The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?!

"Hmm?"

Liu Zheng noticed something was off.

Because the French Plane Tree cannot lie to him.

If it didn't overestimate its alcohol tolerance, then there must be something wrong with the wine.

Given his familiarity with the French Plane Tree, he leaned towards the latter.

If there's a problem with the wine, is it an issue with Du Kang Wine Workshop's quality control, or did Feng Jizi tamper with it?

"Where's the wine bottle?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"It has been temporarily sealed as evidence."

Sheep said.

"Brother Bai, can I borrow it for a bit?"

"Do you want your Brother Bai to die?"

Sheep retorted.

"Those wine bottles shouldn't be that important, right?"

He tried to negotiate.

After all, the French Plane Tree wasn't severely punished for drunken antics, but for refusing arrest and injuring a temporary cleaner from the sanitation department.

"Even if it's not important, they're still evidence. For Lao Hei's sake, I'll pretend you didn't ask."

Sheep shook his head and said.

"If this matter is resolved, then the wine bottles should be able to be returned, right?"

Liu Zheng asked again.

"How is that possible? They'll probably just sit there until they're thrown away as trash someday."

Sheep replied.

"Then can Brother Bai help me get them back?"

"What do you need them for?"

Sheep asked curiously.

"I suspect the French Plane Tree was framed, and I want to find the mastermind behind it. It cost me a lot of money, so I definitely want it back."

He said firmly.

Liu Zheng is now firmly allied with the French Plane Tree, just like he is with Niu Ma.

Framing the French Plane Tree is the same as framing him.

"If you can really sort this out, helping you get them back is no big deal."

Sheep thought for a moment and said.

If Liu Zheng really had such influence, he'd be willing to form a good relationship.

After all, a low-ranking employee with a poor background like him has a tough time in City Hall as it is.

"Thanks, Brother Bai."

Liu Zheng said, stuffing a large wad of cash into Black Skull's pocket.

"You're too polite. Alright, let's cover it up, there are so many people watching."

Sheep said.

"Okay. Don't move, cooperate."

He said to the French Plane Tree, with a stern tone.

"I also need to be able to move."

The French Plane Tree muttered.

Besides its senses, City Hall also blocked its ability to move.

Of course, if it really wanted, it could move a bit.

But Liu Zheng had already figured out a way to save it, so there was no need to risk it.

"What's the plan? Are you waiting here, or do you want us to send you out?"

Sheep asked.

"If it's convenient, I'll wait here."

Liu Zheng said.

Since he had already wasted so much time, he didn't mind wasting a bit more.

Besides, he noticed the French Plane Tree's expression seemed off and was afraid it would cause trouble if he didn't keep watch here.

"Alright, then keep your distance from the tree."

Sheep said.

"Can I wait over there?"

Liu Zheng pointed to a nearby manhole cover.

"Fine, go and wait there then, I won't accompany you."

"I'm not accompanying you either."

Black Skull said.

The sanitation department knew the sewer best, but precisely because of that, Sheep and Black Skull knew exactly how disgusting the sewer was.

"Actually, the sewer doesn't just have feces, there are good things too."

Liu Zheng tried to redeem the sewer's reputation.

After all, he's now considered a provisional agent for the sewer.

"Stop, stop, stop, we're going for a dinner later, don't disgust us."

Black Skull held up his hand to stop him.

"Sigh, prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain."

Liu Zheng shook his head and walked alone to the manhole cover.

After waiting for about twenty minutes, Ace finally called him.

"Are you on-site?"

Ace asked directly.

"I am."

"Alright, it's been sorted, just wait and see."

Ace said.

"Thanks. I've arranged for your meal, and communicated the requirements to them."

Liu Zheng said.

"Ah, I want to rush them, but I'm afraid hastily prepared won't taste well. Forget it, I'll just grab some snacks."

Ace sighed and hung up the phone.

Always playing, always eating, not very interested in sex, and lacking ambition—a textbook definition of a homebody.

He chuckled and focused his attention back on the French Plane Tree.

