borrow your phone for a bit. Don’t worry, I’ll have it returned to you once I’m done."

"Bian Yue, what’s the difference between this and robbery! Not..." Shen Zhaoli’s expression was one of shock as he said urgently, "No, you didn’t take my phone to..."

"Yes," Bian Yue interrupted Shen Zhaoli, her gaze direct, "Since none of you wish to tell me, I’ll find the answer myself. I don’t believe that by following this chat record, I won’t be able to locate Shen Jinci!"

After saying that, Bian Yue started the car, and with a bewildered Shen Zhaoli watching, she slowly rolled up the window.

"Bian Yue! Calm down! Don’t go yet!" Shen Zhaoli was frantic, banging on the car window, "Stop the car first, let’s talk it out if you have something to say!"

But Bian Yue had already started to drive away. Shen Zhaoli ran after her for a bit, then stopped helplessly, watching as Bian Yue’s car disappeared from sight, his expression showing resignation.

Behind him, Wen Jiao let out a light chuckle.

Shen Zhaoli’s face tensed as he turned to Wen Jiao, hardly able to contain his irritation, "You don’t help me convince Bian Yue to stop, and you’re laughing here. What are you laughing at?"

"Bian Yue is someone who, once she sets her mind on something, can’t be stopped by anyone," Wen Jiao shrugged, looking unconcerned, "I suggest you go back to get some sleep. By the time you wake up, your phone might have been returned."

Shen Zhaoli was flabbergasted by such a way of comforting someone. He looked at Wen Jiao incredulously and raised an eyebrow, "Why do I feel like you’re taking pleasure in my misfortune?"

"Not at all, you’ve seen wrong," Wen Jiao stretched lazily, speaking casually, "I’m going to wait for Bian Yue at the company. You stay put!"

Shen Zhaoli narrowed his eyes, sizing up Wen Jiao. Somehow, he was attracted by her relaxed and casual demeanor. He smiled and said lightly, "Hey, Wen Jiao, I think you’re quite interesting."

"Thank you."

"We could say we got off to a rough start, and now you’ve been dumped. How about giving me a chance to treat you to a meal?"

Wen Jiao’s loose and casual motions ceased abruptly upon Shen Zhaoli’s words.

She leisurely looked him over with a snort, "How do you know I was dumped? Let me tell you, I’m not the one who was kicked out! As for your judgment, it remains to be criticized!"

Having said that, without waiting for Shen Zhaoli to reply, she left without looking back, just like Bian Yue earlier.

This time, Shen Zhaoli didn’t chase after her. He watched Wen Jiao walk away, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, a trace of interest in his eyes.

S state, at a church.

Brother Bai circled outside the church, as dawn just broke across the sky, and the streets were sparsely populated.

A group of men in suits with uniform guns in hand walked towards the church in well-trained steps, with a leader whose features were sharp, blond and blue-eyed, resembling the sculptures beloved by artists, and exuding a distinctive aura.

He stopped at the entrance of the church and made a gesture to his subordinates, who then quietly waited at the entrance.

The passersby, seeing their stance, all walked a bit further away, avoiding any unnecessary friction.

In this place, the influence of the Underground Kingdom, codenamed "White Dove," was deeply entrenched. With its tentacles stretching out from the abyss, it had established a peculiar symbiotic system with S state.

No one knew who founded this organization, but under the leadership of the former Godfather ’Mors,’ the organization began its ascent from the depths to the light of day, becoming a fierce player in both the lawful and the underworld in S state.

All the locals recognized the symbol of the organization and never easily provoked conflict with it.

Inside the church at this moment, Shen Jinci had just hung up the phone, covering the bleeding wound with his hand, looking emotionless at the man who was slowly walking in.

The man’s golden hair gleamed blindingly in the bright sunlight, his smile genuine as he spoke loudly, "Mors, long time no see."

Shen Jinci looked at him indifferently, his tone detached, "Allen, I have no ill intentions towards you, nor do I want to fight over anything. I’ve come back this time just to retrieve my files."

"Ah, such a touching reason. If I hadn’t known you for so many years, I would have almost believed you. Respected Godfather, you’ve returned risking your life just for a file, do you think I would believe that?"

As Allen said this, the smile on his face was replaced by a violent aura.