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Song Jiu's expression changed slightly. He had sensed something strange earlier, and now, with this remark, he suddenly realized that the Foreigner Woman, despite her faded beauty, seemed to belong to the same ethnicity as Natalia. Looking at the eager eyes of the two Foreigners, Song Jiu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Natalia was the long-lost daughter of these two? What a coincidence! The daughter of an overseas Establishment representative, a second-generation official.
"Yes," Song Jiu nodded in acknowledgment. It was obvious even to the living person standing there; he couldn't hide it. He hesitated and said, "Those two are from the overseas Establishment."
Chang Xiangrong casually responded and asked, "Could you please bring her out for a moment?"
"Why do you need her?" Song Jiu hesitated. He had always been curious about Natalia's identity. Given the situation, could it really be connected to the overseas Establishment? Natalia was someone he had brought back with him; they had spent some intimate days together on the island. Although they hadn't established a relationship, Song Jiu already considered her part of his team. Now that others were coming to claim her, he felt a bit reluctant.
Chang Xiangrong showed signs of difficulty and stammered, "Could you please bring her out first? We need to confirm something; it's not convenient to discuss specifics right now."
Song Jiu wanted to refuse but couldn't find a suitable reason. Just as he hesitated, Cao Zheng arrived with Fang Fei. When Song Jiu turned around, sure enough, Natalia was following closely behind like a little shadow.
With Barbie Doll taking the initiative to approach, Song Jiu felt he couldn't say much more. He sighed in annoyance and stepped aside to give the stage to the main characters.
"What happened?" Fang Fei had just changed clothes and her hair was messy. She rushed over upon hearing from Cao Zheng that Song Jiu was looking for her without even having time to tidy up.
"Nata—"
Before Song Jiu could finish speaking, the bear-like Foreigner Man suddenly shouted loudly. The Foreigner Woman also seemed to be energized all of a sudden; they both pushed past Chang Xiangrong and nearly lunged at Natalia. Song Jiu and the others were startled—this wasn't a reunion; it looked more like enemies meeting! Reacting quickly, they immediately blocked the two Foreigners' path. Wu Wentao and Cao Zheng stepped forward on either side, forming a human wall to separate them.
"Let's talk this out calmly; no need for violence," Song Jiu said urgently as he noticed the Foreigner Man's angry expression and gestured for Chang Xiangrong to translate.
Barbie Doll, who had come along with Fang Fei to watch the commotion, still didn't understand what was happening. Being shorter than Wu Wentao and Cao Zheng, she couldn't see anything and only heard someone calling her name. Confused, she said, "Song," which was the only Chinese word she knew and used most frequently.
Chang Xiangrong quickly signaled for the Female Secretary to translate. However, the Foreigner Man's emotions were getting out of control as he grabbed Song Jiu by his collar and began shouting incomprehensibly at him.
Song Jiu was no match for the Foreigner Man; being yanked around felt like being lifted by a chick. The man shook him left and right in an attempt to push him away.
Luo Yu and her group were not having it anymore. Who did they think they were, messing with Master Jiu? The Female Secretary had yet to finish translating when Luo Yu had already drawn out a Steel Saw Blade. Tension filled the air as they all stood ready for a fight. Just a minute ago, they seemed harmless, but now they radiated hostility. Even the usually indifferent Wu Wentao reached for his waist.
“If you don’t let go, I might just take action,” Song Jiu said, not angry but rather amused. This was the Establishment's territory; elsewhere, someone would have already been stabbed.
The Female Secretary and Chang Xiangrong were sweating profusely, trying to explain to Luo Yu that there was no malice intended while also translating for the Foreigner not to act impulsively. The two sentinels at the entrance were equally confused, witnessing Luo Yu's group brandishing weapons and unsure of how to proceed. They could only stand in the middle, trying to mediate and prevent any contact between the two sides.
Others in the courtyard rushed over upon hearing the commotion, thinking something serious had happened. Each one grabbed a weapon and burst out of their rooms. Barbie Doll found herself pushed out of the crowd. Amidst the chaos, she heard a few familiar phrases in her native tongue, her expression changing slightly as she shouted a few words, trying to squeeze back into the throng.
Yang Xiaomeng had just arrived and was unaware of what was happening. Seeing Barbie Doll about to rush in, she quickly stopped her, gesturing to explain, “Don’t go over there; they’re about to fight. You might get hurt.”
Barbie Doll was anxious, her face flushed as she tried to explain urgently, but language barriers made it difficult. Yang Xiaomeng rolled her eyes repeatedly and forcibly pulled her back while muttering, “Calm down; Luo Yu and her group are here. You can join in when they start shooting.”
