Chapter 784: Chapter 769: The More I Watch, the Stranger It Gets
"Xiao Tang, it’s back, that vehicle is back."
Old Zhao’s urgent shout jolted Tang Xiaoquan, who had just dozed off, awake again. The latter’s bewildered expression made it clear he hadn’t quite shaken off his drowsiness. It wasn’t until the sound of Wang Qiang hurriedly climbing the stairs reached him that he realized what Old Zhao was referring to.
"How is it? What’s the situation? Are there any people from Spring Xiu’s side?" As soon as he reached the rooftop, Tang Xiaoquan couldn’t wait to ask.
Wang Qiang shot him a sidelong glance a couple of times and, with a lack of curiosity, ridiculed, "Spring Xiu’s people or not, you tell me, who from our side can even recognize that group?"
"That’s right, Xiao Tang. Qiangzi is correct; we don’t know Spring Xiu’s people. How can we identify them?" Old Zhao too had the same doubt.
Tang Xiaoquan fell silent. He really had overlooked this issue. But he soon became relieved: "We can do this. I remember the bald heads from Yang Buwei’s group from last time. When they enter the factory, I’ll check to see if any of them are among the newcomers. Also, even if there’s no one familiar, it shouldn’t matter. As long as extra people come back with the vehicle, I reckon they’re probably from Spring Xiu’s side."
"What the heck? How can you be so sure? I remember you previously advised Old Xu not to act rashly against Liu Fugui out of fear of misunderstanding. Now, you’re actually planning to use this uncertain fact to support your hypothesis? What if your assumption is wrong?"
Wang Qiang’s relentless questioning made Tang Xiaoquan smile wryly: "Qiangzi, let’s wait and analyze the situation after checking the factory, okay?"
"Alright! How could it not be alright? You’re the boss now, and whatever you decide goes. Honestly, everyone’s been spinning in circles today because of your bizarre plan. I really hope your assumption is somewhat correct, or else we’ve all been working for nothing."
Anyone in Tang Xiaoquan’s position would feel uncomfortable hearing Wang Qiang’s sarcastic remark, but fortunately, Tang Xiaoquan was already accustomed to Wang Qiang’s behavior. Though he claimed not to take it to heart, it wasn’t entirely true; he wasn’t that noble.
But at this point, his attention was more focused on the distant black SUV approaching, with his concern being whether any newcomers were joining in the vehicle heading towards the factory.
The black SUV came to a steady halt outside the factory gates. Qiao Shan and his four subordinates had been waiting early in the guardroom.
"Damn it, why are you so slow?"
A head poked out of the driver’s seat window, apologizing sheepishly, "I’m sorry, Brother Qiao. Snowy roads are slippery, so we drove a bit slower."
"If you knew you’d be slow, why did you notify me early? You made me wait for ages here. Alright, stop babbling and get everyone out of the car."
After issuing the command, Qiao Shan retreated to the back of the crowd. Meanwhile, his four subordinates raised their firearms.
"Brother Qiao, what’s the meaning of this..." The driver quickly shrank back his head, and his companions in the car bent down using the seats as cover.
"No need to take cover. During these critical times, all entering factory vehicles need routine inspections. If you don’t want to get shot, hurry up and get out, or we’ll consider you colluding with the enemy."
Qiao Shan’s words were crystal clear, yet the subordinates inside the car couldn’t help but feel frustrated. They couldn’t figure out the situation; the one thing they were sure of was that if they didn’t get out of the car, Qiao Shan might actually shoot them.
"Brother Qiao, no, don’t shoot! I’m... I’m coming out!" The driver opened the door first, raised his hands, and stepped out.
"Did I not make myself clear? I meant all of you get out!"
"Click!" The sound of the gun’s bolt!
"Didn’t you hear what Brother Qiao said? Get the hell out of the car!" Seeing Qiao Shan lift his handgun towards him, the driver completely panicked. He rushed to the back seat, yanking people out of the car.
That frantic act looked as if he were on drugs, pumped with adrenaline.
The worst off was the subordinate by the driver’s side door. He was pulled straight to the ground, not even managing a word of protest.
The drama unfolding at the factory left Tang Xiaoquan completely stunned; it was far beyond his expectations. He was sure that the two people getting out of the car were the original team from the morning departure. But why were the factory people pointing guns at them?
Old Zhao noticed Tang Xiaoquan’s odd expression and prodded him with his elbow, asking, "What’s up, Xiao Tang? Is there a change?"
Tang Xiaoquan smiled wryly, unsure how to respond, nodding helplessly, "It’s a bit strange; it seems the factory people are having a conflict with those in the car, and they’re using guns."
"Oh! Damn, now it’s going to be lively. Quanzi, you better get that smart brain of yours working and analyze what’s going on here." Wang Qiang’s barbed remarks didn’t contribute to a solution.
Old Zhao patted Wang Qiang’s shoulder, signaling him to hold back: "Xiao Tang, let’s not worry about their internal issues now. The most crucial thing is whether there are people from Spring Xiu’s side in the SUV?"
With repeated urging from Qiao Shan, everyone in the car got out and stood in line, after which he had his subordinates check again. After confirming that there was no one hiding in the car, he ordered the guard to open the gate and mockingly scolded the team returning from searching for supplies, "Look at you all scared. Didn’t I just say it was a routine check? Got you all frightened. Really useless!"
The subordinates paced into the factory, heads hanging low, faces visibly shaken by the earlier episode. Humiliated by their ordeal, of course, they were mentally cursing Qiao Shan for being inconsiderate and not the one staring down a gun.
Grumbling aside, none dared show a sour face to Qiao Shan. Instead, they resorted to flattery, pulling out luxury goods from liquor stores, offering them to him.
Qiao Shan readily accepted his subordinates’ offerings, pocketing everything.
With He Lei no longer around, Qiao Shan effectively was the biggest in the factory, so he seized the opportunity to gain and enjoy as much as he could, fearing he might never get such a chance again.
Little did Qiao Shan know, blissfully ignorant, that a young man was staring blankly through binoculars from a two-story building a hundred meters away.
Wang Qiang kept asking incessant questions like a nagging elder, leaving Tang Xiaoquan utterly speechless. The people who emerged from the SUV were identical in number and personnel to those who had departed in the morning, precisely four, all the original crew, and none from Spring Xiu’s side.
Tang Xiaoquan was unwilling to admit his judgment error because he felt his analysis was the only logical deduction that could clarify the whole situation.
But the developing facts left him unable to provide convincing evidence for his hypothesis, rendering him quite speechless. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
