CHAPTER 596: CHAPTER 597: LURING THE SNAKE FROM ITS HOLE

"It’s like a rebirth," it wasn’t an exaggeration.

Gao Lian also noticed the man next to Shi Mei.

Shi Lingyan was being led by Shi Mei, their steps almost in sync, but there was a slightly sour taste of happiness on his face that made Gao Lian, perpetually single, green with envy.

Gao Lian had quite liked Shi Mei before, but now, seeing Shi Lingyan walking hand in hand with Shi Mei, he felt a bitter taste, and when he saw them, he said, "Hey."

Only then did Shi Lingyan and Shi Mei notice him and look his way.

It had been a while since Shi Mei had seen Gao Lian, and she thought he looked thinner, so she naturally asked, "Have you been very busy recently? You’ve lost a lot of weight."

Shi Mei didn’t mean anything by the comment, but it took on another flavor in Shi Lingyan’s ears.

Shi Lingyan raised his eyebrows slightly, turned his face towards the woman beside him, a deep look in his eyes.

Shi Mei was startled and then realized what was going on, laughing and saying, "What’s that look for? It’s just a question between old friends."

Shi Lingyan quickly turned his head away without a word and looked towards Gao Lian, saying indifferently, "Come in."

Gao Lian felt the almost imperceptible hostility from Shi Lingyan but found it amusing and followed them inside. He picked up on Shi Mei’s earlier question, jokingly said, "Been busy recently. The case I’ve been working on is a bit complex. Do you remember that underground assassin organization I mentioned to you once?"

Shi Mei thought for a moment and nodded, "I remember."

"Based on my investigation, the two men who tried to kill you on the street last time and were instead killed by you were members of that assassin organization. Besides that, Tang Wu’s car accident years ago, the vehicle explosion at the scene also involved them. Additionally, I’ve found out who their leader is."

Shi Mei frowned, "Is it that person from the Bai Family?"

Gao Lian shook his head and then said, "Not sure yet, because it seems the person isn’t from Xia Country, but a foreigner. It’s not clear yet which country they’re from, but it’s certain they’re from Southeast Asia. They look similar to people from Xia Country and, having lived in Xia Country for decades, they’ve probably been assimilated, virtually indistinguishable from the locals. Even standing right in front of you, you might not realize this is actually a foreigner."

After Shi Lingyan and Shi Mei entered the house, Shi Mei listened to Gao Lian’s words and nodded, saying, "I’ll go get something to drink."

Gao Lian had been thirsty for a while, so he nodded as well.

Shi Wuzhou’s house had been cleaned by someone earlier, and all necessary groceries and beverages were already prepared, everything spick and span.

Gao Lian casually sat down on the sofa and, seeing Shi Lingyan leisurely taking off his coat, teased, "You seem quite busy lately. I heard that heart-diseased woman’s parents approached you several times, and you even ran off to Imperial City yesterday?"

Shi Lingyan, upon hearing this, let out a light laugh, "You seem to be quite concerned about me."

"Of course, don’t think I just hang out at the police station, I keep myself concerned with many things," Gao Lian said as he took out a pack of cigarettes, "Can I smoke?"

"Yes," Shi Lingyan nodded.

Gao Lian pulled out two cigarettes, handed one to him, and said, "I’ve got a lot of evidence recently, now just missing the final step."

"The final step?"

"Drawing the snake out of the hole."