"Secretary-Envoy!"

"Secretary-Envoy!"

Zhou Qing'ang's voice was not loud, but to He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan, it struck like a thunderclap.

He Zhenghao went still for a moment, then his face drained of color. "The Secretary-Envoy has emerged from seclusion? How did I not know?"

Gao Yuan's expression was one of pure, unguarded shock.

Zhou Qing'ang's next words gave them both a measure of relief.

"The Secretary-Envoy has not yet emerged from seclusion," Zhou Qing'ang said coolly. "But if certain people believe their petty schemes can escape his notice while he sits in seclusion, that is simply laughable."

His gaze swept over the two men, the meaning unmistakable.

The guilty He Zhenghao forced an awkward smile. "We all know the...