(48 votes in half a day, currently ranked in the top 30 overall and top 10 in urban fiction, old Lai asks brothers to give a secure monthly pass, aiming for the top 100!)

Among the women around him, the hardest for Li Yan to grasp and understand was Wen Qianyi.

Because she was mature and steady, because she had rich social experience, and even more because she was good at hiding herself. She always wore a smile, which, though making people feel comfortable, also obscured her true feelings. One couldn't tell when her smile was habitual, when it was genuine happiness, and when it was forced…

In their relationship, Li Yan hadn't received any clear signals from her, only relying on his own intuition.

But now, after reading her journal, he finally understood. Wen Qianyi initially chose him as a partner not because of his talent or potential as she verbally claimed, but as a revenge for the bad impression he gave her during their first interview. Although Li Yan was not love at first sight, he was certainly impressed at first glance, but it turned out she felt quite the opposite. However, in their interactions, Wen Qianyi never played any tricks on him, evidently giving up that notion quickly.

Over time, as they spent together, some moments were recorded by her, and some were not, yet it was just months of brief interactions that gradually changed her view, leading to a certain fondness. Although there was no mention of love or affection in those logs, it was clear that she was ready for pursuit. Unfortunately, when she was ready to welcome his pursuit, her dream was shattered at the concert, startled by the appearance of Yu Xiao Di and even a third person.

Her last intense grievance was naturally written after the concert. And after that, she didn't write anymore, indicating it truly hurt her heart. What kind of signal was this? Could it be she was disappointed and disheartened, no longer paying attention or recording his situation in the future?

In any case, this made Li Yan understand Qianyi's heart more deeply. He felt sighs and guilt, being a man who cheats, he couldn't explain anything.

At least for now, Wen Qianyi must not know that he read her emotional journal, otherwise, if she were furious with shame, who knows how she would react? After all, it was posted in her unknown QQ space, clearly just to vent a little, not intended for any acquaintances to know.

Li Yan carefully cleared the visit history, then logged out of QQ and logged into his own QQ account. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the main business and left the questions he wanted to ask for Yue Yao.

Yue Yao quickly replied, "I need to check the international spelling of Shiroyama Gou…"

While waiting for Yue Yao's information, Li Yan searched the news from D City in Beihai Country, which was basically meaningless.

"No, in the past few months, I haven't seen any information similar to this name!" A few minutes later, Yue Yao confirmed. "Having trouble?"

Zhang Yurong didn't avoid her, Li Yan's business trip to Beihai Country was also known, and just while checking Shiroyama Gou, she also learned that it was related to Li Yan's work objective with Shinohara Corporation.

"Just a little trouble!" Knowing Shiroyama Gou wasn't dead, Li Yan was relieved.

"Need help?"

"You? No need, can't I handle a little matter?" Li Yan knew she cared a lot about him, but there was no need for her to come.

"Not me, someone is in D City. Old Qi moved to D City last year. After that incident on Cloud Island with Liu Xi, under double pressure (from the police and hidden enemies), I had him leave, and he went to D City to rely on Old Qi. Both of them should be there now, at least Old Qi is."

Yue Yao's response made Li Yan feel a bit resigned, being a leader, he was truly a hands-off manager. Without Yue Yao Queen's management, even without external enemies, it would have been chaotic! Old Qi, the assassin instructor Qi Zhongtao, along with Yan Ping, were two of Queen's most senior confidants outside, and he had no idea they had moved to Beihai Country, really not caring about the organization these past two years.

"If Old Qi's been there since last year, then let them know, I'm unfamiliar with people and language here, they can certainly help me."

"OK, I'll have them contact you."

After discussing business, Yue Yao added, "Be careful."

Seeing this, Li Yan felt warm inside. This wasn't a doubt in his ability, just pure concern!

...

Going back to knock on Wen Qianyi's door with the laptop, she quickly opened it and looked at him oddly: "You didn't read anything of mine, did you?"

Li Yan understood she was probably thinking of the QQ auto-login thing, to save her from embarrassment, he pretended not to know and lied: "What stuff? Did you hide something good inside? I'm not interested in just data or information."

"Hand it over!" Not letting him in, Wen Qianyi took the laptop and closed the door. Whether Li Yan saw it or how he would react after seeing, she wasn't sure, best if he hadn't seen it…

Back in the room, Li Yan received a call from a local D City number. Surprisingly, it was Qi Zhongtao.

"Old Qi, you actually moved to Beihai Country? You sure know how to live it up, they say the adult industry is booming here, satisfying your needs!"

Slightly embarrassed by Li Yan's tease, Qi Zhongtao replied, "Spreading out a bit is better…"

That's indeed the case, "they" are the Assassin Group, their missions were all individual, impossible to concentrate in one place. To maintain mystery and low profile, while also acquiring different regional knowledge, they've always been spread out. For instance, Liu Xi stayed in Cloud Island, where he held advantages in location and time for Cloud Island tasks. Even Li Yan was not fixed in one place before.

