The car was filled with the scent of premium cigars mixed with leather. Zhang Shouji leaned comfortably back in the leather seat, crossing his legs, and observed Li Zicheng, who sat stiffly beside him, appearing somewhat reserved.
"Zicheng," Zhang Shouji exhaled a smoke ring and slowly began, "Brother Ding Qing left us suddenly, and Goldmoon Group is now in a state of disarray. Many things still require the help of you old brothers."
Though he said this, there was no hint of a request in his tone; instead, it sounded more like he was assigning tasks.
"Chairman, you overstate it. These are all things I should do," Li Zicheng replied softly, his posture very humble.
"Mm," Zhang Shouji nodded in satisfaction, "I know that when you followed Ding Qing before, you gained many benefits. But now... times have changed."
He changed the subject, with a hint of warning, "I can overlook past matters. But from now on, you need to keep your eyes open and your hands clean. Follow me, Zhang Shouji, and you won't lack benefits. But if anyone is disloyal or still thinks of their old master..."
He didn't finish his sentence, only giving Li Zicheng a cold glance.
Li Zicheng felt a chill down his spine, not from fear, but from disgust.
He quickly lowered his head, "Chairman, rest assured, I, Li Zicheng, know my place. From now on, I will definitely follow your lead."
"Very good." Zhang Shouji smiled, seemingly pleased with his attitude. "I heard... Ding Qing's very capable bodyguard, what was his name... Night Owl? Is he still with you?"
Li Zicheng's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm. "Yes, Mr. Johnny... He is responsible for my safety. Does the Chairman need to see him?"
"Not for now," Zhang Shouji waved his hand, his eyes flickering. "I just heard he's very skilled. These are extraordinary times, and my safety is also very important. So, have him come to my office tomorrow. I have some 'private matters' I'd like him to help me handle."
He specifically emphasized the words "private matters," their meaning unclear.
Li Zicheng immediately understood. Zhang Shouji had tasted the sweetness of power and was eager to seize control of all the forces Ding Qing had left behind, including Johnny, that sharp blade.
Or, more likely, he wanted to test Johnny, or even... deal with this potential unstable factor.
"Yes, Chairman, I will bring him over first thing tomorrow morning," Li Zicheng respectfully agreed, but a cold sneer played in his heart.
"Mm." Zhang Shouji said no more, closing his eyes as if pretending to sleep, as if everything was already in his grasp.
The car drove in silence, heading towards an unknown, yet destined to be bloody, night.
Li Zicheng watched the scenery flash by outside the window, his fingers slightly curled at his side.
As the car continued, Li Zicheng realized that its direction seemed a bit off.
"Where is Director Zhang planning to take me?" Li Zicheng asked calmly, though he had already guessed what the other party intended to do.
Was he preparing to strike first?
On the side Zhang Shouji couldn't see, Li Zicheng's lips curved slightly.
Zhang Shouji didn't look at Li Zicheng; instead, he continued to watch the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, then sighed softly, "People, when they get older, always worry about this and that. Sometimes, a permanent solution is also a good choice."
How could Li Zicheng not understand the hidden meaning in Zhang Shouji's words? He just calmly asked, "Does Chief Jiang know you're doing this?"
Facing Li Zicheng's question, Zhang Shouji merely smiled faintly, "Hmph, he certainly doesn't know."
The reason Zhang Shouji could rise so quickly was due to Jiang Chenghao's backing, and his current actions were tantamount to betrayal.
But Zhang Shouji believed his wings were fully grown, so why should he fear?
Li Zicheng watched the scenery continuously recede, and the direction of travel seemed to be towards the harbor. He turned to look at Zhang Shouji with a puzzled and confused expression, "Then aren't you afraid Chief Jiang will find out if you do this? You haven't even secured the Chairman's position yet, and you're already throwing away a valuable asset like me."
But Zhang Shouji merely said indifferently, "Although you, this 'bowl,' are very important to me, without your supervision, I will be freer. Moreover, as long as I am careful, who would know that you would disappear without a trace?"
Clearly, in Zhang Shouji's eyes, the Goldmoon Group was now within his grasp, needing only the unanimous vote of all directors tomorrow to firmly secure the Chairman's position.
As for Li Zicheng, he could go to hell; his undercover identity would eventually create inconveniences for him.
Li Zicheng could only secretly curse Zhang Shouji for being so narrow-minded in his eagerness to eliminate him, but at this moment, he had no other recourse.
As the vehicle arrived at its destination, a group of people outside the car surrounded it. Zhang Shouji glanced at Li Zicheng, then gently raised his right hand, "It's time to get out, Director Li."
Li Zicheng only looked at him before opening the car door and stepping out. Immediately, the waiting gang members surrounded Li Zicheng.
After Zhang Shouji got out of the car, he looked at the surrounded Li Zicheng, the smile on his lips growing wider.
"Oh dear, I'm truly sorry to bring you to this place, but look, the scenery here is quite nice, suitable for your final resting place."
Zhang Shouji wore a look of apology, watching Li Zicheng, but the smiling expression on his face was utterly repulsive.
Li Zicheng looked at Zhang Shouji and said, "If you are willing to spare me, there is still room for reconciliation. What do you think, Director Zhang?"
But to Zhang Shouji's ears, this sentence sounded as if the other party was begging for mercy while also carrying a hint of threat.
"You, young man, really haven't understood the situation. Everyone around here is my man. You are here now, completely at my mercy. How dare you threaten me?"
Zhang Shouji looked around, then his gaze fell back on Li Zicheng. "You are far inferior to your big brother; he was much more intelligent and cunning than you."
Zhang Shouji walked up to Li Zicheng and continued, "I just didn't expect that after so many years following Ding Qing, you learned nothing."
Yet, he didn't notice that even surrounded by his subordinates, Li Zicheng showed no sign of panic on his face; instead, he continued to watch him with interest.
"Oh, the scenery here is really nice, and you'll get to see it every day from now on. Thank me!"
Zhang Shouji paid no attention to Li Zicheng's expression. In his view, this was merely a dying struggle. With his subordinates, did he still have a chance to resist?
As for the so-called Night Owl, in Zhang Shouji's opinion, he was merely a name without substance. He hadn't even been there to protect Li Zicheng; otherwise, he would have eliminated him too.
"Send Director Li on his way!" After talking with the other party for so long, Zhang Shouji was getting impatient, so he gave the order.
But at this moment, an unfamiliar voice sounded behind Zhang Shouji.
"I heard you wanted to see me?"
--Don't rush, let the bullets fly a little longer (laughs).
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