Hearing Ai Li's words, Xue'er stood there in a white mink coat, yawning and looking at the noisy villa without responding to the conversation.
Seeing this, Yanyan could only take the initiative to speak up, "How did Qiu Tu scheme against you this time?"
Ai Li didn't mind Xue'er's perfunctory demeanor, and upon hearing Yanyan pick up the conversation, she simply summarized the situation.
Of course, since Xue'er was present, she described the narrative used by the "Academic Faction," concealing the fact that she had made a bet and lost herself to Qiu Tu.
After listening to Ai Li's explanation, Yanyan pondered for a moment, then analyzed for Ai Li, "Actually... this is not so much a trap as it is a conspiracy."
"Qiu Tu didn't deceive you. Eliminating the scouts of the Anti-government Armed Forces and the Extreme Religion in advance is beneficial for both Xinjie City and Chairman Huang's plans."
"And once it's completed, it would indeed be a significant accomplishment."
"It's also likely to earn Chairman Huang's commendation."
"It's just... such grand actions can easily lead to mistakes and offend people."
"But then again," Yanyan said seriously, her innocent face earnest, "if you're afraid of offending people, then what are you doing?"
"For you, this is actually an opportunity."
"If you really manage to handle this matter well, not only will it add a significant highlight to your resume, but it will also hone your skills."
Yanyan, being Yan Chen's daughter, had a very clear and thorough perspective on issues.
Hearing this, Ai Li also fell into contemplation.
Actually... the logic wasn't complex, quite straightforward really. It was just her antagonistic relationship with Qiu Tu that had blinded her to it.
Now that "one of us" Yanyan had pointed it out, she suddenly felt that this operation didn't seem so bad after all.
'So... could it be that Qiu Tu still has my best interests at heart?'
For a moment, Ai Li even doubted whether she had been brainwashed.
Thus, she stood there, gazing at the villa, somewhat dazed for a while.
Seeing her , Yanyan wrapped her arms around Xue'er, wrapping her mink coat more snugly around her, and then said to Ai Li, "Besides... I don't think things are as bad as you think."
"You feel you've offended people. But... are you sure that Colonel Lin from The military and Commissioner Jiang from City Hall are the kind of people without brains, easily provoked?"
At the same time, at The military.
"Damn it! How many of our people have been caught?"
Lin Chuan stood in his office, hands on hips, his face twisted in fury, looking more like a ruffian than a senior officer.
Opposite him was his adjutant.
Upon hearing Lin Chuan's question, the adjutant wiped his sweat and replied, "At least over twenty people."
"Among them are three majors and even a lieutenant colonel."
Hearing the adjutant's report, Lin Chuan slammed his hand on the table forcefully with a "snap!"
"Not even a hint in advance! Isn't this a deliberate challenge to my authority!"
"This is an obvious retaliation by Qiu Tu for the matter with my cousin!"
The adjutant hastily explained, "Senior Colonel, that's not the case. This operation is not related to Director Qiu."
"Not related to Qiu Tu?" Lin Chuan looked baffled, "Then who else could it be?"
The adjutant whispered the explanation, "The key figures in this operation are from the 'Academic Faction.' The leader is the former head of the third division from Chairman Huang's Attendant's Room, now the Deputy Director of the Investigation Bureau, Ai Li."
Hearing the adjutant's words, Lin Chuan's brow furrowed into an upright "Chuan" character.
He gradually calmed down, as if contemplating.
After a while, he inquired, "What's the purpose behind the 'Academic Faction' doing this?"
The adjutant analyzed, "I suspect... it's related to Chairman Huang's 'Infiltration of the Disaster Zone' mission."
"Today, the upper echelons of the Sanctuary approved Chairman Huang's plan. Chairman Huang is now beginning to gather military power and execute the mission."
"And at this moment, Ai Li and company are executing affairs preemptively, which is a form of open political statement."
"Moreover, Xinjie City is indeed an important and sensitive location, so an early cleanup of any spies also ensures that Xinjie City maintains stability during subsequent operations."
Hearing the adjutant's words, Lin Chuan nodded slightly, then affirmed, "Makes sense."
"But..." Lin Chuan changed his tone and said with a dark expression, "The Investigation Bureau is really in conflict with me now."
"I've already offended Qiu Tu, and that issue hasn't been settled yet."
"And now, to my surprise, Ai Li and the rest have provoked me too. It would be nice to teach them a lesson..."
Similarly, at Commissioner Jiang's villa, a similar conversation was unfolding.
Except now, the two conversing were Commissioner Jiang and his secretary, Tao Yaoyao.
However, Commissioner Jiang had a distinctly different opinion.
After hearing Tao Yaoyao's report, he frowned deeply.
He closed his eyes and pondered quietly for a while before opening his eyes, then slowly shook his head, "Something's not right."
"Not right?" Tao Yaoyao asked curiously, "What's not right?"
Jiang Zhenpeng said, "It's simple... interests."
"This operation can indeed be considered a political statement. But... the cost is exorbitantly high."
"To just make a statement, yet offend both me and Lin Chuan. The 'Academic Faction' wouldn't make such a losing deal."
"And what kind of a person is Chairman Huang? He is the master who fought against the Three Great Evil Gods."
"Does he care about a mere departmental statement of support from a small city?"
"Moreover, what authority do the two Deputy Directors Ai Li and company, have to represent Director Qiu's stance?"
The more he spoke, the smoother Jiang Zhenpeng felt.
He said, "So... it's clearly a conspiracy."