Chapter 252: A Return to the Light of Day

"Lan, tell me the specifics of what happened." The captain, impatient to learn about the Ice Queen's encounter, questioned her the moment they returned to the hotel. 

Although he hadn't explicitly mentioned which incident he was referring to, Liu Yiyi instinctively knew. Initially harboring a bit of selfish hesitation, she couldn't suppress the tumult in her heart as vivid images of an intimate scene between a certain couple resurfaced. Overwhelmed, she recounted every detail she had witnessed. 

"You're saying he destroyed the Great White Shark's Thunder Shield with his bare hands?" The captain's face displayed utter astonishment. Though he had always suspected the man's extraordinary strength, he hadn't imagined it reaching such an unfathomable level. 

After all, the Thunder Shield alone carried a surface voltage exceeding a hundred thousand volts. Yet, this man had shattered it with nothing but his fists. Such a feat transcended the realm of mere abnormality. 

What's more, even the Great White Shark's strongest ability, the "Thunder Blade," proved futile against him. Could such a body truly belong to a human? Were it not for his unwavering belief in science, the captain might have suspected the man to be a reincarnation of a celestial deity. 

The surrounding team members also gaped in disbelief. They had already witnessed the terror of the Great White Shark firsthand, yet they couldn't fathom that someone even more monstrous existed in this world. 

Their thoughts inevitably turned to the elite squad ranked higher than their own. Unfortunately, the freaks in that team rarely ventured out unless faced with an insurmountable challenge. 

"Lan, are you certain he didn't use any supernatural abilities at the time?" The captain pressed again, his gaze shifting to a young man nearby, particularly fixating on his right hand. 

He was well aware of Xiao Hei's ability: the power to transform any part of his body into the strongest known metals. 

Even so, during their ambush on the Great White Shark, his attempt to break the Thunder Shield nearly melted his hand. Had the Great White Shark not been desperate to escape, that hand might have been rendered useless. Even now, the hand appeared slightly smaller than its counterpart, a discrepancy evident upon close inspection. 

"Yes," the Ice Queen affirmed with a nod. 

She indeed hadn't seen the man employ anything beyond his fists. Although the delirious Great White Shark had muttered, "I didn't expect you to be a supernatural being too," she had no clue what had prompted such a statement. 

After all, the man had shielded her behind him, blocking her line of sight. She had no chance to observe the inexplicable phenomenon where the Thunder Shield quaked wildly without any apparent contact. Driven by caution and a lingering trace of selfish intent, she had chosen to overlook this anomaly. 

The captain fell into deep contemplation. After a while, he raised his head. "To defeat the Great White Shark to the point of incapacitation with sheer physical strength—even if injured, based on Lan's account, it seems likely that not even the Shark at its peak could rival him. Such a person is beyond our jurisdiction. I believe we must report this to higher authorities." 

"You're planning to inform those old geezers?" A red-haired youth nearby shrank back as if recalling something terrifying. 

The handsome youth and the tall young man shared a glance, their expressions equally uneasy, as though burdened by unpleasant memories. Their eyes betrayed a hint of sympathy, though its recipient was unclear. 

The captain let out a bitter laugh. "I'm afraid not reporting isn't an option. If they find out about this monstrous existence and learn I withheld the information, I'll be the one torn to shreds." 

With that, the captain turned to a corner and dialed the number of a particularly fearsome figure. 

"Who's calling? Disturbing me at this hour—are you looking to be ripped apart?" A voice, aged yet brimming with arrogance, answered on the other end. 

A chill ran down the captain's spine. Though accustomed to the man's eerie tone, it still made his skin crawl. 

Swallowing hard, he steadied his nerves, carefully choosing his words. "Elder Zhang, it's me, Old Three. I have something important to report…" 

Before the captain could finish speaking, the eerie voice on the other end cut him off again: "Oh, it's you, kid. But don't think being Old Ghost's disciple will save you from my wrath. Speak up. If you don't have something intriguing to tell me, I'll have your hide for this!" 

The captain shuddered once more and quickly replied, "No, Elder Zhang, I wouldn't dare jest with you! I've come across someone I'm sure you'll find fascinating. You're familiar with the Great White Shark, aren't you? He…" 

He was interrupted yet again by the sinister tone on the other end: "What now? Can't even handle that lowlife? Are you expecting me, these old bones, to step in? Let me tell you, that's not happening! And calling me for such a reason? I'll subject you to the most gruesome punishments when I see you!" 

