Then let them offer their loyalty!

Abandoning personal integrity and indulging in a life of immorality...

......

Perhaps Qiu Tu really convinced her, because Qin Shuman's mood improved considerably.

Although she was still muttering about worrying about Yan Chen's anger, she gradually calmed down under Qiu Tu's reassuring words, "I'll take care of everything."

After dinner, to ease Qin Shuman's worries, Qiu Tu took her to the pond to feed the fish.

As one of the most powerful families in the New Territories, the Qin family's mansion boasts a vast area and a large scale, making it one of the largest in the city. Therefore, the Qin family compound not only features well-arranged courtyards but also meticulously designed gardens with a distinctly Eastern aesthetic.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the lush bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns on the cobblestone path.

Qin Shuman sat on a small stool by the path, her long legs stretched out in front of her, and she lightly sprinkled a handful of delicate fish food into the crystal-clear pool.

In an instant, the once tranquil pond became lively, with all sorts of mutated little fish swimming in from all directions.

Looking at the little fish swirling around her, a faint smile appeared on her lips, and her bright, star-like eyes sparkled with a thousand charms.

Qiu Tu stood not far away, his gaze gently falling on her. This felt like the most leisurely time he'd had in the past two days.

I just don't know how long I can enjoy this kind of time.

Thinking this, his gaze pierced through the Qin family compound, through the streets and buildings, and landed on the dark figure sitting upright in the office on the roof of the investigation department...

at the same time.

New Territories Exploration Department office building.

Yan Chen sat upright in the director's office, working on documents while listening to Secretary Bai's report.

After a moment, he signed a document, then looked up and asked, "So, in short, Qin Lao Er reported to you today that Qiu Tu killed Cui Lan, is that right?"

Secretary Bai replied respectfully, "Yes."

Yan Chen snorted softly, "Boss Qin is really slippery; he still refuses to take sides."

"Okay, I understand."

After saying that, he lowered his head and continued to review the documents.

Seeing that Yan Chen gave no further instructions, but Secretary Bai did not leave, he tentatively asked, "Director, should we give Qiu Tu a warning or reprimand?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen paused in his actions.

He raised his head, his sharp eyes fixed on Secretary Bai. He turned his pen upside down and slammed it on the table a few times, saying in a serious tone, "Bai Yu, I know you think highly of Qiu Tu, but don't try anything funny in front of me!"

In that instant, Secretary Bai broke out in a cold sweat and quickly straightened his back. "Yes."

Yan Chen's expression turned cold, and she waved her hand, "Get out."

Secretary Bai saluted, turned around, and walked out of the office.

After leaving the office, Secretary Bai closed the door behind him. Then he sighed softly, shook his head, and walked towards his own office.

......

Qiu Tu's killing of Cui Lan was not exactly a secret. Therefore, many people who were interested in the matter had been paying close attention to its development.

But after waiting a day, there was still no response from Yan Chen.

There was no reprimand, no scolding, and certainly no praise. The silence was eerily quiet, as if everyone was completely unaware of the situation.

However, by evening, most people had come to their senses.

The lack of praise proves that Yan Chen did not instigate this. Yan Chen was very dissatisfied with this matter.

The fact that there was no reprimand or scolding proves that this matter is not over yet.

Yan Chen is deliberately not defining the nature of this matter now, so that in the future, he can bring it up at any time to convict Qiu Tu, and the charges can be as serious or minor as they may be.

Conversely, scolding or reprimanding would prove that the matter was over. Although Yan Chen was dissatisfied, he had no intention of doing anything to Qiu Tu.

'That's pretty much what I guessed.' After waiting a day without receiving any results, Qiu Tu felt much more at ease.

'As expected... With my current value, Yan Chen won't embarrass me over non-critical matters anymore.'

Although he remained somewhat wary of me, he had in fact made concessions.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's gaze became amused...

Anyone familiar with scam tactics will know that this is a common method used by scammers after a victim takes the bait: testing their limits...

Once a person is hooked by their own greed, their bottom line will be gradually lowered by the swindler until it is completely gone.

So the next step is quite simple...

'We can gradually increase Yan Chen's sunk costs...'

With that in mind, Qiu Tu didn't even hesitate and immediately submitted a report...

"Important clues discovered. Requesting reinforcements of a team of political officers for deployment, and requesting an additional 399 silver dollars for the operation."

[49:19:48 (Cataclysmic Potion can be crafted)]

......

In the evening, just as Qiu Tu and Yan Chen were playing a game of chess.

Shen Lingshuang sat blankly on the steps of the courtyard, holding a short-legged tabby cat, her chin in her hands, looking up at the sky.

A maid and a Secret Service agent stood beside her, watching over her.

After a moment, she turned to the Special Operations agent and asked, "Hey, don't you really need to go check on your superior?"

"Could he have choked to death on his water? Otherwise, why hasn't he come to interrogate me all day?"

"As a high-ranking prisoner, don't I have any dignity?"

She'd probably been spouting this line all day, so the Secret Service agent turned away silently, pretending not to hear.

Seeing this, Shen Lingshuang glared at him angrily, then puffed out her cheeks and stroked the short-legged little yellow cat a couple of times, almost pulling its fur off!

The maid watched with heartache, reaching out to stop them but not daring to speak...

Just then, Qiu Tu's voice came from outside the courtyard...

Chapter 27 Creating the Cataclysmic Potion

"What face? You're a suspect, and you still have face to save?"

Hearing that familiar sarcasm, Shen Lingshuang's eyes lit up, and she stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "Qiu Tu? You're here!"

As she spoke, Qiu Tu strode in from outside the courtyard, hands in his pockets.

His legs were long and slender, his figure was perfect, and the black political department uniform looked exceptionally crisp on him.

