"You, you stay away!" Gu Yue trembled slightly. She did have some ability, but it was by no means superior to that of the man in black. She was merely a leader of the organization in Shanghai, and her leadership role outweighed her individual combat effectiveness.
(Thanks to 沈黙_菋噵 for the donation, and thanks to 凤林王, 迷踪梦梦, and ずいしょう捷 for the monthly ticket support)
Volume 2 [655] I will not attack unless attacked.
【655】I will not offend others unless they offend me.
Zhao Qiang grabbed Gu Yue and lifted her up. Gu Yue's face was pale. She even forgot how to resist, but she was unable to resist under Zhao Qiang's restraint.
Zhao Qiang sneered, "President Gu, now you can give me an explanation."
Gu Yue stammered, "Don't try to force me to confess. I won't say anything."
Zhao Qiang said, "Is that so? It seems you're really determined." With that, Zhao Qiang grabbed Gu Yue's arm with one hand and pulled hard. With a snap, Gu Yue let out a bloodcurdling scream as Zhao Qiang tore off one of her arms. Zhao Qiang threw the severed arm on the ground and said, "President Gu, you can speak now."
Gu Yue's face turned ashen, and she said, "I...I don't know anything." I don't know if Gu Yue is a Communist Party member, but she seems quite strong.
Zhao Qiang lifted Gu Yue into his other hand, then grabbed her remaining arm. Blood was gushing from the severed arm. Zhao Qiang said, "You don't plan to keep this arm, do you?"
Xiao Baihe, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't take it anymore. She clutched her chest and said, "Zhao Qiang, stop, stop torturing her."
Zhao Qiang said, "When she was torturing me, did you ever speak up for me like this?"
Xiao Baihe remained silent; at that moment, she was hiding in a pine tree on the hillside. Gu Yue said, "You...you should kill me."
Zhao Qiang pulled hard, and Gu Yue's other arm broke off with a crack. Gu Yue immediately fainted. Zhao Qiang threw her to the ground and walked towards Xiao Baihe. Xiao Baihe was so frightened that she shrank back into the corner, "You, you don't come any closer."
Zhao Qiang stopped and said, "Fine, give me an explanation and I won't go over there."
Xiao Baihe said, "Fine, I'll talk, I'll talk. Gu Yue is the head of Japanese spies in Shanghai." Could she really keep quiet? Zhao Qiang was ruthless; this was no child's play.
Zhao Qiang said, "You two are colleagues, right?"
Xiao Baihe said, "But I was forced into it. Besides, I am not under her direct leadership. She has been oppressing me all along."
Zhao Qiang snorted. In short, neither of them were good people. It was too lenient to only tear off Gu Yue's two arms. They should have broken her two thighs as well and then killed her. Even then, it wouldn't be enough revenge. However, Zhao Qiang was no longer willing to do cruel things to a dying person. Someone like Gu Yue, who had lost both arms, would definitely be abandoned by the Japanese. It would be a question whether she would be able to survive. Living like that was worse than dying.
Xiao Baihe said, "We have different opinions. I want to get close to you to achieve the goal of cooperating with you, but Gu Yue and her superiors believe that your existence interferes with their country's dominant position in science and technology, so they must kill you."
Zhao Qiang glanced at Gu Yue lying on the ground, covered in blood. Because her wounds hadn't been treated, she was likely to bleed to death. She wanted Zhao Qiang dead, but she never expected that she would die first.
Xiao Baihe said, "Mr. Zhao, I know I shouldn't work for the Japanese, but they genuinely want to cooperate with you. Of course, it's possible that some people in the Japanese government want you dead, but those who want to cooperate with you are sincere. You can consider it. I know you've always been neglected in China, which is a drawback of the country's system. They're afraid of your rise, afraid that your existence will affect their authority. Your abilities have no chance of being developed in China. Mr. Zhao, please think it over. If you think I deserve to die, I'd rather be beaten to death by you."
After saying that, Xiao Baihe closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, which showed that she was also afraid. Who is not afraid of death?
Zhao Qiang said, "You can leave now. Don't let me see you again." Zhao Qiang didn't have a bad impression of Xiao Baihe. After all, this woman had given him and Yang Shiyun food, and unlike Gu Yue, she wasn't stubborn and reckless.
