What Will Your Choice Be

To be fair, Xia Wuyou was still completely baffled.

She really hadn't expected Xu Shi to issue such an order—save the people from "Spark" and cover their escape.

This was completely out of character for him… Team Leader Xia, who had just returned from her leave, couldn't understand it and desperately needed an answer.

"Why?"

Xu Shi feigned contemplation. "Mainly to help you clear your conscience, I suppose? Since I forced you to do something unpleasant last time, I felt rather bad about it."

You're bringing that up again?!

Xia Wuyou didn't believe such a flimsy excuse and stared at him intently, saying nothing.

"...Hah, don't look at me like that, Team Leader Xia."

Xu Shi blinked, then chuckled. "Believe me, that's part of the reason, but there's more… Have you ever heard the story of 'Two Peaches Killing Three Warriors'?"

"Hm?"

"District 13 has twenty 'Sea Cranes.' If the people from 'Spark' steal all of them, then 'Shark Tooth' will get half, and everyone will be happy."

Xu Shi narrowed his eyes. "Getting ten is fine too… even five is acceptable. At worst, your childhood friend will have to make a small concession and give the partner one more."

"But if they sacrifice dozens of lives, fight tooth and nail, and only get one… then tell me, would Shen He give it, or not?"

"..."

Xia Wuyou, being sharp as ice and wise as jade, instantly understood everything he meant.

To obtain the drones, Shen He had undoubtedly paid a tremendous price.

If he were to hand them over to "Shark Tooth" as agreed, he would have to carefully consider whether the reward he received would meet his expectations.

But if he refused, it would mean the alliance between "Spark" and "Shark Tooth" would be completely shattered.

And clearly, no matter which choice he made, Shen He would not come out on top.

Thinking about it this way, his act of saving them wasn't truly helping him at all; instead, it was pushing him into an even more difficult situation.

"...You're such a scumbag."

Realizing she had once again become his accomplice, Xia Wuyou unconsciously clenched her fist.

"Just self-defense."

Xu Shi wasn't angry. He simply leaned in and tilted her chin up. "What else? Was I supposed to just stand by and watch the fruits of my labor fall into someone else's hands?"

"..."

Xia Wuyou couldn't refute his words, because it was the truth.

She understood the logic. If it were the past "Refraction," they certainly wouldn't have stood idly by in such a situation, and her father would have made similar arrangements.

The reason she was questioning Xu Shi like this was simply her reluctance to shed the filter she had for her childhood friend.

However, she didn't notice that this emotion had already faded considerably. The fact was, ever since she learned of the secret connection between "Spark" and "Shark Tooth," Shen He had seemed less pure in her eyes.

On the contrary, Xu Shi, despite this plan, had been completely open with her, admitting everything frankly.

Thinking about it this way, she suddenly felt that he wasn't as sinister as she'd thought.

She even felt a hint of sympathy for Xu Shi on a subconscious level…

Huh?!

The thought startled her, and she quickly shook her head, trying to clear it away.

Pah, pah, pah, what am I thinking? How is this guy pitiful?

Seeing the expressions shift across her face, Xu Shi couldn't help but want to laugh again.

He could clearly feel the seed growing vigorously in Xia Wuyou's heart, subtly prompting her transformation.

Having an Ability is indeed good… He mused briefly, also thinking that his decision to give her a break was truly wise.

She had been too tense before, often pushed around by others, making it difficult for her to calm down and rationally analyze the pros and cons.

Coupled with Xia Ke'an's assistance, it could only be described as a natural progression.

"Speaking of which, how is your aunt doing lately?"

At this point, he couldn't help but ask, "Has the treatment been effective?"

"...Yes, her condition has improved significantly."

Xia Wuyou nodded.

The medical standards of "Prism" were certainly not something a charity hospital could compare to.

With the plans of dozens of experts and various top-tier medications… in just over two weeks, Xia Ke'an's condition had been well-controlled, even surpassing the total progress of the past several years.

While it couldn't be considered a cure, it was undoubtedly a massive shift from despair to hope compared to her previous near-death state.

However…

"Will I still be able to visit her often in the future?"

Her leave had ended, and Xia Wuyou wasn't sure of Xu Shi's attitude, so she probed cautiously.

"Why not?"

Xu Shi blinked. "I told you, 'Serpent Coil' won't mistreat excellent employees like you. You can go anytime you want."

He hadn't intended to stop her in the first place.

"But you can't let work slip, you know. If you slack off during work hours, I'll deduct your salary."

"...Thank you very much then."

Xia Wuyou was stunned for a moment, then, uncharacteristically, she smiled at him.

Xu Shi's magnanimity was beyond her expectations, but it was undoubtedly a cause for happiness.

After all, her family was her most important concern.

"Team Leader Xia, you look much prettier when you smile than when you have a straight face,"

Seeing this, Xu Shi couldn't help but tease her, even reaching out as if to pat her head.

Mainly, Xia Wuyou's face was flushed right now, and she did look quite cute.

She wasn't actually used to being so heavily armored. In the past, she preferred to travel as lightly as possible. Being so tightly wrapped actually hindered her performance.

But whether this blush was from heat or something else, it was hard to say.

"Please don't get handsy, Chairman Xu."

Xia Wuyou nimbly dodged him and then hurried away.

Heh, the little cat is getting tsundere now?

Xu Shi smiled helplessly.

However, Xia Wuyou had already made her choice. It was only a matter of time before he completely won her over.

So, speaking of which.

What choice will you make, Shen He...

Meanwhile.

At the "Spark" base.

The sudden arrival of the vehicle startled everyone.

"What's going on?"

Shen He looked up sharply. The moment he emerged, he saw Lei Song tumble out of the car.

"Lei Song!"

Seeing his terrible state, Shen He rushed forward to help him up. "Quick, get medical attention, fast!"

"Shen, Leader Shen..."

As the effects of the drug wore off, Lei Song's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum. "I, I'm back..."

"Don't talk for now. The doctor will be here soon. Someone lend a hand!"

"Mhm, mhm..."

Lei Song tremblingly handed over the metal box. "I, I got the thing... but, it's, just one... disappointing..."

Before he could finish, his head lolled to the side, and he passed out.

Lei Song was quickly carried away for treatment. Shen He, however, stared at the blood-stained metal box in his hand, lost in thought for a moment.

The box itself was light, but when he thought about how it was obtained with the lives of nearly forty people, he felt as if he could barely hold onto it.

Just then, the communicator on his wrist rang out at an inopportune moment.

"Mr. Shen, did I get what I wanted?"