Deadly Trap.

Chapter 46. Parting Ways
"To be honest, I was also puzzled when Vain went missing." At this moment, Dai Ze's thick eyebrows furrowed.

"It's true that I was called away by the Zhou family at that time. It's also true that I picked up Miss Su along the way."

"But you sent me a message, telling the special forces to be careful, and I was worried. So I gave Vain's location to Cheng Shining. He has a limited time to solve the case, and he might even help with the surveillance."

"But then, to my surprise, Vain actually said he wanted to quit."

With the knife pointed directly at him, Dai Ze's face didn't seem to be lying. Gu Mufeng knew Dai Ze too well; understanding him was easier than reading a team report.

But if what Dai said is true, then how did the situation get out of control?
The enemy's series of actions, from the gunshot to the poisoning; from the kidnapping of Su Li to the death of Wang Yiheng, are all tainted with shady dealings. Could it be that Cheng Shining was bribed?
The worst possible scenario flashed through Gu Mufeng's mind. But it was impossible.

Honestly, he had known Cheng Shining for over eleven years. Although Chief Cheng was cunning, he was a man of principle and would never betray the underworld. Otherwise, Cheng Shining wouldn't have lost his future because of Xiao Fan.

Still unwilling to let Dai Ze go, Gu Mufeng pressed further: "How did you send Vain's location to Cheng Shining? By text message?"

"No. Let's not even talk about how we don't usually use text messages." Dai Ze was about to complain that Gu Mufeng never used social media, but he stopped himself in time. "Text messages just can't express things clearly. I just, uh."

At this moment, Dai Ze seemed flustered. Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow, and his eyes met Gu Mufeng's for a brief moment.

He immediately lowered his gaze: "I just... used a little bit of your privileges. Could you please ask the IT consultant in the team, Wei—"

Suddenly, Dai realized what was happening. He exclaimed, "Could it be?"

With a thud, the Tang sword fell to the ground. Gu Mufeng sighed deeply, "As expected, it's him again."

Throughout the entire process, Gu Mufeng had his doubts about Song Weiyuan. After all, the latter had the overall position of the team. However, considering that Song Weiyuan was unaware of the mission, Gu Mufeng only used a team meeting as an opportunity to subtly and appropriately warn him.

Unexpectedly, the information came from Dai Ze.

Gu Mufeng narrowed his eyes.

It's not surprising that Song Weiyuan, desperate for money to treat his illness, was bribed. But precisely because Gu Mufeng already knew this, he couldn't help but be even more curious:
Given the exceptional treatment he gave Song Weiyuan, what outrageous price could the enemy possibly offer for Gu Mufeng's head?

"Mu Fei, since that's the case, shouldn't we...?"

Seeing Gu Mufei's cold and resolute gaze, Dai cautiously pressed further: "However, since this involves a major online matter for the entire group, I'm afraid we can't just find anyone to replace him."

“That’s not difficult.” Gu Mufeng scoffed at Dai Ze. He always had a backup plan.

He has no interest in "erasing" the other party; but he can certainly make anyone regret their actions. He has zero tolerance for substantial betrayal.

"As for you, you'd better cut ties with Cheng Shining immediately and not let him lead you by the nose. Even if he has a shred of good intentions, his motives are impure. Dai Ze, you're a capable man, but your scheming is utterly disgraceful."

"But--"

"I heard what you said today." Gu Mufeng lowered his eyes slowly, his voice becoming even more subdued.

Immediately, without letting his emotions cloud his judgment, Gu Mufeng swung his Tang sword in a clean flourish. A flash of blood appeared at the tip of the blade, and he calmly sheathed it.

“But now it’s impossible for me to back down. Dai Ze, do you know about the poisoning?” His eyes were still fixed on Dai Ze as he asked in a cold voice.

"Poisoning?" Dai looked completely confused. "What poisoning?"

Gu Mufeng's expression softened, and he finally felt truly relieved. However, he had no choice but to recount Li Enzuo's discovery and the almost entirely deleted scenes from last night once again.

This is the second time. He hopes he will never have to say it a third time in his life.

"Mu Fei!"

Hearing Gu Mufeng speak calmly and detachedly, Dai Ze was already dumbfounded. Before Gu Mufeng could finish speaking, Dai Ze couldn't help but grab Gu Mufeng's shoulders with both hands.

