Let them offer their loyalty!

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Seeing the suspicion written all over Yan Chen's face, it was obvious that she did not believe what she was saying.

Secretary Bai coughed, then continued to explain, "Actually... when I first received the call from Qiu Tu, I also found it a bit hard to believe.

"But then he said something that convinced me."

Yan Chen uttered a profound "hmm", which served as a prompt for further inquiry.

Knowing Yan Chen's habit, Secretary Bai smoothly continued, "Qiu Tu said, 'Unless there's some special reason, who would openly oppose you within the Investigation Bureau?'"

Secretary Bai said, "His words seemed very reasonable to me."

"After all, if Qiu Tu really did betray you, then why wouldn't he hide by your side, wait for an opportunity to gather intelligence for others, or stab you in the back at a crucial moment?"

"His open opposition to you, doesn't that make him fear attracting your wrath, your retaliation?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen nodded slightly but didn't take it too seriously.

After all... such words could be argued both ways. Anyway, one could make a case for anything.

If Qiu Tu needed, he could even keep on making endless excuses.

Regardless, Qiu Tu was at the very least "diligently" "deceiving" her.

Yan Chen felt that she might as well see how he planned to deceive her.

With this thought, Yan Chen raised her hand to interrupt Secretary Bai and then said, "In that case, let him come to my estate tonight."

"You go personally to fetch him, come in through the back door, and try not be noticed by anyone."

Hearing Yan Chen's words, Secretary Bai nodded and agreed, "Understood, Bureau Chief."

After Secretary Bai left, Yan Chen sat in her chair... like a tree that had been alive for countless years.

A long while passed, and she "heh heh" chuckled twice, like a night owl...

...

Qiu Tu arrived at Yan Chen's City Center Garden Villa in the evening.

The evening's sunset clouds were strikingly beautiful, scorching the sky as if it were bleeding for thousands of miles.

'Truly a suitable day for murder.'

Qiu Tu parked his car a distance away, admiring the sprawling sunset clouds while feeling somewhat sentimental.

Following the hints given by Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu made his way to the side entrance of Yan Chen's villa.

By that time, Secretary Bai was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Qiu Tu, Secretary Bai nodded slightly. Qiu Tu also glanced at him, understanding unspoken.
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Unlocking the side door, the two crossed through a sea of flowers on the small path along the side, headed towards the main building of Yan Chen's villa.

Along the way, with unswerving eyes, Secretary Bai spoke softly, "What are you really up to?"

Mimicking his manner, Qiu Tu gazed across the sea of flowers, "Nothing much. Just need to prove my innocence."

Secretary Bai's expression was always sparse, calm and serene on his face, as if nothing could ruffle him.

"Your actions these past few days have caused the Bureau Chief to lose trust in you."

Qiu Tu replied, "Do you really think the Bureau Chief has ever 'trusted' anyone?"

"You and Jia Shu are his right-hand men, but when push comes to shove, isn't he the first to suspect you both?"

Secretary Bai, "So what do you intend to do?"

Gazing towards the beautiful girl amidst the flowers by the main entrance of the villa—Yanyan—Qiu Tu spoke indifferently, "As long as I can bring enough benefits, extremely significant information... I'll be the confidant the Bureau Chief favors most."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai paused briefly in his step but quickly resumed normal pace.

With an impassive face, he led Qiu Tu through a side door into the main part of the villa, and ultimately brought him to the familiar study room door.

When they reached the study, filled with endless secrets, Secretary Bai stopped and lightly knocked on the door.

A deep voice from within, Yan Chen's, said, "Enter."

Secretary Bai pushed the door open, then stood by it and told Yan Chen, "Bureau Chief, Qiu Tu has arrived."

After speaking, he stepped aside, signaling to Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu gave Secretary Bai a slight nod as acknowledgment, then walked into the study.

The study's massive three-meter door was slowly closed by Secretary Bai from the outside, sealing off all the light.

The entire study immediately plunged into darkness. Only the dim light from the desk lamp cast a faint glow on the tabletop...

"Bureau Chief!"

Approaching the desk, Qiu Tu stood at attention, respectfully saluting.

This time, Yan Chen didn't stall as usual. Drooping eyelids, smoking a cigarette, she said dismissively, "You've been performing quite well these past few days."

