“So, over these years, have you collected any evidence?” Mo Xin asked.

Liang Qiuchi nodded.

Not only did he keep evidence of every transaction in the past two years, but after he came into power, he also traced back to all the trading records of the past decade. In addition to arms, oil, and diamonds, there were also many prohibited drugs and illegal weapons designated by the federation.

He also discovered that Reines had a private army of about a hundred people outside the federation, forcibly monopolizing the local mineral resources for profit.

Just this alone, according to current federal law, would ensure that Reines spent the rest of his life in prison.

Combined with various other smuggling and illegal trading activities, leaking military secrets to Lugo, etc., the death penalty was almost certain.

“What’s your plan for the next step?” Mo Xin asked.

If Liang Qiuchi wanted to reveal this evidence as the leader of Lugo, he could have done so long ago without delaying until now.

So Mo Xin believed that Liang Qiuchi must have another plan.

After pondering for a long time, Liang Qiuchi said, “I plan to surrender myself.”

“What?” Mo Xin thought he had misheard.

Liang Qiuchi repeated, “I want to surrender myself and have the federation reopen the investigation.”

“Are you crazy?” The door was kicked open again, and Wu Yahui walked in angrily. She gave a half-hearted “sorry” to the frowning Mo Xin and then glared at Liang Qiuchi again. “Surrendering yourself is suicide. Do you want to follow in your father’s footsteps? Then all our hard work over these years will be in vain!”

Mo Xin suddenly remembered the day Liang Qiuchi told him, “I hope we can bid farewell without regrets this time,” and couldn’t help but feel alarmed.

So at that moment, Liang Qiuchi really wanted to bid him farewell forever.

Faced with another decision, Liang Qiuchi still chose to give up on him.

“Why?” Mo Xin found himself asking too many “whys.” But he never quite understood why Liang Qiuchi could always so easily let go of the devoted affection he offered.

He was unwilling to accept it, so he had to ask one more “why.”

Perhaps by continuing to ask like this, Liang Qiuchi would eventually make a different choice and stay by his side.

“The media landscape is different now from eight years ago. It’s not just the Federation’s propaganda anymore. If I publicly surrender myself, it will attract a lot of attention,” Liang Qiuchi stated his thoughts, “Moreover, the news of my disappearance hasn’t died down yet. If I appear voluntarily now, it’s the best timing.”

“Have you forgotten how your father died?” Wu Yahui was exasperated with him, “Are you Liangs all single-minded?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Liang Qiuchi had made up his mind, “If Reines dares to act, it will just prove to the public that he’s guilty.” He looked up and smiled at Wu Yahui, “Of course, if I die, I’ll rely on you Yahui jie to continue pushing for the investigation.”

“How am I supposed to help?” Wu Yahui sat down on the sofa, crossed her arms, and said irritably, “If you’re dead, what’s the point of me helping?”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Liang Qiuchi patted her shoulder, “I’ve made a list of people who were involved in Reines’ business chain back then. Over the years, due to Reines’ constant expansion, they’ve faced a lot of exclusion and oppression. I’ve already contacted a few of them, and there’s a good chance they’ll be willing to testify as witnesses.”

“Gathering for mutual benefit and dispersing for mutual benefit is quite reasonable,” Wu Yahui pouted, “But I still disagree.”

“Yahui Jie…”

“What’s the point of all this if you’re dead?” Wu Yahui poked Liang Qiuchi’s chest, “You have the power now. The whole of Lugo supports you from behind. Why do you insist on taking a dead-end path?”

“Because it was the Federation that declared my father guilty, so it should be the Federation to clear his name,” Liang Qiuchi said solemnly, “With my current status, if I don’t surrender myself, there’s no chance the Federation will reopen the investigation.”

Wu Yahui wanted to argue further, but Liang Qiuchi shook his head at her with a smile and said, “You’re right in what you said. Us Liangs indeed have only one track in our minds.”

If his father had been a bit more cunning back then, perhaps he could have escaped from the vortex of that struggle. But he didn’t.

Now, Liang Qiuchi was the same. Perhaps there was a better way to resolve this, but he still chose the path he had taken.

If his death could restore his father’s innocence, expose Reines’ ugly face, and bring comfort to Xiang Bei in the afterlife, he was willing to sacrifice.

After all, eight years ago, he should have died on that mountain.

The only thing Liang Qiuchi felt guilty about was that he had to let down Mo Xin.

Mo Xin got up and went to the window, pulling the curtain open a crack, silently watching the chaotic streets outside.

The tangled shanties seemed like a messy knot, making him feel stifled. After a long time, he couldn’t alleviate the discomfort in his chest.

So he asked Liang Qiuchi, “What are you going to arrange for me after you die?”

Liang Qiuchi walked up beside him. Apart from “I’m sorry,” he didn’t know what else to say.

Mo Xin turned to face him, and a ray of sunlight seeped through the narrow gap in the curtain, lying between him and Liang Qiuchi like an unbridgeable chasm, dividing them into two halves.

“What are you going to arrange for me?” Mo Xin asked again.

His expression was indifferent, and his tone was calm, but the calmer he appeared, the harder it was for Liang Qiuchi to speak.

“I understand,” Mo Xin forced a smile and nodded at Liang Qiuchi, “I’m not even in your plans.”

“Mo Xin, I shouldn’t have dragged you into this mess in the first place. I wish you well. You have a bright future and a complete family…”

Liang Qiuchi knew Mo Xin didn’t want to hear these reasons, but he had to repeat them over and over again, not just to convince Mo Xin but also to convince himself.

He didn’t have absolute certainty that he could safely escape with this plan, so he didn’t want to drag Mo Xin down. Otherwise, if there were any flaws, Mo Xin’s life would be ruined because of him.

“It’s been eight years, Liang Qiuchi… I’m not the same person I was then, the new recruit on guard duty,” Mo Xin said, “I hold the rank of major general, currently serving as the acting director of the Security Bureau. My elder brother is in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and my father is in the running for the presidency. The results will be out next month. Don’t you know all this? Or do you think that just because you came to me, I won’t help you?”

“I didn’t mean it that way…” Liang Qiuchi reached out to hug him, but Mo Xin stepped back, avoiding him.

“I don’t accept your one-sided kindness and care.”

Mo Xin turned his head away, waiting for his emotions to calm down a bit before looking at Liang Qiuchi again.

“Whether you meant well for me or didn’t consider me at all, the outcome is equally cruel to me.”