Xiao Baihe glanced at Zhao Qiang with mixed feelings. She lifted her foot to leave, but Zhao Qiang asked again, "Who killed the people on Wulong Mountain?" Zhao Qiang wanted to get to the bottom of this; he couldn't let the murderer get away with it.
Xiao Baihe said, "Would you believe me if I said it wasn't me?"
Zhao Qiang glanced at Gu Yue on the ground: "It was him?"
Xiao Baihe said, "No, I killed Section Chief Wang, but the rest has nothing to do with me."
Zhao Qiang waved his hand: "Let's go."
As sirens blared outside, Zhao Qiang knew that some staff members had run out to call the police. He didn't want to explain anything to the police, so he opened the window, jumped onto the roof, and left. As for what would happen next, Zhao Qiang didn't care. Killing these black-clad assassins was the result Zhao Qiang wanted. He just didn't know if there were any more of their accomplices in Shanghai. This was their headquarters; even if there were, they would be no match for them.
When Zhao Qiang returned to Chen Xinxin and Zhao Ling's place, Yang Shiyun was already up. She was sitting at the desk in Chen Xinxin's room, lost in thought. Zhao Qiang pushed the door open and entered. Yang Shiyun glanced at him and asked, "Where did you go?"
Zhao Qiang threw the documents in his hand onto the table and said, "Xinshi Investment Company, how's your injury?"
Yang Shiyun glanced at it and said, "She's recovering quickly. She should be fine by evening. Did you find Xiao Baihe? When we broke up last time, she denied that the Wulong Mountain incident was related to her. Will she change her mind now? Or did you use torture to extract a confession?"
Zhao Qiang said, "I just encountered assassins in black again, fifteen in total..."
Yang Shiyun asked in a panic, "Ah, are you alright?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Do I look like I'm in trouble? I've already killed them. Xinshi Company is just a front for the Japanese in Shanghai. Gu Yue is the head of the Japanese spy team. She was seriously injured. Even if she doesn't die, she'll be crippled. The people who attacked us were sent by her. Xiao Baihe should take a different route from her. She hoped that I could cooperate with her, but I refused."
Yang Shiyun said, "Now all countries are paying close attention to you, so you must be careful and absolutely must not cooperate with them."
Zhao Qiang said, "I understand this without you reminding me. As the situation develops, I can no longer hide even if I want to. It seems that there will be more such incidents in the future."
Yang Shiyun said, "Actually, as long as the country protects you, these kinds of things will rarely happen. But the central government's attitude is still unclear. Also, Shiqi just called me and said that she encountered some trouble when processing your passport and plane ticket."
Zhao Qiang asked, "What trouble?"
"The country probably doesn't allow you to go abroad because it's afraid you'll be taken advantage of or harmed by foreigners."
Zhao Qiang said, "So you mean I have no personal freedom?"
Yang Shiyun said, "As long as you're in the country, you shouldn't be restricted."
Zhao Qiang said, "Didn't you ignore me before? Why are you suddenly thinking of restricting my freedom now?"
Yang Shiyun said, "It's possible that the Japanese have been too active in the country recently, which is why the country is on guard."
Zhao Qiang snorted: "Are you afraid I'll go and cooperate with the Americans?"
Yang Shiyun said, "I think I've considered that, so I plan to go to the United States by myself. You stay in Shanghai with Chen Xinxin and Zhao Ling. I don't want to disturb your time together. It's not easy for you three to get together, so cherish it. I'll come back to you to discuss this matter after I find out about my health issues."
Zhao Qiang sat down with a cold smile. He casually lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Since no one cared about me before, I won't agree to be cared for now. Tell your grandfather and the others that since we've come this far, it's best to maintain the current relationship. No one should be too clingy, otherwise everyone will feel uncomfortable."
Yang Shiyun frowned: "Zhao Qiang, I don't want you to have a conflict with the country."
Zhao Qiang waved his finger: "I don't want to argue or have conflicts with anyone. I won't offend others unless they offend me. If they offend me, I will retaliate. If others treat me with respect, I will repay them tenfold. But no one can ride on my head and act arrogantly. I won't serve them." Zhao Qiang stood up abruptly and threw the cigarette butt in his hand into the ashtray. Some things really made Zhao Qiang unhappy.