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Qiu Tu, as if he hadn't detected the sarcasm in Yan Chen's tone, said seriously, "It's all for the Bureau Chief!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Yan Chen let out a light laugh, "For me? Do tell. What have you done?"

Qiu Tu spoke earnestly, "First of all, Bureau Chief, I need to admit a mistake of mine."

"After reporting to you last time that Jia Shu might assassinate me, but receiving no feedback from you, I was indeed a bit disappointed."

"And... I'm afraid of dying. I don't want to just die at Jia Shu's hands."

"So, at that time, I did indeed contemplate contacting Commissioner Jiang and Director Tang."

"However, I am after all someone who is grateful for favors received. I know all I have today is thanks to the Bureau Chief's support!"

"One should not forget one's roots, nor repay kindness with grievances."

"So, at that time, I was truly conflicted. I wanted to find a way to have the best of both worlds."

"As a result, I kept thinking and thinking. Eventually, I did come up with a plan."

"That is... I could use this matter as an excuse, pretend to defect to either Commissioner Jiang's or Director Tang's side, borrow their strength, and help me resolve this crisis."

"After that, I publicly fell out with you to gain their trust. Then I would infiltrate their ranks, gather confidential information, and report back to you, Bureau Chief."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Yan Chen quietly took a drag on his cigarette, then said with an unfazed expression, "So that's it. Indeed, it's a genius plan..."

Although his words seemed like praise for Qiu Tu, combined with his indifferent tone and expression, it was as if he was playing along with Qiu Tu's performance...

After the "praise," Yan Chen extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and said indifferently, "Now tell me, what important intelligence did you obtain, for you to take the risk of being 'exposed' and come to me in just two days!"

Upon hearing Yan Chen's words, Qiu Tu knew that the main event was upon him.

He spoke earnestly, "Bureau Chief. In these past few days, I have actually gathered three pieces of critical intelligence."

"The first piece has a very short window of relevance, which forced me to contact you this urgently!"

Yan Chen heard this, drooped his eyelids, and said, "Oh? What news..."

Qiu Tu looked at Yan Chen and said seriously, "Someone is going to assassinate Minister Jia!"

Hearing this news from Qiu Tu, Yan Chen's expression indeed changed.

He was startled for a moment, then slowly sat up straight and said seriously, "Who? When?"

Qiu Tu said, "Tonight. The assailant is Director Liu from Eastern City!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Yan Chen frowned deeply, his façade of nonchalance finally crumbling.

However... eerily enough, he did not inquire about the reason behind Director Liu's attack on Jia Shu—it was as if he already knew that Jia Shu was the perpetrator.

After quiet silence, Yan Chen reached to pick up the phone on the desk.

But as his hand touched the phone, his movement froze.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu intentionally provoked, "Bureau Chief, if you don't contact Minister Jia now, he may very well get into trouble."

Qiu Tu's words sounded like persuasion, but they seemed to harden Yan Chen's resolve.

He withdrew his aged hand and said indifferently, "Let's talk about the other pieces of intelligence first."

Seeing this, Qiu Tu had no visible reaction, but inwardly, he smiled to himself...

Indeed, he had guessed right.

Even if he told Yan Chen about the assassination attempt on Jia Shu, Yan Chen was not likely to save Jia Shu.

The reason was simple.

What was Jia Shu's identity?

Former Head of the Political Department in Xinjie City, Yan Chen's former right-hand man, and Huang Shangzong's confidant, the Speaker of the Dongye State Council...

But note the first and second titles: "Former" minister, "Former" right-hand man.

So, frankly, in Yan Chen's view, Jia Shu had long since lost any "direct" value of use.

Even if he saved Jia Shu and Jia Shu survived, he could no longer help him; at most, he could serve as a link between him and Huang Shangzong.

But... does Jia Shu have a background and Yan Chen doesn't?

Moreover, Jia Shu was somewhat disobedient when he was under Yan Chen; if he was no longer under Yan Chen, would he really speak well of Yan Chen to Huang Shangzong?

In conclusion, a living Jia Shu was of not much benefit to Yan Chen.

On the other hand... a dead Jia Shu could be of tremendous benefit to Yan Chen!

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I wrote it in advance haha, still 3 chapters and 10,000 words haha. Chapter 3 will be updated around 8 PM, or about 9 PM.

We're 700 Monthly Tickets short of reaching our goal for this event, so I'm asking for Monthly Tickets! You can enter a draw when you vote Monthly Ticket for our book~~

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