Official excuse: I've put you on patrol in Handong, and the whole province is in a panic.

Chen Shuting asked, "You said back then that as long as you took over the construction group, you would let Xiaochen and me live a peaceful life. How many times have you run away now?"

"This time is different. Zhao Lidong forced me to cooperate. We had no choice."

"How much money do you really need?"

Chen Shuting slammed her phone face down on the table: "Can't we just hand over the construction group and move to another city?"

Gao Qiqiang picked up his water glass, then put it back down: "The group involves tens of thousands of people making a living, I can't just leave like that."

"What you're reluctant to give up—tens of thousands of people, or power and money?"

"Shu Ting, I promise you, once I get through this, I will definitely find a way to extricate myself, and our family of three can live a peaceful life."

Chen Shuting sneered, "Even Xiaochen can't be fooled by that."

Gao Qiqiang's smile vanished: "What are you trying to say?"

"If you were truly prepared to withdraw, why did you allow people to vandalize shops, assault people, and force businesses to close in Jinghai?"

The only sound in the living room was Gao Xiaochen fiddling with building blocks.

Gao Qiqiang looked at Chen Shuting, his previously gentle expression gone: "Who told you?"

Just then, his spare phone, which he had placed in the cabinet, lit up.

There is only one message on the screen.

"Asheng has gone missing."

In the living room of the riverside villa, the spare phone was still lit up, and the message "Asheng has gone missing" on the screen made Gao Qiqiang forget to pick up the water glass on the table.

Chen Shuting looked at him, reached out and pulled Gao Xiaochen to her side, and asked, "Who's missing? Is it Asheng?"

Gao Qiqiang placed his phone face down on the cabinet, barely maintaining his usual gentle demeanor: "It's nothing. Asheng is just being playful and probably went to the casino again. He'll be back in a bit."

Chen Shuting wasn't fooled. She stood up and said, "You're still trying to lie to me? Three commercial streets in Jinghai were vandalized, dozens of businesses were forced to close, and people were even beaten and hospitalized. You ordered all of this, didn't you?"

Gao Qiqiang paused, his hand holding the water glass resting on the table. He then turned to Tang Xiaolong and asked, "Which of you was talking nonsense in front of her?"

Tang Xiaolong quickly shook his head: "Brother Qiang, I didn't say anything."

Chen Shuting wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said angrily, "Such a big thing happened in Jinghai, do I really need them to tell me? My friend's shop was vandalized, and they even called me. Do you really think I don't know anything just because I'm hiding here?"

Gao Qiqiang went over to help her sit down, but Chen Shuting pushed him away.

Chen Shuting pointed at his chest and said, "Even if Uncle Tai was domineering back then, he knew when to stop. You're even crazier than him now. Don't you have enough money? Isn't the construction group big enough? Why do you have to drag so many innocent people into this?"

Gao Qiqiang said in a low voice, "Shu Ting, let me explain."

I don't want to hear your explanation.

Chen Shuting hugged Gao Xiaochen, her voice trembling with tears: "I don't sympathize with those who fought you for territory, but the ones who got their property smashed were ordinary merchants, and the ones who got beaten were ordinary citizens. Why should they bear the consequences for you?"

"You can get people to smash their shops today, but their families might come after us tomorrow. No one in Jinghai can stay in the dark forever, and you can't escape the reckoning."

Gao Qiqiang blocked her path toward the stairs and finally said, "Zhao Lidong forced me to do it."

Chen Shuting, who was about to push his hand away, withdrew it and stared at him, asking, "Who did you say?"

"Zhao Lidong".

Gao Qiqiang lowered his head, straightened his shirt cuffs, and slowly explained, "This time, the inspection team is targeting Jinghai. They want to investigate the Construction Group, Xu Jiang, and the officials behind us."

"Zhao Lidong wants to create chaos in Jinghai, force businesses to close down, and shut down enterprises, then push all the responsibility onto the inspection team. Once public resentment rises, the province will complain to the central government and force the inspection team to leave."

Chen Shuting asked, "He told you to harm people, and you did it?"

"If I don't do it, the construction group will be shut down the next day."

Gao Qiqiang spread his hands and said, "All the projects we've acquired, the land we've approved, and the loans we've taken out over the years, none of them have escaped their hands. They can lift me up, and they can also make me fall off a building."

Chen Shuting sneered, "So the 'top entrepreneur in Jinghai' you're talking about is just a dog that Zhao Lidong keeps from beginning to end."

Gao Qiqiang could no longer maintain the gentleness on his face, but he did not refute it. He only said, "You are right to scold me, but I have to let you and Xiaochen live."

"Survival doesn't come from taking away other people's livelihoods."

"I have already given instructions that no knives are allowed, no elderly people or children are allowed to be harmed, and no one is allowed to die."

