In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

To be honest, this was completely different from what she had expected.

Of course, she wasn't foolish enough to expect to make the other party obey her with just a few words.

But at the very least, shouldn't it be a normal negotiation process?

But now, what an unexpected turn of events?

It's like a couple arguing and throwing things... well, that might not be the exact wording, but that's roughly the idea.

"...Chairman Xu, do you know what you're doing?"

When Tang Shuang came to her senses after being treated this way, she couldn't help but get furious. "Can I take that as you deliberately attacking a public official?"

"Don't label people so easily, Director Tang."

Xu Shi calmly wiped his hands. "It was just a slip of the hand...did I hurt you?"

That's definitely not the case.

Not to mention his excellent sense of proportion, the uniform of the inspection bureau was specially modified, and even an explosion of the "Red Ant" level might not be able to hurt her.

"Besides, shouldn't I be the one asking that question?"

So Xu Shi wasn't worried about that at all. He just looked at her and said calmly, "Director Tang, do you know what you're doing?"

"What did you say?"

Tang Shuang was a little confused for a moment, but she still gritted her teeth and stared at him angrily.

"It seems that Director Tang did not understand what I meant."

Xu Shi shook his head. "Then let me ask you another way... Why do you think I would equip the transport with heavy weapons? Is it just for fun?"

"That's because I knew beforehand that someone in Sin City was after me, so I had to bring extra things for self-defense in a moment of panic."

"...This is not a reason for your company not to register."

Tang Shuang paused, but still insisted.

"But that's strange."

Xu Shi frowned. "Cracking down on street gangs should be the job of your inspection bureau, but why haven't I seen any of you before or after this?"

"Now you come to me and say it's not in compliance... Can you be any more shameless?"

"I……"

Tang Shuang rolled her eyes at him. "Do you still need my help?"

After all, everyone knows that in the City of Night Sin, the "Serpent Ring" is undoubtedly the best armed force.

Even the Bureau of Investigation's weapons are sourced from them for nearly 80% of their supplies.

Within the framework of various agencies, the Bureau of Investigation does indeed have the responsibility and obligation to provide assistance to "snake rings"—even if it goes to court, it is still often in the right.

Ah this...

"Besides, we weren't the only ones who damaged the Birchwood Plain and the Seventh District, were we?"

Xu Shi didn't give her a chance to catch her breath. "Ultimately, 'Snake Ring' is the victim, and 'Spark' is the culprit. Before Director Tang questions us, shouldn't we at least wipe them out first?"

"Or are you two in cahoots with 'Spark,' sharing some kind of shady secret?"

"...You can't just say things like that."

Tang Shuang was so angry that her hands were trembling.

"Anyway, it looks like it to me."

Xu Shi ignored her and instead gestured, showing her several pictures. "Director Tang, take a good look. These are what we seized from 'Spark'... If I remember correctly, the Minghong II rocket launcher and the UR-Shuo force field armor seem to be heavy equipment as well?"

"..."

"So, my personal suggestion is that Director Tang should get some real work done. The stray dogs in Sin City are practically wearing armor."

Xu Shi sneered, clasped his hands together in a feigned pleading manner, "Instead of focusing on the pitiful, innocent, conscientious enterprise that has been the top taxpayer in Night City for seven consecutive years, is that alright?"

"I'm starting to wonder if all those taxes collected each year just go to waste."

Tang Shuang really had nothing to say about this.

The inspection bureau is not exactly a clean department either; there are indeed many subordinates who take bribes, demand kickbacks, and line their own pockets.

However, she herself is absolutely clueless about this matter.

This finally restored some of her confidence, and she met Xu Shi's gaze head-on. "Pitiful and innocent are not things you can talk about... Are you really that innocent?"

"This is defamation, I'm going to hire a lawyer."

Xu Shi scoffed, "You can't just say things like that...show me the evidence."

I'm upright and honest, so why would I be afraid of your investigation?

"……okay, I get it."

