According to Teacher Wang Ren's analysis of the situation, the most dangerous person right now is Senior Sister Cao Qian. Cao Qian is smart, at least no one is dumber than her. The problem now is that Cao Qian's intelligence is her downfall. She is single-mindedly determined to deal with Gao Ziyan, resorting to any means necessary.
…
After parting ways with Teacher Wang Ren at the teahouse, I returned to Wende Xiaoyuan. I had been contemplating a question all along. Should I save Cao Qian or not? In fact, Cao Qian and I faced the same enemy most of the time. We dealt with Zhang Si and Zhu Guang, and Duan Dongyang together. During this process, Senior Sister Cao Qian left two indelible scars on my heart. First, our class monitor's fate was inextricably linked to her. Second, Tang Yi, whom I had already recognized as my daughter, died because of her.
I didn't want to save her, but that's how fate works. If I didn't save her, I might have to watch Chang Dachun become a murderer. I had to save her, but it wasn't something I wanted to do.
…
I pondered for a long time in the study at Wende Xiaoyuan, even taking out Zhang Si's calligraphy to look at. One piece read: "Loneliness in the night, I invite the moon to speak my sorrows."
These eight characters, seemingly without any hidden meaning, vividly depicted the state of mind of a wicked person. People like Zhang Si, Zhu Guang, and Cao Qian must have experienced such moments at night. Once they quiet down, they certainly can't sleep, but they can't tell anyone about their worries, so they can only whisper their thoughts to the moon.
Such people are pathetic.
I carefully thought about Cao Qian's experiences. She should be someone who often whispered to the moon.
At this thought, I changed my mind. I called Da Huang and asked him to arrange another meeting with Sister Han.
…
The second time we met, Sister Han was not as arrogant as before. She had probably heard something from Li Qiang. Sister Han's attitude towards us had changed one hundred and eighty degrees, even showing a hint of fawning.
"Sister Han, we asked you here today because we have something to discuss with you."
I brought her here to confirm whether Sister Han's actions were related to Cao Qian. Although I spoke politely, I still had control over her.
"You speak!" Sister Han's attitude was also very sincere, like someone cooperating with leadership.
"This is the video we recorded that day. The original, no copies. We're returning it to you."
I took out a USB drive containing all the videos of me and Da Huang acting, filmed by Fatty. This video might not be legally admissible evidence, but online, it could cause Li Qiang significant trouble. The internet is increasingly prosperous. Public opinion is formidable, and Li Qiang understood this principle.
Sister Han looked surprised. She knew what she had said that day. Whoever got hold of it would have good leverage. With this, she could threaten Li Qiang in the future or extort a large sum of money from him. Returning it so casually was unreasonable.
Although Sister Han appeared shrewd, her actions betrayed her. She quickly snatched the USB drive and then foolishly asked, "Why are you returning it to me?"
"Please help convey this message: I have no intention of offending the prosecutor. All of this is just to make friends."
I still spoke very euphemistically, then watched Sister Han, waiting for her reaction.
"Really?" Sister Han didn't realize this was my trap. Her question was asked with great joy.
"Of course, it's true."
Even a fool wouldn't believe this. Good evidence was being returned like this. Everyone in this circle knew how much power Prosecutor Li Qiang held. Was it wise for me to threaten Prosecutor Li Qiang just to make friends?
Although this reason was unbelievable, I wasn't worried that Sister Han would say anything else. Everything I had done was to make Sister Han firmly believe that it was pressure from Prosecutor Li Qiang that caused my change in behavior. This was just a formality.
Sister Han thought exactly this way. After receiving the video, her attitude changed again, becoming arrogant and looking down on people. Watching her attitude, I secretly smiled. The higher you lift someone, the harder they fall. If she had come in with that initial attitude, the effect of what we were about to do would have been greatly diminished.
"Then about this investment matter."
Why was this woman still thinking about investing? She was really not smart. I glanced at Da Huang, who understood. He pouted and said, "Sister Han, you've got it wrong."
