Chapter 80: The Waiter Had Him Stumped.

After the host spoke, he ushered Yan Feingqing from behind him to the front.

Yan Feingqing took a moment to survey the crowd, began his speech wishing all the guests a pleasant time, and proceeded to outline the itinerary of the trip.

It's a three-day secret sea voyage, filled with various marine activities, no contact with the outside world. On the last day, we'll anchor at a deserted island to spend a relaxing afternoon with a barbecue and bonfire. After that, everyone will head back.

He Guan listened intently and seemed particularly interested in the whale-watching and the deserted island activities.

Chi Yu popped strawberries into her mouth, remarking, "Quite the spectacle."

Her comment wasn't directed at the trip but rather at the people around her.

There are many professionals here that He Guan doesn't recognize, but if Chi Yu says so…

Seeing her enjoy the strawberries so much, He Guan tried one himself, commenting, "The real action seems to be next door."

It was indeed very sweet.

As they entered, He Guan noticed someone familiar entering the cabin next door: a renowned investor in the industry.

Chi Yu inquired, "Someone you know in the next cabin?"

He Guan replied, "Seems to be from the music industry..."

Inside, He Guan also spotted the boss of Qing Tu.

Qing Tu, the company that previously collaborated with He Guan on producing the Nolimit record, originated as a band and later established itself as a company after the band disbanded.

When He Guan met the man's gaze, there was a spark in his eyes, an expression He Guan found hard to describe.

If he had to explain it... it looked like the way someone from a niche community greets a kindred spirit.

He Guan had seen that look before.

After he and Lou Dongzang went public about their relationship in a live broadcast, He Guan once encountered a boy sitting on a bench by the company vending machine who looked at him with that exact expression.

The boy wore a rainbow-colored bracelet on his wrist.

But why would Qing Tu's boss have such a look?

In He Guan's prior collaborations with Qing Tu and Star Domain, he never noticed such a demeanor.

The head of Qing Tu is a genuine businessman. He Guan approached him with complete sincerity when discussing the collaboration, and their negotiations regarding the record content were particularly harmonious.

He Guan could tell that this man had a strong sense of boundaries, so he refrained from unnecessary flattery. As a result, the leader of Qing Tu held He Guan in high regard.

They had no personal relationship whatsoever.

So why did he seem to categorize He Guan as one of his own kind with just one glance upon seeing him here?

With people from all walks of life gathered, what could possibly make the two of them genuine kindred spirits?

Could he be in the closet?

That seems unlikely.

This gathering was more than just a business event.

He Guan bit off a cherry, placed its stem on a plate, and reached for some cold dishes.

Chi Yu, standing by his side, cautioned, "Don't eat too much."

He Guan inquired, "Did you eat on your way here?"

Chi Yu replied, "I already ate."

He Guan gestured to her, "Then I'll have just one more piece of fish. I'm a bit hungry."

Chi Yu nodded in agreement.

While it's unlikely for a buffet-style restaurant to tamper with the dishes, it's not entirely impossible.

The piece of garfish was as long as a finger; He Guan finished it in two bites and then began to mingle with Chi Yu amongst the crowd.

Conversations flowed normally, discussing mutual acquaintances, exchanging news, discussing plans, getting introductions, and meeting new people - typical for this kind of gathering.

He Guan was so accustomed to such events that he felt a little out of place whenever he took a moment to rest.

Nothing to do.

He had initially thought that Yan Feingqing would come to confront him, but that didn't happen.

After speaking, Yan left the banquet hall, and the senior figures, Lou and Wei, also departed after exchanging pleasantries.

The remaining guests were scattered in small groups, with He Guan recognizing only a few.

Once he paused, Chi Yu finally seized the opportunity and pulled him toward the restroom.

He Guan remarked, "On the very first day..."

Chi Yu replied, "Three days is a bit tight for me."

Yan Xu: "Alright."

As the two began to move, a waiter quickly followed, gesturing to lead them.

He Guan nodded, allowing the waiter to guide them. As they walked, he casually chatted with Chi Yu, "I haven't felt like doing much these past three days. Maybe we should stay in our rooms and rest a bit."

Chi Yu: "Sounds good. It's a rare break..."

Chi Yu, always observant, glanced down and noticed He Guan's reddened hand.

There were red spots around his wrist, suggesting that He Guan had developed an allergy.

Following her gaze, He Guan subtly adjusted his sleeve to cover the area of his allergic reaction.

The waiter, sensing their silence, turned and the device around his neck emitted a sound, "Is there an issue, sir?"

He Guan inquired with curiosity, "What is that...?"

Without taking offense, the waiter replied with a friendly smile, "I damaged my vocal cords and can't speak. This device assists me vocally."

The voice sounded less human and more mechanical.

He Guan remarked, "This is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

Seeing his interest, the waiter elaborated, "I'm deeply grateful to Ms. Wei and Mr. Lou... thanks to their assistance with my treatment. Without them, I might have been mute for the rest of my life."

Noting the waiter's amicable demeanor, He Guan tried to learn more, but the waiter kept reiterating his gratitude towards the elderly couple.

He quickly ushered He Guan and Chi Yu along without lingering.

Chi Yu entered the restroom before He Guan, checking each stall for occupants. Finding none, he gestured for He Guan to lock the door behind them.

Chi Yu asked, "Are all of them disabled?"

He Guan clarified, "The wait staff."

He Guan had keenly observed that all the service staff here had some form of disability, as Yan Fengqing had mentioned.

