Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Li Xiangqian's head shook violently. Hearing his boss' words, the uneasy feeling in his heart rose again, as if a cold wind suddenly passed through his body. He did not answer immediately, and a series of thoughts flashed through his mind. Yes, the boss was right - how did he know the source of these photos? Could someone deliberately guide him to take this path? Behind this, how many invisible manipulators are silently pushing it?

He suddenly felt dizzy, and his steps seemed to become light, as if he was no longer standing in this world, but was swept by an irresistible storm and gradually lost his way.

Seeing that he was silent, the boss kept smiling. "Look, Mr. Li, the business world is like a battlefield. Many things are not as simple as you think. You think you have the evidence, but sometimes, this evidence may become the reason why you lose everything."

Li Xiangqian stared at his boss, and his heart began to waver. Photos, evidence, transactions, everything seemed to become blurred in an instant. He suddenly realized that he may never have fully understood the rules of the game in this world, and perhaps he just became part of a conspiracy by accident. Are those so-called evidences really as clear as he thought?

"Do you really think that these photos can change anything?" The boss' tone was still relaxed, as if everything was under his control. "In this circle, no one will be caught because of these small pieces of evidence. Have you seen those players in the mall? They have plenty of evidence in their hands, but they are still safe and sound."

Li Xiangqian's mood became complicated. He felt an indescribable sense of oppression, as if all his choices and decisions were controlled by some invisible force. Photos, evidence, and even his previous beliefs seemed to have lost their meaning at this moment.

He took a deep breath, his eyes gradually regained clarity, and whispered, "Maybe you're right." He did not continue to insist on his position, but put the photos away and gently closed the box, "But this does not mean that I will give up."

The boss looked at Li Xiangqian and said nothing. His eyes were still calm, but he seemed to be waiting for Li Xiangqian's next move. Li Xiangqian stood there, his mind churning, and it seemed that at this moment, he suddenly understood something more. Perhaps this contest was not just about the transaction and evidence in front of him.

Li Xiangqian lowered his head and silently took back the box of photos, his fingers still trembling slightly. He knew that the situation before him was far from as simple as he had imagined. The boss's reaction and words still made him feel uneasy. All the emotions intertwined together, making him a little unsteady.

Suddenly, the boss slowly took out a small leather bag from under the table and gently placed it on the table, as if he had done an extremely simple and casual action. The bag looked inconspicuous, but it exuded a strange and calm atmosphere. Li Xiangqian's eyes were unconsciously attracted to it, and he was also puzzled. He did not reach out to take it immediately, but continued to stare at the boss's face. The boss still had that indifferent expression, as if all this was unimportant to him.

"Don't you understand now?" The boss said calmly, "You can choose to continue asking, or you can accept the reality of some things." He paused, and a subtle complexity flashed in his eyes, "I know you are very persistent, but sometimes persistence does not mean victory, Mr. Li."

Li Xiangqian's eyes flashed with confusion, but he had a bad feeling in his heart. He hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "What do you mean by giving me this money?" As soon as he said this, he was stunned. His tone unconsciously carried a hint of provocation, but more of it was a vague suspicion.

The boss smiled faintly, pointed at the briefcase and said, "The things inside may make you understand your own situation. If you take the money, maybe there is no need to pursue it further. Things between us can end here." He leaned back in his chair, his eyes did not waver at all, as if he had already foreseen Li Xiangqian's reaction.

Li Xiangqian's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and all kinds of thoughts appeared in his mind. The temptation of the money was so great that anyone could lose themselves in it. But at this moment, his heart was in a fierce conflict. On the one hand, he realized that he did not want to compromise like this, but on the other hand, the money was like an invisible shackle that tightly locked his mind and prevented him from making a decisive choice.

He stared at the bag quietly, his heart stirring with uproar. Countless times, he had dreamed of breaking all existing frameworks, breaking free from the shackles, and unveiling the veil of this decadent world. However, everything before him was like an invisible force, gradually pushing him into the abyss that he did not want to touch.

Li Xiangqian took a deep breath, but still did not reach for the bag. "Do you think I will give up so easily?" His voice was a little tired, but still firm. "I came to you not to accept these... unfair deals of yours." He whispered, his eyes met with his boss again, and the anger in his heart seemed to explode a little at this moment, although he knew that his strength was too weak.

The boss looked at him with that meaningful smile, as if he had already guessed that Li Xiangqian would have such a reaction. "You have your persistence, and I have my methods." His tone was neither hurried nor slow, full of a certain calm threat, "But you must know that in this world, many things cannot be solved by persistence. What you see is only part of it, Mr. Li."

Li Xiangqian began to feel bitter in his heart. He knew that his boss was right. Oftentimes, what you see is not the whole story. Many things are covered up behind the scenes. He may have only seen the surface, and the deeper truth seemed to be buried by the money and the transaction.

"Just because you don't take it doesn't mean I don't have the power to make a choice." The boss suddenly stood up and walked to Li Xiangqian. His voice was low but with a hint of contempt. "You can choose to take the money or refuse it. What do you think you can change? I knew you would make trouble, but unfortunately, the result is already determined." He picked up the briefcase from the table and handed it to Li Xiangqian. A sneer flashed in his eyes. "I don't care what choice you make. But if you don't take the money, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to continue to tell me what to do."