Though Director Zhao was no longer young, his eyesight was still sharp.
Upon seeing Su Nanyin, whom he hadn't seen in a week, he immediately noticed she looked at least ten years younger than she had on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
More importantly, the vitality radiating from her eyes was enough to make Director Zhao’s heart pound with apprehension.
Director Zhao was an experienced man.
He knew very well what factors could cause a divorced woman to suddenly become younger.
And what the most significant factor was!
However, Director Zhao couldn't possibly ask directly, especially not at their workplace.
He also felt ashamed to discuss such matters with a junior in front of Li Nanfang.
But now—
When Su Nanyin blurted out that she would make the decisions regarding Li Qianfan, Director Zhao could no longer contain himself.
He adamantly disagreed with Su Nanyin and Li Qianfan turning their fake relationship into a real one!
He even harbored resentment towards Su Nanyin in his heart, thinking, "Qianfan is just a child, what does he know? If he truly makes a big mistake, it will be because you, Su Nanyin, initiated it! In fact, one could say you shamelessly seduced him."
Faced with Director Zhao's stern and unbearable questioning, Su Nanyin offered no explanation. Instead, she picked up her small bag from the side.
She took out a small transparent plastic bag from it and placed it on the coffee table.
Director Zhao and Li Nanfang instinctively looked over.
It was a strand of hair.
A white strand of hair.
"What do you mean by showing us this white hair?"
Director Zhao frowned and asked slowly.
"This is Li Qianfan's hair."
Su Nanyin lowered her gaze and said softly, "His aging speed far exceeds Mr. Yang Xiao's calculations. If he continues like this, I personally estimate his lifespan to be no more than three months."
What!?
Not only was Director Zhao stunned, but even Li Nanfang, who had resolved to pretend to be deaf if Su Nanyin claimed to be pregnant, was greatly shocked.
"Director Chen, Mr. Li."
After giving them a full thirty seconds to process the information, Su Nanyin said, "If Li Qianfan and I had truly turned our fake relationship into a real one, then even if I hadn't been infected with some kind of gu worm, the mystical aura generated by the 'Four Phoenixes Surrounding the Pillars' formation alone would not have accelerated his aging."
This statement was entirely accurate.
Both Director Zhao and Li Nanfang were aware of the existence of the Four Phoenixes Surrounding the Pillars formation.
"My youth and Qianfan's accelerated aging are both influenced by the Four Phoenixes Surrounding the Pillars."
As Su Nanyin spoke, she took another item from her bag and placed it before them.
A lab report.
This was the lab report she had obtained yesterday from Meng Yue for herself and Li Qianfan.
Upon seeing the actual cellular ages of Su Nanyin and Li Qianfan, Director Zhao and Li Nanfang’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably.
This morning.
While Director Zhao and Li Nanfang had noticed Su Nanyin's youthfulness, they had also observed that Li Qianfan appeared more mature than he had a few days prior.
However, neither of them had paid it much attention, assuming Li Qianfan had intentionally adopted a more mature demeanor through his clothing and other factors.
But who could have imagined that Li Qianfan's maturity was not intentional, but a tangible reality!
At this point, Su Nanyin no longer held back anything.
She recounted, in the most concise manner possible, how she had spent the entire nights of the fifth and sixth days of the Lunar New Year with Li Qianfan on the sofa until dawn; how she had gone to Meng Yue yesterday and obtained this most authoritative lab report; and how, on the way home from bidding farewell to Meng Yue, she had tried to drag Li Qianfan to their deaths, only for him to brake in time and expose all her schemes, which had been set in motion over twenty years ago targeting a child.
Finally, she said, "Director Zhao, Mr. Li, I have completely let go now. I can face death with the utmost peace of mind. I can also coexist with Li Qianfan forever with a completely normal mindset. As for whether I live or die, I will not deliberately make a choice. I will simply entrust my fate to an idiom called 'going with the flow.'"
What does "going with the flow" mean?
It specifically refers to following the natural development of things without artificial interference.
Of course.
When this idiom was applied by Su Nanyin to her relationship with Li Qianfan, its meaning shifted somewhat.
The only constant was this:
Su Nanyin and Li Qianfan's fates were inextricably bound together by an invisible force!
Whether Su Nanyin lived or died, she no longer cared.
Silence.
After Su Nanyin finished speaking, a prolonged silence fell upon the office.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Director Zhao's voice slowly broke the stillness: "Nanyin, do you still intend to transplant your liver, kidneys, or even your heart onto Helan Tingmei?"
If Li Wuji knew of Su Nanyin's plan, it meant Li Nanfang would also know.
Therefore, when Director Zhao asked this question, Li Nanfang did not find it strange.
"No, I don't want to anymore, never again."
