Chapter 144 Fish Floating to the Surface: Pure Suicide

"What happened to Xuesen?" Wanjia put down her chopsticks.

"It's nothing." Wang Xuesen picked up a small steamed bun and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling indistinctly:

"Old Hu got some goods and wants me to help him sell them."

Wanjia pursed her lips, grabbed a napkin, and wiped her mouth.

"This person is so impatient. Why can't he just say what's on his mind at work? He has to make you eat instead."

"When it comes to making money, who isn't eager to do so?"

"If it were me, I'd be anxious too."

His gaze fell on Wanjia, and he looked her up and down.

Wanjia was wearing a silk nightgown today, with the neckline slightly open, revealing a large expanse of her snow-white skin.

Very beautiful.

Very sexy and hot.

Absolutely, the kind of look that makes everyone want to drink your bathwater.

But for some reason, he was getting a little tired of the aesthetic.

Perhaps it's true what they say: "Behind every goddess, there's a guy who's been through the wringer."

Wang Xuesen didn't say anything.

But I'm getting a little tired of it; I haven't even had a chance to enjoy the teapot yet.

"Oh, by the way, Wan'er, I saw a nice thin sweater when I passed by the mall last time."

"It's that kind of grayish-white color, very slimming, and it fits very snugly."

Wang Xuesen's eyes revealed a hint of expectation:

"When the light shines on it, it's a bit translucent."

"I think it looks great. Buy a couple when you have time. You have a big bust, and if you just casually tie your hair up, it will definitely look good on you."

"Can't you use a nice word? Who wants to be provocative?" Wanjia rolled her eyes at him, then pondered for a moment: "Aren't you talking about the kind of clothes Sister Ye wears?"

Wang Xuesen coughed twice and touched his nose.

You really don't know how to have a conversation.

"Really?" He feigned surprise. "Sister Ye has one too? Then she definitely doesn't look as good as you in it."

Wanjia glared at him: "I'm not buying it."

"I used to wear them, but now that the size has gone up, if I wear something even slightly fitted, men outside keep staring at me like flies, it's disgusting."

She glanced down at her impressive figure, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Didn't you see I'm only wearing a shirt and a long trench coat when I go out now?"

Wang Xuesen hadn't really noticed these details, and chuckled, "No trench coat is as fashionable as Sister Ye's."

"I don't want this kind of fashion. With you, I don't care what others think of me," Wanjia snorted.

"If I didn't have to go to the club every day and be afraid of embarrassing you, Young Master Wang, I wouldn't bother with makeup and wearing gold and silver."

She bit her lip, a hint of grievance and annoyance flashing in her eyes:

"If I run into those foul-mouthed people like Mao Ziming and Bai Junqi again, who knows what kind of gossip they'll spread about me."

Wang Xuesen scratched his head, somewhat helplessly: "Then, why don't you just buy it and wear it at home for me to see?"

Wanjia glared at him and retorted irritably, "What haven't you seen? You're wasting this money."

Wang Xuesen inwardly cursed his headache.

That's the downside of being an old married couple: the romance has faded.

He leaned back in his chair, his face long, and stopped talking.

"Alright then, whatever you say."

Wanjia could tell he was unhappy, so her heart softened, and she rolled her eyes at him:

"Look at you."

"Buy it, buy it! Fine, I'll wear it!"

She sighed, her tone betraying resignation:

"How about this, when I run into Sister Ye sometime, I'll ask her to come along and pick some out."

Wang Xuesen was overjoyed and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek:

"Thank you, baby."

After dinner, Wanjia brought him his suit jacket, carefully straightened his tie, and saw him out.

Watching the car drive away, Wanjia closed the door, pouted, and started muttering to herself:

"Getting things done either involves making someone wear stockings or calling you 'Dad'."

"Now they want people to wear the same sweater as Sister Ye. I don't know where all these bad habits come from."

She walked to the dressing mirror and lifted the hem of her silk nightgown.

Two long, snow-white legs were reflected in the mirror. .

"My skin isn't bad."

"Isn't this smoother and prettier than stockings?"

Wanjia looked at herself in the mirror from left to right, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became:

"They must have been corrupted by bastards like Wu Sibao and Yang Jie."

I'm so angry!

……

Wang Xuesen was driving on his way to No. 76.

"Achoo!"

He rubbed his nose.

Damn it, who's been gossiping about me again?

As the car rounded the street corner, the situation ahead made him slam on the brakes.

Three hundred meters from the gate of No. 76, roadblocks were prominently displayed on the street.

