He pressed the answer button.
Wang Yiyang held the phone to his ear.
"Kesati, what do you want?"
A burst of hearty-sounding laughter came through the phone.
"It's been a while, Minister Wang. I've got good news to share. Interested?"
"Good news? Let's hear it," Wang Yiyang said with a smile.
He sat down on the bus stop's metal bench and watched a bus pull up, its doors opening.
A group of elementary schoolchildren in blue uniforms lined up and boarded, followed by several old men carrying birdcages.
A few bright yellow birds chirped away inside the cages. One had gauze wrapped around its leg, which looked rather comical.
"The good news is that Chairman Xiwan has seen your strength and potential. He's decided to welcome you into our ranks.
"That means you won't have to worry about the Avengers anymore. We'll take care of everything," Kesati said with a smile in his voice.
Wang Yiyang looked away from the bus and kept listening.
"Welcome me?"
The corner of his mouth lifted. The Avengers were no longer a problem for him. Xiwan's hostility was the real issue.
He had just made up his mind to visit the Maria Islands and settle everything.
And now Kesati, the R&D Minister, had called.
Xiwan had framed him, pinned the Avengers' hatred on him, and forced him to suffer heavy losses. At one point, he had even had to risk his life to earn the Avengers' trust.
And now Xiwan thought he could say "welcome" and wipe the slate clean?
How naive.
With Roy's identity at his disposal, Wang Yiyang could think of plenty of ways to draw on outside help. Dealing with Mister would not be difficult.
It was too late to make peace now.
"Sorry, I'm doing quite well as I am.