177: Chapter 177 Hunter and Prey

If Chen Shuting hadn't mentioned him, Zhao Yang would have almost forgotten about Mark. For the past month, he had been busy with a case involving smuggled vehicles, using the complete case-handling process to test the progress of the Third Branch. However, to his surprise, he didn't go looking for Mark, but Mark came knocking on his own door.

He took a sip of tea and asked, "Do you know anything about Mark's background?"

Chen Shuting thought for a moment and said, "I think he is very similar to a foreigner who was very active in Jinghai recently. Qilan warned me that the foreigner is a financial broker who specializes in helping foreign capital fleece the market."

Zhao Yang nodded, "Exactly. He is a white glove sent by foreign forces to fleece the market in Shanghai. Song Siming's money should all be managed by him. You can get in touch with this person. If he asks you to introduce me, agree to it."

Chen Shuting was stunned, "Boss, he doesn't seem to have good intentions."

"It doesn't matter." Zhao Yang smiled, "He has something I need."

Chen Shuting paused, then smiled too, "Alright, Boss, wait for my news."

Seeing them both smiling, Guan Zhizhi inexplicably felt a chill and silently mourned for the guy named Mark.

Among the changes in the Shikumen project, Manager Chen Sifu suffered the most severe losses. When Song Siming told him personally at the dinner table that this matter was completely over and he shouldn't dwell on it anymore, Manager Chen Sifu almost couldn't stop himself from flipping the table.

He raised his glass and downed it in one gulp, "Brother, is there really no hope for this matter?"

Song Siming's face darkened, "How many times do I have to tell you? This is the unified opinion of the city government, and Mayor Zhang also strongly supports it. Stop obsessing over Shikumen."

"But I... I..." Manager Chen Sifu gritted his teeth, "If this project is gone, all my investments will go down the drain. Brother, you can't just ignore me at a time like this."

"Who said I'm ignoring you?" Song Siming rubbed his temples, "I'll ask Chen Shuting for you and see if there's a possibility of cooperating with the Construction Group."

"No... I mean, Brother." Manager Chen Sifu widened his eyes, "I checked, and the Shikumen affair was instigated by Chen Shuting. You still want to cooperate with her? You haven't been bewitched by her, have you?"

Bang! Having his secret thoughts exposed, Song Siming angrily slammed the table, "Manager Chen Sifu, is that something you should say? Maintaining a good relationship with Chen Shuting is beneficial for both you and me."

"But..." Manager Chen Sifu looked depressed, "That woman... she's completely impervious to reason. Brother... actually, I can see your intentions. Although Chen Shuting manages the Jinghai Construction Group, she is a woman after all, and she's unfamiliar with things here in Shanghai. You shouldn't be too much of a gentleman; sometimes you need to exert some pressure."

Song Siming took a deep breath, "What do you mean?"

"Brother, we're both men, you know what I mean." Manager Chen Sifu lowered his voice, "How about... I set up a trap?"

"What kind of trap?"

"Chen Shuting's husband isn't around, and you know how women her age are." Manager Chen Sifu looked around and leaned into Song Siming's ear, "I have friends over in Japan, and they have some drugs..."

Bang! Song Siming slammed the table again, "Do you have any idea what the hell you're talking about?"

"Oh, my brother." Manager Chen Sifu smiled bitterly, "What are you thinking? I wouldn't dare commit a crime. I'm talking about that kind of incense that creates an atmosphere; it's used by young couples over there to set the mood. It's harmless to inhale; it just makes people a bit excited and lowers their guard."

Song Siming's expression softened, "There's such a thing?"

"Of course there is."

"Are you sure there's no problem?" Song Siming looked skeptical.

Manager Chen Sifu rolled his eyes, "I have some right now. Should I get you some so you and your wife can try it tonight?"

Song Siming frowned, "Is this thing really harmless to people?"