After a moment's reflection, Chi Yu remarked, "Indeed. But most of the banquet attendees seem quite healthy."

He Guan: "All of them are in good health."

Chi Yu: "It's quite peculiar."

He Guan: "Indeed."

Chi Yu: "Speaking of, your allergy..."

He Guan: "I'm allergic to a component in LSD."

Chi Yu's expression instantly darkened.

He Guan: "Luckily, I found out in advance. From now on, I'll try a little of everything first. Are you okay?"

Chi Yu: "I didn't eat meat, only some fruits."

He Guan: "Alright."

He Guan: "You should go. I'll handle things here. Will two hours suffice?"

Chi Yu: "I'm profoundly grateful."

As a police officer, Chi Yu must have her own mission. He Guan surmised that upon boarding the ship, her first move would be to secure the vessel's blueprints.

He also realized that even without his assistance, she had other means — a bit more cumbersome, perhaps, but undoubtedly effective.

The help He Guan could provide was limited.

Chi Yu: "I'll head straight to my room."

He Guan: "Alright."

Chi Yu swiftly changed out of her evening gown.

Soon after, there was a soft rustling by the window, and she slipped out.

He Guan resealed the window she had dismantled, picked up her dress, and took a moment to rest in a bathroom stall.

Despite being embroiled in this affair, He Guan's composure remained unshaken.

Chi Yu had briefed him about numerous details prior to this, but He Guan knew he was only a contingency plan. His primary goal was not to hinder her, and the rest depended on law enforcement.

The situation here was complex, far beyond what he alone could address.

He wondered about Lou Dong's whereabouts.

After Lou Dong had been apprehended that day, He Guan assumed he'd be imprisoned, but that didn't seem to be the case.

The fact that Lou Dong was working at Lou Jun's rehabilitation center was unexpected for He Guan.

Likewise, Lou Yingjie's presence here was also unforeseen.

He Guan had always thought that Lou Jun's shady dealings were minor and personal. Now, it seemed Lou Yingjie was also involved.

But why?

To phrase it crudely and without a moral compass...

The Lou family had vast enterprises and their wealth was largely transparent. There seemed to be no need to jeopardize their legitimate businesses to nurture under-the-table dealings.

If not for money, then what was the motive?

Lost in thought, He Guan couldn't draw a conclusion. Shaking off his scattered thoughts, he shifted his gaze to the shimmering dress.

"Oh, the pond fish..."

She'd be outside for at least two hours.

How can one distract someone for two hours?

He Guan sat on the toilet lid, staring up at the ceiling.

He was stumped.

*

In the latter part of the banquet, glasses clinked and wine flowed.

Someone, a bit unsteady on their feet, clutched a waiter's arm and swayed towards him.

"How much further to the restroom?... It feels like it's miles away..."

The waiter was caught between laughter and frustration, having been accidentally smacked several times by the man's flailing hand.

Once, he even hit the waiter's external voice-assistance device.

As if the device was connected to his flesh, veins bulged at the waiter's neck, and his face paled. He nearly flung the man away.

The waiter's eyes visibly cooled.

Although the device allowed him to speak, it was also his Achilles' heel.

The slightly dizzy man snapped, "You hurt me—"

Before he could vent, he stepped onto the restroom's carpeted threshold and mumbled a realization that he'd arrived.

He let go of the waiter and made a beeline for the restroom.

Nearly bumping into the door, he fumbled with the lock. Holding back no longer, he yelled, "Who's in there, having a pee party? Or constipated? Open up now!"

Although the irate one was the one knocking, the person opening the door seemed even more flustered.

He Guan, his face flushed and breathing hard, opened the door. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and though he'd pulled up his pants, his belt dangled, clanging against the door. He looked angrier than the man outside.

"Out!"

He Guan looked markedly different from the first time the waiter had seen him.

Now, his tie was nowhere to be seen, two buttons were missing, and a lipstick mark with a smudge graced his cheek. Clearly, something intense had happened.

The waiter dared only a quick glance, catching sight of the enraged He Guan and a white dress draped over the stall. Without a word, he led the drunken man in another direction.

Even with such a discreet inspection, He Guan still managed to shoot him a glare.

Given the current situation, anyone could make an educated guess.

That's probably why another female guest hadn't shown up.

A drunken man began hurling insults again, but the waiter forcibly escorted him away. Despite his earlier dignified appearance in the banquet hall, here, he behaved like a common thug stripped of his facade.

The waiter was evidently annoyed.

With a cold demeanor, he hastened his steps, pulling and dragging the man away with force.

They weren't headed in the direction of the restrooms.

*

Once the sounds of jeers had faded, He Guan closed the door behind him. He fastened his belt, walked over to the sink, and washed the lipstick marks and sweat from his face.

It seemed as though he had truly been exerting himself—his breathing had quickened, his heart rate had spiked, his capillaries had dilated, his face was flushed, and he was sweating—all signs of physical exertion.

He Guan rinsed his face twice, tidied himself up, and only then did he feel calmer. He headed towards the sweeper in the corner.

Four sweepers had been placed in the restroom storeroom.

Two were larger, equipped with seats for people to sit and operate them.

Two were smaller, push-operated.

The sweepers were entirely green, cleaned so well by the janitors that they gleamed with an aged cleanliness.

He Guan, using the large sweeper’s lid for support, managed to leap and seat himself atop it, mumbling under his breath.

“Why's it so heavy even when it's off…? Almost wore me out just pushing it a bit.”

“Seems like I really should get some exercise…”