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Chapter 349 The attack was too sudden, a great start.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire city was shrouded in rain.

Even in this kind of weather, the streets below were still bustling with traffic, and the prosperous scene did not fade in the slightest due to the wind and rain.

Inside the luxurious top-floor office of the Yuanchen Group Building.

Chen Chen sat behind his executive desk, holding his phone in both hands, his knuckles trembling slightly.

He held his breath, his face tense, as if awaiting a verdict concerning his life and fortune.

Secretary Liu stood quietly to the side, leaning forward, listening intently with a similarly tense expression.

A slightly unruly male voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Chief Chen, the person you wanted to kill has been dealt with, and very cleanly. We guarantee that not even a scrap of flesh will be found."

"Please have the remaining money ready within a week, and pay it all in cash."

"Remember, we don't like to wait for people. If you're a day late, someone will come to collect it."

"As for whether they'll take money or some other part of your body, that depends on the assassin's mood that day. Don't blame me for not warning you..."

The voice on the phone was arrogant, openly threatening this underworld tycoon.

"Yes Yes!"

Chen Chen, however, didn't seem to care and readily agreed:

"Please rest assured, Mr. Xiaosai, and please rest assured, your organization, I, Chen, guarantee with my own reputation that the final payment will arrive on time."

His tone carried a hint of respect that even he himself was unaware of.

With a "beep," the call ended.

A brief silence fell over the office.

The next second, "Bang!"

Chen Chen slammed his hand on the table, the heavy mahogany executive desk making a dull thud.

He jumped up from his chair, his face flushed, his eyes blazing with long-suppressed ecstasy:

"He's dead! He's really dead!"

Secretary Liu, recovering from her shock as she stared at the seemingly deranged Chen Chen, tentatively asked:
"Chairman, Lord Scorpion... was he really killed just like that?"

"Can't be wrong!"

Chen Chen nodded vigorously, his voice trembling slightly:
"You can tell from the tone of that dashing kid that he wasn't lying to me."

Upon hearing this, Secretary Liu's face was still filled with disbelief.

It's important to understand that Poison Scorpion is not a low-ranking cadre like Xu Hao.

This person is extremely powerful, ranking among the top three in the entire Noah Organization's Eastern Capital branch.

Even if the three guardians of the Red Tiger Gang had joined forces to attack, they might not have been a match for him.

Moreover, the Poison Scorpion possesses unpredictable and mysterious abilities, capable of killing without leaving a trace.

Even though they acted as traitors and provided some intelligence to the other side, it was only scratching the surface; they never truly understood the extent of the other side's abilities.

Therefore, in Secretary Liu's view, if that mysterious expert could severely injure the scorpion through a sneak attack, rendering it unable to move, it would be a great success.

This was already within their expectations, and it was a very good result.

As for finding the opportunity to completely annihilate that monster in less than two days.

This was truly beyond their imagination.

Secretary Liu hesitated for a moment, but still broke Chen Chen's excitement by suggesting:

"Chairman, this is a very important matter. Should we... double-check it?"

This suggestion was like a bucket of cold water, causing the excitement on Chen Chen's face to fade slightly, and a trace of doubt immediately surfaced in his mind.

"Send someone to investigate."

Upon hearing Chen Chen's order, Secretary Liu immediately nodded, walked to the side, and dialed a phone.

The ensuing wait became exceptionally long.

Chen Chen paced back and forth in his office.

Sometimes he would stop in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and look at the city in the rain, and sometimes he would sit back in his chair in frustration, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously.

Secretary Liu stood still, but his frequent glances at his watch betrayed his inner turmoil.

Half an hour later, the phone rang abruptly.

Secretary Liu quickly answered the phone and put it on speakerphone.

"Brother Liu, the police have cordoned off the entire building at No. 444 Linjiang Avenue and put up a police line to prevent anyone from getting close."

"I asked around in the police force, and apparently a very gruesome murder happened here last night. A woman's body has already been carried out..."

"Also, this seems to be the hiding place of the 'Rainy Night Butcher' who caused so much panic recently."

"Did the police catch the Rain Night Butcher?"

Upon hearing this, Secretary Liu immediately pressed for details.

"It shouldn't be yet. They've kept the details very tightly under wraps. All we know is that the perverted sex fiend's whereabouts are unknown and he hasn't been caught yet."

"Okay, you stay there and report any developments immediately."

The phone hangs up.

"It seems it really is true..."

Secretary Liu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Chen Chen and analyzed:

"Chairman, according to Scorpion's habits, whether it is carrying out missions or daily life, he prefers to appear at night and rarely shows his face during the day."

"444 Linjiang Avenue is one of the hiding places we provided to that hitman, Scorpion. The police found evidence there, but he wasn't there. He's probably in grave danger..."

Chen Chen nodded slightly, his excited expression lessened compared to before, but now showing a hint of awe.

The killing of a master of Scorpion's caliber was nothing short of a bombshell for the Noah Organization's Eastern Capital branch.

This news can't be kept secret anytime soon; it will probably spread throughout the entire underworld.

"Xiao Liu."

Chen Chen sat back in his large executive chair, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "How's the fundraising going?"

