Ten years. Enough time for the prime generation to not even show signs of aging.
The ones who held power were all pioneers who had carved out their path through hardship.
None of them had reached the top by simply following a smooth, step-by-step transition.
Just like how Li Tianming had warned him not to underestimate Xiao Zhigang.
Anyone who had a name within the Safe Zone was a formidable figure who had fought their way to recognition after the apocalypse.
So, Qin Siyang had long seen through it all.
No matter how high their status was, they could not be trusted.
Seeing Chu Baxing, this reckless young man who didn't even bother to hide his blunt nature, was another wake-up call for him.
After observing for a while, Tang Wanjing chuckled, "Student Xiao Qin, I've made up my mind. How about we have a private chat?"
'A private chat?'
Qin Siyang's expression froze slightly.
'This isn't part of the original plan, is it?'
Chu Xiao'ang also asked, "Minister Tang, is there something you can't say in front of us, father and son? Could it be some slanderous words?"
Tang Wanjing smiled warmly, "Of course not. It's just that before I left, Secretary-General Gu reminded me to offer Student Xiao Qin some special conditions. Hopefully, this will allow the Management Department to obtain the Titan Foxtail Grass Inner Leaf Fragments."
"Special conditions—Commander Chu should understand, right? They can't be made public."
Since Tang Wanjing had brought up Gu Weiyang, Chu Xiao'ang couldn't say much more, "Then go ahead and discuss."
Qin Siyang nodded, "There's a spare meeting room next door. Principal Zhao said no one can eavesdrop there. Minister Tang, shall we?"
"Great, much appreciated."
The two of them left the room.
Chu Xiao'ang's gaze became somewhat serious before he turned toward Chu Baxing, who was sitting on the sofa.
"You brat, the moment you walked in, you were staring at the storage box. Are you afraid people won't know you're planning to steal it?"
Chu Baxing was momentarily stunned before asking, "Dad, aren't you afraid of being eavesdropped on?"
"This trivial matter? That scar-faced Zhao wouldn't bother monitoring me. I checked too. This room is indeed well-secured, no chance of being monitored or recorded."
Hearing this, Chu Baxing sighed slightly, "Even if you think I shouldn't steal it, I still have to. After all, it's to save Uncle Zheng's life."
Chu Xiao'ang's disappointment deepened, and he shook his head repeatedly, "How did I end up with such a stupid son like you?"
"You might as well drop dead!!"
Chu Baxing seemed used to his father's scoldings and kept his head down without responding.
"Do you think I'm saying you shouldn't steal?"
"Huh?"
Chu Baxing looked up in confusion.
"Then what do you mean, Dad?"
"Saving Old Zheng is more important than anything else!"
"I came here today with the goal of snatching the Titan Foxtail Grass Inner Leaf Fragments. I never planned on negotiating to obtain this material!"
"As long as Qin Siyang unlocks the special lock, I won't even give him a chance to showcase the item. I'll snatch the storage box right away, then negotiate conditions afterward."
"No matter how the negotiations go, I will take the item with me. Even if Zhao Longfei and Gu Weiyang block the door, I will never hand it over!"
Chu Baxing asked, "Then… Dad, why didn't you tell me?"
"With your dumb face that gives everything away, if I told you, wouldn't you expose it immediately?"
"I never expected that you, who never schemed in your life, would suddenly wise up today and think of outright robbery."
"But! You only wised up halfway!"
Chu Xiao'ang jabbed a finger at Chu Baxing's forehead, his face red with anger, "If you want to be a hero, act like one! If you're doing dirty work, be fully prepared for it!"
"When stealing from someone, how could you make it so obvious?"
"If you were planning to kill someone, would you go and tell them first?"
Chu Baxing stared blankly at his enraged father, momentarily speechless.
Chu Xiao'ang took two deep breaths to calm himself down, then waved his hand dismissively.
"I won't say anything else. At least you've made some progress by finally thinking things through."
"The key issue here—"
"This concerns Old Zheng's life. You know this. We even had a private talk about it before. I was worried you'd mess things up."
"And yet, I still didn't see this coming."
"At such a crucial moment, you made a huge decision without consulting me first."
"I really don't get what was going through your head."
"Did you think that because you're willing to go to any lengths to save Old Zheng, I'd stop you?"
Hearing this, the cold look in Chu Baxing's eyes trembled slightly, "I…"
"What do you mean 'I'? You've made reckless decisions before, but this time, it's about Old Zheng's life, and you're still being impulsive?"
"Originally, I could have demanded that Qin Siyang show the real goods. Trying to brush me off with a single photo, it's downright disrespectful."
"But because you stared at the box so blatantly, I had to swallow those words!"
"To limit Tang Wanjing's bargaining space for the Titan Foxtail Grass Inner Leaf Fragments, I just helped Qin Siyang raise the price. That means I've provoked him."
"Even though he's just a minister, I don't care about him. But he's not made of mud either. He's definitely scheming something right now. When those two come back out, who knows what kind of nonsense will happen?"
Chu Baxing was at a loss, slowly lowering his head, "Dad… I was wrong…"
"Admitting your mistake? This is the first time you've ever said that to me. Should I be happy?"
"But what's the use of an apology?"
"If we can't bring the Titan Foxtail Grass Inner Leaf Fragments back to the regiment today, then you better prepare to mourn Old Zheng!"
With that, Chu Xiao'ang sat back on the sofa.
One hand rubbed his forehead, his thick beard trembling slightly. His deep-set eyes revealed complicated thoughts.
Meanwhile, Chu Baxing looked utterly guilty, his hands tightly clasped together, eyes staring blankly at the ground.
———
On the other side—
Tang Wanjing and Qin Siyang sat on the sofa in the spare meeting room.
Qin Siyang politely poured a cup of water for Tang Wanjing, "Minister Tang, what special conditions do you have?"
"I have no special conditions."
"Huh?"
Qin Siyang was stunned, still holding the teapot, only realizing he had over-poured when the water spilled over.
"Minister Tang, are you joking with me?"
Tang Wanjing adjusted his glasses, "No. Calling you here means I have some private words to share."
"Please, go ahead."
"The idea of using a photo instead of the real item. Who taught you that? Principal Zhao?"
"I came up with it myself."
Tang Wanjing showed slight surprise, "You thought of it yourself? Quite the young genius."
"What do you mean, Minister Tang?"
"Nothing much. I just heard a little something. Chu Xiao'ang desperately needs the Titan Foxtail Grass Inner Leaf Fragments. If you had taken out the real item, he likely would have stolen it outright."
Qin Siyang thought for a moment before asking, "Minister Tang, since you knew about this, why didn't you warn me earlier?"
"Student Xiao Qin, you're a smart person, so I'll be direct."
"Who are you? And who is Chu Xiao'ang? I have no grudge against him, why would I interfere with his business?"
"Then why tell me now?"
"Well, since he just helped you raise the price against me, I'm feeling a little displeased."
Tang Wanjing was still smiling, but his eyes carried a cold glint.
"So, as a courtesy, I can help you raise the price against him, too."
[T/N: I mean, everyone in the room is smart enough to know what the other party is trying to do. Instead of pulling Qin Siyang into another room, he could've just gone with pulling the price up and Qin Siyang would have known.]
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