As she spoke, Tang Li kept observing Song Baiyan’s expression.

However, even when she finished her sentence, she couldn’t catch a trace from Song Baiyan’s face.

Instead, her unwavering gaze drew Song Baiyan’s attention: "What’s wrong, staring at me like that?"

Tang Li asked, "Did you meet the King of Siam this afternoon?"

Song Baiyan understood her implication, his smile faint: "Are you suspecting I said something to the King of Siam?"

"Not suspecting." Tang Li paused for two seconds before speaking again: "I’m sure."

"Earlier, when Li Hao brought the account book to see the king, he was dismissed. The king wasn’t willing to even mention the case from that year. Since Li Hao’s downfall, the King of Siam has been dominant domestically. Now that he suddenly changed his mind, it can only be because someone pressured him."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze toward Song Baiyan: "This person is someone the King of Siam can’t afford to antagonize."

Although all the Asia-Pacific Region leaders came to Siam for the meeting, the heads of other countries probably only arrived in Man City tonight, and the news about the King of Siam wanting to investigate the incident with the task force spread this afternoon.

Moreover—

Which country in the Asia-Pacific can compare with country S?

Both in terms of land area and comprehensive strength, country S is an absolute overwhelming presence in every aspect.

Only the President of such a major country can subdue the King of Siam.

However, the King of Siam isn’t a soft persimmon to be squeezed.

Without seeing actual benefits, he naturally wouldn’t let Song Baiyan interfere in ’his family’s affairs’.

"So, you must have promised him something."

Tang Li sounded extremely confident in her conclusion.

Song Baiyan looked at Tang Li’s quite serious ’dumpling face’ and found it amusing: "The President of country S isn’t a lifetime post, so according to your logic, my promise should have a shelf life."

Implying that his promise wasn’t that valuable.

Once he’s out of office, his successor could very likely overturn it.

Tang Li wasn’t convinced: "Maybe what you promised him will yield returns in the short term."

Yet, she can’t quite figure out what benefit it might be.

Country S and Siam have always had cooperation in imports and exports.

Over the past year, Tang Li saw online data that Siam’s fruit exports to country S amounted to 2.6 billion US dollars.

Then there’s Siam’s tourism industry.

Every year, over ten million tourists from country S visit Siam, spending over 100 billion, accounting for more than a quarter of Siam’s tourism consumption.

Therefore, Siam’s economy is very dependent on country S.

Perhaps the King of Siam would ask Song Baiyan for an export order worth trillions over several years.

"No, that’s not right."

This guess formed, yet she refuted it immediately.

Although Siam is a developing country, it doesn’t mean the Siamese Royal Family is poor.

After over two centuries of rule, the Siamese Royal Family has already accumulated enormous wealth. Siam practices a constitutional monarchy, which means it won’t prioritize the people, so it’s unlikely the King of Siam would gamble his reputation for merely selling fruit for the public.

The King of Siam must want something that involves his own interests.

Tang Li’s struggle to figure it out seemed adorable to Song Baiyan.

"Can’t figure it out?"

Tang Li heard this, looked up.

Song Baiyan sat on the sofa and gestured for her to come over. Tang Li obliged, originally supposed to sit beside the man. However, upon seeing Song Baiyan’s tall figure, she decided to sit on his lap.

A pair of fair hands wrapped around Song Baiyan’s neck: "I can’t figure it out, you can teach me."

The beauty trick, it’s nothing more than this.

And the beauty in his arms indeed was gratifying.

Song Baiyan gently clasped the beauty’s slim waist: "Ran all the way to Man City in the middle of the night, seems like you’re here specifically to probe information."

"As long as you’ve done nothing guilty, there’s no fear of ghosts knocking at the door in the middle of the night."

Tang Li pursed her lips, softening her attitude: "In fact, I’m here to learn."

Song Baiyan didn’t fall for it, clearly not deceived: "Even at night, you’re not tired, but I am worn out."

"...Just talking, what’s so tiring about that."

Not learning anything else.

Tang Li’s cheeks warmed slightly, realizing she had startled him earlier.

Reflecting on her service that night, though it was a new venture, it landed safely, didn’t it?

After all, the issue wasn’t hers.

Someone finds it hard to let go.

Holds himself together, yet corrupts her.

Tang Li didn’t argue further and returned to the main topic: "Can’t you really tell me?"

It was just a probe, unexpectedly, Song Baiyan truly opened up: "Yesterday afternoon, Yan Daiqing sent a fax to the Southwest War Zone."

Yesterday afternoon...

Tang Li recalled the temple informant yesterday, who also came in the afternoon.

This meant Yan Daiqing considered the ’deal’ with Li Hao while also preparing a second move. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The fax from Yan Daiqing stated: if Siam doesn’t want to extradite Isa, he’s willing to deliver Isa near country S’s trade port to be handled by country S.

Yan Daiqing wasn’t purely good-hearted.

Tang Li somewhat guessed his intentions.

Wanting anti-drug reform in Nanwa is true, wanting to raid Isa is also true.

If he removes Isa himself, he’ll surely face retaliation from Isa’s loyal followers and offend other drug lords in the Golden Triangle, but if he extradites Isa to another country, when the responsibility is pushed aside, he’ll just say Isa’s drug trafficking incited public anger, allowing himself to remain steady.

So, Song Baiyan knows about the ’railroad construction’ not necessarily because of Li Hao’s notification, but likely due to Yan Daiqing’s ’double dealing’.

Tang Li looked at Song Baiyan again: "The fax from Yan Daiqing, does it relate to the King of Siam?"

——

Good night!