Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The inspection entered its second day. According to the schedule, Wang Huanbo was to visit the maintenance sites of several key pieces of equipment in the morning, and listen to a technical report from the branch factory and hold a discussion in the afternoon.

The morning inspection proceeded as planned. Wang Huanbo focused on observing several experienced workers mentoring apprentices and resolving technical challenges, gaining a deeper understanding of the branch factory's technical capabilities. He discovered that although the equipment was outdated, many of the experienced workers were extremely skilled, often able to solve precision problems that even modern equipment struggled with using manual corrections and rudimentary methods. This further solidified his determination to recruit talent from the grassroots level.

They ate lunch in the cafeteria again. Chef Nan Yi seemed to be working extra hard today, preparing several of his signature dishes. One of them, braised fish fillets, was perfect in terms of cooking time, knife skills, and seasoning, even earning praise from Wang Huanbo, who was used to Sha Zhu's cooking. Cui Dake was also very attentive, attending to Wang Huanbo's every need and frequently glancing at him out of the corner of his eye to observe his reactions.

After lunch, Wang Huanbo declined the suggestion to return to the guesthouse to rest, deciding instead to take a stroll around the factory area to observe the workers' lunch break. Li Huaide and the head of security followed closely behind. The sun was shining brightly, and many workers were sitting in small groups outside the factory buildings, basking in the sun and chatting.

As Wang Huanbo approached a relatively secluded waste disposal area at the back of the factory, he suddenly stopped, his brow furrowing slightly. An indescribable feeling of being watched ran through his skin like a subtle electric current. This was the extraordinary intuition enhanced by the Super Soldier Serum warning him! Danger nearby!

Almost at the same time, Lou Xiao'e (who was following behind him as his secretary and recorder) also seemed to sense something. She subconsciously looked at a pile of tall, discarded cast iron parts to her right front. Her face turned pale instantly, and she cried out in alarm, "Engineer Wang, be careful!" At the same time, she rushed forward, trying to push Wang Huanbo away!

"Bang!"

A sharp gunshot shattered the afternoon tranquility!

The bullet grazed Lou Xiao'e's shoulder and struck the ground behind where she had just been standing, sending sparks flying! The target was Wang Huanbo's back!

Lou Xiao'e's screams and attempts to save him, though not enough to completely push Wang Huanbo away, disrupted the assassin's fatal blow and bought Wang Huanbo and his guards precious reaction time!

"Assassin! Protect Engineer Wang!" the head of security shouted, instantly drawing his gun and shielding Wang Huanbo with his body! The other security officers reacted quickly, forming a human wall to surround Wang Huanbo and Lou Xiao'e, and seeking cover.

The gunshot came from behind the pile of scrap iron parts! A figure in blue overalls and a hat, whose face was obscured, emerged from behind the rubble like a ghost, moving with lightning speed! He held a silenced pistol (the gunshot was muffled), clearly a veteran! Missing his first shot, he didn't linger, immediately using the complex terrain to retreat, firing continuously at the security personnel as he went. His marksmanship was extremely accurate, suppressing the security personnel and making it difficult for them to raise their heads!

"Chase him! We can't let him get away!" The head of security's eyes were bloodshot. He left a few people to protect Wang Huanbo and personally led his men to rush up!

Chaos erupted at the scene! The workers, stunned by the sudden gunfire, scattered and fled. Cui Dake, who had been following nearby, hoping to exchange a few more words with Chief Engineer Wang, was so frightened by the gunshot that he fell to the ground. But then he saw Wang Huanbo being attacked and the security personnel chasing the assassin. His eyes lit up, and a strong desire to "make a name for himself" surged into his heart! This was a golden opportunity! If he could catch the assassin… He gritted his teeth, picked up a thick iron rod from the ground, crouched down, and followed in the direction the assassin had fled, shouting, "Catch the spy! Don't let the bastard get away!"

The assassin was exceptionally agile and intimately familiar with the factory layout, using abandoned machine tools, shelving, and buildings as cover as he fought and retreated. Although the security officers were well-trained, they were hesitant to engage the workers, fearing they might accidentally injure them, and were unable to form a complete encirclement. The assassin's marksmanship was precise, and with the advantage of a silencer, two security officers were grazed by bullets!

Wang Huanbo, heavily guarded by security personnel, retreated behind a sturdy wall. His face was so grim it could drip water. There really was an ambush! And a highly skilled one at that! The target was clear: him! He glanced at Lou Xiao'e, who lay beside him, pale-faced, her clothes burned on her shoulders, still shaken. A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him. If she hadn't noticed the danger in time and bravely rushed to his rescue, he would have been seriously injured, if not dead! This capitalist's daughter, she had such courage in a critical moment!

"How are you? Are you hurt?" Wang Huanbo asked in a deep voice, supporting Lou Xiao'e's arm.

"I...I'm fine...Mr. Wang, are you alright?" Lou Xiao'e's voice trembled, but her eyes were full of concern and lingering fear.

"I'm fine. Thank you!" Wang Huanbo squeezed her arm tightly, a gesture that brought a blush to Lou Xiao'e's pale face.

At this moment, the pursuit took a turn for the better! The assassin attempted to climb over a low wall, and just as he leaped up, Cui Dake, who had been secretly following and looking for an opportunity, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, roared, and used all his strength to smash the thick iron rod in his hand hard against the assassin's ankle!

"Crack!" A sickeningly loud sound of bone breaking!

"Ah!" The assassin screamed and fell off the wall! The gun in his hand flew out of his grasp!

The security officers rushed forward and finally pinned the wounded assassin down! Cui Dake also fell to the ground due to excessive force and tension, scraping his elbow and drawing blood, but he grinned, revealing a smile that was a mixture of pain and extreme excitement—he had done a great service!

The assassination attempt shocked the entire Hongshankou branch factory and was reported to the head office and higher authorities at the fastest speed! A meticulously planned assassination attempt failed thanks to Lou Xiao'e's vigilance and selfless leap, as well as Cui Dake's opportunistic yet crucial strike! But the conspiracy and hidden dangers behind it have only just begun to be revealed!