Chen Shuting looked at him and asked, "What about those three hospitalized people? Are they part of your plan for reasonable losses?"

Gao Qiqiang couldn't get a reply and could only put the spare phone on the counter into his pocket.

Chen Shuting turned around and said, "I'm taking Xiaochen away. I don't want to hear your promises anymore."

Gao Qiqiang quickly grabbed her: "You can't leave now, there might be someone watching outside."

"You just said this place is absolutely safe."

"It's definitely safe here."

Gao Qiqiang continued to reassure her, "Qinghe County is barely noticeable on the map, and the River Bay Villa isn't on the main road in the county town. We're using fake IDs, and the new number doesn't contact anyone in Jinghai. We usually have locals deliver our purchases, so the police can't find us here."

Chen Shuting asked, "Why has Asheng gone missing?"

"It's not unusual for casinos to crack down on gambling; he might not even be recognized."

Gao Qiqiang put his hand on her shoulder and said, "Give me another chance. After this is over, I will gradually hand over the power of the group, and our family will go abroad and live somewhere where no one knows us."

"Are you really willing to do that?"

"What I'll miss most is you and Xiaochen."

Chen Shuting looked at him for a long time, and finally did not continue to go upstairs. She only protected Gao Xiaochen by her side: "This is the last time."

Gao Qiqiang nodded and said, "This is the last time."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from downstairs. Tang Xiaohu pushed open the living room door and shouted before he could even loosen the doorknob, "Brother Qiang, there are so many police cars outside! The front door and the mountain road in the back are completely blocked, and there are even SWAT officers!"

Gao Qiqiang immediately walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain with his finger, and saw that the red and blue lights outside the courtyard were already reflected on the river, and armed men were spreading out along the wall.

Tang Xiaolong pulled out a pistol from his waist, cocked it, and said, "Brother Qiang, I'll lead some men to rush out the back door. Every person we can get out is a chance."

Gao Qiqiang turned around, snatched the pistol, switched off the safety, and stuffed it under the sofa. He said sternly, "There are SWAT officers everywhere outside. Are you trying to kill our whole family by taking a gun out here?"

With red eyes, Tang Xiaolong asked, "Then what do we do? Wait for them to come in and arrest us?"

"They may not know who we are."

Gao Qiqiang straightened his shirt collar and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tissue: "All the documents are genuine. Wang Sheng's identity can be found in the household registration, and the villa rental contract also uses this name. As long as we don't mess things up, how can they prove that I am Gao Qiqiang?"

Chen Shuting closed her eyes and said, "You're still clinging to wishful thinking."

The loudspeaker outside the door was already broadcasting: "Attention all personnel inside the villa! Immediately lay down your weapons and exit the house in an orderly fashion. Do not damage any property."

Tang Xiaohu looked out the back window: "Brother Qiang, there are people behind us too. The hillside is full of police."

Gao Qiqiang held the fake ID in his hand and reached out to take Chen Shuting's hand: "Don't be afraid, Xiaochen stays in the room with the nanny, let's go out and take a look."

Chen Shuting shook off his hand: "You walk by yourself, I'll follow behind."

As soon as the villa gate opened, more than a dozen guns were pointed at the steps. Gao Qiqiang raised his hands and forced a businessman's usual smile onto his face.

He said to the officer in charge, "Officer, my name is Wang Sheng. I'm a legitimate businessman here in Qinghe to invest. This is my ID card. Have you come to the wrong place?"

The officer in charge took the identification, glanced at it, and then opened the photos on his phone. He shouted, "Gao Qiqiang, the actual controller of Jinghai Construction Group, your identity has been verified. You are now under legal control."

The ID card in Gao Qiqiang's hand fell onto the steps, and the plastic card slid down the stone steps to the police officer's feet.

Looking at the photo on the officer's phone, he finally asked, "How did you find me?"

"When you get back, someone will listen to your explanation."

Two SWAT officers stepped forward and grabbed his wrists. As Tang Xiaolong moved to the side, more gun barrels were turned towards him.

Gao Qiqiang immediately said, "Xiaolong, don't move, listen to the police."

Tang Xiaolong slowly raised his hands: "Brother Qiang, I'll listen to you."

Tang Xiaohu was already squatting on the ground, repeatedly saying, "I didn't bring a gun, I didn't take anything."

Chen Shuting stood by the door, watching Gao Qiqiang being handcuffed, and the disappointment on her face finally turned into despair.

Gao Qiqiang turned around and said, "Shu Ting, take good care of Xiao Chen. I'll figure something out."

Chen Shuting shook her head and said, "You still think you have a solution."

The police officer in charge took the list from his subordinate, checked it, and said, "Gao Qiqiang, Tang Xiaolong, and Tang Xiaohu are all under control. Gao Qisheng has been arrested at the underground casino. No targets have been missed."

