Assassination

The gleaming business van pulled up beneath the red-brick building. A young woman in a gray office skirt suit directed three blue-collar workers as they carried large cardboard boxes into the small red-brick building.

On the fourth floor, the landlady blocked the elevator entrance and stopped the workers. With her hands on her hips, she sprayed spittle as she ranted, "What are you trying to do? Hauling all this stuff upstairs—did you get permission from me, the landlord? Take it all back down."

The young woman in the gray skirt suit said, "Our boss will be staying here for a few days. You're the landlord, correct? Your tenant has already given permission."

"He gave permission, but I didn't." Perhaps she had not argued with anyone today and had yet to vent her temper, so the landlady finally seized the opportunity. "Not just anyone can stay in my place. You want to move in without an interview? Get out, get out! If you don't leave, I'll smash all this junk of yours."

With that, she grabbed a small package and was about to throw it to the floor.

The young woman remained perfectly calm and said lightly, "That box contains the limited-edition cigars our boss collects. One box costs one hundred thousand Federal dollars."

The landlady set the package down with lightning speed, as though it were scorching hot.

She stared at the young woman for several seconds before grumbling, "Just you wait!"

Then she furiously pounded on the door of apartment 403.

Zhang Yuanqing, who had been video chatting with the Stop-Killing Palace Lord in his bedroom, hurriedly hung up and rushed out to see what was happening.

The sight of all the bags and boxes stunned him. He looked blankly at the young woman in the gray office suit