Replicants

5

While the two faced off in silent confrontation in the negotiation room, Lu Yeshan arrived at the Anomaly Management Center.

The director walked over and steadied Lu Yeshan. "Old cripple, you got here pretty fast."

Lu Yeshan glanced at him and asked quietly, "He's inside?"

"He's talking to Shen Ranxin." The director asked, "Who do you think will win?"

Lu Yeshan said nothing. The director went on and on, "After all these years, have you ever seen Shen Ziqing's face? I saw it when he went in just now."

Lu Yeshan turned his head. "What about it?"

"We've all grown old, but he hasn't." The director looked into Lu Yeshan's eyes and said quietly, "He looks exactly as he did before. Not a single change."

The two fell into a prolonged silence. Lu Yeshan quietly cursed.

"You think he's gone mad too, don't you?" the director said. "If Wei Huizhi were still around, he'd probably slap him twice too."

*

Inside the negotiation room, Shen Ziqing's face was so dark it looked ready to drip. An immense pressure spread from all directions, while Shen Ranxin sat in the seat of honor, his expression calm.

"Who gave you permission to do this?" Shen Ziqing's jaw twitched unconsciously. It was clear that his fury had reached its peak. "Shen Ranxin, you really are such a good son."

"I'm flattered." Shen Ranxin tilted his head. "So, what's the result of our negotiation?"

Shen Ziqing sat down and only spoke after a long while. "I do have a way to save Lu Zhi's life, but neither Pei Zhao nor Lu Yeshan would agree to it. Even Lu Zhi himself wouldn't agree. The Federation wouldn't allow it either."

Shen Ranxin's expression turned serious. "Tell me."

Shen Ziqing smiled. "Didn't you want to know how