The Old Man's Intervention
Inside the Shaw Family Villa, the old man, currently eating lunch, received a call from the restaurant manager. After hearing what had transpired, he sighed deeply.
Lin Fu asked, "Something happened at the restaurant?"
The old man didn't speak, his expression deeply complicated.
"I knew it..."
Lin Fu grinned. "That little brat is utterly cunning. How could he not see what was going on? And that Qu girl isn't straightforward either; all she does is put on an act. Does she really think the old man is blind and deaf and can't see anything?"
"It's come to this point. What's the use of saying all that?"
Lin Fu hesitated. "Big Brother, you're still not planning to let this go?"
The old man said helplessly, "You know what happened back then. Without them, I wouldn't have become the head of the association. This debt of gratitude must be repaid."
"You've helped them clean up so many messes over the years..."
The old man waved his hand, preventing him from continuing.
"Make the call. Tell him to be mindful and leave some breathing room for both sides."
A Moment of Confusion
Luke was about to end the pointless conversation when his phone rang. After listening to Grandpa Fu's instructions, he had to take back the words on the tip of his tongue.
Leave breathing room?
Why leave breathing room?
Cooperating with these people would only bring trouble, with absolutely no benefit. Why should he leave them room?
Luke rubbed his brow, thoroughly confused. The old man was not someone who acted based on emotion. While he valued loyalty, he would never let his most beloved grandson be put in a passive position for the sake of camaraderie.
Why would he do this?
Luke couldn't figure it out. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly,
"Miss Qu, let me ask you something. Are you here to talk about cooperation?"
Qu Youran was startled, genuinely surprised. She had thought the negotiation had completely broken down, but the other party's tone had changed, no longer aggressive. Could that phone call have caused it?
Thinking this, she asked hesitantly,
"Are you willing to cooperate?"
"Of course not. The purpose of cooperation is mutual benefit. For me, getting involved with you people only brings drawbacks, no advantages. Therefore, I can only give you one chance."
Luke held up a finger. "One condition. If you can satisfy it, I'm willing to provide assistance within certain limits."
Qu Youran was overjoyed. She quickly ignored the shame and the revealing view of her chest (which, frankly, wasn't much of a sight) and quickly said,
"What is the condition? Tell me."
"I have a friend who, due to an accident, was blown up until only half her head remained. I want her to be resurrected, completely intact."
"Resurrection?"
"Yes."
"How is that possible?"
Qu Youran frowned. "A person whose head is only half-remaining can barely be considered a person. How can they be resurrected? This request is simply too difficult."
"I've stated the condition. Whether you can meet it is your business."
"Heidi, see our guest out."
Heidi and Mia walked in and "escorted" her from the VIP room.
Qu Youran left the Chinese restaurant in a daze. She got into the car, still dazed, and thought about the conversation all the way home.
The Hidden Quarters
Her home was an upscale, detached villa located in the northern rich district of Coast City.
The villa had four floors. The first two floors were standard living areas. The third and fourth floors were a secret base. Wang Congxin was the head of the base, as well as an instructor and the chief of external affairs.
Qu Youran had always respected this "senior" with the scholarly temperament. As soon as she got home, she went straight to the study on the third floor.
"Uncle Wang, I'm sorry, I messed up."
Wang Congxin put down his book and comforted her. "I heard what happened at the restaurant from the others. It's not your fault. The fact that you came out completely intact is already a pleasant surprise. As for the cooperation, it's okay if it failed. There will always be other opportunities."
Qu Youran shook her head. "The cooperation didn't fail. He agreed to help, but he set a very excessive condition."
Wang Congxin paused, then asked, "What condition?"
"Resurrection!"
Qu Youran clenched her fist. "He wants us to resurrect a person whose head was blown off until only half of it was left."
"How is that possible? If the body were still there and only half the head remained, we might have a chance with the technology we possess. But the body was blown away, and only half a head is left. I've never heard of anyone surviving with half a head."
"Uncle Wang, is he just playing games with us?"
Wang Congxin said gravely, "No. Luke Shaw would not joke about something like this."
"You mean he's serious?"
"Very likely."
"Then what do we do? Can you meet his condition?"
Wang Congxin smiled. "We are people, not gods. He made such a request without providing any relevant data. It's probably just a reason to politely make us back off." He paused, then added,
"However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Qu Youran looked confused, wondering how this wasn't a bad thing.
Wang Congxin explained, "Cooperation always has a process. Compared to your grandfather and Old Man Shaw, you've done quite well. At least he didn't put a hole in your head."
"A hole? What do you mean?"
"Didn't your grandfather tell you?"
"He rarely talks about his younger days."
"Then I'll briefly explain: When your grandfather first came to America to develop his business, his first stop was Star City. He opened a logistics company in Star City's Chinatown. His business became too successful, incurring the displeasure of his competitors. So, those people asked Old Man Shaw to maintain order. The old man didn't hesitate; he not only smashed your grandfather's company but also hit him on the head with a stick and told him to get out of Chinatown."
Qu Youran: "..."
"Surprised?"
Wang Congxin laughed heartily. "That's why the result of the first meeting isn't important. The key is future development. In our line of work, you need not only keen insight but also plenty of patience."
"Luke Shaw is no ordinary young man. His wisdom, strategy, courage, and decisiveness far surpass the average person. When dealing with someone like him, you must maintain patience. It took your grandfather and Old Man Shaw five years to go from being rivals to lifelong friends. You are still young, five years is too tight. If you can draw him over to our side within ten years, it will be considered a success."
This explanation enlightened Qu Youran. Her mental block was removed, and she regained her focus, clenching her fist and stating seriously,
"I understand, Uncle Wang. I will be patient."
"That's the spirit. That's how great things are accomplished. You've had a tiring day; go back and rest."
Qu Youran nodded and left the study.
As the door closed, the smile on Wang Congxin's face also vanished. He reached out and pressed a hidden button beneath the desk. The bookshelf parted, and an unassuming white man emerged from the secret door behind it.
"Well?"
"There is no chance."
Wang Congxin frowned. "Your ability wasn't effective either?"
"He gives me a very dangerous feeling. I didn't dare approach him carelessly." He paused, adding, "I don't think Luke Shaw is the right person. He is too dangerous. Collaborating with him would be like asking a tiger for its skin."
"Is that your personal recommendation?"
"Yes."
Wang Congxin was silent for a few seconds. "I will consider it. You all also need to speed up. It would be best to find a new safe house before tonight. Time is running out; we can't afford to delay."
"What about Qu Youran? Should she be moved too?"
"No, she stays."
Wang Congxin lit a cigarette and quietly looked out at the cluster of villas beyond the window. "From now on, she will be the owner of this villa. I will arrange for her to enter high society and become a socialite."
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