Just now, Lao Qiao, who was feeling listless and lacking in spirits, suddenly became lively and rushed out of the door like a gust of wind, leaving Hua Yan and the others bewildered.

"You, this girl, always manage to give people helpful insights at crucial moments," remarked Lao Yang.

"Well, actually, I watched a cop movie last night, and that's how they handled it. It's not like I came up with it myself," confessed Hua Yan sheepishly.

However, even after Lao Yang's surprised laughter, he still praised her: "That's still your skill. Otherwise, why didn't Wu Lin, who watched the same movie, think of it?"

Wu Lin had a wordless grievance, as he had indeed thought of it, but Hua Yan beat him to it by a few seconds. However, seeing Hua Yan being praised and smiling happily, he harbored no resentment. He happily went to the kitchen to assist Lao Yang.

Meanwhile, at a location in Seaside City:

"Leave now? Your brain is nothing but mush. They're currently struggling to find evidence against me. If I run now, won't I just be confirming to them that I am the traitor?

Yes, I've been ordered to return home to recuperate... so what? I'll still live a life of luxury. Once you've completed the tasks I've assigned, I'll find a way to leave here and reunite with you. Then, our family can live carefree lives."

Despite numerous investigations, Lao Qiao and his team were unable to determine who the traitor was.

"It seems we're still stuck in the same spot," Lao Qiao said.

"We're being led by the nose!" Lao Yang bluntly revealed the stalemate they were facing. The longer they delayed, the greater the chance for the traitor to escape.

"They're asking me for a solution again, but these two are linked. If one moves, the other knows. It's not easy," Lao Qiao lamented, his face darkening with exhaustion. This matter was tormenting him.

"One pulls a hair and the whole body moves. This situation is indeed very difficult. How about we think outside the box and let Venomous Snake take action?" Lao Yang suggested to Lao Qiao.

Lao Qiao shook his head. "That would be a desperate measure. If we find out both of them are innocent, how will we explain it to them? How will they ever forgive us?"

"What's your opinion on these two?"

"I can't say. Shang Guanjian is aggressive, with a desperate air about him, while Cheng Wei is inscrutable, making it hard to read him."

"Do you think we should collaborate with Hu Li on this matter? After all, the person we're investigating must have connections with several prominent foreign forces."

"That's impossible. Firstly, higher-ups won't allow outsiders to know about such scandals. Secondly, Hu Li won't involve himself in such matters. However, the plan he provided for the elite communication specialists is extremely valuable," Lao Qiao said, pulling out a stack of documents from the desk.

After carefully reading through the documents, Lao Yang exclaimed, "This is a master-level plan!"

"Shang Guanjian also expressed interest in getting a copy."

"Did you give it to him?"

"Such confidential documents are only recorded by the higher-ups and the three of us. Even if he's not in a sensitive period now, whether to give it to him is not something we can decide."

"It seems like I've benefited from your fortune today."

"So, in the future, when you have good wine, think of me more. If you sneak a drink from my secret stash one less time."

Suddenly, with a complex expression, Lao Yang asked, "If I were to commit a crime, would you be able to tell?"

"I hope you're not being serious."

"You're overthinking it. You still haven't answered my question."

Lao Qiao glanced at him and said, "If it were twenty years ago, I might have sensed something. But now, at our age, we've practically become experts in hiding our thoughts. How could we let others notice anything unusual? Besides, I wouldn't suspect you."

"So, what you're saying is that both Shang Guanjian and Cheng Wei, old friends for many years, might also have such thoughts. One unwilling to believe that his friend would do such a thing, and the other deliberately hiding his guilt."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"You mean we can find a flaw between these two?" Lao Qiao and Lao Yang had a deep mutual understanding. Lao Yang had only just started speaking, but Lao Qiao had already grasped the key point. Both men were exceptional—Lao Qiao had a broad perspective, and Lao Yang, though a bit lazier and less sociable, was a bit smarter. Thus, only Lao Qiao had risen to the highest position.

Lao Qiao and Lao Yang then meticulously refined each step of the new deployment together, and Lao Qiao issued a series of orders. The covert confrontation began. For now, Hua Yan and her team weren't needed. She was currently being taken to the airport by Hu Li.

On the way to the airport, Hu Er was driving while Hu Li and Hua Yan sat in the back. Hu Li held Hua Yan's hand the entire time. Meeting briefly and parting quickly made Hu Li wish he could keep her by his side all day.

"Is the training tough?" he asked.

"It's alright," Hua Yan replied, squeezing his hand to reassure him.

"If you ever want to quit or feel exhausted, just come back. I'll take care of you," Hu Li said.

"Alright." Hua Yan, a bit tired, leaned into Hu Li's broad chest and, inhaling his unique refreshing scent, soon fell asleep.

"Xiao Yan..." Hu Li called softly a few times, but Hua Yan didn't respond. Seeing she had fallen asleep, he gently stroked her face and whispered to Hu Er, "Drive steadily."

