Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!

Chapter 34: Pulling Others Onto the Trap

Glancing at the unfamiliar number, Qiu Tu opened the message.

It contained only a brief line: “Agent Qiu, I have information that might interest you. If you want to cooperate, meet me tonight at 8 PM at the Milan Hotel.”

Qiu Tu stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Who could this new one be? The Municipal Council? The military? Another branch of the Qin family? Or the anti-government organization?

Moreover, could this mysterious number be related to Qin Shuman, or was it just an outsider?

With so little information, Qiu Tu couldn't determine the source.

But what he could determine was that he now faced an interesting choice:

Fourth Master Qin or the mysterious person?

As these thoughts ran through his mind, his expression became inscrutable.

7:00 PM, at Zhizhen Hotel entrance.

Cao Dabiao, dressed in civilian clothes, walked in swaggeringly with two trusted subordinates, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

Seeing the trio, a tall and slender hostess quickly greeted them with a smile, bowing slightly, “Good evening, gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?”

With a smug nod, Cao Dabiao replied, “Room 107.”

Upon hearing this, the hostess checked her list and asked, “Are you Mr. Cao?”

Cao Dabiao nodded.

The hostess smiled and gestured, “This way, please.” She turned to lead them to their room.

Following her, Cao Dabiao and his subordinates discreetly observed the layout of the hotel.

Soon, they arrived at the private room, and the three entered.

Looking around the luxurious room, Cao Dabiao took out a 100-copper coin and handed it to the hostess.

Her eyes lit up, but just as she reached out to take it, Cao Dabiao pulled it back and replaced it with a 10-copper coin.

The hostess's smile faded slightly, but she still accepted it with a polite bow before swaying out of the room.

Once she left, Cao Dabiao and his men got serious.

One of his subordinates asked quietly, “Brother Dabiao, what are we here for?”

Without outsiders present, Cao Dabiao dropped his casual facade. He signaled for the door to be closed.

After one of his men closed the door, Cao Dabiao explained softly, “We’re here for a mission.”

He checked his watch and whispered, “At 8 PM, there will be a meeting between two groups in the room next door.”

“Our job is to eavesdrop and record the meeting.”

He then directed his men, who quickly produced small devices from their clothes.

Cao Dabiao, arms around his subordinates’ shoulders, outlined the plan, “Liu, go to the restroom and ‘accidentally’ enter the room next door to plant the bug.”

“Qi, stand in the hallway and smoke. Once you see the targets enter, try to take pictures. If you can’t, remember their appearances so we can reconstruct them later.”

Both men nodded in understanding.

But Liu, thinking it over, asked, “Brother Dabiao, what about you?”

Cao Dabiao slapped him on the head, “You idiot! I’ll be doing the hardest job—ordering food!”

He grumbled, “We were called back halfway through dinner last night and went hungry. This time, since it’s official business, we’ll make up for it! And since Qiu Tu is footing the bill, we’d be fools not to take advantage.”

Liu, rubbing his head, nodded in realization.

Meanwhile, Qi, curious, asked, “Brother Dabiao, are we really going to work with Qiu Tu?”

Cao Dabiao’s face darkened at the question, recalling an incident from the afternoon.

Earlier, while counting his silver coins, he received a call from an unknown number.

The caller claimed to be Qiu Tu’s subordinate, ordered by Qiu Tu to join the Political Division and needed Cao Dabiao’s recommendation.

Initially suspecting a scam, Cao Dabiao quickly realized that with New Realm City’s newness, only officials and elites had communicators. Scammers couldn’t get one, and the caller knew his name and department accurately.

Confused, he went to confirm with Qiu Tu.

He found Qiu Tu copying a document. Without looking up, Qiu Tu casually said, “He’s my man. I’m having him join the Political Division. Help him out.”

Cao Dabiao’s face had gone through a range of emotions. He wanted to argue, questioning why Qiu Tu wasn’t the recommender, but he had just taken money from Qiu Tu and had been under his thumb. He couldn’t refuse.

So, reluctantly, he complied.

But afterward, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.

He realized he had been forcibly dragged onto Qiu Tu’s trap.

The problem wasn’t doing the task but how it was done! Qiu Tu had acted without his consent, forcing him to comply.

If he didn’t refuse this time, would Qiu Tu keep forcing him into other tasks? Eventually, he’d become Qiu Tu’s lackey.

Realizing this, cold sweat broke out on Cao Dabiao. He wanted to abandon it but hesitated. He had just done a favor for Qiu Tu, hadn’t received any benefits yet, and if he broke ties now, he’d face Qiu Tu’s wrath and might have to return the 80 silver coins.

Unwilling to accept this, he decided to wait and see.

Maybe Qiu Tu wouldn’t do such things in the future. Maybe Qiu Tu could offer more benefits.

So, his response to his subordinate was ambiguous, “Hmm, let’s follow Qiu Tu for now. We can decide later.”

Meanwhile, while Cao Dabiao was investigating at the Zhizhen Hotel, Qiu Tu arrived alone at the Milan Hotel.

Author's Note