Chapter 454: Chicken Feet

"Special Envoy, are you satisfied?"

Zong Wen, wearing a floral shirt, sat next to Chen Ling and asked with a smile.

Chen Ling knew that the old man wasn't asking about the dining room's decor, let alone the dishes that hadn't been opened yet. Looking at the lecherous look in his eyes, he knew he was asking about the "appreciation" from earlier.

Chen Ling couldn't be bothered to deal with him. Since he had found the painting, the rest of the process was irrelevant. If he didn't have to continue playing the role of "Special Envoy," he would have turned around and left by now...

Chen Ling took a sip of tea and said nothing, as if he hadn't heard Zong Wen's question at all.

Zong Wen's smile became increasingly awkward. Perhaps sensing the Special Envoy was in a bad mood, he looked back at Liu Qingyan, as if questioning what was going on, but she just stood silently by the door, not moving.

"Special Envoy, just eating is too boring. I've also prepared some performances to liven things up for you..."

"Performance?"

Chen Ling squinted at Zong Wen, seemingly suspicious that this guy was trying to pull another stunt.

But as Zong Wen clapped his hands gently, an orchestra walked onto the stage. Chen Ling felt a slight sense of relief... Good, this time it really was just a "performance."

As the melodious music played, the dining room was immersed in an elegant atmosphere. In front of the stage were only two exclusive dining tables for Chen Ling and Zong Wen, each lit with decorative glass candles, sparkling like stars on the silver cutlery.

I have to say, Zong Wen had some artistic flair, at least in terms of atmosphere and style.

"Special Envoy, these are top-tier chefs I specially poached from the major restaurants in Red Dust Main City today." Zong Wen said with a smile. "And these ingredients were also freshly transported. They will definitely give you a top-tier taste bud experience!"

He clapped his hands. "Serve the Special Envoy!"

At Zong Wen's command, the chefs who had been waiting for a long time pushed the dining carts forward and began to set the table. A plate covered by a metal lid was placed in front of Chen Ling.

"This first dish is Purple Gold Sauce Steamed Phoenix Claws. Please enjoy, Special Envoy!"

Clap—!

The metal lid was lifted in front of Chen Ling, and a few chicken feet appeared before him.

[Audience Expectation +2]

Chen Ling's gaze fell on the plate of chicken feet. As if discovering something, he picked up a chicken foot that had been gnawed halfway, with a bit of skin and meat still stuck to the bone. His expression beneath the mask was incredibly subtle.

Seeing the chicken foot in Chen Ling's hand, Zong Wen's smile suddenly stiffened.

Chen Ling was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly:

"Your Huadu Conglomerate's plating... is quite unique."

The smile on Zong Wen's face could no longer be maintained. He stared fixedly at the chefs who had served the food, as if he were about to eat them alive!

Seeing the "skinless chicken foot" in Chen Ling's hand, the chefs were also stunned. After sensing Zong Wen's questioning gaze, their backs were instantly soaked in cold sweat, and they stammered:

"No... that shouldn't be... No one in the kitchen should have been stealing food..."

Zong Wen's face turned red with anger. In this instant, all sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind... It stood to reason that these famous chefs wouldn't steal a chicken foot. Could it be that someone had been bought off by the Beidou Conglomerate to specifically provoke the relationship between him and the Special Envoy??

What a vicious business war!

"Special Envoy, there must be some misunderstanding here..." Zong Wen explained, biting the bullet.

Boom—!!

Just then, a deafening roar came from outside, and the ground shook.

Startled, everyone looked outside and saw a thick cloud of black smoke rising in the distance. Just as Zong Wen was stunned, a figure hurried in from outside.

"Chairman! Someone bombed the kitchen!!"

"What? Bombed the kitchen??" Zong Wen stood there, dumbfounded.

Chen Ling: ...

Hearing this, Chen Ling's expression beneath the mask became quite interesting. Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, this was most likely the work of those three guys.

But Chen Ling couldn't figure out for the life of him... why did those three bomb the kitchen??

"Did you catch them?" Zong Wen came back to his senses and asked immediately.

"No... when our people rushed over, they didn't find anything. The culprits are likely still in the estate." The butler said immediately. "However, the bodyguards have already been dispatched and are searching the area around the kitchen."

"Damn it, useless! A bunch of useless people!!" Zong Wen's neck turned red with anger. He didn't know who had done this, but he guessed that the other party was likely trying to disrupt this banquet.

Meanwhile, Chen Ling stood up slowly, his low voice sounding:

"It seems it's time for me to leave."

"Special Envoy! Give me a little more time. This is just a small episode. I guarantee I can solve it soon..." Zong Wen was anxious and walked straight to Chen Ling, pleading.

Then, as if thinking of something, he continued, "These people are likely trying to disrupt the relationship between us and you... Their intentions are truly vicious. With your strength, Special Envoy, I'm sure if you just made a small move..."

"Chairman Zong, I know what you're thinking."

Chen Ling's eyes beneath the mask were as deep as an abyss. "I will not participate in the feud between your Huadu Conglomerate and the Beidou Conglomerate, and don't think about using this opportunity to drag me into it."

With this sentence, Chen Ling pinned the "Beidou Conglomerate" label on Jian Changsheng and the others, shifting all the blame and perfectly distancing himself and the Twilight Society from it, while also finding a reason for not intervening.

Zong Wen was stunned for a moment. From Chen Ling's words, he managed to grasp the meaning... Since the Special Envoy had said so, it meant the other party was indeed sent by the Beidou Conglomerate!

Zong Wen gritted his teeth and hesitated for a moment, then said: "I understand... Then please rest here for a moment, Special Envoy. I will be able to resolve this matter soon."

He turned to leave, then suddenly thought of something and walked to the three bodyguards behind him:

"You three, make sure you guard this floor for me. Do not let anyone disturb the Special Envoy, understand? You must serve him well and keep him steady..."

"Understood!"

After giving his instructions, Zong Wen hurried away with the others.

Chen Ling sat alone at the dining table, glancing at the three high-level bodyguards left to stand guard at the door. Although some accidents had occurred, things were still moving forward steadily in the general direction...

The elegant orchestral music was still playing on the stage. Chen Ling sat alone in the luxurious dining room, gently swirling his red wine glass and sipping it leisurely.