After a long pause, Tang Shuang finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth, "It was indeed my abruptness today, please don't take it to heart, Chairman Xu."

"No delivery."

There was no point in talking anymore, so Tang Shuang turned and left in a huff.

The utter defeat left her feeling frustrated and upset.

To be honest, she had anticipated that Xu Shi might be a bit difficult to deal with before she came.

But she never expected things to turn out this way—after talking for so long, there was no progress whatsoever in what she wanted to do.

Instead, he caught her and gave her a severe scolding and humiliation... Who was interrogating whom again?

This made Tang Shuang feel extremely humiliated, and she felt even more disgusted with Xu Shi.

You want evidence, huh? You wait!

I refuse to believe it; I'll get my hands on you sooner or later!

The director of the inspection bureau has yet to realize that his focus seems to be gradually drifting away from the core issue.

As Tang Shuang was leaving, she bumped into Su Lin, who was walking towards her.

Her current state also greatly shocked Miss Su Lin.

Their cheeks were flushed, their breathing was rapid, and their shirts were heaving violently... Good heavens, what exactly did you two talk about?

Or rather, how are you having a conversation?

This doesn't look like a negotiation at all!

When she heard about Xu Shi's actions, she seemed even more puzzled.

"Is this really alright, young master?"

She didn't doubt that Xu Shi would be caught red-handed. In the past, she had always helped clean up his messes, so Tang Shuang couldn't find any leverage against him.

The problem is, if you're not afraid of being robbed, aren't you also afraid of being targeted by thieves?

Young Master has only just officially declared war on Lin Wenhua. If he is really targeted by the Investigation Bureau like flies, it will definitely not be a good thing.

Xu Shi, however, did not care about this.

After all, he never intended to reason with Tang Shuang from the very beginning.

The other party is here to demand an explanation. If you go along with her, whether you try to defend yourself or prove your innocence, you will inevitably fall into her trap.

For this kind of person, just seize the moral high ground and then criticize them harshly.

I am not responsible for all of this; it is the dereliction of duty by your inspection bureau!

Although I didn't expect them to be of any help to me, it just so happened that it made perfect sense from a logical point of view.

Having gone through such an experience, when facing "Spark" in the future, will the impartial Director Tang still be able to show leniency to Shen He as he did in the original novel?

I'm afraid she'd love to arrest him herself and use it as leverage to challenge me.

(End of this chapter)

23. I don't know how to explain Chapter 23 to you, because...

23.

"……okay."

Su Lin quickly understood what he meant, but still felt that the young master was a bit childish. "However, if I may be frank, it doesn't seem like a wise decision to anger a bureau chief of the city hall."

"It doesn't matter, there's no difference anyway."

Xu Shi shrugged. He knew perfectly well that Tang Shuang was viewing him through a biased lens.

Even if you treat her like royalty today, her attitude won't change. She might even think she's easy to bully and become even more unreasonable.

It would be better to yell at her and vent your anger; at least that would be satisfying.

If only one person can have fun, it has to be me.jpg

Speaking of which, Tang Shuang, as one of the female leads, is an extraordinary figure.

Although she looks like a young woman, she is actually a year younger than Su Lin, only 26 years old this year.

For a woman to become the head of the inspection bureau at such a young age speaks volumes about her abilities.

He usually keeps a clean reputation and has no scandals.

If I had to give a comprehensive evaluation, perhaps only my fiancée could be compared to her.

Trying to turn someone like that into your dog is obviously a very difficult thing.

However, she wasn't that important to Xu Shi.

Tang Shuang herself is a combat-type "Ascensionist," and with Su Lin and Xia Wuyou, such talent is already sufficient.

Therefore, she is actually the female lead who doesn't need to be pursued in the shortest time—being able to cut off her connection with "Spark" and use this pawn at the right time is more than enough for him.

Tang Shuang isn't stupid; she knows that if she's keeping an eye on her, she'll never give her any leverage.

As for the illegal use of weapons, that's completely out of the question.

Would the city hall really turn against "Snake Ring" for a few tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of credits?