A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 9

The Banquet Trap

Grand Hyatt Shuangcheng, rooftop ballroom.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire space as brightly as day, the air thick with the complex scents of expensive perfume, cigars, and roasted delicacies. A sea of elegant dresses moved amidst the clinking of glasses. This was the site of the milestone release and appreciation banquet for the New City Development Zone project, gathering the majority of Shuangcheng’s political and business elites, financial titans, and media reporters.

Shen Qingwu wore a pearl-gray off-the-shoulder gown, the fabric draping like water to outline her slender yet poised figure. Her long hair was elegantly pinned up, revealing a graceful neck and clearly defined collarbones. She held a glass of champagne that she had barely touched, maintaining an impeccable social smile as she moved among the various guests. She was one of the focal points tonight—the young head of Qingyuan Capital and the core investment representative for the New City project. Every glance and every polite greeting she offered drew the attention and curiosity of countless people.

But her peripheral vision never stopped subtly scanning the edges of the hall.

Lin Jianfeng was there. She was not in her police uniform, having changed into a simple black cocktail dress with a conservative cut. Her long hair was let down, softening her usually sharp features. She had entered under the title of a specially invited Security Liaison from the municipal bureau, standing by a pillar near the emergency exit like a quiet shadow, appearing entirely out of place amidst the surrounding opulence. Her gaze occasionally met Shen Qingwu’s—calm and steady—before quickly moving away to continue observing the room.

Tonight’s banquet was a place of surging undercurrents. With several factions converging, probes, deals, and warnings could happen at any moment.

As the banquet reached its midpoint, the atmosphere grew more heated. The host stood on stage introducing the grand blueprint for the New City to rounds of applause. Shen Qingwu felt a slight wave of dizziness. She assumed she was simply hungry or exhausted from dealing with too many toasts. She quietly set down her champagne and asked a waiter for a glass of warm water.

Just then, a ruddy-faced, portly middle-aged man approached with a wine glass in hand. He was the Vice President of Changhe Trading, surnamed Wang, whom Shen Qingwu had marked as a high-correlation figure on her investigation map.

President Shen, what a pleasure! Vice President Wang smiled so broadly his eyes narrowed into slits. I have long heard that President Shen is young and capable, and seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved! Our Changhe Trading will have to rely heavily on the support of Qingyuan Capital for the New City project in the future!

You are too kind, President Wang. It is about mutual benefit, Shen Qingwu responded formulaically. She raised her warm water to clink glasses with him but did not drink. The dizziness seemed to intensify, and a slight blur began to creep into the edges of her vision.

Of course, of course! Vice President Wang leaned in closer, lowering his voice while exhaling the scent of alcohol. President Shen, I heard that recently the municipal bureau has had some… minor misunderstandings regarding the fund flows of our New City project? I wonder if you have heard any rumors? After all, Qingyuan and us are in the same boat now.

The probe had arrived. Shen Qingwu felt a chill in her heart and forced down the strange discomfort, her smile remaining unchanged. President Wang must be joking. All project processes are legal and compliant; what misunderstandings could there be? The police are merely conducting routine inquiries. Cooperating with an investigation is only natural.

Haha, President Shen is right, quite right! Vice President Wang laughed hollowly, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. However, these days, some things… it is better to have one less trouble than one more. Especially those old accounts—it does no one any good to dig them up, wouldn’t you agree? He spoke with pointed intent, his gaze lingering on Shen Qingwu’s face.

Old accounts… what was he implying? Nanwan? Or her parents’ affairs?

Shen Qingwu felt a surge of nausea as the dizziness crashed over her like a tidal wave, nearly making her lose her footing. She suddenly realized it wasn’t exhaustion or low blood sugar. It was the champagne! Or perhaps… an even earlier drink?

She had been drugged.

My apologies, President Wang, I feel a bit unwell. Please excuse me. She struggled to keep her voice steady, turning to head toward the restrooms, but her footsteps faltered.

A faint, indiscernible look crossed Vice President Wang’s face. He did not stop her, merely watching her with a smile.

Shen Qingwu grit her teeth, digging her nails into her palm to use the pain to stay conscious. She had to leave this place; she had to get somewhere safe. Her vision began to sway, and the noisy chatter and lights around her distorted into grotesque patches of color. She saw Lin Jianfeng seem to notice something, walking quickly toward her, but a crowded group of people stood between them.

Just as she stumbled and nearly collided with a waiter, an arm firmly caught her by the elbow.

President Shen, careful.

It was Lin Jianfeng. She had somehow broken through the crowd and reached her side, her voice low but carrying an unquestionable strength. Her hand powerfully supported Shen Qingwu’s arm, shielding her from Vice President Wang and the others who tried to approach.

Lin… Shen Qingwu tried to speak, but her tongue felt numb.

President Shen has had too much to drink. I will take her to rest, Lin Jianfeng explained to the curious onlookers, her tone calm and natural. Half-supporting and half-carrying Shen Qingwu, she led her away from the center of the ballroom toward the VIP lounge corridor.

Behind them, Vice President Wang and several other ambiguous gazes followed them closely until the lounge door closed behind them.

The moment the door shut, most of the clamor was cut off. Shen Qingwu went limp almost immediately, caught firmly by Lin Jianfeng and helped onto the lounge sofa.

What happened? Lin Jianfeng knelt down, carefully checking Shen Qingwu’s complexion. Flushed skin, slightly dilated pupils, rapid breathing—she was conscious but clearly fighting the effects of a potent drug. You’ve been drugged. When? What did you drink?

