Luo Shiyi didn't dare struggle anymore. After an awkward silence, she forced a flattering smile. "Big bro, why don't you go take another cold shower?"
The man chuckled, and Luo Shiyi could feel the vibrations of his chest and the warmth of his breath as he spoke.
"Together?"
"!" This guy was shameless!
Luo Shiyi instantly wanted to break free with brute force, but she noticed the man's powerful arms. His muscles weren't the bulky, gym-built kind but rather lean and long, each fiber exuding explosive strength.
If it came to a fight, she might not have the upper hand.
The man's physical reaction became even more apparent, pressing against her through the thin towel.
This was the first time Luo Shiyi had found herself in such an awkward situation. Even during her last mission, when she'd been drugged and ended up hiring a male escort to relieve the effects, she'd been the one in control the entire time.
She forced a strained laugh. "That won't be necessary. Uh…"
The earpiece that hadn't been removed crackled with Code 119's voice: "The ventilation duct is in the bathroom. Our people are ready to assist."
Luo Shiyi's face flushed. "Um… Big bro, could I use the restroom first? It's kind of urgent."
The man's brow furrowed, his thin lips parting slightly. "Three minutes."
He slowly released his grip.
Luo Shiyi didn't dare look down, quickly agreeing, "Okay! Okay!"
She then dashed into the bathroom, locking the door with a loud click.
This was Nan City's most famous seaside hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery outside. For safety reasons, the windows were sealed, so each room had a specially designed ventilation system.
As she passed the ventilation duct, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her heavy makeup had smeared all over her face, making her look utterly horrifying.
Her lips twitched.
How could that pervert out there still have a reaction to this face?
—Definitely a freak!
Without hesitation, Luo Shiyi's petite figure climbed through the ventilation duct and leaped down effortlessly, landing right in front of Team Seven's backup.
"Holy crap! Who are you?" 221 exclaimed dramatically. "Where's our team leader?"
He instantly received a flick on the forehead from Luo Shiyi. "You're dead meat, kid!"
221 immediately stopped joking, and the group quickly packed up and boarded the car back to headquarters.
"Team leader, did you get it?"
Luo Shiyi was wiping off her makeup while giving a thumbs-up. "This little thing is enough to make Old Fu pay dearly."
As she spoke, the heavy makeup was wiped away, revealing a fair, delicate face. With her androgynous beauty, she could easily be mistaken for a handsome young man. Her perky nose, rosy lips, and youthful aura were complemented by eyes as bright as stars.
221 handed her a set of clothes prepared in the car. The black SUV blended into the traffic, driving further away along the river.
Back in the hotel room, Shen Xiuyi lounged on the couch, waiting impatiently. His long fingers tapped rhythmically on the leather armrest.
A long time had passed, but there was no movement from the bathroom.
"Did she die in there?"
His voice carried a hint of gloom.
After a long silence, there was no response.
Shen Xiuyi's expression finally darkened. He walked over and tried to open the door but found it locked. With a swift kick, he forced it open.
The elegant, understated luxury bathroom was empty. Sunlight streamed in through the ventilation duct.
Shen Xiuyi narrowed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Well played."
He dressed slowly and made a phone call.
Assistant Xu's voice came through the line.
"Pull up the surveillance footage. Find out who the woman who just entered my room was."
Assistant Xu, recalling how much the Fourth Master hated random women approaching him, immediately stiffened. "Yes, sir!"
He hesitated, his voice slightly hesitant. "Fourth Master, regarding the pole dancer you asked us to investigate earlier… Her background is completely blank…"
No one knew when the beloved dancer had arrived at Nightfall or why she left. She was like a wild goose in the sky, leaving behind a fleeting glimpse before disappearing without a trace.
Shen Xiuyi lowered his eyes, his thick lashes casting shadows across his face, obscuring his expression.
"Twice now…"
---
"What!"
Luo Shiyi slammed the table and stood up. "Another mission? Didn't you say I could take a break after this one? I'm not doing it!"
The old fox sitting across from her smiled gently, adjusting his glasses and clasping his hands. "Xiao Qi, your vacation can wait. This mission is urgent. In the entire organization, no one but you can handle it."
His words practically put Luo Shiyi on a moral pedestal.
But Luo Shiyi wasn't one to be bound by guilt trips.
"How can no one handle it? We've trained so many people in Hidden Dragons. Are they all just eating free meals?"
The middle-aged man spread his hands. "But this mission requires a woman. Besides you, who else in Hidden Dragons fits the criteria?"
Luo Shiyi was speechless.
Hidden Dragons, tasked with executing complex and grueling missions, only recruited men. Although Luo Shiyi was a woman, she had never believed herself inferior to men and had proven it.
At just eight years old, she had disguised herself as a boy to join Hidden Dragons. Within five years, she rose from an ordinary member to a pivotal team leader.
It wasn't until then that the higher-ups discovered her true gender. But by then, she had already proven her worth, and they had no choice but to let her stay.
To this day, very few people knew that the mysterious, iron-fisted leader of Team Seven was a woman.
And now, this formidable leader, feared by outsiders, was struggling over her vacation.
She wore a denim shirt and a black cap that covered most of her face, chewing gum with her slightly chubby cheeks puffing up, looking nothing like a girl.
Her slender fingers tapped on the wooden desk. "Why not have Xiao Jiu dress up as a woman? Problem solved!"
Xiao Jiu in women's clothes… Tsk.
If she had a choice, she'd go gay for him!
The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Her eyes glazed over with excitement. "You should've seen it during our last joint mission with Team Nine. My rookies were practically drooling over Xiao Jiu's disguise! A few of them even asked for his WeChat afterward!"
The old fox sipped his tea, glancing behind her and coughing lightly.
Unaware, Luo Shiyi, feeling relaxed in the headquarters, continued, "If Xiao Jiu went on a charm offensive, even the Fourth Master of the Shen family would hand over his life without a second thought!"
The old fox coughed again, louder this time.
Luo Shiyi frowned. "Do you have a cold?"
Then she realized something was off and turned her head—only to see Zhao Jiu, the very person she'd been talking about, standing behind her, his handsome face dark with anger.
"Luo! Shi! Qi!"