Sandbags were piled high, blocking the entire street.

Two Czech-made light machine guns were mounted on sandbags.

A dozen fully armed agents, carrying long guns, stood ready as if facing a formidable enemy.

Once inside the gate, the guards were even more heavily manned.

The gate, which is usually manned by two people, was manned by eight people today, each with their hands on their gun holsters.

The atmosphere is a bit oppressive.

Wang Xuesen slowly drove the car over and stuck his head out:

"Sibao, what happened?"

Wu Sibao glared at him with his bull-like eyes, breathing heavily with annoyance: "Don't you know you caused this mess?"

Wang Xuesen quickly pulled his head back.

Damn it, Bai Junqi's death, could it really be my fault?

He drove his car into the compound and quickly went into his office.

No sooner had I settled in than Hu Junhe slipped in like a ghost.

"Oh my, you startled me! How come you walk so quietly?" Wang Xuesen poured tea and turned around to see this guy.

Hu Junhe slammed the door shut behind him, pointed at Wang Xuesen, and said excitedly, "Xuesen, you're something else! You either don't make a move, or you kill someone."

"Bai Junqi did a good job killing him."

Wang Xuesen frowned: "No, what does Bai Junqi's death have to do with me?"

Hu Junhe pulled up a chair and sat down. She crossed her legs and glanced at him sideways.

"Hey bro, still pretending?"

"The director and I went to the police station to see the body and the evidence. Bai Junqi was killed instantly by having someone pierce his throat with a gold-plated pen."

"What does this have to do with me?" Wang Xuesen picked up the kettle and made him some tea.

Hu Junhe leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Brother, this isn't very interesting."

"In terms of our relationship, we're brothers."

"Bai Junqi arrested Lao Peng, which is a slap in my face. He's our enemy."

"In terms of background, you are the head of interrogation room 76."

"Even if we kill him, what good will the police have evidence?"

Hu Junhe took the tea, his face full of disdain:

"Our No. 76 is a state within a state. We don't recognize those bullshit laws of the foreign concessions. Didn't we kill enough people in the concessions in the past?"

"Cheng Ziqing actually dares to bring people to our door?"

Wang Xuesen picked up his teacup, blew on it, and said, "Brother, I did have some friction with Bai Junqi, but I really didn't kill him."

"The pen used to assassinate Bai Junqi had your signature on it; it was a custom-made pen of yours."

"Furthermore, Bai Junqi openly threatened to kill you at the hotel entrance, and many people heard that."

"Someone also saw your bodyguard Zhan Shen follow Bai Junqi after you left the party."

"The witnesses and physical evidence are irrefutable; wasn't this done by your brother?"

Hu Junhe counted them one by one.

Wang Xuesen paused, his hand holding the teacup still.

pen.

It's probably Wang Ershao's from back then.

As for why Wang Ershao's pen ended up in the hands of someone with ulterior motives, whether it was a gift or stolen, these are all unverifiable.

After all, only heaven knows how many women Wang Ershao slept with and how many embarrassing things he did in Shanghai back then.

He put down his teacup and waved his hand:

"Old Hu, think what you want, it has nothing to do with me anyway."

"Alright, if your partner doesn't acknowledge it, just tell me whatever it is." Hu Junhe put down his crossed legs, raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"I know the police station well. If you need to smooth things over, just let me know anytime."

After saying that, he slowly walked out.

Wang Xuesen cursed under his breath, "Damn it, that old fox."

After all that, you just want me to pay you to do something for you, right?

They're obsessed with money.

He got up and walked to the window, looking out at the heavily guarded compound.

He began to think about it carefully.

Bai Junqi and the Bai family have never been scary.

What's frightening is the Special Higher Police and Zhang Xiaolin behind him.

Fujita Hajime of the Special Higher Police has been apprehended.

But Zhang Xiaolin is in big trouble.

As the saying goes, you shouldn't hit someone in the face.

Just as Bai Junqi was about to issue the Green Gang's kill order to eliminate him, he was killed by "himself" in the process.

They didn't even stay up all night.

For a manic and ruthless scoundrel like Zhang Xiaolin, this was indeed a slap in the face.

The guards at the gate were probably set up to prevent the Green Gang from storming the post.

The question now is, who did it?

The other party even has Wang Ershao's fountain pen.

They clearly came prepared, and the timing was perfect.

That's impressive.

Wang Xuesen gave a cold laugh.