Champagne… maybe earlier… Shen Qingwu managed to squeeze out a few words, her body trembling uncontrollably as waves of heat and vertigo hit her. She grabbed Lin Jianfeng’s wrist, her fingertips icy cold. Can’t… stay here… not safe…

Lin Jianfeng understood immediately. If the opposition dared to drug her in such a setting, they certainly had a follow-up plan. Staying in a hotel lounge made it too easy for them to be set up.

Can you walk? Lin Jianfeng asked.

Shen Qingwu bit her lip and nodded, trying to stand, but her legs were weak.

Pardon me. Lin Jianfeng didn’t hesitate further. She quickly took off her own blazer and draped it over Shen Qingwu to cover her slightly disheveled dress, then picked her up in her arms. Shen Qingwu was lighter than she had imagined, like a feather.

Take the staff passage… avoid the cameras… Shen Qingwu whispered weakly in her ear, her breath hot.

Lin Jianfeng did not use the main entrance. Carrying Shen Qingwu, she pushed open a hidden door on the other side of the lounge that connected to the service area. The hallway lights were dim. Occasionally, hotel staff passed by, but Lin Jianfeng flashed her badge and said in a low voice, Official business, assisting a lady who is unwell, and no one dared to ask more.

Her steps were steady and swift as she avoided several spots that likely had hidden cameras—a route she had familiarized herself with earlier in her capacity as the security liaison. The path was clear all the way to the hotel’s back exit, where her car was parked in an inconspicuous corner.

After carefully placing Shen Qingwu in the passenger seat and buckling her seatbelt, Lin Jianfeng jumped in, started the engine, and the car glided silently into the night.

The interior of the car was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and Shen Qingwu’s heavy breathing. The drug’s effects seemed to be intensifying; she curled up in the seat, her body shivering as fine beads of cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Occasionally, she let out a suppressed, pained groan.

Lin Jianfeng drove while keeping an eye on her condition, her brow furrowed. This wasn’t an ordinary sedative; the effect was too strong and too fast. Hang in there, we’ll be somewhere safe soon, she said deeply, stepping on the gas as the car accelerated toward the west side of the city.

She did not go back to the Public Security Bureau, nor did she go to any of Shen Qingwu’s known residences. Those places could be under surveillance. Instead, she drove to an old but strictly managed residential compound for civil servants. This was a house left by her parents, usually vacant except for her occasional visits.

After parking, she once again carried the now semi-conscious Shen Qingwu inside and hurried upstairs. She opened the door, flicked on the lights, and placed her on the living room sofa.

Water… Shen Qingwu murmured unconsciously, her hands fumbling at her collar as if she were burning up.

Lin Jianfeng poured a glass of warm water, propped her up, and carefully fed her a few sips. Shen Qingwu choked slightly, coughing as her eyes wandered vacantly toward Lin Jianfeng, seemingly failing to recognize her for a moment.

Lin… Jianfeng? she whispered.

It’s me. You’re safe. Lin Jianfeng took her cold hand, trying to offer some comfort.

Shen Qingwu suddenly gripped her hand with surprising strength, her eyes filled with a chaotic fear and emotions amplified by the drug. Don’t go… don’t leave me alone… they… they will…

They won’t. Lin Jianfeng gripped her hand back, her voice firm. I am here. No one can get in.

Perhaps those words worked, or perhaps the drug had reached its peak and was beginning to recede; Shen Qingwu’s tense body gradually relaxed, though the trembling did not stop. She leaned against the arm of the sofa and closed her eyes, her long eyelashes wet with sweat or something else.

Lin Jianfeng went to the bathroom to wring out a hot towel, wiping the sweat and smudged makeup from Shen Qingwu’s face. She found a thin blanket and covered her. Having done this, she pulled over a chair and sat by the sofa, keeping watch.

Minutes and seconds ticked by. The night outside was as thick as ink.

Shen Qingwu’s breathing gradually stabilized, and the trembling stopped as she fell into a deep sleep. But even in her dreams, her brow remained tightly knit, as if she were enduring great pain or pressure.

Lin Jianfeng looked at her pale, exhausted sleeping face. Stripped of all her social disguises and defenses, Shen Qingwu looked exceptionally fragile, even… helpless. The woman who commanded the business world and trekked alone through the darkness could still be easily brought down by a spiked drink.

Tonight’s banquet was a warning, a probe, and perhaps an attempt to remove an obstacle. The opposition clearly knew Shen Qingwu was investigating in the shadows and might have even sensed her faint connection with the police. Was the drugging meant to create a scandal? Or to extract information while she was incoherent? Or was there an even more sinister follow-up?

Regardless, the enemy’s actions were becoming bolder and more unscrupulous.

Lin Jianfeng took out her phone and sent an encrypted message to the colleagues on duty, briefly explaining the situation and requesting a covert investigation into all beverage staff at the banquet—especially those who handled Shen Qingwu’s champagne. At the same time, she ordered increased surveillance on Vice President Wang of Changhe Trading and his recent contacts.

After sending the message, she put her phone away and looked back at Shen Qingwu.

Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a faint glow over her face.

Lin Jianfeng reached out, hesitated for a moment, and finally just gently brushed away a stray lock of hair stuck to Shen Qingwu’s forehead by sweat.

This temporary alliance was more dangerous than she had imagined.

And the enemies they faced were more arrogant and ruthless than expected.

But there was no thought of retreat in her heart. On the contrary, a stronger determination to protect the person before her—to tear through the darkness and let the sunlight in—quietly grew within her chest.

The night was still long.

But at least for now, they were safe.