Taboo Mage - Chapter 237 - Li Mi and Hu Zhipeng

“No, no, Mr. Zhou, I… You have to understand, I really need complete assurance…” Hu Zhipeng’s face suddenly changed.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, not out of mockery, but simply because it was amusing.

Zhou Qifang wasn’t the type to hold grudges; his words were merely meant to give Hu Zhipeng a wake-up call. As the top Buddha amulet master in Bangkok, Thailand, people would queue for a year or more just to get a chance to see him. Now, Zhou Qifang offered his help to Hu Zhipeng, yet Hu was still indecisive, thinking of keeping a backup plan. It’s fortunate Zhou didn’t just walk away.

But this made me curious. Zhou Qifang wasn’t short on money or influence, so why was he so determined to take Hu Zhipeng’s business?

Hu Zhipeng continued to say a few more flattering words. I rested my hand on the table, covering my mouth, afraid I might burst out laughing.

Zhou Qifang didn’t hold onto his airs for long, merely responding coldly before steering the conversation back to Hu Zhipeng’s matters.

I listened for a while, feeling bored, and turned to signal Chi Rui if we should leave.

Chi Rui was engrossed, seemingly captivated by something about Hu Zhipeng that held both Zhou Qifang and Chi Rui’s attention.

Without catching my hint, I was too lazy to head home alone. Knowing Chi Rui, if I left now, he’d surely call me later to drive back and pick them up.

I wasn’t about to waste my time on such pointless errands.

So, I focused on sitting in my chair, half listening to Xu Benzhang’s chatter, while my eyes wandered around.

This casual glance revealed another person present, someone who had been well-hidden until now, perhaps having arrived recently.

That person was Li Mi.

When I spotted her, Li Mi was seated behind a massive Money Tree, wearing a long dress and coat that concealed her figure, with a mask on her face, completely out of place with the surroundings.

Li Mi noticed my gaze, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, then she adjusted her scarf, as if that could dispel my suspicion and scrutiny.

I gestured to Li Mi, then reached out, placing my hand on Hu Zhipeng’s shoulder amidst Li Mi’s startled gaze.

“What’s up, Boss Gu? Something wrong?” Hu Zhipeng, engrossed in conversation with Zhou Qifang, didn’t show much displeasure at my interruption, merely furrowing his brow slightly.

I pointed towards Li Mi’s corner, and Hu Zhipeng followed my direction. Coincidentally, Li Mi, perhaps trying to leave, hurriedly stood up, knocking over the Money Tree beside her.

With a loud crash, the noise drew everyone’s attention. I couldn’t bear to look at Li Mi.

I saw Hu Zhipeng’s face change instantly, his hand clenching into a fist on the table, his expression darkening. He stood up and walked towards Li Mi.

Li Mi’s face turned pale, ignoring the Lobby Manager who approached to intervene, she grabbed her bag and tried to leave, but Hu Zhipeng caught her arm.

From a distance, I couldn’t hear their conversation, but from their gestures and Li Mi’s pleading look, I could guess the situation.

Whatever reason brought Hu Zhipeng here, he clearly didn’t want Li Mi to follow, or even know about it.

Yet Li Mi not only knew, she followed him, hiding in a corner to watch.

In the far corner of the lobby, Hu Zhipeng, Li Mi, and the Lobby Manager were negotiating something. I saw Hu Zhipeng pull out a card from his wallet, handing it to the manager, then dragging Li Mi out.

Li Mi, in high heels, stumbled as Hu Zhipeng pulled her.

As they exited, Li Mi turned back to glance at me. Despite her sunglasses, I could feel the reproachful look behind them.

She was probably blaming me for meddling, leading Hu Zhipeng to discover her presence.

Watching Li Mi being dragged out by Hu Zhipeng, I suddenly felt a pang of regret.

When I spotted Li Mi earlier, it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision to inform Hu Zhipeng, not realizing it would cause Li Mi such trouble.

“Feeling sorry?”

Zhou Qifang’s teasing voice suddenly reached my ears. I turned to glare at him without speaking.

Xu Benzhang looked around, finally clearing his throat as an excuse to pay the bill, then left.

Once Xu Benzhang was gone, Chi Rui leaned in with a gossiping expression. He knew of Li Mi, but wasn’t aware of the entanglements between us.

“So, still tangled up with that girl, huh?”

“Shut your mouth,” I snapped at Chi Rui coldly.

Chi Rui shrugged, and I looked towards the lobby exit.

Hu Zhipeng had returned, adjusting his suit jacket, his sharp gaze sweeping past the curious onlookers, walking straight towards us.

“Mr. Zhou, sorry, something came up at home that I need to handle. If you’re available, I’ll visit tomorrow to continue discussing this matter. Is that alright?”

Hu Zhipeng spoke quickly, as if there was indeed something urgent waiting for him.

Zhou Qifang nodded, and Hu Zhipeng immediately turned to leave.

I instinctively guessed Li Mi was still outside, watching Hu Zhipeng’s departing figure. I bit my lip and stood up, intending to follow.

Before I could move, a hand grabbed my arm. I looked down to see Chi Rui grinning at me.

“Come on, they’ve said it’s a family matter. You still want to butt in?”

I frowned, about to speak, but Chi Rui had already stood up, grabbing the car keys and glancing at me.

“Gu Qingshu, back when the girl clung to you, you weren’t interested. Now she’s with someone else, and you want to play the hero? Think you’re some reincarnated saint?”

With that, Chi Rui headed out, Zhou Qifang following behind. I watched them, then let out a self-mocking laugh and followed.