Some people don't want Zhang Xiaolin and Li Shiqun to negotiate and are deliberately muddying the waters.

who can that be?

there is always a solution to a problem.

He'd like to meet this expert!

……

Ring ring.

Just as I was pondering this, the phone rang.

Wang Xuesen answered: "It's me."

"Okay, Director, I'll be right there."

He hung up the phone, got up, straightened his collar, and went straight to Li Shiqun's office.

dong dong.

He knocked twice.

The door was pulled open from the inside.

Ye Jiqing, beaming, pulled him inside, slammed the door shut behind him, and began to scold him playfully, pointing her finger at his nose:

"Good lad, it's just a Japanese woman, why did you go so far as to kill someone out of jealousy?"

Wang Xuesen sized her up.

My sister-in-law really did what I wanted today. She wore a high-necked, fitted sweater, her breasts were round and full, and her hair was tied back gently.

She wasn't dressed up much, but she still had a lot of charm.

It looks so tempting.

Wang Xuesen felt something was amiss.

In terms of figure, Wanjia is now hotter than Ye Jiqing and Yu Aizhen, but why do other women always seem more charming?

Damn it.

He smiled faintly and said, "Sister-in-law, you also think I'm that ruthless butcher?"

Ye Jiqing crossed his arms, his eyes gleaming with a mocking light:

"What's wrong with a ruthless butcher? This Bai Junqi has ruined our plans time and time again, causing us to lose so much money. Even if you skin him alive, your sister-in-law will support you."

"Alright."

Li Shiqun sat behind his desk, a cigarette dangling from his hand, interrupting their small talk.

He raised his chin: "They're coming for me."

Wang Xuesen walked to the desk, stood at his sides, and said, "Brother, you are wise."

Li Shiqun lit a cigarette and took a deep drag:

"If you wanted to kill Bai Junqi, you wouldn't have waited until today."

"Right now, we need to join forces with Zhang Xiaolin, but Bai Junqi just happened to die at this critical juncture."

"Someone is deliberately trying to ruin my relationship with Boss Zhang."

Ye Jiqing sat down on the sofa next to him, tilted his head, and asked, "Who is it? Haven't we had enough trouble lately?"

Li Shiqun did not answer, but stared at Wang Xuesen for two seconds.

Wang Xuesen sensed something unusual in his micro-expressions.

That kind of subtle scrutiny.

It's faint, but it can't be hidden.

He asked tentatively, "Could it be that someone opposes our alliance with Boss Zhang?"

Li Shiqun waved his hand, clearly unwilling to discuss this topic.

He changed the subject, saying, "Xuesen, according to intelligence, Zhang Xiaolin is furious about Bai Junqi's assassination attempt and is ready to take action against No. 76 at any time."

What do you think?

Wang Xuesen pondered for a moment, then said, "Isn't this Cao Cao's mourning masking his true intentions regarding Xuzhou?"

"Of course, it's also possible that he wanted to talk to us, but deliberately leaked the information to save face and for the sake of negotiation."

Wang Xuesen paused, then emphasized his words.

"It's even highly possible that they'll send Green Gang members to block the door next."

Li Shiqun stubbed out his cigarette, braced himself with both hands, and leaned forward to ask, "So, what do you think? Should we talk or not?"

Wang Xuesen played it safe: "I'd like to hear my elder brother's opinion first."

Li Shiqun paced back and forth a few steps:

"I think it's best not to talk about it. This is a good opportunity to make our stance clear to the Japanese: No. 76 has no connection with the Green Gang."

Wang Xuesen's heart tightened.

Li Shiqun is a very cunning person; it's hard to guess which of his words are true and which are false.

However, he caught a glimpse of Ye Jiqing beside him, who slightly pursed his lips.

Just that one stroke.

enough.

Li Shiqun was trying to elicit information from them.

Ha ha.

This guy claims to trust me on the surface, but in reality, he still suspects that I was the one who did it, deliberately assassinating Bai Junqi to sabotage the peace talks.

In other words, Li Shiqun was eager to negotiate peace.

Damn it!

That's quite a clever scheme.

Wang Xuesen frowned, raising his voice slightly: "Brother, absolutely not!"

"Wouldn't this just bring us back to the way things were before, with everyone doing their own thing and our funding still being blocked?"

Bai Junqi is dead.

"Everyone thinks I was the one who did it, but at this critical moment, we should not back down, but instead take the initiative to negotiate and show our sincerity."

"If we don't open the door to the Green Gang, we won't be able to do many of our businesses and trades."

