Then let them offer their loyalty!

However... Qiu Tu was very clear about his own position. Although he was currently the head of the guard regiment, it was a temporary position and wouldn't last long.

His actual rank was only a first-level detective in the Political Department, and at most he could only command a small Political Department squad.

This means that once the guard regiment is disbanded, his control over this special operations team will be illegitimate.

He couldn't even bring the people in that team to his side—the amount of power required to mobilize them across two powerful departments was too great.

Therefore, he would offer tangible benefits to the political department team, but only cultivate goodwill and maintain a semblance of goodwill with the special operations team...

After leaving his post, Qiu Tu went to the villa where Qin Shuman, the person he was most interested in, lived.

Qin Shuman's apparent identity is that of the goddaughter of the Qin family patriarch's wife. In addition, she is Yan Chen's mistress, so she has her own private courtyard in the Qin family's main residence.

The villa has few rooms. Apart from the main house, the other rooms have been converted into entertainment rooms such as a media room, art studio, and bar.

When Qiu Tu found Qin Shuman, she was drinking alone in the small bar in the villa.

Perhaps not expecting Qiu Tu to come so late at night, she made no attempt to disguise herself, simply lying on the bar counter without any regard for her image, her eyes glazed over as she swirled a crystal-clear square wine glass.

Under the colorful lights, her deep red dress was as vibrant as fire, creating a striking contrast with her fair and jade-like skin.

This was the first time Qiu Tu had seen her completely without her disguise, and he was momentarily stunned.

But soon, he snapped out of his daze and noticed something amiss in Qin Shuman's alluring yet melancholic eyes...

This woman seems to have a heart full of stories. This doesn't seem to fit her identity as a cloned woman...

'Looks like tonight is destined to be fruitful...'

Thinking this, Qiu Tu waved to stop the maid from bowing, walked over, and sat down next to Qin Shuman.

Sensing that someone else was beside her, Qin Shuman looked over with a dazed gaze. When she saw that it was Qiu Tu, she suddenly smiled.

"Qiu~Tu~~~"

Her voice trailed off, tinged with a hint of provocation, and then she casually wrapped her arm around Qiu Tu's neck, saying drunkenly, "What brings you here? Come on, have a drink with me!"

After saying that, she snapped her fingers at the maid, "Give him a glass of 'One Night of Debauchery'."

The maid glanced at Qiu Tu, and after Qiu Tu nodded, she took out a high-end-looking wine bottle and poured Qiu Tu a glass of clear yellow wine.

After the maid poured the wine, Qiu Tu waved to her and instructed, "You can go now."

"Yes." The maid gave a slight bow, left the bar, closed the door, and waited outside.

After the maid left, Qiu Tu took a sip of his wine and then asked softly, "What's wrong with you?"

Qin Shuman's slender fingers gently caressed the crystal-clear wine glass. She tilted her head back and downed the amber liquid in one gulp, then said drunkenly, "It's nothing~ I'm just happy! Extremely happy!"

As she spoke, she forced a fake smile.

Qiu Tu looked at her, just stared at her.

After a while, he smiled and clinked glasses with her, then drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

After finishing their drinks, Qiu Tu picked up the exquisite wine bottle on the table and poured a glass of "Decadent Night" for each of them, gesturing to Qin Shuman.

Qin Shuman seemed calmer this time. She gently swirled the wine in her glass, then said with a slightly unfocused look, "Qiu Tu... do you think it's possible for someone in this world to suddenly become a completely different person?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu was suddenly startled. Then, feigning ignorance, he replied, "I don't understand what you mean. You mean...?"

Qin Shuman placed her index finger on Qiu Tu's lips, her beautiful face close to his, and then whispered dreamily, "For example...you."

"...Don't you think you're like a completely different person?"

Qiu Tu chuckled twice, picked up his wine glass and took a small sip. "People's personalities do indeed change a lot after experiencing major changes."

At this point, Qiu Tu retorted, "But Miss Schumann, you seem to have remained unchanged."

He paused for a moment, then added with a playful tone, "Except... tonight."

Chapter 32 Qin Shuman slipped up.

