The Obsessive Tycoon Claims the Deserted Heiress-Chapter 59 - 058: Someone needs you to check something

She truly had no idea this restaurant had so many twists and turns.

Yu Zhi tried to explain, "Lu Li isn't that kind of person. He must've picked the wrong place."

Although Shi Wei disliked her speaking up for others, based on his own judgment, Lu Li indeed didn't seem like that kind of person, so he couldn't bring himself to say something he didn't believe.

"Mm." Shi Wei gently stroked her soft, jet-black hair and spoke in a warm tone, "I just hope you can take good care of yourself. If something like this happens again, make sure to let me know in advance, okay?"

Yu Zhi nodded, her clear, bright almond-shaped eyes reflecting his figure: "I understand." But after a few seconds of meeting his gaze, she quickly lowered her head again.

Seeing her shyness, Shi Wei's mood improved considerably. He curled his thin lips into a smile: "Let's go home."

Shi Wei turned around and had just placed his hands on the steering wheel when his sleeve was lightly tugged.

Yu Zhi said, "I need to go somewhere first."

As the colorful lights of the city began to illuminate the night, soft yellow beams shone down from the wide roadsides, casting their glow over the surrounding flowerbeds and greenery.

After weaving through rows of French sycamores, the car finally pulled up at the foot of a stately building.

Shi Wei glanced through the glass window at the scene outside, raising an eyebrow: "Another dinner meeting?"

A girl eating two dinners in one night?

"Probably not." She had already informed the old man of her plans for the evening. Yet, looking up at the boldly lit sign with the word 'Restaurant,' she felt a bit uncertain.

Shi Wei didn't ask further questions. He turned off the car and got out, guiding her out with him.

Before they even reached the entrance hall, a middle-aged man briskly approached them.

Clad in a well-fitted suit with neatly combed-back hair, he exuded an air of competence.

Secretary Li smiled at Yu Zhi: "Classmate Yu, long time no see."

Standing off to the side, Shi Wei discreetly observed the man, feeling a strange sense of familiarity but unable to recall where he had seen him before.

"Uncle Li." Yu Zhi greeted him warmly before peering behind him. "Where's the old man?"

"Sir is upstairs waiting for you." Secretary Li's gaze shifted to Shi Wei. Upon clearly seeing his face, he froze for a few seconds.

Despite the swirl of questions in his mind, his strong professionalism allowed him to quickly recover. He extended a hand towards Shi Wei: "Hello."

Shi Wei shook his hand, exchanged a brief greeting, and then followed Secretary Li to a private room at the far end of the second-floor corridor.

Sitting directly in line with the doorway was an elderly man with snow-white hair, gracefully picking at his food with chopsticks.

His outfit was casual, yet his entire demeanor radiated a profound air of refinement and composure.

Xue Xiongsen, though only in his sixties, had already ascended to the position of Chief Administrator of the Imperial City.

After taking office, he had implemented a series of impactful reforms with bold decisiveness, achieving numerous accomplishments for the city. His reputation among the people was extraordinarily high; he was widely lauded as a great leader.

The moment Shi Wei saw him, his steps involuntarily paused. He glanced at Yu Zhi beside him, a complex emotion flashing through his deep eyes.

"Old man, you're only eating now?" Yu Zhi casually scanned the few plates of small dishes on the table and took a seat beside him.

Xue Xiongsen lifted his gaze to her briefly and then pointed at Shi Wei: "You spent the evening with this young man?"

"Mm." Yu Zhi patted the empty seat next to her, gesturing for Shi Wei to sit.

Shi Wei walked over slowly, inclining his head slightly towards Xue Xiongsen: "Mr. Xue."

Shi Wei's Xingye Group was considered a leading enterprise in the Imperial City. The two had crossed paths a few times during a public welfare project, but since business and politics were not meant to overlap excessively, their relationship was little more than a nodding acquaintance.

Xue Xiongsen's gaze lingered between the two of them for a moment. "I didn't expect you two to know each other."

"Is that so strange?" Yu Zhi unceremoniously picked up a piece of spare rib and chewed it, speaking as she ate: "What do you need me for today?"

Xue Xiongsen sipped his tea without saying a word.

Noticing his reaction, Shi Wei tactfully spoke up: "You two have a talk. I'll step out for a bit."

"No need." Yu Zhi quickly stopped him, furrowing her brows as her gaze shifted to Xue Xiongsen: "Is it something serious?"

Yu Zhi and Xue Xiongsen had become acquainted due to a fateful accident, which also led to their unlikely friendship despite their difference in age.

Over the past two years, Yu Zhi had discreetly assisted him on numerous occasions—whether it was strolling through an official's private study or scouting out a crime syndicate's hideout.

As such, every time Xue Xiongsen summoned her, her immediate assumption was that he needed her assistance again.

Xue Xiongsen nodded solemnly: "There's someone I need you to investigate." His sharp eyes never wavered from Yu Zhi as he spoke.

"Who?"

"Prince of Divine Thief."

"Cough, cough, cough..." The sudden mention of this name startled Yu Zhi, causing her to choke on the spot. Her cheeks flushed a deep red in an instant.

Shi Wei quickly patted her back. Though he maintained a composed exterior, he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious on her behalf.

Yu Zhi wiped her mouth and began fiddling with her water glass. "Are you planning to capture them?"

She kept her head slightly lowered, her long lashes casting shadows under her eyelids, masking the emotions in her gaze.

Xue Xiongsen didn't answer directly. "If you find them, tell them that if they can return every stolen item within a week, this matter can be let go."

"Just return everything and it's forgiven...?" Yu Zhi was skeptical. Was it truly that simple?

A faint smile flashed in Xue Xiongsen's eyes as he spoke seriously: "If they can safely walk out of the homes of those powerful families, why shouldn't I make use of their talents for my own purposes?"

Yu Zhi: "..."

That... did make sense.

Shi Wei caught the subtle flicker of emotions in Xue Xiongsen's gaze and immediately understood. Under the table, he gave Yu Zhi's hand a light squeeze, quietly signaling her to relax.

Xue Xiongsen seemed indifferent to their interaction. He picked up some food with his chopsticks. "Would you like to eat more?"

Yu Zhi shook her head. "No."

Her thoughts were now consumed by the treasures back at home—where would she find the appetite to eat?

For the rest of the meeting, most of the talking was done by Xue Xiongsen and Shi Wei, engaging in a back-and-forth conversation.

Even as the night grew late and they said their farewells outside the restaurant, Yu Zhi seemed somewhat absent-minded.

"Zhizhi." Shi Wei stopped in his tracks and leaned down to pinch her cheek: "What are you thinking about?"

The girl's skin was so delicate that even the lightest pinch left two rosy marks.

Shi Wei's gaze darkened, a yearning rising within him to press his lips to the spot he had pinched.

Yu Zhi hesitated, her lips parting slightly before she swallowed the words that were about to escape. "Nothing."

"Really?" Shi Wei clearly didn't believe her.