Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 2 2 Personality Weaknesses

Qiu Tu found himself utterly bewildered by the sudden appearance of a countdown and accompanying text right before his eyes.

He mused, 'Could this be... the Golden Finger?'

A 'Golden Finger' capable of forewarning him of dangers?

After a brief period of reflection, Qiu Tu acknowledged that while it seemed somewhat underwhelming, it was still a valuable asset.

After all, it was precisely because of this 'Crisis Intuition' that he had discovered Yan Chen had managed to extract information from a maid and was now suspecting his involvement with Qin Shuman, preparing to set a trap.

If he had answered the communicator and dared to utter a single falsehood to conceal the truth, he would have met his demise in a foul, stagnant sewer the very next day.

In that dire situation, this Golden Finger had undeniably preserved his life.

'Regardless, I cannot alter my Golden Finger, so dwelling on it is futile. My priority now is to devise a strategy for the current predicament...' he reasoned.

With this resolution, Qiu Tu began to meticulously consider his options, his gaze fixed upon the array of hints presented before him...

The communicator in his grasp vibrated insistently, emitting a buzzing sound, while the stark red countdown pulsed with an unnerving rhythm, akin to a frantic heartbeat...

[1:56]

[1:55]

...

[1:52]

[1:51]

...

[1:48]

[1:47]

As the seconds relentlessly melted away, it wasn't until the timer hit [1:45] that Qiu Tu's expression finally hardened with determination, and he unhesitatingly pressed the 'receive' button!

In the subsequent instant, his demeanor shifted seamlessly as he addressed the communicator with utmost deference, "Bureau Chief, were you attempting to reach me?"

"I encountered a minor matter that required my attention, which is why my response was delayed," he offered as an explanation.

Perhaps a remnant of his past life's experiences, Qiu Tu delivered these sycophantic words with such practiced ease that even he was taken aback by his own performance.

[1:42]

[1:41]

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's voice, no different from its usual tone, Yan Chen, on the other end of the line, remained unsuspicious. He responded with a low, thoughtful "hmm" before stating, "Qiu Tu, I have a task for you to undertake."

"The Xiafang Street Public Security Bureau has apprehended a Pharmacist engaged in the peddling of illicit potions. Proceed there and bring this individual back to the Bureau; I have a use for them."

[1:27]

[1:26]

Catching sight of the ever-diminishing digits on the countdown, Qiu Tu swiftly affirmed, "Understood, Bureau Chief!"

However, after his affirmative response, he feigned a look of difficulty and added, "But, Bureau Chief, I..."

Yan Chen's voice sharpened, "What is the issue? Do you encounter a snag?"

He sounded like a volcano on the verge of eruption—the sheer pressure emanating through the communicator was a palpable force that Qiu Tu could distinctly feel.

[1:18]

Yet, Qiu Tu remained unfazed by Yan Chen's imposing demeanor. He maintained his steady tone and spoke softly, "Bureau Chief, I actually have a few other commitments that require my attention."

Then, deliberately pausing for two seconds, he finally spoke, as if having reached a conclusion, "Bureau Chief, to be entirely frank, there has been something I've wished to report to you over the past few days, but I hesitated to bring it up without concrete proof."

"There is something amiss with Qin Shuman. I harbor suspicions that she is an operative dispatched by the Municipal Committee, tasked with monitoring your activities!"

As these words left his lips, the atmosphere turned heavy and silent, and even the countdown appeared to momentarily cease its progression, freezing at [1:03].

After a full five seconds of profound stillness, the countdown resumed its relentless march.

From the other end of the communicator, Yan Chen inquired in a voice laced with gravity, "What exactly is your meaning?"

[1:00]

With merely one minute remaining, the countdown transformed into a glaring, blood-red hue and began to flash erratically.

Despite the urgency, Qiu Tu was not flustered. He calmly elaborated, "Bureau Chief, as you instructed, I have been responsible for ensuring Miss Shuman's safety. However, I've observed certain aspects of her behavior that strike me as peculiar."

"For instance, I recall you mentioning she recently arrived from the Disaster Zone to Xinjie City, yet she exhibits an uncanny familiarity with the city's layout."

"Furthermore, she is not a resident of the Sanctuary like us, but her skin remains immaculately smooth and fair, devoid of any blemishes or calluses."

"And every time I find myself in her vicinity, she makes an effort to engage me in conversation, initiating discussions about you and subtly probing for information."

"All these indicators strongly suggest that her background may not be as straightforward as it initially appears."

"And does it not strike you as exceptionally coincidental?"

"Given the vastness and inherent chaos of Xinjie City, how is it possible that such a strikingly beautiful individual conveniently came into your discovery?"

"Are all the other men here simply blind? Would they not vie for her attention?"

"Does that truly sound plausible?"

Having laid out his observations, Qiu Tu paused briefly before continuing, "Therefore, over the past few days, I have been attempting to gain her favor, subtly conveying my admiration in order to secure her confidence."

