As expected, Lin Xiaoqiang delved deeper into his scheme. "For a businessman, the most painful thing is watching their empire collapse. So, I want Guo Xiaopeng to see his pharmaceutical kingdom crumble and get buried. And then," he mimed scooping something up, "I thought, why not make some side profits along the way?"
Jin Tie fully understood. "But with such a lucrative plan, why think of me?"
Lin Xiaoqiang replied thoughtfully, "The only person here I can trust, however begrudgingly, is my brother, Lin Xiaoliang. He might help me with some money, but he would never agree to ruin Guo Xiaopeng's business. Guo is his blood brother too."
Jin Tie nodded, showing his understanding and acceptance.
Lin Xiaoqiang continued to build trust. "Destroying a large business and ruining a few people means you can't stay in China, except maybe the remote deserts of the northwest or the forests of the northeast. To escape, you need to go abroad. I don't have many connections outside, and the few I have are either unreliable or gone. But you have connections. I need your connections."
Jin Tie responded enthusiastically, "The key to managing a team is placing the right people in the right positions. Just tell me what to do."
Lin Xiaoqiang patted his shoulder and finally offered a compliment, "You have good insight. Stick with me, and you'll turn into a golden phoenix!"
In the general manager's office of Haizhou Tower, Wang Jingfei sat across from Chen Ran, who was nervously trying to gauge her intentions.
Wang Jingfei knew what was on his mind. Seeing his anxious expression amused and pleased her. She asked casually, "I need a favor from you, Director Chen. Is that possible?"
Chen Ran's pale face tightened. "Is it confidential?"
Wang Jingfei nodded.
He quickly checked that the door was securely closed before returning to his seat. "Go ahead. I'm already a captive."
Wang Jingfei, expressionless, said, "I want to know Guo Xiaopeng's decryption password."
Chen Ran trembled. "Passwords are personal. How would I know?"
Wang Jingfei smiled, "You know. You must know."
Chen Ran raised his head, alarmed. "What makes you so sure?"
Wang Jingfei didn't explain. "I believe you have some of Guo Xiaopeng's secrets. You probably know what he's up to. Both his and your activities will be exposed eventually." Chen Ran stared at Wang Jingfei, eyes wide and unblinking.
"You can see I have a strong background. If the time comes, my word will carry weight," Wang Jingfei hinted, providing both bait and reassurance. Chen Ran, lips tightly closed, nervously fidgeted with a micro remote control.
"As a computer expert, you know information is the most valuable currency. To protect yourself, you must have stored some for the future," Wang Jingfei pressed on. Chen Ran's face grew pale, sinking deeper into his chair.
Sensing she had found his weak spot, Wang Jingfei continued her assault. "You have a brilliant mind, top-notch equipment, and you were involved in the entire network design of the company. Plus, Guo Xiaopeng isn't a computer expert; he relies on you for many things."
Chen Ran's face turned blue, sweat beading on his forehead.
Wang Jingfei delivered the final blow, "Information, like weather forecasts or calendars, has a shelf life. If not used, it quickly becomes worthless!"
Chen Ran abruptly straightened. "From the first day I met you, I suspected you were a cop." Wang Jingfei's lips moved as if to interject, but he cut her off sternly, "Don't deny it! I only ask that once you have the decryption password, you and your people never come after me again!"
Wang Jingfei nodded silently.
"Tomorrow at 10 PM, you'll receive my email." Chen Ran stood up, chin raised, and walked out briskly.
In the chairman's office at Haizhou Pharmaceuticals' headquarters, Guo Xiaopeng and Fei Jingwei sat on the sofa, chatting warmly.
"Remember that new drug I mentioned? We're ready for small-scale production. Do you recall?" Guo Xiaopeng asked.
Fei Jingwei nodded, "I remember."
"We're starting in a day or two."
"Just give me the formula."
"It's a bit of a gray area."
Fei Jingwei cut him off, "I understand."
Guo Xiaopeng sighed in relief, "Good."
Fei Jingwei stood up, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Guo Xiaopeng didn't move, "One more thing."
Fei Jingwei sat back down.
"The company is planning a shareholding reform to clarify ownership."
"That's a trend."
"I won't forget the veteran members, especially you."
"I don't deserve it."
"How about three percent of the shares?"
"Given Haizhou Pharmaceuticals' total value, that's a lot of money, more than I could spend in a lifetime."
"Considering your contributions, it's not much."
The doorbell rang suddenly.
Liu Mei jumped up and urged Yang Chun, "Hide quickly!"
Yang Chun asked nonchalantly, "Is it Guo?"
"If it were him, there'd be no need to worry!" Liu Mei peered through the peephole and saw a police badge. She quickly opened the door after ensuring Yang Chun was hidden. A powerful arm grabbed her neck and pushed her inside.
