Let them offer their loyalty!

Chapter 223 Madam, you wouldn't want your husband to be disappointed, right? (10,000 words seeking Monthly Ticket)

Hearing Tan Huimin's words, Qiu Tu, who had just put away his phone, couldn't help but look up at her.

Tan Huimin truly wasn't cut out to be a spy. Not only had she panicked when Qiu Tu deceived her just now, but now she'd even admitted to Qiu Tu's speculation.

You should know, the last person whose identity Qiu Tu had exposed, Liu Fuping, though she'd shown a bit of abnormality, no matter how Qiu Tu beat around the bush or probed, she never admitted her identity.

As for Qin Shuman, there was even less to say. When Qiu Tu pointed a gun at her, she'd continued to play her role without showing any flaws.

Compared to them, Tan Huimin was lacking by more than a little bit.

After all, identity is both a spy's Achilles heel and amulet.

As long as you don't admit you're a spy, there's always a chance to make excuses or help your comrades cover their lies.

And as long as you never admit your identity, to counter-espionage agencies, you still have value, and thus, a better chance at survival.

Beyond that professional competence, during the time she'd just spent with Qiu Tu, Tan Huimin revealed even more flaws.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu turned around and sized up Tan Huimin, then said, "The reason I guessed you were not my secretary is very simple."

"It's because you are not familiar with me. Moreover, you showed no enthusiasm or joy regarding my promotion."

Qiu Tu started pacing, walking a few steps around Tan Huimin, and commented, "Secretary is a very special occupation."

"Their own rank isn't high, and whatever power and influence they have is granted by the supervisors they serve."

"So, even a newly arranged secretary would surely do some research on the appearance and personality of the boss she needs to serve in advance."

"Even if, due to time constraints, she couldn't do the research, she would definitely ride on the coattails during a celebration for me."

"So, when I noticed you were indifferent to everything about me, I guessed you weren't my secretary."

"And then, when I linked that to the bet between me and Director Zheng, of course I speculated you were Zheng Tao's secretary."

Upon hearing this, Tan Huimin's face inadvertently revealed a look of realization.

Her somewhat charming eyes looked at Qiu Tu with a bit of admiration, and she continued to ask, "Then... how did you know I'm Ah-Tao's wife?"

Qiu Tu heard this, smiled and said, "Still very simple."

Qiu Tu said, "Do you remember the topic we discussed after I called you out for not being my secretary?"

How could Tan Huimin forget? Back then, Qiu Tu had thoroughly humiliated both her and Zheng Tao.

Even now, recalling it, she felt somewhat annoyed. She thought the man before her was too overbearing, his words too direct, completely disregarding collegial decency.

And as she was thinking this, Qiu Tu pointed at her face and said, "Right, that expression."

Tan Huimin was taken aback, looking at Qiu Tu with some confusion.

Qiu Tu gave her a deep look, then pointed at his own black uniform and said, "Madam Zheng, in our Political Department, we work on espionage, counter-espionage, interrogation, and supervision."

"Every sentence we say has a deeper meaning."

"Did you think I was only mocking Director Zheng at that time?"

Qiu Tu shook his head, "You're wrong. I was deliberately probing your attitude and identity."

Qiu Tu said, "Director Zheng and I, like you, were just promoted to directors in the last couple of days."

"His secretary should have been arranged individually by the government department, for him to select."

"So, in theory, he's only been with his secretary for a day or two. It's impossible to develop a very deep emotional bond."

"Even if I humiliated Director Zheng in front of that secretary, his secretary might feel embarrassed or awkward. But she definitely would not feel so personally affronted and annoyed."

Qiu Tu took Tan Huimin's soft hand and said, "At that moment, your hand involuntarily clenched tight."

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Qiu Tu tapped on Tan Huimin's back, "Your back tensed up."

Qiu Tu pointed at her cheek, "Cheek slightly bulged, showing distinct teeth clenching."

"These all show you're restraining your emotions."

"Your expressions were revealing to me an extraordinary relationship with Director Zheng."

"Combining that with your age, appearance, conversation, and sensitive position, of course I guessed you're Director Zheng's wife."

After listening to Qiu Tu, Tan Huimin was completely shocked.

Her beautiful eyes couldn't help but look at Qiu Tu's handsome face.

Even though she was in Zheng Tao's camp and had heard Zheng Tao talk badly about Qiu Tu many times, initially predisposing her with some dislike, she couldn't deny that at this moment, her impression of Qiu Tu had greatly changed.

The man before her, although he might be a bad person, domineering in nature, ungrateful, but... indeed very capable.

And at that moment, as Tan Huimin was pondering this, Qiu Tu slightly shook his head, then said, "Madam Zheng, do you remember what I just said?"

Taken aback, Tan Huimin paused, then snapped back to reality with a blank expression on her face.

Qiu Tu said, "In our Political Department, we work on espionage, counter-espionage, interrogation, and supervision. Every word we say has a deeper meaning."

Qiu Tu said, "Did you think you ask me a question, and I'll just answer it?"

"No." Qiu Tu shook his head, "I was gaining your favor. I wanted to break through your psychological defenses to get information from you."

Having said that, Qiu Tu patted Tan Huimin's shoulder, then walked back toward his desk, leaving Tan Huimin standing there, stunned and lost in thought.

Actually, Qiu Tu hadn't lied; all his words were purposeful and probing.

It was precisely through that series of probes that he had pinpointed Tan Huimin's identity.