Coupled with his handsome appearance, reminiscent of Daniel Wu, and with the sunset glow reflecting on him, Shen Ling Shuang was momentarily mesmerized.

Ways to enhance feelings: If you have excellent physical attributes, be sure to make good use of them. This can help you quickly win a woman's heart.

As Qiu Tu walked up to Shen Lingshuang, the special operations agents and maid standing guard beside him waved to them, signaling them to leave.

The special operations agent visibly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. He saluted Qiu Tu respectfully and fled the courtyard in a few quick steps.

The maid also left quickly, but before leaving, she didn't forget to snatch the kitten back from Shen Lingshuang's arms, and then ran away with tears in her eyes, clutching the kitten.

Seeing the two of them avoiding him like the plague, Qiu Tu was full of questions: What exactly did this little devil Shen Lingshuang do to make her guards act like they'd seen a ghost...?

At this moment, Shen Lingshuang finally came to her senses.

She looked at the handsome Qiu Tu, her face slightly flushed. But her strong sense of pride still made her hold her head high and question, "Where have you been today? Why didn't you come to keep me company... to interrogate me?"

Qiu Tu frowned, not at all accustomed to her scolding, and said, "What I do is none of your business."

However, after reprimanding her, he added, "I am the captain of the guard, and I am naturally responsible for protecting Miss Schumann on a daily basis."

When Qiu Tu first scolded Shen Lingshuang, she felt good but was still somewhat resentful.

But upon hearing Qiu Tu's second sentence, her attention was immediately diverted.

"Miss Schumann?"

As she murmured the name, Shen Lingshuang couldn't help but recall the ethereal woman she had met when she was sent to the Qin family.

That was a beauty that even she, as a woman, envied.

She felt a slight pang of disappointment, then, almost as if possessed, asked, "So, who do you think is prettier, me or Miss Schumann?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu looked Shen Lingshuang up and down.

The young girl is actually quite pretty, but because she hasn't fully matured and is too immature, comparing her to Qin Shuman is somewhat of an insult...

so....

"It must be you."

How can Qin Shuman compare to you?

A way to enhance feelings: Saying compliments that the other person knows are insincere can help quickly increase their favorability.

Shen Ling Shuang, who hadn't expected Qiu Tu's answer, blushed and asked somewhat shyly, "Do you really think so?"

"Of course." Qiu Tu raised his hand and swore, "I swear on the life of my superior Yan Chen, if I am lying, he will die a horrible death."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingshuang felt a sweet warmth in her heart. After all, everyone knew that Yan Chen was Qiu Tu's mentor, and Qiu Tu's ability to become a first-level detective in the Political Department at such a young age was entirely due to Yan Chen's support.

Shen Lingshuang managed to extract a lot of information about Qiu Tu from the detectives guarding her today.

Shen Lingshuang nodded in satisfaction. Although she didn't say it, she was secretly delighted.

At this moment, Qiu Tu, having finished cultivating Shen Lingshuang's favor, also brought up the topic of his visit to Shen Lingshuang that day: "Lingshuang, I need you to do something."

Although Qiu Tu's two "combination punches" had already made Shen Lingshuang pout, she still habitually took a jab at him, as is her habit.

She tilted her head, pouted, and said with a hint of arrogance, "You think I'll just do it because you tell me to? That would make me lose face."

Qiu Tu replied, "This is an order, not an inquiry."

"If you disagree, I can only help you recall yesterday's punishment."

Hearing Qiu Tu's domineering yet ambiguous words, Shen Lingshuang felt a strange tremor in her heart.

Her face flushed slightly, and she turned her head away, muttering insincerely, "Just do it... why threaten people..."

After saying that, she asked in an annoyed tone, "Then what do you want me to do?"

Qiu Tu took a package out of his pocket and handed it to Shen Lingshuang.

Shen Lingshuang was somewhat nonchalant when she took the package, but when she saw what was inside, her eyes widened in shock. "Aurora Stone! Moonlight Tear!"

After recognizing these two precious materials for disaster relief, Shen Lingshuang looked at Qiu Tu in surprise, "Where did you get these two things?"

Qiu Tu shook his head, refusing to answer, "It's a secret, don't ask."

Shen Lingshuang was indeed obedient; Qiu Tu told her not to ask, and she truly didn't. However, when her handcuffed hands touched the two catastrophic materials, her gaze became exceptionally complex.

She dropped her playful expression, looked at Qiu Tu, and asked seriously, "We're not exactly on good terms, are we? You're really willing to entrust these to me like this?"

"Aren't you afraid I'll deliberately sabotage the medicine?"

"You've probably never seen a Cataclysmic Potion before, haven't you? Aren't you afraid I'll secretly make a fake one and keep these two Cataclysmic materials for myself?"

"Besides...have you ever seen my alchemy skills? Aren't you afraid I'll fail?"

Qiu Tu did not directly answer Shen Lingshuang's series of questions, but instead asked in return, "Would you deliberately sabotage my catastrophe potion and make it fail?"

Shen Lingshuang shook her head. "No."

Qiu Tu then asked, "So, will you keep these two pieces of disaster-related materials?"

Shen Lingshuang shook her head again, "No."

Qiu Tu finally asked, "Do you think you can successfully create the Cataclysmic Potion?"

This time, Shen Lingshuang did hesitate for a moment. But in the end, she nodded, "I'm at least 9% confident."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu smiled and said, "Then what do I have to worry about?"

"You think we don't get along, but I think you're very trustworthy."

So... I believe you.

As soon as Qiu Tu uttered those four words, Shen Ling Shuang froze on the spot.

Perhaps no one had ever trusted her like this before, and Shen Lingshuang was momentarily at a loss for words. She stammered, "But, but, I, you..."