"No. 76 and Longteng Company will not be able to grow big."

Li Shiqun gestured for him to continue.

Wang Xuesen continued, "Now that the situation has changed dramatically, if we don't strive for progress and make a profit, we will be gradually devoured by others sooner or later."

"Zhang Xiaolin is not without capable people."

"If you don't win him over, he could very well create a replacement for No. 76 by relying on tens of thousands of Green Gang members."

"The reason why Bai Junqi has been unable to achieve his goals is ultimately because the old man of the Bai family is stingy and unwilling to spend money."

"But Zhang Xiaolin was also a tightwad, so things stalled."

"Other visionary individuals who are willing to invest heavily would have immediately agreed to Zhang Xiaolin's proposal."

He took a deep breath and concluded definitively:

"In the end, Bai Junqi's death is entirely detrimental to us."

The office fell silent.

Li Shiqun paced back and forth, hands behind his back, deep in thought.

Ye Jiqing opened his mouth, as if to speak.

Li Shiqun rolled her eyes at her.

She pouted, angrily sat back on the sofa, and didn't dare to say a word.

In front of outsiders, she still behaved very well and upheld Lao Li's dignity and authority.

Li Shiqun stopped and turned around:

"Xuesen, do you mean that someone is trying to use another person to do their dirty work and plot to take over the position?"

Wang Xuesen nodded emphatically: "Brother, can't you see? Someone is secretly setting a trap for us."

"The assassination of Bai Junqi serves two purposes: firstly, to disrupt our alliance with Zhang Xiaolin."

"Secondly, to replace Bai Junqi and reorganize a new intelligence agency."

"Thirdly, by using Zhang Xiaolin to get rid of me, we can remove my elder brother's henchman."

"The other side killed three birds with one stone."

"If our leader doesn't move, he'll be playing right into the enemy's hands."

Li Shiqun turned his head, a hint of joy in his eyes.

That joy wasn't feigned; it was a genuine feeling that the analysis had hit the nail on the head.

"Xue Sen's words make a lot of sense."

He went back behind his desk, sat down, and laid everything out:

"To be honest, some people did advise me to give up cooperating with Boss Zhang."

"Furthermore, I've discovered that some people have recently become very close to the Green Gang."

"Just as you said, the other party has ulterior motives." He sneered.

Wang Xuesen quickly asked, "Who is it?"

Li Shiqun gave a cold laugh: "Ding Zijun."

Wang Xuesen was stunned.

Ding Zijun?

This surprised him somewhat.

This guy used to be in cahoots with Mao Ziming; he was one of those who spread rumors about Wan Jia.

Moreover, he had conspired with Mao Ziming to drug Wanjia's wine at a banquet.

These were all confessed to by Mao Ziming himself in the interrogation room.

Ding Zijun abandoned the idea only because Wanjia was wary and Dingmo Village was at a disadvantage.

I never expected this guy to be up to something again behind the scenes.

They really don't learn their lesson.

Li Shiqun nodded and continued:

"According to intelligence, Ding Zijun has been frequently contacting members of the Green Gang recently, which may be at the behest of Ding Mocun."

He took a document out of the drawer and pushed it towards us:

"Old Ding is now a figurehead, and it's very possible that he's seizing the opportunity to rebuild an intelligence agency."

"After all, he already has the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his qualifications are there. If he raises his voice, there will be no shortage of businessmen willing to fund him."

"The reason we put Ding Zijun in the spotlight is simply because we don't want things to fall apart."

Wang Xuesen picked up the document and glanced at it. It recorded Ding Zijun's whereabouts over the past half month.

The frequency is very high.

At least three times a week, all in several upscale teahouses and clubs in the French Concession.

"I see, then that's not surprising." Wang Xuesen put down the documents and looked up. "The question now is, can you confirm who Ding Zijun contacted?"

"If we went directly to Zhang Xiaolin, we would have a lot more to do."

"If we find someone else, there's a lot more room for maneuver."

Li Shiqun smiled, and asked with a hint of testing, "What do you think?"

Wang Xuesen did not hesitate for long:

"I don't think it's very likely that we'll directly contact Zhang Xiaolin."

He quickly went through it in his mind:

"Bai Junqi has been looking for Zhang Xiaolin and has even acknowledged him as his father, but the matter has been dragging on without being resolved, and there's only one reason for that."

"Zhang Xiaolin was extravagant with himself, but he was also harsh, ungrateful, and stingy with his subordinates, treating them like pigs and dogs, which was common knowledge."

