Shooting Target!

The third day of National Day.

A little after ten in the morning.

At the Public Security Bureau Family Compound, in his living room, Dong Xuebin had not washed his face or brushed his teeth. His hair was a mess, and his face was full of bitterness and frustration. With his hands behind his back and his phone clenched in one hand, he paced back and forth between the two bedrooms. Every so often, he brought the phone in front of him, pulled up Xie Huilan's number, and hovered his thumb over the screen. He wanted to press it but did not. Then he put his hands behind his back again and continued pacing around the house in anguish. One lap, two laps, three laps. A few minutes later, Dong Xuebin took out his phone again and looked at the screen, still unable to decide. Should he call? Should he not?

In the end, Dong Xuebin gritted his teeth and called.

But after more than a dozen rings, no one answered.

Knowing that Sister Xie was still angry, Dong Xuebin sighed and settled for the next best thing, calling her secretary, Hu Silian. "Hello, Sister Hu? It's Dong Xuebin."

"Hehe, Director Dong, how come you came back to Yantai County without treating me to a meal? I've been waiting eagerly."

"Oh, come on. You're a big shot now. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to invite you."

"Are you making fun of me? I might not give anyone else face, but I'd have to give you face."

After joking around for a few moments, Dong Xuebin asked, "By the way, what does County Chief Xie have planned today? Is she resting?"

Hu Silian knew Dong Xuebin probably had business with the county chief. If it had been anyone else, she definitely would not have revealed the county chief's whereabouts. But this was Dong Xuebin, and he had helped her secure her position as secretary. After thinking it over, Hu Silian lowered her voice. "County Chief Xie was originally taking the day off, but this morning she heard that a group from the Capital City had arrived. They seem to be planning to invest in Yantai County, and they have quite an impressive background. Since County Chief Xie came to Yantai County, she has attached great importance to investment promotion, so she may personally attend the luncheon. I'll be there as well, along with Deputy Director Lu from the county Investment Bureau."

Dong Xuebin frowned. "Businessmen from the Capital City?"

"Mm. The person leading them seems to be named Wei Nan. It sounds like he knows County Chief Xie."

"Wei Nan?" Dong Xuebin's expression changed slightly. "Sister Hu, can you tell me where the luncheon is being held?"

Hu Silian hesitated, but she did not ask what he wanted to do. She quietly gave him the restaurant's address.

After hanging up, Dong Xuebin's face darkened. Wei Nan had come? And he was actually planning to invest in Yantai County? His father was a major boss in the medical equipment business, and his family had money, but there was no way they would come all the way to a godforsaken place like Yantai County to develop business, right? There was no investment advantage here at all! Damn it! That bastard's real aim wasn't the investment! Dong Xuebin immediately understood. Those photos had not all been sent merely to retaliate because Dong Xuebin had taken his fiancée. Wei Nan wanted to pursue Xie Huilan again! That bastard was setting his sights on Sister Xie!

New and old grudges surged into his heart all at once, and Dong Xuebin slapped the sofa hard!

Damn it! He absolutely could not let that bastard succeed!

Twelve-thirty in the afternoon.

In West District of the county seat, Dong Xuebin parked his car diagonally across from a restaurant, got out, and looked at a BMW 7 Series and a Toyota with county government plates parked in the restaurant's open-air lot. The former should have been Wei Nan's car, the one Dong Xuebin had seen in Old Master Xie's garage. The latter was Xie Huilan's official car. Her driver, Old Xing, was sitting inside, flipping through a newspaper while eating a hamburger.

Dong Xuebin walked over as if they had run into each other by chance. "Oh, Driver Xing."

Old Xing was startled for a moment, then greeted him. "Director Dong."

Old Xing was Xie Huilan's personal driver. Dong Xuebin had seen him once when he was at the county government, though they had never spoken. "Hehe, why are you eating here? Is County Chief Xie in the restaurant up ahead?"

Old Xing nodded without saying much.

Dong Xuebin had no intention of entering the restaurant. He just waited outside and chatted with Old Xing. Old Xing was a steady, reliable middle-aged man who did not talk much and knew what he should and should not say. He only told Dong Xuebin that County Chief Xie and Secretary Hu had entered the restaurant more than ten minutes ago. As for anything else, such as County Chief Xie's mood today, Old Xing said nothing more. Dong Xuebin was also very polite to him. After all, he was a trusted aide by the leader's side.

