"Very simple, ambition."
"That’s right, Miss Lan did promote me, without her, I, An Zairong would have found it difficult to reach my current position, but human desires are endless. Since she wanted to plunder wealth in Korea, she should have handed over all power to me. Yet she didn’t, instead, she sent someone over to check on me at every turn. Mr. Jiang, if you were me, what would you choose?"
"Makes sense, but it’s not sufficient."
Jiang Chen wasn’t angry, his voice calm and measured, unruffled.
"Mr. An is a smart man, having worked for Miss Lan for so long, you must also be clear about her abilities. Haven’t you considered the risks of betrayal?"
"What doesn’t carry risk?"
An Zairong smiled and said, "I know there’s an old saying in Shenzhou, it goes ’Fortune comes with risk’, which I think is very apt. Miss Lan is indeed formidable, but she is human, not beyond calculation. And I nearly succeeded, didn’t I?"
"’Fortune comes with risk’, that’s true, but Mr. An, you have now obtained wealth and power beyond what ordinary people can achieve. Instead of risking it all for nothing, why not enjoy your current life?"
"Perhaps that’s where I differ from others."
A hint of helplessness crossed An Zairong’s face.
"That’s just how I am, restless, always stirring up trouble."
"You like challenges," Jiang Chen gently added.
An Zairong paused, then let out a self-deprecating laugh, glancing at Jiang Chen with a meaningful look.
"I do like that assessment."
Jiang Chen gazed at the distant mountains.
"Mr. An, it’s come to this point, I think there is no need to beat around the bush any longer. Choosing to betray is your right, ’Even high officials started from the common folk, didn’t they?’ But you’re not someone who doesn’t plan a way out for yourself, a bit more time, at the very least a bit more preparation. You must have a certain confidence to choose betrayal at this critical juncture."
Jiang Chen calmly said, "I want to know, who gave you that confidence."
An Zairong’s smile brightened.
"Mr. Jiang, how long have we known each other? Are you so sure you understand me? Do you know how others describe me? They call me a madman."
"I don’t think so," Jiang Chen spoke softly.
"Would a madman show pity for a girl he has never met before? Would he leave of his own accord to prevent her from getting involved?"
An Zairong’s smile slowly faded.
Jiang Chen turned his head.
He always believed there are no absolute good people or absolute bad people in this world.
Inside everyone lies a dark side, as well as a tender spot.
The so-called good and bad are merely the light and the dark inside one’s heart magnified or diminished.
The An Zairong before him was clearly an extreme example.
To the retail clerk, this criminal leader with blood on his hands was a ray of light in the darkest moments of her life.
"Mr. Jiang, she and I were just strangers who crossed paths. You and I are different; we shouldn’t involve unrelated people in our affairs," An Zairong said.
Cui Zaiye had said something similar here before.
But An Zairong’s words were far more honest than that sanctimonious "misfortunes should not spread to the family."
"Don’t worry, I can assure you that no matter the outcome of our conversation, I won’t bother that girl," An Zairong said.
An Zairong grinned, "After all, if I were you, I would have gotten rid of that meddlesome Che Changmin a long time ago."
Jiang Chen did not express agreement or disagreement.
"What I know isn’t necessarily more than what Cui Zaiye does. You must’ve learned quite a bit from him. Yes, I chose this moment to turn against her because someone promised they would help me," An Zairong explained.
Jiang Chen showed no surprise.
Dealing with someone like An Zairong required strategy.
He was entirely different from Cui Zaiye in temperament; mere threats might just backfire.
Sometimes with a seemingly emotionless maniac, you had to play the emotional card.
"Was it someone from Shenzhou?"
An Zairong’s expression remained unchanged.
"That’s right. He told me, all I needed to do was consolidate the criminal facts against Miss Lan, he would take care of the rest."
"Miss Lan was ambushed by Cui Zaiye’s men, did you tip them off?"
An Zairong casually nodded.
There was no need to deny such a childish question under these circumstances.
"Do you know who exactly the person is?"
Jiang Chen frowned slightly, puzzled, "You don’t know who it is? And you trust him?"
"Miss Lan has such vast influence in Shenzhou, anyone daring to act against her is no ordinary person. I don’t need to know who he is. The successful restriction of her departure already proves everything, doesn’t it?"
Jiang Chen remained silent.
"By the way, I have his contact information."
An Zairong suddenly said, his eyes sparkling with a significant smile.
He had always understood, from the beginning to the end, his role was as a tool to be used.
It was the same with Lan Peizhi, and the same with the betrayal.
’Fortune comes with risk.’
He was a person who liked to take risks; being a tool once was better than being a tool for a lifetime. Why not take the chance?
He had also prepared for the worst-case scenario.
An Zairong was no exception.
If one had to describe it, it would most likely be that he didn’t care too much.
At this moment, in the hands of this young man, he wasn’t very fearful.
Over the years, countless people had fallen at his hands, and even if he lost his life now, one could say it was all profit and no loss.
He might even incite and enjoy a dog-eat-dog battle amongst these Shenzhou people, why not?
"Do you have a contact number?"
Jiang Chen’s eyes flickered.
Going to great lengths to bring this guy back from Daegu, he indeed had value.
"Then Mr. An, please make a phone call."
An Zairong cooperated well and looked towards Dwayne, "Friend, the cellphone."
Dwayne glanced at Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen nodded slightly, signaling it was alright.
Dwayne turned around and walked towards the car.
They were less than three meters apart, without any protective people in between; if An Zairong were to take a risk, it wasn’t impossible to gain control of Jiang Chen and thus make a desperate turnaround, but for some reason, An Zairong chose to stand still, not moving at all.
Dwayne took the cellphone out of the car and handed it to An Zairong.
An Zairong politely said as he took his phone and then dialed a number.
"Doot...doot...doot..."
After about ten seconds, the call automatically disconnected.
An Zairong put down the phone.
Jiang Chen was calm and composed, "No rush, try again in a while."
Before An Zairong could dial a second time, in less than a minute, his phone rang on its own.
An Zairong answered and activated speakerphone.
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Now, the police are searching everywhere for me, you need to resolve this for me."
An Zairong’s tone was cold and convincing.
The other side was silent for a moment.
"Haven’t you already been rescued?"
An Zairong looked at Jiang Chen.
He and Cui Zaiye had indeed not lied, this figure in Shenzhou, indeed powerful, seemed to have thorough knowledge of the happenings in Korea.
Jiang Chen walked over and took the phone from An Zairong’s hand.
An Zairong didn’t resist.
The other end fell silent, then a light laugh came through.
Jiang Chen’s expression remained calm.
For some reason, possibly a delusion, he faintly felt that the male voice on the phone seemed familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
"It’s me. Friend, I think we can have a talk."
"No hurry, there will be plenty of opportunities. For now, let’s play a game."
Jiang Chen kept his composure, about to speak, but before he could, the line from the other end already turned into a busy tone.
The call was hung up.
"This person’s power is indeed vast; the authorities will surely try every means to hide this conflict, yet he knew about it so quickly."
An Zairong mumbled to himself, fanning the flames.
Jiang Chen didn’t attempt to call back again. He set the phone down, deep in thought.
Daring to use Lan Peizhi as a pawn, and the whole of Korea as a chessboard, who exactly has such confidence?
Moreover, by the tone of his voice.
It seems the other party knows him too.