The mountain forest in the early summer wasn’t quiet. Some birds were chirping on the treetop like they were holding an election. They needed a bird with both integrity and talent to guide their flock. A gust of wind blew by, shaking the tree branches, and the birds flew away in fright. 

Xia Lei and Long Bing were the only human beings in the forest. They wouldn’t be heard if they talked here. This was why Long Bing had insisted on going to the mountain to talk. 

Long Bing stopped on a patch of soft grass in the mountain forest. “Liang Siyao contacted me,” she said.

This simple sentence frightened Xia Lei. He paused, then said, “When did this happen?”

“She contacted me an hour ago. You are the first person to know about this.” She looked straight at Xia Lei. “Is there anything you would like to tell me?” 

Xia Lei laughed dryly. “Okay, I’ve met her once before this. She told me that she was preparing to defect from the CIA. She wants me to pull some strings and act as a bridge for her. I have been waiting for an appropriate opportunity to tell you, but that thing with...