Chapter 771: The Enemy's Schemes

Inside the CIA headquarters building in M Country, Elizabeth sat in a wheelchair, whispering a report to Bureau Chief Casey.

After the previous bomb attack, she was severely injured; fortunately, a neighbor discovered her in time and rushed her to the hospital for emergency treatment, barely saving one leg and one arm.

Having survived this ordeal, Elizabeth had long harbored a deep-seated hatred for the person behind the bombing.

"Bureau Chief Casey, I am certain that the force that blew up the Hopkins Mansion and assassinated several of our field agents is the 'Shadow' organization. This Shadow organization is a secret intelligence agency of Huaxia and has nothing to do with the Soviet Union. Furthermore, our two chip factories were attacked one after another; the mastermind behind this must also be them..."

After hearing the report, Casey pondered in silence for a long time before speaking slowly: "Setting aside subjective speculation, do you have any substantive evidence? Intelligence work relies on empirical proof; relying solely on conjecture is meaningless."

That explosion left Elizabeth permanently disabled with missing limbs, and a monstrous hatred accumulated in the depths of her heart.

Her eyes were cold and her tone was suppressed: "I currently have no direct evidence, but the facts are right before our eyes. Previously, we sent over sixty elite field agents to infiltrate Huaxia, planning to sabotage their chip industry. As a result, all of them lost contact and were wiped out; to this day, neither the living nor the dead have been found. Looking globally, besides the Shadow Organization, who has such strength and audacity? Bureau Chief, we must continue to investigate and avenge our sacrificed brothers!"

Casey nodded slowly: "The investigation will not stop. Two chip factories were bombed, causing heavy losses, and the higher-ups are extremely furious. Currently, many veteran agents in Washington and the FBI believe this is a retaliatory action by the Soviet Union. You should be aware that in the 1950s and 60s, KGB agents once seized a large amount of grain and gold from our country. They have been silent for twenty or thirty years, and now that they are active again, many assume this attack came from the Soviet Union, not Huaxia."

"Once the direction of the investigation is wrong and we rashly make enemies, it will only invite even more insane retaliation from the other side. Have you noticed that the Shadow Organization has always been restrained and never initiates trouble, but once pushed to a dead end, their retaliation is incomparably ruthless?"

Elizabeth looked puzzled and was stubborn in her attitude: "Bureau Chief, I can confirm that Shadow is a secret organization directly under Huaxia, definitely not a Soviet KGB force."

Casey understood her hatred and obsession, but would never report up based on groundless speculation.

Once intelligence is mischaracterized, triggering a great power game, it will cause immeasurable and serious consequences.

"Elizabeth, rest and recover. I will immediately pull personnel to conduct a comprehensive investigation. If it is verified that it was indeed Huaxia acting in the shadows, we will never tolerate it and will certainly strike back forcefully."

Elizabeth nodded slowly: "I understand."

Beijing, inside a private room at the New Dadu Hotel.

Zhou Bingshan leaned toward Young Master Cheng with a fawning expression, full of resentment: "Boss, He Yushui is too arrogant; she cut in line and signed Chen Xiaolin, whom I had my eye on. Now, it's hard for me to even see her. You have wide connections and sufficient means; can you take action to suppress her company and help me vent this anger?"

Cheng Shao immediately scolded in a low voice: "Are you confused? Do you know what kind of people He Yushui's brother, He Yuzhu, associates with now? Let alone that I dare not move, even my father absolutely cannot afford to provoke the He Family."

Zhou Bingshan's face turned livid, full of frustration: "But I really cannot swallow this anger."

Cheng Shao's face sank, and he said sternly: "Stop causing trouble. I ask you, why has the demolition project for the Six-Step Kang made no progress? Any further delay will hinder the development plan for the entire area."

Zhou Bingshan immediately put on a mournful face and complained repeatedly: "Boss, several families of martyrs live in that area, along with many elderly neighbors, and their attitude is extremely tough. They refuse to move no matter what, and I really have no way to start."

Cheng Shao frowned: "Then increase the compensation and provide an additional replacement apartment; can't that move them?"

Zhou Bingshan shook his head with a bitter smile: "It's useless. They dislike that the replacement housing is in a remote location on the outskirts of the city, far from the old city hutongs they are used to living in, and they refuse to move at all costs."

Cheng Shao's tone was cold, carrying an indisputable order: "I don't care what method you use; do a good job of appeasement and communication. Within three months, the plot must be cleared and handed over. I want to start construction here and build a landmark office building."

Beijing, You'anmen Prison.