Yang Shiyun was very troubled. Theoretically speaking, the country should attach great importance to and win over a genius like Zhao Qiang. However, the internal forces within the central government were deeply entrenched, coupled with thousands of years of feudal ideas and the behind-the-scenes instigation of Old Master Yang. Everyone tacitly ignored Zhao Qiang's existence and was unwilling to give him greater privileges or care, for fear that he would rise to become a figure who transcended the country. Several families had even been enemies of Zhao Qiang. How could Zhao Qiang have a good impression of the country? It was already polite enough that he did not cause them any trouble. If it were up to Zhao Qiang's temper, a fight would have already broken out.
Yang Shiyun said, "Alright, calm down and stop thinking about these things. My health is my own business, so you don't need to worry about it. I'll go to America by myself. Besides, there are still dangers in Shanghai, so you can't leave."
Zhao Qiang said, "Xinshi Investment should be the headquarters of Japanese spies in Shanghai. Gu Yue's collapse will definitely cause them some panic for a while, enough time for us to return from the United States. I noticed that your health is not normal, so I will follow this matter to the end."
Yang Shiyun said angrily, "You want me to have absolutely no secrets?"
Zhao Qiang chuckled and said, "That's right, since you're my apprentice, no one can find fault with a master caring about you."
Yang Shiyun knew that once Zhao Qiang made a decision, it was difficult for anyone to change it. She said, "Okay, I agree to let you go to the United States, but how to get there is a problem. It's impossible to buy a plane ticket in your name now, and customs won't let you through. The most troublesome thing is that I estimate that the national security department is already watching you to prevent you from fleeing abroad, so we need to plan carefully."
Zhao Qiang waved his hand: "No need, we'll talk about it when we leave. Also, don't try to pin anything on me. I'm not fleeing abroad, and I don't need to. I'm doing this openly and honestly. Anyone who tries to stop me can step forward."
In the evening, Yang Shiqi personally took a military plane to Shanghai. The two sisters talked in the room for a while, and Yang Shiyun told her third sister about the Xinshi Investment Company, asking Yang Shiqi to strengthen the surveillance in Shanghai and try to take this opportunity to investigate all the companies related to Xinshi Investment Company.
Then Yang Shiqi went to find Zhao Qiang and brought him a large piece of 'g' matter, which Zhao Qiang had specifically requested. After the battle with the black-clad assassin, Zhao Qiang realized that he, as an equipment-type person, had many shortcomings, so he needed to speed up the production of weapons. If he relied solely on energy to fight the enemy in a war of attrition, Zhao Qiang would suffer a great loss.
Volume 2 [656] The Chen Family's Accountability
[656] The Chen family held accountable.
Zhao Qiang was teaching Chen Xinxin to write calligraphy, while Zhao Ling watched from the side. The two of them got their hands and faces covered in black ink, and a perfectly good piece of paper was now covered in black and white patches. Yang Shiqi came in and giggled, "Are you two going to sing Peking Opera?"
Chen Xinxin said, "Hello, Sister Shiqi. I want to practice calligraphy so that I can leave a message for people when I go out to visit."
Yang Shiqi said, "I'll find you a real teacher later, so Zhao Qiang doesn't corrupt you."
Zhao Ling said, "No, Sister Shiqi, I think Zhao Qiang's writing is quite good."
Yang Shiqi said, "Really? Let me see." As she spoke, Yang Shiqi picked up a piece of Xuan paper that had already been written on. The characters on it were indeed very distinctive, and could be said to have combined the strengths of many masters. In fact, for a super-biochip, what difficulty is there in writing a few characters with a brush? It is not difficult to combine the strengths of calligraphers from all dynasties into one font. If even this cannot be done, then it would be too unworthy to risk a chip transplant into the brain.
Yang Shiqi exclaimed, "Although I'm a novice, this handwriting is quite good, even better than my grandfather's."
Zhao Qiang put down his brush and asked, "Did you bring the things?"
Yang Shiqi put down the Xuan paper and said, "I brought it, but I couldn't get your plane ticket, so this is a bit of a problem."
Zhao Qiang said, "I already know. Don't worry about me for now. Just get the formalities done for your second sister."
Yang Shiqi said, "It's all taken care of."
Zhao Qiang said, "Zhao Ling, you practice with Xin Xin for a while. Write according to my method. If you persist for a period of time, your arm will become stable. Then I will teach you other things."
Zhao Ling nodded in agreement, and the two women began practicing. Zhao Qiang led Yang Shiqi out of the study. The things were in the living room, including a large leather suitcase. It didn't look very heavy, but in reality, it was carried upstairs by four strong men; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to handle it.
