After hearing the answer, Gong Zhe's tense muscles gradually relaxed, and his aggressive demeanor eased considerably.
"Recently, we've been preparing to activate those frozen disciples and do everything we can to tear apart the Old President's domain. The operation's codename is 'Summer Day.'"
"But the operation may not go smoothly. After all these years of recuperation, we don't know what the situation inside the domain is like. The Old President may have recovered far more than we expect."
"So I hope you can help us complete this final step."
"For years, people outside have said that you were the person closest to Xia Tan. I think... you can finish what Xia Tan left undone."
Lin Wan'er didn't think there was anything inappropriate about saying this. Since it was a deal, both sides ought to show the utmost sincerity. At the moment the deal was struck, in a sense, she had gained ownership of Gong Zhe's body.
"Those frozen old-timers..." A long-forgotten sense of the past surfaced on Gong Zhe's face, as if it had drawn him back to another era. Time was a chisel, and it had never shown mercy to anyone.
A moment later, Gong Zhe dipped his chin and rasped, "It's a deal!"
He turned to leave. Just as he reached the door and Lin Wan'er had begun to relax, Gong Zhe suddenly turned around. His tone softened, with a hint of hesitation. "There's one more thing."
Lin Wan'er grew wary.
"It has nothing to do with what we discussed earlier. It's... it's about Chen Ran." At the mention of that name, the usually domineering Gong Zhe suddenly seemed helpless, like a child who had done something wrong.
Lin Wan'er kept her expression composed, choosing not to provoke him. "No. 6... Are you looking for him?" she asked