Liu Cunyi didnât speak, glanced at him, and left.
Liu Cunyi and Zhou Zhisheng walked side by side towards the courtyard where Gan Xiong was located.
Outside, Wayne, who had been checking the situation here, saw the two of them.
At the same time, Liu Cunyi and his companion also saw Wayne. They exchanged a glance, discerning each otherâs thoughts, and walked towards Wayne.
Soon, they were standing in front of Wayne.
Liu Cunyi spoke first, "Weâd like to see Director Gan. Please take us to him."
Wayne, who had been observing them for the past couple of days, thought to himself after hearing Liu Cunyiâs words: Finally, theyâre here.
Recalling Director Ganâs instructions to him, he did not stop the two but instead said, "Alright, follow me."
The two followed Wayne towards the Gan Family courtyard.
At the courtyard entrance, Wayne turned back to the two and said, "As before, youâll need to be checked before you can go in."
The two said nothing, it wasnât their first time.
They raised their hands, allowing the guards beside them to conduct a thorough check from head to toe.
Five minutes later.
After seeing the guard signal that there were no issues, Wayne finally said to the two, "Alright, letâs go."
The two nodded and followed behind Wayne.
After entering the courtyard, they felt a bit tense. After all, they were facing Gan Xiong, whose intimidation over them was significant given the previous outcomes of the Zhang Family and the Qian Family, of which they were very aware.
Yet, they had come this far, and the arrow was on the string, they had to let it fly.
They could only steel themselves to do it.
Upon reaching Gan Xiongâs door, Wayne looked back at them, then knocked on the door.
Thump, thump, thumpâ
The knocking sounded.
"Come in." Gan Xiongâs voice was robust and steady.
Wayne pushed the door open and entered.
Gan Xiong looked up and saw Liu Cunyi and his companion behind Wayne. A flicker of understanding flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his calm.
After bringing them in, Wayne did not leave and stood by, waiting.
"Director Gan." Liu Cunyi and his companion addressed Gan Xiong.
"Sit." Gan Xiong looked up at the two.
Liu Cunyi took a deep breath and sat down. Zhou Zhisheng also took a seat beside him.
Both sat upright and alert.
Silence.
After asking them to sit, Gan Xiong said nothing further.
Liu Cunyi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Director Gan, we have something to discuss. Our two families have decided to leave the Western Alliance."
Although the tone was very calm, even somewhat humbly so, the content of the message was a clear notification, not a negotiation, but a declaration.
Regardless of whether Gan Xiong agreed or refused, both families were determined to leave.
Gan Xiong raised his eyes slightly, quietly observing the two, and after a few seconds.
Instead of asking why, he candidly said, "How will you leave?"
Liu Cunyi pondered briefly, hearing the implication in Gan Xiongâs words.
Gan Xiong wasnât inquiring whether they would leave by vehicle or some other means of transport.
He was asking what price they were willing to pay to leave.
A trace of conflict flitted across Liu Cunyiâs face, and finally, he spoke, "Our Liu Familyâs candied fruit factory and other industries will all be left to Director Gan."
Zhou Zhisheng also expressed his stance, "Our Zhou Family will do the same, leaving all our industries."
In truth, Gan Xiong was glad to see them leave. Right now, their presence in the Western Alliance required manpower to oversee them, which was a hassle.
Moreover, after the previous theft incident, it was difficult for him to trust them.
Since they themselves wanted to leave and he didnât have to force them, plus he could gain control over their industries, it was a win-win situation.
But Gan Xiong didnât show this on the surface. Given the strength of their desire to leave, he might as well take advantage of it.
So he said, "When the base was first constructed, we expended a lot of time and effort, and during the last natural disaster, a large amount of ammunition was used up. While residing in the Western Alliance, you enjoyed safety. Now that the disaster is over, you want to leave, so how do we settle this account?"
Zhou Zhisheng couldnât help but urgently rebut, "When the natural disaster struck, including the Zombie Tide, we also sent people to help. Moreover, we contributed food and manpower."
Liu Cunyiâs face turned somewhat unsightly but he didnât speak, merely observing Gan Xiongâs expression to gauge his thoughts and limits.
According to his original speculation, Gan Xiong should also want them to leave.
He thought it would be easy for Gan Xiong to let them go, but he didnât expect him to be so greedy.
However, under these circumstances, itâs unfair for the Zhou and Liu families.
After all, they were the ones wanting to leave, and wanting to leave urgently, which made them more passive.
After hearing Zhou Zhishengâs words, Gan Xiong replied, neither warmly nor coldly, "Thatâs not enough."
Liu Cunyi realized that continuing this negotiation would inevitably lead to them handing over food, since without food in the Doomsday, leaving the Western Alliance would put them in an even more dire situation.
Food couldnât be given anymore.
But with Gan Xiong controlling the conversation, if things continued according to his terms, it would certainly be difficult, and at least some food would have to be offered.
Food could absolutely not be surrendered anymore.
To change the atmosphere and rhythm of the talks, they had to be firmer.
So Liu Cunyi, with a grim face, said, "Director Gan, what exactly do you want?"