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Qin Shuman laughed so hard she almost fell over. Then she reached out and lifted Qiu Tu's chin, looking at him with a charming yet dangerous gaze, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Well... Agent Qiu really doesn't know me very well."

Qiu Tu frowned slightly, pondering the meaning behind Qin Shuman's words. He had a feeling that Qin Shuman had revealed some very important information, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

At this moment, Qin Shuman did not give Qiu Tu any more time to think.

As if sensing something was wrong, she poured herself a glass of cold water.

After drinking a glass of cold water, her eyes cleared up a little, and the dangerous aura around her diminished considerably.

Then she gradually reverted to her usual innocent and demure demeanor. "By the way, is there something you need that came to see me so late?"

After saying that, she looked at Qiu Tu with a worried expression, "Could it be that Yan Chen's side has...?"

Qiu Tu's gaze swept over her, then he took a sip of wine and said with a deep look in his eyes, "Yes, Yan Chen is causing trouble again."

He said, "Actually, after I came to the Qin family, I guarded you during the day, but at night I went to various places in the Qin family to gather intelligence."

"I have to say, after these two days of investigation, I have actually found out some clues."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Qin Shuman was taken aback for a moment, then rested her chin on her hand and asked curiously, "What details?"

Qiu Tu's gaze was sharp, and he said decisively, "I've discovered that the Qin family may indeed be colluding with the military and anti-government forces!"

As he said this, Qiu Tu's gaze was fixed on Qin Shuman. He clearly saw Qin Shuman's slender waist tense up suddenly.

"Oh? Is that so? Then have you found any evidence?" Qin Shuman asked casually.

Qiu Tu frowned slightly. "Actually, we found some. So I reported to Yan Chen and asked for reinforcements. A team of political operatives was transferred over to conduct a secret investigation."

"Who knew that Yan Chen, in order to trip me up, would actually let that team of detectives openly enter the Qin family!"

At this point, Qiu Tu slammed his fist on the table in frustration, "The Qin family isn't stupid. This is completely alerting them!"

After saying that, Qiu Tu tilted his head back and drank another glass of wine in a somber mood.

At this moment, Qin Shuman seemed to have thought of something. She took a sip of water thoughtfully and asked, "So what do you plan to do?"

Qiu Tu continued drinking, "What else can we do? Keep investigating."

Qin Shuman continued drinking water. "So, from what angle do you plan to investigate?"

The two chatted and drank one cup after another.

We drank and talked for who knows how long...

Just as Qin Shuman was gaining a better understanding of Qiu Tu's plan, suddenly, she felt a large hand grip her waist.

For a moment, she was startled and quickly looked at Qiu Tu.

She then discovered that Qiu Tu, who had been sober just moments before, was now looking at her with a drunken expression, his eyes containing something unsettling...

She hurriedly pressed down on Qiu Tu's hand, which was trying to lift the hem of her skirt, and whispered, "Qiu, Qiu Tu, the maid is still outside!"

At this moment, Qiu Tu was drowsy and his handsome face was flushed with alcohol. He leaned close to Qin Shuman's ear and whispered, "Be good... cover your mouth, no one will know."

"Besides... I just wanted to exchange some information with you."

As he spoke, his breath brushed against Qin Shuman's ear, warm and causing a row of fine goosebumps to rise...

.......

.....

Half an hour later, Qin Shuman leaned weakly against the bar, clutching her skirt, looking at Qiu Tu's back with a face full of shame and anger, muttering repeatedly, "Bastard, he's such a bastard!"

Qiu Tu, having fastened his belt, bleary-eyed with drunkenness, pushed open the door and walked out of the small bar, his hands inexplicably bearing several scarlet teeth marks...

The maid waiting outside didn't notice anything amiss. She glanced at Qiu Tu and gave a slight bow.

Qiu Tu nodded to her, then said drunkenly, "Miss Shuman is also drunk and can't walk very well. Please help her back to her room to rest."

"Yes."

The maid pushed open the door and entered the bar, while Qiu Tu staggered out of Qin Shuman's courtyard.

However, as he stepped out of the courtyard, his steps gradually became steady, and his drunken eyes slowly cleared, filled with a deep emotion.

Drinking really does lead to trouble.