Clearly, Elder Zhang had misunderstood the captain's intentions. 

"No, no, no…" The captain internally cried injustice. Elder Zhang hadn't even let him finish, leaving no room to explain. Yet, he dared not complain, hastily clarifying, "That's not it at all! What I'm saying is that someone else dealt with the Great White Shark." 

"Oh?" The eerie voice showed a flicker of interest. "That lowlife may not be extraordinary, but he has some skill. And you're saying he was taken down? Don't tell me you're calling to claim credit for it?" The tone softened, as though the voice had begun piecing things together. 

"How could I trouble you with such trivial matters, Elder Zhang? The person who subdued the Great White Shark isn't one of us. He's an outsider, and he didn't use any supernatural abilities. He defeated the Great White Shark with just his fists." 

"Oh? Such a person exists? Where is he? You're not pulling my leg, are you? That lowlife was a master of electricity!" Though his words remained skeptical, the faint joy in Elder Zhang's voice betrayed his excitement, like encountering an old friend in a foreign land. 

"How could I deceive you, Elder Zhang? The man is currently in Beihai. I was afraid I couldn't handle the situation, so I reported it to you immediately." Hearing the initial ominous tone subside, the captain finally breathed a sigh of relief. 

"Good! You've handled this swiftly. Don't worry, you'll be duly rewarded." Elder Zhang suddenly burst into laughter, as if venting pent-up frustration all at once. 

"However, Elder Zhang, there's one more thing I must mention," the captain hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. 

"What is it?" Elder Zhang's mood had improved significantly, so he didn't mind the interruption. 

"Well, this individual is someone we were assigned to look after, so…" The captain's implication was clear. He hoped Elder Zhang would weigh his actions carefully. 

"Oh? You're saying he's under someone's protection?" Elder Zhang immediately grasped the meaning. He understood that "looking after" referred to influential figures using their connections to ensure their relatives or protégés were guarded by the state's elite operatives. 

Such matters were precisely what Elder Zhang despised. "Who cares who they are? If I want someone, who dares stop me? I'll find him myself tomorrow!" With that, he hung up in a fit of rage. 

The captain was left speechless. 

After lunch at the An family home, Xiang Ri decided to visit the hospital. With a match scheduled for tomorrow, he couldn't very well compete with his right hand still wrapped like a mummy. 

Besides, over the past few days, he had felt that his injured hand seemed to be improving significantly since the car accident. Occasionally, he could even move it slightly. It seemed the time had come for a proper re-dressing. 

But when he mentioned this to Miss An, she waved her hand decisively, "You're not going!" 

"But I have a match tomorrow," Xiang Ri explained. "Didn't you say you wouldn't want to see your boyfriend breaking his promises?" 

"Compared to that, I'd rather not see you hurt," Miss An replied firmly. Her words touched Xiang Ri, though her true intentions quickly surfaced. "Besides, I don't even know if what you're saying is true. Who knows if you're just using this as an excuse to meet someone else?" 

Xiang Ri couldn't help but laugh. "Why would you think that? Am I that kind of person? I've told you many times—I have no interest in that skinny bamboo!" He spoke earnestly, but his mind wandered briefly to the bamboo girl's tall, slender figure. 

"I said no, and that's final!" Miss An was still upset. She was furious that Xiang Ri had rushed out after a phone call that morning without a word to her. 

Though the caller had been her best friend, Chu Chu, it didn't mean she wasn't jealous. In fact, it made her even more so. After all, Chu Chu had known Xiang Ri before she did. While she couldn't say much about that, she certainly couldn't tolerate him risking his injured hand for another woman. How could she possibly feel at ease? 

"Ah, this An An…" Xiang Ri was at a loss. All he could think was, "Women truly are unpredictable." 

Yesterday, she had insisted he play basketball for someone, yet today, her attitude had shifted completely. A woman's heart, like a needle at the bottom of the ocean, was truly inscrutable. 

What troubled him even more, however, was how to explain this to the Bamboo Girl. After all, just yesterday, he had made an elaborate promise, claiming it was all for the honor of the school. Even he found that hard to believe. 

Now, barely a day later, he was about to go back on his word. Though his skin had grown considerably thick over the years, breaking the same promise to the same woman twice left him feeling utterly mortified. 

