Secret Guard
Since his subordinates first reported the strange things about the goods entering and leaving "Zhangyun Wharf," and that the dockworkers were not like ordinary dock laborers, but were unusually quick and efficient...
Zhang Xiande squinted, his lips twitching as if he had grasped something.
The night outside the window was dark.
Wearing pajamas, You Jiale walked into Zhang Xiande's study, still sleepy and puzzled. "Why did you call me to your study in the middle of the night?"
Zhang Xiande glanced at him, casually picked up the coat beside him and tossed it to him, "Put this on. Aren't you afraid of gossip if you go to my place?"
You Jiale took the coat, and although she didn't understand why, she draped it over her shoulders. "Yes, it's fine to come to your study in the middle of the night. In this sweltering heat... are you trying to suffocate me?"
Zhang Xiande walked to the desk, picked up a cigar, and lit it. "I told you to put it on, so put it on. I have something to tell you."
You Jiale looked at him, walked to the chair opposite the desk and sat down. "What urgent matter could it be?"
Zhang Xiande raised his eyes and said, “Recently, we’ve been investigating Zhangyun Wharf, but it’s not convenient for us to do it openly or involve people from the company. It would attract attention and cause unnecessary trouble.”
You Jiale exclaimed "Huh?" and leaned forward slightly, tentatively asking, "So, you plan to...?"
Zhang Xiande did not answer directly, "Moreover, this matter is very complex, and if not handled properly, it could bring a lot of trouble. So..."
As soon as he finished speaking, a very faint knocking sound came from outside the study. The rhythm was short and quick, with a certain special pattern. This was the unique communication method between Zhang Xiande and the team he was secretly cultivating.
"Come in," Zhang Xiande said in a low voice.
The door opened silently, and a middle-aged man dressed in dark cloth walked in. His eyes were calm and reserved, and his every move exuded a well-trained competence.
"Young Master." The middle-aged man nodded slightly, his tone respectful and concise, without a single unnecessary word.
Zhang Xiande glanced at him, "Third brother... this investigation may involve quite a few people, no matter which side they are on, find out the truth for me. Tell me immediately if you find anything."
"Arrange for a few more skilled fighters to come and keep an eye on him." Zhang Xiande looked at You Jiale.
"Yes." The third brother waved his sleeves and left without a trace.
I should have thought of Zhang Xiande a long time ago.
This suddenly appearing "Third Brother" was present in the original book when Pei Zhiyuan was in trouble. Now it seems this was no coincidence. This is a secret bodyguard that the Zhang family has been cultivating for generations, a shadow organization hidden beneath a glamorous business empire. It encompasses all sorts of江湖人士 (jianghu figures), talented individuals with special skills, and has an unimaginably complex background. No wonder he can wield such influence in this turbulent era; his seemingly commendable business acumen is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Intelligence gathering, eliminating dissidents, shady business tactics, and even potentially more dangerous political deals are all involved. This pool is unfathomably deep.
Looking back, You Jiale felt a chill run down his spine. In truth, even without my "Le Ji Delivery" idea, given Zhang Xiande's methods and boldness, he would have easily found another way. So why did he accept my deal so readily? Was it simply because I could help him make money and alleviate the pressure of military pay, or did he see the enormous commercial potential behind "Le Ji Delivery"?
Hmph, what's that old fox up to?
It's probably not that simple.
"What are you thinking about?" It wasn't until Zhang Xiande spoke up that You Jiale was pulled back to reality from his thoughts. His voice wasn't loud.
"It's nothing, why did you have someone watching me?"
"You just said that a lot of people are involved. Which side is involved? Isn't it the underground Communist Party?"
You Jiale knew that Zhang Xiande hadn't hidden anything from him and had directly let him know that this was a secret guard, so it was irrelevant for him to ask these questions.
Zhang Xiande glanced at him. "You think that sending a few letters makes you a member of the underground party? Aren't you afraid that you were a traitorous spy before? But there probably aren't any spies as stupid as you."
"Hey, you hot-tempered brat, explain to me how I'm stupid. Well, now you're openly having people watching me." You Jiale seemed to have suddenly found a handle to retaliate.
"You're so petty, yet you say you're not stupid. Couldn't you have been protecting me?" Zhang Xiande glanced at him contemptuously, too lazy to waste words with him.
You Jiale pouted, his eyes showing some displeasure. But he couldn't be ungrateful after getting such a good deal; he was currently staying at their house, eating and drinking their food, so it wasn't appropriate to say anything more. He pursed his lips and swallowed the retort he wanted to make.
Seeing his discomfitured expression, Zhang Xiande felt less heavy-hearted.
"Alright, it's late." Zhang Xiande stopped making that ambiguous smile. "Go back to sleep."
Yu Jiale, smug and arrogant, walked out without looking back, her steps hurried. She didn't even realize she'd put her old fox's skin back on until she got back to her room.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
