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They visited the village together, inspected the farmland, and even had some roasted sweet potatoes to try at lunch. It could be called a typical farm stay itinerary. However, even so, Lu Jian did not show any displeasure and remained polite, gentle and considerate.

The conversation between the two was no longer full of tentativeness, and even the previous superficiality was gone, but the things to talk about did not decrease. Lu Jian was indeed a master at controlling the atmosphere. As long as he wanted to, he could always find the right topic and unknowingly bring them closer together. As a result, this day could be said to be a very enjoyable one for both the host and the guests.

However, after going through the whole process, Cheng Xi was certain of one thing: Lu Jian might have really discovered her identity.

Perhaps Ning Fu guessed that it was a woman who assassinated him, and Lu Jian dug out the truth based on the information from both sides.

Dealing with a group of cunning people, Cheng Xi never thought that she could keep her identity a secret. Not to mention the problem of her figure and body shape, her ability alone was enough to make people doubt her background. Coupled with confidants like Tian Yu and Yan Yuan, it was only a matter of time before someone caught her.

Because of this, she has been subtly preparing for exposure. The core members of the gang have long known the inside story, so even if it is exposed, it will not fall apart.

However, these preparations did not work immediately because Lu Jian's attitude changed.

After discovering that she was a woman, Mr. Lu did not choose to "control" her, but instead chose to "pursue" her.

That’s right, even if Lu Jian didn’t say a word, Cheng Xi could still sense it. After all, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, the “peacock spreading its tail” could not be hidden from others.

When a man sends out a mating signal, he definitely wants people to receive it, and no matter how he tries to downplay it, he can't hide it from others.

It seems that running to her for refuge was not a plan, but increasing the chances of getting along was the real plan.

However, Cheng Xi was relieved by this bizarre change. As long as he could guess the other party's thoughts, it would be easy to deal with.

Besides, this is not a bad thing. As long as he is interested in her, Lu Jian will no longer use her gender as a handle. After all, after knowing her for a long time, that guy should also know that he is soft-hearted and not hard-hearted, and his methods are quite powerful, so he will not embarrass himself.

She had been pretending not to know, and Lu Jian probably found it difficult to make the matter clear. Without absolute certainty, he would not go any further.

This created a stalemate. As long as Lu Jian was patient enough, it would only benefit him and not harm him.

But is Lu Jian patient enough? Cheng Xi really has no doubt about it.

After clarifying her thoughts, Cheng Xi went about her own business. After all, as a "guest", it was not appropriate for Lu Jian to keep chatting with her.

As for what he thinks, it has nothing to do with me.

Cheng Xi's behavior made Lu Jian hesitate.

Over the past few days, he tried every possible way to get along with Cheng Xi, but the other party treated him the same as always, without any change at all.

If Lu Jian hadn't confirmed it again and again, he would have doubted whether he had guessed wrong.

"Master, that Miss Lin is indeed Boss Lin's sister. Apart from her, there is only one other Miss He who has served under Boss Cheng."

After listening to his subordinates' reports, Lu Jian nodded slowly. It seemed that his guess was correct.

Cheng Xi once saved a boatload of people from the Lin family. Lin Meng probably always knew that she was a woman. That leader Sun had also been to the county government office with Cheng Xi, so he probably knew the inside story. Not to mention Yan Yuan, Tian Yu and others.

However, the other leaders may not know about this. Lu Jian had met the leader Li Niu before and had even taken a ride on the Li family's boat. He was not someone who could hide his thoughts. If he knew that Cheng Xi was a woman, how could he not reveal any clues?

Among the three big bosses, one doesn't know that she is a woman, and the other two may not know that she is the descendant of General Qiu. This is a hidden danger. If it is really exposed, I am afraid that the Red Flag Gang will cause chaos.

Is it because of this that she is so cautious when facing outsiders and never shows her feminine side?

Lu Jian sighed softly. He had put a lot of thought into this over the past two days, but it seemed as if Miss Qiu hadn't noticed at all.

Only then did Lu Jian realize that his situation was a bit awkward. If he told her that he knew her identity, she might get angry with him. But if he didn't tell her, she would really treat him as a good brother.

Lu Jian once speculated whether Miss Qiu had another lover, but looking around, she was so frank in her interactions with other men. How could he win the heart of a woman who could train a man with bare arms?

Tapping his fingers on the table, Lu Jian found that he really had no idea what to do.

Given his status and position, he has never pursued a woman, and Miss Qiu probably wouldn't like the things that ordinary women like.

Ultimately, it all comes down to profit.

With a bad neighbor like the Changjing Gang around, the Red Flag Gang is in a dangerous situation. If Ning Fu knew her identity, it would probably cause chaos immediately.

If he wanted to overcome the difficulties, he would need help. And Lu Jian was a very good candidate.

As long as she marries him, apart from other things, her food supply will definitely be guaranteed. He also has a great network of contacts and private soldiers under his command, who can be lent to her as well.

More importantly, there are probably few men in the world who can truly understand her. Even if she wants to avenge her father and rebel, Lu will not say a word of "no".

With this help, when he takes back the Lu family's ancestral property one day, wouldn't it be possible for him to achieve mutual benefit and complement each other with the Red Flag Gang?

He can let his wife show herself in public, and this alone is enough to make them a good match. I think Miss Qiu can understand this.

However, Lu Jian was reluctant to say these words that would benefit both parties.

It's just because there seems to be something missing between the two of them.

Although my father was treacherous and despicable, he had become a high-ranking official at a young age. He was also handsome and of noble birth, which made my mother fall in love with him at first sight.

Unfortunately, this love did not end well. Even Lu Jian secretly hated his mother for being so confused and throwing all her attention on his father.