"Are you... are you alright?"

Unable to suppress a laugh, Gu Mufeng chuckled, "What do you think?"

Despite being rendered speechless by his old friend's teasing remark, Dai Ze felt a deep and heartfelt gratitude. He was grateful that Gu Mufei was still standing in front of him, mocking him. Otherwise, he would have no face to meet Xiao Fan in heaven. "Although, I guess it was luck."

After a laugh, Gu Mufeng shook his head helplessly. Man proposes, God disposes. However, this time, good fortune was on his side. But he couldn't always rely on luck.

"Come in and let's talk." One after the other, Gu Mufeng and Dai Ze followed closely as they walked from the oppressive front hall into the bright living room.

As Gu Mufeng lightly kicked the wall and hid the Tang sword back in the umbrella stand, Dai Ze, sitting in the sunken living room, seemed utterly bewildered. He suddenly slapped his forehead:
"Wait, Mu Fei, you said that the other side only wanted you to open the city without bloodshed and steal the financing and intelligence network you built. But why, on New Year's Day, did they suddenly become so determined to kill you? Has something changed behind this?"

"If I had to say, the only reason I can think of is because of Yi Heng," Gu Mufeng walked away from the cabinet. He paused, then continued, "it can only be because of Yi Heng."

"Because of money?" Dai asked incredulously.

With his arms crossed, Gu Mufeng silently gazed out from the apartment building's facade. Beneath his feet lay the entire city center of Minhang: bustling streets and towering buildings standing side by side. The river flowed eastward.

When he spoke again, his voice unconsciously deepened:
"Yesterday, the enemy must have kidnapped Yiheng while I was at the banquet. Initially, they probably only intended to target finance. After all, in the past few years, both Tianxing and Dilong in Minzhou have been suppressed by us and have been unable to breathe."

“That’s why I arranged to keep a close eye on Yi Heng, but in the end…” Gu Mufeng’s throat tightened with bitterness.

"Wang Yiheng was clearly tortured before his death, and eventually confessed the truth." His voice was dry, and it was impossible to tell whether he was angry or remorseful.

Gu Mufeng clenched his fist, his expression somber:

"Although Yiheng is nominally in charge of the group's investment and financing, he is actually only in charge of supervision and has no decision-making power. For the past seven years, I have personally managed all the group's finances."

He paused for a moment, then said, "But I was too busy to manage everything, so I entrusted part of my private property to Yiheng for management."

"Private property? What?"

In the reflection of the curtain wall, Dai leaned forward, his body bent over. Gu Mufeng's explanation only confused him more: Since when had Gu Mufeng's private property become so important?

“It’s just some of the old assets. But among them, there’s a trust fund…” Subconsciously, Gu Mufeng’s gaze stopped on the pigeon-blood red ring on his right hand.

He clenched his fist slightly, staring blankly at the ring.

He had lent this ring to Su Li with selfish motives, but she easily took it off, so lightly that it caused him a dull ache in his heart.

When he spoke again, his calm voice was almost completely silent, as if he were talking to himself: "Nineteen years...that's a long time, isn't it?"

Dai suddenly realized. So that's how it is.

Already suspecting something was wrong, Dai watched as Gu Mufeng pulled out his phone: usually so careful, yet his screen was cracked. Gu Mufeng quickly dialed a number.

A moment later, Quenxus entered the living room: "Boss."

"Hasn't the Gu family always wanted to meet?"

Since that person is so eager to see us, then let's grant him this favor.

Before the curtain wall, a dark glint appeared in his eyes beneath his slicked-back hair. Gu Mufeng raised an eyebrow dismissively:

"I agree. You can arrange a time."

>>>>>
Next Chapter: A Thousand Pieces of Gold to Win a Beauty's Smile

[Author's Note | Chapter 46]

Who could have imagined that the New Year's Eve banquet of the Minzhou business community would end so disgracefully, with such a destructive and humiliating outcome?
After Gu Mufeng takes Su Li away, what will happen between the two of them?

Has any of you guessed the next chapter?
Tell the author your thoughts in the comments section, and following the story will make the author's writing even sweeter!

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(End of this chapter)