About half an hour later.

The restaurant door opened, and Xie Huilan and Hu Silian came out with Wei Nan and three other men.

Hu Silian followed behind Xie Huilan. Another middle-aged man was also smiling as he accompanied the investors from the Capital City. He should have been Lu Dafa, the deputy director of the Investment Bureau.

The moment he saw Wei Nan, Dong Xuebin's pupils contracted. Then he looked at Xie Huilan and found Sister Xie smiling faintly with narrowed eyes as she chatted and laughed with Wei Nan and the other two men. It seemed she had not brought her emotions into work at all, and Dong Xuebin could not help admiring her inwardly. Sister Xie and Wei Nan had clashed quite badly before, but that had only been in their private lives. One thing was one thing, another was another. Dong Xuebin figured that even if he went over to greet Sister Xie right now, Xie Huilan probably would not give him a cold look, because at this moment, she did not represent only herself. She represented all of Yantai County.

Over there, Wei Nan said with a smile, "Hou Zi, what do you think?"

A tall young man smiled. "The investment environment here is a bit worse than in other counties, but it has its own advantages. If the government can provide us with more support, I think we can discuss building a factory." He was fairly satisfied with the place. It was suitable for building a factory.

Wei Nan looked at Xie Huilan. "County Chief Xie, it's not convenient to talk here. Shall we find somewhere else to discuss it?"

Xie Huilan checked the time and said that Deputy Director Lu could handle the rest of the discussions with them.

Although bringing in an investment would be highly beneficial to Yantai County's development and would count toward Xie Huilan's achievements, as one of the County Leaders and the county chief, she naturally could not personally handle every matter. Accompanying them for a meal was already enough to show the county's importance to the investors. But Wei Nan shamelessly insisted on discussing cooperation matters with Xie Huilan, while Hou Zi and another young man named Zhou Zi seemed to know what Wei Nan had in mind and chimed in to support him.

In the end, Xie Huilan quietly exchanged a few words with Hu Silian. When she turned back, she still nodded in agreement. Hu Silian understood that Wei Nan's group must have a significant background and that the investment amount involved would certainly be considerable. Otherwise, a group of investors would not have been able to discuss cooperation face-to-face with the county chief.

Wei Nan smiled. "County Chief Xie treated us to lunch. This time, it's our turn."

Zhou Zi said, "Let's go to that shooting sports center we passed this morning. My hands are itching. We can talk while shooting targets."

Hou Zi immediately agreed. "Sounds good. I haven't touched a gun in a long time either."

Just as everyone was about to get their cars, Dong Xuebin suddenly walked over from the distance. "Hey, what a coincidence! County Chief Xie, you're here too?" His expression was so fake that Hu Silian nearly laughed out loud, quickly pressing her lips together to hold it back. Of course she knew it was not a coincidence. She had been the one to give Dong Xuebin the restaurant's address.

Xie Huilan looked at him and smiled. "Director Dong? You came here to eat too?"

She was completely different from how she had slammed the table and thrown the remote control yesterday. But Dong Xuebin knew this did not mean she had forgiven him. Xie Huilan was simply mindful of the bigger picture and had not brought her personal emotions into it. Dong Xuebin gave an awkward smile. "Not really. I just happened to pass by and saw your car."

Xie Huilan nodded and said nothing more.

Hu Silian did not think much of County Chief Xie's lukewarm attitude. She did not know about the relationship between County Chief Xie and Director Dong, though she did find it a little strange. When Director Dong had helped County Chief Xie out at the County Party Committee Office building and saved that man who was about to jump, County Chief Xie should have been rather grateful to him. Why was there no sign of that now? But a leader's thoughts were not something Hu Silian could fathom. Though she found it strange, she was not particularly surprised.

Wei Nan was different. He knew Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan were dating. The moment he saw Xie Huilan's expression, he understood most of what was going on and sneered inwardly. It seemed Xie Huilan had received the photos he had sent to the disciplinary commission. He glanced at Dong Xuebin, feeling extremely pleased with himself.

From the day he obtained those photos, Wei Nan had made all his plans. First, he would drive a wedge between Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebin. Then he would take advantage of the opening and win Xie Huilan back. But after his previous failure, Wei Nan had become somewhat more composed. He did not recklessly reveal his intentions. Instead, he first brought along several friends who wanted to invest, coming to Yantai County as investors in order to get close to Xie Huilan. He would wait until the time was right before making further plans.

