"You know me?" Cruze's mind worked very quickly, and he voiced his guess almost without pause. "You know that damned old man, or one of my other 'brothers.'"
"Neither. The one I know is Cruze—Rau Le Creuset." Xiao Ran waved a finger. "Someone who could be considered you, yet is completely not you."
Everyone present came up with countless guesses after hearing Xiao Ran's words, yet they still could not understand what he meant. Cruze merely shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about. Someone who is me but not me? Do you think I have dissociative identity disorder?"
"Since Mr. Xiao Ran is unwilling to tell the truth, I won't press the matter. But Mr. Xiao Ran, I am curious. From the moment I first saw you, you gave off the feeling that everything was under your control. No matter the situation, even when surrounded by so many people, you still appeared relaxed, as if you were not worried in the slightest about what might happen to you. I would like to know where that confidence comes from."
"Cruze, you should understand very well that confidence comes from strength." Xiao Ran's expression was no longer as teasing as before, instead becoming solemn. "Because I have the strength to enter safely and leave safely. Beyond strength, there is also understanding—my understanding of every one of you here."
"Cruze, I understand you very well, to a degree far beyond your imagination. I know your plans, your goals, and the condition your body is facing. The same goes for Lacus, Siegel, and Patrick."
As he said this, the corner of Xiao Ran's lips curled up again. "I simply did not expect to see you here so suddenly. Whether Chairman Siegel was willing to take me in for a few days