Just as Xu Shi had predicted, even though he knew it might be a trap set for him, Lin Wenhua still accepted the task of developing the chip after weighing the options.

The old man's current predicament is not only limited to the "Snake Ring" itself, but more importantly, his external connections and resources are no longer effective.

For example, there's Governor Yue Chizheng of the City Hall. He originally had a good relationship with this old man, and with Yue Chizheng's encouragement, he could accomplish many things much more efficiently.

But lately something's wrong. Let alone if I need to contact him, Yue Chizheng avoids me like the plague, even if I just ask him out for a meal or drinks.

Lin Wenhua knew that this was definitely because Xu Shi, that brat, had been making waves recently, single-handedly pushing forward the acceptance of the "Forgotten Ones," which had brought a huge windfall to the entire city. Now that he had offended him, even if Yue Chizheng had dementia, he might not have done something like this.

But what he didn't know was that the more important reason was that Xu Shi had privately approached him and shown him something along the way.

Of course, it's those shady things they got from "Disguise," the special hobbies of the major bosses in Night City.

This includes his brother-in-law, Chi-cheng.

"Governor Yue, you wouldn't want others to know that you like young girls and that you've pulled out their teeth, would you?"

That's what Chairman Xu said at the time.

He wasn't looking at those data bricks just for amusement; there are plenty of other ways to have fun, why would he need this? His main purpose was to screen them, to pick out valuable political and business figures, which would give him leverage over them.

To be fair, Zhang Shijun certainly didn't keep these things because he wanted to leave any leverage over them. The ruler of the Sixth District may seem glamorous, but in reality, his status and position aren't that high... He simply wanted to have a reference point to make it easier to lick the boots of his sugar daddies.

To threaten them with this is to dig one's own grave.

This is why, after obtaining these items, he deliberately guided Lin Yue to avoid thinking in that direction. If the little assassin girl really made such a foolish mistake, no one could save her. For her, the only value of these data bricks was in trading with Ding Jun.

But it's different when it's him; he wouldn't have so many reservations—after all, the biggest battlefield for sex scandals is the media, and who controls the media? Qi Maoyang! Or rather, "imaginary number".

The two families have such a good relationship now, how could Qi Maoyang not help with something like this? If he helps, it means that the two major conglomerates are going to join forces against you, and anyone would have to weigh the implications.

However, the process is not important; what matters is the result.

The truth is that Lin Wenhua is now completely corrupt. His external connections have been severed, his few cyborg bodyguards pose no threat to Xu Shi, and they still haven't found 1557 who escaped last time...

The only thing you seem to have to offer is your seniority, but nobody cares about seniority.

If things continue like this, the only possibility is that they will be slowly worn down and killed by time.

Only by taking on this task can there be a glimmer of hope. This hope is to use this task to replenish his reserves. If he can obtain them, his reputation will recover. Moreover, as the person in charge, the fact that the second phase of chips can pass through his hands is itself an opportunity for him to regain a bargaining chip.

"Then I wish the project success. Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Lin."

Xu Shi nodded meaningfully. With the business settled, it was time for the final wrangling.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was harmonious.

Outside the door, Shen Qin, who overheard the conversation inside, subtly changed the expression on her face.

Actually, the soundproofing in the meeting room wasn't that bad, but since she's an A-level "upgraded" person, her five senses are much more acute than the average person's.

So she couldn't help but wonder, who exactly is this Lin Wenhua?

She endured humiliation and hardship to join "Snake Ring," certainly not to stand guard like a child's game.

To outsiders, this is what it means for the "forgotten" to feel resentful because they have to live under someone else's roof in order to protect themselves. However, it would be quite unwise to let this resentment lead them to think about other things.

If she really is just "Nan Qian," then she really shouldn't be thinking about these trivial things.

But she is Shen Qin, and this should not be her end point. She must find a way to eliminate Xu Shi, her enemy, by all means possible—not only for her brother, but also for the other "forgotten ones"... Well, it is true that her brother's matter is more important, but that is the principle.

"To proceed slowly" means to proceed slowly, not that one should not proceed at all.

The meeting inside clearly gave her a hunch; it sounded like the two were at odds? This seemed like an opportunity worth trying…

Unfortunately, she didn't know much about the inner workings of this "snake ring," and since some things were still unclear, she couldn't act rashly.

"Team Leader Xia..."

She subconsciously called out Xia Wuyou's name.

"..."

Xia Wuyou did not respond, but simply put her finger to her lips, giving her a stern gesture to be quiet.

The duties of the field operations department are as follows: to carry out armed escort security work for external parties, and also to perform internal duties, such as standing guard for people.

The most important thing is not to listen, not to think, and certainly not to say anything. Can Shen Qin hear her but Xia Wuyou can't? But you've crossed the line by discussing this matter; just keep it to yourself.

Even if she and Xu Shi have some kind of relationship in private, it doesn't matter. One thing is one thing, and when it comes to work, one must be single-minded and keep quiet.

Shen Qin snapped out of her daze, smiled apologetically, fanned her mouth with her hand, and then said nothing more.

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