The City?

Xiajun clasped and unclasped his fingers, unable to get the hang of what Miss Rong was revealing to him only now.

"You believe the city cut off your supply and deliberately hired someone to poison the village because you weren't giving up your land?" he asked, an incredulous expression on his face. "And this won't stop till you give in to their demands?"

Miss Rong pursed her lips. "The village elders have simply ceased to give me any consent, and without their word, I am but rendered helpless."

Xiajun frowned. "And you're telling me all negotiations have failed?"

"Unfortunately so, Detective."

Xiajun folded his arms and sat back in his chair, wondering how he was supposed to deal with this. "Look, if you already had your suspicions, you should've at least told me-"

"Yes. . . I'm sorry."

Xiajun sighed. "And what now?"