But when it happened to me, I realized how indispensable this love was.

He wanted Miss Qiu to fall in love with him, and he also wanted the leader of the Red Flag Gang, who appeared smart, capable, and omnipotent in front of others, to act like a little girl in front of him.

If not, how could the two of them become husband and wife? Even more profoundly, if a woman commanding a large army and using ruthless means didn't love her husband, it's hard to say what would happen.

Based on this premise, now is not the time to speak frankly.

I'm afraid he will only lend a helping hand when the Red Flag Gang is in danger and Miss Qiu is struggling.

Of course, Lu Jian would not be so foolish as to let the Red Flag Gang fall into such a situation. If this were discovered, he would probably die without knowing how he died.

In this case, I'm afraid I can only wait slowly.

Since Ning Fu showed up in Panyu, he must have some other plans.

Moreover, the ghost scholar was determined to find the woman who assassinated him. If we investigate carefully, we might be able to find some clues.

When that time comes, it will be time for me to take action.

Lu Jian's brows relaxed again. Well, he still had plenty of time, so it wouldn't hurt to wait a little longer.

As for what the ghost scholar asked him, it’s better not to mention it to Cheng Xi.

…

"I've all heard the news that the Red Flag Gang has sent out its entire army, right?" Ning Fu spoke slowly, waving a paper fan as he faced the leaders of the small boat gangs.

Someone below complained, "That's right, a whole bunch of people parading through the streets, I don't know who they're trying to scare."

"Don't mention it. Those bandits even bribed the boat people. Who do they have to fear in the South China Sea?" Someone immediately responded.

"I heard that they are going to send troops again to attack the coastal islands. What if they reach Haikou?" This worried sentence immediately attracted a lot of agreement.

In fact, Panyu has the most islands at the mouth of the sea, with perhaps a hundred or so scattered around. There are also many hills and mountains, hiding many private ports and bandits.

Even General Qiu was unable to clear this area back then, let alone others.

Right now, the Red Flag Gang is only attacking the large islands near the coast and has not yet headed towards Haikou. However, with such a strong force and such an amazing appetite, isn’t it just a matter of time before they send troops?

Who among these people here is not worried?

Looking at those worried guys, Ning Fu chuckled, "Since you all think the Red Flag Gang has ill intentions, we should take advantage of their massive military deployment and have a good fight with them."

This statement instantly brought a hush to the crowd. Who wouldn't want the Red Flag Gang to suffer? But who would dare to step forward and be the first to do so?

That was a big shipping gang that took over the South China Sea within a year. If they were targeted by someone, they would probably be skinned alive.

Seeing that no one dared to answer, Ning Fu quickly put away his folding fan and glanced at everyone: "To be honest, my Longjing Gang also intends to deal with the Red Flag Gang, but it's the windy season now, so it's not easy to send troops. And right now, the Red Flag Gang's lair is empty. How can we not seize such a good opportunity?"

Those slender snake eyes already carried a hint of unspeakable viciousness, and the scar on the jaw made it even more frightening to look at.

Others didn't dare to speak. One family that had done business with the Long Whale Gang before cautiously said, "Mr. Ning is right, but we are all scattered and need someone to take the lead."

Ning Fu laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Then as the second-in-command of the Changjing Gang, could I take the lead?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an immediate buzz. If the Long Whale Gang was willing to step forward, then maybe they could really give it a try.

After all, the Red Flag Gang was a blockade on their doorstep, and their ambitions were so great that even the fishermen along the coast were bribed.

It’s not a big deal now, but in the future, if all the seafood falls into the hands of others and all the ships sailing out have to fly the flag of the Red Flag Gang, then how will these small boat gangs and small business gangs ever be able to make a name for themselves?

But no matter how tempted they were, the Changjing Gang only sent this military advisor this time, and they were not sending a large number of troops.

If you stand up for someone else, you won't even know how you died.

Someone whispered, "Having Mr. Ning as the leader is certainly a good thing. But we're outnumbered and may not be able to win."

In terms of the number of ships and manpower, this group of people has formed quite a few alliances, but they are a group of scattered individuals, so how can they fight?

Ning Fu glanced around at everyone and suddenly said, "There's a piece of news that I'm afraid no one knows. A while ago, the Red Flag Gang intercepted the Jiangdong Lu family's ocean-going fleet. I'm afraid they have a lot of treasure and gold on hand."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's breathing became heavier.

The Lu family's ocean-going fleet? How much treasure must there be, and yet the Red Flag Gang managed to take it all!

Seeing the greed in everyone's eyes, Ning Fu smiled and tapped his palm with his fan. "Since you are the ones contributing manpower and effort, I don't need these goods. If you can capture Luoling Island, the Changjing Gang will also give a thousand kilograms of pepper as a reward, and everyone here can become guests of honor of our gang."

This is really a huge investment! Those who were originally hesitant now all have their eyes shining and are eager to try it out.

Under normal circumstances, they would definitely have to think again, but now the Red Flag Gang's army is outside! Isn't this the perfect time for a surprise attack?

Some immediately spoke up, saying they wanted to follow the Long Whale Gang. Others began to flatter him, saying they would never go wrong following Mr. Ning. Of course, there were still some more cautious people, who lowered their heads in thought, wondering how many troops they should send and whether they had to conserve their strength...

Looking at the mob below, Ning Fu sneered in his heart. It might not be so easy for these guys to defeat the Red Flag Gang.

However, his goal was not here. He just wanted to take the opportunity to meet the young leader of the Red Flag Gang.

By then, would that young woman reveal herself? The hand gripping the fan ribs tightened slightly, and Ning Fu began to laugh again.