Given their different genders, Yang Xiaomeng’s strength was something Barbie Doll couldn’t resist. Natalia was sweating profusely with anxiety, but Yang Xiaomeng mistakenly thought she was concerned about Song Jiu and continued blocking her way while grumbling, “Song Jiu really has a way with women; look, even Guli is coming over with a kitchen knife.”
The chaos didn’t last long, and thankfully no violence broke out. The Foreigner Woman finally regained some composure after listening to the Female Secretary’s explanation. Her expression softened considerably as she restrained the furious man who resembled an angry bear and muttered something before reluctantly releasing Song Jiu’s collar. Poor Song the Official had been dragged around in circles like that while pretending not to notice.
Chang Xiangrong convened a small meeting again and after gaining the Foreigner Woman’s consent, approached Song Jiu once more with a wry smile. “You’ve misunderstood; they’re with that girl and won’t harm her.”
“Is that so?” Song Jiu realized what was happening but feigned enlightenment for appearances' sake. “Tell them not to get worked up; what does Nata have to do with them?”
“I can’t disclose that,” Chang Xiangrong replied cleverly with a smile. “It seems you all get along well with her; she’ll tell you when the time comes.”
At this point, denying them further access would seem like causing trouble. Song Jiu turned back and issued a command; the tense atmosphere finally eased as Luo Yu and her group put away their weapons, coldly glaring at the red-eyed Foreigner Man before silently parting to create a path.
Suddenly, silence fell at the entrance as Yang Xiaomeng became the center of attention. Everyone stared blankly at the door while Natalia spoke urgently about something, but Yang Xiaomeng remained steadfast like a mountain, refusing to let her leave the room. The scene turned comical.
Fang Fei chuckled softly before rushing over to stop Yang Xiaomeng, whispering, “Let her go; she knows them.”
"Ah," Yang Xiaomeng froze, turning to the doorway, only to find a group of people staring at her, causing her face to flush with embarrassment.
Fang Fei stifled a laugh and explained to Natalia, who joined in the amusement. Barbie Doll held Yang Xiaomeng's hand and whispered a few words before tossing her long hair and striding out of the room.
Song Jiu and the others remained silent, quietly observing the reaction of the Foreigner Man's female companion. Was it just an illusion, or did Song Jiu feel that Barbie Doll seemed different? At that moment, Natalia was nothing like the Blonde Woman who had been hanging around Stilt House, incessantly shouting "Song, Song, Song." The crowd at the door was fortunate enough to witness a scene reminiscent of that morning at the port. The Foreigner Man's female companion rushed toward the somewhat frail Natalia, and the three embraced tightly, as if they had been apart for many years. Their excitement and joy were no less than that of Song Yao and her friends.
"You've got quite an eye," Wu Wentao teased with a smile. "You've picked up a big shot."
Song Jiu had no retort. When she first saw Natalia at the Repair Shop, there was nothing about her that suggested she was a big shot; she had appeared as a pitiful Mud Monkey, barely clothed and starving.
"What are they talking about?" Song Jiu nudged Fang Fei beside her. The three foreigners stood at the door, oblivious to their surroundings as they chatted away, with Natalia occasionally glancing toward them.
Fang Fei squinted slightly and whispered, "Shh, I'm listening."
Everyone was puzzled about Natalia's identity. Although they couldn't understand what was being said, no one left; after all, it was better to be idle than to miss out on some gossip. Chang Xiangrong and the Female Secretary were left standing awkwardly aside, their expressions changing as they looked at Song Jiu, as if they had overheard something significant.
The three conversed for quite some time before a bit of an argument broke out. The Foreigner Man spoke loudly while Natalia appeared indifferent, gesturing animatedly as she murmured with the Foreigner Woman. After discussing for a while, the Foreigner Woman delivered a heartfelt speech. In the end, Natalia relented with a sigh of frustration and turned to Song Jiu, taking his hand and chattering away. As she spoke, her expression brightened again, leaving Song the Official bewildered.
After finishing her conversation, Natalia exchanged smiles with Fang Fei; she knew Fang Fei could understand her words. Then she hugged each person in turn before waving goodbye and getting into the car with the Foreigner Man's female companion, leaving behind a group of dazed individuals in disarray.
"Ahem." Chang Xiangrong cleared his throat to regain everyone's attention. "I'll take my leave now. You don't need to worry about food and lodging; someone will bring it when it's time. We'll discuss other matters tomorrow. Make sure you all get some rest tonight."
"Oh," everyone nodded in response.
Chang Xiangrong felt somewhat disheartened by the lack of interest and reluctantly got into his car. Before it left, he lowered the backseat window; Natalia blew a kiss from afar, her reluctant gaze fading as the car drove away into nothingness.
