Qin Yang, being an honest and simple person, would immediately reveal any thoughts in his eyes.
Qin Chuan noticed this and was stunned at first, but soon understood.
His elder brother seemed to be sulking, perhaps feeling he was being underestimated!
Far from being displeased by Qin Yang's reaction, Qin Chuan felt a surge of gratification.
His elder brother had begun to change during their time in the city.
He was no longer the man who only knew how to dote on his wife and children and live a simple life. He now possessed a competitive spirit, a psychological reaction he had never had before.
"Big Brother!"
Qin Chuan took out a cigarette, offered one to Qin Yang, and lit one himself, taking a deep drag.
"Have you ever watched those historical dramas? The ones where two ancient dynasties fight? Or something like those comic books?"
Qin Yang looked confused, not understanding why his third brother was suddenly talking about such things. However, he nodded, as he had indeed seen both.
"Then let me ask you this: if a dynasty sends out elite troops to fight a war far away, does its home base need to be guarded?"
This time, Qin Yang answered without hesitation: "Of course it does!"
"If the enemy were to sneak in and attack, it would be utterly dangerous!"
Qin Chuan asked again: "Is the position of the person guarding the city important?"
Qin Yang was not foolish. He noticed the shrewd glint in Qin Chuan's eyes and gradually understood.
Seeing that his elder brother had grasped the essence, Qin Chuan immediately added, "In our current team, you and Zheng Chengdao are actually the most suitable for this role of guarding the city!"
"Brother Dao has more experience than many, a steady personality, and a meticulous mind. Strictly speaking, he is the most suitable, but we are short-handed now, so Brother Dao has another task..."
Before Qin Chuan could finish, Qin Yang quickly looked up, his eyes filled with determination.
"Xiao Chuan, don't worry, I will definitely guard our construction site well!"
"Anyone who dares to cause trouble again will have to step over my dead body!"
Qin Chuan threw away the butt of his cigarette and patted his elder brother's shoulder forcefully, "Brother, I have always believed in you!"
"Don't be too tense these few days. Han Shifei won't make a move on me for at least three more days!"
"I need to make use of these three days to find some connections to deal with whatever changes happen then."
After speaking, Qin Chuan walked out of the colored steel house, leaving Qin Yang alone, clenching his fist, his breathing heavy.
In the past, Qin Chuan and Qin Gang had repeatedly told him that the outside world was more cruel than their village, and to succeed, one had to arm themselves first.
Only by becoming strong could one avoid being bullied.
Qin Yang had never truly believed this. He thought that as long as he was kind and treated others sincerely, he would receive the same sincerity in return.
But now... one harsh reality after another appeared before his eyes, and Qin Yang realized he was truly mistaken.
This society was not one where you could simply be at peace. The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease!
Where there are benefits, there will be conflict, there will be wolves and tigers!
...
"Brother Wang, where are you?"
After leaving the construction site, Qin Chuan made a phone call.
"In the office, what's up?"
Wang Ping'an replied.
"Nothing, I just miss you. I wanted to know where you were so I could invite you for a drink tonight!"
Qin Chuan said with a playful grin, completely different from the serious demeanor he had on the construction site earlier.
"Cut the crap, if you have something to say, just say it!"
Wang Ping'an retorted with a laugh.
"I have to hold this fart in. I'll come to your office to let you smell it!"
Qin Chuan fired back.
Their relationship had now developed to the point where they were like buddies, often bickering and teasing each other.
A little over fifteen minutes later, Qin Chuan arrived at the government building and, as if he owned the place, walked into Wang Ping'an's office.
In the office, Wang Ping'an was working. Seeing Qin Chuan enter, he merely glanced up before continuing his work.
Qin Chuan didn't mind at all. He found a disposable cup, filled it with water from the dispenser, and casually asked, "Brother Wang, is the County Mayor in?"
"He is!"
Wang Ping'an answered without thinking.
"Han Shifei visited my construction site this morning!"
Qin Chuan said.
Wang Ping'an, who had been busy behind his desk, froze for a moment, then shot up with a piercing gaze.
"We discussed some matters, and Han Shifei revealed a rather significant secret to me."
Qin Chuan continued, seemingly oblivious to Han Shifei's abnormality.
"It turns out that the Guo family was nothing more than his dog. My appearance caused him to lose that dog, and now Han Shifei wants me to replace his dog, to make money for him and guard his territory!"
Wang Ping'an's expression grew increasingly solemn. "And then?"
"I dare not play with a tiger, but Han Shifei only gave me three days. So, I've come to you!"
Qin Chuan said calmly.
Wang Ping'an emerged from behind his desk, his brows furrowed into a deep line, pacing back and forth on the floor.
After a few breaths, he strode out of the office. Soon after, footsteps could be heard again. This time, it wasn't just Wang Ping'an who entered, but also County Mayor Ye Qingping.
"Qin Chuan, tell us in detail the entire process of Han Shifei approaching you!"
As soon as Ye Qingping entered, he said quickly.
Qin Chuan then began to recount everything that had happened that day, completely and thoroughly.
This was because he had long known that Ye Qingping had instructed Wang Ping'an to secretly investigate Han Shifei. This biggest shadowy figure in Yongnan County had long been seen as a major catch by Ye Qingping.
Taking down Han Shifei would be Ye Qingping's political achievement, a stepping stone for his future promotions.
Officials loved such major catches!
"Ten million..."
"It seems we underestimated this fellow a bit!"
After listening to Qin Chuan's full account, Ye Qingping took a deep breath and turned to Wang Ping'an beside him.
Wang Ping'an said with shame, "I apologize, County Mayor! This is my dereliction of duty!"
Ye Qingping waved his hand, "This is not your responsibility; it's all because Han Shifei is too cunning!"
"We originally had an opportunity to catch Han Shifei by his tail, but we didn't expect to still not have found Guo Guang and Guo Baokun!"
"I even suspect that Han Shifei might have captured the father and son before us, or sent someone to hide them somewhere, which is why we can't find them!"
Qin Chuan was startled by Ye Qingping's sudden remark and raised an eyebrow, "County Mayor, do you have any factual basis for that statement?"
"Of course, I do!"
Ye Qingping stated without hesitation.
"I received intelligence from Deputy Director Zhou that on the night the Guo family had their incident."
"As soon as we decided to apprehend Guo Guang and Guo Baokun, we dispatched personnel immediately!"
"The entire operation was incredibly swift, taking less than half an hour!"
"But the final result was still the mysterious disappearance of the Guo father and son, who remain unaccounted for to this day. They vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead!"