It was a loud sigh that broke the silence in the room.
"We shouldn't shoot him to death," Alice said. "Look at this mess. Now, we need to clean up the mess."
Yang Ran turned and looked at the corpse.
Ed was staring straight with empty eyes. A bullet hole was marked on his forehead. Blood began to seep out, staining the wall and the floor.
Yang Ran frowned. Alice was right. They should have chosen a different method to end this traitor's life. After what he had done, perhaps, death was too easy for him.
"Clean up the mess," Yang Ran spoke. "Leave no trail behind."
"I know," Melvin answered with a languid tone.
"Rachel, we should leave this heavy work to the guys," Alice said. She walked over to Yang Ran and held her arms tightly. "How about you accompany me to shop around?"
A faint smile turned on her lips as Yang Ran looked at the girl beside her. Alice was five years younger than her. The first time Yang Ran had met Alice, the girl was supposed to be in high school. Her family condition did not allow her to study. Alice chose to wander the street while picking up a few skills.
It was Yang Ran's father who had brought her back. The girl stayed with the organization from then on and learned a lot of things. She was very smart and a fast learner. It did not take Alice a long time to get the others' recognition and rose into her rank.
Yang Ran had let the girl stay by her side and treated Alice as a little sister. Their relationship was close and Alice would often act like a baby with her.
"It was not easy for us to go on this trip," Alice continued. "We should shop for some souvenirs and bring back a little something for everyone."
"We come over for a mission. Why do you always think about shopping?" Melvin clicked his tongue as he looked at the short girl.
"Our job is done here. Why can't I go and have fun with Rachel? Melvin, you're just jealous." Alice stuck out her tongue at the boy.
"The two of you need to stop bickering every chance you have," Yang Ran spoke as she rubbed her head with one hand. "Alice is right. It was a rare chance for every one of us to be here."
"What do you have in plan?" Alice stared back at Yang Ran with an expectant gaze.
Yang Ran crossed her arms on her chest. "We should gather and have dinner together. My treat."
Alice began to clap happily.
"Free meals. I guess, I'm alright with it," Melvin said with a shrug.
"I'll come over. But Rachel, it cannot be anything too cheap, alright" Bruce said. A teasing smile curled on his lips. He turned to the quiet and lanky man and raised a brow. "Aiden?"
"Since everyone is going, Of course, I will be there as well," Aiden spoke. His voice was almost like a whisper.
However, everyone in the room had long gotten used to Aiden's behavior. The man did not like to talk that much. However, he was good at his job and this was how he had risen in his rank.
"Then, I'll find a place and text you guys the location," Yang Ran said. She glanced at the corpse again and curled her nose. "But first, clean up the mess."
Once she finished, Yang Ran turned around to leave. However, just as she was about to reach the door, Yang Ran halted and turn around again.
The group of men was surrounding the corpse as they discussed the best way to dispose of it and argue who should be the one to clean up the bloodstain. It was estimated that the clean-up job would be tiring and no one was willing to do it.
Yang Ran recalled Ed's confession and wondered if he was telling her the truth.
Did someone set him up?
Could it be that everything was not as she thought it was? But why?
Their line of work had always been dangerous. But Yang Ran could not remember if Ed had offended someone before.
A bad feeling arose.
"Rachel, come on. We have a lot to do." Alice tugged at her hand.
Her lips curled into a faint smile. Yang Ran stretched her hand to pat the girl's head. "Alright, let's go. Where do you want to shop around?"
...
Yang Ran ended up accompanying Alice for hours. The girl dragged her to the IT shopping complex and went from shop to shop to look around. By the end of their trip, Yang Ran was too tired to move around.
Who would have expected that this sweet little girl would be such a shopaholic?
"Alice, are you sure that you have bought enough? Do we need to go another round?" Yang Ran looked at the bags of computer products that the girl had bought.
The girl had convinced her that every one of them was necessary so that she can update her gadget. Since she did not understand computers as well as Alice, Yang Ran could only listen to the girl's words.
Even if Alice tricked her to buy the expensive computer parts, Yang Ran would not know anything about it.
"Don't tease me." Alice lowered her eyes shyly. "I already bought this much. We don't need to go on another round. Besides..." Alice rubbed her tired calf muscle. "I'm a little tired after walking around."
Yang Ran laughed as she looked at Alice's pitiful gaze. "Then, let's send the stuff to the hotel first. I already make a reservation at a restaurant."
"What are we eating?" Alice rubbed her stomach as she began to think about food. She has been walking around and needed to replenish her energy.
"Hot pot."
"Ah?" Alice stared back at her with her wide eyes.
Yang Ran stretched her hand and patted the girl's head. "Don't worry. We'll order a nonspicy soup base for you. Come on. The guys should be heading over to the restaurant as well."