Barely able to breathe, Liu Mei couldn't see the intruder clearly but instinctively said, "Xiaoqiang, there's no need for this." Lin Xiaoqiang remained silent, shoving her into the wall before releasing her. She turned to see him, fearfully noting his hand in his pocket. Lin Xiaoqiang pulled out his hand. "Don't worry, I don't need a weapon to kill you." He mimicked a twisting motion, "One twist, and your neck would snap."
Liu Mei relaxed slightly.
Lin Xiaoqiang yanked the phone line out and took Liu Mei's cellphone, examining the numbers. Liu Mei tried to placate him, "It's a Motorola 8810, the latest model. If you like it, take it."
Lin Xiaoqiang glanced at her coldly, "You think I need your permission?" Liu Mei fell silent.
With a snap, Lin Xiaoqiang broke the phone in half. "Now this house is completely cut off. Do you know what this is like?"
Liu Mei quickly replied, "What is it like?"
"Like a solitary confinement cell," Lin Xiaoqiang said slowly.
Liu Mei didn't dare respond.
"Do you know what a solitary cell is?" he asked.
Liu Mei shook her head quickly.
"It's a tiny black room where you can't stand straight, lie down, or sit properly. It's for punishing disobedient prisoners," Lin Xiaoqiang explained like a teacher. Liu Mei's lips moved, but no sound came out.
Lin Xiaoqiang reminisced, "Once, I broke the rules and spent three days in there…"
Sensing his distraction, Liu Mei didn't dare make a move.
Suddenly, Lin Xiaoqiang roared, "Three days! Do you know what that feels like?" Liu Mei hurried to comfort him, "You suffered, Xiaoqiang."
"Suffered? You know I suffered?" Lin Xiaoqiang's face turned purple with anger, "I figured out how you and Guo Xiaopeng set me up while I was in prison."
Liu Mei tried to explain, "Actually, you misunderstood…"
"If you say one more word, I'll turn this place into a grave!" Lin Xiaoqiang snarled, cutting her off. Liu Mei shuddered and swallowed her words.
Lin Xiaoqiang suddenly softened his expression and tone, "But considering you're a woman, I'll forgive you."
Liu Mei knew his mercurial nature and didn't dare relax.
"But you must tell the truth," Lin Xiaoqiang stared at her.
"Absolutely! Absolutely!" Liu Mei nodded hastily.
"What are you using all that ephedrine for?" he asked.
"To make addiction relief and asthma medications," Liu Mei replied.
Lin Xiaoqiang moved closer, "And some meth on the side?"
Liu Mei, resigning herself to fate, said, "Kill me if you want. I really don't know."
Lin Xiaoqiang pulled out his gun, "You think I won't?"
Just then, Yang Chun emerged from the shadows, pressing his gun against Lin Xiaoqiang's head, "I think you won't."
Lin Xiaoqiang hesitated for a moment but quickly raised his hands. When he reached a certain height, he spun around with a chop. Years of prison training made his moves fast and powerful. Yang Chun, prepared, dodged and engaged Lin Xiaoqiang in a fight. Yang Chun, obviously skilled, subdued Lin Xiaoqiang within moments. He took Lin Xiaoqiang's gun and released him.
Lin Xiaoqiang, thrown to the ground, got up and tried to charge again. Yang Chun aimed the gun at him, smiling, "That's not how it's done in the underworld. In 'Water Margin,' heroes respect each other after a fight. They don't cling like leeches."
Seeing the disparity in strength, Lin Xiaoqiang sat on a chair, panting, "What are you going to do with me?"
Yang Chun put down the gun, "Now it feels like a negotiation."
Liu Mei quickly brought a chair for Yang Chun.
Yang Chun sat down leisurely, "You want Guo Xiaopeng ruined? That's our goal too." He pointed to Liu Mei and himself.
Lin Xiaoqiang's heart skipped a beat, but he doubted, "I can believe you, but she's with Guo all the time."
"You don't get it, do you? She, or someone she ordered, killed my brother. But we're working together now. Sure, she was with Guo, but now she's with me," Yang Chun pulled Liu Mei close. "In the world, things come together and split apart."
Hearing this, Lin Xiaoqiang relaxed.
"So, will you join us?" Yang Chun asked.
Lin Xiaoqiang nodded, "Seems like there's no other way."
In an old, rundown hotel in the old district, it was even worse than Jin Tie imagined. He threw his bag on the bed, "Why not find a better hotel?"
Lin Xiaoqiang explained, "Big hotels look safe, but they have electronic records that last forever. Many rooms have surveillance equipment." Jin Tie handed Lin Xiaoqiang a cigarette, listening intently. He knew "Lin" well enough to recognize the conversation was about to get serious.