Lu Changsheng folded the silk handkerchief neatly and placed it on the desk in front of Mr. Tao, completing his duties as secretary one last time. Then he returned to the opposite side of the desk, sat upright, and asked solemnly, “Why won’t you join us?”

Mr. Tao gave a dry, openly disdainful laugh. “The filth in one house can still be swept clean, but if you jump into a muddy pond and roll around like an old turtle, relishing in how pleasant it feels, then that is what I would call beyond saving.”

“But you knew all along, didn’t you?” Lu Changsheng shook his head. “You must have known from the beginning. I’m not just talking about your suspicions regarding your secretary, I’m talking about Central City’s indifference and the council’s contempt. The Federation has already resolved to expand westward, and Spring City was abandoned decades ago. Why else would they have left you to carry the burden alone...