Chapter 31

"Alright, let's work together pleasantly." Wang Xing finally agreed.

At this moment, the assistant brought in new drinks, a bottle of Perrier, but she still had to make another trip to fetch the contract that had already been printed.

The contract was drafted by the legal department of Qing Shi High-Tech. The terms were not harsh, as a contract could not bind someone like Wang Xing; only a generous remuneration could secure his loyalty and service.

Wang Xing skimmed through the contract and signed his name on the last page. This was a labor contract, so he didn't need to pay any personal income tax, saving him a lot of money. The fixed monthly income of 10,000 yuan was enough to cover his mortgage and even buy some nutritional supplements for his wife.

An Xin took a credit card and a folding key from the drawer and said, "This credit card is for your business expenses, and this is the car key. You can drive it away now."

Wang Xing looked at the card, which was a China Merchants Bank Amex Platinum Card, available only to invited users with extremely high credit limits. This was a company card, not a personal one, intended for business use. His salary would be paid separately. The key had four rings, indicating it was for an Audi A6, a car with excellent performance, suitable for city driving, and low-key and prestigious, making it appropriate for entering and exiting government and corporate offices without any loss of dignity, unlike the more conspicuous BMWs and Mercedes.

It seemed An Xin had thought everything through.

The assistant brought out two champagne glasses from somewhere and poured mineral water into them. An Xin and Wang Xing each took a glass, clinked them together, and toasted to the success of their cooperation.

"Mr. Wang, I want to know your thoughts on the Gu Changjun case," An Xin said, sitting back in her seat and formally asking the question.

After signing the contract, Wang Xing became a security consultant for Qing Shi High-Tech, obligated to answer all questions. He pondered for a moment and said, "The case isn't complicated, but it's deep. The higher-ups are unwilling to continue the investigation due to strong resistance. People from the city and provincial levels have spoken out against it, and the police are also unwilling to pursue it further. It's a minefield, and a superficial resolution is enough."

"Can you confirm that Wang Shifeng was behind it?" An Xin leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Wang Xing.

Wang Xing shook his head. "I can't confirm it. Personally, I don't think Wang Shifeng would do something so extreme. He's an old-school thug, worships Guan Yu, and can talk his way out of most situations. He wouldn't kill a child."

An Xin took out a cigarette and lit it. "Help me investigate and find out who's behind it. I want a complete list."

Wang Xing thought to himself that the 10,000 yuan a month was indeed a hot potato, but he still agreed. "Give me some time."

"Alright, I'll wait for your good news." An Xin shook hands with Wang Xing again. The assistant opened the door, signaling that Wang Xing could leave.

When Wang Xing reached the first-floor lobby, the security guard saluted him and handed him an envelope. Inside was a Qing Shi High-Tech access card, gold-edged, with a chip and magnetic strip, and his name and photo printed on it. The photo was taken when he entered, and the card was made on the spot, showing high efficiency.

"How do I use this card?" Wang Xing asked the security guard.

"Swipe it where there's a slot, or wave it where there isn't. It's a contactless card. This is a gold card for directors, allowing you to mobilize vehicles and personnel. It has a high level of access," the security guard explained. The security guards at Qing Shi High-Tech were carefully selected, tall, and well-built young men with at least a college education and high standards.

"Can you help me find a driver to take my car back?" Wang Xing asked.

The security guard nodded. "Sure." He immediately picked up the phone and called a colleague.

Wang Xing handed his Jetta car keys to the man, gave him the address, and had him drive the car back. He then went down to the underground parking lot, pressed the Audi key, and the lights of a black Audi A6L flashed in the distance.

This was a 3.0-liter Audi A6L, front-wheel drive, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a powerful engine, much better than the standard government version of the Audi A6. Wang Xing sat in the car, enjoying the luxurious atmosphere, feeling quite pleased. This car was far superior to his old Jetta.

Luxury cars have keyless start. Wang Xing pressed the start button, and the 3.0-liter, 299-horsepower, mechanically supercharged six-cylinder engine started with a barely noticeable sound, almost indistinguishable from when it was off.

...

Liu Handong woke up and went to the second floor. Zhu Xiaoqiang was still intensely playing games. A KFC cup was on the left corner of the computer desk, and a box of tissues was on the right. The room had a strange smell, a mix of stinky feet and stale instant noodle soup.

"Zhu Xiaoqiang, can you die without playing games? It's such a nice day, go out for a walk, meet some girls, or something. What's the point of sitting in front of the computer all day?" Liu Handong said from behind him.

Zhu Xiaoqiang took off his headphones and smiled sheepishly, reluctantly exiting the game. "Brother Dong, why don't you go online?"

Liu Handong said, "What's the point of going online? I got tired of it in high school."

Zhu Xiaoqiang said, "Brother Dong, you're so skilled. Can you help me with something?"

"What? Tell me."

"Crack a QQ password."

"Whose QQ number?"

Zhu Xiaoqiang hesitated for a while before saying, "A female classmate."

"Is she your dream girl?" Zhu Xiaoqiang asked with a grin.

"Sort of. We get along well, and I've fixed her computer a few times, but I missed my chance. I didn't know better back then," Zhu Xiaoqiang said, lost in thought, regretting his missed opportunity.

