Ning Ge was so busy that he was in a daze. Back when he was partnering with Cheng Su in business, he contributed the money, but many things were arranged by Cheng Su. Now that he was truly managing the business on his own, he realized there were endless matters to attend to.
When he returned to Qing City to meet Qi Taiguo and the others, it was already early November, and the weather was very cold.
"Auntie, can you give me another bowl of lamb soup?" Ning Ge was sitting in Cheng Suās home, first gulping down a bowl of lamb soup that Mother Cheng handed him with care, then cheerfully asking for another bowl.
"Sure!" Mother Cheng replied enthusiastically, hurriedly going to serve more soup.
Cheng Su laughed, "Once you arrive, my mom treats you like her own son. Itās rare for you to compliment her soup this much."
After autumn and winter hit, with lamb meat available on the market, lamb dishes became a staple on Cheng Suās familyās table, whether it was lamb soup or braised lamb.
Today, it happened to be a pot of lamb soup again, the best dish to nourish and ward off the cold on such chilly days.
"Iām truly fortunate!" Ning Ge laughed.
Mother Cheng brought a bowl of soup, containing some lamb, and said, "Xiao Ning, why donāt you stay for dinner tonight? I will go buy some good dishes!"
"Auntie, with the soup, Iām fine just eating plain rice!" Ning Ge laughed, "The soup you made rivals that of top chefs!"
"Really?" Mother Cheng laughed, swaying her arms joyfully, "Then Iāll cook a couple more delicious dishes!"
"Sure!"
Mother Cheng picked up the basket and left.
Cheng Su jokingly scolded, "Youāre so smooth-talking." Then, picking up Qi Xiaoqi, she said to them, "You chat, Iāll put this little guy to sleep."
Once the door was closed, Ning Geās smile faded, and he glanced at Qi Taiguo, saying, "A while ago, there was quite a disturbance inside. I heard even in the army, two agents were purged. Around here, thereās one too?"
Qi Taiguo wasnāt the least bit surprised or skeptical about his source of information. After all, Ning Ge had a former identity as an agent, and even now, being retired, acquiring some news wasnāt difficult. Especially with Ning Gang in his family.
"It was Gao Linbing." Qi Taiguo didnāt hide it; there was nothing to hide from him. He calmly spoke about Gao Linbingās situation.
After hearing it, Ning Ge gently patted his shoulder, silently offering comfort.
"Iām fine, Iāve come to terms with it." Qi Taiguoās lips curved slightly.
Ning Ge scoffed lightly, "If youāve come to terms with it, you wouldnāt have this expression. You wouldnāt be enveloped in icy coldness, colder than the frigid northern wind outside."
Qi Taiguo pressed his lips together.
"Letās not talk about this. Why did you call me here, is it about Chiang Qing?" Ning Ge didnāt want to dredge up deep-seated pain in his heart, so he changed the subject, "Regarding that matter with Chiang Qing?"
Seeing him nod, Ning Ge said, "Based on the information Iāve received, she has now exited the country."
Qi Taiguo frowned and then relaxed, "Whoās helping her?"
Regarding this point, Ning Ge felt a bit defeated, "We havenāt found out yet. You know, Iāve already left the organization, unable to access some things. But seeing how she managed to escape from Gao Hongboās side without getting into any trouble and now managed to leave the country smoothly, her backers surely arenāt simple."
Qi Taiguoās face turned cold, "So, she might come back at any time?"
Ning Ge looked at him.
"Whatever methods, help me figure it out as much as possible." Qi Taiguo said coldly, "Know yourself and the enemy, and youāll always win."
"Alright!"
"Moreover, I want to make a move in my position, wherever it may be, no matter how dangerous." Qi Taiguo looked at Ning Ge and said, "I need higher and greater authority. Can you speak on behalf of your elder brother?"