After a long moment of watching the vehicle depart, everyone finally snapped back to reality, their expressions somewhat strange as if they had just witnessed a silent play.
"She said something," Chef Jia couldn't help but chuckle. The scene could be interpreted as a farewell, but unfortunately, there were no subtitles to convey the specific emotions.
Fang Fei still wore a look of astonishment, and it took Song Jiu calling her name twice before she snapped back to reality.
"What happened? What did she say before leaving?" Song Jiu felt a strange sensation in her heart, one that was hard to articulate.
"No wonder," Fang Fei gazed at the car disappearing down the Tree-Lined Path, shaking her head in disbelief as she murmured, "Do you remember when we asked her about her identity at the Stilt House? She said it was inconvenient to disclose."
"Yeah, could it be that she's really of royal descent?" Song Jiu exclaimed in surprise.
Fang Fei steadied herself and looked at the others, slowly saying, "She is the overseas executive responsible for The Establishment."
Silence fell over the group.
"That's similar to your previous profession," Fang Fei pointed at Wu Wentao and whispered, "KGB."
Everyone was taken aback; the amount of information was overwhelming and hard to digest.
Wu Wentao spoke with some skepticism, "So she's a spy?"
Fang Fei shrugged and replied, "It might be more appropriate to call her an agent."
"No wonder she was so skilled with firearms," Yang Xiaomeng blinked in astonishment. "Song Jiu, you're amazing! You actually dated an agent!"
Song Jiu's expression was somewhat unnatural as he asked, "She just said all of this?"
"There's more," Fang Fei replied, taking a breath, a strange smile on her face. "She wants to take you to a place overseas connected to The Establishment, but those two disagreed. It seems to be related to something on the island. Nata appears to hold quite a position; those two spoke to her with great respect."
"Why would she want to take me? Is she trying to support me?" Song Jiu chuckled in disbelief, masking a faint sense of loss deep within.
Fang Fei laughed at his words, enjoying the moment for a while before continuing, "She wants you to meet the child."
The onlookers were once again stunned, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
"Oh, and there's more," Fang Fei continued, undeterred by the crowd's expressions. "She said she needs to go back to handle some matters first and will bring the child to see you afterward. She thinks you would like the child, and the child would like you too. Also, she is very grateful for everyone's care during this time; she really likes everyone."
"Child..." Song Jiu could no longer absorb any other information; his eyes glazed over, his mind turning into mush.
The former Mud Monkey had suddenly transformed into an important figure within The Establishment overseas. Wu Wentao thought he had seen it all, yet he was equally astonished and bewildered by this revelation.
Was it merely a coincidence?
No wonder Barbie Doll kept silent about her identity. Back then, they were just part of the Ordinary Survivor group. Natalia had no idea they would have such intricate ties with RCA and The Establishment; saying anything would have been pointless. Most ordinary people had no clue what The Establishment or RCA even were. Furthermore, even if they did tell Song Jiu, it might not be believed. The KGB was an organization that shared its name with the FBI; such identities typically only appeared in books and movies, making it hard to connect with her previous image as Mud Monkey.
Well then, core personnel of The Establishment overseas, KGB agents, prosecutors, and the child's mother—Wu Wentao had once thought of himself as a man with quite a story. But now, in comparison, it seemed he had little story worth telling.
Whether by chance or fate, the truth was clear: Natalia had followed these people onto the island and then inexplicably yet naturally returned to her rightful place. It seemed there was nothing wrong with that. If there was anything amiss, it was Song Jiu's own issue.
As night fell and lights illuminated the surroundings...
The amount of information during the day was overwhelming, requiring everyone to digest it slowly. Dinner was the same ordinary meal delivered by the attendant, consisting of four dishes and a soup—just home-cooked fare.
Song Yao seemed to have no intention of returning, leaving the room empty. A faint red light glowed within, surrounded by swirling smoke.
Wu Wentao stepped inside, finding Song Jiu sitting in the dark room, surrounded by a pile of cigarette butts.
"What are you thinking about?" Wu Wentao asked as he sat down across from him, smiling. "The Blonde Woman?"
Song Jiu remained silent, staring blankly at the cigarette butts.
"Don't you find it strange? Why would people from The Establishment end up in such a dire situation overseas?" Wu Wentao continued, trying to make conversation. He reached over and took a cigarette from Song Jiu's side, lighting it with his lighter.
In that brief moment when the weak flame flickered to life, Wu Wentao caught a glimpse of Song Jiu's expression changing dramatically. Before he could react, Song Jiu suddenly erupted from his silent state, letting out a suppressed roar from his throat. He forcefully knocked the lighter from Wu Wentao's hand and swiftly grabbed the Steel Saw Blade from the table, bringing it down with force.
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