After securing the piece of steel scrap, Chu Ge carefully inspected the car again, making sure there were no safety hazards, and then sat back in the car, instinctively tapping the steering wheel a few times before sending a text message to Chen Jue.

The message read: "Call me in five minutes and say you want to invite me to dinner."

After sending the message, Chu Ge immediately deleted it. Less than a minute later, Qin Ruojing and Qin Ruoying came out of the supermarket with some household items.

Qin Ruojing got back in the car and turned to ask, "Did something go wrong with the car?"

Chu Ge smiled, "No, it's nothing. I got it wrong."

He didn't plan to let Qin Ruojing and Qin Ruoying know about the car being tampered with. Telling them would be useless and would only make them worry.

"You even have things you can get wrong?" Qin Ruojing teased Chu Ge but did not pursue the topic any further.

Chu Ge started the car and drove towards home. A few minutes later, Chen Jue called him right on time.

Being a savvy person, Chen Jue understood Chu Ge's intention when he saw the message; it was expecting him to help Chu Ge out of a situation.

As soon as Chu Ge answered the call, Chen Jue laughed jovially, "Mr. Chu, you should have some free time tonight, right? I've been waiting to treat you to a welcome dinner; you won't refuse me again, will you?"

Though Chen Jue's voice wasn't loud, the car was quiet enough that Qin Ruojing and Qin Ruoying could hear a bit.

In his heart, Chu Ge praised Chen Jue, but his face was full of difficulty, "Well... To be honest, it's not about not giving you face, it's just that today I'm really not convenient."

Hearing Chu Ge's pretense to decline, Chen Jue understood. He knew it wasn't a genuine refusal; otherwise, Chu Ge wouldn't have sent that message.

"It's just a dinner, won't take much of your time. You keep pushing me away like this; aren't you taking me too lightly as a friend?"

Chen Jue deliberately raised his voice a bit, with a hint of displeasure in his tone.

"Well..." Chu Ge's expression of difficulty became even more convincing, "How about this? I'm driving now; I'll call you later and let you know whether I'll go or not."

"Alright, I'll wait for your call."

Chu Ge and Chen Jue exchanged a few words in tacit coordination and then hung up the call. Chu Ge shook his head helplessly, muttering, "This guy, really..."

Qin Ruojing looked at Chu Ge, "What? Someone wants to invite you to dinner?"

Chu Ge responded with an exasperated "Hmm," "Yesterday, I bumped into a friend who insisted on giving me a welcome dinner. I said I have to go home to be with my wife, where's the time to dine with you? And today, this guy called again."

Qin Ruoying chuckled, "Brother-in-law, why do you look so solemn when someone invites you to dinner? Aren't you putting on too many airs?"

Chu Ge was secretly pleased, hearing Qin Ruoying's implication that she supported him going out to eat. That was exactly the effect he wanted. Unfortunately, Qin Ruoying immediately followed with a sentence that left him speechless, silently rolling his eyes.

"But... not going is right. Nowhere is better than home. Besides, outside food isn't as delicious as what you cook, brother-in-law." After finishing, Qin Ruoying looked smugly at Qin Ruojing, "Right? Sis?"

Qin Ruojing also smiled but didn't respond to her sister's question, instead looking at Chu Ge, "If you want to go, just go."

Chu Ge shook his head, "Forget it, you two are still hungry; how could I bear to leave?"

"It's okay, go ahead. Friends should keep in touch. Besides, the two of us have hands and feet; making dinner ourselves is no problem."

Qin Ruoying pouted, looking annoyed, "Sis~ Brother-in-law already said he's not going, why are you insisting?"

Qin Ruojing tapped her sister on the head, "You, can't you be a little more understanding? Your brother-in-law is a man; of course, he needs his own social engagements. Besides, didn't we live over twenty years without your brother-in-law?"

Qin Ruoying rubbed her forehead, turning her frustrated gaze to Chu Ge, "Brother-in-law, did you hear what my sister said? Aren't you going to do something about it?"

Chu Ge gave an awkward laugh, pretending not to hear, not responding to her remark at all. In his heart, however, he was quite grateful for Qin Ruojing's understanding, even though this dinner scenario was entirely his self-directed play.

"Chu Ge, just drop us off downstairs. After all, yesterday's meal was too sumptuous; we'll eat something light today. Otherwise, we might end up as big fatties and won't catch your esteemed attention anymore."

Hearing Qin Ruojing's playful comment, Chu Ge felt even warmer inside. He knew very well that Qin Ruojing said this to make it easier for him, using this way to give him an out.

"What are you talking about? That's impossible. Or... how about I go up and cook for you before I leave?"

