Su Mo examined the money in the briefcase and asked, “Are you sure it’s handled cleanly?”

Dongdong replied lazily, “Don’t worry, the surveillance at the scene is all busted. We wore masks the whole way, and the guy I got the black-market car from is an old friend I’ve worked with many times before. Very reliable. Even if Lv Calendar reports it, there won’t be evidence.”

Su Mo couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up.

Indeed, Dongdong grew up on the streets, and even being so young, she’s already a veteran, knowing all the tricks for the dirty jobs.

There’s no reason to pass up money, especially when it’s taken from scum like Lv Calendar, it comes with no psychological burden.

And this sum of 800,000, given the current scale of public account expenditure, can be deposited directly without drawing much attention.

Su Mo handed the bag to KK and said to Dongdong, “I’ll put this money in the public account, but under your name. Just let me know if you need to use money somewhere.”

Dongdong waved her hand, “Oh come on, we’re family. What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine, no need to keep it so clear.”

“Alright~ Our Dongzai is quite loyal.” Su Mo smiled and didn’t fuss with Dongdong.

He shifted his tone, “By the way, prepare for tonight, we’re going to Anmi New District, Lady Countess wants to invite you for dinner.”

Dongdong asked in confusion, “Lady Countess? People still use titles like Count and Countess these days?”

Su Mo explained, “Her name’s Audiana, she comes from a noble family. Her ancestors were hereditary counts many years ago. Even though such titles aren’t used now, out of respect, she is still addressed as Lady Countess.”

Dongdong rolled her eyes, “She really cares about appearances.”

Su Mo laughed, “You’ve got it right. Lady Countess values appearances, there are lots of rules at her home, so we’ll need to take you to buy a suit.”

Dongdong couldn’t help but gripe, “What? You mean those TV-like, thick, bulky gowns? That’s too troublesome, can’t I just wear this outfit?”

Su Mo shook his head, “Of course not, both you and I have to change clothes. Since we’re guests at someone else’s house, we must abide by their rules.”

Dongdong let out a resigned sigh, “Fine, fine, wearing it once won’t kill me.”

After finishing her chips, Su Mo took her to the Lakefront Business District and visited the upscale tailor shop Sasser No. 1 again to buy her a custom evening dress.

It was a pale purple gown, expertly crafted to fit every inch perfectly, coupled with her pink hair cascading like cherry blossom, making Dongdong look like a delicate doll.

As Dongdong checked herself out in the mirror wearing the gown, even the tailor in the shop was caught by her beauty and couldn’t help stopping to watch.

However, she soon reverted to her usual self.

“Oh man, this dress is too tight, it’s squeezing my waist off.” Dongdong plopped onto the sofa, habitually crossing her legs and swinging them, completely ruining the noble aura from before.

Su Mo helplessly chuckled.

It’s definitely too late to teach her etiquette.

Dongdong, being street-smart, isn’t the type who’d patiently learn manners.

Let’s leave it at that.

At least the superficial effort is made.

With the outfit purchased, Su Mo returned home to change into Sasser No. 1’s suit and took Dongdong to the scheduled place on time.

Outside the tunnel checkpoint leading to Anmi New District, a stretch limo awaited to greet them.

“McCarthy Housekeeper.” Su Mo nodded to the driver in greeting.

McCarthy nodded in return.

After completing the security checks, Su Mo and Dongdong got into the car and passed through the tunnel checkpoint.

If the scenery inside and outside the Rust Wall District is a comparison of decay and prosperity.

Then the scenery inside and outside the Anmi New District tunnel is a comparison of prosperity and luxury.

Anmi New District has no towering skyscrapers blocking the sky or congested traffic flows. Nor does it have rows of crowded residential housing with poor lighting.

Here, there are only well-groomed plants by gardeners, lush trees forming a canopy. The dusky sun sets like fiery red sand, filtering through layers of leaves and casting dappled patterns on the grass.

