Chapter 116

Yang Chengdong looked at the tea set on the coffee table, and a faint smile appeared. He picked up the teapot skillfully, his movements smooth and practiced—clearly a seasoned hand.

"Director Lin has keen eyes." He said while pouring tea for Lin Yu, sighing, "I've been shuffling around officialdom for so many years with this old body, yet I've never met anyone as direct as you."

The tea swirled in the cup, amid the steaming mist, Yang Chengdong's gaze grew deep.

"That's indeed why I'm here." He pushed the teacup toward Lin Yu, "Before Commander Qin passed away, the whole of Shen City could be said to be Qin family territory, the Security Commander's army's turf."

Lin Yu set down his cigar, lifted the teacup and took a light sip, gesturing for him to continue.

"But now..." Yang Chengdong shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness, "My nephew has been completely blinded by the lure of power. He thinks that with the backing of the Jiangnan Four Young Masters, he can secure the position of Security Commander."

"Inviting wolves into the house." He sighed, poured himself a cup of tea, "Sun, Liu, and Lu families— which of them is easy to deal with? On the surface they seem to be helping him, but actually..."

Yang Chengdong paused, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yu's face: "Once these families' forces formally enter Shen City, how much say will the Qin clan have left? Qin Chang'an won't be able to suppress them."

Tea fragrance filled the air as Lin Yu leaned back on the sofa, squinting to size up this old fox before him. While Yang Chengdong spoke, his tone was calm, yet every word cut deep.

"You're right." Yang Chengdong refilled Lin Yu's tea, "These aristocratic clans are courteous on the surface, but behind the scenes they're all scheming how to swallow each other's territories. My nephew is young and hot-headed, unable to see through this, but I can't stand by and do nothing."

His hand trembled slightly as he poured the tea, whether from excitement or worry: "Once these families gain a foothold, Shen City will be overturned. By then, not only the Qin family, but even the Security Army will be devoured clean."

Lin Yu stared at the tea in his cup, thoughtful. Yang Chengdong's words were sincere and heartfelt, but he knew this old fox surely had his own calculations.

"Hmph." Lin Yu snorted, blowing out a smoke ring, "Commander Yang speaks so movingly, but I must ask—what reason do I have to help you?"

He rose, walked to the window, and looked down at the armored vehicles on the street: "Your Security Army fights to the death with other forces—what does that have to do with me?"

Yang Chengdong set down his teacup, his eyes sharpening: "Director Lin, I see through your thoughts as well."

Lin Yu turned his head, regarding him with interest.

"With your strength, you could easily wipe out the Security Army." Yang Chengdong said slowly, "But why don't you? Simply because you think the current Security Army poses no threat to you."

A strange glint flashed in Lin Yu's eyes.

"But if," Yang Chengdong lowered his voice further, "they achieve their goal, your opponent won't just be the Security Army—it will be the Sun, Lu, and Liu families united with the Security Commander's army."

He stood, walked to Lin Yu's side, and said, "When these forces combine, they could utterly overturn the situation in all of Shen City. You can't be unaware of that, can you?"

In the night, their silhouettes by the window formed a stark contrast—one youthful and vigorous, the other old and scheming, yet each was pursuing his own calculations.

"So," Yang Chengdong continued, "the best choice is to join forces with me to resist outside powers entering Shen City."

He gave Lin Yu a meaningful glance: "As for whether we become enemies or friends later, we can see how things develop."

Lin Yu flicked ash from his cigar, thoughtful. Yang Chengdong's words struck a chord. The current Security Army indeed couldn't stir up much trouble. But if those aristocratic clans' forces seeped in, the situation would be entirely different.

"Commander Yang," Lin Yu suddenly said, "you see things far more clearly than your nephew."

Yang Chengdong gave a wry smile: "After staying in this position for so long, you inevitably see certain things. Qin Chang'an is still too young; he doesn't grasp that some people's appetites can never be satisfied."

"Director, the dishes are ready." Zhou Wei pushed the door open and said respectfully.

"Let's go, Commander Yang." Lin Yu stubbed out his cigar, "Let's eat and talk."

In the restaurant, a table of exquisite dishes had been set. Lin Yu took the seat of honor and gestured for Commander Yang to sit opposite him.

"Try this braised fish." Lin Yu placed a piece of fish on Commander Yang's plate, "The chef here was invited from Jinling."

Yang Chengdong politely thanked him, but before he could speak, Lin Yu continued, "However, the matters you just mentioned are likely to disappoint you."

Yang Chengdong's chopsticks froze midair.

"The feud between the Security Army and the Jiangnan Four Young Masters," Lin Yu said, sipping his wine leisurely, "to be frank, I have no interest in it."

He set down his wine cup, locking eyes with Yang Chengdong: "You've miscalculated one thing. Whether it's the Security Army or any union of the Four Young Masters, in my view they're not worth mentioning."

He spoke lightly, yet it carried an arrogant dominance. Yang Chengdong's heart sank; he heard in Lin Yu's tone an unquestionable resolve.

"Director Lin," Yang Chengdong set down his chopsticks, "forgive my frankness, but are you too..."

"Arrogant?" Lin Yu laughed, "Commander Yang, you've been around Shen City for so many years; you should know that some things can't be solved by sheer numbers."

He pointed to the window: "You've seen what I have. To deal with you so‑called local tyrants, I can act anytime. I haven't moved not out of fear, but because I see no need."

Yang Chengdong's face darkened. He had thought his analysis thorough, yet he hadn't expected Lin Yu to regard them as nothing at all. Such naked contempt is more humiliating than any refusal.

"It seems I was overthinking." Yang Chengdong forced a smile.

"No, you weren't overthinking." Lin Yu poured himself another drink, "You just picked the wrong partner to work with."

Half an hour later, Zhou Wei saw Commander Yang to the gate.

"Take care, Commander Yang." Zhou Wei's tone was polite, but his eyes held a hint of contempt.

Yang Chengdong silently got into the jeep, watching the fully armed soldiers outside the window, his gaze growing ever grimmer.

"Commander," after the car had gone some distance, Chen Mingyuan ventured cautiously, "How did the talk with Director Lin go?"

"He wants to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight." Yang Chengdong's face was cold, his voice tinged with chill, "watching us tear each other apart."

"Then we..."

"We can't count on him." Yang Chengdong gazed out at the night, "Now we have to rely on ourselves."

The jeep vanished into the night, leaving only the echo of its engine rumbling through the streets.