"I'm trying to figure something out."

Secretary Liu looked troubled:
"Chairman, as you know, most of our funds are transferred through multiple layers of nested overseas accounts and shadow companies. To withdraw such a large amount of clean cash in a short period of time is a very complicated process and could easily attract attention."

“We must speed up!”

Chen Chen emphasized, "They only gave us a week. If we exceed that time, we can't afford the consequences..."

He paused for a moment, not saying the rest of his words, but Secretary Liu already understood.

Those assassin organizations never reason with you.

Secretary Liu nodded in acceptance, then sighed softly:
"I originally thought that the other party would need at least one to two weeks to figure out the situation and make preparations before taking action. I didn't expect him to act so decisively."

"I didn't expect that either."

Chen Chen also sighed, then changed the subject, his eyes flashing with ambition.

"But isn't this better?"

"The sooner the scorpion dies, the faster the restraints on us will be released, allowing us to act more freely!"

Chen Chen's thoughts raced, and now he was almost certain.

The man behind the dashing facade was the mastermind behind the dockside warehouse massacre.

Even the complete annihilation of Noah's entire pursuit team at the waste treatment plant was the work of their organization.

If someone can kill a scorpion so easily, they are certainly capable of doing all that.

A mysterious organization with terrifying strength, daring to confront Noah head-on...

This may be the perfect opportunity to break free from control and start anew.

Thinking of this, Chen Chen looked at his trusted confidant and continued the conversation:

"Our relationship with this hitman is currently just a simple employer-employee relationship. During our last meeting, he did not express any intention to cooperate further."

"Now that the scorpion is dead, the deal is done. But it won't be so easy to reconnect in the future."

Secretary Liu immediately understood the chairman's intention, and after a moment's thought, suggested:
"Chairman, we can consider starting with Xiaosa."

"Oh?"

"Since we intend to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with the other party, we must have a stable and reliable communication channel."

“Xiao Sa was originally a member of our Red Tiger Gang. We know his background very well, so he is the most suitable person to be the middleman.”

“We can give him a nominal position as an advisor to Yuanchen Group. It sounds prestigious, but it doesn’t involve core business. We can use this title to win him over and get him to do his best to maintain this line.”

“In the future, we can use him to establish a relationship with the top leaders of that organization, gradually gain their trust, and eventually deeply bind the interests of both sides to form a more solid alliance.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen hesitated slightly:
"Would a member of an assassin organization be willing to come back and rejoin our Red Tiger Gang?"

"Will do."

Secretary Liu answered affirmatively:

"From my observation, Xiao Sa's strength and family background are quite ordinary. Although he seems to have a certain voice in that organization, he should not be a core member. He is more like an external liaison."

"That's precisely why he needs a respectable identity and a stable income to improve his life." "We give him these benefits, and he helps us maintain good relations. It's beneficial for both of us, and I think that organization is also happy to see us take the initiative to show goodwill."

"This idea sounds good, but the price seems a bit too high..."

Chen Chen stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before saying, "I'll think about it some more. You may leave now."

"Yes, Chairman."

Secretary Liu bowed and took his leave.

Chen Chen was the only one left in the office.

He slowly got up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Looking down at the vast city below, which was still operating in an orderly manner despite the rain.

The flush on her face had not completely faded, but deep in her eyes burned a fierce ambition.

The scorpion died, and the mountain that had been weighing on his head was finally removed.

Now it's time for him to show his skills.

....................................

crackling-

A string of firecrackers exploded at the gate of the courtyard, deafeningly loud.

The shattered red paper scraps, scattered and dancing in the air with the smell of gunpowder, resembled a lively red rain.

Fang Cheng threw away the thin bamboo pole he was using to light the firecrackers and clapped his hands.

Turning around, I saw the smiles on my family's faces.

"Good! Loud enough!"

Uncle Li Dingjian shouted at the top of his lungs, "This is called 'Good luck at the beginning of the year,' and it's also called 'house-protecting cannon.'"

"You guys, be careful not to get any sparks on yourselves."

Mother Li Biyun gave repeated instructions, but the curve of her lips betrayed her inner joy.

My maternal grandfather, Li Zhenhua, was dressed in a brand-new dark-colored Tang suit and looked very energetic.

He looked at the newly pasted couplets under the green tiles and white walls, his eyes almost overflowing with satisfaction:

"It's great that it's lively. With people around, the house will come alive. From now on, this will be our home in Dongdu."

Fang Cheng walked over with a smile and took his grandfather's arm:

"Grandpa, let's go inside and take a look. Uncle put a lot of effort into renovating this house."

This courtyard is located on the old street of Wanghu Town.

From the outside, the green tiles and white walls, with their upturned eaves and antique style, blend seamlessly with the overall scenery of the street.

After nearly two months of renovation, the interior has been completely transformed.

The courtyard was paved with non-slip bluestone slabs, and an elegant flower bed was built in the corner.

Under the two large, already lush trees, a stone table and benches were placed on one tree, and a sturdy swing set was erected on the other.

In summer, one can imagine how leisurely and pleasant it would be to relax and cool off here.

