Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

DOA Company, second floor tactical training room.

The air still held the lingering scent of cigars and the spiciness of the liquor.

Lu Chen held the business card with "Xinji Antiques" printed on it in his hand, his fingers gently stroking the raised patterns on the paper. The smile on his lips gradually widened, finally turning into a soft chuckle.

"I searched high and low without finding it, but then it came to me effortlessly."

Fourth Brother looked at his boss with some curiosity: "Boss, is there anything special about this Wu Xin? I've read the investigation report. He's just a seasoned veteran who's been coasting along in Macau. Although he's quite skilled and can restore antiques and paintings, he's not exactly a high achiever."

"Fourth brother, you can't judge a person by appearances alone."

Lu Chen casually placed the business card on the table, his gaze deepening. "Do you know what the most valuable painting in the world is?"

"Picasso? Van Gogh?" Fourth Brother asked tentatively.

"No." Lu Chen shook his head, took out a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket, and flicked it lightly. "It's this one."

"Franklin."

Lu Chen's voice was deep and seductive. "Wu Xin is not just an antique dealer; he is the best lithography artist in all of Asia, and even the world. Given enough materials and time, he can create 'super US dollars' that even a banknote detector can't distinguish."

Upon hearing the words "super dollar," Fourth Brother's pupils contracted sharply. As a seasoned veteran, he knew exactly what that meant. It was a money printing press, the key to boundless wealth, and a forbidden technology that drove all gangsters and governments mad.

"Boss, you mean..." Fourth Brother's voice was a little hoarse.

"I've been asking Brother Long and you to keep an eye out for a painter named 'Ruan Wen' or a ruthless character codenamed 'Painter' in the underworld, but we haven't heard anything."

Lu Chen stood up, walked to the tactical whiteboard, picked up a black marker, and said, "This is normal. A true 'Painter' is meticulous, acts flawlessly, and has extremely high counter-surveillance capabilities. She is like a spider hiding in the shadows, weaving a huge web, but never easily showing herself."

"So now...?"

"The 'Painter' is a ghost, she is perfect. But the people under her command are not."

Lu Chen heavily circled the name "Wu Xin" with his pen. "Wu Xin, known in the industry as Uncle Xin. He is a veteran of two generations of 'Painters,' and an uncle who watched 'Painters' grow up, but he is not as smart as the painters."

In the movie "Project Gutenberg", it was because Wu Xin broke the rules and arrogantly used counterfeit money to buy an antique clock, thinking that the super-US dollar was foolproof, that the police followed the clues and found his whereabouts, which ultimately led to the downfall of the entire counterfeit money group.

What Lu Chen needs to do now is to use Wu Xin to lure out that "painter".

Lu Chen turned around and looked at his fourth brother. "This is the Achilles' heel of that seemingly perfect counterfeit money empire. As long as we capture Wu Xin, we'll have grasped the thread connecting the ghost and reality."

"Understood."

A glint of light flashed in Fourth Brother's (Rum's) eyes. As a seasoned veteran, he instantly understood Lu Chen's intention.

"Fourth Brother, bring me paper and pen."

Soon, Fourth Brother handed over sketching paper and a pencil.

Relying on his memories of movies from his previous life, and combined with his sketching skills from university, Lu Chen's pencil flew across the paper.

rustling...

A few minutes later, a woman's portrait appeared on the paper.

She had neat, medium-length hair, and her features were delicate yet exuded a coldness. Her eyes held a detached indifference that seemed to have seen through the world, along with a hint of ruthlessness that was hard to detect. It was an aura that perfectly blended the madness of an artist with the cool composure of a criminal genius.

"Remember this face."

Lu Chen handed the portrait to his fourth brother, "Her name is Ruan Wen, Wu Xin's boss."

Fourth Brother took the portrait, examined it carefully, and imprinted the woman's appearance deeply in his mind.

"Boss, what do you mean?"

"Send your most astute brothers to Macau to keep a close eye on Wu Xin," Lu Chen ordered. "Remember, just keep an eye on him, absolutely do not alert him. People in this line of work are very perceptive; once they sense something is amiss, the lead is lost."

"Keep a close eye on his movements. If he plans to go out, especially away from Macau, or if a mysterious person who looks like the woman in the painting goes to his antique shop to see him, report to me immediately."

"Understood!" Fourth Brother put away the portrait, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. The distillery had just been established and already had two big projects, which filled him, the "rumman," with enthusiasm.

