"The tea is called Swallow Nest, Mr. Tang, please try it and see if it suits your taste." Lei Zongnan watched Tang Fei with a chuckle, boasting, "The Old Land doesn't compare to New Star; the conditions are a bit simpler here, I hope Mr. Tang doesn't mind."

Tang Fei took a sip of the tea; it was bitter as it first hit the throat but was followed by a mild sweetness.

Indeed, it was excellent black tea.

"Good things are all over the Old Land. Though the things on New Star may be new, they ultimately lack the depth of the Old." Tang Fei said flatteringly.

"Hahaha, great minds think alike." Lei Zongnan, delighted to hear Tang Fei's words, laughed and said, "The Old Land might be harsh, but there are some good things that technology cannot replicate... Like this Swallow Nest, can the naturally growing kind on the Old Land be the same as the artificially cultivated kind on New Star?"

"That's the idea." Tang Fei voiced his agreement.

He was invited here to help, and since the host wasn't in a hurry, he saw no reason to take the initiative to ask if help was needed.

"President Lei, shouldn't we discuss the matter of solving the epidemic virus with Mr. Tang?" An Ning reminded from the side.

"The Holy Daughter's reminder is timely." Lei Zongnan put away the smile on his face and looked at Tang Fei, "I feel such a kindred spirit with Mr. Tang that I almost forgot about the important matters."

"I feel the same way," Tang Fei responded with a smile.

Lei Zongnan kept a radiant smile, as if he and Tang Fei were old friends who could openly share their thoughts, "However, before I ask Mr. Tang for help, there's a small question... I hope Mr. Tang could help clear it up."

"Please speak, President Lei." Tang Fei locked eyes with Lei Zongnan and said aloud.

"The Old Land is nice but pales in comparison to New Star." Lei Zongnan's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes took on a profound depth, "Mr. Tang is favored by the Princess on New Star, surrounded by all the glory and riches of the world... Why then come to this barren land where birds don't even bother to poop?"

Now we're getting down to brass tacks.

Tang Fei managed a wry smile, shrugged nonchalantly, and said, "To tell you the truth, it's somewhat embarrassing; I was dumped by the Princess, I couldn't stay on New Star... I had no choice but to flee back to where I came from."

"President Lei should know, people like us... if we had a way, we'd rather cling to New Star as long as possible..."

"Mr. Tang, looking at how you're building bases and bunkers in Henshan, and setting up water purification plants... that doesn't seem like someone who was forced to leave, does it?"

"Heh, that's the 'breakup fee' the Princess gave me, on the condition that I take these people and resources and leave New Star. Staying would have tarnished her reputation... Otherwise, I would never have signed the divorce papers."

"Is that so?" Lei Zongnan scrutinized Tang Fei contemplatively, as if pondering the truth of that statement.

"Absolutely genuine," Tang Fei said sincerely, "I'm also lucky that President Lei asked, otherwise it would be too embarrassing to mention to others... It really is a disgrace."

"Which man wouldn't feel aggrieved being dumped by his wife? I took a long time to recover too... President Lei, I won't be embarrassed to tell you, but when I first came down, I stayed in bed for days, unable to get up..."

"It's a natural human emotion, understandable." Lei Zongnan nodded, then asked, "So, Mr. Tang, what are your plans for the future?"

"I haven't thought it through yet." Tang Fei held his teacup, tilted his head in thought, and said, "I'll take it one step at a time, try to survive first."

"Such talent is hard to come by, how about Mr. Tang takes the position of a vice president at our Lingyang Branch?" Lei Zongnan extended the invitation, carefully observing the subtle changes in Tang Fei's expression.

"That doesn't seem appropriate, does it?" Tang Fei was taken aback, laughing in refusal: "I neither have the seniority nor the contributions to take on a vice president position at our Shrine so directly... I fear I would not win the crowd's support."

"I tell you to do it, and you can do it, who would dare to object?" Lei Zongnan spoke with undeniable authority, "Besides, if you help our Shrine get rid of the epidemic, wouldn't that be a great merit?"

"The matter is of great importance, please allow me to think it over well," Tang Fei said with a smile.

"Ungrateful." A Black Robe standing behind Lei Zongnan snarled angrily, "President Lei values you, it's your good fortune... Playing hard to get, who do you think you are?"

"That's right, in Lingyang, it's we of the Flame Shrine who call the shots... We let you build your base here, and we can just as easily tear down your shabby base..."

"Just take this kid into custody, and his base will be ours, won't it? I like doing this kind of thing... turning others' possessions into our own."

------

The Black Robes began to clamor.

Bai Wuxin's gaze grew even colder.

Looking at them was like looking at a bunch of dead men.

Tang Fei still met Lei Zongnan's eyes, his smile radiant and pure, "Didn't President Lei want to talk about the epidemic?"

"The virus was released by you; naturally, you have a way to deal with it." Lei Zongnan straightened his backbone, his lips showing a mocking smile, "Compared to the virus, it's your arrival that really worries me."

"You come banging the drums of return, constructing bases, building bunkers, operating water purification plants, and making grand gestures of winning over the people..."

"Even our Flame Shrine's Holy Daughter, who has been an old friend of yours for years... When you were not here, there wasn't an ailment she couldn't treat, not a disease she couldn't heal. There wasn't a problem she couldn't solve."

"Now that you're here, the virus is here, and the Holy Daughter has lost her touch... What am I to think? Should I not be worried?"

"Should one tolerate others sleeping soundly at their bedside?"

"Indeed, you should be worried," Tang Fei nodded earnestly, "So you used the Holy Daughter's name to invite me here, ostensibly to heal and save people, but in reality, it was a trap by inviting me into the pot?"

"Yes, you know your current situation... you are surrounded by us."

"Indeed," Tang Fei nodded in acknowledgment, "So what's the next step?"

"First, have someone bring over the Antidote for the epidemic virus. I know you've prepared it, and I'd better not see any tricks."

"I'll give you one day; within one day, I want to see the Antidote. If I don't, you will not see tomorrow's Sun."

"Second, open the gate of your base and let our brothers take over. From now on, Henshan Base will belong to our Flame Shrine."

"And the third?" Tang Fei asked.

He didn't mention the third point, which was somewhat disconcerting to Tang Fei.

It felt as if something was missing.

"The third..." Lei Zongnan's gaze fell upon Bai Wuxin's handsome, flawless face, "Leave him behind."

Tang Fei was startled, then felt a wave of humiliated indignation, "Why him? Am I not good enough? Am I not as good-looking as he is?"

"..."

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