"In short, Zhang Xiaolin only appeared on stage after the other side had set the stage and prepared the performance."

"All talk and no action."

Ye Jiqing, listening nearby, nodded in agreement and couldn't help but interject, "That's right, Zhang Xiaolin is just one word: stingy!"

Li Shiqun glared at her.

Ye Jiqing rolled her eyes at him and shut up sullenly.

Wang Xuesen continued, "If Ding Zijun is behind Ding Mocun's actions, given Old Ding's equally stingy nature, he wouldn't be unaware of this."

He pondered for a moment, then met Li Shiqun's gaze:

"Currently, among Zhang Xiaolin's men, the Fan brothers are brutes, and only Yu Yefeng remains."

"Insidious, cunning, capable, and intelligent."

"They have a very good reputation within the Green Gang and the power and money to handle this matter."

"Is it him?"

Li Shiqun nodded with satisfaction: "That's right, it's Yu Yefeng."

"To be honest, this man is cunning and treacherous. He is also Zhang Xiaolin's adopted son and in-law, and controls most of the Green Gang's assets."

"And there was the arrogant and conceited Zhang Xiaolin in front of him to take the blows for him."

"This guy really got to enjoy all the benefits."

There was a moment of silence in the office.

Ye Jiqing looked at Li Shiqun, then at Wang Xuesen, wanting to speak but not daring to.

Wang Xuesen already had a plan in mind.

Yu Yefeng.

The shadow hidden behind Zhang Xiaolin.

The real money bag and operator of the Green Gang.

When Ding Zijun approached him, it meant that Ding Mocun had made contact with the powerful faction of the Green Gang.

Once this line is established, not only will things be difficult for No. 76, but I and Longteng Company will also be targeted relentlessly.

But on the other hand, this might also be an opportunity.

Given Zhang Xiaolin's suspicious, paranoid, and self-centered nature...

Let alone adopted sons or in-laws.

Even if his own son stretched out his hand in front of him, he would chop it off.

Thinking of this, Wang Xuesen said, "Brother, Zhang Xiaolin is inherently suspicious."

"It was alright if Yu Yefeng had stayed in the back."

"Now, if he wants to step into the limelight, he's doomed."

"This person can handle it."

"Oh?" Li Shiqun took out a cigarette and tossed it to him: "Tell me your thoughts quickly."

"It's simple, what does Zhang Xiaolin hate the most?"

"Someone is touching his money, touching his power as an underground emperor."

"Yu Yefeng controls most of the Green Gang's assets, which is a thorn in Zhang Xiaolin's side."

"It's just that Yu Yefeng usually does things flawlessly, and Zhang Xiaolin can't find any fault with him."

Wang Xuesen lit it and took a nonchalant puff:

"Then let's point out a few flaws in Boss Zhang."

Ye Jiqing finally couldn't hold back any longer and leaned over from the sofa: "How do I choose?"

Does Zhang Xiaolin know that Ding Zijun and Yu Yefeng are contacting each other privately?

Li Shiqun shook his head: "Given Yu Yefeng's personality, he wouldn't be stupid enough to inform Zhang Xiaolin in advance."

"That's right." Wang Xuesen put down his cigarette and straightened up.

"Yu Yefeng's collusion with the people of Dingmo Village behind Zhang Xiaolin's back is a major taboo for Zhang Xiaolin."

"Moreover, Bai Junqi has just died."

"Zhang Xiaolin is furious."

"If someone were to pass on the news of Yu Yefeng's secret dealings with Ding Mocun to Zhang Xiaolin at this time, brother, what do you think Zhang Xiaolin would think?"

A sharp glint appeared in Li Shiqun's eyes:

"He will soon find out that Bai Junqi's death is inextricably linked to Yu Yefeng."

"That's right." Wang Xuesen smiled.

"Use Zhang Xiaolin's knife to kill Zhang Xiaolin's own people."

"We don't even need to get our hands dirty."

"I predict that within a month, Yu Yefeng will die, and the Ding Mocun brothers' plan to establish a separate faction under the guise of the Green Gang will inevitably fail."

"Of course, elder brother can also secretly report this matter to Mr. Wang and Mr. Fohai."

"Especially Mr. Fo Hai, who is supporting his subordinate Mei Siping to compete for a high-ranking position in Zhejiang Province, and is at odds with the Green Gang and Zhang Xiaolin."

"Ding Mocun dared to secretly contact the Green Gang at this time, which was tantamount to bringing shame upon himself."

……

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