You went on a blind date and presented an A-level wanted criminal as a meeting gift?

The day after the celebration banquet, at 10 a.m.

Lin Chen did not go to the police station, nor did he go to the Ye Group.

He nestled in his safe house, sprawled on the sofa, idly flipping through channels with the remote control in his hand.

There were three takeout orders on the coffee table—two had already been eaten, and the third was getting cold.

Last night's chaotic celebration banquet had drained a lot of his mental energy.

It wasn't because of a fight, but because of trying to balance things out.

Dealing with the undercurrents of competition among four women is far more exhausting than chasing a storm at sea.

The phone rang.

Lin Chen glanced at the caller ID; it was an encrypted number, originating from Beijing.

He sat up straight.

The number of calls from Beijing that can get his number is very limited.

Lin Chen answered the call.

"Lin Chen".

The voice on the other end of the phone was deep and steady, carrying the composure that only someone who has been in a high position for many years possesses.

Su Jianguo.

Su Qingge's uncle is currently a powerful figure at the vice-ministerial level in a certain department in Beijing.

"Minister Su, why are you calling the encrypted line so early? What happened?"

Lin Chen's tone was neither humble nor arrogant.

Su Jianguo skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"The news that you took down the Chu family and the Tianqiong branch in Jiangcheng has caused an uproar in the capital."

"Explosion? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Yes, we have them all."

Su Jianguo lowered his voice by half a degree.

"The hornet's nest you stirred up is much bigger than you think. Chu Tianxiong of the Sky Dome Group is backed by the Xiao family of Beijing."

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Xiao family.

He vaguely heard the name in Night Owl's testimony, but as an executive, Night Owl had no access to information at that level.

"What is the Xiao family's status in the capital?"

"Let me put it this way."

Su Jianguo paused for a moment.

"If the Sky Dome Group is the dog that bites, then the Xiao family is the one holding the leash."

"They have deep roots in the energy, military, and financial sectors, and their protégés and former associates are spread across various key departments."

"Chu Tianxiong is at best a weapon for the Xiao family in the business arena. You have cut this weapon in Jiangcheng City, and the Xiao family will not let it go."

Lin Chen leaned back on the sofa, his mind already racing.

Su Jianguo continued, "A week from now, a special selection for national-level security advisors will be held in Beijing."

"This is a top-secret project directly authorized by the highest level. Talents with special abilities in counter-terrorism, intelligence, and cybersecurity will be selected from across the country to form a shadow think tank directly under the central government."

"The Xiao family is working to infiltrate their own people. Once they succeed, this think tank will become the Xiao family's second weapon, a hundred times sharper than the Sky Dome Group."

Lin Chen understood.

This is not just a selection process; it is a covert power struggle among various factions in the capital.

"You want me to cause trouble."

Lin Chen said.

"I'm not trying to cause trouble."

Su Jianguo's tone became more forceful.

"On behalf of the Su family, I formally invite you to participate in this selection as a core external aid. I know your abilities. Qingge has reported to me everything you have done: weather-based assassination, maritime pursuit, 800-meter sniping... Lin Chen, you are no ordinary person."

"The Su family needs you, but more importantly, the country needs people like you, not those parasites from the Xiao family who only engage in shady deals in the shadows."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Do you dare to come?"

Lin Chen stared at the ceiling, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

Although the case in Jiangcheng was thrilling, it was ultimately nothing more than a local power struggle.

No matter how big the pond is, it's still only so big.

The capital city is the real deep water zone.

He thought about Night Owl's dead fish eyes, Chu Tianxiong's arrogant face in the video conference, and Wang Defa's body lying on the golf course after being struck by lightning.

These people's lives are worth the trip he took.

"Minister Su."

Lin Chen's voice was so calm that it didn't sound like he was heading into a den of thieves.

"Jiangcheng's pond is indeed too small. Since the water in the capital is already muddy, I'll go and stir it up even more."

"Tell the Xiao family and the Tianqiong Group to wash their necks clean and wait for me."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Su Jianguo let out a low laugh.

"it is good."

"I'll have Qingge bring you the specific arrangements and intelligence documents."

"She also needs to return to Beijing to report on her work, and she can also serve as your contact person during the selection process."

"There's one more thing."

Su Jianguo's tone suddenly became unusually serious.

"The Xiao family has been operating in the capital for over thirty years. Their methods are not limited to commerce and politics. Once they enter the capital, every step they take, from eating and drinking to lodging and transportation, could be a trap."

"I know."

Lin Chen hung up the phone.

He stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the safe house.

The skyline of Jiangcheng City shimmered with a pale golden light in the morning sun.

He has been guarding this city for some time now, protecting the lives of 50,000 people, protecting Ye Qingcheng's business empire, and protecting the safety of everyone around him.

Now, it's time to go out for a walk.

Lin Chen took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts.

The first call was to Su Qingge.

"Pack your things. You should already know what Minister Su means."

Su Qingge hummed in response to the phone call, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of excitement.

I'll wait for your message.

The second call was to Ye Qingcheng.

"Qingcheng, can I borrow your underground lab in the suburbs for half a day tomorrow?"

Ye Qingcheng's voice was grumpy from just waking up.

"What time is it?"

"Seven o'clock in the morning."

"...Do you know what time I went to sleep?"

"I know, one o'clock in the morning."

"Then you should just forget about it."

"I'll send you the lab password. Your facial and palm print permissions have already been registered. Go straight there."

What equipment do you need?

"all."

Ye Qingcheng was silent for a second.

"What are you going to build?"

"Something to save your life."

"Okay, I'll arrange for the 'Alluring Beauty' to be on standby at the international airport this afternoon. When are you leaving?"

"The day after tomorrow afternoon."

"I send you."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chen tossed his phone back onto the coffee table and looked towards the northeast.

The capital city, two thousand kilometers away.

The heart of power in the Xia Kingdom.

There, you'll find the Xiao family, who have been entrenched for thirty years; Chu Tianxiong, burning with rage; and unseen undercurrents and schemes.

Lin Chen stretched his neck, and his joints made a series of cracking sounds.

It's time to go.

This dragon has had enough of staying in shallow water.