Chapter 73: Information System

Startled by Wan Caixuan’s voice, Ning Xi hadn’t expected her to be calling from Lin Xiao’s phone.

“Miss? Why are you calling from his phone? What happened?”

“I just survived another assassination attempt,” Wan Caixuan said bluntly. “But don’t worry, Lin Xiao protected me. I’m unharmed.”

Without wasting time, she continued, “I suspect there’s a mole among us. I have a plan to expose them, but I need your help.”

Any trace of drowsiness vanished from Ning Xi’s voice. She sat up straight in bed, fully alert. “Miss… are you sure? Could someone really have betrayed us?”

“I can’t be absolutely certain,” Wan Caixuan replied evenly, “but I’d say there’s a seventy percent chance. Ning Xi, I need you to list everyone who knows where I live in Jinghai City.”

Ning Xi closed her eyes, mentally running through the names. Within seconds, she listed five individuals.

“Good,” Wan Caixuan said with a calm resolve, her tone laced with quiet menace. “Call them. Tell them I need to see them here immediately. There’s a matter that requires all of their presence.”

Then she added, with a cold smile forming on her lips, “And whoever dares betray me… will pay for it.”

“Understood. I’ll take care of it right away.” Ning Xi was about to hang up when a thought made her pause. “Miss… and Lin Xiao? He’s alright, isn’t he?”

Wan Caixuan glanced over at the man meditating on the sofa, completely composed.

“What could possibly happen to him?” she said softly. “He’s perfectly fine.”

An hour later, Ning Xi drove into Jiangnan Floral Estates, parked in front of the villa, exited her vehicle, and waited.

Behind her Ferrari, a string of other vehicles also pulled up, each disgorging a passenger until five individuals stood nearby.

These five, four men and a woman, were diverse in appearance. One of the men stood tall, over 1.9 meters, with a buzz cut and a muscular build, his face bearing an innocent look.

Another man was short and chubby, his small eyes twinkling with an almost naive charm. His features resembled a Maitreya Buddha, exuding a gentle aura, but the sharp glint in his eyes hinted that this seemingly simple man was anything but.

Another wore glasses, had porcelain-like skin, and carried himself with refinement. The gleam in his eyes indicated he was not to be underestimated.

The last man was tall and skinny, appearing as though a gust of wind could topple him. His pallid face and pronounced dark circles under his eyes hinted at chronic sleep deprivation.

Beyond these four men, there was a young woman with a delicate appearance, wearing black-rimmed glasses, emanating an aura of intellect.

These five individuals were Wan Caixuan’s trusted lieutenants in Jinghai City.

Among the men, the towering figure was known as Li Chengxin, the stout one was Yan Feishi, the bespectacled gentleman was Sun Gaoxiang, and the tallest, thin one was Fan Chanshi. The lady with the delicate features was Wang Ruofei.

Being a contender for the Wan family’s inheritance in the imperial capital, Wan Caixuan had her own array of allies. These five were her confidants brought from the capital, whose assistance allowed her to quickly seize control over today’s company meeting.

They were entrusted with the entirety of Wan Caixuan’s intelligence network in Jinghai City. Although, the majority of Wan Caixuan’s power base remained in the capital.

Once Brilliant Aya Limited fell under her complete control, Wan Caixuan planned to leave Jinghai City and return to the capital to vie for the primary heir’s position.

The five approached Ning Xi, each respectfully addressing her as “Sister Ning Xi”, even Li Chengxin, who appeared older.

Ning Xi acknowledged them with a nod.

“Now that we’re all here, let’s proceed. We shouldn’t keep the Miss waiting.”

Ning Xi held a unique position in Wan Caixuan’s circle, one could say she was the most trusted individual. Although their relationship was ostensibly of a master-servant nature, in truth, they shared a sisterly bond.

When Wan Caixuan was unable to manage her intelligence network, it was Ning Xi who coordinated with the five, ensuring the system’s smooth operation. Therefore, the five were quite familiar with Ning Xi and, in some respects, viewed her as their immediate superior.

Despite Wan Caixuan being their ultimate leader, due to her esteemed status, these five usually didn’t have the privilege to interact with her

When they learned that Wan Caixuan wished to meet them at the villa, they felt honored and apprehensive.

Ning Xi, following the plan, rang the doorbell of the villa.

Three minutes had passed, and the villa’s door remained firmly shut. Considering the prior intelligence about the assassination attempt on the mistress, a heavy sense of dread settled over the group.

“Something’s wrong,” Ning Xi said, her face losing its color. “I have a spare key. Be ready—once I open the door, we rush in.”

The five people exchanged tense glances. Though shocked, they quickly steeled themselves and nodded in agreement.

Without hesitation, Li Chengxin and Yan Feishi reached under their jackets and drew handguns from their waistbands, gripping them tightly.

Ning Xi pulled a key from her bag and swiftly unlocked the villa’s grand entrance. Without hesitation, Li Chengxin and Yan Feishi charged in first, guns drawn. Ning Xi and the others followed closely behind, storming into the living room—only to freeze in stunned disbelief.

Wan Caixuan lay motionless on the floor, her face deathly pale, eyes tightly shut. It was impossible to tell whether she was unconscious or worse. A vivid handprint was stamped across her neck, a clear sign of strangulation.

Standing beside her was a tall figure dressed in a black suit, his face concealed behind a matching black mask. He appeared ready to leave—but the sudden intrusion made him spin around sharply.

Behind the mask, his eyes were cold as ice, brimming with murderous intent.

But Ning Xi didn’t hesitate. Ignoring the danger, she cried out, “Mistress!” and rushed forward.

The masked figure’s eyes gleamed with malice. In a flash, his palm struck out like a blade, landing squarely on Ning Xi’s slender neck.

A sickening crack echoed through the room, sending a chill down everyone’s spine.

Ning Xi collapsed without a sound, her hand reaching forward instinctively—only to fall short and drop limply. Her body crumpled to the ground like a wilting flower.

Li Chengxin’s eyes burned with fury. He raised his gun and shouted, “Who are you? What did you do to her?!”

The black-clad man slowly turned, eyes like twin voids behind the mask. His voice cut through the air like a blade of ice, “Who I am isn’t something you’re worthy to know. As for what I did, can’t you see for yourself?”

He let out a low, chilling laugh.

“Consider yourselves unfortunate to have crossed my path. But don’t worry, I’ll be merciful. You can all die together.”

Without warning, he surged forward, charging directly at the remaining five. He was the embodiment of death