Chapter 76: That Voice, Rending the Heart and Soul

"Haihe Province truly lives up to its reputation as an inland region nestled between the sea and mountains. And this city of Xiangzhou—no wonder it’s called the very heart of Haihe! Even the night views here are so delightful, so refreshing, that one can’t help but linger in their charm," Wu Ya mused as he wandered in the evening breeze.

The damp air was a balm for someone used to the remote, arid towns. It soaked into his skin, invigorating him. His own city, Weiling, suffered from a semi-desert climate—so dry that the word 'moisture' might as well be erased from the dictionary. But here, the air was soft and humid, nourishing both body and mind. No wonder, he thought, beauties have always been born here since ancient times.

"Excuse me, could you order a late-night meal for me and have it sent up to my room?" Wu Ya soon returned to his hotel. The Xiangzhou Grand Hotel wasn’t as luxurious as the Haoyu Hotel where he’d dined earlier, but it was far more professional—it specialized in lodging and didn’t offer dining services. When it came to comfort, it was superior to the Haoyu.

He was, admittedly, a little hungry after his stroll. After all, he hadn’t touched a single grain of rice at the earlier banquet before being ushered out.

"Of course, sir. Please head up to your room. Your supper will be up shortly," the receptionist replied with a sweet, syrupy voice.

Wu Ya made his way to the stairs.

But after he’d finished his supper and drunk a glass of water, the cashier, A Lan, still hadn’t arrived. Wu Ya was puzzled. Issuing a cash check was a matter of a few words. The factory wasn’t far from the hotel. In theory, A Lan should have arrived before his late-night meal. After all, he’d roamed the streets for quite a while.

What was going on?

Wu Ya got up and opened the door, intending to go downstairs and look for her—only to be surprised.

"Mr. Wu, h-hi, I’ve brought the check for you," A Lan stood right at his door, her gaze darting away, barely daring to meet his eyes. Even her tone had changed—gone was the aggressive edge from earlier at dinner. Now, her words brimmed with apology.

Wu Ya’s heart stirred; his suspicions were confirmed. Surely, A Lan had some sort of leverage held over her by Accountant Mo.

"A Lan, you’re too kind, coming all this way yourself. Please, come in and have a glass of water," Wu Ya quickly stepped aside, inviting her in with both politeness and propriety.

But—

"No, that’s all right. Here’s the check. I’m sorry for what happened earlier," A Lan hesitated only a moment before turning abruptly to leave. She wasn’t a bad person—just driven by poverty at home, and ensnared by Accountant Mo.

Everyone at the factory, save for the timid and easily manipulated Lan Yaoming, knew exactly what was going on with Wu Ya. He was a legitimate buyer. Only his youth made him seem less credible—but that was precisely what Accountant Mo had exploited! She wanted to take over the factory, and her scheming had almost cost Wu Ya his deal, and surely affected his business.

Regret gnawed at A Lan. That was why she’d dragged her feet on the way here, and lacked the courage to knock when she arrived. Now that the check had been delivered, however, no matter her reluctance, she had to leave—she couldn’t afford to cross Accountant Mo.

She’d barely taken a few steps before—

"A Lan, are you really content to let Accountant Mo use you as an accomplice in harming Factory Director Lan?" Wu Ya’s voice pierced the quiet corridor.

A Lan froze, startled, her body trembling involuntarily.

"Mr. Wu, Accountant Mo is the finance chief. Following her instructions is simply my duty. Besides, she’s Factory Director Lan’s right hand—how could she ever harm him? You’re overthinking things," A Lan managed to steady herself, offering a few dignified-sounding words before moving on.

Wu Ya smiled coldly. "If she truly were Director Lan’s right hand, and had no ulterior motives for your company’s future, why would she go to such lengths to sabotage this deal? Your factory is already struggling to stay afloat. Even as an outsider, I know this—shouldn’t you, as finance staff, be even more aware? Yet she’s hell-bent on driving me away! Clearly, she’s just waiting to see the factory collapse, isn’t she?"

He hadn’t come all this way just to let her leave so easily. Accountant Mo’s ambitions were all too obvious. Whatever designs she had on Lan Yaoming were none of Wu Ya’s concern. But she had no right to become an obstacle on his path to profit. Blocking his equipment purchase was blocking his future. No matter what, Wu Ya would see her removed from his way.

"You… you’re quite astute," A Lan stopped again. This youth—he didn’t seem at all like an eighteen-year-old. His insight and ability to see through intrigue were those of someone much older, someone hardened by life.

For a moment, she was almost disoriented.

"It’s not cleverness, it’s common sense! If she had no hidden agenda, she could have called Weiling City or the textile factory offering me the collateral—a single phone call would clear up everything. But she didn’t! So—"

"So, you didn’t say anything either! You waited for me to come for the check, hoping to use me as a wedge against Accountant Mo—isn’t that it?" A Lan cut him off. This young man was not just clever, but shrewd. He knew such a problem could be solved with a single call, yet he didn’t speak up or urge Lan Yaoming to act, to clear his own name and complete the deal. Instead, he chose to swallow the suspicion, to bear the blame.

What did he want? Clearly, he was planning a counterattack against Accountant Mo, to repay her for dragging him into this mess.

"So you’re clever too, Sister A Lan! But why do you have something over you for Accountant Mo to exploit? Let me guess—was it something she set up for you, so you walked right into her trap? Once the evidence was nailed down, there was nothing you could say to defend yourself?"

Wu Ya, having lived two lifetimes, had seen it all. In just a few exchanges, not only were his suspicions confirmed, but he saw something deeper—A Lan harbored obvious resentment toward Accountant Mo. Where did that resentment come from? The answer was clear: she’d been wronged by her, forced into submission.

Sure enough, as Wu Ya’s words landed, A Lan stood frozen. Her expression shifted from confusion to anger, then regret, and finally settled on a look of bitter sorrow.

Then—

A wail burst from her lips as she pressed her hands to her face, weeping inconsolably. The sound was piercing, echoing through the entire corridor.