"Perhaps my tactics actually gained her confidence. Today, she expressed a desire to explore outside, feeling like a caged canary. So, in a joint effort with her, we managed to create a diversion for the maids and other security personnel, allowing me to leave with her alone."

"For these past few hours, I've stayed by her side, discreetly observing her every action, attempting to decipher her true intentions."

[0:15]

The countdown timer, emitting a red glow, appeared to have completely halted at this juncture.

Following a two-second pause on the other end of the communicator, Yan Chen inquired, "So, what did you uncover?"

Qiu Tu responded, "Absolutely nothing."

As if sensing Yan Chen's expression darken abruptly through the communicator, Qiu Tu hesitated before adding, "However... that is precisely the most significant issue!"

"She went to such lengths, deliberately evading everyone, merely for a casual stroll?"

"Bureau Chief... Does that seem plausible?"

Yan Chen remained in silence.

Two seconds later, instead of addressing Qiu Tu's query, he asked, "Then why do you assert that she was dispatched by the Municipal Committee to observe me?"

Qiu Tu stated, "It's speculation."

"After all, the entirety of Xinjie City is aware of the animosity between the Municipal Committee and our Investigation Bureau, and the further antagonism between Commissioner Jiang and yourself..."

Yan Chen emitted a frosty scoff.

Perceiving that he had ventured far enough, Qiu Tu refrained from delving further into the private matters of their superiors. He shifted his focus and summarized, "This is why I initially suspected the Municipal Committee when considering potential adversaries."

"Nonetheless, I am still in the process of confirming this, and there is no concrete evidence as of yet."

Yan Chen's tone noticeably softened. After a brief period of contemplation, he then asked, "And where are you presently located?"

Qiu Tu replied, "At my residence."

"It was Miss Shuman's request."

"She is presently engaged in playing video games there, and I used the pretense of needing the restroom to take your call."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen responded with a simple "Hmm."

Without conveying his stance to Qiu Tu, he returned to his original subject, "I will delegate the matter concerning Xiafang Street to others for the time being. Continue to remain with Miss Shuman."

"Yes! Bureau Chief!" Qiu Tu offered a slight bow, demonstrating a respect as if Yan Chen could witness it. "I will undoubtedly assist in clarifying Miss Shuman's true identity and will not betray your trust."

Yan Chen offered no further response and terminated the communication.

Listening to the distinct "beep... beep..." sound from the disconnected line, Qiu Tu, aware that he had narrowly avoided immediate peril, slowly exhaled. He gradually straightened up, his smile slowly dissolving into a placid expression.

His years spent with the Northern Myanmar fraud syndicate had provided him with a wealth of knowledge, including the art of reading people, discerning their psychological states, and identifying vulnerabilities in their character.

Yan Chen's primary character flaw was evident: his inherent suspicion.

Individuals of such a disposition, once doubt takes root, rarely relinquish it easily.

Consequently, when Qiu Tu realized he was potentially "found out," he understood that any further explanations would only amplify Yan Chen's suspicions.

For a figure of Yan Chen's influence, confidants and paramours were no more significant than curs scrabbling for scraps at his feet.

In these tumultuous times, two individuals of lower status, who had not even secured sanctuary status, could be easily eliminated if Yan Chen felt even the slightest hint of suspicion or displeasure.

Therefore, for Qiu Tu to preserve his own existence, he had to introduce a formidable "Third Party Force" capable of instilling caution in Yan Chen.

Only through this strategy could Yan Chen be compelled to regulate his emotions and refrain from impulsive actions, thereby granting Qiu Tu the necessary time to resolve the escalating crisis.

And this formidable "Third Party Force" that could provoke wariness in Yan Chen was none other than— the Municipal Committee.

The Municipal Committee stood as the paramount governing authority within Xinjie City, wielding absolute control over legislation, personnel appointments, fiscal matters, and more.

In principle, the Investigation Bureau was also subordinate to the Municipal Committee.

However, as a measure of checks and balances, when the Sanctuary appointed high-ranking officials, the Municipal Committee, the Investigation Bureau, and the military were all granted the authority to communicate directly with the Sanctuary.

Thus, within the Planning Area, the three factions operated with a considerable degree of independence; the Municipal Committee lacked the direct authority to command the other forces. Instead, they were compelled to utilize incentives, strategic positioning, appeals to righteousness, and various other stratagems to ensure compliance.

This arrangement fostered a relationship characterized by both intense conflict and essential collaboration among the three parties, an equilibrium that was exceedingly delicate and precarious.

In such a context, when confronted with an individual suspected of being an operative of the Municipal Committee, the astute Yan Chen would likely proceed with extreme caution. Prior to definitively ascertaining Qin Shuman's identity and comprehending the Municipal Committee's objectives, he would hesitate to take any rash actions that might jeopardize the fragile balance within Xinjie City.