Afternoon.
Donghai District, Chenghai Hotel.
With a single phone call, Dong Xuebin sent the State Security civil servants who had already arrived packing. That move immediately stunned Chang Dajin and the man in the suit.
What kind of influence was that?
Just one sentence, and he made them all leave? The Power of Time and Wealth 718
Dong Xuebin was right. Chang Dajin was merely an unaffiliated operative attached to Fenzhou City's State Security department. He had no official post. His main focus was still on his own business, and only when opportunities arose would he help State Security gather intelligence, provide leads, and offer financial support in exchange for some assistance from the Municipal State Security Bureau. Rather than a subordinate relationship, it was more accurate to call it mutually beneficial cooperation. Chang Dajin had no ability to command State Security. Yet Director Wu, whom he had gone to great lengths to bring in, had been dismissed by Dong Xuebin with a few words. That display of power made Chang Dajin's heart tighten, and he no longer dared underestimate this young man who looked barely twenty-something.
The atmosphere in the office froze.
Ring, ring, ring. The phone suddenly rang urgently.
Chang Dajin took a breath, glanced at Dong Xuebin, and reached out to answer it. "Hello."
"It's me!" Director Wu's voice came through the line. "What happened over there?"
"I... I..." Chang Dajin said bitterly, "I don't really know the specifics, Director Wu. I..."
Director Wu said coldly, "A leader above just asked about it. He didn't say much, only told us to withdraw and go back. We've already left. Handle your own affairs yourself. I can't help you." After a pause, he added, "Boss Chang, we've worked together for two or three years. There's something I need to