"I think you still don't know. Sitting in the house all day playing games, do you think girls will come to you? You have to go after them, you dummy," Liu Handong advised.

"You don't understand. Playing games can earn money, like playing DOTA. If you're good, you can join competitions, or sell equipment in online games," Zhu Xiaoqiang explained.

Liu Handong laughed. "I was running a Legend of Mir server in high school. Do you think I need to tell you? Believe me, playing games is no way to get ahead."

Zhu Xiaoqiang said, "I'll show you her photo." He found a class photo on the computer, enlarged it, and pointed to a girl. "What do you think? How many points would you give her?"

Liu Handong looked closely. The girl in the photo had almond-shaped eyes, long hair, and fashionable clothing. She clearly wasn't Zhu Xiaoqiang's type. "A country bumpkin. Negative points."

Zhu Xiaoqiang was a bit upset. "Brother Dong, your standards are too high. I think she's a three."

Liu Handong said, "So your standards are pretty high too."

Zhu Xiaoqiang said proudly, "Average, average, third in the vocational college."

Liu Handong said, "What's her QQ number? I'll help you crack it."

Zhu Xiaoqiang was delighted and found a female ID called "Moe Fei Ren Ni De Hao" in his QQ list. The profile picture was a cell phone photo of her pouting and making a V sign, heavily edited and distorted.

Liu Handong easily cracked the password. Just as he was about to log off, he saw a news article: A lonely elderly woman in the city had adopted over a hundred stray cats and dogs. She was now ill and in financial trouble, and the stray animals were facing a survival crisis. The article called for animal lovers to volunteer and for citizens to adopt the animals.

"Zhu Xiaoqiang, here's the password. You can play. I have something to do." Liu Handong went downstairs, greeted Shan Pao at the dog meat restaurant, and drove his three-wheeled motorcycle into the city.

Half an hour later, Liu Handong arrived at an old residential area in the city. He knocked on the door of a first-floor apartment in a building. A girl opened the door and looked him up and down. "Who are you looking for?"

"Does Grandma Sun live here? I'm here to help," Liu Handong said.

"Hello, hello, yes, please come in," the girl said, letting Liu Handong in. The apartment was small, less than 60 square meters, but had a small backyard. The interior was stuck in the 1980s, with cats lying and roaming everywhere, meowing loudly, and not afraid of people. There were only a few dogs, all with disabilities, dirty, and napping in the yard.

The elderly woman was lying in bed in the bedroom, with an oxygen tank by her head. She tried to get up when she saw Liu Handong.

"Grandma, don't get up. Just lie down," Liu Handong quickly stopped her, taking out a bank card. "I came in a hurry and didn't bring anything. Here's some money for you to buy food for the animals."

The old woman hurriedly refused. "No, no, I don't need money. Your willingness to help is enough."

Seeing she wouldn't accept it, Liu Handong gave the card to the girl. "Hold it for your grandma. The password is written on the back."

The girl said, "I'm a volunteer too. I can't accept this money."

Liu Handong insisted. "Just take it. I'll write a receipt for you. Give me your name and phone number, and I'll tell you the detailed expenses."

The girl thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll accept it on behalf of the animal protection organization. I'll write a receipt for you and keep your name and email. I'll inform you of the detailed expenses."

Liu Handong thought for a moment and said, "Just use the name 'Wangcai' and give me an email address."

The girl took out a notebook and wrote a receipt for Liu Handong. She suddenly thought of something. "How much money is on the card?"

"Ten thousand yuan," Liu Handong said.

The girl was shocked and disbelieving.

Liu Handong wrote down the email, took the receipt, said goodbye to Grandma Sun, and left.

The girl watched him drive away on his three-wheeled motorcycle, feeling suspicious. She took out her phone and called. "Vice President, when are you coming?"

"I can see you now," a female voice said from the phone.

A few people from the animal protection association arrived, bringing cat food, dog food, and medicine for Grandma Sun. The girl handed the bank card to Vice President Song Shuang. "A man just came and gave this card, saying it has ten thousand yuan."

Song Shuang looked at the card. The handwriting on the back was hers. This was the card she had asked Wang Xing to give to Liu Handong as payment.

"What does he look like? What's his name?" Song Shuang asked urgently.

"Tall, dark, and handsome. His name is... Wangcai."

It must be him! Liu Handong was just a struggling motorcycle taxi driver, living in the cheapest urban village rental, eating the cheapest food, and working hard every day. His bowed figure and determined, resilient eyes, and the slightly upturned corners of his mouth in the video, flashed through Song Shuang's mind.

Such a person, with a proud spirit, refusing to accept charity, and anonymously donating a large sum to an elderly woman who cared for stray animals, was both incomprehensible and deeply admirable to Song Shuang.

"Shuangshuang, what's wrong?" the girl asked.

"Oh, nothing. This person is a good man," Song Shuang said.

"He's also very handsome, cool. I wonder if he has a girlfriend," the girl said, bouncing on her toes, seemingly excited.

Song Shuang snatched the paper with the email from her. "I'll be responsible for contacting the donor and reporting the expenses."

Page AD starts

Page AD ends