Let them offer their loyalty!

Qiu Tu nodded, agreeing with Tang Feifei's judgment, "You make sense."

"So Old Bai explained to me later."

Tang Feifei frowned deeply, a flicker of unusual color passing through her eyes, "Are you referring to when he said 'You think you've seen the truth, but in fact, you've seen it wrong?'"

Qiu Tu nodded slightly, then said with a deep gaze, "Yes. He said that everything in this world is shrouded in a layer of white fog. We think we see chrysanthemums before us, but in fact... it's orchids."

"That itself is telling me that what I'm seeing now may not be the truth. Instead, it's an illusion."

"It's possible that he really did defect to Larilo, but there could be compelling reasons. It's just that he can't say them out loud."

Hearing Qiu Tu's explanation, Tang Feifei's gaze deepened, and she sat cross-armed on the sofa, falling into thought.

After pondering for a dozen or so seconds, she looked at Qiu Tu and slowly said, "So... the conversation you had after that seemed to be about whether that orchid from back then should be dug up."

"In reality, it was about whether you can move against him now."

"And Bai Yu's answer was: Though it should be dug, we must clarify what it looks like. In fact, he was hinting to you that you should still move against him, but make sure you don't misinterpret his identity."

"And what he said afterward: 'If you don't dig up the orchid, how can you see him.' was actually telling you that if you don't apprehend him, if you don't pursue this truth, how can you understand the true nature of the affair?"

Qiu Tu responded with a smile, "Yes, that's right."

Hearing Qiu Tu's affirmative answer, Tang Feifei's wheat-colored face didn't show much joy, but rather, more doubt appeared.

Her gaze slightly narrowed as she looked at Qiu Tu, "But... what could be the reason that he 'had no choice' but to turn to the Evil God?"

"Do you realize, once someone becomes an Evil God Cultist, the only thing awaiting him is execution by firing squad. There's no second path."

"He can't really think that just by hoodwinking you a bit, he could escape doom, could he?"

Hearing this, Qiu Tu fell silent for a few seconds before slowly saying, "Perhaps... there are unspeakable difficulties."

Seeing Qiu Tu's expression, Tang Feifei sharply picked up on something. She questioned him with suspicion, "Do you know the reason?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu quickly shook his head with a smile, "How could I possibly know the reason. I've told you everything in my conversation with Old Bai."

"What you know is what I know."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tang Feifei paused to think. Although she still felt something wasn't quite right, she eventually nodded slightly, "That's true."

After speaking, she inquired, "So... what are you planning to do next?"

Hearing Tang Feifei's question, Qiu Tu also pulled his emotions from the distress of Old Bai being the "mastermind" behind the scenes.

He slightly curved the fingers of his right hand into a grasping motion and then said, "Catch him!"

"I want you to help me apply to Tang Jiancha for an investigation order! Authorizing us to apprehend Secretary Bai and bring him back to the Political Department for interrogation!"

When Tang Feifei heard Qiu Tu's words, she didn't leave immediately but asked another question, "It shouldn't be just this one investigation order, should it?"

At this, Qiu Tu chuckled, "Hehe," and with a cheeky expression said, "If possible, I'd trouble you to also approve the investigation order for Yan Chen's daughter, Yan Yan."

"That way, once I've captured Old Bai, I can go directly to apprehend Larilo and prevent her from escaping."

Tang Feifei: ...

Tang Feifei, looking at Qiu Tu, remarked, "You really can't sit still, can you? You won't be satisfied until you've stirred up the heavens."

But Tang Feifei was a decisive and efficient woman, so even though she lamented, she stood up and then said, "I'll call my second uncle and ask."

"However, I can't guarantee it'll be successful."

Qiu Tu nodded, then said, "Then I'll go take a shower and wait for you."

Upon hearing this, Tang Feifei's heart raced for a moment.

She sized up Qiu Tu with a dangerous look in her eyes, then coolly said, "Don't worry, I guarantee it will be successful."

Having said that, she turned and walked away with her long legs, leaving the living room.

Seeing her departing figure, Qiu Tu smirked, feeling like he was engaged in some sort of bribe.

'All of this is for the investigation, the investigation!' he chanted to himself twice, brainwashing himself, before he finally turned to go to the bathroom to shower.

In the bathroom, amid the "pitter-patter" of water, Qiu Tu's thoughts grew even more profound.

In truth... he had just lied to Tang Feifei.

Although he indeed told Tang Feifei every detail of his conversation with Secretary Bai, what Qiu Tu didn't mention was... he might have guessed the real message that Secretary Bai was trying to convey to him secretly.

This hidden message wasn't obtained through conversation or gestures, but through Secretary Bai's series of abnormal behaviors tonight, which led Qiu Tu to his own realization...

What kind of person Secretary Bai was, Qiu Tu knew best: he was someone who would repay even the smallest kindness with a fountain of gratitude.

Ever since Qiu Tu saved his life, Secretary Bai had been repaying the kindness he owed.

