Who wants to be a male model after being reborn? I want to be a male god.

Chapter 421 I Never Gave You

Lan Qiusheng suddenly understood Xu Wen's concerns.

If Gu Xingruo were to confront Li Qingyun directly now, it might anger the forces behind her, thereby endangering her safety.

The girl who lives far away in a foreign country remains Xu Wen's primary concern in all his actions.

“I understand, then these pieces of evidence,” she said softly, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Keep it safe for now. I need to go back to Linjiang to see Li Qingyun. You stay in Jinling to continue stabilizing the situation." Xu Wen turned around, preparing to get up and walk outside.

His voice regained its usual calmness and restraint, and his eyes were exceptionally firm.

Lan Qiusheng nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Squad leader, are you really going to see him? It's too dangerous."

Her voice was filled with undisguised worry, and her fingers unconsciously intertwined.

Xu Wen smiled, a smile carrying a coldness Lan Qiusheng had never seen before: "Danger?"

This is completely different from his usual gentle self.

His voice was very soft: "Compared to what Gu Xingruo might face, what is this?"

He picked up his briefcase and walked towards the door: "Let's go, I'll take you home. We have a tough battle to fight tomorrow."

The two walked out of the office building one after the other.

The night breeze in Jinling carried a hint of coolness, and Lan Qiusheng unconsciously pulled his collar tighter.

Xu Wen stood by the roadside hailing a taxi. His profile looked particularly resolute under the streetlights, with a taut jawline.

“Squad leader, if... if you need help, I’m always here.” Lan Qiusheng suddenly spoke, his voice trembling slightly in the night wind.

Her eyes gleamed faintly under the streetlights, as if they were holding back tears.

Xu Wen turned to look at her, her eyes softening slightly: "Thank you. You've already helped a lot."

His voice was soft, yet it made Lan Qiusheng's heart skip a beat again.

All the composure I had built up in Nanjing during this period vanished at this moment.

The taxi stopped, and Xu Wen opened the car door for Lan Qiusheng.

She got into the car and waved to the people who were gradually disappearing into the distance.

Lan Qiusheng was even pleasantly surprised when he heard that Gu Xingruo had left.

But right now, all she wants is for her to come back quickly.

After dealing with matters in Jinling, Xu Wen quickly returned to Linjiang.

The first thing he did upon returning to Linjiang was to set off to find Li Qingyun.

Xu Wen now has many questions for him.

Li Qingyun once said that he should call him if anything happened.

But Xu Wen did not make a phone call this time.

Instead, they went directly to him, to his workplace.

He stood in front of the Education Department building, looking up at the structure.

He straightened his suit collar and strode into the hall.

"Who are you looking for?" The security guard at the door looked at the young man warily.

"Xu Wen, come see Director Li." His voice was calm.

The security guard glanced down at the appointment list, his brow furrowing slightly: "Director Li is unavailable today, and your name isn't on the list either."

“Tell him that Xu Wen from Flash City has arrived and he will see me,” Xu Wen interrupted him.

The security guard hesitated for a moment.

He saw the Range Rover that the young man had just parked outside, and it looked menacing.

He can't afford to mess with someone like that.

After careful consideration, he decided to help Xu Wen contact Director Li.

After exchanging a few words in hushed tones, he put down the receiver, his attitude noticeably more respectful: "Director Li, please come up to the fifth floor, to the innermost office on the right."

Xu Wen was too lazy to complain about the security guard's 180-degree change in attitude, which even included the use of the formal "you" (您).

He walked quickly toward the elevator.

The elevator slowly ascended, and Xu Wen stared at the constantly changing floor numbers, but his heartbeat remained unusually steady.

He is no longer the Xu Wen he once was.

He had to remain absolutely calm when facing a cunning old fox like Li Qingyun.

With a "ding," the elevator doors opened.

At the end of the corridor, Li Qingyun's office door was ajar, as if waiting for his arrival.

Xu Wen took a deep breath and strode away.

Pushing open the door, Li Qingyun was standing by the window, her back to the doorway.

Upon hearing the voice, he slowly turned around, a kind smile familiar to Xu Wen on his face.

"Xiao Wen, you've arrived faster than I expected. Please sit down; the tea is freshly brewed." Li Qingyun's voice was gentle, as if there had never been any discord between them.

Xu Wen didn't move, but stood in the center of the office, staring intently at Li Qingyun, and went straight to the point: "Director Li, there's no need for formalities between us. What is the meaning of that document from the Education Department?"

Li Qingyun's smile froze for a moment, then she sighed and walked to the sofa to sit down.