Upon hearing that his younger brother had been arrested, Gao Qiqiang's previously orderly steps faltered. He stopped beside the police car and asked, "What did Asheng do wrong?"

The officer replied, "Identity fraud and gambling are just the immediate issues; Jinghai has many other cases awaiting investigation."

Before the car door closed, Gao Qiqiang saw that the folding chair by the river was still there, the fishing rod was leaning against the grass, and the float was nowhere to be seen.

The officer in charge immediately dialed the hotline: "Report, Gao Qiqiang and all key personnel of the construction group have been apprehended. The scene is safe. Please inform the patrol team that the mission in southern Guangdong is complete."

In a private room at a Shanghai nightclub, Xu Jiang swirled the drink in his glass in front of his underling and asked with a smile, "Do you know why I don't just hide in the countryside?"

The younger brother quickly chimed in, "Brother Jiang is bold; the countryside is no match for your status."

Xu Jiang patted him on the shoulder and said, "Wrong, that's called having brains. When the police are looking for someone, they first look at train stations and small hotels, then they look at the outskirts of cities. Who would expect me to stay in the most expensive hotel and come to the liveliest place?"

The hostess whispered, "Isn't this the safest place in the most dangerous place?"

"Look, everyone else is smarter than you."

Xu Jiang took out a wad of cash and threw it on the coffee table: "Gao Qiqiang, that fishmonger, doesn't understand anything. He went to the countryside in southern Guangdong to feed mosquitoes, thinking he was hiding it very well."

The underling next to him asked, "Brother Jiang, did we go too far with the Jinghai shop-smashing incident?"

"What's there to be afraid of? Zhao Lidong caused chaos in Jinghai, and I did as he said. But I, Xu Jiang, don't do business at a loss."

Xu Jiang pointed at the crowd and said, "Gao Qiqiang had people smash up the commercial street he was in charge of. That's stupid. I'm having you target his territory. He loses money, we complete our mission, and we make two profits from one task."

The younger brother said with a fawning smile, "Brother Jiang is really good at calculations."

"Once the inspection team leaves Jinghai, I'll swallow up all of the Construction Engineering Group's territory."

Xu Jiang raised his wine glass and said, "From now on, the entire Jinghai underworld will belong to the Xu family. Follow my brothers, and each of you will marry ten wives."

The private room fell silent. The henchmen exchanged glances, and finally one of them asked in a low voice, "Brother Jiang, wasn't your wife the one you married?"

Xu Jiang raised his hand and slapped him on the back of the head: "Who cares who you marry? Drink up!"

Suddenly, the sounds of tables and chairs being moved and people running came from outside. A henchman pushed open the door to the private room and shouted, "Brother Jiang, the police are here! They're already in the lobby!"

Everyone immediately stood up; some went to the restroom, while others reached under the table for their bags.

Xu Jiang remained seated on the sofa, cursing, "Sit down, everyone. Whoever runs away is the one who seems to have a problem. It's just the Shanghai police sweeping up a place; what does it have to do with us?"

The younger man asked, "Should we go through the fire escape first?"

"Why are you leaving? I'm using a fake identity, and the hotel registration isn't in my name."

Xu Jiang pulled the hostess back to his side: "The most dangerous place is the safest place. There must be a reason why this saying has been around for so many years."

The door to the private room was immediately pushed open, and several police officers entered with guns. The lead officer scanned the room and then pointed directly at the sofa.

"Xu Jiang, put your hands where you can see them."

Xu Jiang's hand, which was holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air. He then pointed to himself and asked, "Who are you calling?"

"I'm calling you, Xu Jiang, the actual controller of Jinghai Baijinhan."

The officer stepped forward, took the glass, and pinned his arm behind his back: "You are under legal control."

After the handcuffs were secured, Xu Jiang began to struggle: "My name is Xu Dahai. You've mistaken me for someone else. My ID card is at the hotel; it's legal and valid!"

The officer said, "You can change your name, but you can't change your face."

Xu Jiang turned and pressed, "Who told you I was here? I haven't even contacted my brothers in Jinghai. How did you find me?"

"If there are any problems, we can discuss them when we get back."

As Xu Jiang was being escorted out of the private room, one of his underlings whispered behind him, "Even the most dangerous place isn't safe."

Another person replied, "According to Brother Jiang's theory, should we hide in front of the police station next time?"

Xu Jiang turned around and yelled, "Shut up, all of you! You've really screwed me over! What kind of witty remarks are you spouting at a time like this? Do you think you're funny?"

The officer pushed him forward, saying, "Speak less, watch your step."

Inside the Jinghai Zhixin International Hotel, Su Zhe had just finished reading the arrest report from southern Guangdong when the encrypted receipt from Shanghai was sent to Yang Hong's computer.

Yang Hong pushed open the door and said, "Team Leader Su, the operation in Shanghai was a success. Xu Jiang is under control, and no one was injured."