Including helping Qiu Tu and others buy houses in Old Alley Street; including leaving enough money for Qiu Tu for two or three years of living;

Including, after the establishment of Xinjie City, recruiting Qiu Tu into the Administrative Office of the Investigation Bureau; including introducing Qiu Tu to Yan Chen as a driver;

Including turning a blind eye to the fact that through his and Yan Chen's influence, Qiu Tu was able to get Ah-Tai and others jobs; including secretly giving Qiu Tu hints and tips, helping him escape.

It also includes that even though he was at odds with Qiu Tu, he still found an opportunity to tell him that an Advisor from Huang Shangzong had arrived in Xinjie City and was plotting against Qiu Tu…

All these actions prove that although he seems indifferent on the surface, he actually has a clear sense of gratitude and grudges…

Therefore, Qiu Tu boldly speculated: Secretary Bai, who clearly has no desire for "Reproduction" nor interest in the Evil God, still became a follower of Larilo, probably also because of gratitude. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

However, seeing that Secretary Bai did not hesitate to betray Larilo today, it seemed that the gratitude did not come from Larilo.

So… Qiu Tu speculated that maybe someone who was indebted to Secretary Bai asked him to become a follower of Larilo, leading to all this.

For example… Yan Chen.

Although Qiu Tu is unclear about what kind of favor Secretary Bai owed Yan Chen, based on all of Secretary Bai's actions, it seems that he is very loyal to Yan Chen.

Even if Secretary Bai gave Qiu Tu hints or leaked information several times, it was all under the circumstance where he believed it would not affect Yan Chen's interests. (Chapter 127)

So, when he found out that Secretary Bai had become an Evil God Cultist almost without any motivation, and also did not hesitate to betray the Evil God.

Qiu Tu's first reaction was: Couldn't it be that Secretary Bai became a follower of Larilo by Yan Chen's arrangement?

As for why Yan Chen would make such an arrangement, Qiu Tu is unclear…

And to what extent Yan Chen is involved in this matter, Qiu Tu is unclear…

Does Yan Chen actually know that his daughter has been switched? Qiu Tu is unclear.

What role he played in the incident of his daughter being switched, Qiu Tu is also unclear.

The only thing he could guess was: Perhaps, Yan Chen wanted to gain a huge benefit from Larilo.

But Yan Chen is cautious and does not want to take risks personally, nor does he want to ruin his future prospects, so he hinted or arranged for Secretary Bai to become a follower of Larilo.

For more specific details, Qiu Tu could only wait to apprehend Secretary Bai to get a clear picture…

'So… are Larilo and Yan Chen actually playing their own separate games of chess on the same board?'

'It all depends on who has the superior tactics. Who can outmaneuver the other?'

The more he found himself in this chess game, the more Qiu Tu realized the complexity of the situation.

And what's more critical is that he discovered… both the players holding black and white pieces were his enemies.

It seemed that no matter who won, it wouldn't be good for him…

With that thought, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and then exhaled a heavy sigh!

No matter what, Secretary Bai's "surrender" allowed him to finally seem to glimpse the true whole picture of Xinjie City's chess game.

He believed that as long as he continued, he would soon be able to figure everything out and make his own choices!

With that thought, Qiu Tu turned off the hot water, then dried his body, wrapped the bath towel around his waist, and walked towards the bedroom.

As he entered the bedroom, Tang Feifei had just finished a phone call.

Seeing Qiu Tu come in, her gaze narrowed, and her sharp eyes swept across Qiu Tu's bare upper body and the six-pack abs several times.

The yellow glint at the bottom of her eyes began to flicker, like a female leopard spotting an interesting prey.

There's an awareness that comes with being a kept man.

So, ignoring Tang Feifei's predatory expression, Qiu Tu sat on the bed nonchalantly, propping his hands beside him, then asked, "What did uncle say?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Feifei withdrew her gaze, then, as she began to undo her uniform jacket, she said coolly, "Uncle agreed."

"And he knows you're eager to work on the case. So, he said he'll expedite the stamping and fax the Authorization Letter over. This way, you can take action tomorrow."

Having heard what Tang Feifei said, Qiu Tu couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "That's uncle for you, always reliable."

Tang Feifei let out a faint snort, as if to mock Qiu Tu's naivety—it wasn't without her spending a lot of effort, using threats and temptations, that Tang Jiancha would have agreed so readily.

But she herself was not the type to explain, so while she tossed her shirt aside and continued to unbutton her inner garment, she added, "Another thing. He asked me to warn you."

"Huang Shangzong has set his sights on you and has been looking up your information lately."

"And since Dongye State is about to be established, from then on, city-level cases can no longer be directly authorized by the Sanctuary; they have to go through a procedure at the state level first."

"So, once Huang Shangzong decides to cut you off, he might only be able to help you this one time. Therefore, he wants any conflicts you have to be resolved in one go."

------

Three chapters, ten thousand words, ah. Asking for Monthly Tickets!