"What have I got wrong?" Sister Han's tone rose, and she sounded quite displeased.
"Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. What good will it do you if you push us too far?"
"I—"
Before Sister Han could finish, Da Huang cut her off and said, "If it weren't inconvenient to speak with the prosecutor, would we have invited you to the restaurant? Sister Han, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Electronic devices, sometimes, can easily malfunction. You should be aware of the changes in the internet these days. Young people don't just watch the news blindly. Once the prosecutor's affairs attract public attention online, his position as prosecutor might not be so secure."
Sister Han's face turned ashen…
"If what I say happens, Prosecutor Li won't just be angry; he'll have liver damage, internal bleeding."
What was Da Huang's strength? He was exceptionally humble when he needed to be, and exceptionally arrogant when he could be. When Da Huang's momentum surged, it felt like he could devour you whole.
"You—"
After being rebuffed by Da Huang a few times, Sister Han's face turned ashen with anger. It was clear she was scared. She pretended to be angry, picked up the USB drive with the video, and turned to leave.
I called out to her, "Sister Han, I still have something to ask you. Why are you leaving?"
"Am I obligated to answer if you ask?" Sister Han's words were tough, but her expression betrayed her. She had given in.
"You must answer when I ask."
"Tang Nan, who do you think you are? A leader?" Sister Han's final resistance, spoken hysterically, was understood only by herself. She regretted it deeply.
I smiled calmly and glanced at Da Huang. Da Huang frowned, "Sister Han, you'll answer whatever we ask? The Olympics are over, and security in our Beijing doesn't seem as peaceful as it used to be. What if your bag is snatched when you go out, the USB drive is lost, and the contents are leaked? Wouldn't that be unfair!"
Hearing Da Huang say this, Sister Han almost fainted from anger.
I smiled and said, "Sister Han, you still haven't answered my question."
"You haven't asked it yet."
"Actually, Da Huang doesn't have much of a relationship with you, does he? Most of the businesses you've cooperated with before were wealthy and influential. You've joined at least eight or ten large consortiums. As such a significant businesswoman, why are you interested in my small restaurant?"
"I..."
"Who sent you?" I asked pressingly. Sister Han instinctively replied, "Cao Qian."
"Alright, you can go."
Sister Han was very angry, but she could do nothing about me. She left the restaurant dejectedly.
After Sister Han left, Da Huang was somewhat displeased. "You always make me do the dirty work of offending people. Am I your dog?"
"I thought you had more presence? That woman didn't fear me," I said with a smile. It was our combined effort that pressured her, making her unconsciously reveal Cao Qian's name.
"Nonsense."
"Heh heh, Brother Da Huang, if we were on opposing sides right now, and you were Prosecutor Li Qiang, what would you do?" Not worried about this woman retaliating against Da Huang, I changed the subject.
"A toad without hair resembles its root." Da Huang said nonsensically.
"What do you mean?"
"Back then, Li Qiang's father discarded Li Feng and suppressed all unfavorable public opinion about Li Qiang. The current Li Qiang can do the same as his father and cut off the roots." I have to say, Da Huang's thinking was very accurate. This world is cyclical. Some things have already happened in history. I guessed and asked, "Will Li Qiang kill Li Feng?"
"Why kill Li Feng? Who knows Li Feng is Li Qiang's son? Back then, which of the witnesses dared to testify? Not to mention the police we don't know the names of, even Chen Shiren. Would he dare? He was scared stiff back then."
"You mean Li Qiang will kill Li Feng's mother."
Da Huang's intelligence exceeded my expectations. I never thought things would develop this way.
"Yes! Only when Li Feng's mother is dead can everything be definitively settled."
"Amazing, Brother Da Huang. Let's go solve this problem right now."
If everything developed according to Da Huang's prediction, then Li Feng's mother would be in great danger. Although it was very late, Da Huang and I hurried to the nunnery. I had seen Li Feng's mother there that morning. As it turned out, she wasn't there that night. The temple staff said Li Feng's mother had fainted and was taken to the hospital.