Homes in Anmi New District are all single-family villas or estates, each with its own gardens, emitting the scent of grass, flowers, and moist soil.

Occasionally, you can see well-dressed wealthy folks coming and going, walking their pet dogs, each groomed to have glossy fur, their barks thick and robust.

Dongdong watched the scenes outside the car window, not with curiosity, but with coldness: “Even the skinniest dog in Anmi New District looks healthier and more robust than kids in the Border District.”

Su Mo gently placed his hand on Dongdong’s shoulder, watching the scenery with her: “That’s New Moon City for you… It’s like this everywhere.”

…

Audiana’s estate is in the center of Anmi New District. After the limo arrived, McCarthy led them to the dining room.

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, a pleasant fragrance filled the room.

The dining room is about twenty meters in length and width, dimly lit, with candle stands lending a mysterious ambience to the interior.

The walls are adorned with original paintings by renowned artists contemporary, and the dining table, draped in dark red cloth, is neatly set with silverware, all revealing the host’s elegant taste.

Audiana, dressed in a fiery-red evening gown, sat at the head of the table, the candlelight casting an orange glow upon her fair skin, enhancing her mature beauty with an ethereal grace.

Su Mo noticed Audiana was sincere.

This time, it’s not a stand-in, it’s her real self.

Besides Audiana, three middle-aged men are seated as guests, from their well-dressed appearance, they seem to be distinguished figures.

Su Mo remembered that Audiana appreciated proactive greetings, so he gently held Dongdong’s shoulder, and they both slightly bent forward: “Good evening, Lady Countess and gentlemen.”

Audiana’s voice was light and breezy: “Have a seat, young fellow, and the young lady too.”

Su Mo sat at the spot with his name plate.

Once seated, he noticed Dongdong hadn’t taken a seat but stared intently at one of the middle-aged men.

“Dong.” Su Mo addressed her softly, “Stop standing foolishly, sit next to me.”

Dongdong sat to Su Mo’s left without speaking, still focusing her gaze on that middle-aged man.

The candlelight reflected in her eyes, refracting faint glimmers of chill.

What’s going on? Su Mo puzzled.

But it wasn’t convenient to ask in this setting.

Audiana, as the host, proactively broke the silence with a smile: “Let me introduce to everyone, this is Su Mo, in my view, a mercenary with great potential.”

“And the young lady next to him, why not introduce yourself?”

Dongdong remained silent.

Su Mo discreetly nudged her waist.

Dongdong regained her composure and coldly uttered two words: “Dongdong.”

Such a “concise” introduction, lacking a greeting, inevitably brought silence to the atmosphere.

Su Mo felt restless, thinking: Girl, don’t act aloof now, this isn’t the time to play it cool.

Thankfully, neither the guests nor Audiana minded.

The middle-aged man beside Audiana jested: “Sharpening Blade Catgirl, the recent internet sensation, truly a girl with character.”

Dongdong said nothing, merely keeping her lips tight and staring coldly at him.

The middle-aged man’s joke received no response, leaving him slightly embarrassed: “She doesn’t seem to like talking?”

Su Mo helped to ease the situation with a laugh: “Dongzai’s first time attending a banquet, maybe she’s a bit nervous. Hope you don’t mind… By the way, who are these gentlemen?”

Audiana introduced them: “The two beside you are Klaus and Karen, both council members of the New Moon City Council.”

She turned to the middle-aged man next to her, smiling: “This is Mr. Jacob, Director of the Rust Wall District’s Public Security Bureau.”

Su Mo didn’t expect Audiana to have invited such prominent figures from the authorities this time and stood up to offer his hand: “Nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

As Su Mo stood, Dongdong still sat unmoved.

She continued to stare intently at Jacob, her gaze growing colder, the candle flame in her pupils shining with sharp brilliance.

Such a stare made Jacob feel rather peculiar, his tone shifting to displeasure: “Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep