As dawn approached, the air inside the rented room was already as still as iron.
Zhang Jianhao tossed and turned, unable to sleep. This group of young people, who were used to nightlife, didn't dare to breathe loudly last night because Zhang Cheng was there. They stayed up almost until dawn.
Zhang Cheng seemed completely unaware. He slowly straightened his back, and his joints made a series of subtle cracking sounds.
With his gunshot wound still unhealed, he can no longer practice boxing.
But the tiger in my heart has never stopped sharpening its claws.
He got dressed and stood up, his movements utterly effortless. He clipped the black pager to his belt and calmly glanced at his brothers scattered haphazardly around the room.
As I stepped out the door, the chill of the early morning air hit me.
There was activity on the street, with shouts and bicycle bells ringing out, but unlike usual, there was a palpable tension in the air.
This is the change brought about by the "crackdown".
Funing County, Police Station.
Zhao Daming's eyes were bloodshot, and he leaned back in his chair, exhausted, and dozed off. He had barely slept a wink that night.
"Knock knock".
A knock came at the door.
Zhao Daming suddenly woke up, rubbing his throbbing temples, and said in a deep voice, "Come in!"
"elder brother."
Zhang Cheng pushed open the door and entered, a warm smile on his face.
Upon seeing him, Zhao Daming's tense nerves jolted. He immediately stood up, closed the door, lowered his voice, and said with a wry smile, "Didn't I tell you not to show your face recently? Zhong Yaodang is gone, but there's no guarantee he doesn't have spies. If he finds out you're still alive, we'll be in big trouble!"
"Brother, he doesn't dare let too many people know that he wants to kill me."
Zhang Cheng walked to the table without a care, picked up the kettle, and poured boiling water into the two of them, steam rising in wisps.
"Besides Zhong Te, there's probably only Li Yuanchao. No one else knows his thoughts, so how could they inform on him?"
"It is always best to be cautious in everything."
Zhao Daming picked up his enamel mug, took a sip of water, and said in a heavy tone, "Speak, you must have something to say coming here so early."
"Brother, I want to ask you for a policy."
Zhang Cheng put down the kettle, leaned forward slightly, and said, word by word.
“Isn’t there a crackdown right now? All the video arcades in the county have been shut down. I’m thinking, could we make a rule that if they want to reopen, they must get approval from our bureau?”
Zhao Daming's hand, which was holding the cup, paused in mid-air.
He raised his head, his eyes sharp as knives, staring intently at Zhang Cheng, as if trying to see right through him.
"You little brat... are you trying to take advantage of this crackdown to wipe out all the video arcades in the county?"
"Brother, you can't say that."
Zhang Cheng's smile remained, but his eyes were deep and unfathomable: "This is called regulating the market and promoting healthy competition."
Zhao Daming fell silent.
After a long while, he finally slammed the cup down with a thud.
"I'll go and report to Director Yu later. This idea is indeed beneficial to the current situation."
"Then, brother, you can stamp my six stamps first."
Zhang Cheng leaned close to Zhao Daming's ear, his voice as soft as a whisper, yet carrying an undeniable domineering tone.
"If it's someone else's, hold it for three days first."
Zhao Daming frowned, turned to look at Zhang Cheng who was standing close by, and finally nodded: "Okay, but only for three days, no more than that."
He raised his hand and patted Zhang Cheng heavily on the shoulder: "Brother, I believe you are a man of principle, and I hope to see you become a prominent boss in Funing County. But... you must remember, the higher-ups are watching the relationship between officials and businessmen very closely and are very sensitive to it."
"Brother, I understand."
Zhang Cheng grinned, his smile still bright, but a hint of coldness flashed deep in his eyes.
"Then you go ahead with your work, I'm leaving."
"Yes, stay home as much as possible."
Watching Zhang Cheng's departing figure, Zhao Daming sighed helplessly. He knew that those words had ultimately drawn an invisible line between the two of them.
These were Director Yu's exact words last night, a warning to him to stay away from Zhang Cheng, this "troublesome" man.
He was caught in the situation and had no choice but to act against his will.
As Zhang Cheng walked out of the police station, bathed in the morning light, the smile on his face slowly faded.
His relationship with Zhao Daming is tilting as their positions change.
Once this friendship becomes tainted, it is no longer a reliable support to whom one can entrust one's life.
He shook his head almost imperceptibly, and a thought he had deliberately suppressed resurfaced.
“Zhong Te…”
Zhang Cheng murmured softly, a cold yet brilliant smile curving his lips once more.
Because of Liu Miaomiao, Zhong Te got in touch with Secretary Liu.
But Liu Miaomiao, because of herself, ended up getting involved with Jiang Yuhong.
This game is getting more and more interesting.
When Secretary Liu's guilt towards Zhong Te reaches its peak, that will be the best time for me to take this pawn.
A dozen minutes later, Zhang Cheng returned to his rented room.
Xiao Tao and the others had all gotten up, sat upright, and were waiting for him to speak.
"Xiao Tao," Zhang Cheng said, sitting in the only chair, his gaze fixed on Xiao Tao, "this afternoon, go and ask those video arcade owners again if they're selling their arcades."
"Brother, didn't they say they weren't selling?"
“The video arcades can’t open now, they can’t afford to wait.” Xiao Tao hesitated.
"Who said the door can't be opened?"
Zhang Cheng smiled.
"Go to the police station at noon and find Deputy Director Zhao. He will stamp our video arcade. At that time, our arcade will be the only one in the entire Funing County that can open for business."
"hiss--"
A collective gasp filled the room, and Xiao Tao's eyes widened in disbelief. Er Gou's skills were truly extraordinary!
"Brother, I've bought the tickets. The train is at 11:30."
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