Su Nanyin shook her head resolutely. "Because after walking on the brink of death yesterday, I suddenly realized that I, Su Nanyin, am unique. I am not someone any Tom, Dick, or Harry can replace! Even if Helan Tingmei possessed my heart, or even my thoughts, it would not change my image and status in Li Qianfan's heart."
Sigh!
After hearing this, Director Zhao remained silent for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh.
When he looked at Su Nanyin again, the dissatisfaction in his gaze had long since vanished.
Only pity, guilt, and an unspeakable complexity remained.
This woman, who had no idea she had been chosen for the Four Phoenixes Surrounding the Pillars formation, had, in order to uphold her inviolable principles, twice attempted to end her own life and even devised a desperate plan for a kidney transplant.
She had already made every possible effort.
Yet, she was still unable to alter the hand of fate that was subtly guiding her!
What else could the current Su Nanyin do?
Besides choosing to let go of all her psychological burdens and face everything with a sense of natural progression, she had no other recourse.
"Director Zhao, Mr. Li. I solemnly declare to you both."
Su Nanyin looked at them, her voice not loud but firm. "I will never allow Qianfan to grow old and die before my eyes like this."
Director Zhao remained silent and lit another cigarette.
Li Nanfang, who had spoken very little, said indifferently, "I support you."
Generally speaking, once Li Nanfang decided to do something, he would see it through.
Anyone who dared to obstruct him—
Would be killed!!
In this regard, Li Nanfang and Yang Xiao were a perfect match.
On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
At one o'clock in the afternoon.
In the second deputy director's office of Bureau Eight.
Helan Tingmei lay in the lounge, her eyes closed, intending to take a thirty-minute nap.
However, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
Firstly, it was the change in environment; secondly, her mind was preoccupied with many things.
Most importantly, the third reason was—
She simply couldn't sleep while lying down!
"This is so annoying," Helan Tingmei muttered irritably as she failed to fall asleep. She turned over and sat up.
She glanced at the tightly drawn curtains, listened for any sounds, then squatted in the corner, resting her forehead against the wall. Soon, she drifted into a deep sleep.
The lunch break was over.
However, the three people in the director's office had not only forgone their lunch break but had also not eaten lunch (without Li Nanfang's permission, the kitchen staff dared not knock to remind them to eat).
Their current discussion revolved around how to use President Jiao San of the Dark Web to inflict the most fatal blow on the fifth president of the Dark Web, who had undoubtedly infiltrated the Four Nines.
It was currently known that the third president of the Dark Web was Jiao Yin.
Then, who was the fifth president attempting to replace her?
Was the fifth president remotely directing the infiltration efforts from a neighboring country, or had she also quietly arrived in the Four Nines to personally command her subordinates' actions?
During this period, why had the fifth president's people ceased contact with Miss Murong?
Should they formulate a plan to have Miss Murong take the initiative?
Among all the above questions, the most crucial one was identifying who the fifth president of the Dark Web was.
"This issue was discussed after Qianfan had a complete confrontation with Jiao San," Su Nanyin said, picking up her teacup and taking a sip, her brow furrowed. "But unfortunately, Jiao San had never seen the true face of the fifth president. Or rather, neither Jiao San nor the fifth president knew who the other was."
Li Nanfang said, "In that case, we can fully exploit the fact that these two presidents do not know each other to our advantage."
"Yes, that's what I thought. Jiao San also told Qianfan that the chief president of the Dark Web did this because Jiao San and the fifth president's jurisdictions were adjacent."
Su Nanyin continued, "To prevent potential conflicts of interest and betrayal between two presidents whose jurisdictions are connected, the chief president acted to prevent them from using local forces to suppress each other. Conversely, Jiao San knows who the second, fourth, and sixth presidents are. However, the second, fourth, and sixth presidents of the Dark Web have no connection to the Eastern Land, so there is no need for us to expend our own effort to remove nails for other countries."
"Everything still depends on Qianfan," Director Zhao said with emotion. "It would be best if he could win over Jiao San."
Win over Jiao San?
Li Qianfan did not believe he possessed such a capability.
Even though he and Jiao San had bared their souls to each other, both sides still maintained a maximum level of caution towards the other.
However, while Li Qianfan was napping at his desk, he had a dream where President Jiao San’s pleasant croaking was quite enjoyable.
Just as Jiao San was merrily "quacking" in Li Qianfan's dream, his phone vibrated.
It was Tang Xiaoni calling: "Brother Qianfan, I'm very unhappy right now!"
Li Qianfan rubbed his eyes and wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, asking, "What is it? Who has upset my little Tangni?"
"People from Han City!"
Tang Xiaoni said, "I arrived in Han City today according to the performance contract I signed last year. As soon as I exited the airport, I was given a yellow card by their people. They said that due to the rampant spread of Eastern Land vampires, they were worried I might bring the virus and needed to be quarantined for at least seven days."