Qiu Cheng was sentenced to three years in prison according to the law for causing serious injury while acting in self-defense during a righteous act.

On this day, Chen Xiaolin came specifically to visit him in prison.

Qiu Cheng, with his head shaved, looked at her through the glass window, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth: "Xiaolin, you have already signed a contract to debut and become a formal singer. Develop well in the future and take care of yourself. Don't come to visit the prison again; just pretend you never knew me and forget me completely."

Qiu Cheng was a perceptive person who understood the ways of the world, and his words were decent and restrained.

As the words fell, Chen Xiaolin burst into tears, choking up: "Brother Qiu Cheng, I'm sorry, it was all because of me that you were implicated. You acted back then entirely to protect me... I won't forget you; I will wait for you to be released from prison."

Qiu Cheng shook his head gently, his eyes clear and helpless: "Although the sentence is not long, by the time I walk out of prison, we will already be people from two different worlds; there is no need to force an entanglement. I dared to pursue you before because our status was equal and we both loved music. Now that I have become a convict with a criminal record, once you become famous, we are destined to be worlds apart."

"I don't need your pity or sense of indebtedness, and you don't need to make any promises for me. Thank you for coming to see me today."

Every word pierced her heart, deeply touching Chen Xiaolin.

Her eyes were blurred with tears, but her gaze was incomparably firm: "Brother Qiu Cheng, I used to listen to rumors and misunderstand your character, always thinking you were reckless and fierce. After experiencing this, I understand that you are loyal and righteous, a rare good person. No matter what the future holds, I will wait for you. When you are released from prison, we will get married."

Qiu Cheng hardened his heart, his tone suddenly cold: "Don't come again in the future. Even if you do, I won't see you."

After speaking, he did not look at Chen Xiaolin again, turned around, and left the visiting room resolutely.

Chen Xiaolin stood frozen in place, full of sorrow. She had thought for a long time before deciding to come, full of guilt, believing that Qiu Cheng's fate was caused by her, and wanting to use a promise to make up for her debt. But she never expected that Qiu Cheng would be so resolute, refusing to accept any understanding or compensation.

Inside a private room at the Quanjude restaurant in Beijing, the banquet was in full swing.

He Yuzhu hosted a banquet for Xu Tian, Xu Yunnuo, and Xu Tian's two sons.

Xu Tian raised his glass, his expression sincere: "Zhuzi, thank you for taking care of the old man in many ways over these years. We, the Xu family, will always keep it in mind."

He Yuzhu laughed heartily and waved his hand: "We have had a life-and-death friendship for decades; there is no need to be so formal between brothers."

Xu Tian turned to look at his two sons and instructed them seriously: "Zhiwei, Zhisheng, if you brothers want to take root in the mainland in the future and deeply cultivate industry and real estate, kowtow to Zhuzi today, take him as your master, and humbly seek his guidance."

Xu Zhiwei and Xu Zhisheng did not hesitate at all and knelt down immediately, which caught He Yuzhu off guard, and he hurriedly reached out to help them up.

Under the witness of the elder Xu Yunnuo, the two brothers performed the full rites and earnestly completed the apprenticeship ceremony.

He Yuzhu laughed heartily and took two warm, ancient jade pieces from his bosom: "We met in a hurry and I didn't prepare any generous gifts. Please accept these two Jade Pendants as a token of remembrance."

After the ceremony, the two brothers humbly asked for advice, inquiring about the development trends and layout ideas of mainland real estate from He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu pointed out slowly: "You have accumulated family wealth by leveraging the dividends of Hong Kong real estate. In the next few decades, mainland real estate will usher in a golden age, with opportunities everywhere. For the current layout, the top priority is Shencheng."

Xu Tian nodded repeatedly: "I have had this intention for a long time. My eldest brother has decided to stay in Hong Kong and will not return to his hometown. From now on, I will transfer the core of our family business back to the mainland."

He Yuzhu continued to instruct: "You are adjacent to Shencheng and occupy the geographical advantage. Seize the opportunity to acquire land in large quantities; hoard it if you can. Xiao E has already taken root in Shencheng to lay out her plans. You should develop positively with each other and never engage in internal friction or fighting."

"The current Shencheng is just a small border town, but before long, its prosperity and scale will definitely not be inferior to Hong Kong."

Xu Tian responded solemnly: "We were able to gain a foothold in Hong Kong entirely thanks to your guidance along the way. For this Shencheng layout, I will follow your arrangements completely. Zhiwei, Zhisheng, why don't you toast and thank your master!"