Chapter 382 - 202: The Real and Fake Wan Ze, a Courteous Benefactress

"Wake her up," Wan Ze said impassively.

The gunman hurried to find Zhang Chong.

Wan Ze walked into the living room, with Zhai Yu following behind him.

The scene in the living room was much the same as when Wan Ze had left.

The three gunmen were sitting near the door. The one with the broken leg had propped his injured limb on the coffee table, a cushion placed under his ankle.

The one with the injured arm was still leaning against the sofa, but his eyes were open.

As Zhang Chong went to knock on the door for Xiao Ya, he looked back over his shoulder, his gaze wary as he watched the two men enter.

Zhang Chong's brow furrowed when he saw the masked Zhai Yu.

Xiao Ya emerged from the bedroom.

She had, surprisingly, changed her clothes. She was now in a long, dark, cotton house dress with long sleeves and a high collar. Her hair was down, draping to her shoulders, its ends curling slightly.

Despite wearing no makeup, her face was so striking that it was impossible to look away.

'She actually brought a change of clothes?'

Wan Ze raised an eyebrow slightly. He recalled the cases Xiao Ya had taken from the car earlier—there had been more than just the one she gave him.

'This woman... She certainly had the presence of mind.'

Xiao Ya looked at the two men, Wan Ze and Zhai Yu.

If she hadn't grown accustomed to the mask worn by the man she knew as Old Tan, she likely wouldn't have been able to distinguish which one was him.

Their builds were similar, and they both watched her from behind their masks.

The impression she had of Old Tan was one of "stability," while this new man felt "hard," like a stone—cold and seemingly far more ruthless and decisive.

Xiao Ya's gaze finally settled on Zhai Yu. She walked over to the sofa but didn't sit. Standing there, she faced him and tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Wan Ze?"

"I am," Zhai Yu's voice came from behind the mask, carrying a tone of decisive, no-nonsense authority. "Old Tan already told me. Ten million for the lives of the five of you. That's not expensive."

Xiao Ya sat down on the sofa with a composed and elegant air, reaching for the purple clay teapot on the coffee table and pouring herself a cup of tea.

"It isn't expensive," Xiao Ya said. "But I have one more condition."

Zhai Yu remained standing.

From behind his mask, his eyes looked down on her, his gaze unwavering.

"Speak."

Xiao Ya looked at him, her voice lower than before. "I want Old Zhao dead."

Zhai Yu didn't answer immediately. After a two-second silence, he spoke slowly. "Are you saying... you don't think your arrangements at the pier were successful?"

Xiao Ya said softly, "You don't know him. The man's slippery as an eel. I can't be sure he's actually dead. That's why I need you to step in and confirm it for me."

She paused before continuing, "Mr. Wan, I know you've done business with Old Zhao. But if he's still alive, I'm sure it will affect our cooperation. You don't want to be caught in the middle of this, do you?"

Zhai Yu sat on the opposite sofa. He looked much more relaxed, but Xiao Ya noticed his gaze never left her face.

"I can help you with that, but it'll cost you another five million," Zhai Yu said flatly.

"No problem," Xiao Ya replied without a hint of hesitation. She raised her teacup, took another sip, and swallowed.

'All she wanted right now was Zhao Henian's life.'

'Money was no object. Five million, ten million, twenty million...'

'Once Zhao Henian was dead, her power in the Secret Palace's eastern region would be completely solidified. At that point, the chain of evidence proving his betrayal of the organization would come into play, and her own position at headquarters would rise a level.'

'Compared to all that, this money was nothing.'

Zhai Yu fell silent, his eyes fixed on the woman.

Xiao Ya showed not an ounce of fear.

She sat there, meeting Zhai Yu's gaze without flinching.

"Whether Zhao Henian is dead or not, he has lost this round," Xiao Ya said, speaking again. "We can continue our discussion about the translation. Just as I mentioned to Mr. Tan before, whatever terms Zhao Henian promised you... I'll double them."

As she spoke, Xiao Ya glanced at Wan Ze.

Her gaze lingered on Wan Ze's mask for a moment—a pause that lasted a second longer than it did on anyone else. It was as if she were confirming something, or perhaps, trying to convey a message.

Then she pulled her gaze away and looked back at Zhai Yu.

Zhai Yu's eyes followed hers, landing on Wan Ze.

Wan Ze: "..."

'He was wearing a mask, so his expression was unreadable to begin with.'

'He felt a surge of exasperation.'

'Why is everyone looking at me? Hurry up and finish your business so we can get this over with.'

Zhai Yu pulled his gaze back to Xiao Ya and chuckled. "You're a bold one, Miss Xiao. In that case, I have nothing more to add. We can certainly discuss the translation, but as for the new company... I'd like to know what your thoughts are."

Xiao Ya gathered her long hair and swept it behind her shoulders, revealing her full face. "The new company will be registered within three days. Mr. Wan can have a proxy hold eighty percent of the shares. I only require twenty percent."

She paused, glancing in Wan Ze's direction before continuing with a smile, "The company will be established in Holy City, which I imagine is convenient for you all. The goods can be dispatched from your location. Just let me know what types of inventory you need in advance, and I'll make the arrangements. I guarantee you won't be disappointed... As it happens, my group is also looking to expand into the Jiangnan market, so I can use this to our mutual advantage."

Zhai Yu was silent.

His gaze lingered on Xiao Ya's face for two seconds before shifting to glance at Wan Ze.

Wan Ze stared straight ahead, not looking at either of them.

He just stood there, hands in his pockets, his body angled slightly toward Xiao Ya, his gaze lost in the darkness outside the window.