Chapter 268 Setting a Trap to Await Your Arrival
The next morning, Bai Shu instructed Qin Zheng to deliver invitations to prominent figures from all walks of life in the capital.
"Miss, this isn't quite right." Qin Zheng held a stack of gold-embossed invitations, his brows furrowed deeply. "We should be more discreet right now. By hosting such a high-profile party, aren't you just putting yourself in the spotlight?"
Bai Zhu sat at his desk, marking up the invitation list with a pen.
"Hide," she said without looking up. "How long can you hide when the rats are in the dark and I'm in the light? We can't fight this battle."
Qin Zheng wanted to persuade him further, but Bai Shu had already put down his pen.
"Go, personally deliver Wu Wenshan and Madam Qian's invitations."
Qin Zheng accepted the invitation, his heart pounding. He had followed Bai Shu for so long and knew that she never acted unprepared, but this time he truly couldn't understand her.
After Qin Zheng left, Bai Shu got up and went to the study.
She opened the drawer and took out the metal granule she had removed from the pocket watch. It was tiny, about the size of a fingernail, and gleamed dimly in the sunlight.
She picked up the phone and dialed Zhou Jimin.
"Mr. Zhou, I need your help with a job."
"Boss Bai, please speak." The roar of machinery came from Zhou Jimin's end, clearly indicating that they were still in the laboratory.
“I’m sending you some things over. Could you help me analyze the ingredients, and also—” Bai Zhu paused, “see if it has any unusual fluctuation frequencies.”
Zhou Jimin was stunned. "What is 'fluctuation frequency'?"
"It might be related to tracking technology," Bai Zhu said softly. "I'll tell you the specifics once you see it."
After hanging up the phone, Bai Zhu put the metal particles into a small box and called Yi Yue over.
"Send it to Haitang Technology and hand it over directly to Engineer Zhou."
In January, he took the box and left.
Bai Zhu leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
The woman in blue who sold candied hawthorns must have had a way of locating her, having tracked her from Hong Kong Island to Beijing. She didn't believe it was luck or coincidence. This piece of metal might very well be the answer.
...
Northwest, the Gobi Desert.
Lu Jingyan and his Blade Point Squad squatted in an abandoned mud house.
They disguised themselves as henchmen of "Black Sand Scorpion" and waited for the "messenger" to send someone to make contact.
Several sacks of counterfeit ore samples were piled up in the corner. Wang Kun squatted next to them, his palms sweating with nervousness.
"Commander Lu, is it possible that he won't be coming?" he asked in a low voice.
Lu Jingyan didn't speak, staring at the doorway.
The sun was gradually setting in the west, and the sand was so hot it was burning your feet.
Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the door.
Very light, very slow.
The members of the Knife Point Squad immediately gripped their guns and hid in the shadows.
The door was pushed open, and a child walked in.
He looked about seven or eight years old, wearing a patched gray cloth jacket, and holding a tattered rattle drum in his arms.
The child looked around, his eyes unusually clear.
"Uncle, my dad asked me to deliver something," he said in a childish voice.
Wang Kun was stunned and subconsciously looked at Lu Jingyan.
Lu Jingyan narrowed his eyes.
This is a common tactic used by the "Eagle's Nest" – using children to lower the other party's guard.
"Where's your father?" he asked.
"Wait outside." The child pulled a note from his pocket. "He said this is for you."
Lu Jingyan took the slip of paper, which listed the location and time of the transaction.
Tomorrow night, in an abandoned mine deep in the Gobi Desert.
“Tell your father we’ll be there on time,” Lu Jingyan said.
The child nodded and turned to walk out.
"Wait a minute," Lu Jingyan called out to him, "How old are you?"
"Eight years old." The child tilted his head. "Why is Uncle asking that?"
Lu Jingyan didn't answer, but simply handed him a compressed biscuit.
"Take this, eat it if you get hungry on the way."
The child took the cookie, his eyes lit up, and he skipped and hopped away.
Wang Kun walked over and said, "Brigade Commander Lu, this is clearly a trap."
“I know,” Lu Jingyan said, clutching the note, “but we have to jump.”
He turned to the Knife Tip Squad: "Tomorrow's operation. Remember, the children must not be harmed."
"yes!"
...
Beijing City, Tangdixuan.
The entire street was under lockdown on the night of the party.
The parking lot in front of Tangdixuan was full of cars; all the important people in the capital had come.
Bai Shu stood at the door, wearing a long red dress that was cinched at the waist, her hair pulled up high, revealing her slender neck.
She greeted the guests with a professional smile.
Wu Wenshan also arrived with Madam Qian.
