Gao Yang and the others were led into a room with a lit fireplace. An old man with graying beard sat at a table near the fireplace, drinking red tea. Besides him, there were two middle-aged men in suits with headscarves, their gazes unusually sharp.
Once the guards outside escorted them in, the man at the table stood up and smiled at Krulney, saying, "Did you bring anything inappropriate?"
Krulney smiled and said, "Of course not, this isn't my first visit. But as always, let's get started."
Krulney pulled a phone from his pocket, turned it off, and casually handed it to Rafael. Then, extending his arms, he let someone with a portable metal detector sweep him from head to toe. After completing the check, the person nodded to the tea-drinking old man.
The old man pointed at Gao Yang and Rafael and said in a deep voice, "They stay here. Mr. Krulney, come with me."
Krulney turned around and said to Gao Yang in a low voice, "Wait here."
