Let them offer their loyalty!

A moment later, the communication connected.

Qiu Tu didn't beat around the bush and simply said, "Captain Cao, due to an accident, your task has been temporarily canceled. Return to the Qin Family's quarters now, I have new instructions for you."

Once he finished speaking, Qiu Tu directly hung up the communication.

Meanwhile, Cao Dabiao, who had just started drinking with his two confidants and enjoying barbecue, listened to the "beep beep beep" coming from the handset in a dumbfounded manner. After a moment, he violently slammed the skewer he was holding onto the table and cursed angrily, "Damn it! That bastard is really pushing it too far!"

"It's like he's playing me for a fool!"

But that's how it is in a disciplined force, where rank and hierarchy crush people. No matter how unwilling he was in his heart, if he still wanted to carry on working in the Investigation Bureau, he had no choice but to suppress his displeasure and obey.

So, with a face ashen, he settled the bill and hurried back to the courtyard with his two confidants.

Qiu Tu wasn't toying with him, rather... it was for insurance.

With the squad's morale just settling, Qiu Tu wouldn't allow any risks: so when the squad was by Qiu Tu's side, Cao Dabiao had to be pushed to the outside; when the squad dispersed to carry out tasks, Cao Dabiao had to come back and stay by Qiu Tu's side.

This way, the possibility of Cao Dabiao colluding and undermining him could be maximized.

By now, the trap that Yan Chen had dug was thoroughly stepped over by him.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu gazed at the courtyard entrance, silently contemplating: but even though this trap was stepped over, there was another pit lying in front of him.

With this thought, Qiu Tu's mind couldn't help but fly to the matter of the Political Department Investigator making a big show of force entering the Qin Family.

His brain worked at lightning speed, pondering countermeasures.

A moment later, his heart subtly shifted, feeling... although the matter was a bit tricky, could it actually be used to his advantage?

He had originally requested reinforcements to secretly investigate the Qin Family; now that a secret investigation was no longer possible, why not take the opportunity to probe a bit?

Perhaps... someone would become restless and reveal their flaws?

For example, that person he was most interested in...?

With that thought, Qiu Tu felt he had a clear plan in mind.

He didn't wait for Cao Dabiao to come back, instead, he stepped out of the courtyard.

Since it was rest time, some of the Special Service Department's detectives were chatting and exercising in the courtyard.

Upon seeing Qiu Tu, they were visibly more respectful than they had been two days before, standing up to salutate and greet him, "Good day, Sir!" "Good day, Sir!"

Qiu Tu waved back warmly and exchanged a few caring words.

Seeing their enthusiastic demeanor, Qiu Tu knew that what he had done today—firmly dealing with the Political Department squad and the fact that he gave each person three Silver Yuan—had already spread.

People are attracted to benefit and avoid harm, and they yearn for those who can offer them greater benefits.

However... Qiu Tu was very clear about his own position. Though he was now the Captain of the Security Team, it was a temporary position and not meant to last.

His actual rank was just that of a First Level Detective in the Political Department, at most only qualified to command a Political Department squad.

This meant that once the Security Team disbanded, his control over the Special Service Department squad would not be justified.

Furthermore, he couldn't even transfer people from this squad to his side—moving personnel across two powerful departments required too much energy.

Therefore, he would provide tangible benefits to the Political Department squad but would only curry favor with the Special Service Department squad, leaving a sense of goodwill...

Leaving the residence, Qiu Tu went to the separate courtyard where the person he was most interested in—Qin Shuman—lived.

Miss Shuman's public identity was that of a goddaughter acknowledged by the Lady of the Qin Family Head, and on top of that, since she was Yan Chen's mistress, she owned a separate courtyard within the Qin Family's Main Residence.

The courtyard had few rooms; apart from the main hall, the other chambers had all been transformed into entertainment rooms such as an audio-visual room, an art studio, a bar, etc.

When Qiu Tu found Miss Shuman, she was alone in the little bar of the courtyard, drinking by herself.

Apparently not expecting Qiu Tu's late-night visit, she was without any disguise, unceremoniously slumped over the bar counter, her eyes blurred as she swayed a clear, square-shaped glass.

Under the colorful lights, her deep red dress was as enchanting as fire, stark against her skin as pale and delicate as jade.

It was Qiu Tu's first time seeing her completely without any pretense, and for a moment, he was spellbound.

But soon, he regained his composure and, from the alluring yet melancholic look in Miss Shuman's eyes, he sensed that something was amiss....

This woman's heart seemed to be filled with stories. This did not correspond with her identity as a "Cloned Female Body"....

'It seems I am destined to have a gain tonight...'

Thinking so, Qiu Tu gestured to stop the maid from saluting and walked over, taking a seat beside Miss Shuman.

Feeling someone beside her, Miss Shuman glanced over with hazy eyes and, upon seeing Qiu Tu, she suddenly laughed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Qiu... Tu~~~"

Her voice stretched out, carrying a hint of seduction, then she lazily wrapped an arm around Qiu Tu's neck, slurred and said, "Why are you here? Come on, have a drink with me!"

After speaking, she snapped her fingers at the maid, "Give him a 'Fallen Night'."

The maid glanced at Qiu Tu, and upon seeing his nod, she took out a bottle that looked quite premium and poured a glass of amber-colored liquor for Qiu Tu.

Once the liquor was served, Qiu Tu waved the maid off, instructing, "You can go now."

"Yes," the maid bowed slightly and left the bar, closing the door behind her and waiting outside.

After the maid left, Qiu Tu tasted the liquor, then asked softly, "What's the matter with you?"

Miss Shuman's slender fingers caressed the crystal-clear glass, she tilted her head back to down the amber liquid in one gulp and then said, tipsily, "Nothing~ I'm just... happy! Extremely happy!"

As she spoke, she forced the corners of her mouth into a fake smile.

Qiu Tu just watched her, simply watched her.

After a while, he smiled and clinked his glass against hers, downing the drink in his glass all at once.

Having finished his drink, Qiu Tu picked up the exquisite bottle from the table and poured another round of "Fallen Night" for both of them, gesturing towards Miss Shuman.

This time, Miss Shuman seemed a bit more composed. She gently swirled the liquor in her glass, and then with a bit of a distant look, she posed, "Qiu Tu~~ do you think in this world there could be people who suddenly become someone else?"

Startled by her words, Qiu Tu pretended not to understand and replied, "I'm not quite following you. Do you mean...."

Miss Shuman placed her index finger on Qiu Tu's lips and leaned her beautiful face closer to his, then said softly with blurred vision, "Like... for example... you."

"...Don't you feel like you've become a different person?"

Qiu Tu laughed "haha" twice, taking a small sip from his glass, "After experiencing major events, a person's character can indeed undergo significant changes."

He continued, countering, "As for Miss Shuman, it seems like you've remained quite the same."

He paused, then added with a suggestive tone, "Except... tonight."