Chapter 27

Downstairs.

Wu Jingzhong and Mu Liancheng returned to the hall after playing tennis.

Huizi had already prepared tea, fruit platters, and snacks.

"Zecheng, where is Miss Wanqiu?" Wu Jingzhong sat down, took a hot towel to wipe his face and hands.

"She was just here..." Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

Wu Jingzhong gave him a secret glare.

What a useless piece of trash!

They've been talking for so many days, and he hasn't even been able to win over a woman.

He had always suspected that Mu Liancheng had left a backup plan.

Those treasures must be hidden in some corner; relying on raiding homes and forced confessions, this kind of old miser wouldn't spit them out.

He had hoped Yu Zecheng could get some solid information from Wanqiu, but now it seems he can't count on that either.

Yu Zecheng exchanged a glance with him and lowered his head in shame.

"Station Chief Wu, young people need a process to cultivate feelings, let's take it slow."

"Section Chief Yu is a major with a bright future; Wanqiu will understand eventually."

Mu Liancheng accompanied him with a smile on the side.

"I hope so." Wu Jingzhong sighed.

Immediately, his gaze turned sharp as he looked at Mu Liancheng:

"Boss Mu, let's talk about you; your winery in Yuezhou has big problems."

"Station Chief Wu, what... what's wrong with the winery?" Mu Liancheng panicked.

"The people over there sent a telegram saying your winery is suffering from serious operating losses, and there's a large funding gap for equipment and estate maintenance."

"You specifically found a mess for me to clean up, brother."

Wu Jingzhong tilted his head and tapped the coffee table, his gaze cunning and cold as a wolf.

"This..."

Facing this man-eating tiger, Mu Liancheng didn't know how to respond.

The winery's products had always been popular, well-received among the upper echelons of the Xiangdao and Yuedong municipal governments and the garrison.

If it weren't for the Japanese being incompetent.

He had originally planned to open a branch in Xiangdao.

How did it become a mess just a few days after changing hands?

To rob money to this extent, have you no shame left?

Bastard!

Mu Liancheng looked at Huizi, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"Station Chief Wu, this matter is indeed our lack of consideration, causing you trouble."

"How about this, you name a figure, and we will fill the deficit for you right now."

Huizi understood and asked in a soft, gentle voice.

While speaking, this charming middle-aged woman deliberately leaned forward, exposing most of her snowy white chest in front of Wu Jingzhong.

Yu Zecheng, on the side, watched with his heart pounding.

Wu Jingzhong's gaze swept past without a ripple.

He had long passed his prime, and apart from money and antiques, nothing else caught his eye.

"Zecheng, I don't understand business matters, you handle it..."

Before Wu Jingzhong could finish his sentence, he saw Hong Zhiyou walking over, chatting and laughing with Wanqiu.

"Secretary Hong?" He frowned and shouted.

"Station Chief? Why are you here? I, I didn't interfere with official business, did I?" Hong Zhiyou looked flustered.

Wu Jingzhong's expression was cold; he gestured to Yu Zecheng to continue.

Yu Zecheng stood to the side and said with his hands together: "I have reviewed the report sent from Yuezhou."

"Besides a batch of machinery that needs replacement and repair, there are also account deficits, and after calculating everything, it's at least..."

"Twenty thousand US dollars!"

"Twenty thousand US dollars!" Mu Liancheng's eyes widened.

He wasn't short of money.

But this was too much; it really hurt.

"Cough, cough!" Wu Jingzhong was also almost choked by his tea.

On the way here, he and Yu Zecheng had agreed on five thousand US dollars, focusing on small, steady gains.

Who knew Yu Zecheng would multiply it several times over; he was even more ruthless than himself.

"Station Chief Wu, twenty thousand US dollars, isn't... isn't that too much?" Mu Liancheng took out a handkerchief and kept wiping his sweat.

"Boss Mu used to trade in shipping and foreign trade; you're not short of US dollars, are you?"

"Of course, if you think it's too much, Station Chief Wu can return the mess to you."

"You think about it carefully."

Yu Zecheng said with a fake smile.