'But unfortunately it wasn't me, it was Qin Shuman...'

'She'd been pretending for so long, but she still slipped up after drinking today...'

'Although we're in the same boat now, our positions are still slightly different.'

'For example... proving that the Qin family really colluded with the military and anti-government forces would only benefit me, but not her.'

"Because, once I have enough evidence, I can confirm the lie and betray her and the Qin family."

"Under these circumstances, she wasn't worried about how to protect me after I found evidence. Instead, she was concerned about which aspect of my investigation I should focus on. This is so out of character for her..."

'It seems my intuition was right: there is indeed something wrong with her identity.'

'Now that the bait has been cast, we just need to see which side contacts me to find out whose side Qin Shuman is on...'

'This will also help me figure out why they've been bothering me...'

Thinking this, Qiu Tu felt as if the fog that had enveloped him after his transmigration was dissipating somewhat, and he seemed to be vaguely seeing the outline of the truth...

......

Back at the guard unit's base, Cao Dabiao had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Qiu Tu arrive late, he glared at him with eyes blazing with anger, his voice almost squeezed out from between his teeth, "Sir, your official duties must be very busy. I've been waiting here for hours."

Qiu Tu didn't pay attention and didn't even answer Cao Dabiao's question.

He casually sat down in the chair, then seamlessly changed the subject, "How old is Brother Biao this year?"

Cao Dabiao didn't follow Qiu Tu's rambling train of thought, but still replied, "35."

Qiu Tu said "Oh," took a sip of tea, and then looked up to ask, "I don't recall there being any large families or organization leaders with the surname Cao in the entire New Territories, right?"

Cao Dabiao's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't answer directly.

Qiu Tu put the teacup aside and tapped the table lightly with his fingers. "Temporary agents earn 300 copper coins per month, third-level agents earn 1 silver coin + 500 copper coins per month, second-level agents earn 3 silver coins, and first-level agents earn 8 silver coins."

"The New Territories City has been established for a year, and the Special Branch has only been in preparation for six months. After deducting daily expenses, how much savings do you have? 30 silver dollars?"

Cao Dabiao opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then closed it again.

Upon seeing this, Qiu Tu went to the inner room, placed the box containing the funds for this operation on the table, and opened it. Inside, the silver coins gleamed in the light.

He sat down again and said slowly, "I'm 21 years old, the same age as you. I have the support of the high-ranking officials at the shelter above me and the director below me."

"Young, rich, powerful, and your superior. What are you going to fight me for?"

"Even if you manage to cause me trouble, once I get promoted in a few months, dealing with you will be a piece of cake, won't it?"

Chapter 33 The Fish That Took the Bait

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao's eyes flickered incessantly, as if he were analyzing whether the information Qiu Tu revealed was true or false.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu didn't urge him. He simply took out a cloth bag, counted out 80 silver dollars from the box full of silver dollars, and threw it to Cao Dabiao.

"Clang, clang, clang~" The cloth bag was in hand, producing an intoxicating symphony of money.

Cao Dabiao took it with a blank expression, then looked at Qiu Tu in surprise.

Qiu Tu said, "Here are 80 silver dollars, for you."

Feeling the heavy weight in his hand, Cao Dabiao swallowed hard, forcibly suppressing his greed, and then tentatively asked, "Sir, this seems to be the operation funds, right? This...?"

Qiu Tu waved his hand to interrupt him, "Since I dare to let you take it, then I can protect you."

"If I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of?"

"Even if the sky falls, I'll still hold it up!"

"Make a choice now. If you're willing to come with me, take the money. I'll always think of you when I get promoted and make a fortune!"

"If you don't want to, just leave it. Then find somewhere to stay for a few days. I'll come back after I finish my mission, and I definitely won't make things difficult for you!"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao's expression changed drastically.

After a moment, he seemed to have figured it out, and his back bent down. He smiled obsequiously and approached Qiu Tu, saying with a fawning expression, "Sir, you're joking."

"Actually, today was the first time I met the commander, and we hit it off immediately. I wanted to serve him wholeheartedly."

"It's just that the superior officer seems to have misunderstood me and didn't give me a chance."