What comes after hitting three birds with one stone?

Xu Maoyan ultimately never gave the answer that Si Qingchen was looking for. It was clear, however, that he truly did not know.

Yet despite this, he was not sent back.

At that moment, Si Qingchen still spoke with a calm and unruffled tone, enunciating each word slowly:

“Don’t think that just because you claim ignorance, you can escape punishment. With all your petty thievery and deceit, that alone is enough to keep you locked up for life.”

“No... no, that’s impossible.”

Xu Maoyan’s face turned pale, his body trembling violently as if struck by an electric shock. If his hands weren’t handcuffed to the back of the chair, he would likely have collapsed to the floor.

He muttered in disbelief, shaking his head frantically, unable to accept what was happening before him.

After a long while, when someone finally hauled him up and began moving him outside, Xu Maoyan suddenly screamed wildly:

“You can’t treat me like this! Who are you people? Behind me is the Mu family, the Mu family! Do you dare provoke them? You... ugh...”

His meaningless words were cut off abruptly as Si Nan shoved a piece of rag, prepared in advance, forcefully into his mouth, silencing him completely.

“Take him away quickly, he’s making too much noise.”

Si Nan waved dismissively, and a few burly men grabbed Xu Maoyan firmly on either side, hoisting him up and striding out briskly.

When Madam Si saw the man brought to her late at night, along with the carload of bribery evidence, she shook her head with a bitter smile.

“Son, why did you have to pick a fight with him? If you’d kept your nose clean, maybe you’d still have a couple more years of freedom... ah...”

Xu Maoyan, his voice already hoarse and nearly lost, slowly lifted his head. Behind this woman of unwavering integrity hung a badge so familiar, so brilliantly shining!

In that instant, all his strength drained from him.

---

Yet suddenly, a face flashed through his mind, along with the question that had eluded him for so long.

As he was lifted again and pressed forward inside, Xu Maoyan weakly asked,

“Excuse me, do you know what a Möbius strip is?”

Madam Si stopped, turned back, and after a few moments of contemplation, nodded and replied,

“Roughly... nothing is absolute, everything comes full circle.”

Xu Maoyan was speechless.

****

Meanwhile, at the Shadow Base—

After sending Xu Maoyan away, Si Qingchen did not leave immediately.

His men were working overnight to develop an inhibitor for Mu Qingcheng.

Though it couldn’t completely neutralize the poison, it could at least temporarily suppress its outbreak.

Only by buying as much time as possible could there be hope of curing her.

Outside the laboratory, Si Qingchen watched intently as his staff busied themselves inside.

After a short while, Si Bei approached him.

“Boss, the situation is mostly under control.”

“Good. Any survivors?”

Si Bei shook his head regretfully.

Si Qingchen’s eyes darkened. After a brief silence, he asked again,

“What about Ran Siya? Have you investigated?”

“Yes. This time, it’s clear she’s not involved. But obviously, someone’s trying to divert blame.”

“Divert blame?” Si Qingchen sneered coldly, his voice suddenly icy.

“I think... they’re trying to kill three birds with one stone.”

“You mean... take down the Mu family as well?”

“Yes. The Mu family’s outsider daughter-in-law had one of their own, the newly appointed Fifth Miss Mu, killed by a family member, sparking internal strife. The patriarch has always favored sons over daughters. If someone seizes this chance to secretly sow discord... the Mu family will surely be ruined.”

“But then, once the Mu family falls, who do you think... will be next?”

Si Bei was silent.

Si Qingchen’s analysis was sharp and far-reaching.

After hearing this, Si Bei felt a chill run down his spine, as if an invisible net was slowly spreading, closing in over the capital.

As they spoke, the laboratory door opened from within.

A staff member emerged carrying a thermal container and handed it to Si Qingchen.

“Boss, there are three doses inside. Miss Mu needs to be injected continuously every day. This will ensure the poison remains dormant for a month.”

“Good, I understand.”

Si Qingchen took the container, hesitated for a moment, then said,

“Si Bei, prepare the car. We’re going to Second Master’s house.”