Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2323: 2259: Is He on the List?

Deep down, Chiang Xiao understood that if Meng Xinian was willing, she could easily contact Li Hanzhong. Reaching out to him would almost certainly guarantee that his name was removed from the mission.

However, would Meng Xinian actually desire such an outcome?

If his name was already on that list, would having Li Hanzhong strike it off allow Meng Xinian to live in peace? Would the weight of that decision haunt his thoughts indefinitely?

He had never been the type of man to seek a path of retreat simply because he feared for his life.

To him, danger was something to be met with courage and a forward stride. That was the essence of the real Meng Xinian; that was the nature of Tyrant Meng.

In truth, regardless of the outcome, Meng Xinian suffered more internal turmoil than she did. Whether he stayed or departed, he would find no happiness.

Should he go, he would be plagued by worry for her, feeling as though he had failed her. Yet, if he remained behind, he would feel he had turned coward, becoming a man who valued his own life over duty and used his connections to cherry-pick his assignments. He would become the very person he held in the highest contempt.

Chiang Xiao’s thoughts swirled in a chaotic mess, making it impossible for her to find any semblance of calm. The drive, which lasted over an hour, seemed to conclude in an instant.

Stepping out of the car, she suddenly recalled that Ah Liu hadn’t checked in for a second time over the last three days. His only communication had been a call to Tyrant Meng on the second evening, reporting his safe arrival while noting he hadn’t yet entered the Jiang Family estate.

Old Master Jiang had insisted that since his departure was linked to an inauspicious event, his return required an auspicious day. The family needed time to prepare a fire basin and Immortal Grass Water. He would have to step over the flames and be cleansed with the Immortal Grass Water to wash away the misfortune and spiritual impurities he had gathered in the outside world.

Currently, he was staying at a nearby inn, accompanied by his bodyguards.

Things were stable for now. Over the past two days, Sun Han and the rest of the team had successfully blocked the crowds who had gathered upon hearing the news. This provided a brief window of silence and a few extra days to make the necessary arrangements.

Consequently, he likely wouldn't call her again until his formal return to the Jiang Family.

With her heart pulled between her worries for Meng Xinian and her concerns for Ah Liu, Chiang Xiao felt as though she were being torn apart.

Once back in the Capital City, she immediately showered and washed her hair. Just as she finished, the phone rang; it was Meng Xinian.

“Brother Xinian, what’s the situation?” Chiang Xiao asked, her voice thick with anxiety.

Meng Xinian tightened his lips, his voice sounding low and heavy. “Little Xiao, take a deep breath and listen to me.”

A sense of dread washed over Chiang Xiao the moment she heard those words.

“It is confirmed that a Supervisor Guard will be dispatched to Ke Ku Li,” Meng Xinian stated directly, though he quickly added a crucial detail: “However, the final list hasn't been released yet.”

Chiang Xiao was flooded with conflicting emotions. Her heart, which had been tightly squeezed, slowly began to loosen, though she still struggled to catch her breath. After several moments, she let out a long, soft sigh.

“Is the list just not public yet, or has it not been finalized?” she pressed.

To her, there was a massive distinction between the two.

On the other end of the line, Meng Xinian fell silent for a moment after hearing her question.

In that silence, Chiang Xiao suddenly had a realization.

The distinction she found so vital meant very little to Meng Xinian. If his name appeared on that list, he would depart; if it didn't, he would stay. He simply followed the orders he was given.

He was a man of duty.

Yet, by asking such a question, she had made it obvious that she was already plotting a way to intervene if she could learn the names early. For instance, if he were chosen, she would have gone to Li Hanzhong to ensure his name was deleted.

But was that something she truly wanted to do?