At first light, Xu Yi received news that Alex had brought to his door in person.
Heinz was dead.
According to Alex, Heinz had gathered all his family and friends at his manor the night before for a grand banquet. He had drunk heavily, talked at length, and enjoyed himself all night. Only when the first ray of sunlight shone down had he suddenly collapsed into Rhea's arms without warning.
"Uncle kept smiling right to the end," Alex said, recalling what had happened. "Just before dawn, he seemed to realize he didn't have much time left. He pulled me aside and said the luckiest thing in his life was meeting you, President. Without you, he probably would have spent his whole life as a grocery shop owner, living an ordinary, uneventful life. Meeting you let him enjoy a life he'd never even dared to imagine."
After a pause, Alex continued, "Uncle also asked me to pass on one last message."
"Go ahead." Xu Yi looked toward Heinz's private manor, his expression calm.
"Uncle told me to repeat his exact words..." Alex cleared his throat and deliberately imitated Heinz's tone. "Xu Yi, I've thought it over carefully. Just forget the crap I said earlier. You've already done enough for Bunta City and the Lampari Kingdom. It's time you took a proper rest. Anything else you don't have to get involved in, leave it alone."
Xu Yi stared at Alex. "That's all?"
"That's all."
Xu Yi thought for a moment, then nodded without saying anything more.
Alex then informed Xu Yi of the arrangements for Heinz's funeral and asked whether he would attend.
Normally, Alex would not have needed to ask. But Xu Yi had left immediately after speaking with Heinz the previous night, leaving Alex uncertain of his intentions. He had