Chapter 683

The Land Rover Range Rover drove smoothly in the traffic, its posture a stark contrast to the wind‑like screeching stop it had made earlier.

Inside the car.

But the atmosphere was even more stagnant than the earlier confrontation.

Qian Yucai shrank into the wide leather seat, his fat body trying to get as far away from Lin Dongfan beside him as possible, yet he dared not move too much.

Cold sweat kept beading on his forehead, his hands nervously rubbed his knees, his gaze darting; he simply didn't dare to look at the side where Lin Dongfan, wearing sunglasses and exuding an oppressive aura, sat.

Lin Dongfan seemed not in a hurry to speak.

He leisurely leaned against the seat back, his gaze through the dark car window watching the outside scenery fly by backwards, as if merely taking a casual drive.

This silence was, to Qian Yucai, no different from torture.

Every second felt like being fried in an oil pan.

He finally couldn't hold back, speaking with a trembling voice, choked with tears: "Lin... Mr. Lin... you... what do you want from me? Over at Li Zong's side... I... if I'm late, I'm afraid..."

What are you afraid of?

Lin Dongfan finally turned his head, his gaze behind the sunglasses seeming able to pierce the heart: "Are you afraid he'll send the photos of your contact with foreign intelligence to the State Security Bureau? Or that he'll grab your hand, force you to sign a contract, and give away half of Aurora Group's core patents, half-selling, half-giving them to Rebirth Group?"

!!!

Qian Yucai, as if struck by lightning, trembled all over, stared at Lin Dongfan in disbelief, his lips quivering so he couldn't utter a word.

How could he know?!

My contact with foreign intelligence, and Li Hengbo's designs on new energy technology—these are the most secret dealings between me and Li Hengbo!

How could Lin Dongfan know this so clearly?

Could there be a Lin Dongfan spy around me?

The immense fear was like ice water poured over his head, making Qian Yucai's limbs turn cold. Before Li Hengbo he was transparent; before Lin Dongfan, it seemed he likewise had nowhere to hide!

It's strange that I know.

Lin Dongfan lightly pushed up his sunglasses, his tone as flat as if discussing the weather.

He lightly laughed: "Qian Director, have you forgotten what kind of person Li Hengbo is? He even dared to send the ministerial-level Duan Xinhua to meet the Buddha. Do you think, once he squeezes out your remaining value, or deems you a potential threat, you'll still have a few days to live? Duan Xinhua's fate will be yours."

Duan Xinhua!

The person who openly reported Li Zhenyang and then mysteriously disappeared!

Qian Yucai certainly knows that name; it's also the place deep in his heart where he fears Li Hengbo the most! That's a true demon who kills without blinking!

Lin Dongfan's words were like an icy awl, precisely piercing his last sliver of wishful thinking.

I... I...

Qian Yucai's throat tightened, almost suffocating.

You want to say you were forced, have difficulties?" Lin Dongfan interrupted him, tone with a hint of mockery: "Who doesn't have some difficulties? But that's not a reason for you to betray the country, nor to bundle state assets and sell them cheaply to Rebirth Group. Do you want Li Hengbo to silence you? Or spend a few years in prison then come out and start anew? Choose for yourself.

!!!

Qian Yucai's complexion could no longer be described as ashen; it was a deathly gray.

Lin Dongfan not only knows, but sees even more clearly and coldly! Now Qian Yucai feels like an ant placed on a fire, with dead ends ahead and behind.

Mr. Lin... save me... please save me...

Qian Yucai could no longer hold back, speaking with a choked voice: "Regarding the matter of betraying the country, I truly didn't want to do that. That day, a foreigner named James suddenly approached me, saying he wanted to discuss cooperation. I shook his hand, and then someone secretly took a photo of our handshake. I only found out afterward that James was a foreign intelligence operative; I truly had no intention of betraying the country. Afterwards, Li Hengbo used those photos to threaten me, forcing me to work for him. Mr. Lin, I know you have great abilities; please give me a way out..."

That's right, as the saying goes, he who knows the times is a true talent.

Lin Dongfan took off the sunglasses from his nose bridge, and the corner of his mouth also curled into a faint smile.

Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation: "If we follow normal procedure, you should now turn yourself in, honestly confess your contact with James, and seek leniency. But here's a question: why would the foreign intelligence suddenly seek you out? And why such a coincidence that a photo was taken the moment you shook hands?"

"What do you mean?" Qian Yucai looked at Lin Dongfan, momentarily confused and a bit dazed.

Lin Dongfan analyzed: "You say the truth could be like this: Li Hengbo first contacted foreign intelligence, intending to steal your Aurora Group's confidential data and cutting-edge technology. But he had no way in, so he dug a pit and set a trap, dragging you into it, making it so you wanted to quit but couldn't."

"You mean the real traitor is Li Hengbo, that scoundrel?!" Qian Yucai stared, eyes wide.

Lin Dongfan nodded: "Exactly, you were set up by Li Hengbo, becoming a tool in his hands. The one who betrayed the information is him, while you take the fall. After the deed is done, he'll kill you, leaving no evidence."

Damn!

Qian Yucai, belatedly, cursed: "Damn his mother, the Gobi! I knew it, that scoundrel is born with a rebellious bone, never any good since eight generations ago!"

"So you now understand? You intend to turn from darkness to light?" This time Lin Dongfan used the honorific "nin" liked by people from the capital, to show respect.

Qian Yucai nodded eagerly: "I must turn from darkness to light! To be frank, Mr. Lin, if you had come a few days earlier to see me, giving me some hope, these days I wouldn't be so restless."

"Not bad for someone who can be the head of a state-owned enterprise; this awareness is high." Lin Dongfan firmly grasped Qian Yucai's hand, then suddenly shifted tone: "Next, what do you think about turning the tables?"

"Turning the tables?" Qian Yucai was also a bit dazed.

Lin Dongfan solemnly replied: "Exactly, turning the tables. Just pretend you haven't yielded to my authority, continue being your traitor self. Later, how you'll meet Li Hengbo, how you'll meet Li Hengbo—first see what that scoundrel wants to do. Then, following my orders, arrange to meet James, catch him, and earn merit."

"Alright, just do as you say." Qian Yucai nodded without hesitation.

Lin Dongfan rolled up his sleeves immediately: "Then I won't hold back." Before his words even finished, his fist slammed into Qian Yucai's face.

One punch landed, making Qian Yucai utter a groan, his hand covering his right eye.

Then, like a dazed fool, he exclaimed in surprise: "Mr. Lin, I've already turned from darkness to light, how..."

"Didn't I just say that, turning the tables? You need to suffer a bit of flesh wound to prove to Little Li that you haven't yielded to my authority." As he spoke, Lin Dongfan launched another fist.

This punch's force was greater than the previous punch's force.

Qian Yucai was struck until his head tilted, a salty bloody taste rose in his mouth. He stuck his hand in his mouth and dug out, quickly pulling out a loose tooth.

He stared at the tooth in his hand.

He burst out laughing, tears streaming: "Good thing it was a cavity..."