General Tan suddenly shuddered.
Reflecting on past interactions, dealing with Chu Zhijing was always like walking on thin ice. Whether it was antique calligraphy and paintings or precious metals and women, Chu Zhijing had never personally given him anything!
Given that Si Tu Jingyao had put it so bluntly, Tan, a high-ranking official, naturally understood the implications—removing the "deputy" title meant using him. But if he was to be used, then General Cao would certainly become a sacrificial pawn!
While others might not know the intricate dealings of the Red Building, Tan knew well that the true power behind the Red Building was the local emperor who had managed Jiangcheng's G-area for many years.
The current pressure was intended to force Chu Zhijing to hand over his son. It wouldn't be a matter of life and death, but at least there should be some reciprocal punishment!
However, from the current situation, it seemed Chu Zhijing was about to deal with General Cao. Many people in Jiangcheng's G-area would undoubtedly be implicated, and the Red Building couldn't let years of painstaking efforts be destroyed just like that.
Thus, in a brief moment, Tan understood everything. He looked at Si Tu Jingyao with cold eyes, muttered a hurried thanks, and almost scrambled out of the Red Building.
Si Tu Jingyao took a deep breath and just as she was about to step upstairs, she received a call from "Rufeng."
"Hello, sir."
"Has Tan left?"
"Yes... he was relatively obedient, just too foolish. You shouldn't have relied on him."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before an abrupt remark, "You seem to have a special connection with that Chu fellow."
Si Tu Jingyao tightened her grip on the phone, forcing calmness into her voice, "No, we were just former classmates."
"Yao Yao, you're still young. I'm not unreasonable. Once I'm gone, I'll give you freedom."
"Sir, please don't speak such ominous words. You are like a spring breeze to me."
"Well... Give Chu Zhijing a warning. This time, I'm giving face to his old man. Next time, I won't let him off!"
"Understood!"
Si Tu Jingyao hung up the phone, sighed quietly, and headed upstairs.
In the private room, Chu Zhijing and his guest continued their earlier conversation. General Cao had been scrutinizing the two pieces of porcelain for a long time, and his gaze grew increasingly cold. Pointing to the fake piece with a faint smile, he said, "Indeed, this one is genuine. Hehe."
Looking up at Chu Zhijing, his eyes held a trace of malevolence, "When the birds are gone, the good bows are put away. When the cunning hare dies, the hound is cooked."
Chu Zhijing closed his eyes momentarily as his phone vibrated lightly with a text from an unknown number: "The young master has already taken action."
His son, after all, hadn't given him face.
He had previously discussed the consequences and reasoning, hoping that Chu Yuxuan would consider the bigger picture. Tonight, he had probably anticipated that Chu Yuxuan would act against Xue Can. The reason he came to the Red Building was to persuade General Cao with all his might, not to destroy years of foundation for the sake of a worthless son.
But it seemed there was no room for redemption now.
"Ah..." Chu Zhijing sighed, picked up the fake porcelain, and smashed it on the ground.
"Chu, what does this mean?" General Cao's eyes widened with a fierce look.
"I... mean nothing!" Chu Zhijing pointed at General Cao with a cold tone, "General Cao, you are the most meaningless! That saying I mentioned earlier, I'll extend to you as well—when the birds are gone, the good bows are put away; when the cunning hare dies, the hound is cooked! Hehe. You're too clueless!"
"Seems like you've been sheltered too long and forgotten the taste of the rain?" General Cao snorted coldly, "It's time for you to get a taste of it!"
Chu Zhijing remained calm and disdainful, "I can drag you down, just as I can drag others down. There's no shortage of umbrellas in this world! Hmph... But I'll tell you, when your boat sinks, I won't fall into the water. I'll only stand on the shore and watch you!"
General Cao gritted his teeth, glaring at Chu Zhijing with intense hatred.
At that moment, Si Tu Jingyao pushed open the door, glanced at Chu Zhijing, and coldly said to General Cao, "Step outside. The sir has something to say to you."
General Cao, bewildered, hesitated for a moment before striding out of the private room, escorted by two women in qipaos. Si Tu Jingyao did not leave, her eyes coldly fixed on Chu Zhijing, "Chu, be careful. Don't play with fire!"
Chu Zhijing pretended not to understand, smiling cheerfully, "Understood, understood..."
He then packed up the piece of Yuan blue and white porcelain and handed it to Si Tu Jingyao, saying, "Can I leave it with you?"
Si Tu Jingyao's expression remained impassive, "Take it away. The sir says you're not worthy."
Chu Zhijing smiled despite himself, jesting, "Oh, if you were to become my daughter-in-law, I'd really be in trouble. Hehe..."
"You..." Si Tu Jingyao gritted her teeth and whispered angrily, "Are you trying to get yourself killed by talking nonsense here?"
Chu Zhijing lightly tapped his own mouth, "My mistake, my mistake. Hehe... But I still want to thank you. Tonight, you've helped me get rid of Old Cao, so I won't have to personally oversee the inspection team tomorrow. Ah, I'll be able to sleep well tonight."
"Old fox!" Si Tu Jingyao glared at him, her eyes rolling in frustration. At this moment, she realized how perfectly Chu Zhijing had played his game.
A master of chess sees far ahead as instinct. Chu Zhijing, the charming rascal with "gold inside and rotten outside," seemed to have the situation entirely under control.
If General Cao compromised, it would be a win-win situation. If not, he wouldn't need to report him; naturally, someone else would silence him. This way, future alliances wouldn't be hindered by any fears.
Rather than persuading General Cao, it was more accurate to say he had used the Red Building's hidden master to kill two birds with one stone!