Chapter 261: Assassination

"Really not?" Zeng Qirui expressed doubt.

"Why would I lie to you!" Gu Yongshan said angrily: "He let me stay behind, kept reading, then opened the door and sent me out!"

Zeng Qirui said with lingering fear: "How do I feel something's off? Does he know something?"

"Who am I supposed to ask?" Gu Yongshan said angrily: "Zhang Haifeng didn't have training today; you go contact him?"

"Hmm!" Zeng Qirui nodded: "Make preparations to investigate him; these matters must be handled by your trusted aides!"

"No need for you to say." Gu Yongshan muttered: "Tonight's meal gathering?"

"Since he said that, let's go see what medicine he's selling in his gourd; maybe he wants to reconcile with us." Zeng Qirui was daydreaming.

"Now cut the chatter; we'll each get busy."

Gu Yongshan nodded.

Zeng Qirui asked again: "You really didn't say anything?"

"No, I said there wasn't!" Gu Yongshan said helplessly.

Chen Yongren really is an old silver coin; before I could act, he already planted a bomb.

This method, though simple, works best on someone like Zeng Qiru.

"Section Chief Gu, fine; we're grasshoppers on the same rope—what did he tell you? You must definitely tell me."

Gu Yongshan helplessly rubbed his forehead: "I've said everything I needed to; if you don't believe me, go ask him!"

She understood; that's exactly the effect Chen Yongren wanted.

Seeing Gu Yongshan's confident appearance, Zeng Qirui hurriedly said: "I'll go find Zhang Haifeng right now!"

Gu Yongshan waved his hand impatiently.

"You really didn't discuss anything?" Zeng Qirui walked two steps, then turned back again.

"When will you be done!" Gu Yongshan was furious.

Chen Yongren hardly lifted a finger and already dealt him a blow.

Zeng Qirui hurried toward the Organization Training Office.

At this moment, Zhang Haifeng was working on the organization training plan.

During his tenure as Section Chief of the Organization Training Office, Zhang Haifeng had indeed organized things properly.

"Section Chief Zhang, busy?" Zeng Qirui stood at the doorway, peered inside, and knocked on the office door.

"Section Chief Zeng, what wind blew you here?" Zhang Haifeng asked with a smile.

"Of course I have a favor to ask, younger brother." Zeng Qirui glanced left and right, closed the door, made sure no one was there, then closed the door.

Zhang Haifeng frowned slightly, not understanding what medicine Zeng Qirui was selling in his gourd.

In private chats with Chen Yongren, this guy is certainly no good person.

"Section Chief Zhang, how's the pay and benefits here?" Zeng Qirui asked.

"You won't starve." Zhang Haifeng said.

Upon hearing that, Zeng Qirui knew there was an opportunity and immediately said: "I've heard that you're the big shot in Advisor Chen's eyes; he couldn't think of a way, so let you earn some quick cash?"

Despite having several years of experience, Zhang Haifeng immediately realized what Zeng Qirui intended to do.

He must have suffered a loss at A Ren's side, wanting to rope me in and find a breakthrough from me.

"No, I previously helped someone with some ferry business; unfortunately, Ren Ge found out and scolded me badly!" Zhang Haifeng said helplessly.

"We also need to prepare for our future." Zeng Qirui said: "Brother, you're not married yet, right?"

Zhang Haifeng nodded.

"It's not me, Brother, saying this, but with that salary it's hard to chase girls." Zeng Qirui said meaningfully: "You don't have a big house, you don't have a good car, you can't afford expensive jewelry and clothes…"

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhang Haifeng said coldly.

"Older brother, I want to bring you along to make a fortune." Zeng Qirui, too lazy to beat around the bush, said straight to the point when dealing with someone who doesn't have much money.

"If Advisor Chen won't bring you, I will bring you to make a fortune; as long as I have a share, you definitely won't get less."

"Look, after he became an advisor, he's managed you several times; he's a protégé of Director Fujiwara, representing Japanese interests."

"Who are you?"

"Has he ever recommended you to the Japanese?"

"Now that the new government has been established, with his ability, saying a few words isn't stronger than putting you here?"

"Brother, think about the future; we ought to find a fallback for ourselves."

"We know you're on good terms with him; I don't ask you to do anything else—just help us keep a closer eye on him, and give us a heads-up whenever he makes any move."

Zhang Haifeng pretended to be silent: "Why me?"

"Because I believe in your abilities!" Zeng Qirui said directly.

As expected.

This bunch of traitorous dogs have no good intentions; first we'll stabilize them, then talk.

Seeing Zhang Haifeng not speaking, Zeng Qirui also waited patiently.

After a long silence, Zhang Haifeng finally said: "Section Chief Zeng, I hope this conversation won't be known to others."

"Of course." Upon hearing that, Zeng Qirui knew there was an opportunity and immediately nodded.

"Section Chief Zhang, this is a small token; please be sure to accept it."

Zeng Qirui understood the principle that you can't catch a wolf without being willing to lose a child; he took out an envelope from his pocket: "A token of respect; please be sure to accept it."

Having said that, Zeng Qirui turned and left Zhang Haifeng's office.

Only after he closed the door and left did Zhang Haifeng open the envelope.

Inside was a stack of US dollars.

Upon careful counting, it was neither more nor less—exactly one thousand dollars.

Zeng Qirui this guy is actually quite generous.

During lunch, Zhang Haifeng found Chen Yongren and briefly reported the matter to him.

Who would have thought Chen Yongren showed no surprise: "If someone is willing to give money, why not take it?"

Let's play along with their plan—pretend to fall for it, dig a trap for them, and let them jump in willingly.

Chen Yongren laughed happily.

Seeing Chen Yongren's smile, Zhang Haifeng knew someone was about to have bad luck.

Until after work in the afternoon.

Zeng Qirui was still wondering what Chen Yongren and Gu Yongshan had talked about.

If Chen Yongren hadn't shown up in time, Zeng Qirui would probably have kept asking.

Because it was a private talk, Zeng Qirui temporarily acted as driver, and the three of them arrived at the entrance of a small restaurant.

This is a Lu Continent restaurant, especially famous for its scallion‑braised sea cucumber.

Zeng Qirui and Gu Yongshan led the way up front.

Chen Yongren followed behind them.

"Target appears!"

"A rare opportunity like this—I can't let it slip!"

"We must seize this opportunity and take down Chen Yongren, this big traitor!"

"Don't use a gun—the closer the distance, the higher the success rate."

……

A string of thoughts echoed in Chen Yongren's ears.

The Fourth Master and his crew are really efficient—have they already got everything ready?

Just as they were about to enter the restaurant, Chen Yongren deliberately revealed a flaw.

The next second.

Chen Yongren suddenly felt an inexplicable fear, his hair stood on end, and the surrounding time seemed to slow down.

Here they come!

Chen Yongren, who had been walking swaggeringly, suddenly ducked low.

"Chen—" Zeng Qirui didn't let him finish.

"Bang!"

A piercing gunshot suddenly rang out; a bullet nearly grazed Chen Yongren's scalp, hitting the door frame, and flying shrapnel scraped a tiny wound on his face.

The originally bustling street suddenly became chaotic.

Chen Yongren seized the opportunity, drew his pistol, fired two shots wildly around, and quickly ducked into the restaurant.