Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1103 - 543:

Fang Cheng sat on the chair, listening expressionlessly to the explanation.

He neither showed forgiveness nor continued his questioning.

He simply crossed his arms over his chest, quietly scrutinizing Ah Le.

Until the other party couldn’t help but look away first, Fang Cheng finally spoke in a deep voice:

"After your escape, you haven’t contacted anyone else in the East City Association or revealed your whereabouts?"

"No."

Ah Le, leaning against the wall, shook his head with some effort:

"Even though the Chairman asked me to break through and send word, I thought it over carefully, there must be an insider within the organization."

"The trip to the secret base was absolutely confidential, apart from the dozen or so brothers accompanying us, only a few top leaders in the gang knew about it."

"Now, those brothers have all died in battle, and the Chairman has been captured. It couldn’t possibly be me who leaked the information, right?"

His lips twitched slightly, forming a grim expression even worse than crying:

"So, the one who betrayed our whereabouts must be someone closest to the Chairman, someone among the gang’s top leaders with real power."

"The current traitor has likely long been planning to eliminate rivals and seize power. As the Chairman’s confidant, daring to return to the gang would be like walking into a trap."

At this point, suppressed anger erupted from Ah Le’s bloodshot eyes.

"Moreover, against those monsters with special abilities, sending those gang members who only know how to wield knives would just be sending them to their deaths."

"This isn’t a turf war where sheer numbers can win. If we go in with fanfare and crowds, we might not save the Chairman and could even endanger him further."

"Unless those monsters are willing to open the field for a face-to-face duel with the East City Association, allowing us to use hundreds of lives to fill it..."

Ah Le lowered his head, saying nothing more.

Such absurdity is inconceivable.

Fang Cheng nodded slightly.

Ah Le is truly worthy of being Shen Wei’s ace bodyguard, with a clear mind and cautious actions.

He dares not return to the gang, nor go to the club.

He’s even proactively severed ties with all familiar places and people to avoid being tracked by the Bloodthorn Mercenary Corps through these leads.

This seemingly extreme "physical isolation" is precisely the most correct survival law in uncertain situations.

And he, an "outsider" with no connection to the East City Association but enough strength, has become the only variable and hope.

"Whew—"

Ah Le let out a deep breath, his chest heaving violently.

Clearly, that confession exhausted much of his energy.

After slightly regaining his strength, he lifted his eyes to Fang Cheng, speaking with a pleading tone:

"I’ve thought it through thoroughly, to save the Chairman, we can only seek mutants with special abilities."

"Since they didn’t kill on the spot, it shows they must have other schemes."

"As long as we can find an expert who can hold the scene to negotiate, whatever they seek, whether money or something else, can be discussed."

Fang Cheng remained silent for a moment before suddenly questioning:

"Since Chairman Shen was kidnapped by mutants, why don’t you seek mediation from your organization’s backing?"

His gaze sharply pierced Ah Le’s eyes.

"Don’t tell me you have no backing, surely even that backing hasn’t betrayed you, right?"

This is almost common sense in the underworld.

To have stood firm in a place like East Capital where hidden power thrives for decades.

If the East City Association didn’t have a noble family or official background support backing them, Fang Cheng wouldn’t believe it for a hundred reasons.

Reporting to the police might break rules, but seeking support is only logical.

With such a situation occurring, not seeking assistance and instead coming to him for help defies common sense.

"You might not believe it when I say it..."

Ah Le revealed a helpless expression:

"We the East City Association indeed have no backing."

Fang Cheng furrowed his brow, still maintaining his arm-crossed stance, clearly dissatisfied with this answer.

Having no backing and still being one of East Capital’s three major organizations? Even standing toe-to-toe with the Red Tiger Gang supported by the Noah Organization?

You’re fooling me.

Seemingly perceiving Fang Cheng’s skepticism, Ah Le hurriedly explained:

"If we must have one, perhaps it’s the Shen Family."

"The Shen Family?"

Fang Cheng’s eyes shifted with surprise.

"Yes, it’s the top noble family in East Capital, the Shen Family."

Ah Le nodded, took a breath, and then explained in detail:

"The Chairman’s surname is Shen, indeed from the Shen Family. Maybe because of his name, other forces and even the Police Headquarters give some face, show restraint."

"But having followed the Chairman for so many years, I’m well aware that the Chairman broke ties with the Shen Family decades ago, he’s been removed from the genealogy, and they’re like strangers to each other."

"The so-called noble family background is just the Chairman’s way of leveraging the name."

Saying this, Ah Le’s eyes dimmed slightly:

"As for why the split occurred, it’s the Chairman’s family matter, I’m in no position to ask."

"Honestly, after escaping last night, I immediately went to the Shen Family estate, hoping for familial mercy to save the Chairman."

"In the end..."

He shook his head, his tone full of bitterness:

"I didn’t even get inside the gate before the housekeeper had dogs chase me away."

Fang Cheng raised an eyebrow, choosing not to delve more into this topic.

Noble families are profoundly deep, and tales of familial estrangement and total disconnection are not uncommon in that circle.

A behemoth like the Shen Family, looking down on Shen Wei, their relation in the underworld, also makes sense.