He poured himself a cup of tea and pushed another cup to the seat opposite him.

"Sit down first. It's tiring to talk standing up. I know you have many questions, and I will answer them one by one today." Li Qingyun took a sip of tea.

Xu Wen finally stepped forward, but did not touch the cup of tea. He simply sat on the edge of the sofa, leaning slightly forward, maintaining a posture where he could get up at any moment.

“That document was just a formality. There are people watching me, so I had to put on a show.” Li Qingyun put down her teacup and crossed her hands on her knees.

"Above?" Xu Wen keenly caught this key word.

Li Qingyun's gaze drifted to the window, and her voice lowered slightly: "Xiao Wen, you are still young. Some things are not black and white. In my position, I often have no choice but to act as I have, just like I told you before."

Xu Wen recalled what he had once said.

Once you reach out your hand, you can never take it back.

Xu Wen chuckled lightly and said calmly, "So, suppressing Flash City and forcing merchants to withdraw was also something they had no choice but to do?"

“I didn’t do those things. I admit I signed the documents, but as for the others…” Li Qingyun shook her head, her brows furrowed.

He sighed: "Someone is using me to deal with Gu Hong, and Shan Cheng is just a pawn in the game."

Xu Wen narrowed his eyes, carefully observing Li Qingyun's expression.

The wrinkles around the middle-aged man's eyes were deeper, and his eyes revealed fatigue and helplessness, which did not seem like he was lying.

But Xu Wen knew that people like Li Qingyun were best at disguising themselves.

"Who?" Xu Wen asked directly.

Li Qingyun smiled bitterly: "I can't say, at least not now. Xiao Wen, take my advice, focus on your business, stay away from Gu Hongyuan. This is not something you can get involved in."

A brief silence fell over the office.

Xu Wen's brain was racing, analyzing every word Li Qingyun said.

If what he said is true, and there is a force more powerful than Gu Hong pulling the strings behind the scenes, then Flash City is indeed in a dangerous situation.

But why did Li Qingyun specifically remind him?
We don't have that deep a relationship.

"Why are you helping me?" Xu Wen suddenly asked.

Li Qingyun's expression became complicated. He hesitated for a few seconds before slowly saying, "I said it before, because of your mother."

"Your mother and I have let bygones be bygones. In short, I won't harm you. This document is just for show and won't have any real impact on Flash City. You can rest assured." Li Qingyun's voice softened.
Xu Wen stared intently into Li Qingyun's eyes, trying to find any trace of pretense.

But in the other person's eyes, there was only sincerity and some emotion he couldn't decipher. "What about the USB drive?" Xu Wen suddenly changed the subject.

Li Qingyun was clearly taken aback: "What USB drive?"

"Don't play dumb. A month ago, you sent someone to give me a USB drive containing a lot of evidence. Why did you give me that?" Xu Wen asked quickly.

He hadn't dared to contact Li Qingyun before.

But after this incident, he no longer intends to hide anything.

Instead, they went directly to someone to find out the details.

Li Qingyun's expression shifted from confusion to shock, finally settling on a look of sudden realization and fear.

He suddenly stood up, knocking over his teacup and spilling tea all over the coffee table.

“I never gave you any USB drive! How could I possibly collect evidence of Gu Hong’s crimes? That would be digging my own grave! He’s fallen, but does that mean I’ll be alright?” Li Qingyun’s voice trembled slightly with shock.

Xu Wen only said the word "evidence".

But Li Qingyun quickly guessed what was inside.

This time, it was Xu Wen's turn to be stunned.

Li Qingyun's reaction was too real; it didn't seem like acting.

If the USB drive didn't come from Li Qingyun, then who did it come from?
Who has the ability to collect such detailed evidence, and why would they use Li Qingyun's name to give it to him?
"Are you sure it's not you?" Xu Wen's voice also carried a hint of uncertainty.

For the first time, Xu Wen began to question himself.

Li Qingyun walked quickly to her desk, took out a medicine bottle from the drawer, poured out two white pills, and swallowed them.

His hands were trembling slightly.

"Xiao Wen, listen to me. Whoever gave you that USB drive, destroy it immediately. Someone is using you to deal with Gu Hong, and this person..." Li Qingyun took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

He paused for a moment, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes: "The fact that this person can easily imitate my style of doing things means that he knows us very well."

Xu Wen felt a chill creep up his spine.

If what Li Qingyun said is true, then the USB drive in his hand may be a trap, and Gu Xingruo's safety may be threatened as a result.

"Why would someone want to target Gu Hong?" Xu Wen pressed.

