You Have No Right to Choose

Looking at the man before her, Xia Wuyou was instantly struck by a bad feeling.

Why was he here?

Although she had never met this immediate superior before, Xu Shi's terrible reputation had long spread throughout Night City.

It could be said that wherever he went, nothing good ever happened.

Xia Wuyou did not think Xu Shi was the sort of person who would visit a budget restaurant, much less treat his subordinates so politely.

And Spark's people had only just left, making her even more certain that his appearance was no coincidence.

What was she supposed to do?

Before she could react, Xu Shi had already sat down across from her with Su Lin.

That only made Xia Wuyou more uneasy.

Yet Xu Shi merely ordered some food, then chatted idly with Su Lin as they ate.

During their conversation, the two of them seemed to completely ignore her existence.

Huh?

That reaction left Xia Wuyou somewhat at a loss.

Why did it feel like... he really was just here to eat?

Had she been overthinking things?

Xia Wuyou blinked, but she did not let down her guard because of it.

No matter what, leaving was the best option.

After hastily taking two bites, she stood up. "I'll head back to the company first. Chairman Xu, Director Su, please enjoy your meal."

"...There are still ten minutes before lunch break ends. Team Leader Xia, there's no need to rush."

Xu Shi set down his chopsticks and softly stopped her. "Sit down and talk for a while. I happen to have something to discuss with you."

Hearing that, Xia Wuyou inwardly cursed her bad luck.

But she could no longer leave. Su Lin lightly shifted her position, blocking Xia Wuyou's only way out.

The girl knew full well that this woman was formidable. If they fought head-on, her chances of winning were slim.

"Chairman Xu... what can I do for you?"

So, under Xu Shi's gaze, she could only sit back down helplessly and probe as calmly as she could.

"Why are you so nervous? Relax."

Seeing how constrained she looked, Xu Shi could not help but laugh. "I only wanted to ask Team Leader Xia a question... Have you heard the name Refraction?"

!

Those words struck Xia Wuyou's mind like a bolt of lightning.

After a long silence, she finally spoke hoarsely. "I... haven't heard of it..."

"Hm? Isn't Team Leader Xia from Night City?"

Xu Shi feigned surprise. "That was one of Night City's two great powers ten years ago. Together with the Tianhe consortium, it firmly controlled Night City's lifeblood."

"Unfortunately, such a colossal entity vanished overnight for reasons unknown."

"The group's industries became ruins, all its research data was destroyed... Chairman Xia Yuanhai's entire family was also massacred. Not a single member, young or old, survived."

"Still, I've heard that someone survived that disaster."

"For example, Xia Yuanhai's younger sister, and his only daughter... That only daughter even returned to Night City nine years later, concealing her identity and joining Serpent Coil."

"Team Leader Xia, have you really never heard of these things?"

"...What exactly are you trying to say?"

As she listened to his unhurried account, Xia Wuyou's voice began to tremble unconsciously.

She had thought Xu Shi had merely discovered her deal with Spark, but it now seemed he knew far more than she had imagined.

That only daughter was naturally her. But she also knew just how dangerous her identity was. Once it was exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

That was why she had done everything she could to hide this secret. In ten years, she had never revealed the slightest trace of it.

Not even the consortium should have found out... So when had he noticed her?

The thought that Xu Shi might have been investigating her all along while she knew nothing about it sent a chill down Xia Wuyou's spine.

"What I mean is, after suffering such a tragedy, Team Leader Xia should hate betraying the group's interests more than anyone. So how could you knowingly commit such an offense?"

Xu Shi smiled at her. "Even if your family was in trouble, given your performance over the past year, you could have asked the company for help directly. Why take such a dangerous risk?"

"I..."

Xia Wuyou opened her mouth, but did not know what to say.

"Of course, I can understand it. After all, you have a close relationship with Spark's Leader Shen."

Xu Shi did not give her a chance to explain and simply continued. "Besides, Hualan Public Hospital in District 12 isn't capable of treating your aunt's Ability Complication... If it were me, I might lose my judgment out of concern as well."

"What are you trying to do?!"

At those words, Xia Wuyou's emotions instantly turned to rage, and the aura around her became dangerous.

This was not a superior showing concern for a subordinate. It was a naked threat!

Her only relative had been turned into a bargaining chip. No matter how strong her mental fortitude was, it was difficult for her to remain rational.

At the same time, Su Lin, who had remained silent beside them, was already poised to act.

If the person before her posed even the slightest threat to the young master, Xia Wuyou would never leave this restaurant alive today.

But almost the instant Xia Wuyou slammed her hand on the table and rose, Xu Shi was already prepared. He seized her wrist.

"What are you doing? Let go..."

Xia Wuyou tried to break free. However, the instant their eyes met, the flash of crimson in Xu Shi's gaze made her consciousness grow hazy.

"Team Leader Xia, I advise you to think carefully about whether this is really worth it."

Xu Shi's voice reached her again, but to her ears it carried an added hollowness and chill. "Do you really think Spark's strength is enough to let you walk away unscathed after doing something like this?"

"I... trust him..."

Xia Wuyou found it difficult even to breathe, but she still did her best to argue back.

"Stop deceiving yourself."

Xu Shi smiled disdainfully. "You know perfectly well that Shen He is gambling with your life."

"Once this is exposed, he'll still have room to maneuver, but you'll definitely be in trouble... Just like now, isn't that right?"

With that said, he released her hand.

The oppressive feeling hanging over her head instantly faded, and Xia Wuyou collapsed back into her chair in a daze.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her fair skin had flushed slightly.

Judging from her expression, doubt had already taken root in her heart.

Because Xu Shi was not wrong.

Leaving aside the fact that the deal had already been exposed, even if it had gone through smoothly, Serpent Coil would certainly place the blame for its losses on her, the person in charge of the operation.

When that time came, what would an inhibitor change?

It would only let her aunt linger on for another half year... Before then, she herself, with no one to rely on, might even be thrown out of the hospital over the costs.

And Spark might not be able to take care of those matters.

At the very least, she was unwilling—and did not dare—to gamble on it.

The girl's thoughts grew increasingly chaotic. In the end, she numbly forced out a sentence. "What... do you want me to do?"

"If I'm not mistaken, Spark needs you to provide them with intelligence."

Xu Shi slipped a note into her hand as well, his tone full of malice. "Do as it says. As for what comes afterward, that is your duty. I don't need to teach you how to do your job."

"In exchange, I'll provide your relative with the best medical care... Team Leader Xia should understand that what I can give you is far more than a single SS-class inhibitor."

He even knew about that?

Xia Wuyou clenched the note tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh.

Even without looking, she knew what was written on it.

Yet she also knew that from the moment Xu Shi caught her, she no longer had the right to choose.

Taking a deep breath, the girl stood and left the restaurant in a daze. "I... understand."