Ouyang Feng found the entire situation incredibly ironic.
Setting aside the fact that Ouyang Feng had already been planning to defect.
Even if Ouyang Feng hadn't been considering betrayal, to be assassinated by people from his former employer in the middle of the night.
His heart would have likely turned to ice.
And now, Zhang Shaohua, instead of offering comfort or tangible benefits, was immediately trying to pry information out of Ouyang Feng?
How audacious!
Despite his inner impatience, Ouyang Feng knew he couldn't afford to fall out with Zhang Shaohua now.
After all, Zhou Yu's instructions were to temporarily placate Zhang Shaohua and prevent him from detecting any discrepancies.
So, Ouyang Feng suppressed his true emotions and replied to Zhang Shaohua with a pleasant demeanor.
"I haven't heard much news myself; I haven't infiltrated their inner circle yet."
"However, I heard that Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao have been transferred to the water dungeon because they refused to cooperate during the first round of interrogation."
"Young Master Zhang, you must persuade them not to say anything they shouldn't. After all, we're all in the same boat; none of us can escape!"
These words were precisely what Zhou Yu had instructed Ouyang Feng to say.
He had rehearsed them beforehand.
Therefore, they flowed out smoothly.
Hearing that Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao had not immediately revealed the connection between the Zhang family and the Shadow Organization, Zhang Shaohua felt a surge of relief.
But then, Zhang Shaohua quickly remembered that they had been moved to the water dungeon.
Even if Guest Official Zhao and Guest Official Zhu could endure this interrogation, what about the next?
The Dragon Group had numerous interrogation methods.
Who could guarantee that the two of them would remain steadfastly loyal?
"See if there's a way you can arrange for me to meet with them," Zhang Shaohua asked.
This request was so naive that Ouyang Feng almost burst into laughter!
Even if Ouyang Feng hadn't been planning to defect, he wouldn't have had the ability to arrange such a meeting for Zhang Shaohua.
Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao were currently under high-security watch by the Dragon Group!
Ouyang Feng, on the other hand, was neither part of the observation team nor had any influence within the Dragon Group.
He was just a newcomer.
What capability did he have to arrange this for Zhang Shaohua?
Therefore, Ouyang Feng refused him directly and unequivocally.
"Young Master Zhang, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I haven't reached that level of influence there yet."
"Why don't you try contacting the Zhang family's other contacts?"
Ouyang Feng's words were laced with calculated cunning.
Zhang Shaohua had likely not revealed all of the Zhang family's hidden assets to Ouyang Feng.
So, if Zhang Shaohua, in his panic, were to contact the Zhang family's hidden operatives within the Dragon Group, that would be perfect!
Then, Lin Weidong could carry out a complete sweep.
Zhang Shaohua instinctively believed that Ouyang Feng had not betrayed him, so he did not doubt Ouyang Feng's suggestion.
He was merely considering its feasibility.
"That's probably not possible. It's a time of great tension; even if I contacted them, they might not dare to respond. I'll wait for instructions from the family before proceeding."
Zhang Shaohua was burning with anxiety, but it was of no use.
He had to wait for the Zhang family's decision before taking any further steps!
"Young Master Zhang, that's all I know. I need to get back to training immediately, or if Da Xiong and the others notice, our efforts will be in vain," Ouyang Feng said.
Zhang Shaohua was too preoccupied with his worries to notice Ouyang Feng's expression.
He waved his hand dismissively, signaling Ouyang Feng to leave.
Ouyang Feng returned to the training grounds, but his focus was no longer as sharp.
He was still contemplating how to subtly guide Zhang Shaohua to take the next step.
The reason Zhang Shaohua had failed to contact the Zhang family earlier that day was entirely due to the Dragon Group's machinations.
They had rerouted the Zhang family's calls elsewhere.
The intention was clearly to trap Zhang Shaohua and prevent him from escaping upon hearing any news.
However, this was not a long-term solution.
They couldn't afford to be complacent until Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao were successfully interrogated.
Who knew how long those two stubborn individuals could hold out?
What if Zhang Shaohua managed to contact the Zhang family, but the two of them still hadn't confessed?
That would be a major problem for the Dragon Group!
Therefore, Ouyang Feng needed to provoke Zhang Shaohua into making an irrational decision as soon as possible.
This would allow them to unearth all of the Zhang family's hidden operatives within the new recruit training base.
And it would buy more time for Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao to implicate the Zhang family and the Shadow Organization!
Zhang Shaohua, unaware of these underlying schemes, believed that Ouyang Feng had not betrayed him after their meeting.
Otherwise, with Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao already arrested, there would be no reason for Ouyang Feng to contact him.
In Zhang Shaohua's view, Ouyang Feng's earlier displeasure was likely just a reaction to the assassination attempt!
The fact that Ouyang Feng had not betrayed them was the best news.
At least, Zhang Shaohua still had a source of information in this period of complete darkness.
After careful consideration, Zhang Shaohua decided to try contacting the Zhang family again that night.
If he still couldn't get through, he would have to take the risk and contact the Zhang family's hidden operatives within the Dragon Group.
At the very least, he needed to get Guest Official Zhu and Guest Official Zhao out first, to prevent them from speaking carelessly.
Moreover, once the two of them were out, Zhang Shaohua would have more people to help him.
He wouldn't be completely in the dark!
In the afternoon, everyone finished their training and headed to the mess hall in small groups to eat.
Zhang Shaohua, however, went to the payphone and dialed his family's number.
Unfortunately.
Just like in the morning.
No one from the Zhang family answered the call!
Not only that, but Zhang Shaohua tried calling the Zhang family's landline and also their personal phone numbers.
He couldn't get through to any of them.
This made Zhang Shaohua feel as if he were facing a great enemy.
It seemed the Zhang family was already facing difficulties!
Even if he managed to get through and explain the situation at the new recruit training base, the Zhang family likely wouldn't have the capacity to deal with it at this moment.
Thinking this.
Zhang Shaohua immediately placed the contact signal in the lounge.
Then, with a heavy heart, he went to the mess hall to eat.
As soon as he entered the mess hall, Zhang Shaohua saw Ouyang Feng and Da Xiong queuing up.
Zhang Shaohua knew that he couldn't expose Ouyang Feng at this moment, so he didn't even greet them.
He walked past them with a cold expression.
Watching Zhang Shaohua's retreating back, Da Xiong couldn't help but say, "Zhang Shaohua must be overwhelmed right now."
Ouyang Feng nodded in agreement and recounted his meeting with Zhang Shaohua that day to Da Xiong.
Then Ouyang Feng said, "If he can't contact the Zhang family, he might try to reach out to the Zhang family's hidden operatives within the Dragon Group."
"We need to keep a close watch on him these few days."
Da Xiong nodded and patted Ouyang Feng's shoulder, "Not bad, kid, you've got some skills."
Ouyang Feng smiled.
Nonsense, if he didn't have the ability and means, how else would he have entered the Dragon Group's new recruit training with his background from a second-rate family?