Chapter Forty-Three: The Targeted Plan

Chapter Forty-Three: A Targeted Plan

From beginning to end, the others watched everything unfold with expressionless faces. Chen Zilin would never know he had become a tool for them to gauge Shen An’s strength. It was as if they had foreseen this outcome; not a hint of surprise crossed their faces at his death.

“Chen Zilin, that useless fool, is dead. Now, everyone should have a direct sense of Shen An’s capabilities. Prepare your countermeasures,” the middle-aged man said, his tone solemn as he regarded those below.

“Yes, Master,” they replied as one.

With that, the group began their genuine discussion of Shen An.

...

“A glass of red wine, please,” Shen An said to a trembling waiter behind the counter.

The waiter, terrified, suddenly collapsed to his knees, a wet stain spreading across his pants.

Shen An frowned at the sight, but paid him no further attention. He pulled a drink from the nearby refrigerator and took a few sips.

Turning, he tossed the empty bottle into a trash can and left without looking back.

“No one is following me. What are they waiting for?” he wondered.

He had expected a direct ambush, but after so long, no one came for him. It almost seemed as if they were afraid.

Shen An’s brows furrowed. He dismissed the thought and returned to his apartment.

When he awoke the next morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto his body.

After washing up, he went downstairs and walked a short distance, seeing a woman busy at the makeshift shop.

He approached.

“I told you to leave today. Why are you still here?” he said, helping her tidy up.

“Shen An, oh, I thought it’d be a waste to just leave everything, so I found someone to sell it off for me. Xiaoyu will be here soon. Would you like to sit? I could buy you breakfast.”

Having helped her pack a few things, Shen An replied, “I’ll handle the rest later. Take Xiaoyu and leave as soon as you can. It's not safe here right now. Don’t let a little profit delay you. The sooner you leave and find a new place, the better.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. Can I buy you something?” Xu Qingru asked, preparing to go out, but Shen An refused her.

“I have other matters. Thank you.”

He refused her offer, turned away, and disappeared at the end of the street.

Only after his figure vanished did Xu Qingru notice the stack of money he had pressed into her hands. She stood dazed for a moment.

By the time she chased after him, Shen An was nowhere to be found.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Xu Qingru steadied herself and tucked the money away.

“It’s nothing, Xiaoyu. Pack your things—we’re leaving Silver City.”

“Wow, Mom, did you withdraw money? There’s so much!” the girl said happily, clinging to her mother’s arm and bouncing with joy.

“Silly girl, you’re too old to be this lively. This money...” Xu Qingru began.

Meanwhile, Shen An slipped into an alley, ensuring no one was tailing him.

He looked ahead. “What do you want with me?”

A wavering silhouette appeared. Mu Linqiu’s graceful figure emerged.

“Chen Zilin was only a pawn, used by the Chen family to test your strength. They care nothing for the lives of the useless within their clan. The footage of your fight last night has already reached the Chen family’s upper echelon. They’re devising plans to deal with you,” Mu Linqiu stated directly, without hesitation.

“Oh? Technological surveillance?” Shen An was a bit surprised.

He recalled having been watched by Bai Weiwei before.

Understanding dawned, and he said nothing more.

“You came all this way just to tell me this?” Shen An asked, curious.

“I wanted to tell you that you can cooperate with us. The Chen family’s power isn’t something you can handle alone. We can help you,” Mu Linqiu offered.

Her organization appeared formidable—she showed no fear toward a clan as powerful as the Chens, and even proposed an alliance to Shen An.

He gazed into her eyes.

There seemed to be many thoughts swirling in Mu Linqiu’s gaze, making it impossible for Shen An to discern truth from falsehood.

He didn’t know their true intentions.

This organization seemed strong, but their promises always sounded like empty boasts—a grand vision never acted upon, much like their last proposed collaboration.

No one’s words could be trusted.

Shen An, in truth, had no desire to cooperate with them.

Seeing the look on his face, Mu Linqiu tried to persuade him.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. I know you have reservations about us, but please believe in our sincerity. This time, it’s more than you can handle alone. For now, the Chen family won’t strike, but they will devise a flawless plan to kill you in one blow.”

Her expression was grave.

“Right now, the Chen family is consolidating all their forces. Every member has returned home. They have no vulnerabilities left. Meanwhile, you are completely exposed to their gaze.”

Her words made Shen An frown.

Indeed, he was just one man. Taking on the Chen family would not be easy.

Before, he might have bullied their juniors, but now those cunning Chens had recalled even their youngest members, leaving no weak points.

Shen An pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, “How do you propose we cooperate?”

He looked at Mu Linqiu.

He was sure that her group had only approached him with such confidence after assessing his strength.

Perhaps they already knew what his answer would be.

“It’s simple. Force the Chen family to act against you ahead of schedule,” Mu Linqiu replied, as if she had expected his question.

“You already have a plan?” he asked.

This organization... it seemed they’d been plotting against the Chens for some time.

Shen An mused silently.

He said, “That’s your plan. I still want to know what’s in it for me.”

Shen An never agreed to anything without benefit, no matter if the other party claimed to be acting in his interest.

He would not entrust his back to them so easily.

“What do you want?” Mu Linqiu asked.

A faint smile appeared on Shen An’s lips. His eyes narrowed, fists clenched as he looked ahead.

Mu Linqiu waited, curious what he would demand.

Suddenly, Shen An said coldly, “I want your people to chop off the Chen family head’s head.”

At these words, Shen An looked at Mu Linqiu once more.

Her face instantly darkened.

“Impossible. The organization would never agree to your demand,” she shook her head repeatedly.

He must be insane.

Their aim wasn’t to expose themselves, but to use Shen An’s strength to eliminate the Chen family.

Yet here he was, asking them to kill the family head.

Mu Linqiu could not comprehend him.

Had he seen through their scheme in an instant, or was he simply making a wild demand?

“I can’t make that decision,” she said.