41: Chapter 41 "Painting Eyebrows" in Hands and Turning the Tide

A few days later, Dawn Base, Administration Building.

A negotiation regarding "bilateral economic cooperation" was underway. It was called a negotiation, but in reality, it was a delegation sent by Wa State, under the guise of "exchange and learning," to probe Zhang Cheng's true strength and, incidentally, ease the tense relationship.

In the conference room, both sides were locked in a war of words, neither willing to give an inch.

Zhang Cheng sat at the head of the table, somewhat distracted. He had no interest in this kind of bureaucratic squabbling; if it weren't to paralyze the other side, he would have had Old K show them the door long ago.

The envoys expressed that Wa State highly appreciated Zhang Cheng's righteous act of eliminating the Four Great Families and was willing to engage in in-depth consultations on jointly maintaining stability in Northern Myanmar and combating criminal activities, even proposing an enticing suggestion of joint mineral development and resource sharing.

This posturing even caused Peng Deren to waver, doubting whether his judgment of Wa State was too arbitrary.

However, while Zhang Cheng was polite on the surface when receiving the envoys, the hostile red glow on the system map representing the direction of Wa State not only did not diminish but became even more intense.

Especially when he noticed a young female clerk in the delegation, who was responsible for taking notes, had delicate features, and whose eyes carried a hint of "melancholy" and "admiration," often "inadvertently" casting her gaze toward him, the cold sneer in his heart grew even stronger.

"System, scan this female." Zhang Cheng secretly ordered.

[Scanning... Target: Claims to be "Lin Xiao", clerk of the Wa State delegation.]

[Physiological characteristic analysis: Signs of camouflage in heart rate and micro-expressions.]

[Background tracing (System enhancement): The identity information provided conflicts logically with the Wa State bottom-layer household registration database invaded by the system; suspected of being an impostor. High probability of being an intelligence operative who has undergone special training.]

"So she has come." Zhang Cheng remained calm. He did not alert the enemy; instead, in the subsequent talks, he showed appropriate "attention" to this Miss "Lin Xiao" that was higher than that for ordinary staff, even gently saying "it's okay" when she "accidentally" spilled tea on the documents.

After the delegation left, Zhang Cheng immediately summoned Old K and Li Lanzhi.

"The Wa State envoys are a smokescreen; their real killer move is that woman named 'Lin Xiao'." Zhang Cheng pointed out directly.

Li Lanzhi was shocked: "Her? I've observed her; she looks... very innocent, even a bit timid."

"The more harmless they look, the more lethal they often are." Zhang Cheng said indifferently, "Old K, monitor her closely, but do not restrict her normal activities. Lan Zhi, find a pretext to 'accidentally' absorb her into your civil affairs system and arrange her in a position not too far or too near the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters, where she has the opportunity to 'run into' me."

"Commander-in-Chief, what do you mean?" Li Lanzhi did not understand.

"Playing along." Zhang Cheng's mouth curled into a cold arc, "They want to use a honey trap, so I will give them this opportunity. I want to see what kind of performance this 'Huamei' can put on. Incidentally, through her, pass the news we need Wa State to know 'naturally'."

The plan was set.

Sure enough, "Lin Xiao" (Huamei), relying on her "gentleness," "diligence," and "identification with the Dawn philosophy," quickly established herself in the civil affairs system and was "accidentally" assigned to work responsible for the maintenance of some of the outer greening of the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters, giving her the possibility of approaching the headquarters area at specific times.

Her every move was under the close monitoring of the Death Soldiers. The points she used to contact Wa State in a concealed manner were also seized by Old K.

Zhang Cheng cooperated by playing the role of the "gradually attracted leader." He would "happen" to pass by when she was "working overtime alone" and offer a few words of concern; he would let his subordinates provide "appropriate" help when she "encountered technical difficulties"; and once, when she "sprained her ankle," he even personally stepped forward to support her.

"Huamei's" report was naturally "progressing smoothly," claiming that Zhang Cheng had already been attracted by her "unique temperament" and his guard was lowering. She requested her superiors to provide a new type of colorless, odorless, delayed-action poison, preparing to strike when Zhang Cheng was "emotionally moved" and had closer contact with her.

Wa State was overjoyed and immediately sent the poison in through secret channels.

All of this was under Zhang Cheng's control.

That day, Zhang Cheng deliberately worked late at the headquarters. "Huamei" received a hint and knew the opportunity might be coming. She dressed up carefully and, carrying the "soothing tea" laced with poison, came to the outside of Zhang Cheng's office.

"Commander-in-Chief, are you still busy? I... I brewed a cup of soothing tea." Her voice was soft, carrying just the right amount of shyness and concern.

Zhang Cheng adjusted his expression, revealing a hint of just the right amount of fatigue and gentleness, and said aloud: "Is that you, Lin Xiao? Come in."

"Come in." Zhang Cheng didn't even raise his head.

The door was pushed open gently, and a faint, elegant fragrance drifted in. It was "Lin Xiao." She was holding an exquisite tray with a steaming cup of tea on it, and walked to the desk with light steps.

"Commander-in-Chief, are you still busy? I... I brewed a cup of ginseng tea to help you refresh." Her voice was seductive, carrying just the right amount of concern and a hint of shyness. Tonight, she had clearly dressed up carefully; her eyebrows were lightly brushed, and her eyes were full of charm.

Zhang Cheng finally raised his head, his gaze falling on her.

Tonight, she had clearly been carefully "designed." A well-tailored white cotton and linen dress made her look both pure and harmless, while also perfectly outlining her graceful waist.

Her long hair was draped casually over her shoulders, the ends slightly curled. Her face was unadorned, yet it revealed a clarity like someone who had just bathed. Those large, watery eyes hid three parts timidity and seven parts concern.

"Commander-in-Chief, are you still busy so late? I... I saw that you ate little for dinner, so I specifically went to the small kitchen to brew you a cup of ginseng tea to replenish your energy." Her voice was so soft it could almost drip water, and she gently placed the steaming tea beside Zhang Cheng's hand.

Zhang Cheng put down his pen, rubbed his slightly throbbing temples, and his gaze fell on the cup of tea, then followed the cup up to rest on Lin Xiao's face, which was enough to make any man's heart race.

It had to be said that that old thing, Bao Youxiang, had truly spent a fortune to deal with him. This wasn't a female spy; this was a femme fatale. If it weren't for the system by his side, if it were an ordinary man, he would have likely been melted into water by this "gentle trap" long ago.

He appropriately revealed a hint of "surprise" and "appreciation" on his face, which then turned into a gentle smile: "You came all the way here so late. Thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work; I... I am very happy to be able to do something for you." "Lin Xiao" lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed, and she gently placed the teacup beside Zhang Cheng's hand. The moment she set it down, her fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

Zhang Cheng's gaze swept over the cup of tea, seemingly casually. Although he couldn't be sure if it was poisoned, he didn't dare to test it. Although he had the substitute death skill, he shouldn't use it lightly.

He sneered in his heart, but remained calm on the surface, even reaching out to support the teacup as if to pick it up, but stopped just before his fingertips touched the cup wall. Instead, he looked at "Lin Xiao," his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry and... ambiguous warmth.

He didn't drink it, but instead placed the teacup gently on the table, leaned back in his large boss chair, and his gaze became somewhat "dazed" and "fatigued."