Discussing serious matters over a meal naturally made it run long. By the time Xia Lun and Hornard's father and son had settled on a response plan, it was already afternoon, and the light rain outside had stopped.
The sky cleared after the rain. Crystal-clear droplets gathered along the eaves, then swayed and fell into the courtyard when a cool breeze passed.
A small artificial lake lay in the manor's front grounds. Its clear water now reflected a sapphire-blue sky, while Xia Lun and Hornard, both dressed in sportswear, strolled along its shore.
"Anyway, that's how we'll handle it for now. If something goes wrong, we'll adapt." With his hands behind his back, Xia Lun walked beside the lake and spoke to Hornard.
Hornard nodded repeatedly, then suddenly glanced over his shoulder. Lowering his voice like a secret agent making contact, he said, "Xia Lun, this might not be my place to say, but as your friend, I have to tell you."
"I'm all ears."
Xia Lun was puzzled, though his expression did not change.
"Watch yourself. That officer from the Internal Affairs Department is definitely pretending to be stupid!" Hornard whispered. "Women like her are devious and treacherous. I don't know what she's after from you, but she can't have good intentions!"
Xia Lun's mouth twitched.
White Line's intelligence might have declined, but her perception certainly had not. Hornard had lowered his voice, yet she could undoubtedly hear him.
Xia Lun glanced toward White Line in the distance and was startled to see the corners of her mouth lifted. She seemed quite pleased.
"Xia Lun, I'm not joking," Hornard said gravely. "She's an excellent actress. She played an investor in the Far Mountain Region before, and now she can play a fool."
White Line stopped smiling at once, while