Chapter 44: Keep Your Distance From Him

The atmosphere in Conference Room One was utterly different from the quiet of the dining room just now.

Two investigators sat and stood: the seated man, about forty, with a stern face and eyes sharp as a hawk's, codenamed "Hawk"; the standing one, younger, posture erect, his gaze constantly scanning the room's furnishings with a critical air, codenamed "Blue Sparrow."

Qin Feng entered the conference room and sat calmly in the main seat, while Su Wenqian stood silently behind and to his side.

"Mr. Qin, apologies for the intrusion," Hawk said, his voice steady and carrying an undeniable authority. "We are from the National Strategic Security and Abnormal Events Investigation Bureau. We've come unannounced to inquire about several recent 'accidents' involving online rumor-mongers."

As he spoke, his gaze landed on Qin Feng like a physical weight, trying to catch even the faintest flicker of emotion.

"Go ahead," Qin Feng said, lifting the tea Su Wenqian had promptly offered, his tone as calm as if discussing the weather.

"We've noticed that all those involved in these incidents had previously participated in large-scale online defamation against you. The manner and timing of their 'accidents' are too coincidental to be natural." Hawk fixed his eyes on Qin Feng. "We want to know: are you aware of this? Or does someone close to you employ certain… unconventional methods to protect your reputation?"

The question struck straight to the core, with no circumlocution.

Qin Feng gently blew away the tea foam, took a sip, then looked up at Hawk and asked, "Investigator, according to your logic, if someone insults you on the street and then turns around and falls into a sewer, should you be held responsible?"

His analogy was simple and direct, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible mockery.

Hawk frowned slightly. "Mr. Qin, we are not accusing you—this is routine investigation. These 'accidents' are too uniform, too efficient, exceeding normal parameters. It is our duty to rule out any potential uncontrolled 'abnormal' risks."

"Abnormal?" Qin Feng set down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and an invisible aura subtly spread. "In my view, online trolls taking money to spread rumors is abnormal. Shadowy operators manipulating public opinion through capital is abnormal. And those who commit evil and reap what they sow? That's merely karma—what's abnormal about that?"

His gaze was calm, yet carried a condescending scrutiny, as if he were the one holding all the answers.

"As for those around me," Qin Feng's lips curved into the faintest smile, "they are law-abiding and know well how to protect my legal rights. If you have no concrete evidence, only speculation, you will reach no conclusion."

Hawk and Blue Sparrow exchanged a glance, both seeing gravity in the other's eyes. This Qin Feng was harder to handle than they'd anticipated—impeccable, unyielding, and radiating a confidence and control no ordinary man possessed.

"Mr. Qin, we hope you understand that safeguarding national security and social stability is our highest duty. Any force threatening balance must be regulated." Hawk changed his tone, adding a warning.

"I understand, and I support your work," Qin Feng rose, signaling dismissal. "But I also believe in law and justice. If you find concrete proof that I or my people have broken the law, come with a warrant. Otherwise, my time is valuable."

The dismissal was blunt.

Hawk studied Qin Feng deeply, knowing no further progress could be made today. He stood. "Then we won't overstay. But Mr. Qin, remember—we are watching you. We hope your 'karma' theory doesn't extend into more dangerous territory."

With that, he turned and left with Blue Sparrow.

Su Wenqian saw them out of the estate and returned to the conference room to find Qin Feng standing by the window, gazing at the heavy night outside.

"Boss, they don't fully believe you," Su Wenqian said softly.

"They don't need to believe—they just need to know where the boundary lies," Qin Feng replied coldly. "Lin Xuan handled it cleanly. They found no trace. This meeting was more a warning and a probe. For now, they won't take any substantive action."

He turned, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. "But this reminds us: next time we deal with 'troubles,' we should make our methods even more 'natural.'"

"Understood," Su Wenqian nodded.

As Qin Feng was about to leave the conference room, his personal phone vibrated with a text from an unknown number. The message was brief, yet brimming with unmasked hostility:

【Stay away from Xia Yunge. She's not someone you can covet.】

The message bore no signature, but its arrogance and threat were unmistakable.

Qin Feng looked at the text, his eyes instantly chilling.

Xia Yunge? A warning arrived just after meeting her? Clearly, her admirer—or 'protector'—was well-informed, and… extremely impolite.

He'd had no particular interest in Xia Yunge before, but this possessive, provocative message stirred a flicker of irritation.

"Wenqian," Qin Feng turned his phone screen toward Su Wenqian, "find the origin of this number—and who's so concerned about Miss Xia's social circle."

"Yes, Boss," Su Wenqian immediately noted the number and began deployment.

Qin Feng put away his phone, a cold smile lingering on his lips.

Stay away?

He'd see who had the qualifications to issue such an order to him, Qin Feng.

The delicate balance had been shattered. New challenges, it seemed, always arrived unannounced.