"No need, we're not three-year-old kids, you go ahead and do your thing."

After beating around the bush for a while, Chu Ge didn't act coy anymore. He smiled apologetically, nodded his head, and said "Mm".

Before long, the Ferrari drove into the Huafu Garden District. Even though Qin Ruojing told Chu Ge he could leave directly, he insisted on accompanying the sisters upstairs. It wasn't that he was being clingy, but after the incident with the tampered tire today, he felt a bit uneasy.

There was nothing unusual in the stairwell. After Chu Ge saw the Qin sisters into their home, he stood by the door and said, "I'll be going now, I'll try to come back early."

Qin Ruojing nodded, "Go ahead, don't rush. They invited you for dinner, not to run errands for them. Don't make them feel like you're impatient. Oh, and take some money with you, just in case you need it. It would be too embarrassing if you didn't have enough money on you."

Chu Ge took the 20,000 yuan cash Qin Ruojing handed over to him, smiled at her, and said "Bye-bye." Just as he was about to turn around, Qin Ruojing pulled him back. Seeing his confusion, she rolled her eyes helplessly and gestured towards Qin Ruoying beside her.

Chu Ge suddenly understood, feeling a bit embarrassed, and quickly smiled at Qin Ruoying and said "Bye-bye" to her before heading downstairs to call Chen Jue.

"Third Master, I apologize for today and for having you play along with me in this act."

"Haha, Mr. Chu, don't be so formal. It wasn't really an act. I genuinely wanted to welcome you, but Mr. Chu is truly hard to invite."

Chu Ge chuckled as well, "I won't say many polite words. I really do want to meet and have a meal with you, Third Master. Do you have time?"

"For others, I'm unavailable, but if Mr. Chu wants to meet, I'll put off even the biggest matters. What would you like to eat? I'll arrange it."

"Anything is fine. I'm not picky, as long as it's clean and quiet."

"How about Papas? What does Mr. Chu think?"

"Sure, whatever Third Master arranges. Oh, and if Zhanhai is free, bring him along as well."

"Hmm? Okay, I'll give him a call. So, should we leave it at that for now?"

"By the way, Third Master, I'd like to bring a friend. I'm just unsure if you guys have any unpleasant history."

Chen Jue paused slightly, "Oh? Mr. Chu, who is this friend of yours?"

"The captain of the city bureau's criminal police team, Lin Gaoze."

"Captain Lin..." Chen Jue's tone was somewhat complex. After a few seconds of silence, he continued, "Are you asking for my opinion, Mr. Chu, or..."

The sentence was left unfinished, but Chen Jue's meaning was clear.

He didn't know if Chu Ge had already contacted Lin Gaoze and was just informing him, let alone why Chu Ge was meeting someone from his circle with the captain of the criminal police team in tow.

Sensing Chen Jue's rare hesitation, Chu Ge chuckled, "Of course, I'm discussing with you, Third Master. I haven't called him yet. If it's really troublesome for you, then forget it."

After a few seconds, Chen Jue's cheerful voice came through again, "No need for that. Since Captain Lin is Mr. Chu's friend, I, Chen, naturally extend a warm welcome. Zhanhai and I will be waiting in Papas, the private room we dined in last time."

"Let's skip the formalities, then. Okay, see you later."

After hanging up, the corners of Chu Ge's mouth slightly curved upwards. It was truly pleasant dealing with Chen Jue. If nothing unexpected happened, Chen Jue might have already booked the private room at Papas when he received his text message earlier.

After finishing the call with Chen Jue, Chu Ge dialed Lin Gaoze's number. Lin Gaoze was genuinely surprised and even a bit troubled to receive his call. If possible, Lin Gaoze really didn't want to interact with this Plague God.

What surprised Lin Gaoze even more was that this Plague God actually wanted to have a meal with him? What was this all about?

Even though Lin Gaoze tried to probe, Chu Ge wouldn't say anything over the phone, only telling him he'd find out upon arrival. After hesitating for a while, he finally agreed.

There was no choice. Despite not knowing who the Plague God was associated with, Lin Gaoze was well aware of a few things.

He Qing and He Junming were once close with Chu Ge, Mu Lingshan was quite fond of Chu Ge, the provincial party secretary Mu Chongyi had personally visited him, and Chu Ge dared to fight with the police at the station, even causing that unfortunate Bian Ziqun to lose his job.

Any one of these incidents was shocking enough, and with all of them centering around Chu Ge, even if his background was unclear, how could Lin Gaoze not take Chu Ge seriously?

After ending the call with Chu Ge, Lin Gaoze let out a long sigh, left with a feeling of near-trepidation, and headed out, hoping this living Plague God wouldn't bring any more trouble for him.