Chapter 343: Compromise

At this point in the story, anyone would be shaken.

But Lu Xiwán still watches Leona's expression warily.

"Then why was Yao Yao still sold here, and do you think I'd believe a love story you fabricated?"

How could a cold, heartless assassin easily fall in love with someone?

"Because he died. Those people's abilities far exceed our imagination; his death was terrible, they didn't even leave a whole corpse. And before he died he fought to save me, but the child was still snatched back by them."

She alone bears pain and despair, living in the world all by herself.

Leona's expression became even more genuine; she looked on the verge of tears, a single tear hanging on her face, her eyes filled with sorrow.

That expression doesn't seem feigned.

"That's also just your one‑sided account," Lu Xiwán said, remaining very calm; last time Leona likewise swore to them in the same way.

After being deceived once, Lu Xiwán no longer wants to trust her easily.

Leona gave a wry smile, "I used to still hold fantasies about them, but now you've taken the conversation this far; do I still need to help them keep secrets?"

Lu Xiwán set down the fruit tray, stared straight at Leona, "Then let's talk. Since you say you and that assassin developed feelings, how did you collude with the murderer who killed him?"

Even setting aside whether Leona mourns that person's death, this alone is a huge loophole.

"Because he jumped off a building while on the run. And his last words before dying were that he hoped I would live well; do you think I don't want to die?"

But whenever she recalls his words, how could she bear to betray his final wish?

"I wish more than anyone that I had been the one who died back then, but this world never fulfills our wishes, so I must live well."

"A few days ago you didn't have this resolve; what profit is there in scheming with a tiger? That person should have left you something to survive before he died, otherwise you couldn't be standing here in front of me in one piece."

Just from what Ke Lin Dun and Leona said, one can tell those people have far‑reaching reach; it seems before Leona left the country they tried countless ways to restrain her.

Unless there is some unspeakable secret, they wouldn't have endured until now.

"Sure enough, nothing can be hidden from you, but it's a pity we were a move short; otherwise I'd have been caught by you. Anyway, I've survived these years by luck, I'm satisfied; if you truly wish, take my life away."

After speaking, Leona closed her eyes, looking completely ready to be dealt with by Lu Xiwán.

"Don't try to provoke me with words now; we are different from those people, we won't force you with filthy, underhanded methods, nor use your life as leverage. I just want to ask you one thing: do you still want to avenge him?"

Lu Xiwán's eyes were clear and cold, so even though Leona desperately tried to find deception inside, she was disappointed.

"Being able to survive is already my luck."

"Then what's the point of you muddling through life like this? His life was lost for you."

Even though this world truly lacks karmic retribution, Lu Xiwán does not want to place her hopes on these empty words.

"Nothing in the world has ever been fair; some people are born with things others can't have, yet they are never satisfied—strange, but humans are inherently unsatisfied."

Lu Xiwán let out a light laugh and turned her head to look at Fu Sijue.

To be honest, during the years she was driven away by Gu Qingmeng, Lu Xiwán never imagined she could meet Fu Sijue again; even staying alive was extremely hard for her.

If Leona hadn't lied, their fates would be quite similar.

Only Lu Xiwán is a bit luckier than her.

Leona will never meet that person again in her whole life.

"People, after being well fed and safe, must think about what else they can do on this foundation to make their lives better."

Otherwise, after a lifetime of busyness, what is actually left?

"No one protects me now; you and I are different. Simply surviving in this world is my greatest wish."

What else could she hope for beyond that?

Lu Xiwán pulled Fu Sijue to her feet; since Leona was single‑mindedly determined, they couldn't persuade her.

"Wanwan's achievements today came without ever borrowing my strength."

Fu Sijue suddenly spoke, and Leona's eyes widened slightly, as if in disbelief.

Even when not by his side, Lu Xiwán has never given up.

"Even when I'm not by her side, Wanwan still strives to become stronger."

Whether to evade his search or for any other reason, Lu Xiwán has never disappointed anyone.

Fu Sijue's gaze remained icy, yet he stared straight at Leona, earnestly explaining for Lu Xiwán.

His Wanwan has always been the best in the world.

"If you are strong enough yourself, having a backing behind you won't affect you."

Moreover, now it's the Fu Clan protecting her; who would dare move against her on the Fu Clan's territory?

"Wait!"

Just as they were about to step out the door, Leona suddenly stood up and hurriedly blocked Lu Xiwán.

Her eyes were agitated, as if Lu Xiwán's words had shaken her.

Perhaps also because of something else.

"Help us."

"Our help comes with conditions: you must tell us everything that ever happened, every detail; otherwise, even a deity couldn't help you."

Lu Xiwán never spouts empty promises; once Leona leaves the Fu Clan's territory, what those people might do is unknown.

All they can do is eliminate it before Paradise finds an opportunity.

Leona inhaled deeply, "I know how to contact Paradise's handler, and before leaving he gave me all their leverage."

Leona now holds all their leverage, which he has collected over many years.

But over all those years, Leona never had a chance to retrieve those items.

"Moreover, I inadvertently learned that the one who proposed taking your child away back then was Paradise's leader; perhaps you can consider what people you've offended over the years."

That explains why those people would risk their lives, even gamble many lives as a stake.

"The latest information I have about them is that they've been trying to reach here for years, but for some reason have never succeeded."