Walking into the hospital room, Ye Xiao closed the door and then walked inside with Qian Shuangyue.

The room was a suite, with two people inside: one laying on the bed and one sitting beside the bed with red eyes, clearly having cried.

"Brother!" The woman in her thirties who had been crying immediately stood up upon seeing Qian Shuangyue.

She was Qian Shuangyue's sister, Li Zhi's wife, Qian Meichun.

Qian Shuangyue looked at Qian Meichun's red eyes, feeling a bit heartbroken, and sighed.

At this moment, Li Zhi, lying on the bed with his head wrapped in bandages, also looked at Qian Shuangyue and said, "Brother, you're here."

Qian Shuangyue looked at Li Zhi, thinking that if he hadn't happened to attend a social event in Jinling District yesterday, he would have died roadside.

Li Zhi noticed that there was someone standing next to Qian Shuangyue, and this person seemed somewhat familiar.

Ye Xiao stepped forward with a smile and said, "Mr. Li, do you remember me? I troubled you a while ago."

Li Zhi then recalled, saying, "Your name is Ye Xiao."

"Mr. Li has an excellent memory," Ye Xiao said with a smile.

Qian Shuangyue laughed, saying, "So you've met before, I was about to introduce you two."

Li Zhi looked at Qian Shuangyue and, with a somewhat weak tone, asked, "Is there something you want today?"

Qian Shuangyue said, "The head of the police branch was attacked and almost killed; it's now headlines everywhere, drawing attention from all sides, especially since it's close to New Year. Oh, right, Ye Xiao, you seem to have something you want from Li Zhi too."

Qian Shuangyue's matters were essentially trivial formalities, mainly because Li Zhi's attack had negative implications.

Li Zhi listened to Qian Shuangyue's words and looked at Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao didn't speak immediately.

Li Zhi quickly understood, looked at Qian Meichun, and said, "Meichun, you should rest for a while."

Qian Meichun naturally understood what Li Zhi meant and knew it was Ye Xiao's intention as well.

Since her husband was the head of the security branch, she knew that certain matters should be avoided, so she immediately walked into another room.

"Mr. Li, after last night's attack, I assume you've already estimated who might be responsible?" Ye Xiao looked at Li Zhi with a smile.

"I can't say for sure, I couldn't see their faces clearly," Li Zhi cautiously replied, unsure of Ye Xiao's intentions.

Ye Xiao said, "Heh, that's not quite it. From what I know, today you even had a spat with Chen Jianguo here."

Li Zhi was taken aback, looking at Ye Xiao and asking, "How did you know?"

"Heh, don't worry about how I know. I understand you don't want to rely on family relations and wish to build a career, but things are more complex than you thought. Even the Jinling District Security Branch is beyond your control, and now you're injured, unable to return to work shortly. The branch is likely to fall into the hands you least want," Ye Xiao said.

"You... what are you trying to say?"

Ye Xiao's gaze settled on Qian Shuangyue, smiling as he said, "Mr. Qian, the end of the year is a crucial opportunity for you and Mr. Li to achieve significant accomplishments rapidly."

Qian Shuangyue was surprised by Ye Xiao's words, looking at him in astonishment, as was Li Zhi.

Clearly, both didn't understand Ye Xiao's meaning yet.

Ye Xiao took out a small red book from inside his clothes and handed it directly to Qian Shuangyue.

Qian Shuangyue received the book in confusion. After seeing it, he was stunned, then looked at Ye Xiao in shock, saying, "You... you..."

Qian Shuangyue repeated the word "you" twice, unable to say anything else.

Li Zhi found it strange; how could the always composed Qian Shuangyue be so thrown off by a small book?

Ye Xiao was pleased with Qian Shuangyue's reaction and said with a smile, "Mr. Qian, don't be so surprised. We're all serving the country."

Previously, due to connections with the Qian family in Y City, Qian Shuangyue was respectful towards Ye Xiao. Now, seeing this book, Qian Shuangyue silently felt glad he hadn't been rude to Ye Xiao.

"Mr. Ye, whatever you need, feel free to ask," Qian Shuangyue said seriously, looking at Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao smiled and said, "The first requirement is confidentiality."

"Of course, Mr. Ye's identity will be kept confidential," Qian Shuangyue said.

Li Zhi still looked at Qian Shuangyue with some suspicion, not knowing what Qian Shuangyue meant and why suddenly it seemed as though he had become Ye Xiao's subordinate.

Though Qian Shuangyue had been polite to Ye Xiao earlier, now Qian Shuangyue was evidently somewhat afraid of Ye Xiao.

"Li Zhi, from now on, you only need to follow Mr. Ye's orders. No matter what he asks you to assist with, accept it unconditionally!" Qian Shuangyue said, looking at Li Zhi again.