But... what he didn't say was that the reason he probed Tan Huimin so determinedly was actually because of Tan Huimin's loyalty.

When Qiu Tu had boasted about promoting all his subordinates just before, most subordinates had jumped up with a +1 or +2 loyalty indicator, only Tan Huimin showed no fluctuation.

So, after the celebration, Qiu Tu was curious and checked Tan Huimin's loyalty.

Wow, only a mere "6" points!

Even lower than Liu Fuping from before.

At that moment, Qiu Tu knew Tan Huimin must be a spy planted by someone else by his side, and it was very likely that person harbored great hostility towards him.

It was with this understanding that Qiu Tu could calmly follow this train of thought, probing and deducing until he finally arrived at an answer.

Meanwhile, Tan Huimin felt her brain was about to burn out. She was in utter chaos, trapped in a logical loop.

'Qiu Tu told me all this to gain my favor and to get intelligence from me.'

'But by revealing his motives, wouldn't he no longer be able to gain my favor?'

'Wrong, is he telling the truth to make me think he is being honest, to further gain my favor?'

'No, that's not right, I'm just more confused, aren't I?'

'So! What is his real purpose?'

In this way, the loop of logic buzzed endlessly in Tan Huimin's head.

And just when Tan Huimin was completely messed up by Qiu Tu, he sat down in his chair, legs propped on the table, and inquired, "Madam, stop thinking. I can practically see the smoke coming out of your head."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tan Huimin, startled, covered her head with her hand, but as she touched it, she realized too late that Qiu Tu was joking.

Her action, however, not only accentuated her prominent chest but also made her seem incredibly doltish and cute.

"Heh heh...." Qiu Tu glanced at the fullness in front of Tan Huimin's chest and then steered the conversation to the main topic.

He asked, "Madam, let's talk. Your husband and I are enemies, but that doesn't necessarily make us enemies."

Tan Huimin dropped her hand and looked at Qiu Tu with a hint of wariness.

Clearly, the phrasing of Qiu Tu raised some suspicions about his motives.

However, Qiu Tu looked at her and analyzed, "Madam. If I'm not mistaken, Director Zheng used the bet between him and me as a pretext to place you by my side as a scout, didn't he?"

"And judging by your attitude, expression, and demeanor, you seem rather unwilling."

"It's only due to his pressure and out of helplessness that you came to my side."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tan Huimin hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Seeing this, the corners of Qiu Tu's mouth curled up into a clear smile.

He continued, "And since you were exposed right after you came to my side, if you go back, he'd definitely criticize you or lose his temper, wouldn't he?"

Tan Huimin hesitated again but then spoke up to defend her husband, "He would indeed be unhappy, but he probably wouldn't lose his temper."

Qiu Tu laughed and gestured towards the door, "Then please, feel free to leave and report back."

On hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tan Huimin's pretty face showed a trace of hesitation. She wanted to leave, but her steps wouldn't carry her forward.

She wasn't lying.

Zheng Tao had a decent personality and wouldn't berate or criticize her for not accomplishing a task.

But... seeing Zheng Tao like a volcano on the verge of erupting, she too didn't feel good inside.

So if she could avoid causing her husband trouble, or stop him from getting angry, she still... wanted to try.

Seeing that Tan Huimin didn't leave straight away, Qiu Tu stood up, walked over, and came up behind her.

Then Qiu Tu's right hand encircled Tan Huimin's shoulder, and his mouth approached her ear as if a devil was whispering, "So, Madam, let's cooperate."

"I can allow you to continue staying by my side. I can also provide you with some harmless intelligence now and then to please your husband."

"But... you must guarantee not to betray me, and inform me in advance of anything your husband plans to do against me. Let me be prepared."

Sensing Tan Huimin's trembling and struggle, Qiu Tu's grip tightened, and then he said softly, "Madam, this is a win-win-win cooperation that is good for you, good for me, and good for your husband."

"After all... you wouldn't want your husband to be disappointed in you, would you?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tan Huimin's body indeed seemed to quiet down a bit.

However, Qiu Tu didn't let her off just like that. Instead, he reached out with his left hand, took hold of Tan Huimin's chin, and forced her head to turn towards the bookshelf behind the desk.

"Madam, do you see that tape recorder on the shelf?"

"I had turned it on before you came in."

"It has recorded all of our conversation. Of course, this includes your admission that your husband planted a spy by my side."

Qiu Tu, "Guess... with this recording, could I have you and your husband arrested?"

"Tsk tsk. Planting a spy by the side of the Deputy Director of the Political Department, huh? This charge should be enough to ruin your husband's career."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tan Huimin sharply turned her head, her eyes wide with fear as she looked at Qiu Tu.

Obviously, she had never expected Qiu Tu to intentionally start a recording.

In that instant, she couldn't help but recall how Qiu Tu had been steering the conversation, guiding her to admit that she was a plant from her husband.

She also couldn't help but remember the smile that lifted the corners of Qiu Tu's mouth after she made the admission.

At that time, she had a hint of realization, but she couldn't understand why.

Now... she understood.

Because she had taken the bait!

And thinking back to Qiu Tu's words that the Political Department deals with espionage, counter-espionage, interrogation, and supervision. Every word we say is loaded with meaning.

In that moment, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

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Chapter three, ten thousand words, ha. Chapter three will be updated between 11 PM and midnight. I seek Monthly Tickets!