"So, how was your date?" asked Fei Fei curiously, glancing at Elena who sat in the backseat. She was currently driving Elena home after picking her up from the amusement park.
"What date?! I am working! We need to get attention from the public before I announce that we are in a relationship," Elena replied casually, not bothering to turn her head as she focused on her phone, checking for any important emails that might require her attention
"It's still a date!" Fei Fei teased, a mischievous smile on her face. "You even put on a headband and brought a stuffed rabbit. I can feel spring even though it's summer~" she continued with a smile, glancing at the stuffed rabbit sitting beside Elena.
Elena snorted at her friend's comment. "It's all part of the job. It's just an act!" she retorted, refusing to admit that their outing earlier could be considered a date.
Despite having fun, Elena was hesitant to label it as a date. She admitted feeling a bit confused when they rode the Ferris wheel together and Yuchen offered to win her a prize at the shooting game when they passed it.
But when people started to gather because Yuchen's shooting skills turned out to be better than she had expected, Elena convinced herself that Yuchen was merely doing his job to make them appear like a couple and attract more attention from the public
She believed he tried the shooting game because he knew it would draw people's attention and get them recognized.
"Yes, yes," Fei Fei replied with a knowing smile, enjoying Elena's attempts to deny the nature of their outing. However, she couldn't help but notice how tightly Elena was hugging the stuffed rabbit earlier, likely a gift from her pretend boyfriend.
"By the way, why don't you two have dinner together?" asked Fei Fei, suddenly curious. Even though she didn't get to talk much with the man named Yuchen, Fei Fei could see that the two of them seemed to be having fun from the expressions on their faces.
"You think I have time for that? I'm busy!" Elena retorted casually, still not bothering to turn around to face her friend.
In reality, she had actually asked Yuchen to have dinner with her as a way to treat him for doing a good job today.
However, much to her surprise, Yuchen turned down her invitation, claiming that he already had other plans. Despite his uncomfortable expression, he firmly refused her offer.
"What could be so important that he had to reject my invitation?" Elena thought to herself, feeling slightly irritated at the idea.
She knew her dinner invitation might have been too sudden, but she couldn't help but wonder what was so important that he refused to have dinner with her?
Meanwhile…
As Elena's car disappeared into the distance, Yuchen wasted no time and immediately pulled out his cellphone to contact someone. With a thick British accent, he spoke firmly into the phone, "You can come pick me up now."
Yuchen's demeanor had changed drastically from the casual guy he portrayed at the amusement park. He became more composed and serious, the kind of person who exuded authority and commanded respect.
Shortly after, a car pulled up in front of him, and a tall, brown-haired man hurriedly stepped out. However, Yuchen swiftly opened the seat door, and without wasting a moment, they drove away.
"I apologize I'm late, Capo," said the man with a tall stature but neither too muscular nor too thin. The man's facial expression looked slightly worried because he was late.
"It's fine," Yuchen replied curtly. "In public, call me Yuchen. That's my current identity," he instructed the man on how to address him.
He had already thought about the possibility that he would frequently run into his crew who was here and he couldn't help but give out his name.
Even so, he would not reveal that that was actually his real name.
"Okay," replied the man, nodding in understanding.
"So, how's Black Fox? Did something interesting happen to him?" Yuchen asked without turning his head, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his face devoid of emotion.
Black Fox is code for Weiyang.
"According to a report from Apple, there was nothing suspicious, except that today's target was a meeting with government officials. It looks like he will be doing a joint project with the government," said the man, relaying the information from his co-workers.
"Is there any information on what project they are working on?" Yuchen inquired, still without looking up.
"That… I apologize," said the man apologetically.
"Try to find out about that. Maybe it can be of use," Yuchen said calmly, satisfied with the information he had received. The information he got was already quite useful.
"Then what about the Wildcat?" Yuchen inquired, seeking information about the other targets.
"Corn is tailing her, and she's currently shopping at the mall. Shall we head there, or do you have other plans?" the man asked, glancing at Yuchen while driving towards the mall where the target, Wildcat, was located. He was ready to take Yuchen wherever he needed to go.
Yuchen took a moment to consider his options, weighing the right timing to approach his target.
"Alright, let's head to the mall," Yuchen decided, his voice firm and resolute.
Despite the uncertainty of his plan, he knew he might not get another opportunity to meet the target by coincidence, so he was determined to proceed tonight. That's why he turned down Elena's invitation to dinner.
He need to start make a move
***
A woman in her nearly 60s strolled around, casually browsing through the clothes and bags on display. Having just finished hanging out with her friends, she decided to stop by for a bit to have a look.
A younger man observed her from a distance, seemingly keeping a watchful eye to ensure her safety.
His eyes narrowed when he noticed a man in a white shirt and jeans approach the old woman after passing by her earlier. The younger man went on standby mode, concerned about the interaction.
"Aunt Xia?"
The woman turned her head upon hearing someone call her name. A displeased expression crossed her face as she bristled at being addressed as "aunt."
Who dared to call her that?!
The woman's facial expression was confused when she looked at the young and handsome man who had spoken to her. She didn't remember him at all.
"Ah! I was right! It really turned out to be Aunt Xia!" the man said with delight, seemingly happy that his guess was correct.
However, the old woman remained puzzled, not recognizing the man before her.
"It's me, auntie! Yuchen!" Yuchen said with a warm smile.
However, in contrast to the expression on Yuchen's face. Xia's face immediately changed upon hearing that name—a name she had never forgotten.
It was the name of her younger brother's illegitimate child!