You're sending max-level players to be cannon fodder?

Li Youwan never expected that Zhong Xun would invite her to dinner.

In the name of a shareholder of Huaigu Group, discuss a cooperative project.

Li You had heard stories about Zhong Xun and Meng Jingting before. Zhong Xun was an Alpha who was above all others. He was brilliant in running a company and as a judge, but he was devoted to an Omega with a volatile temperament.

Zhong Xun might not remember him, but Li You had seen him before.

At a large business conference attended by industry elites, Zhong Xun threw a tantrum, smashing a glass of champagne on Meng Jingting before leaving with a cold expression.

They couldn't find out the reason, but Li You was deeply impressed by that arrogant, gloomy face that he couldn't see anything likable about.

She always felt that Meng Jingting had a problem with his aesthetic sense.

But in their brief encounter this morning, Li You didn't recognize Zhong Xun at first glance. It was only later, when she found a familiar trace on that delicate face, that she realized Meng Jingting had actually left him in the Trial Court.

Li You didn't want to come, thinking it was a waste of time, but the project Zhong Xun mentioned was exactly what Shanghe Group needed right now. If they could cooperate with Huaigu, the deal would be basically secured.

Inside the upscale restaurant, Li You arrived gracefully while Zhong Xun was already seated.

"President Li." Zhong Xun stood up.

Li You only shook hands with him for half a finger before letting go.

Zhong Xun wasn't angry. He gestured to the waiter to bring the menu and then handed Li You an exquisite tote bag: "This is a small gift for you, Mr. Li. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Li You nodded and took it, opening it right in front of Zhong Xun. She seemed to have no choice but to deal with it, so she decided to just give up and leave as soon as Zhong Xun didn't get to the point.

Unexpectedly, it was a beautiful brooch, which suited Li You's taste perfectly, and judging from the brand logo, it wasn't cheap.

Li You smiled slightly: "Thank you, Mr. Zhong."

But this was not enough to sway Li You. However, once the dishes were served, Zhong Xun went straight to the point and talked with Li You about the preliminary projections, development prospects, and future plans for the new project.

This isn't just idle chatter; it's genuine effort, and you can even see a rare talent in it.

Li You finally picked up her red wine and clinked glasses with Zhong Xun. Her expression changed, revealing a scrutinizing look.

Zhong Xun understood: "Go ahead and ask."

Li You didn't mince words: "You've reformed?"

Zhong Xun: "...More or less."

Li You gave a forced smile: "It has to be President Meng. He actually managed to get this kind of person who's been waiting so long that people's eyes are practically spinning."

Zhong Xun: "I'll take that as a compliment."

Zhong Xun obtained the project access from Tan Que. As mentioned before, Tan Que was the liaison and also the nominal assistant. In the past, Tan Que would have hung up the phone with an excuse. Zhong Xun would have had a hard time negotiating cooperation. But in recent missions, Zhong Xun had been calm and performed brilliantly. Tan Que thought somewhat indulgently that it would be fine to let him have some fun.

The project negotiations went smoothly, and Li Youzhen obtained a legally binding initial draft of the cooperation agreement.

  

She lightly tapped the paper with her slender fingers: "Then thank you very much, Mr. Zhong. I will reply to Huai Gu with the details by noon tomorrow at the latest."

"You're too kind," Zhong Xun said naturally. "If President Li doesn't work hard to make money, how can he be a backer for Cui Ye and the others?"

The violin music stopped at some point, because of Zhong Xun's words. The air suddenly became silent and sharp, as if a thin line was being drawn to his throat!

Li You raised her eyelids, her years of business experience giving her an aura of pressure that rivaled any man's: "What?"

Zhong Xun leaned back, his features instantly shrouded in a light shadow. Li You felt a strange and unusual sensation, as if something heavy was pressing down on her.

"Let me think about it," Zhong Xun said gently. "Zhao Lingnan."

Almost as soon as the name was uttered, Li You's pupils contracted slightly, but she remained rational and instantly suppressed her surging emotions.

"Ling Nan!"

"Ling Nan!"

"I like you all so much..."

*

"A year ago, Tuxin Village was ravaged by pollutants and no one survived. Zhao Lingnan was seventeen years old and theoretically should have been on the death list. However, the blood type gene that Bai Qingqing left at the police station after fighting with someone was Zhao Lingnan's."

"This is completely irrelevant and utterly absurd."

"But there is one possibility that is entirely true." Every word Zhong Xun spoke struck Li You's fragile nerves, which he was trying so hard to hide: "The source of pollution in Tuxin Village is Zhao Lingnan."

"It's not uncommon for humans to be contaminated."

A long silence followed, and the spacious hall was now empty except for their table.

Finally, Li You let out a hoarse laugh: "What are you trying to say?"

"Cui Ye and Bai Qingqing have one thing in common: their personalities changed drastically," Zhong Xun continued. "But if you observe closely, you'll find that they've almost become the same person."

Li You suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing with a ruthless rage that seemed to want nothing more than to get rid of Zhong Xun as soon as possible.

Zhong Xun sighed: "You've given Zhao Lingnan too much freedom."

Li You's red lips curled into a smile, her voice soft, "It's rare for Mr. Zhong to come up with such a story. I don't even quite understand it myself. Are you trying to use this deduction to curry favor with President Meng?"

"Trying to take credit?" Zhong Xun's expression was strange. "We're not that close."

Li You sneered, "Whatever, Mr. Zhong, is there anything else?"

Zhong Xun continued, "If I were going to tell Meng Jingting, I wouldn't have come to see you. I only have one question for you."

Li You remained silent.

"Did Zhao Lingnan retain any rationality throughout?"

Humans will die if they are polluted, because theoretically they cannot overcome the polluting genes and will eventually become "ghosts" devoid of humanity.

"I really enjoyed your story." Li You stood up and said calmly, "I wish us a pleasant collaboration."

As soon as Li You turned around, he heard Zhong Xun say, "You underestimate Meng Jingting. As an adjudicator, he is restricted by rules and regulations. Over time, you've come to see him only as a symbol of peace. But even the S-level gene pool hasn't been fully deciphered by medicine yet. Do you think the contamination traces found on your body when you were taken to the adjudication court were discovered through a scan?"

Zhong Xun said, "Meng Jing noticed you the moment he saw you."

"Cui Ye's villa is no longer safe," Zhong Xun reminded him. "Let's move."

Li You suddenly turned around, his expression terrifying.

"Meng Jingting is too busy right now, but he'll find out sooner or later." Zhong Xun said calmly, "Countless highly intelligent, S-level pollutants have fallen into his hands. Li You, take my advice."

Li You barely managed to squeeze out a soft sentence through gritted teeth: "You are also a arbiter."

Zhong Xun shook his head meaningfully: "I value humanity."

……

As Li You walked out of the restaurant, a light rain splashed on her face, making her a little more sober. She belatedly realized the meaning of Zhong Xun's last words.

"Did Zhao Lingnan retain any rationality throughout?"

I value humanity.

Li You tightened her coat, went down the steps and got into the car, but she didn't trust strangers.