Pushing open the heavy, carved door, a scent mixed with a faint aroma of wood and fresh air wafts out.

The interior design style is a blend of traditional and modern elements.

The living room features a set of sleek mahogany sofas and a coffee table, while several ink paintings with a profound artistic conception hang on the wall.

Looking up, the ceiling is a flat design without a main light, and the hidden central air conditioning vents ensure a comfortable temperature.

The floor is covered with warm and smooth oak flooring, which makes no sound when you step on it.

"Dad, look, isn't this TV big enough? It's 85 inches. You can watch the news and operas when you have nothing to do; it won't hurt your eyes."

Li Dingjian pointed to the LCD TV that took up almost half the wall, and proudly introduced it as if showing off a treasure:
"And this, a fully automatic massage chair. I'll set up the program for you later, so you can use it every day to improve blood circulation."

Li Biyun, however, was more concerned with practicality. She touched the standing water dispenser next to the sofa, then looked at the brand-new air purifier in the corner, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Dingjian, you've thought of everything. These appliances are all from big brands, so Dad can use them with peace of mind."

"Of course, it's for my dad, how could I be careless?"

Li Dingjian laughed heartily.

"Grandpa, I've also prepared a gift for you to congratulate you on your housewarming."

As Fang Cheng spoke, he picked up a long, rectangular brocade box from the side.

"You silly child, we're all family, why bring a gift?"

Li Zhenhua complained, but the wrinkles on his face deepened with his smile.

Fang Cheng opened the box, and a beautifully framed hanging scroll slowly unfolded.

In the painting, several ancient pine trees stand tall beside a mountain stream.

Two red-crowned cranes stood gracefully, one with its neck outstretched, the other with its head bowed as it foraged for food, against a backdrop of distant mountains shrouded in mist.

"Shouldn't this be called... 'Pine and Crane Longevity Painting'?"

Li Zhenhua's eyes lit up. He carefully stretched out his finger and gently brushed it across the surface of the scroll, feeling the texture of the paper.

"Yes."

Fang Cheng smiled and explained:
"This is an authentic work by the modern master Liu Haisu. It is not particularly rare, but the painting is exquisite and the meaning is auspicious. The pine and crane symbolize longevity and peace in the home, making it perfect for hanging in the living room."

"Great painting, great meaning!"

Grandpa praised repeatedly, "Chengcheng is so thoughtful. I like this painting. I'll hang it on the wall behind the sofa."

Seeing the old man's heartfelt joy, Li Biyun and Li Dingjian smiled at each other.

"Alright, we've looked at the painting. It's getting late, I'll go make dinner."

Li Biyun rolled up her sleeves and prepared to head to the kitchen.

"Sis, why don't you take a break?"

Li Dingjian tried to dissuade him: "I had already contacted the hotel's head chef to bring two apprentices over to cook a meal, so you wouldn't have to go through all that trouble."

"That won't work!"

Li Biyun immediately shook her head, her attitude resolute:

"The first meal after moving in must be cooked by yourself, so that your life will become more and more prosperous. This is called the 'first meal after moving in' or the 'housewarming feast.' If you let others cook for you, it will take away the family's good fortune."

"Your sister is right."

Li Zhenhua chimed in from the side: "In our hometown, we still have to cook rice with new rice, which symbolizes that the rice jar will always be full and the family will prosper."

"Alright, I'll do as you say."

Li Dingjian smiled and raised his hands in surrender.

"Mom, I'll help you."

Fang Cheng followed his mother to the kitchen.

The kitchen is spacious and bright, and fully equipped with all necessary kitchen utensils.

The house is fully equipped with a brand-new double-door refrigerator, a built-in oven, and a dishwasher, as well as a large central island.

Fang Cheng put on his apron and began to skillfully prepare the ingredients.

The iron pot was scalding hot on the stove, and the oil sizzled as it was poured into it.

With a flick of his wrist, the sliced ​​kidneys slid into the pot, and as the ladle danced, flames leaped more than a foot high from the edge of the pot.

The ladle struck the side of the pot, making a crisp sound.

The sauce was poured along the edge of the pot, instantly releasing a rich aroma.

Before long, a plate of "spicy stir-fried pork kidneys" was ready, with a bright red color and a fragrant aroma.

"Chengcheng, your cooking skills are getting better and better! You're almost as good as a hotel chef!"

Li Biyun, standing to the side, glanced at it and praised it generously.

Fang Cheng smiled slightly, looking at the notification message that had quietly appeared before him:
[Cooking experience +1].

Li Biyun was carefully rinsing the leaves and roots of the green vegetables under the tap, muttering to herself:

"This kitchen is really nicely decorated; it's almost bigger than our living room. Your uncle really knows how to spend money."

"Just a few months ago, he was doing nothing, sighing and complaining about the money for Dad's surgery. I never imagined that he would buy Dad a house and renovate it without batting an eye..."

Li Biyun sighed, her words tinged with a mixture of relief and emotion.

Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng felt a slight stirring in his heart.

My grandfather's retirement home has finally been resolved.

Next, I should consider finding a better place for my mother to live.

As for the money?

That's no longer an issue.

Before long, I will be a true millionaire.

(End of this chapter)