The Feng Jiang, as they are called, are the scouts and lookouts, responsible for gathering intelligence and surveying the environment.
For a con to be successful, meticulous planning is paramount. Therefore, before setting up any scheme, collecting information about the target and location is not only necessary but also crucial.
The Feng Jiang exist for this very purpose.
The reason I was led by the nose by Queen Bee Yu Shuang in the matter of revenge, and consequently suffered a crushing defeat, was due to a severe lack of information and intelligence.
This deficiency left me only able to react to her moves and follow her lead, allowing her to control me completely.
If it hadn't been for the greedy Sun Jingjing stepping forward on her own, I would likely still be under Yu Shuang's thumb even now.
Therefore, I want Qin Lei to become a Feng Jiang completely at my disposal, to be my eyes and ears, seeing and hearing everything.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Feng Jiang are the eyes and ears of a con artist.
Furthermore, the Feng Jiang cannot afford even the slightest error and must absolutely not be easily swayed by outsiders.
While I'm unsure of Qin Lei's efficiency, his abilities can be honed and improved through training.
Loyalty, however, is a matter of principle, even a personal belief.
On this matter, I am confident that Qin Lei can deliver.
...
Upon hearing Qin Lei's words, I didn't immediately respond, but instead, I pondered for a moment.
After a brief, silent pause, I turned to Qin Lei and asked with a smile, "Why do you want to join me? Do you think I'm some kind of thug?"
My question immediately stunned Qin Lei, who was lying on the hospital bed.
After some time, Qin Lei replied in an extremely serious tone, "I don't know if you're a thug or not. But I do know... you definitely aren't someone who works a regular job!"
"Oh, really?"
With a noncommittal smile, I asked pointedly, "What makes you think that?"
"It's simple! Look..."
Pointing to the wall clock, Qin Lei stated with absolute certainty, "At this hour, ordinary office workers are either eating in the cafeteria or have just finished their shifts.
"And you've been here since last night. Doesn't that tell you something?"
"So, can I join you now?"
Hearing this, I couldn't help but smile.
Good.
This Qin Lei shows some discernment. As for anything else, I'll assess it later.
If there are no issues, he will likely be my first partner.
And also, within the Eight Generals of the Thousand Gate... the Feng Jiang!
After a moment of thought, I walked back to Qin Lei's bedside.
Tearing off a small piece of paper from the daily inspection sheet hanging on the side of the bed, I quickly wrote down my contact information with the ballpoint pen attached to the side.
I placed the small piece of paper under the stack of money on the nightstand, patted Qin Lei gently on the shoulder, and lowered my voice, saying, "When your injuries have healed and you've given it some thought, give me a call."
"Rest up and recover. I'm leaving!"
With that, I walked out of the room without looking back...
For the next few days, I lived quite peacefully.
No scheming, no deception.
Since the last incident, Yu Shuang hadn't contacted me again.
And naturally, I wouldn't seek her out either.
However, during this time, Leng Meng contacted me a few times.
Each time she asked about trivial matters, making me suspect that she might have been sent by Yu Shuang to try and extract information from me.
Besides that, Zhao Mingyue also contacted me intermittently, at least three times.
Zhao Mingyue's reason for contacting me was simple: she was bored and wanted to play cards.
She said she enjoyed the thrill of self-drawing a tile and wanted me to continue cooperating with her, feeding her tiles and letting her win.
I naturally refused such requests, decisively rejecting them.
What a joke! Asking a proper con artist to play mahjong with you and then let you win?
Only someone with too much time on their hands would do that!
During this period, Qin Lei, whom I had been quietly anticipating, hadn't called me even once.
Another week passed like this...
I still hadn't heard from Qin Lei, but instead, I received a call from Yu Shuang!
On the phone, Yu Shuang concisely told me she had something to discuss and asked me to go directly to the Baole Chess and Card Room.
She didn't explicitly state what it was about.
I must admit, Queen Bee Yu Shuang is quite adept at piquing one's curiosity.
However, this time, even if she intended to keep it a secret, I could probably guess a thing or two.
Since the last incident, we hadn't been in contact.
And her suddenly contacting me today was almost certainly related to Wang Yangming or Wang Yu.
With that thought, I tidied myself up, secured the bag containing the evidence, and then left my hotel room, heading straight for the Baole Chess and Card Room...
Baole Chess and Card Room, Qixin Road, Liangshan Town.
In the second-floor office, Yu Shuang sat upright.
Paired with her professional OL attire, she exuded a unique aura.
Especially her long legs, encased in flesh-colored stockings, were visually stunning!
Seeing me arrive, Yu Shuang smiled and said, "Come and sit."
As the saying goes, unsolicited favors often hide malicious intent!
Ignoring the alluring glances and the smiling Queen Bee, I stood still, not moving.
Seeing this, Yu Shuang was unfazed. She took out a pack of "Nine-Five Supreme" cigarettes from her drawer, offered me one with a smile, and asked, "How have you been lately?"
One shouldn't refuse a smile.
Even though Yu Shuang had shown her friendly side, I couldn't be too rude.
At least, on the surface, things had to be civil.
After accepting the cigarette, I replied indifferently, "I'm doing alright! Unfettered and free. It's good."
"Heh, that's good then."
Nodding, Yu Shuang slowly let go of her smile and said, "Actually, I asked you to come today because there's something I need to discuss with you."
I knew this was the prelude to getting down to business.
With a slight nod, I remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
As expected, after a pause of about five seconds, Yu Shuang continued, "It's like this, I mainly wanted to give you a heads-up today."
"Regarding that evidence..."
"I plan to deliver a fatal blow to Wang Yangming at his 50th birthday banquet in a month and a half, using it in conjunction with other evidence I have, to ensure he can never recover!"
"Therefore, before then, I hope you won't reveal your backup evidence prematurely."
"As compensation, I can guarantee that the house in your hometown, which Wang Yangming has usurped, will be returned to your hands!!!"