章節 39: Chapter 39：The Shadows of the Past
Guo Xiaopeng drove his Mercedes down the scenic suburban road, lost in thought. Wang Jingfei glanced back at Duan Hai, who was slumped in the back seat, clutching his injured wrist. "Who do you think the assassin was targeting?" she asked.
Guo Xiaopeng turned the steering wheel and said, "Larger than a sheep, smaller than a cow, but definitely not a pig. The target was obviously me."
Wang Jingfei commented, "Duan Hai, usually so quiet, really acted swiftly when it mattered."
Guo Xiaopeng replied casually, "He used to be in the military, and he also worked as a police officer."
"Police officer?" Wang Jingfei was surprised.
"Duan Hai had a rough upbringing, no parents, joined the military as a reconnaissance soldier, and later was assigned as a security officer in the precinct where Haizhou Tower is located," Guo Xiaopeng said calmly. "Running a hotel often involves some shady business. He's loyal and helped Liu Mei a lot back then. But someone reported him, and he was accused of leaking secrets, taking bribes, and breaking the law. He was dismissed from the police force. His wife left him and took their child far away. Imagine, a precinct officer accused of knowing state secrets."
Wang Jingfei looked at Duan Hai again and asked, "What happened after that?"
Guo Xiaopeng continued, "Duan Hai is straightforward. He didn't look for Liu Mei, instead, he worked anonymously as a dockworker for three years. It was only when he met Lin Xiaoliang that I learned the truth. I wanted to give him a position in the company, but he said he liked driving. Initially, I didn't trust him completely, but I found him loyal, skilled, and discreet. So, I made him my driver and bodyguard."
"Training soldiers for a thousand days to use them in a single moment," Wang Jingfei mused, then asked, "Does the Chairman have enemies in Haizhou?"
Guo Xiaopeng shook his head, "I don't steal wives, money, or power, so I shouldn't have any."
Wang Jingfei frowned in confusion, "Then who could it be?"
Guo Xiaopeng looked ahead, "It's likely Yang Chun, seeking revenge for his brother's death."
"Yang Chun?" Wang Jingfei was shocked, "Wasn't he arrested that day?"
"He's still at large," Guo Xiaopeng said, his face clouded. "Some things aren't as simple as they seem."
"You should report this to the police immediately, or there could be more trouble!" Wang Jingfei urged.
Guo Xiaopeng replied softly, "If Duan Hai is fine, it's better not to report it."
"Why?" Wang Jingfei looked puzzled.
Guo Xiaopeng suddenly felt melancholic, "I'm a public figure in Haizhou. Public figures have no privacy. If we report it, it'll cause a stir, damaging the company's reputation, and I won't be able to control the situation."
"Letting the assassin roam free, constantly threatening your life?" Wang Jingfei was still confused.
Guo Xiaopeng, touched by her concern, gave her a gentle look before focusing back on the road, "The assassin failed and should flee far away. There's no reason to strike again."
Wang Jingfei remained silent.
The Quarry
Xinjiang. Northwest Reeducation Camp Quarry.
A thunderous explosion shattered the stillness, sending rocks cascading like hailstones. As the dust settled, dozens of prisoners rushed to the debris, sweating as they selected and shaped the stones. Under the scorching sun and lingering smoke, the prisoners labored heavily. Lin Xiaoqiang, however, sat alone in the shade, sipping tea, smoking, and fanning himself leisurely.
Jin Tie, a scholarly-looking man, was clearly unaccustomed to hard labor. His hands were blistered, and his face was sunburned. It was the hottest part of the day, with extreme temperature differences between day and night. The prisoners were exhausted, hot, thirsty, and hungry, many of them barely holding on. Jin Tie, staggering and about to faint, heard Mule call out, "Hey, Duck! Lin Chief wants to see you."
"Lin Chief?" Jin Tie, his brain barely functioning, opened his eyes wide in confusion.
"Yeah, the boss!" Mule grinned mischievously, "Maybe he really fancies you, pretty boy..." Jin Tie wobbled towards the shaded area where Lin Xiaoqiang sat, almost tripping several times on the loose stones. Reaching Lin Xiaoqiang, he was too dazed to notice the gesture to sit and just stared at the teapot beside him.
Lin Xiaoqiang noticed his thirst but said nothing. Finally, Jin Tie couldn't hold back and asked, "Can I… can I have some water?"
Lin Xiaoqiang smiled, nodding graciously, "Drink."
Jin Tie grabbed the teacup and gulped it down, not even thanking him. Still thirsty, he eyed the teapot but dared not pour another cup.
"Drink more!" Lin Xiaoqiang waved magnanimously.
Jin Tie eagerly drank another cup in one go.
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