The people in the car wanted to put a blindfold on him, and Xiang Wan nodded in agreement, only adding, "Don't use any drugs, otherwise, if you make a fuss, you won't be able to complete the mission. If you don't believe me, you can try it."

The people in the car exchanged glances, silently put the hood on Xiang Wan, and then tied her hands behind her back with a rope.

More than an hour later, the car stopped, and Xiang Wan was led out. She was pushed around many turns before finally entering a house.

The hood was removed, and under the glaring light, only a pair of black leather shoes could be seen standing in front of her.

Her chin was lifted, and Irving's familiar face was backlit, his calm, unwavering eyes fixed on her.

"Lou Xiangwan, you didn't expect this, did you?"

"Mr. Owen, things have come to this point, and I guess I can't escape anyway. Why not let me die knowing why?"

Xiang Wan tilted her head, her face expressionless.

“I’ve never liked wasting my breath, so you’re destined to be disappointed.”

"No, Mr. Owen, if I don't speak up, I'm afraid your reputation will be ruined. You can ask your men how I got here. Don't you find it strange that I, alone, am willing to be manipulated?" Xiang Wan shifted her body, assuming a comfortable position, and sat down on the ground.

"Oh? Tell me about it." Owen pulled out a chair, put on a cigar, and sat down.

“The Cui family is playing a grand game. You are the chariot charging into battle, while I am the pawn crossing the river, used to lure you into making the first move.”

"Heh, continue."

"You should know very well how the Cui family started out. Because they have always been involved with you, it's simply a pipe dream for them to try to whitewash their past. Not only would you not agree to it, but even the protectors behind you would not allow it."

Owen paused in his cigar-smoking motion. Xiang Wan pretended not to notice and continued, "The huge amount of money flowing into your pockets and the pockets of the people behind you every year is something the Cui family would be willing to accept. On the surface, this land tender in H City is a signal from the government to promote the city's economic development and to attract businesses nationwide. In reality, it is the beginning of a major purge."

"A while ago, some important figures secretly moved into our facility. With your abilities, you should have heard about it by now. Important figures from the Lou family, Cui family, Mu family, Wei family, and major corporations have all arrived here. But, has anyone met with the government representatives?"

"Let's not talk about anything else. Just look at today's banquet. Of all the people in the room, who is a government official? Only the Wei family's backer showed up, and so openly. Don't you find that strange?"

"As soon as Cui Shiwan arrived in H City, she came straight to me. She did this simply because of my status as the illegitimate son of the Lou family, hoping to use this to win over and control the Lou family. But she didn't expect that I have always been at odds with Lou Junxuan, so how could I possibly facilitate her cooperation with the Lou family?"

"Tonight, she brought me to that man from the Wei family again, and he even took a liking to me. I'm just a nobody, with nothing to offer him except this body. I naturally wouldn't refuse her money and her requests. But you should know what kind of person the Wei family is. Even if he can't have a man he sets his sights on, he won't do anything about it for the time being. But Cui Shiwan has handed me over to you. I think you know better than I do what she's doing."

"Furthermore, Cui Shiwan has taught me the hand gestures we used when we first met, as well as many other code words. She said that as long as I cooperate with her, I can do whatever I want in H City from now on."

Irving exhaled a smoke ring, tossed the remaining cigar to his feet, and stubbed it out on tiptoe. With a forced smile, he said, "Pretty boy, you think I'd believe your sweet talk?"

Xiang Wan scoffed, saying indifferently, "Do you want me to demonstrate the gestures you painstakingly created? If one of me dies, there will be thousands more. It's only a matter of time before they replace me."

Irving put his hands behind his back and sneered, "There are plenty of people who want to replace me, I don't need you."

"That's why I find it strange. I'm just a college student doing some part-time work. What reason does Cui Shiwan have to insist on having me and bother you? If she has any grudge against me or anyone related to me, she can simply hire a bunch of thugs to kill me, bury me somewhere deserted, and no one will find out. Don't you agree?"

Irving turned around and looked directly into Xiang Wan's eyes, trying to find something in them, but he was destined to find nothing.

Xiang Wan is open and honest; what is there to hide?