Hu Er nodded knowingly. The car didn't slow down but moved as smoothly as if it were stationary, even taking turns as if driving in a straight line. Sitting in the car behind them, Wu Lin couldn't help but marvel, "Hu Er is such a skilled driver!"

Hu Da, sitting next to him, proudly said, "That's just his relaxed driving." If he told Wu Lin about the times when Hu Er drove smoothly through bustling city centers with chaotic traffic, Wu Lin might think of Hu Er as a god.

"Wow?" Wu Lin exclaimed, thinking to himself that Hua Yan's boyfriend was really something extraordinary. He wasn't sure if having such a person by her side was good or bad.

In Seaside City, both the Shangguan and Cheng families were shrouded in gloom. Shangguan Ning, who had rushed back overnight from Changle City, heard his father Shangguan Jianjun losing his temper as soon as he entered the house, with his brother Shangguan Liu and mother trying to calm him down.

"Dad, what's going on? Why were you suddenly told to stay home and rest?" Shangguan Ning asked while massaging his father's temples. The situation had escalated too quickly, and he urgently needed to understand the real reason.

"Let's go to the study. You too, Liu," Shangguan Jianjun said tiredly.

"We have a traitor at our level who has sold out the country's interests. After an investigation, Cheng Wei and I were the main suspects, so we were ostensibly told to rest but actually suspended for investigation."

"I haven't heard a word about this in the military district," Shangguan Liu said, puzzled.

"With commanders like us involved, the higher-ups wouldn't publicize it. Most people probably don't know what's going on."

"Dad, are you sure you have nothing to hide?"

Shangguan Liu nudged Shangguan Ning, signaling him to stop asking, but Shangguan Ning didn't change his approach.

Shangguan Jianjun wasn't angry. Instead, he appreciated Shangguan Ning's straightforwardness. "I've never done anything to disgrace this uniform since I put it on."

Hearing this, Shangguan Ning fell silent, piecing together some clues. Recalling Cheng Cheng's remarkable actions since returning to the country, he sensed something significant.

"Go out for now," Shangguan Jianjun said, eyeing Shangguan Ning thoughtfully before turning to Shangguan Liu.

After Shangguan Liu left, Shangguan Jianjun spoke, "Even if you've guessed something, you must act as if you know nothing!"

Shangguan Ning looked up abruptly at his father, "Dad, you know something, don't you? You're trying to protect him, aren't you?"

"This matter is not for you to discuss. Once you step out of this door, you must forget everything!" Shangguan Jianjun demanded angrily.

"Dad, the higher-ups are taking this seriously, which means this person has committed serious crimes. You can't just let it go because of friendship!" Shangguan Ning's stubbornness flared, and he couldn't hold back.

"If you dare say a word, I will disown you!" Shangguan Jianjun threatened in desperation.

Shangguan Ning, angry and disappointed, stared at his father for a long time before running downstairs. Shangguan Jianjun, worried he might spill something, hurried after him, shouting for Shangguan Liu to catch Shangguan Ning.

Shangguan Ning, having not served in the military for years, was quickly subdued by his brother in a few moves. Shangguan Jianjun sighed in relief and told Shangguan Liu, "Lock him in his room. Disconnect all phones. No one is to let him out without my permission."

"Old man..." Shangguan Ning's mother wanted to plead for mercy, but a stern glance from Shangguan Jianjun silenced her.

Shangguan Liu looked at the defiant Shangguan Ning without saying a word, simply helping him upstairs.

Once in Shangguan Ning's room, Shangguan Liu closed the door, worried, and stood by it. "Father rarely acts on impulse. As his children, it's better if we don't argue with him."

Shangguan Ning, now amused by anger, stared at him and said, "So, big brother knows everything but chooses to be the good son and say nothing?"

"The truth can't be hidden forever. What's real can't be faked, and what's fake can't be made real. Eventually, the truth will come out. If Father remains silent now, no one can fault him later. So why not let him follow his conscience?

Moreover, Cheng Cheng has been your good friend for years. You wouldn't want to betray a friend's father, would you?"

Shangguan Ning lowered his head and said nothing. Shangguan Liu said, "Think it over." With that, he left.

Passing the study, Shangguan Liu glimpsed through the slightly open door at his father, who sat in the chair staring at the painting on the wall with a complex, struggling expression.

Meanwhile, at the Cheng family's study, Cheng Cheng and his father were quietly drinking and eating snacks, chatting and laughing.

"I guess that old fellow Shangguan Jianjun has figured something out. But he's too sentimental. Not only will he not say anything, but he'll also ensure his family stays silent."

"Even so, I still think you should leave the mainland as soon as possible."

"Growing wings now, are you, even commanding your old man... Then let's initiate the final plan!" Cheng Wei, reeking of alcohol, gave the final order. If successful, he would spend the rest of his life drifting in foreign lands. Thinking about the future, he felt an indescribable sorrow in his heart.