Shu Xiaoxin offered a fawning smile, simultaneously offering cigarettes to the man with the mustache and the captain.
The man with the mustache accepted one without ceremony, as if it were his right.
"It's nothing, just a routine inspection. If you had cooperated earlier, none of this would have happened!"
He took a puff, speaking casually.
When the boss was compliant, how could his subordinates dare to be difficult?
"Oh, who do we have here!"
Just as the man with the mustache finished speaking, someone emerged from the doorway.
He was around fifty years old, with an imposing demeanor and a hint of sternness on his face.
The man with the mustache quickly removed his cigarette from his mouth and straightened up. "Director Wu, what brings you here?"
"Ah! Boss Shu, you should have just said something. It was just a matter of a phone call!"
The newcomer spoke to Shu Xiaoxin, casually pulling out his phone and making a call, completely ignoring the man with the mustache.
"Hello! Director He, do your people have a mission on Red Island today?"
"No? Then why are they here, and with so many guns!"
"What? Let him take the call?"
The man spoke to himself, then handed the phone to the man with the mustache.
"Hello, Director He! I am..."
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll leave immediately. Immediately. Isn't this an order from the bureau?... Yes, yes, okay, okay!"
Lao Wu found the submissive demeanor of the man with the mustache utterly pathetic.
He had been so arrogant moments ago, and now, after one phone call, he scurried away like a frightened mouse.
The man with the mustache made a gesture, extending his right hand and waving it.
The captain understood and immediately shouted, "All personnel, listen to my orders! We're withdrawing!"
The soldiers on the dock began to retreat in an orderly fashion, everything appearing to happen naturally.
Some felt a sense of loss, their expressions gloomy; others gloated, seemingly witnessing another human farce.
Shu Xiaoxin looked at Director Wu and smiled knowingly.
"Ring, ring, ring!"
At that moment, the phone of the man with the mustache rang.
"Hello? Director Zhao? Yes, yes, I understand!"
As if receiving a divine decree, the man with the mustache's face turned serious again.
"Hold on. Everyone, listen to my orders! Surround the dock. Not a single person is allowed to leave!"
The captain heard this and quickly rallied his men, rapidly encircling the dock.
They had effectively sealed off the entrance to Red Island.
"Huh? What's this?" exclaimed the reader from Sudan Novel Network.
Even Director Wu was surprised. What phone call could possibly carry such weight?
"Whose call is it?"
"Hmph! You don't need to know. We are conducting a routine inspection. We hope you will cooperate!"
The man with the mustache, his attitude completely reversed from before, became much more arrogant.
"Who are the people inside? Make them come out!"
The man with the mustache said sternly to Shu Xiaoxin.
"I'm afraid I can't get the people inside to come out. Perhaps you could invite them yourself?"
Shu Xiaoxin said provocatively, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
The people here were either wealthy or powerful; not everyone would bow to the will of this mustached man.
So, you have authority? Then go and try.
"Everyone, listen to my orders! We have just received instructions from our superiors to surround this area. We need to inspect every suspicious individual. Anyone who resists will be apprehended immediately!"
The man with the mustache shouted loudly, specifically for Lao Wu and Shu Xiaoxin to hear.
Power. It was truly a marvelous thing.
Invisible, yet it could make so many people obedient, docile as lambs.
This entire farce unfolded right under the noses of Liu Sandao and Zhao Qiansun.
Liu Sandao remained unfazed, finding the whole affair merely laughable.
Zhao Qiansun, however, was different.
As someone within the system, he deeply understood the precarious art of navigating officialdom.
Perhaps one moment you had to grovel, and the next, you could soar to great heights.
"Can I make a phone call?"
Shu Xiaoxin requested.
The man with the mustache nodded. No matter what call he made, today's matter was settled. No one could change it.
Shu Xiaoxin did not dial any official's number. Instead, he called "that person" who had visited earlier.
Because "that person" had told him that if he ever encountered any insurmountable obstacles, he should call him.
Today's situation was likely beyond the reach of ordinary officials. He could only call him.
Perhaps his connections could reach heaven itself.
The man with the mustache, believing he had backing, swaggered into Red Island to conduct his search.
Shu Xiaoxin waited at the dock, as if expecting someone.
Indeed, about an hour later, "that person" appeared on the dock.
"Director Na, you've arrived! Look, today's matter will likely require your intervention!"
"That person" nodded without glancing around.
Or perhaps, he simply disdained to look.
"Call your superior out!"
"That person" said in a low voice to a nearby soldier.
"One moment!"
After someone responded, they immediately ran inside to report.
The man with the mustache, likely confident, walked out at a leisurely pace.
He didn't recognize "that person" and had no idea of his status.
"Who is looking for me?"
"It's him!"
The soldier, leading the man with the mustache, pointed at "that person."
"You're looking for me? What's the matter?"
The man with the mustache asked arrogantly.
"Tell your men to withdraw. Today's incident will be considered a misunderstanding. Eat, drink, and be merry!"
"What if I refuse?"
The man with the mustache retorted coldly.
"Oh?"
"That person" clearly didn't give him a second thought. As he spoke, he habitually lit his cigar.
When he made this gesture, it meant he had already made a decision.
Either life, or death!
"May I have a word in private?"
"That person" said politely.
The man with the mustache did not step forward but waited for "that person" to approach.
In such situations, whoever moved first implied a weaker position, tilting the scales of negotiation.
The man with the mustache was not about to make such a disadvantageous move.
Seeing the man with the mustache remain stationary, the expression in "that person's" eyes suddenly turned sharp.
If you looked into his eyes, you might lose your soul!
"Hmph!"
"That person" snorted, and in an instant, he was beside the man with the mustache.
A chilling aura shot directly towards him.
Even the soldiers beside him shivered involuntarily.
"I asked you to step aside for a word. Don't you understand?"
"That person" growled, grabbing the man by the neck.
"You?"
The man with the mustache never imagined that his opponent would be so dishonorable, leaving him no room for negotiation.
He wanted to say something, but "that person's" grip was too tight, and he was struggling to breathe.
It was then that he saw the look in "that person's" eyes.
It was chillingly terrifying!
"Me?..."
The man with the mustache was, in fact, quite clever. Seeing that he couldn't make a sound, he quickly pointed a finger at his own mouth, signaling for "that person" to let him speak.
"That person" loosened his grip, and the man with the mustache stumbled backward two or three steps, wobbling.