This guy... he's incredibly strong!
If that hit someone...
Several security officers instinctively took a half step back, their eyes filled with apprehension as they looked at Xu Kuo.
Shi Jixing's heart skipped a beat, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat. He tried to remain calm, but his voice trembled involuntarily as he threatened, his words a mixture of bravado and fear.
"Xu...Xu Kuo! What do you want? Let me tell you, I'm the deputy secretary of the town! You dare to lay a finger on me?!"
"That's right! Xu Kuo!" Xu Jianguo also came to his senses, hiding behind Shi Jixing. Relying on his numbers, he started barking arrogantly again, "Secretary Shi is here, don't be ungrateful! Hand over the stuff right now, or you'll be in big trouble!"
Xu Kuo looked at their outwardly strong but inwardly weak appearance and sneered inwardly. He knew that a head-on confrontation was not the solution, and going against the government would definitely not end well, especially in this era. That punch just now was merely a deterrent, meant to prevent them from making any rash moves.
The objective has been achieved.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. His gaze swept over Shi Jixing, and his tone softened slightly, but still remained resolute: "Secretary Shi, as I said, I bought the items from the auction house. The truth isn't something you and I can clarify with mere words. Here's what we'll do: if you don't believe me, you can send someone with me to Jubaozhai in the county town to verify! Let's see if what I, Xu Kuo, said is true or false! Then, everything will naturally become clear!"
As Shi Jixing listened to Xu Kuo's words, his eyes darted around slightly, and he quickly began to calculate in his mind.
Go to the auction house to confront him? Does this kid really have the guts? Better safe than sorry... But then I thought, I've already made my position clear. If I back down now, how will I maintain my authority in town?
He glanced at Xu Kuo with a gloomy look, then subtly gave Xu Jianguo, who was hiding behind the crowd, a meaningful look.
Xu Jianguo kept a close eye on this side, and upon receiving a signal from Shi Jixing, he understood immediately.
He crouched low and slipped silently along the edge of the crowd, his steps hurried, almost a jog, as he rushed out of the courtyard and headed straight for the county town. No one noticed this little incident; everyone's attention was still focused on the standoff in the courtyard.
Seeing that Xu Jianguo had left, Shi Jixing felt a little relieved. He forced a smile, but his tone carried an undeniable authority: "Fine! Xu Kuo, since you're so confident, I'll accompany you to the county town! I want to see for myself whether Jubaozhai really dares to issue a certificate to someone like you with an unclear background!"
He deliberately emphasized the phrase "of unknown origin" in order to overwhelm Xu Kuo in terms of momentum.
Xu Kuo frowned slightly.
You agreed so readily?
Something was definitely amiss! Xu Kuo's alarm bells rang instantly. That old fox Shi Jixing would never give in so easily; that look in his eyes just now… Xu Kuo glanced in the direction Xu Jianguo had disappeared, and he already had a vague idea of what was going on.
That old bastard must have been up to something behind the scenes!
Hmph, trying to play dirty tricks?
Xu Kuo sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "Good, Secretary Shi is indeed a reasonable man. Shall we set off now?"
On the other side, Xu Jianguo was almost out of breath as he rushed to the auction house entrance before Shi Jixing and the others. He leaned against the door frame, catching his breath, tidied his wind-blown hair, and then swaggered inside.
When the staff members in charge of reception saw him like this, they were about to go up and ask him something when Xu Jianguo took the initiative, pulled out a red booklet from his pocket, and slammed it on the counter.
"Look carefully! Town Security Section! Deputy Secretary Shi's work ID!" Xu Jianguo lowered his voice, his eyes sweeping fiercely over the several staff members in front of him whose expressions had slightly changed.
"Listen up! Secretary Shi will be bringing someone over in a bit. That kid's called Xu Kuo, he's a peasant! He bought a bunch of junk here a few days ago, he was actually laundering money! You all better keep your mouths shut!"
He leaned closer, his voice lower, carrying a blatant threat: "If anyone dares to testify for him that those items were bought through a legitimate auction, or reveal any truth about the auction, don't blame us for inviting you in for questioning! Losing your job is the least of your worries; if we find out you were colluding with him..."
Xu Jianguo chuckled sinisterly a few times, the meaning of which was self-evident.
The staff members turned pale with fright. They were just ordinary workers; how could they dare offend the town's leaders? Especially since the other party had brought up such a serious charge as "money laundering." If they were implicated, they would be completely finished!
"We understand! We all understand!"
"Yes, yes, we don't know anything!"
"We'll do whatever Secretary Shi says!"
The men nodded and bowed hastily, afraid that being slow to agree would bring trouble upon themselves.
Xu Jianguo nodded in satisfaction, then put away his work ID and, like a victorious general, found an inconspicuous corner to wait and watch the show.
Not long after, Shi Jixing, along with Xu Kuo, several security officers, and some villagers who were eager to watch the excitement, arrived at Jubaozhai in a grand procession.
"Where is he? Where is the auctioneer you mentioned?" Shi Jixing asked loudly as soon as he entered the room, looking around. He deliberately shouted loudly, as if he were accusing someone.
Xu Kuo went straight to the counter, wanting to find the experienced auctioneer who had presided over the previous auction.
The staff member behind the counter looked nervous and stammered, "Ah... well... it's really unfortunate, Mr. Wang... he has some urgent family matters to attend to and has taken the next few days off. He's not here."
Not here? Xu Kuo's heart skipped a beat. Why did he have to ask for leave now of all times?
He then wanted to find the security guards who had stopped Bai Donghua that day; they had witnessed the whole thing. But when he looked around, none of those familiar faces were there; they all seemed to be deliberately avoiding him.
Seeing this, Xu Kuo immediately understood. That old fox Shi Jixing had indeed come prepared, having already made arrangements for everyone here! He had even threatened the people at Jubaozhai!
Xu Kuo was furious, but he also became more composed. It seemed impossible to prove his innocence through Jubaozhai.
I didn't want to bother Zhou Changke so soon, since it's hard to repay favors, but now it seems that only Zhou Changke can keep this local bully Shi Jixing in check!
"What's wrong, Xu Kuo?" Shi Jixing looked at Xu Kuo's discomfiture with a smug sneer. "Can't find the person? Where's the evidence? I told you long ago, you're just putting on an act! You can't even make up a believable excuse for money laundering!"
He turned to the security officer behind him, his voice rising even louder: "Everyone saw it, right? This kid's a fraud! Useless! I think he's just feeling guilty!"
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