……

The next two days were uneventful.

These past two days, Lu Chen went to Jiahe to handle official business in the mornings, visited Ruan Mei at the Sanatorium & Hospital at noon, and went to the design department to check on Laura and the newcomers' adjustment period whenever he had time in the afternoons. In the evenings, he went to Luo Jun's boxing gym to practice boxing as usual.

Garreau's new season designs are already taking shape under Laura's leadership. The "wandering aristocrat" style has given the whole collection a fresh look, and even Lu Chen couldn't help but nod in approval after seeing them.

Everything seemed to be proceeding in an orderly manner.

Until the evening of the third day.

DOA Company, fifth-floor office.

As Lu Chen was reviewing the financial statements submitted by Song Zihao, Fourth Brother knocked on the door and came in.

"Boss, the fish is moving."

"What's going on? Explain in detail."

"Our brothers who went to Macau reported that Wu Xin suddenly closed his shop at noon today, picked up an old leather suitcase, and boarded a ferry to Hong Kong Island," Fourth Brother reported. "Our men followed him carefully and found that after arriving at Sheung Wan Pier, he did not go into the city, but instead directly transferred to a ferry to the outlying islands."

"An outlying island?" Lu Chen raised an eyebrow. "Which island?"

"An old residential building in Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island."

Fourth Brother spread the photos out on the table. "The brothers didn't dare to get too close; they only dared to observe from a distance using binoculars. Wu Xin went into a three-story building and stayed in a room on the second floor for the entire afternoon."

Lu Chen picked up the photo and examined it carefully.

In the photo, Wu Xin is carrying something and looks relaxed, but his eyes keep glancing left and right, obviously checking if there are any tails.

"What's even more interesting is this."

Fourth Brother pointed to the last photo.

It was taken at dusk, so the light was dim. Wu Xin was standing on the second-floor balcony smoking, and behind him, through the glass door, the silhouette of a woman could be vaguely seen.

The woman was wearing loose-fitting loungewear, holding a glass of red wine, and looking out the window. Though somewhat blurry, her aloof demeanor and the contours of her profile...

It's her.

Lu Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and a victorious smile appeared on his lips. "It's the woman in the portrait."

"The guys keeping watch initially thought it was Wu Xin's mistress," Fourth Brother said with a laugh. "After all, that place is remote and there aren't many tourists, so it's indeed a good place to keep a mistress. But when they compared it with the portrait you gave us, boss, they were shocked and quickly sent the photo back."

"mistress?"

Lu Chen sneered, "Wu Xin doesn't have the guts. That's his boss, his 'god of wealth'."

Who would have thought that the daughter of a famous "painter" would be hiding in a typical Lamma Island home filled with local life?

This is what is known as "the darkest place is under the lamp".

"very good."

Lu Chen's voice was calm and decisive. "Have the brothers keeping watch continue, but don't alert them. If they try to leave, report it immediately, and I'll send someone to invite her back for a good cup of tea."

"yes!"

After hanging up the phone, Lu Chen leaned back in his chair and pressed the internal call button on the table.

Now that we've found the right person, we can't wait any longer, lest things get complicated.

"Ah Sheng, come to my office."

A moment later, the office door was pushed open.

Tian Yangsheng entered silently, like a cheetah. He was dressed in a black tactical suit, his face expressionless, except for the occasional glint of light in his eyes, indicating that he was at his peak.

"Boss."

"There's a job that requires your personal attention."

Lu Chen pushed the photos and address on the table in front of Tian Yangsheng.

"Lamma Island, Yung Shue Wan. This woman."

Tian Yangsheng glanced at the photo, memorized the location and the woman's features, then looked up: "Kill?"

"No, please."

Lu Chen emphasized the word "please" deliberately, "She is a very important guest. I want you to bring her to me unharmed."

"Be careful..."

Lu Chen changed the subject, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable. "This woman is dangerous and intelligent. Since she dares to live there, there must be security measures in place around her, and she may even have bodyguards protecting her. Try not to cause any deaths."

"Understood." Tian Yangsheng nodded.

"in addition……"

Lu Chen took an envelope from the drawer and tossed it to Tian Yangsheng.

"Here's some cash. I've divided it among the brothers who were keeping watch. Ten thousand each. The guy who took the photos of Ruan Wen gets an extra ten thousand. Tell them to keep their mouths shut. Take the money and go to Macau for a few days. Keep this a secret."

"receive!"