Chapter 85: Preparing to Close the Net

Sitting beside Zhao Fan’s hospital bed was none other than Fang Tiancheng.

Hearing Zhao Fan’s inquiry, Fang Tiancheng turned his head, a flicker of guilt in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, perhaps this is my fault for implicating you.”

Zhao Fan was silent for a moment before he suddenly understood.

“You mean, my car accident has something to do with that matter between us?”

With Zhao Fan’s parents present, he dared not speak plainly, referring only obliquely to “that matter.”

The guilt in Fang Tiancheng’s eyes deepened. “More or less.”

Zhao Fan sighed. If that was the case, then this misfortune was his to bear. After all, becoming an undercover agent for the Patrol Bureau, it was hard to expect to retreat unscathed.

Zhao Fan’s parents exchanged glances. Sensing that something wasn’t right, but unwilling to say more in the presence of a stranger, they kept silent.

A few minutes passed. Zhao Fan suggested he wanted a private word with Fang Tiancheng and asked his parents to step out for a moment.

Zhao Fan’s father glanced at Fang Tiancheng but said nothing, leading Zhao Fan’s mother out.

As soon as the door shut, Zhao Fan lowered his voice. “Have you taken action already?”

Fang Tiancheng shook his head. “Not yet.”

If they hadn’t acted, then why had he been targeted for revenge?

Zhao Fan voiced his confusion.

Fang Tiancheng dropped his gaze. “The information was leaked.”

“What?”

“The police plan to take action—someone leaked the news, and it just happened to be about you.”

Zhao Fan was left speechless. How could his luck be so miserable?

Of all the information leaked from within the police, it was exactly his part.

“I’m sorry,” Fang Tiancheng said sincerely.

Zhao Fan waved it off. “Why apologize? You weren’t the one who leaked it. By the way, this—”

Before he could finish, his phone, lying at his side, suddenly vibrated.

Glancing at the screen, Zhao Fan saw that it was Mu Tianrong calling. His expression shifted instantly.

Fang Tiancheng noticed the name too, looking puzzled. “Why is he calling now?”

Zhao Fan replied, “Let’s pick up and find out.”

He answered the call.

“Mr. Zhao, are you free tonight?”

Zhao Fan was silent. The phrase sounded oddly familiar.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Tonight at eight, the top floor of the Tianyuan Hotel. There’s a banquet—I’d like you to attend.”

Zhao Fan glanced at Fang Tiancheng and agreed without hesitation.

After hanging up, Fang Tiancheng said, “A Hongmen Banquet.”

Zhao Fan laughed. “It’s not that serious.”

The top floor of the Tianyuan Hotel was precisely where he’d first attended such a banquet.

Even if the police had leaked his information, it was unlikely someone would go to such lengths as to plot against him in a public hotel.

Zhao Fan said frankly, “I’m not worth that kind of effort. Besides, my car accident might not have much to do with the Patrol Bureau.”

“Really? Why?”

“Of course. If my cover were blown, I wouldn’t still be in the hospital now.”

Anyone with the power to acquire so many antiques and organize so many so-called auctions masquerading as banquets must have vast influence. If they truly knew about his undercover status, he’d already be dead—there’d be no chance of waking up in a hospital.

Still, Zhao Fan knew he couldn’t delay the undercover operation any longer.

“This evening’s banquet—we have to move.”

Fang Tiancheng’s expression grew somber; he was no child and understood the entanglements at play.

“I’ll go back and make preparations.”

Once Fang Tiancheng had left, Zhao Fan glanced at the phone display. It was three in the afternoon, five hours until the banquet.

Zhao Fan’s parents returned, each settling on a side of his bed.

His mother asked anxiously, “Fan, tell me the truth—what’s going on with Officer Fang? Are you involved in something dangerous with him?”

His father said nothing, but his gaze was locked on Zhao Fan, clearly demanding an answer as well.

Zhao Fan’s eyes flickered; he had no intention of revealing his collaboration with Fang Tiancheng. Instead, he brought up business.

“I’ve been working on a business deal with him recently. It’s a bit entangled with some old families in Yang City.”

“So your accident today was because one of the powerful families in Yang City took offense to you?” his mother concluded.

Zhao Fan thought of the Bai family, who indeed disliked him, and decisively laid the blame for the accident at their feet.

“Yes.”

His mother frowned, about to urge him to give up.

But his father, well aware of his wife’s intentions, interrupted before she could speak. “Fan, I know you’re capable. As your father, there’s little I can do to help. But I don’t want anything to happen to you, you understand?”

His father rarely spoke in such emotional terms. In fact, he was usually the quiet one at home.

The unexpected string of words caught Zhao Fan off-guard.

After a moment, Zhao Fan lowered his head. “Dad, I understand. This isn’t dangerous, and it will be resolved soon.”

His father gave him a long, searching look, then told his wife to come along.

“There’s something we need to do at home. We’ll head back first.”

“Wait—Dad, please help me with my discharge papers.”

His father’s expression darkened, all his trust evaporating in an instant as he glared at Zhao Fan.

“What did you say? Say that again.”

“I want to be discharged—could you help me with the process?”

The rising lilt in Zhao Fan’s voice betrayed a hint of unease, but his resolve was clear. He had to leave the hospital.

Tonight’s banquet at the top of the Tianyuan Hotel was something he couldn’t miss.

His father pointed at him, arm trembling. “Do you even know what you’re saying?”

“I do, Dad. I have to be discharged.”

His mother, anxious, tried to soothe her husband. “Don’t get worked up—Fan is—”

“Mom, I have to leave the hospital.”

After a stalemate lasting more than ten minutes, his father left, grim-faced, to arrange the discharge.

The doctor hurried over when he heard. “You’re getting discharged? Your tests aren’t even—”

“Doctor, I’m fine.”

The doctor was incensed. “Who’s the doctor here, you or me?”

Zhao Fan replied honestly, “You are, but I really am fine.”

“You—!”

Previously, his father had disagreed with him, but now, faced with the doctor, he stood firmly by Zhao Fan’s side.

“Doctor, he won’t die. He wants out, and if anything happens, it’s his own doing.”

The doctor was so angry he trembled. He’d never met a family so unreasonable.

“Fine! If you want to leave, then leave. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—hmph!”

With that, the doctor stormed out.

Zhao Fan sighed after a moment of silence. There would be far fewer doctors like him in the future.

“Dad, Mom, let’s go home.”

Since his car had been wrecked, Zhao Fan could only hail a taxi with his parents.

Halfway home, Zhao Haitian called. “You’re not at the hospital?”

“We’re on our way home,” Zhao Fan replied.

“You’re not staying in the hospital?” Zhao Haitian’s voice rose sharply.

Zhao Fan held the phone away from his ear. “There’s nothing wrong with me. Why should I stay? But you—don’t tell me you’re at the hospital?”

Sure enough, Zhao Haitian was there, and not only him but Zhao Yun’er as well.

Hearing that Zhao Yun’er was there too, Zhao Fan quickly told Zhao Haitian where they were and had the taxi pull over.

“We’ll wait for you.”