Seeing the chef's expression, Zhang Shaohua knew that his request was impossible for them to fulfill.
So, Zhang Shaohua settled for less.
"Then help me meet with Feng Zhu and Feng Zhao. That much you can do, right?"
Zhang Shaohua's words carried an irrefutable tone, as if it would be unthinkable for the chef to refuse.
In fact, the chef felt that merely arranging a meeting was as difficult as climbing to heaven.
However, the chef ate Zhang's food and lived off Zhang's resources. He had just refused Zhang Shaohua's first request, and refusing again would inevitably make him appear useless. What if the Zhang family then stopped paying attention to them?
After careful consideration, the chef nodded, reluctantly saying, "I'll try, but I can't guarantee it will succeed."
Hearing this, Zhang Shaohua was overjoyed. He nodded immediately, "Try it first. If it doesn't work, come back here tomorrow afternoon and inform me. I'll think of other ways."
The chef certainly didn't believe Zhang Shaohua was so understanding, but he could only brace himself and agree.
After chatting for a while, they parted ways from the storeroom. Zhang Shaohua looked around and then quickly left.
Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng noticed Zhang Shaohua's furtive figure and couldn't help but stare for a few more seconds.
"Based on my understanding of Zhang Shaohua, he was probably going to contact the hidden sentries," Ouyang Feng stated immediately.
Da Xiong raised an eyebrow, "So quickly?"
Ouyang Feng chuckled. Indeed. Zhang Shaohua was impatient; he couldn't wait even a minute or a second. After failing to reach the Zhang family by phone and getting no news from Ouyang Feng, Zhang Shaohua was undoubtedly in a hurry to contact his hidden sentries. As for whether he wanted to pass a message to the Zhang family or rescue Feng Zhu and Feng Zhao, that was unknown.
"I'll report this to Elder Lin. Ouyang Feng, you've made a great contribution this time," Da Xiong said with a grin. He was primarily happy to see Zhang Shaohua in trouble. Ever since the last mission where Zhang Shaohua stole his flag, Zhang Shaohua hadn't shown any remorse but had become even more arrogant. Anyone in his shoes would not be comfortable. Now that Zhang Shaohua was about to reveal himself, and with Zhang Shaohua gone, no one would bother Da Xiong. Wasn't that worth celebrating?
Ouyang Feng nodded slightly.
That night, the cold wind whipped up sand and stones from the ground, scattering them everywhere. The members of the Dragon Group had taken their positions outside the cells where Feng Zhu and Feng Zhao were held. They had received word that the hidden sentries within the Dragon Group were likely to act today, so everyone had laid an ambush in advance.
Lin Weidong sat leisurely on a chair, drinking hot tea and looking out the window. Feng Zhu and Feng Zhao were held less than a meter behind Lin Weidong. These stubborn individuals, after being subjected to the water prison, looked weak but neither was willing to break first. Lin Weidong was too lazy to waste manpower and resources by dealing with them. He had them simply imprisoned and administered stimulants daily to keep them awake, depriving them of sleep.
"Why hasn't anyone come yet?" Lin Weidong muttered to himself with a hint of helplessness. He had originally wanted Zhou Yu to wait with him, but that kid had slipped away. Lin Weidong was left to wait alone.
*Tap, tap, tap...*
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps could be heard from outside. Lin Weidong pricked up his ears and listened intently.
"Everyone, I'm here to deliver supper. Please cooperate a little." It was a low voice. Lin Weidong didn't recognize the voice, so he remained inside the room, observing the situation.
The Dragon Group members outside sized up the person thoroughly and said, "We're on duty today and aren't eating supper. You should take it back."
"How can that be? I've already cooked it."
"How about this? I'll leave it in the insulated box. You can eat it when you're done. Would that work?" The chef, after being refused, didn't get discouraged and continued. Under his repeated requests, the Dragon Group members finally agreed to let him leave the insulated box.
"Thank you so much for bringing us supper every day. It's cold at night, and we've eaten quite a bit before our night shift. You don't need to bring it next time, alright?" the Dragon Group members said politely.
The chef smiled. Just by his laughter, one would think he was a simple, honest man. After he finished laughing, he didn't leave. Instead, he stayed put and asked the Dragon Group members, "Are you busy right now?"
The Dragon Group members exchanged glances and all indicated they weren't busy.
"Oh, that's perfect. Let's chat for a bit, brothers. I heard that the two Fengs from the Zhang family were brought in a couple of days ago?" the chef asked with a smile.
The Dragon Group members became instantly alert. But remembering Lin Weidong's instructions, they pretended to be nonchalant and replied, "Yes, it seems the entire new recruit training base knows about it."
"I'm just curious. What kind of grudge or enmity would make someone from the Inspection Corps attack a new recruit!" the chef said with a chuckle. Because the chef disguised himself so well, appearing like a nosy uncle who simply enjoyed gossip, the Dragon Group members gradually relaxed after their initial wariness. They ended up revealing quite a bit of information to the chef.
"If you ask me, those two Fengs from the Zhang family are at their wit's end. First, they were put in the water prison, and now their sleep is being deprived." "They'll likely confess soon," one of the Dragon Group members said. The chef's pupils constricted for a moment, appearing greatly shocked. But he quickly realized his reaction was unusual and quickly regained his composure. He then cheerfully said to the Dragon Group members, "Since they've been caught red-handed, they might as well confess and save themselves further torment. Their loyalty is useless, as there's been no sign of movement from the Zhang family."
The chef's words resonated with the Dragon Group members. Exactly. If they confessed openly, they might even receive leniency. They could even redeem themselves. But by stubbornly holding out, weren't they just waiting to be tortured? Besides, these two were just Fengs of the Zhang family, not direct family members. Even if they were caught, the Zhang family would at most silence them, but they wouldn't expend significant effort to rescue them. It would be better to cooperate with the Dragon Group...
"Alright, it's getting late. I should be heading back." "I'll bring some warm food in tomorrow at noon. You guys work hard." The chef said with a smile, waved goodbye to the Dragon Group members, and disappeared into the darkness. The Dragon Group members watched his retreating back until he was out of sight. Then, one of them said, "There's something wrong with that person."