Dong Xuebin looked at Wei Nan and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Even if Sister Xie had severed ties with him, Dong Xuebin would not allow Wei Nan to get involved. Sooner or later, he would settle this score properly with Wei Nan.

At the restaurant entrance, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat silent after Dong Xuebin appeared.

Dong Xuebin acted as if he did not know he was unwelcome and continued chatting with Xie Huilan about pointless things.

Xie Huilan responded perfunctorily now and then. Finally, she said, "Xiao Hu, get ready to leave."

Usually, that was how a leader dismissed a guest. Anyone with even a little tact should have said goodbye and left at that point instead of continuing to disturb them. But Dong Xuebin clearly lacked that awareness. Seeing that Xie Huilan was ignoring him, he looked a little embarrassed. Then he turned toward a middle-aged man, immediately walked over with a hearty laugh, and shook his hand enthusiastically. "Oh! Isn't this Director Lu? I've heard so much about you!"

Lu Dafa forced out a smile. "Director Dong, likewise, likewise."

Dong Xuebin was being so warm that he threw an arm around Lu Dafa's shoulder and began talking with him as if they were brothers.

Lu Dafa almost cursed out loud. Since when were we this close? What are you acting so familiar for?

Since Hu Silian had come from the Public Security Bureau, she knew a little about the history between Lu Dafa and Little Dong. Seeing this, her expression immediately turned somewhat stunned. It seemed that Dong Xuebin's younger sister, Tang Jin, had bought counterfeit cigarettes from Wutian Township, and one of Lu Dafa's relatives had even shoved Tang Jin to the ground. In the end, Director Dong had gone there, beaten up Lu Dafa's relative, and argued with Lu Dafa over the phone. The two of them should have been mortal enemies. So why were they...

Xie Huilan ignored Dong Xuebin and got directly into the car.

Wei Nan cast Dong Xuebin a sinister glance before heading for the parking lot to get his own car.

"Old Lu," Dong Xuebin had already changed how he addressed him. "Where are you all headed?"

Lu Dafa was nearly furious. Was Old Lu a name Dong Xuebin could call him? But there were investors beside them, so he could not say much. He gave a fake smile. "We're going to the shooting sports center. We should be going now too. Director Dong, let's talk another time." He did not want to stay around Dong Xuebin any longer, but he had not expected the other man to say something that nearly made him cough up blood.

Dong Xuebin suddenly slapped his thigh. "Hey, isn't that a coincidence? I was just about to go there too!"

Bullshit! Lu Dafa's face darkened. "What are you going there for?"

"To shoot targets, of course." Dong Xuebin's face did not redden as his heart did not skip a beat. He threw an arm around Lu Dafa's shoulder again. "Old Lu, come on. We're going the same way. I'll drive you there."

Lu Dafa said speechlessly, "I drove here myself!"

Dong Xuebin would not have it. He stubbornly dragged Lu Dafa toward the parking lot, calling him Old Lu with every other sentence. "Why are you being so polite with me? Just leave your car here. It's not going anywhere. Come on, ride with me!"

Hu Silian looked toward County Chief Xie's car, then gave a bitter smile. "Director Dong, you're..."

Dong Xuebin played dumb. "Secretary Hu, what is it?"

Hu Silian had not expected Dong Xuebin to pull something like this. For a moment, she regretted giving him the restaurant's address. She quickly gave him a meaningful look. "Everyone is going to... discuss work... You..." Hu Silian was afraid County Chief Xie would be displeased and also afraid the investors might get the wrong idea.

Dong Xuebin said, "Discuss work? Then isn't this perfect? The investors' safety has to be guaranteed. Secretary Hu, leave that to me!"

Hu Silian could only smile bitterly, not knowing what else to say.

While the two of them were talking, Lu Dafa broke free from Dong Xuebin's arm and hurried off to find his own car.

But Dong Xuebin was quick. He grabbed Lu Dafa by the shoulder again. "Old Lu, my car's across the street. Why are you going over there? Come on."

Lu Dafa was not young anymore, and he had spent years sitting in an office. His physical condition naturally could not compare to Dong Xuebin's. He was forcibly dragged into the car. Lu Dafa was utterly depressed. He could see it now—Dong Xuebin was shamelessly trying to tag along with them to the shooting range. He had seen thick-skinned people before, but never anyone this thick-skinned. County Chief Xie was right there. She had not even said she was taking him along, yet he actually dared to force his way in? Did he really not know how the word death was written?