"Is Liu Xi with you?"

"Yes. Queen said you had something you need us for?"

"It's unrelated to tasks, a personal matter. I need to find someone, Shinohara Corporation's chairman Shiroyama Gou, missing for possibly a month or two, exact time unknown, along with his bodyguard Kawada. I'll send you Shiroyama Gou and Kawada's detailed information separately. With your familiarity with the environment and language, see if someone can help me inquire."

Qi Zhongtao is an instructor and hasn't personally taken on missions for a long time. However, with Liu Xi here, even if something comes up, the two of them together feel capable enough. Now that they've heard it's just about finding a person, it's even easier.

"Got it! What should I be concerned about? Or just pull the person out and that's it?"

Hearing his confident words, Li Yan sweats a bit: "It's not about pulling him out... It's not that he's afraid I'd hide from him or I'd look for trouble with him, it's about helping someone else to find him. There's a person of interest now, the president of Shinohara Corporation, Inoue Hideichiro; you just need to be cautious of him."

"No problem, I'll be on it. Where are you? Need me to arrange a hotel for you?"

"No need, I have a place to stay now, and it's pretty decent, but I don't quite know what it's called here."

"I'll contact you by phone then. What about tonight? Ever since Liu Xi came to D City, he's been so captivated by certain places that he doesn't want to leave. Want to check out a nightclub in D City tonight?" Qi Zhongtao is different from ordinary assassins; he fought alongside him when they were conquering the world, so naturally, he doesn't treat him with the awe others do.

"Get out of here! I'm a decent man; I'm not going ghost-hunting with you two slackers!" Li Yan scolds him with a laugh.

"Hehe, don't worry, Queen won't find out."

"..."

Li Yan feels a bit embarrassed, but even if Queen knew, she wouldn't care, because he's always been this way.

After hanging up, he finally has some time to rest a little.

He doesn't know how long he slept when he was startled awake by the sound of a door opening. Even when sleeping in an unfamiliar place, he remains vigilant.

After waking up, he doesn't get up immediately but slightly opens his eyes to see who came in.

Soon, he discovers it's Matsushima Kui who came in; from her demeanor, she seems to be careful, afraid of waking him. If it's them, Li Yan can be completely at ease, so he closes his eyes again. Listening to her footsteps, she seems to place something on the table, probably Kawada's information.

Initially, he thought she'd leave after putting down the material, but unexpectedly Matsushima Kui comes over to the bedside, then gently lifts his blanket.

Li Yan sweats a bit, is she so hungry and thirsty that she wants to come xo me?

It's quite an exciting thing for him; sleeping while having a girl fuss over you isn't an experience just anyone can have.

"Yan... Li Yan..." Matsushima Kui sits on the bed, leans closer, and softly calls out Li Yan's name.

Li Yan continues to stay still, pretending to be sound asleep.

Earlier, Matsushima Kui personally asked him to let loose once, seeing him asleep, she naturally didn't overthink.

Yet just as Li Yan anticipates her to start removing his robe, he hears her seemingly sit back up a bit. Curious, he slightly opens his eyes, seeing Matsushima Kui taking out a phone and aiming it at his head.

Taking a photo?

Chen's hobby of photography has spread to Beihai Country?

After Matsushima Kui finished shooting, she didn't remove Li Yan's clothes to continue but operated the phone a few times then put it away. She then bowed down to kiss Li Yan's forehead and whispered something softly in Beihai language.

As she raises her head to leave, Li Yan suddenly reaches out to hug her and lifts his head to kiss her lips.

Surprised, Matsushima Kui lets out a gasp, but before the sound could escape, it was silenced by Li Yan's lips.

After she calms a bit, Li Yan pulls her onto the bed and hugs her while laughing: "Why are you being sneaky?"

"I…" Matsushima Kui lowers her head in embarrassment, "I came to give you Kawada's data…"

"Then why lift my blanket and sneak a kiss on me? Hehe, I thought a Spider Demon was here to perform the Sucking Essence Technique…"

Although slightly confused by Spider Demon and Sucking Essence Technique, Matsushima Kui seems to understand the meaning. She softly says: "No… You wouldn't be able to handle it…"

Previously, Li Yan's "unbearable" led her to misunderstand and take action, now her "wouldn't be able to handle it" sounds to Li Yan like a doubt in his capabilities, doesn't it?

Having just had a nap, he immediately laughs: "I'm already unable to bear it!"

Immediately, at the fastest speed, he resolves the clothing issue, and together with the equally slightly excited Matsushima Kui, they swiftly engage in a fierce battle...

(Special thanks to the brothers who tipped on the 31st — kgjo, ωǒ⑧ is a bad egg, Yato67, [Dream World, zjun971210, [Invincible Brave], dongmin8061, CP Pampas) (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support original reading!)

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