At this, a sharp gleam flashed through Tang Qingru's eyes. In the end, she obediently nodded.
"Alright, I understand."
After saying that, Tang Qingru remained seated without moving, while Ye Lin raised a brow at her.
"What? Is there something else?"
"Who gets Murong Hanxuan's life?"
Tang Qingru's voice carried a trace of unease. Since she had already been forced into the larger scheme, she needed to make herself as strong as possible and gain the means to protect herself.
And the prerequisite for possessing that means of self-preservation was Murong Hanxuan's life.
As long as she obtained Murong Hanxuan's life, she would have absolute power to protect herself.
"Naturally, it's mine."
Ye Lin rose to his feet, clasped his hands behind his back, and stood atop the massive boulder as he looked toward the distant sky.
"Why?"
Tang Qingru asked in confusion. She had put in so much effort this time—why would he not give it to her? Besides, didn't cooperation require bargaining chips?
"Sorry, but this isn't up to you anymore. Now it's up to me. If I want to, I can put you in a dilemma right this instant."
"I know everything I should know and everything I shouldn't. I could have killed both of you, but I still chose to cooperate with you and spare your life. You should count yourself fortunate."
"Remember this: follow me, and I'll keep you safe."
"Follow me, and becoming stronger will only be a matter of time."
Ye Lin smiled faintly at Tang Qingru before turning and leaving. It was only several minutes after he had gone that Tang Qingru realized she had been played.
If she had not come, if she had not told Ye Lin about Murong Hanxuan's true trump card, she would still have had the leverage