Manager Chen Sifu smiled, "Brother, you've been in the government for too long; there are so many good things you don't know about. I've already set up a late-night snack with a girl from the art school today, and we'll use this incense tonight. How could there be any problems with something I use myself? It's just a small bottle of incense; if you feel uncomfortable smelling it, you can just put it out at any time."

Song Siming pondered for a moment. Suddenly, the image of Chen Shuting's magnificent bearing on the Golf course and her flowing hair flashed through his mind, and his heart immediately grew hot. He steeled himself, "Fine! I'll try it first!"

If it worked on the "nagging wife" at home who had already grown cold, it would certainly work on a woman like Chen Shuting who was always out in the public eye.

Manager Chen Sifu immediately beamed, "Alright Brother, I'll go get it for you."

The next morning, Song Siming left his home under his wife's lingering gaze. The incense Manager Chen Sifu gave him smelled good and was indeed effective.

Last night, his wife, who had become indifferent, actually became proactive and passionate, and he also felt an inexplicable surge of power. Imagining Chen Shuting in his mind, Song Siming spent a wonderful night.

When he arrived at his unit, Song Siming called Manager Chen Sifu, "Give me some more of yesterday's stuff."

An excited voice came from the other end of the phone, "Sure, Brother. Why don't you save yourself the trouble? I'll arrange the place for you; you just need to ask Chen Shuting to come over, and I guarantee I'll handle it beautifully for you."

Song Siming thought for a moment and said, "Guan Zhizhi, who is by her side, is quite troublesome. Do you have any way to draw her away?"

"Su Tan has a good relationship with that woman; I'll have her draw Guan Zhizhi away. Don't worry."

A smile curled the corners of Song Siming's mouth, "Good, I'll wait for your news."

In his heart, Chen Shuting was already prey that could not escape.

At this time, Chen Shuting had not yet realized that Song Siming had developed improper intentions toward her. She took three days to naturally facilitate a meeting between Zhao Yang and Mark. The meeting place was a small, independent conference room in a hotel. Zhao Yang drove over directly after work, and Chen Shuting and Mark were already waiting there.

Mark was dressed very formally and brought a laptop, preparing to give Zhao Yang a business presentation.

After the pleasantries, Chen Shuting smiled, "Prosecutor Zhao, Mr. Mark, since you two have met, I'll leave the rest of the time to you. I'll take my leave for now."

"Young Miss Chen." Mark said in broken Mandarin, "Actually, you can stay and listen too. You are also a high-net-worth boss, and wealth management is very important to you."

Chen Shuting smiled apologetically, "I'm really sorry, I have an appointment today. You know the person who invited me; it's Secretary Song from the city government."

Mark realized, "So it's Mr. Song."

Zhao Yang's heart stirred, and he switched to the Jinghai dialect, asking, "Are you going alone?"

Chen Shuting was stunned, then immediately used the Jinghai dialect, "Guan Zhizhi was invited by friends to go singing. Secretary Song said there are some situations regarding the Shikumen project that need to be communicated privately. However... the place for dinner is not far from here, at the Case International Hotel."

"Case International Hotel?" Zhao Yang frowned slightly, "That hotel is a lovers' hotel."

Chen Shuting paused, her eyes becoming sharp, "Secretary Song is quite romantic."

"Set my number as an emergency contact, and call me the moment anything happens," Zhao Yang said.

"Alright, don't worry. If I can't handle it, I'll call you immediately."

After speaking, Chen Shuting smiled at Mark and said, "Mr. Mark, I'll take my leave now, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

After Chen Shuting left, Mark asked with a confused expression, "Mr. Zhao, may I ask, was that Mandarin you were speaking just now?"

Zhao Yang nodded, "Yes, standard Mandarin."

"But... why couldn't I understand a single word?" Mark looked bewildered.

Zhao Yang smiled slightly, "The culture of the Dragon Kingdom is profound and vast. The Dao of language is particularly subtle. For example, try to see if you can understand this: 'The Master stood by the stream and said, "It passes on like this, not ceasing day or night."'"