The Coffin is Sealed

"If its effects are truly as you say..." Max asked cautiously, "May I be so bold as to ask your identity?"

"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself earlier, but it's not too late to do so now." Zhou Yi suddenly realized, and took out his ID from his inner lining, which was actually his Storage Space, displaying it to Max.

"What kind of person do you think would possess the latest weapon developed by the IRS Equipment Department?"

"So that's how it is, you're from the IRS." Max saw Zhou Yi's ID clearly and immediately relaxed, regaining her composure. "I don't think this is within your jurisdiction, is it?"

"Hmm... In normal circumstances, no, it isn't. But this time, the situation is a bit special."

Zhou Yi rummaged through his bag and placed two handcuffs in front of Max: "Because you conducted an illegal transaction with an American agent, and that agent did not pay taxes, we have a legitimate reason to intervene. Furthermore, we are jointly enforcing the law with the CIA and possess law enforcement authority."

"So, will you put these handcuffs on me, or do you plan to put them on yourself?"

"Are you talking about Ethan?" Max asked with a deadpan expression.

"Ethan? Are you referring to him?" Zhou Yi glanced behind Max. "Ethan, come here quickly."

"I believe so." Ethan walked over with a smile. Zhou Yi shifted his position, allowing Ethan to sit opposite Max.

"You guys are working together?" Max was shocked.

"Please don't use such unprofessional terms to describe our friendly cooperation," Zhou Yi fiddled with the handcuffs in his hand. "This is a transnational cooperative operation between the CIA and the IRS, marking the beginning of friendly exchange."

"Yes, that's right." Ethan nodded. "Ms. Max, as you wished, I am now sitting before you."

"I suddenly don't want to see you anymore." Max's face was extremely unpleasant.

She realized she had been completely played by Ethan!

"That's truly a sad thing," Ethan spread his hands, appearing somewhat helpless. "I thought we would have many things to talk about, such as the 16 million you transacted to Agent Jim, also known as [Job]."

"What? I didn't, that ten million..." Max stopped midway, seeming to realize something, and stared thoughtfully at Ethan.

"In order to obtain the complete list of CIA agents, you conducted transactions with the CIA mole, Agent Jim, for a total of 16 million, first for six million, then for ten million."

Zhou Yi spoke, "Ethan found me to stop your illegal transaction, and that's how we succeeded. How does that sound?"

"Very good," Ethan nodded. "And, during the arrest, Agent Jim resisted fiercely. He first killed Agent Claire, and then, knowing he couldn't escape, destroyed the 10 million in US Treasury cash vouchers. Finally, he was killed by Agent Zhou Yi and me working together."

"You... you want to embezzle that 16 million dollars!" Max's eyes widened. She finally understood what Zhou Yi and Ethan were talking about.

They were trying to close the case, cover up their actions, and even embezzle the 16 million in illicit funds!

"Perhaps I should add 'slandering a public official' to your charges?" Zhou Yi lowered his voice.

"Do you need me to tell you who is fully commanding this operation, and that you will be held in an IRS-controlled prison afterward?"

The information conveyed by Zhou Yi sent a chill down Max's spine.

"I just want to know..." Max's face stiffened. "If I pay another ten million, can you sell that product of yours to me?"

"You mean this?" Zhou Yi patted the scrambler in his hand. "It's gone up in price. It's now one hundred million dollars."

Max obviously didn't have that much money to pay Zhou Yi's exorbitant price.

So, she surrendered outright, letting Ethan put the handcuffs on her.

Zhou Yi looked up at the ceiling of the carriage.

"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, noticing Zhou Yi's strange movement.

"Looks like I forgot," Zhou Yi replied. "There's still a little fly up there."

In the sky, Franz Krieg (who played the hitman uncle in "The Professional," and in this movie, played the operative assistant and supplier recruited by Ethan, actually cooperating with Jim) was flying a helicopter, following the train.

He was a bit confused.

Where is the person I'm supposed to meet?

Where did Jim go?

He wasn't worried about Jim's safety; it was the ten million Jim had that he cared about!

"However, there's no need to bother with him, let him be," Zhou Yi thought about the difficulty of capturing Franz and the potential gains, decisively abandoning the capture plan and changing the subject. "I have to say, Ethan, your choice truly makes me see you in a new light..."

"...I had to do it," Ethan knew what Zhou Yi was referring to. After a moment of silence, he replied, "If they don't die, I'm letting my comrades down."

"Very good. Being able to be ruthless is what makes a competent agent. And you've also left Agent Claire with a good reputation and your own principles," Zhou Yi patted Ethan's shoulder. "You've grown a lot."

"You don't look that much older than me, so why do your words and actions always seem so... like a senior?" Ethan said speechlessly.

"..." Zhou Yi stared at Ethan.

Death glare!

How dare he call me old, damn it!

"It seems you still need some proper training, Ethan," Zhou Yi placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder, "gently" kneading it. "For example, in terms of speaking..."

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

After the train arrived at the station, Claire and Jim's bodies were secretly transported away by Zhou Yi's arranged subordinates.

As for Ethan's innocence, that was naturally not a problem.

The two of them would coordinate... no, that's not right. They would discuss the details and objectives of their operation. Afterward, Zhou Yi would write up a report on this large-scale joint international operation and submit it to Director Chris for approval. Once Chris stamped and signed it, it would be mailed to IMF Minister Eugene.

Eugene, who was like an ant on a hot pan, received the letter and felt as if a sweet dew had fallen from the sky, exploding with joy.

Thermal expansion and contraction, perfectly normal.

Eugene read the contents of the document and, after repeated deliberation, finally understood everything.

First, he had indeed identified Ethan as a traitor.

However, Ethan was not actually the traitor; he had been framed. The real traitor was Jim, who had faked his death.

Ethan, having been wrongly accused and knowing he couldn't prove his innocence, had sought assistance from IRS agent Zhou Yi.

Then, Ethan collaborated with the IRS. They first took the agent list from within the CIA as a token, approached Max, arrested her, lured Jim out, and captured him. Claire unfortunately sacrificed herself during this process.

Of course, the email did not mention Ethan stealing the agent list from CIA headquarters or that Ethan had been framed.

It stated that IMF Minister Eugene was fully aware of the entire situation and that Ethan had been acting under orders.

Eugene understood that this was an opportunity presented by Ethan and the IRS.

It was a way for him to remain in his current position, but it meant leaving a handle for the IRS and Ethan to hold over him.

How to choose?

It wasn't even a question.

Eugene took a deep breath and signed his name on the document.

With that, the matter was settled.

The first large-scale international joint operation between the IRS agent department and the CIA's IMF department concluded successfully!

PS: Please vote! If I don't get more votes, I'll starve to death, sob sob~

Do I really have to cross-dress to get votes?

Do you guys want to see Kirin Arm cross-dress??!

╮(￣▽￣")╭

So, did you enjoy reading this? Are you eager to vote for me?