Chapter 2806: Telling a Story

"Ding ling..."

The factory's end-of-shift electric bell rang, Zhou Andong checked the time, put away his draft paper, and then placed it into his briefcase. As he just stepped out of the office, Dong Tang Wenjuan heard the movement and hurried out.

"Director, are you going to Guangdong Province tomorrow? Do you need me to come with you?"

"No need!" Zhou Andong waved his hand: "Stay at home, and if anything comes up, notify me immediately."

"Okay!" Dong Tang Wenjuan replied.

Zhou Andong arrived at the stairwell, looked left and right, and didn't see Gu Bing. He muttered to himself as he walked downstairs. Last night, Gu Bing had come back with him to sleep in Anqi Hutong, but this morning he hadn't called Gu Bing and came straight to the factory—could it be that the guy was angry and didn't come to work?

When Zhou Andong arrived, Wang Wentián had already parked the car at the factory gate. Zhou Andong came out and got straight into the car: "Go to the first bar."

At the same time, Ye Zhen's car had already arrived at the bar and was about to park. The attendant standing at the door to greet guests rushed over and raised his hand to tap on the car window.

Ye Zhen opened the window: "What's up?"

The waiter, upon seeing Ye Zhen, felt she looked familiar, and the words he was about to say to shoo her away immediately went down his throat. He spoke very politely: "Hello, this is our boss's dedicated parking spot. You can park your car over there."

Ye Zhen laughed. Just moments ago, she had seen the waiter approaching aggressively and thought he would rudely kick her out. But upon seeing her, his aggressive demeanor vanished instantly—probably because he recognized her.

"You, do you know me?"

The waiter became even more polite: "I think you look somewhat familiar."

Ye Zhen parked the car in the spot, opened the door, and got out: "Zhou Andong invited me here. Can I park in this spot?"

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately recalled: this woman is a friend of Director Zhou; a few days ago, she was here drinking together.

"Yes, you can park!" the waiter hurriedly said: "Ma'am, is it still your usual spot?"

"Yes!" Ye Zhen stepped inside.

This month, two more bars opened nearby, but the business of the first bar remained completely unaffected—it was still thriving. At this moment, it was shift-change time, and many people hadn't even eaten dinner yet, but the first bar was already more than half full.

The waiter jogged ahead, leading the way to a seat by the courtyard window. After Ye Zhen sat down, the waiter bent over and asked: "Ma'am, what would you like to drink?"

Ye Zhen said: "Just give me a glass of juice for now."

"Okay!" The waiter found a server, gave instructions, then returned to the entrance to greet guests.

When Zhou Andong arrived, it was already half an hour later: "Fourth Sister Ye, I'm late—I'm really sorry."

Seeing Zhou Andong arrive, the previously bored Ye Zhen's eyes lit up instantly, and even her usually expressionless face showed a hint of a smile: "I'm just an idle person—coming early is only natural. Unlike you, Director Zhou, burdened with countless affairs, rushing around all day with your feet never touching the ground—being late is understandable."

"Thank you, Fourth Sister Ye, for your understanding." Zhou Andong sat down, looking at the juice in front of Ye Zhen: "You're just drinking this stuff?"

Ye Zhen lazily leaned back—the soft mounds beneath her white shirt seemed ready to burst through the fabric, especially the buttons, which looked like they might pop open with the slightest pressure.

"I don't have your financial luxury, Director Zhou. If you don't come, I'd order something so expensive I couldn't afford it—and then I'd be utterly embarrassed."

"Fourth Sister Ye, you're testing me." Zhou Andong gave a wry smile: "I wouldn't dare stand up anyone else, but I'd never stand you up."

Ye Zhen laughed: "Alright, hurry up and get to the point."

"Pop!" Zhou Andong raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

A waiter who had been watching this side quickly approached: "Director Zhou, what do you need?"

Zhou Andong said: "Bring me a case of beer, a fruit platter, and some dried nuts—you decide what to bring."

"Okay!" The waiter turned and hurried away.

Zhou Andong took out a cigarette, lit it, and said: "Let me tell you a story."

Ye Zhen blinked, then smiled warmly: "Okay, go ahead."