Li Qingyun shook her head: "I can't say too much, I can only say that Gu Hong has offended too many people over the years. Some things, once started, there is no turning back."

He walked back to Xu Wen, suddenly grabbed Xu Wen's hand with surprising force: "Xiao Wen, you are a smart person. Don't get involved in this conflict. Gu Hong's fate, and even my fate, are already sealed. Don't drag yourself into it."

Xu Wen broke free from Li Qingyun's hand and stood up.

He needed time to think and to verify Li Qingyun's words.

If the USB drive did not come from Li Qingyun, then all his previous speculations have been overturned.

“I need evidence to prove that what you’re saying is true,” Xu Wen said.

Li Qingyun smiled bitterly: "I have no evidence, and I don't expect you to completely believe me, but think about it, if I really wanted to deal with Gu Hong, why would I hand over the evidence to you? Wouldn't it be more effective to hand it over to the police directly? We could just fight to the death, why drag you into this?"

This logic is indeed valid.

Xu Wen fell into deep thought, the contents of the USB drive flashing through his mind.

Those detailed financial records, phone recordings, and photos—each one was enough to bring Gu Hong to ruin.

Such meticulously prepared evidence must be part of a deeper scheme.

"Is Gu Xingruo in danger?" Xu Wen suddenly asked.
Li Qingyun's expression became complicated: "She's in great danger now. Gu Hong was right to send her away, but..."

He hesitated, then said, "Some forces cannot be avoided simply by hiding."

Xu Wen's heart sank.

If even Gu Xingruo's hiding place is not safe, then he must contact Gu Hong as soon as possible.

“Director Li, whoever is behind you, tell them that if Gu Xingruo is harmed in any way, I will definitely not let them get away with it.” Xu Wen’s voice was low and firm.

Li Qingyun was stunned, seemingly not expecting Xu Wen to threaten her so bluntly.

He opened his mouth, but in the end he could only sigh and say, "You're young and impetuous, Wen. There are some forces that you can't contend with."

Xu Wen turned and walked towards the door, but stopped just as he opened it. Without turning back, he said, "I will investigate the USB drive matter thoroughly. I hope you are not lying."

“I have no reason to lie to you. I’ve already told you a lot of things I shouldn’t have. I just hope…” Li Qingyun’s voice suddenly became weary.

Before the other party could finish speaking, Xu Wen walked out of the office.

The cold air from the air conditioner in the corridor sent a chill down his spine.

His mind was in complete chaos, a jumble of possibilities that he couldn't make sense of.

The only certainty was that the USB drive in his hand had become a hot potato, and Gu Xingruo's situation might be more dangerous than he imagined.

As the elevator descended, Xu Wen dialed Gu Hong's number.

It rang for a long time, but no one answered.

He tried again, and it was still the same.

He got into the car, but instead of starting the engine immediately, he sat there deep in thought.

That seemingly ordinary storage device has now become the core of the mystery.

If it wasn't given by Li Qingyun, then who was it from?

Why pretend to be Li Qingyun?

More importantly, is everything on the USB drive authentic?
Xu Wen suddenly remembered something and quickly dialed Yang Yiyao's number.

"Hello? Did you see Li Qingyun?" Yang Yiyao's voice was filled with obvious worry.

"Yes, help me investigate something, it's very important," Xu Wen replied briefly.

"You said."

"Do you remember the USB drive I sent to you? I need to know who sent me the USB drive and where they came from. Go to Chengyi Hotel to investigate."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone: "Xu Wen, what happened?"

"The person who gave me the USB drive said he never gave me one," Xu Wen said calmly.

"What?! Wait, you mean..." Yang Yiyao exclaimed.

"Find out who that person as soon as possible," Xu Wen interrupted her.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Wen finally started the car.

He needs to go back to Black Cat Tarot and re-examine the contents of the USB drive.

He must discover any forgery or traps as soon as possible.

Not long after Xu Wen set off, his phone rang again; it was Gu Hong calling back.

"Xu Wen? What happened?" Gu Hong's voice was unusually serious.

“We need to talk about Li Qingyun,” Xu Wen said.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Gu Hong's voice became even deeper: "Where are you? I'll send someone to pick you up."

"No need, I'll come to your company to find you."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Wen stepped on the gas, and the car shot off like an arrow.

He's now unsure of who he should trust and who he shouldn't.

But no matter how much fog lies ahead, he will clear it away one by one.

For Shancheng, for Gu Xingruo, and for himself.

He will not allow himself to be manipulated in this game.

(End of this chapter)