The country entrusted me to buy an aircraft carrier, Hou Liangping, do you dare to investigate?

Huang Feipeng stood up, dusted off his hands, and decided to take a walk along the sidewalk to digest his food and relax. Night had fallen, and the streetlights cast a warm glow, creating a dimly lit scene. Few pedestrians were around, with only the occasional vehicle slowly passing by. He walked slowly, hands in his pockets, seemingly casual, but each step was tinged with a subtle wariness.

Whenever he passed a dimly lit corner, he would reflexively scan the area, as if an enemy might emerge from the shadows at any moment. Although the streets in this area seemed calm and the people around him appeared normal, Huang Feipeng knew in his heart that Shadow Serpent's actions were far more dangerous than he had imagined. He thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile that he had become so alert that even his walks were tinged with tension, as if he were ready to deal with danger at any moment.

"Can't I just relax for a moment?" he thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, yet he knew that it was precisely because he hadn't let his guard down that he had avoided danger so many times. His vigilance against the Shadow Serpent had long become instinctive, but at this moment, he couldn't help but miss those days when he could truly relax. As he thought about it, his gaze drifted to the stone bench beside an old locust tree. He stopped and slowly sat down, his thoughts drifting back to those carefree days.

"I never would have imagined I'd be living like this," he sighed. In his youth, he was free-spirited, with a touch of mischief, never worrying about the future. Yet, fate had thrust him into his current predicament, forcing him to constantly be wary of lurking dangers and handle endless tasks. This life not only exhausted him but also often left him feeling lonely. The presence of the Shadow Serpent loomed over him like a shadow, making it hard for him to breathe.

Just as he was deep in thought, footsteps approached from not far away, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up and saw a figure walking towards him. The person appeared ordinary, dressed in plain clothes, but his steps were steady and powerful, subtly revealing an air of well-trained discipline. This person alerted Huang Feipeng, but he did not move immediately. Instead, he quietly observed the approaching figure, his eyes subtly scanning the newcomer's actions.

The man walked up to him, smiled slightly, sat down on the stone chair next to him, and said in a low voice, "So you really are here."

Huang Feipeng felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained expressionless. He simply asked, "What do you want with me?"

The newcomer nodded, as if he had already anticipated his cold reaction, and said softly, "The people above have given you two days, but Shadow Serpent won't wait for you to the last moment. You understand that, right?"

“Of course I understand,” Huang Feipeng said in a deep voice, his mind already racing. He knew he didn’t have much time for choices and hesitations, and everything that had happened tonight was a hint from Shadow Serpent. Shadow Serpent’s patience was about to run out, and he himself had to act quickly; he couldn’t delay any longer.

“They just want to know how you’ll handle it,” the man said softly, his eyes narrowing slightly as if testing Huang Feipeng’s reaction.

Huang Feipeng gave a cold laugh, tinged with mockery: "Do they really care what I do?"

The other party nodded slightly, his tone calm and certain: "Yes. Shadow Serpent has placed a significant bet on you, involving many people, and they are waiting for your response."

Huang Feipeng listened quietly, outwardly showing no emotion, but inwardly, these few words stirred considerable turmoil. Shadow Snake's attention to him had never waned; in fact, it had attracted the attention of many more, making the situation increasingly complex. His heart was heavy; he knew he had been placed in an invisible trap, and the slightest misstep could plunge him completely into a dangerous vortex.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly: "Since they are waiting, let them wait. My decision will not change with time."

The newcomer glanced at him indifferently, seemingly unsurprised by his answer, and simply said softly, "I hope you won't regret this decision." With that, he stood up, dusted off his clothes, and turned to leave, his steps steady and without the slightest hesitation.

As Huang Feipeng watched his figure gradually disappear into the night, a sense of unease rose in his heart. He couldn't help but ask himself again, was this kind of life really worth it? How long could he endure this constant fear and vigilance? But he also knew that he had no way out. Since he had already come this far, he could only grit his teeth and continue.

He stood up and continued his walk. Although his doubts lingered, he knew that in the coming days he had to be more cautious than ever before, leaving no room for negligence. His pace slowed, his mind racing as he rehearsed possible responses and analyzed the Shadow Serpent's movements. Every possible detail was meticulously considered, as if he were weaving a hidden protective net to ward off the impending threat.

"Shadow Serpent, no matter how many traps you lay, I will not fall into them easily," he said silently to himself, with a calm and resolute air. He knew that every step from now on had to be taken with utmost caution, proceeding cautiously while secretly seeking out the opponent's weaknesses to gain the upper hand.

Huang Feipeng continued his walk along the roadside, taking a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to relax but his mind was still racing. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure walking towards him in the distance. The person was tall and thin, with a slightly lazy gait, but also a unique composure. In that instant, a strange and complex emotion welled up in Huang Feipeng's heart.

It was He Hao, his old colleague.

He Hao spotted Huang Feipeng at a glance, a surprised smile appearing on his face: "Oh, out for a walk so late, Feipeng?" His tone was familiar and teasing, just like the days when they fought side by side.

Huang Feipeng forced a smile and replied casually, "Just trying to clear my head. I can't sleep tonight." He tried to make his tone sound relaxed, as if everything was normal.

He Hao looked him over, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern: "You must be very busy these days. I heard you've taken on quite a few tricky tasks recently." He smiled slightly and said meaningfully, "I was just at a party at a bar over there, and I didn't expect to run into you as soon as I came out. What a coincidence."

"Fate?" Huang Feipeng smiled bitterly to himself. It was truly an incredible coincidence. They had been busy with their own lives for many years and had hardly had any contact during that time. He never expected to run into each other tonight.