"My second sister's health..." Yang Shiqi and Yang Shiyun had a fairly good relationship. Besides, she was Zhao Qiang's woman, so Yang Shiyun didn't hide it from her own sister. Moreover, Yang Shiyun was the one who arranged the trip to America. There were some things that couldn't be hidden from her even if she wanted to.
Zhao Qiang said, "Don't worry, she'll be fine. You must believe that your second sister is still your second sister."
Yang Shiqi said, "But..."
Zhao Qiang said, "There's no 'but.' At the very least, the thought process still belongs to her. Your family must have faith in her first, otherwise, how will she face this?"
Yang Shiqi lowered her head: "Thank you, Zhao Qiang. It's our family that hasn't been caring enough for my second sister. Do you think there might be something wrong with my body too? Maybe we should cut it open and take a look."
Zhao Qiang said, "Don't bother. I check your body regularly, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with you."
Yang Shiqi blushed: "What's the point of you touching me like that? I'm serious, I'm really afraid that my bones are made of metal too."
Zhao Qiang said, "I'll scan you right now. If you don't believe me, see for yourself. Your body can be seen through, which is different from your second sister, so don't overthink it."
Yang Shiqi nodded. "Zhao Qiang, my grandfather said he doesn't agree with you going abroad, and your whereabouts are now being monitored by the security department. Do you think we should talk about going to the United States later? Right now, things are getting tense and difficult to handle."
Zhao Qiang said, "The more they don't want me to do something, the more I'll do it. Tell your grandpa, I, Zhao Qiang, just like to twist the thigh with my own arm. If they want to play games, I'll play along to the end."
Yang Shiqi kept her head down and didn't speak. Zhao Qiang waved his hand and said, "Go and rest for a bit. I need to think about something. These battles have made me realize the inadequacy of my equipment, so it's necessary to upgrade it."
Zhao Qiang went into his room, and a moment later Yang Shiyun came in as well. She asked, "Are you going to modify your equipment?"
Zhao Qiang nodded: "Yes, the existing equipment needs to be upgraded, and I also want to get some new weapons. Who knows what we'll encounter in the United States? If we're as passive as we have been in China, that would be bad. After all, it's their territory, and we might end up losing our lives."
Yang Shiyun said, "I didn't expect you to value your life so much. Maybe you shouldn't go."
Zhao Qiang said, "Even if my life is more important, I still have to think about my apprentice."
Yang Shiyun rolled her eyes at Zhao Qiang: "You're quite good at making girls happy."
With Yang Shiyun's help, Zhao Qiang upgraded his existing equipment in a short time. Necessary parts, such as armor, were reinforced to prevent them from being penetrated by weapons again.
There was a knock on the door: "Zhao Qiang, Chen Kezong called and invited you to dinner. What do you think?"
It was Zhao Ling. Chen Xinxin probably didn't want to hear Chen Kezong's name. Although she had moved her company to Shanghai, she still didn't have a good impression of the Chen family. Chen Guangwei and Chen Shuxian spent most of their time at the Chen family home. Chen Kezong had now accepted this daughter-in-law. Actually, he wanted to accept Chen Xinxin even more, but Chen Xinxin had never given him the chance.
Zhao Qiang and Yang Shiyun exchanged glances, and Zhao Qiang said, "Okay, let's go."
It was already dark when Zhao Qiang and his group arrived at the Chen family's residence. Chen Xinxin was the last to arrive; she wouldn't have come if Zhao Qiang hadn't given her the order. Chen Kezong's second son, Chen Guangmin, greeted them at the door, which was considered a great honor for Zhao Qiang.
"Mr. Zhao, please come in, please come in." Although Chen Guangmin disliked and even loathed Zhao Qiang, he still had to put on a show under his father's pressure. His two sons, Chen Yaohui and Chen Yaocan, also followed behind with forced smiles, especially Chen Yaocan, who seemed particularly fond of Chen Xinxin. Had he forgotten that she was his cousin? What a beast.
Chen Guangwei would not come out to greet them, because his daughter was among the guests, and it would be inappropriate for a father to greet his daughter. However, Chen Kezong took Zhao Qiang's status into consideration, so he sent his second son to greet them, which was considered giving Zhao Qiang enough face.