The two men's eyes flickered when they saw Bai Shu.
"Mr. Bai, what a grand display!" Mrs. Qian said sarcastically.
"Madam Qian, you're too kind." Bai Shu smiled even more sweetly. "It's an honor for Tangdixuan to have you here."
Wu Wenshan coughed and said, "I heard that Boss Bai is going to hold a charity auction. He's setting an example for Beijing."
"You flatter me." Bai Shu stepped aside to let them in. "I just wanted to do my part for the country's development."
Mrs. Qian snorted coldly and entered the hall with her bag.
Bai Shu watched them walk away, the smile on her face slowly fading.
Qin Zheng squeezed through the crowd and whispered in her ear, "Miss, everyone is all set up."
"Okay." Bai Shu glanced around the hall. "Keep a close eye on things."
She picked up a glass of champagne and weaved through the crowd.
A middle-aged man walked towards them, and Bai Shu politely stepped aside to let him pass.
Just as they were passing each other, the phoenix blood jade bracelet on her wrist suddenly vibrated.
It's very light and very short.
But that icy feeling was completely different from when the pocket watch resonated.
Bai Shu paused, then turned around to look.
The man had already walked into the crowd, his figure disappearing from sight.
She gripped the wine glass tightly, her knuckles turning white.
That person has a problem.
"Qin Zheng." She lowered her voice.
Qin Zheng immediately came over.
“Find that man who just walked by, wearing a gray suit, not very tall,” Bai Shu said.
"yes."
Qin Zheng turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Bai Zhu stood there, her hand holding the wine glass trembling slightly.
The jade bracelet was still vibrating, and the frequency was getting faster and faster.
She took a deep breath, placed the wine glass on the tray, and walked toward the restroom.
There was no one in the corridor.
She pushed open the bathroom door and locked it.
The vibrations of the jade bracelet gradually stopped.
Bai Shu pulled out a pistol from his pocket and released the safety.
Footsteps came from outside the door.
Very light, very slow.
She held her breath and gripped the gun handle tightly.
The footsteps stopped at the door.
The doorknob turned slowly.
Bai Shu retreated to the corner, pointing his gun at the doorway.
The door was pushed open a crack, and a hand reached in.
Just as Bai Shu was about to pull the trigger, the man suddenly spoke.
"It's me."
Qin Zheng's voice.
Bai Shu breathed a sigh of relief and put down his gun: "That scared me to death."
Qin Zheng squeezed in and closed the door: "Miss, we've found him. The one in the gray suit is Liu Jianguo, the section chief of the Industry and Commerce Bureau."
Bai Shu from the Industry and Commerce Bureau frowned. "What's his relationship with Wu Wenshan?"
“I checked, he’s Wu Wenshan’s cousin,” Qin Zheng said. “But he’s usually very low-key and doesn’t have much of a presence.”
Bai Shu stared at the jade bracelet for a few seconds.
“Have January keep an eye on him,” she said. “Don’t let him miss a single step.”
"yes."
The two left the restroom and returned to the lobby.
The party continued, with toasts being exchanged and a lively atmosphere prevailing.
Bai Zhu stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze sweeping over each person.
Liu Jianguo sat in the corner, holding a wine glass, and whispered something to the person next to him.
His expression was natural, revealing no flaw whatsoever.
But jade bracelets don't lie.
Bai Zhu touched her wrist; the jade bracelet had returned to normal.
She turned and walked toward Wu Wenshan.
"Director Wu, may I speak to you in private?" she said with a smile.
Wu Wenshan paused for a moment, then put down his wine glass: "Of course."
The two went out onto the terrace.
A night breeze blew in, carrying the chill of early spring.
"Boss Bai, what's up with you so late?" Wu Wenshan asked.
"It's nothing serious," Bai Shu said, leaning against the railing. "I just wanted to ask, do you know anything about Liu Jianguo?"
Wu Wenshan's expression changed slightly: "Why are you asking him?"
"It was just a casual chat," Bai Shu said with a nonchalant smile. "I heard he's your cousin, and I was thinking that we might be able to work together in the future."
Wu Wenshan stared at her for a few seconds.
“Jianguo is an honest and simple man, but he’s not very capable,” he said. “If you’re interested in working together, I can introduce you to someone more suitable.”
"Then thank you very much, Director Wu," Bai Shu said.
Wu Wenshan nodded and turned back to the hall.
Bai Zhu stood on the terrace, looking at the night sky.
She took out the note and read it again.
Remember, I'll always be there for you.
She put the note away and took a deep breath.
Mr. Shadow, I'd like to see what tricks you're up to this time.
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