101: Chapter 101 Wang Fugui's Crazy Plan

The large iron gate of the Donghai City Detention Center emitted a teeth-grinding screech as it slowly opened.

The afternoon sun was somewhat blinding; Wang Fugui raised a hand to shield his eyes, but there was no joy of release on his face, only a countenance full of gloom and malice.

Just half an hour ago, his "Shenhao System" had consumed a full three million points of prodigal value, utilizing some inexplicable loophole in the rules to secure him a medical certificate for "severe intermittent mental disorder."

Whether it was disturbing public order or maliciously manipulating the stock market, with this piece of paper, combined with the operations of a dozen top-tier legal teams, obtaining bail became as easy as pie.

"Young Master, the car is ready."

The butler respectfully opened the door to the stretch limousine; the car was freezing cold inside, and the finest champagne was being chilled.

Wang Fugui kicked the tire and didn't get in.

"Go where? My anger hasn't subsided yet!" He ripped the tie from his neck and slammed it fiercely onto the ground. "That Gu Changan! It's him again! Every time I want to show off, he shows up right on time to slap my face! That time in the stock market too, he actually pulled the internet cable! To think he'd resort to such a hick tactic!"

The butler shrank his neck, not daring to speak.

"System, search for me!" Wang Fugui's eyes were bloodshot, like a gambler who had lost his mind. "I don't believe there's anyone in this world that money can't handle. Where does Gu Changan work? What does he like? Women? Luxury cars? Or antiques?"

[Beep—Searching for target information.]

[Target: Gu Changan.]

[Identity: Director of the Donghai City Institute of Anomalous Affairs (external cover identity).]

[Office Location: No. 44 Hongqi Road, Old City District, Donghai City.]

"An institute?" Wang Fugui was stunned for a moment, then burst into wild laughter. "Hahahaha! After all that, he's just some small-time researcher? And here I thought he was some big shot with connections to the heavens!"

The nerve in his brain that only understood the mindset of an upstart instantly connected.

In his view, the leaders of such backwater offices usually pretended to be incorruptible, but who didn't love money in private? The only reason he was giving him trouble was either because the money offered wasn't enough, or he was jealous of his wealth.

"As long as I turn him into my man, or just make him get lost, won't I be able to run wild in Donghai City from now on?"

Wang Fugui snapped his fingers, wearing that greasy smile of someone who controlled everything.

"Butler! No need to return to the villa. Go contact the 'Blackwater' company and hire the most expensive bodyguards for me! The kind that are fully armed! Also, go to the bank and get me a check—the kind without a number filled in!"

"Young Master, what are you planning to…"

"Buy an official!" Wang Fugui climbed into the car and crossed his legs. "I'm going to that crappy institute and buying that Gu Changan, chair and all! Isn't he just an employee? I'll let him know, working for anyone is still just working!"

...

4:00 PM. Old City District, Donghai City, Hongqi Road.

This was a typical old-style administrative district, with tall phoenix trees planted along both sides of the street, and the buildings were mostly in the red-brick style of the 1980s and 90s.

In front of the rusty iron sign that read "Donghai City Institute of Anomalous Affairs," the air suddenly became restless.

Vroom, vroom, vroom—the roar of engines shattered the tranquility of the old street.

Twelve black bulletproof Hummers lined up in a single file, arrogantly parking at the entrance of the institute and blocking the gate completely.

The car doors opened in unison. Twenty foreign men in black tactical vests, wearing sunglasses and with bulging muscles, jumped out. Their waists were bulging, and it was clear they were carrying hardware; this was a top-tier mercenary group that Wang Fugui had spent 50 million USD to hire.

Wang Fugui was wearing a white suit and draped in a mink coat (even though it was summer), with a cigar in his mouth, stepping out of the car with a gait that didn't recognize any kin.

"Tsk tsk tsk, this crappy place?"

He looked with disdain at the three-story red-brick building covered in creeping ivy. The wall plaster was peeling, the window frames were losing paint, and the guard room at the entrance didn't even have air conditioning; there was only an old man wearing a military overcoat dozing off inside.