"Fine, twenty thousand US dollars is no problem." Huizi made the decision.

She got up and went to the inner room.

Soon, she brought back two stacks of brand-new hundred-dollar bills.

Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng were stunned.

Hong Zhiyou only had two words: Truly wealthy.

There are many people in Jinhai who can come up with twenty thousand US dollars, but it's rare to see them in 100-dollar denominations, and brand-new at that.

US dollars are valuable right now.

Most of what circulates on the market are 10 and 20-dollar denominations.

Even black market dealers like Colonel Xu and Long Er find it hard to get 100-dollar bills.

"Station Chief Wu, the money is here, please accept it."

"As for Mr. Mu's label as a traitor, I'll have to trouble you."

Huizi bowed gracefully and reminded him.

"I have my own arrangements regarding the traitor matter, Secretary Hong." Wu Jingzhong suppressed his joy and waved his hand coldly.

Hong Zhiyou picked up the fragrant US dollars.

After checking them carefully and confirming they were real, he nodded and handed them to Yu Zecheng.

Old Yu put them into his bag with an expressionless face.

"Station Chief Wu, have some tea."

At noon, Wu Jingzhong brought his golden dual pistols and had a sumptuous seafood feast at Mu Liancheng's house.

After the meal.

Wanqiu prepared fruit and drinks.

Wu Jingzhong went to the balcony and sat under a parasol, looking at the mountain scenery:

"Secretary Hong, come here."

The others tactfully retreated.

"Station Chief." Hong Zhiyou leaned in.

"Sit." Wu Jingzhong picked up a glass of mango juice and handed it to him:

"How did you end up here?"

"Miss Wanqiu is my girlfriend. Last time I was hunted by the Cao Gang, I spent the night here." Hong Zhiyou held the drink and replied.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Mu, Mu Liancheng is a traitor, I was afraid of affecting my progress." Hong Zhiyou said timidly.

"You child, really."

"What traitor or not, I'm asking you, how far has your relationship with his niece gone?" Wu Jingzhong leaned in and asked.

"Pretty good."

"How good is pretty good? Have you slept together?"

"We're all men, don't be shy, answer truthfully." Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and asked with a smile.

"We... we have." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Tsk!"

Wu Jingzhong clapped his hands and was overjoyed: "No wonder they say you're a veteran in the love game; you can't be too gentle with these little girls."

"Section Chief Yu has been talking for half a month and hasn't made any progress."

"It's perfect; Mu Liancheng wants his niece to be a wife for our Military Statistics station."

"I think you're pretty good, it's you."

"Station Chief, Section Chief Yu, won't he have any objections?" Hong Zhiyou asked intentionally.

"What objections could he have?"

"His wife from back home is coming to Jinhai in a few days."

"Besides, it's against the law for an officer to take a concubine."

"Even if he had objections, I couldn't agree to it."

Wu Jingzhong said in a stern, low voice.

Heh.

So you know it's illegal for an officer to take a concubine... Hong Zhiyou looked respectful and grateful:

"Thank you, Station Chief, for your support."

Wu Jingzhong crooked his finger, and Hong Zhiyou leaned in closer.

He whispered: "Just think, these bottles and jars don't amount to much. I have a hunch that Mu Liancheng definitely has a large batch of good treasures hidden away."

"Those are all assets of the Party and the State; if even a cent is lost, you and I are sinners."

"Zhiyou, you talk to that little girl properly."

"Try to dig out all of Mu Liancheng's secrets for me."

"Yes, loyal to the Party and the State, this student is duty-bound." Hong Zhiyou stood up with a start and saluted.

"Sit, sit down."

Seeing his favorite subordinate so understanding, Wu Jingzhong was extremely satisfied.

"Tell me honestly, are you here today to compete with Section Chief Yu?" He looked at Hong Zhiyou with a half-smile.

Hong Zhiyou looked at Wu Jingzhong.

The old fox's gaze was deep.

He realized this wasn't a simple question.

Once answered incorrectly, it would be a disaster for him and Yu Zecheng.

(End of chapter)