Zhou Andong organized his thoughts, and in the form of a story, he recounted the case involving the Yin uncle and nephew, then leaned closer to Ye Zhen, lowered his voice, and continued.

"This story has a very key figure named Wang Jianfeng, who is the director of the Jinmen Public Security Bureau."

Ye Zhen felt the warmth of Zhou Andong's body near hers, her face slightly flushed, her heart beating faster against her will, and her voice naturally dropped.

"In this case, Wang Jianfeng is the only breakthrough. If we can't get through to him, we have no way to deal with Yin Mingxing."

Zhou Andong nodded, took a sip of beer: "So we need to figure out how to get Wang Jianfeng to voluntarily hand over the knife he used to stab us."

Ye Zhen asked curiously: "I don't know much about Wang Jianfeng, but someone who can serve as director of the Jinmen Public Security Bureau and now nominated as deputy mayor—aside from the Yin family's backing, his own abilities can't be small. So, trying to outmaneuver someone like him won't be easy."

Zhou Andong whispered: "Wang Jianfeng must have political rivals. Investigate them secretly. Then, in Guangdong Province, find a few people and say they are Hong Kong investors wanting to invest in Jinmen."

As he spoke, Zhou Andong leaned his upper body toward Ye Zhen, tilted his head, and moved close to her ear: "Find an intermediary, contact Wang Jianfeng's political rivals, and have this person receive the investors."

Ye Zhen felt the warm breath on her ear, her face flushed a few more degrees, but she didn't pull away—instead, she whispered: "I understand your meaning. Nowadays, the whole country is like one chessboard, all competing for investment attraction.

Especially since Wang Jianfeng is being nominated for deputy mayor, he needs political achievements to solidify his position. At this moment, if Hong Kong investors come to Jinmen for inspection, and the person in charge happens to be his rival, he will surely spare no effort to grab this piece of the pie for himself."

"Smart!" Zhou Andong snapped his fingers with a sharp crack: "Wang Jianfeng is a man with no moral boundaries. For money and official rank, he'd sell out anything—otherwise, he wouldn't have become an accomplice of Yin Mingxing, committing such heinous, conscience-shattering acts."

Especially since this guy controls law enforcement, he will definitely set up obstacles for investors and create obstructions—first to strike down his rivals, second to lure investors onto his own boat."

Ye Zhen pondered, saying: "Wang Jianfeng acts without any scruples—he must be extremely greedy. If the incentive isn't substantial enough, luring out this venomous snake won't be easy at all."

Zhou Andong sat upright, and Ye Zhen felt the weight on her shoulders lift, the flush and racing heartbeat fading as she exhaled—but at the same time, a hollow emptiness welled up inside.

"So!" Zhou Andong picked up the beer bottle, tilted his head, and took a sip: "This investment amount needs to be large—no less than one hundred million USD. As for what project it is, you guys figure it out. It must be reasonable, with no visible flaws, or else it's all for nothing."

Ye Zhen also opened a beer, poured a cup into her glass: "A one hundred million USD investment—this temptation is enormous. Not just Wang Jianfeng—anyone who sees it will be greedy."

Zhou Andong picked up an orange, peeled it, broke off a segment, and handed it to Ye Zhen: "Whether it's Wang Jianfeng or his rivals, this one hundred million USD investment will definitely drive them crazy.

Especially Wang Jianfeng—he will stop at nothing, forcing investors to board his ship. Therefore, in desperation, the investors will produce two hundred thousand USD to break through Wang Jianfeng's wall."

As he spoke, Zhou Andong handed Ye Zhen another orange segment: "You say—can two hundred thousand USD lure out this poisonous snake, Wang Jianfeng?"

"Yes!" Ye Zhen took the orange segment and naturally put it in her mouth: "Two hundred thousand USD, at today's exchange rate, is about 1.5 million RMB—Wang Jianfeng simply cannot resist the bait."

Zhou Andong glanced at Ye Zhen: "Can this two hundred thousand USD buy Wang Jianfeng a peanut?"

"Not quite!" Ye Zhen whispered: "But if you add in the Yin Mingxing case, giving him a peanut would be enough."