"We are here to cooperate with the investigation, so naturally, we will fully cooperate. Of course, we will come out later than you who are just going through the motions."
Zhou Jian looked at Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao, and said with a smile, "Young Master Qi, Young Master Kong, did you explain things properly inside? Are you colluding with Zhao Shengtian and the Sha Dao Hui?"
"Young Master Rong, how does that saying go? 'Confess and be rewarded, resist and be punished'?"
Zhou Jian looked at Rong Haodong beside him with a playful expression and said with a smile.
"Young Master Zhou, it's 'confess and be rewarded, resist and be punished'." Rong Haodong smiled and replied.
"Right, right, it's 'confess and be rewarded, resist and be punished'." Zhou Jian looked enlightened and said to Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao, "Did you honestly confess?"
"Young Master Zhou is joking. Although Zhao Shengtian, we are all disciples of Longdu, we have always followed the rules. How could we be involved with a notorious criminal organization like the Sha Dao Hui?"
Qi Tuojiang looked at Zhou Jian and said with a smile, "We naturally confessed because we have no secrets to hide in our hearts. We are open and honest, so why should we be timid and secretive?"
"As expected of Young Master Qi, that's a well-spoken statement. I admire you."
Zhou Jian looked at Qi Tuojiang and smiled, "Zhao Shengtian's engagement ceremony ended unhappily for everyone. I hope we can have the chance to drink together again in the future."
"As long as Young Master Zhou has the inclination, Young Master Kong and I will accompany you anytime, anywhere. After all, we are old friends."
Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao, being from Longdu's aristocratic families, looked down on the Zhou family from the south. This was because the Zhou family had started from business, while the five great families of Longdu had accumulated their wealth over centuries.
In their eyes, the Zhou family was at most a wealthy clan, incomparable to their aristocratic families.
However, on second thought, the Zhou family now dominated the south, and even the aristocratic families of Longdu dared not contend with them. Therefore, their attitude towards Zhou Jian was much better. At least, they did not dare to flaunt their nobility and were willing to show deference everywhere.
After Qi Tuojiang finished speaking, he immediately looked at Rong Haodong and said with a smile, "What I just said was also to Young Master Rong. If Young Master Rong comes to Longdu in the future, we will still entertain you with fine wine and beautiful women."
"Alright, thank you in advance for your hospitality, Young Master Qi." Rong Haodong knew that everyone was just exchanging pleasantries, and inwardly, they wished they could kill each other, but he still smiled and said.
This is how it is for scions of aristocratic families. No matter how great the animosity is, no matter how displeasing the other person is, the outward appearance must still be maintained.
Frankly speaking, Rong Haodong looked down on people like Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao. This was because, despite their noble birth and exceptional talent, these people lacked something, which was tolerance.
Truly noble people are both calm and inclusive.
Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao could be calm, but they lacked the magnanimity of encompassing all rivers. Instead, they tried to expel those who had dissenting intentions.
"Zhou Jian, Rong Haodong, I invited Young Master Qi and Young Master Kong to my car just now, but they refused. I wonder if you two would be willing to grace me with your presence?"
As Rong Haodong's lips curved into a smile, Shen Lang's voice followed, saying.
"Big Brother, what are you saying? It is our good fortune accumulated over ten lifetimes that you are willing to let us in your car. How could we refuse?"
Rong Haodong heard Shen Lang's words and had an expression as if he had received a great reward. After saying this, as if afraid Shen Lang would go back on his word, he opened the car door and got in.
"Me too."
After Rong Haodong got in the car, Zhou Jian said a sentence and then also got in, fearing that Shen Lang would change his mind if he was even a second late.
After getting into the car, Zhou Jian rolled down the window, looked at Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao, and said with a beaming smile, "Young Master Qi, Young Master Kong, there is one more seat. Who among you is willing to get in?"
"Take advantage of the fact that there is still a seat, quickly. In the future, you won't be able to find a seat."
Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao understood what Zhou Jian meant, but both of them had a smile of refusal on their faces and said, "As we said before, we have different paths and do not conspire together. It is better to keep things clear. This seat is not necessary."
"Alright..."
Zhou Jian said with a look of helplessness.
"See you two later."
Shen Lang said with a smile, then stepped on the accelerator and left.
"Young Master Kong, it seems we underestimated Shen Lang. Besides his godparents and goduncles, he is now also with Rong Haodong and Zhou Jian. This is troublesome."
After Shen Lang drove away, a lengthened Lincoln car soon arrived in front of Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao. After their accompanying bodyguards opened the doors, the two of them got in.
After getting into the car, Qi Tuojiang crossed his legs, lit a cigar, and slowly said.
"Rong Haodong and Zhou Jian are both people who do nothing without profit. They are following Shen Lang simply because they see some benefits in him. This is not genuine affection, so why should we worry about it?"
Kong Wudao looked at Qi Tuojiang and smiled, saying, "If we are determined to deal with Shen Lang, Rong Haodong and Zhou Jian will also have to weigh their options."
"Even if they really want to get into Shen Lang's car, will their families agree? Will they let them go against us for a mere young man with no background?"
"Young Master Qi, relax, you must relax. Shen Lang is not to be feared. At least, he is still under our control for now."
"Is that so?"
Qi Tuojiang's face suddenly showed a hint of worry. He said, "Shen Lang asked Yu Lingling to investigate the evidence of Zhao Shengtian's collusion with the Sha Dao Hui. Do you know about this?"
"I don't know about this, but I believe Yu Lingling has her reasons for not letting me know."
Kong Wudao replied, "In fact, this is not a bad thing. After all, compared to the minor grievances between us and Shen Lang, Shen Lang has now forged a mortal enmity with the Zhao family. Old Master Zhao is probably thinking of tearing Shen Lang to pieces right now."
"Old Master Zhao is vengeful and will go to any extreme to deal with those who offend the Zhao family. However, he also remembers every enemy. I am worried that he will take out his anger on you or even the Kong family because the evidence was investigated by Yu Lingling."
Qi Tuojiang said, "Have you thought of how to deal with it?"
"There's no need to deal with it. You can testify for me, saying that Yu Lingling has long been held by Shen Lang, and everything she did was under duress and inducement by Shen Lang."
Kong Wudao smiled and said, "This is something Shen Lang instructed her to do. Can Old Master Zhao implicate me without reason?"
"If you really have to choose in the end?"
Qi Tuojiang smiled and said.
"If we really have to choose, then there's nothing we can do."
A hint of coldness flickered in Kong Wudao's eyes: "Fish, that is what I desire; bear's paw, that is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I would rather give up fish and take the bear's paw."