"System, redeem [Imperial Aura]! Today, I want that guy surnamed Gu to kneel before me and beg me to take his money!"

[Beep—10,000 prodigal value consumed, aura activated.]

Wang Fugui instantly felt as if a real Dragon was circling behind him, and his spine straightened up. He strode to the iron fence gate and shouted at the old man guarding it: "Hey! Open the door! We're going in!"

The gatekeeper groggily raised his head, looked at this group of fierce-looking people, then looked at Wang Fugui, and slowly picked up his thermos to take a sip: "Do you have an appointment? This is a classified unit; idlers are not allowed in."

"Classified my ass! I think it's a scrap collection station!"

Wang Fugui waved his hand, and the mercenary leader behind him stepped forward, shoved the iron gate open, and casually pushed the "gatekeeper" and his chair to the side.

"Charge in! Whoever dares to stop you, just smash them with money! Keep smashing until they're knocked out!"

Third floor of the institute, Director's office. Gu Changan was holding a barrel of freshly brewed braised beef instant noodles, slurping away happily. On the monitor screen in front of him, the "farce" at the entrance was being played in real-time.

"Boss, is this guy here to be a comedian?" Chen Xiaobei stood on the side, chewing gum with an expression of looking at an idiot. "Bringing a group of foreign mercenaries to storm our bureau? Does he not know what's buried under this building?"

"His brain is probably stuffed with money." Gu Changan took a sip of the noodle soup and sighed with satisfaction. "Don't stop them. Old Zhang at the door is also a drama queen; he even cooperated by falling on his butt."

"What about the defense System?"

"Turn it off for now. Let him in." Gu Changan put down his fork and pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth. "People came all this way to deliver money; we have to let them finish their lines. I also want to see how much this 'crappy institute' of ours is worth in his eyes."

...

Wang Fugui proceeded without any obstruction. The building was terrifyingly quiet, the corridors were empty, and there wasn't even a ghost in sight. In Wang Fugui's view, this dead silence was due to being intimidated by his "Imperial Aura."

"Hmph, so-called Director Gu, he's probably already so scared he's crawled under the desk."

He swaggered over and kicked open the wooden door at the end of the corridor that had a sign reading "Director's Office."

"Bang!" The door hit the wall, shaking off some dust.

Wang Fugui, followed by ten burly men, surged into the room, instantly packing the not-so-spacious office to the brim.

Behind the desk, Gu Changan had not crawled under the desk. He was just tossing the instant noodle barrel into the trash can, then leisurely picked up that paint-chipped thermos, gently blowing away the goji berries floating on the surface of the water.

"Gu Changan! Stop pretending to be incorruptible here!"

Wang Fugui strode to the desk, pressed his hands on the surface, and looked down at Gu Changan. His large face was full of arrogance, and the smoke from his cigar was sprayed directly onto Gu Changan's face.

"I've looked into you. A monthly salary of a few thousand? Why are you risking your life?"

Wang Fugui turned around and snapped his fingers. The butler immediately handed over a black briefcase.

With a "click," the case opened. There was no cash inside, only a thin piece of paper.

It was a Citibank cashier's check, but the amount field was empty.

"Name your price."

Wang Fugui pulled out the check, held it between two fingers, and like he was bestowing alms upon a beggar, slapped it onto the pile of files in front of Gu Changan with a smack.

"Take this money and get lost. This position of Director is mine."

Gu Changan finally lifted his eyelids. He didn't look at the check, but instead looked at the foreign mercenaries behind Wang Fugui who had their hands on the weapons at their waists, and then looked at the broken door lock.

"Mr. Wang."

Gu Changan's voice was so calm that not a ripple of emotion could be heard. He extended a finger and pointed to the bright red national emblem hanging on the wall above his head.

"That sentence you just said is very interesting."

"According to the criminal law of our country, your current behavior already constitutes the 'crime of buying and selling official documents and seals of state organs,' as well as the 'crime of bribery.' And…"

Gu Changan paused, and a playful smile curled the corners of his mouth. "Are you sure you want to buy this place?"