Over on the other side, Zhou Zi asked blankly, "Who was that just now?"

Hu Silian lowered her voice. "He's Deputy Director Dong from the County Public Security Bureau."

Hou Zi was also startled. "He's that young?" He looked five or six years younger than Hou Zi himself.

Just then, the Toyota and BMW both drove over. Dong Xuebin also turned the steering wheel and pulled up beside the two investors, opening the car door and inviting them inside. He looked every bit like a county government staff member assigned to receive the investors, even though the Public Security Bureau and investment promotion had absolutely nothing to do with each other.

When he saw the Mercedes Business parked beside them, Hou Zi froze, almost unable to believe his eyes.

Zhou Zi was dumbfounded. The few of them traveled all over the country and had seen a great deal, but after visiting so many places and so many counties and cities, they had never seen anyone from a county Public Security Bureau openly driving a Mercedes. Of course, they knew this was no ordinary domestic Mercedes. This was the top configuration of the Mercedes Business line, worth at least 1.5 million yuan. Damn, how much nerve did that take? The county chief was right there!

Then Hou Zi's pupils suddenly tightened.

Zhou Zi asked quietly, "What is it?"

Hou Zi said with a helpless smile, "Look at his hand."

"His hand? What about it?"

"...Look at his wrist."

Zhou Zi looked, and his expression immediately froze as he sucked in a cold breath!

Patek Philippe. The deputy director from the Public Security Bureau was actually wearing a Patek Philippe watch. If it had been Lu Dafa, he probably would not even have known what brand the watch was, much less its value. But Hou Zi and Zhou Zi knew. They also knew that the Patek Philippe was probably genuine. That small watch was likely even more expensive than the Mercedes Business, a famous watch worth nearly two million yuan. Then the two of them stared eagerly at the icy Qilin Pendant hanging from Dong Xuebin's waist. They exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.

Damn!

Was this guy really a government official?

That whole set of gear was worth several million yuan. He looked far wealthier than investors like them!

Zhou Zi and Hou Zi could tell at once that this Director Dong was definitely no ordinary deputy director of the Public Security Bureau, and certainly no ordinary person. The two quietly discussed it, then nodded to Wei Nan and said something. Right afterward, without another word, they both got into Dong Xuebin's Mercedes. They were both very interested in this Director Dong. Wei Nan frowned but said nothing. He drove over beside the Toyota, smiled and said something to Xie Huilan, then took the lead in front.

The BMW 7 Series led the way, the Toyota drove in the middle, and the Mercedes Business brought up the rear as they headed toward the shooting sports center.

That place was not actually within Yantai County's boundaries. The drive would take at least half an hour.

On the way, Zhou Zi and Hou Zi, who were sitting in the second row, introduced themselves to Dong Xuebin. The two also gave him their business cards. Lu Dafa, as a leader of the Investment Bureau, was still very dedicated. Sitting beside them, he tirelessly promoted Yantai County. But Zhou Zi and Hou Zi clearly had little interest in what Lu Dafa said. They had already heard what needed hearing and seen what needed seeing. As for whether they would invest, they had long since made up their minds. Now it only depended on how much support the county would provide, so no matter how extravagantly Lu Dafa praised the place, neither of them reacted.

Dong Xuebin barely said anything. He stared intently at the Toyota ahead, watching Xie Huilan's silhouette.

"Director Dong." Someone called to him from the back.

Dong Xuebin turned around. "Hm? What is it?"

Zhou Zi said with great interest, "This car is really nice. An R500L, top of the line."

"Oh, it belongs to a friend. I just borrowed it for a drive." Dong Xuebin used his usual excuse.

Hou Zi looked at his wrist, wanting to probe into his background. "Don't tell me the watch is borrowed too? A Patek Philippe. Zhou Zi and I saw one at an auction not long ago, almost the same style as yours. It had to be worth at least 1.8 million yuan, right?" The two did not mean any harm. They were simply too curious.

Hearing that, Lu Dafa was shocked!

Dong Xuebin hurriedly waved his hand. "It's fake. I bought it on Taobao. About eighteen hundred yuan."

Lu Dafa suddenly understood.

Zhou Zi and Hou Zi exchanged bitter smiles. Fake? How could that be possible! They had enough discernment to know better!