At this moment, Qian Shuangyue faced Li Zhi with a very serious expression.

Li Zhi was taken aback for a moment. Although he didn't know what had happened, something that could make Qian Shuangyue look so serious was definitely not a trivial matter.

"Understood!" Li Zhi, though puzzled, still said this.

Ye Xiao smiled at Qian Shuangyue and said, "Mr. Qian, it's not good to be so serious. We are all friends; you helping me is already a great favor, so why talk about unconditional acceptance?"

"No, no, this is as it should be," Qian Shuangyue replied.

Ye Xiao said, "Suit yourself. It's the end of the year; you want good political achievements, and I want to complete my task. Everyone can achieve both goals and be mutually beneficial."

"We are all working for the country; let's not talk about benefits!" Qian Shuangyue immediately said.

Ye Xiao instantly said, "Mr. Qian, your words make it seem like you don't consider me as one of your own. What is more important to you, your small family or the larger family?"

Qian Shuangyue was at a loss for words when asked by Ye Xiao. Looking at Ye Xiao's clear, bright eyes, he couldn't lie and finally gave an awkward smile.

"Everyone has their own agenda in their heart; it's very normal, right? Just like you all have your own wives, who doesn't want to get some benefits for their wives? Of course, there's a premise, as long as it doesn't harm the country significantly, just turn a blind eye to it and let it pass," Ye Xiao said with a smile.

Qian Shuangyue said, "Mr. Ye should enter local administration. Surely he would thrive as a fish in water."

"Haha, Mr. Qian, you're mocking me, but I would love to! After all, being a local magistrate is like being a small emperor. Unfortunately, I don't have that fate."

Qian Shuangyue said, "Mr. Ye is too humble."

"Alright, let's talk business. Firstly, the cancer within the Jinling District Security Branch must be removed; it's beneficial for both of us. Secondly, regarding the social organizations in Jinling District and the entire Bird City, I want to get involved. The higher-ups suggest if we can't eliminate them, we should control them. Do you understand what I mean?" said Ye Xiao.

"Understood!" Qian Shuangyue and Li Zhi both said.

"Yesterday, Mr. Li was attacked, it should be related to Chen Haiqing and Chen Jianguo, but we have no evidence. However, I believe Mr. Li should know what kind of forces they are associated with," Ye Xiao said.

Li Zhi said, "As far as I know, they have connections with an organization called Black Cat Company, but I haven't found concrete evidence. Oh, right, I've heard there is a secretive family at the border of Jinling District and Lotus District related to this Black Cat Company."

A family unknown to outsiders?

Ye Xiao asked, "Is it one of the eight great families?"

"Eight great families?" Li Zhi looked at Ye Xiao with confusion after hearing his words and asked, "What eight great families?"

Looking at Li Zhi's bewildered face, Ye Xiao suddenly remembered something.

The eight great families are martial artist families, centered around martial artists. Ordinary people simply wouldn't know about them. To outsiders, these eight great families are just families with better businesses and do not attract much attention. Only those who are close to these families would know of their existence.

Ye Xiao chuckled and said, "Nothing, I just thought that since this is the state capital of Chu City, there should be some deeply rooted families."

"I'm not sure about that. Even information about that family is scarce," Li Zhi said, looking at Qian Shuangyue and asked, "Brother, you should be able to find out, right?"

"I'll check. If I find anything, I'll inform Mr. Ye immediately," Qian Shuangyue said.

Ye Xiao said, "There's no rush on that. Mr. Li needs to recover quickly; otherwise, who will bring down those parasites of the nation?"

Li Zhi sighed and said, "I'm truly ashamed."

Ye Xiao, Qian Shuangyue, and Li Zhi chatted for a while longer. Since Li Zhi was injured, Ye Xiao and Qian Shuangyue left the ward together.

They talked for only about ten minutes, but those ten minutes were already enough.

Ye Xiao and Qian Shuangyue walked out of the ward, and Chen Haiqing immediately approached them. He glanced at Ye Xiao and then asked Qian Shuangyue, "Mr. Qian, is Mr. Li alright? With over a month until the year's end, what should we do about the lack of a leader in the Jinling District Branch?"

Chen Haiqing appeared worried, but anyone with a clear view could see he was being deliberate, merely wanting to continue acting as the temporary head.

Qian Shuangyue looked at Chen Haiqing and said, "Who said the Jinling District Branch doesn't have a leader? Isn't Li Zhi there? Also, you are the deputy head. Does every matter require the head's personal attention, or are you suggesting that the position of deputy head in the Jinling District Branch need not be set up?"

Chen Haiqing's face turned pale upon hearing Qian Shuangyue's words and quickly said, "Mr. Qian, don't misunderstand me. I meant nothing else. I just want to do a better job. I understand what Mr. Qian means, and we will all work harder."

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