You Have No Right to Choose

Looking at the man before her, Xia Wuyou instantly had a bad feeling.

Why was he here?

Although she had never met this top boss before, Xu Shi's terrible reputation had already spread throughout Night Sin City.

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

Xia Wuyou didn't think Xu Shi would patronize a cheap restaurant, nor did she believe he would be so polite to a subordinate.

Furthermore, people from "Spark" had only just left, which made her even more convinced that his appearance was no coincidence.

What should she do?

Before she could react, Xu Shi had already brought Su Lin to sit opposite her.

This made Xia Wuyou feel even more uneasy.

However, Xu Shi then simply ordered his meal, and while eating, chatted idly with Su Lin.

During their conversation, the two seemed to completely ignore her presence.

Huh?

This reaction, on the contrary, made Xia Wuyou somewhat flustered.

What was this feeling... was he really just here to eat?

Was she overthinking things?

Xia Wuyou blinked, but she didn't let her guard down because of this.

In any case, it was best to leave.

She quickly ate two bites and hurriedly stood up, "I'm heading back to the company. Chairman Xu and Director Su, please enjoy."

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

Xu Shi put down his chopsticks and softly called out to her, "Sit down and let's chat. I have something to tell you."

Hearing this, Xia Wuyou knew it was bad.

But she couldn't leave now. Su Lin gently shifted her position, blocking her only escape route.

The young woman knew very well that this woman was not to be trifled with, and her chances of winning in a direct confrontation were slim.

"Chairman Xu... do you have any instructions?"

So, under Xu Shi's gaze, she had no choice but to reluctantly sit back down, trying to probe as calmly as possible.

"Why so nervous? Relax."

Seeing her flustered appearance, Xu Shi couldn't help but chuckle. "I just wanted to ask Team Leader Xia a question... Have you heard the name 'Refraction'?"

!

As soon as he said this, Xia Wuyou felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

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

"Oh? Aren't you from Night Sin City, Team Leader Xia?"

Xu Shi feigned surprise. "That was one of the two major powers in Night Sin City ten years ago. Along with the other conglomerate, 'Tianhe,' they firmly controlled the lifeline of Night Sin City."

"It's a shame that such a behemoth, for some unknown reason, vanished overnight."

"The group's assets turned into ruins, all research data was destroyed... Chairman Xia Yuanhai's entire family was wiped out, not a single soul survived."

"But I've also heard that some people did survive this disaster."

"For example, Xia Yuanhai's sister, and his only daughter... Even this only daughter returned to Night Sin City nine years later, under a false identity, and joined 'Serpent Coil'."

"Have you really not heard of these things, Team Leader Xia?"

"...What exactly do you want to say?"

Listening to his unhurried narration, Xia Wuyou's voice involuntarily trembled.

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

That only daughter was naturally her, but she also knew how dangerous her identity was. If it were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.

That's why she had been trying so hard to hide this secret, never revealing even a hint of it for ten years.

Even the conglomerate shouldn't have found out... When did he notice?

Thinking that Xu Shi might have been investigating her all along, yet she remained completely unaware... Xia Wuyou suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

"What I want to say is, after experiencing such a change, Team Leader Xia should despise betraying the group's interests the most. How could you knowingly commit such an act?"

Xu Shi smiled as he looked at her, "Even if your family encountered difficulties, with your performance this past year, you could have directly asked the company for help. Why do something so dangerous?"

"I..."

Xia Wuyou opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"Of course, I can actually understand. After all, you have a close relationship with the leader of 'Spark,' Shen Shouling."

Xu Shi didn't give her a chance to explain and continued on his own, "Moreover, Hualan Public Hospital in District 12 doesn't have the capability to treat your aunt's Ability complications... If it were me, I might also be worried sick."

"What do you want to do?!"

Hearing this, Xia Wuyou's emotions immediately turned to anger, and the aura around her became dangerous.

This wasn't a superior showing concern for a subordinate; it was a blatant threat!

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

At the same moment, Su Lin, who had been silent beside them, was also ready to act.

If the person in front of her posed even the slightest threat to the Young Master, she wouldn't be walking out of this restaurant alive today.

However, almost the instant Xia Wuyou slammed her hand on the table, Xu Shi, as if prepared, grabbed her wrist.

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

Xia Wuyou tried to break free, but the moment her gaze met Xu Shi's, a fleeting red glint in his eyes made her consciousness grow hazy.

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

Xu Shi's voice reached her again, sounding ethereal and cold, "Do you really think that with just the strength of 'Spark,' you can get away unscathed after doing something like this?"

"I... believe in him..."

Xia Wuyou felt her breathing becoming difficult, but she still tried her best to retort.

"Don't deceive yourself."

Xu Shi let out a dismissive laugh. "You know very well that Shen He is gambling with your life."

"If things are exposed, he'll still have room to maneuver, but you'll definitely be in trouble... just like now, won't you?"

Having said his piece, he immediately let go.

The oppressive feeling that had hung over her head vanished instantly, and Xia Wuyou slumped back into her chair, dazed.

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

Judging by her expression, her resolve had begun to waver.

Because Xu Shi wasn't wrong.

Putting aside the fact that the transaction had been exposed, even if it had gone smoothly, "Serpent Coil" would definitely blame her, the person in charge of the operation, for the failure.

At that point, what good would the inhibitor do?

It would only allow her aunt to cling to life for another six months... or perhaps even before that, she, who had no one to rely on, might be kicked out of the hospital due to medical expenses.

And these were things that "Spark" might not be able to take care of.

At least, she wasn't willing, nor did she dare, to gamble on that.

The girl's mind grew increasingly chaotic, and she finally uttered blankly, "What... do you want me to do?"

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

Xu Shi also slipped a piece of paper into her hand, his tone filled with malice. "Do as it says. As for the follow-up actions, that's your job, I don't need to teach you."

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

He even knew about that?

Xia Wuyou clutched the paper tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh.

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

However, she also knew that from the moment Xu Shi caught her, she had lost her right to choose.

Taking a deep breath, the girl stood up and left the restaurant, looking utterly dejected.

"I... I understand."