After a few more minutes, Rose Street echoed with the sound of ringing phones.

"Received."

"Understood."

"Yes, regroup immediately."

...

Finally, everyone hung up their phones.

The next second, they moved in an orderly fashion like robots switched on, starting their exit.

In less than three minutes, only Liu Zheng and the French Plane Tree were left on Rose Street.

He walked up to the French Plane Tree, about to speak when the Ginseng Sprite emerged from the ground and tugged at his pant leg.

Liu Zheng chuckled, tied it up, and placed it on his shoulder.

"Th...ank...yo...u, Da...d..."

The Ginseng Sprite struggled but spoke firmly.

"You can talk now? Who taught you?"

He asked in surprise.

"Of course it was me; it couldn't be Natasha or Wang Sheng, right?"

The French Plane Tree rolled its eyes.

"Who said you could talk?"

Liu Zheng glared at it.

"Hey! You foolish human, just because you saved me once doesn't mean you can disrespect me. I've saved you several times!"

The French Plane Tree said angrily.

"Oh, really? Are you sure you want to settle the score?"

He raised an eyebrow and said.

"Uh..."

Feeling his confident attitude, the French Plane Tree felt a bit guilty for no reason.

"You..."

Liu Zheng was about to retort when the phone rang.

"Stay there, don't wander off, I'll bring something to you."

Upon answering the call, Black Skull said.

"Okay, thanks, Nigga."

"We're brothers, no need to thank me."

Black Skull's attitude became more cordial than before.

"Think back—was there anything strange before or during the drinking?"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Zheng couldn't be bothered to scold the French Plane Tree anymore and got down to business.

"Nothing strange at all? The wine tasted great, the weather was nice, and I felt good."

The French Plane Tree said innocently.

"Hmm..."

He glanced at the overcast sky.

For a tree, this hardly qualifies as nice weather, right?

"Did anyone unusual show up?"

Liu Zheng asked again.

"From your point of view, anyone appearing on this street is unusual. But for me, they make no difference."

The French Plane Tree shot him a glance and said.

"Well, seems like I won't get any useful information from you."

Liu Zheng gave up on his detective ambitions.

After a while, Black Skull drove up in a pickup truck.

"Here, this is the bottle found at the scene."

Black Skull handed him a black plastic sealed bag.

"Thanks, Nigga."

"It's nothing. By the way, Lao Bai asked me to invite you to dinner later. Do you have time?"

Black Skull asked.

"Thanks to Brother Bai and Nigga for the invite, but I'm in a hurry to investigate my friend's drunken outburst, so I don't have time right now. I'll treat you both once I'm done."

Liu Zheng politely declined.

"I understand. Alright, I'm off then."

"Take care, Nigga."

Watching the pickup truck disappear into the distance, he put the Ginseng Sprite down and walked towards the sports car.

"Hey, cunning human, aren't you going to ask for something in return this time?"

The French Plane Tree asked somewhat uncomfortably.

"I'll remember it for next time."

Liu Zheng threw out casually and bolted away.

The French Plane Tree shrank back, feeling an imaginary part of itself turning cold.

Upon reaching Du Kang Wine Workshop, he knocked on the door tablet.

"Young friend, you're back. What can I do for you?"

Feng Jizi asked with some confusion.

"I'm here to repay the money I borrowed from you."

Liu Zheng handed over the cash he borrowed from Feng Jizi.

"You truly are a person of integrity, young friend."

Feng Jizi gratefully accepted the money.

"There's one more thing."

He took out the evidence bag.

"I have a friend with a high alcohol tolerance, but they got drunk after just five bottles of wine from your esteemed workshop, and did some dangerous things. I'm worried these wines might have an odd effect on certain individuals, so I wanted to bring it to your attention."

Liu Zheng's phrasing was tactful, but Feng Jizi understood.

"Such a thing happened? Alright, let me have it checked by our quality control colleagues. Please wait a moment, young friend."

Feng Jizi took the evidence bag and turned back into the workshop.