"... I wish I had never re-entered their lives..." Li Zhiming confessed, his voice heavy with regret.
He never intended for Anran to follow in his footsteps, but ironically, he believed that immersing her in his world was the safest option for her.
Despite his regrets, a subtle pride crept into his voice as he spoke of her.
He had the power to decide on the missions she would be assigned and ensured she was constantly under watch.
"You did what you deemed fit; there is nothing to regret," Wang Xiao responded, offering an unusual reassurance.
Li Zhiming chuckled softly, the sound tinged with melancholy. "If only it were that simple..."
Wang Xiao, "..."
Why wasn't it simple?
The weight of their previous conversation still lingered, but Wang Xiao shifted focus, perhaps a bit too abruptly.
"...Any idea where Gabriel is right now?" His thoughts had already pivoted to strategy, mulling over future moves.