Xiao Ya returned to the Jin Guo Center and went back to the company to handle the remaining matters of the day.
Meanwhile, Qin Xuan had barely had a moment of peace before receiving news from Yuan Mengqi about the security arranged at the Rose Garden Villa.
Just moments ago, a suspected assassin had suddenly appeared near the two villas.
The security personnel, to be safe, had successfully apprehended him.
Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan, Yuan Mengqi, and the others rushed back to the villa.
Accompanied by several security guards, a shifty-looking middle-aged man was forcibly brought forward.
"General, Lieutenant General."
"This is the man who was suspiciously loitering between the two villas."
The speaker was Liang Limin, a retired special forces soldier assigned by Yuan Mengqi to oversee security near the villas.
"When we went to question him, he immediately tried to run."
"After we subdued him, he kept struggling and resisting, as if he had done something wrong."
"We gave him a cursory search."
"No knives or guns were found, so we initially ruled out the possibility of him being a professional assassin."
"Mm, thank you for your hard work."
Qin Xuan nodded and said no more.
Yuan Mengqi, understanding his intent, coldly asked the man, "Don't you know this is General Qin's residence? Why were you lingering here?"
The middle-aged man's mouth twisted, and he mumbled incoherently, "What business is it of yours?"
"There's no sign at the entrance stating this is General Qin's residence, how would I know?"
"Besides, I didn't enter your house, I was just strolling outside."
"Oh, so being a general means you can be so overbearing, with both the inside and outside being your territory?"
Yuan Mengqi was not angered by the man's insolent retort.
She simply followed his line of reasoning, saying, "Regardless of whether this is the general's residence or not, the area where you were acting is still the homeowner's private property."
"Even if this matter were reported to the authorities, we would still be in the right."
Seeing that the man's expression remained unchanged, Yuan Mengqi continued.
"Especially these days, there are many people who wish to harm the General."
"The authorities have specifically permitted us to take actions that may exceed our usual authority."
"Since you insist you are not an attacker, then please allow us to conduct a thorough search."
Upon hearing the mention of a thorough search, the middle-aged man instinctively glanced at his chest.
Yuan Mengqi understood instantly.
She directly instructed Liang Limin to search the man's inner pocket.
The man struggled with all his might.
But in terms of strength, how could he possibly match those retired special forces soldiers?
Without much effort, Liang Limin retrieved a photograph from the man's coat's inner pocket.
It was a blue background with a black-clothed figure.
It was the same entry photo Qin Xuan had provided to Hu Lai Network when he joined.
The photograph was slightly creased, and there were faint traces of paper residue on the back.
Qin Xuan didn't need to activate his listening ability; he already knew who it was from.
At this moment, he was completely bewildered.
If this man was sent by Hu Hao to attack him, then what about Jack and the others?
Could it be that besides Qi Feiyang and Hu Hao, someone else wanted him dead?!
Seeing the photograph exposed, the middle-aged man remained unhurried.
He merely claimed that he was curious about the man in the photograph and had come to take a look.
In his eyes, he hadn't stolen anything, nor robbed anyone, and he carried no dangerous items.
So what if the photograph was discovered?
They still couldn't convict him, could they?
"Alright?"
"My purpose is this simple."
"Let me go quickly!"
"Otherwise, I'll report you to the authorities for unlawful detention!"
Yuan Mengqi secretly compared the photograph with Qin Xuan.
Then, she put it into her pocket and waved to Liang Limin and the others.
"Take him out."
Liang Limin was taken aback.
"Then, what about him?"
"What do you mean, what about him?!"
"Of course, we'll let him go!"
"Isn't the meaning of this female general obvious? Are you an idiot?!"
As soon as Liang Limin asked his question, the middle-aged man couldn't help but shout.
However, Yuan Mengqi did not repeat his words as he expected.
Instead, she said coldly and slowly, "Take him out and execute him."
"What?"
"What?!"
Yuan Mengqi's words clearly stunned both of them.
Liang Limin was fine; he was only responsible for executing orders.
But the middle-aged man struggled violently, questioning Yuan Mengqi in the Jiangcheng dialect, "On what grounds?!"
"I was just acting suspiciously, and even if I committed a crime, it's not a capital offense!"
"You are generals, you are officials."
"But even officials can't be so reckless!"
Yuan Mengqi paid no attention to the man's accusations.
Her red lips parted slightly, her tone still devoid of any emotion.
"I already told you."
"This is a special period, and the authorities have specifically permitted us to do things that may exceed our usual authority."
"Unluckily for you, shooting suspects is one of them."
"If you have any further questions, you can consult your superiors for feedback later."
Upon hearing this, the man struggled even harder.
Damn it!
Consult later?
After I've been shot, I'll be dead!
How can I consult?
How can I provide feedback?
Should I communicate with the leaders through dreams?!
Let alone whether I even know who your leaders are.
Even if the dream communication is successful, what good would it do?!
Seeing that he was about to be dragged out of the hall by Liang Limin and the others, the man finally couldn't hold on any longer.
Although the idea of privately executing a suspect sounded absurd, they were generals.
Even if they really shot him, it was unlikely anyone would do anything to them.
So, after much deliberation, he inwardly cursed and shouted, "Please spare me, sir!"
"What 'sir'? Call them General!"
Liang Limin loosened his grip on the man.
The man then fell to his knees with a thud.
"G-General sir."
"My name is Li Dagua, a local of Jiangcheng."
"Because I owed gambling debts and couldn't make ends meet, the boss who was chasing me for the debt found me and asked me to help him solve some trouble."
"This photograph, this photograph was given to me by that boss."
"I beg you to be magnanimous and let me go like I'm nothing!"
"I'm not asking you to let me off completely, I just beg you not to shoot me!"
"I don't want to die, I'm scared!"
Having confessed his entire situation in one breath, Li Dagua no longer looked shifty.
He spoke in clear, standard Mandarin, fearing that Qin Xuan and Yuan Mengqi might get displeased and drag him out to be shot again.
Li Dagua's reaction instantly amused Wan Lingqiu, Fan Miwei, and the others.
Even the usually quiet Xie Yuqin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
Yuan Mengqi remained expressionless.
Only when Li Dagua was trembling on his knees did she coldly ask, "What was your purpose in coming here?"
"Reconnaissance, and assassination!"
Without any hesitation, Li Dagua blurted out.
Yuan Mengqi's gaze sharpened. "How did you get in?"
Li Dagua: "The security guard at the entrance, Li Qing'an, is my nephew. I treated him to a drink, and then he let me in."
Yuan Mengqi nodded. "You're wise."
"One last question."
"You said you were forced by a boss to come here because you owed debts."
"Then who is this boss who was chasing you for money?"