Seeing Zhang Ke’s embarrassed expression, Lü Feng couldn't help but chuckle, "I didn't expect Director Zhang to be so sensitive to jokes!"
*Hiss*, it was just a joke!
The breath Zhang Ke had held in his throat suddenly dropped, and his complexion gradually returned from paper-white to flushed. However, the lingering effects of his guilty conscience did not disappear. The beads of sweat on his forehead, like icicles encountering blinding sunlight, flowed down with unabated speed.
Looking up and seeing Zhang Ke like this, Lü Feng’s heart instantly brightened.
This old fellow clearly had something to hide. If last time he had only made a simple judgment that Zhang Ke had a subtle connection with the mastermind who wanted to kill him, now he could be certain that the person in front of him was one of the masterminds.
Therefore, as long as the person in front of him could become his pawn, the mastermind’s scheme would crumble on its own.
Making an old fox like Zhang Ke a pawn was obviously not an easy task.
However, Lü Feng was not overly impatient at the moment. Didn't he know all this?
Impatience and anger were useless; one couldn't eat a whole fatty in one bite. But at least the first step to becoming a pawn could be resolved.
That was to find a way to win over Zhang Ke and make him a neutral party.
Once he became neutral, setting aside any positive impact on himself, at least he wouldn't continue to cause trouble.
And at this moment, Zhang Ke's predicament perfectly fit his plan.
Thinking of this, Lü Feng proactively picked up the teapot beside him and politely poured tea for Zhang Ke himself, "Director Zhang, you've had a long journey. Have some tea, have some tea!"
After speaking so humbly and now proactively pouring tea, Zhang Ke's initial discomfort instantly turned into awkwardness, "Director Lü, you're too kind, too kind!"
Lü Feng, however, shook his head, "What's there to be polite about? It's only right. After all, Director Zhang has helped us!"
With the atmosphere like this, Zhang Ke could only go with the flow.
"Is that so? Hehe!" But as he raised his teacup, he froze mid-air when he realized the hidden meaning in Lü Feng's latter sentence.
Helped them?
As far as he remembered, Lü Feng had resolved the matter of the goods by himself this time.
Even if thanks were to be given, it shouldn't be to him.
Having anticipated Zhang Ke's confusion, Lü Feng decided to play his trump card and explained his diversionary tactic, "It seems Director Zhang doesn't know. Actually, I didn't really ask for Director Zhang's help this time. I was just worried someone might be causing trouble. I know Director Zhang is renowned in Southeast City. Once the news of me seeking your help spread, those people would have to be wary if they wanted to make a move, wouldn't they? And as expected, everything went smoothly this time, didn't it?"
Lü Feng was stating one side of the matter, but Zhang Ke was not a fool. Combining Lü Feng's words with his understanding of the entire situation, he suddenly understood.
So that's how it was.
This kid had essentially used him to attract Dong Hua's attention.
This meant he had indirectly helped Lü Feng.
However, after realizing this, Zhang Ke felt no relief at all. Instead, he was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable sense of dread.
If this kid could think of this, wouldn't Dong Hua also think of it?
Once Dong Hua thought of this, he would believe that Zhang Ke and the Lin family still had unfinished business and were deliberately acting this way.
It was over, it was over. He had indeed become senile, and the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although Zhang Ke remained outwardly composed, his heart was already in turmoil.
But no matter how calm a person was, under such circumstances, it was impossible to show no sign of distress.
Even though Zhang Ke tried his best to hide it, Lü Feng still caught subtle clues.
Based on these clues, he could reasonably infer Zhang Ke's state of mind.
Lü Feng's judgment was that Zhang Ke, having understood the situation, was clearly afraid.
This was correct, because only through fear would this person worry about his own retreat.
And once he wanted to find a way out for himself, he would be forced to make preparations, one of which would naturally be his superiors, and the other, wasn't it himself?
Realizing that this was the opportune moment, Lü Feng immediately struck while the iron was hot and pushed the conversation one level deeper.
"Director Zhang, you can be considered a benefactor to our Lin family," he said, then quickly turned to Lin Feng, "Brother Lin Feng, how about this, let's toast Director Zhang with tea instead of wine."
Before coming here, Lin Feng had personally agreed to Lü Feng's plan. Sensing Lü Feng looking at him, he immediately stood up, his smile gradually deepening, "Come, Director Zhang, thank you, elder."
"This, this, you're welcome!" Zhang Ke said outwardly, but his heart felt more bitter than eating Huang Lian.
The more these two acted, the more dangerous his situation became.
Zhang Ke wished he could die at this moment.
But this old fellow had done such a wicked thing. A mere life, could this debt be settled?
Lü Feng raised his head and his gaze locked onto Zhang Ke's face again, "Director Zhang, I must say that our Lin family has been harmed by someone, and the only person we can trust is Director Zhang. In the future, you will have to help us more. Others may not have Director Zhang's strength and influence. Director Zhang, what do you say?"
Help again? What was this becoming? It was like an unyielding ghost. Zhang Ke's face was as ugly as it could be. But he didn't dare to say these words. If he had the courage to openly challenge Lü Feng, he wouldn't be here meeting these two. Moreover, Dong Hua's request was there, and he couldn't make it public. Once it was public, Dong Hua might think he was colluding with the Lin family and directly reveal the secret.
He was in a dilemma, pleasing neither side. Zhang Ke was sitting on pins and needles. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have listened to Dong Hua. But now that he had come this far, regret was useless.
Zhang Ke just wanted to ease the relationship with Lü Feng a little, to avoid future conflict.
But if he thought this way, how could Lü Feng let this person have his way so easily? Even if he were a neutral party, he had to make Zhang Ke feel the pinch, otherwise, this old fellow would never learn his lesson, nor would he consider himself in the upcoming plans.
But how to make Zhang Ke feel the pinch? Lü Feng's mind raced. He suddenly had an idea.
"Director Zhang."
Hearing this, Zhang Ke immediately snapped back, "What is it?"
A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered across Lü Feng's face, "Director Zhang, since your relationship with our Lin family is so close, why don't we have a publicity stunt? Let's take a photo together, and then distribute it to the media. This way, at least it will deter those scoundrels, won't it?"
For the Lin family at this moment, this was indeed a good method, but for Zhang Ke, it was a ruthless blow without mercy.
Once this was released, what would happen?
Noticing Zhang Ke's silence, Lü Feng feigned confusion, "Director Zhang, don't you think this method is good? Or, does Director Zhang have any other good ideas?"
Zhang Ke's smile became increasingly awkward, "It's not that it's not good, it's just that this matter is too ostentatious. I think it would be better if, in the future, whenever the Lin family needs help, I will agree. After all, you have to understand my difficulties, right? Now, many people in the Lin family suspect that I am targeting the Lin family. In the future..."
Lü Feng looked at Zhang Ke's awkward posture, unable to sit or stand. If it weren't for Zhang Ke being present, he would have burst into laughter.
Immediately, he said, "There are discussions within the Lin family, but there's no way around it. After all, people's words are formidable. But once this photo of Director Zhang and me is released, wouldn't the rumors be dispelled on their own?"