In the end, though, he relented. Compared to the Bamboo Girl, Miss An was undeniably more important. 

Although it meant forfeiting the rare chance to bask in the Bamboo Girl's charm, he knew he had no other choice. 

"Alright, I'll agree to your terms. But I still need to visit the hospital. My right hand needs a fresh bandage," he said, raising his hand. The white gauze had already turned a dingy gray. 

"I'll go with you." Seeing him comply, An Xin's mood brightened considerably. Her primary concern had been ensuring he didn't overlook her presence, and it seemed she had achieved her goal. In her newfound cheerfulness, she decided to accompany him to the hospital. 

"Let's go, then." Xiang Ri sighed helplessly. This An Xin was truly a textbook jealous lover. 

Since they were downtown, several large hospitals were nearby. Xiang Ri thought it would be perfect to walk there, but as soon as An Hu, his future father-in-law, heard that his prospective son-in-law needed to visit a hospital, he wasted no time pulling a car out of the garage and arranging for someone to drive them. Not wanting to reject this gesture, Xiang Ri had no choice but to accept. 

An Xin, however, was less than pleased. She had hoped for a romantic stroll with her boyfriend, perhaps some shopping or a movie, but her father's interference had shattered that idyllic scenario. She shot him a venomous glare in silent protest. 

When they arrived at the hospital, An Xin wasted no time dismissing their driver, sending him back with the car. Xiang Ri was curious about her sudden irritation but had no time to ponder it, as she quickly pulled him into the hospital. 

A large hospital in such a prime location naturally had its merits. For example, the nurses on duty were not only pleasant-looking but also radiated warmth and kindness. When they inquired about the surgery department, a young nurse not only provided directions but even offered to personally escort them. 

However, her elder colleague intercepted her with a knowing look and a pointed glance at An Xin. The younger nurse seemed to catch on, chuckled awkwardly, and refrained from insisting. 

"Hmph! Little vixen! So young and already trying to seduce men!" An Xin muttered venomously as she pinched the soft flesh of Xiang Ri's waist. 

Xiang Ri had grown numb to such antics. This wasn't the first—or even the second—time he had witnessed Miss An's jealousy, but he hadn't expected her to take issue with a woman she'd only just met. Beyond numbness, he had no other feelings left. 

"Xiang Kui, why aren't you saying anything? Are you still thinking about that little vixen?" An Xin's imagination ran wild as she chastised his silence. 

Xiang Ri stopped in his tracks, realizing it was time to set the record straight. If he allowed this behavior to persist, he feared that one day even speaking to a woman across the room would provoke her jealousy. 

Fixing her with a serious gaze, he said, "An An, let me just say this—you need to set some boundaries with your jealousy. This… I don't even know where to begin."

Although Xiang Ri wanted to say something sterner, he couldn't harden his heart when faced with Miss An's tearful expression. 

"I just feel upset seeing you with another woman," An Xin said pitifully, resembling a delicate girl who had been wronged. "Besides, isn't jealousy a sign of how much I love you?" 

Xiang Ri was speechless. If he didn't know what kind of person Miss An was before, he might have fallen for her act. But since she had already said so, what more could he say? 

Noticing the man's sullen expression, An Xin realized she might have gone too far. She softened her tone and said, "Fine! I'll stop acting this way in the future. But don't think this means you can cozy up to other women. If I catch you, I'll strangle you!" 

To add weight to her words, she pinched his waist with her fingers. 

Xiang Ri quickly surrendered, "I won't, I won't, I promise!" With that, he resumed walking. 

After just a few steps, An Xin hesitated and said, "Xiang Kui, you can go help Ren Meimei play basketball tomorrow." 

"Hm?" Xiang Ri paused, nodded slightly, and continued walking. 

At this point, he wasn't foolish enough to ask why Miss An had suddenly changed her mind. Any inquiry might lead to her retracting her decision. Instead, he speculated that his earlier words might have worked. If that were the case, it would be wonderful! 

Before long, they arrived at the surgery department. 

It was just after lunch, and the hospital was relatively quiet, so they didn't need to go through the hassle of registration. The doctor behind the desk seemed perceptive; judging by their attire, he knew they were no ordinary visitors and promptly greeted them warmly. 

After examining Xiang Ri's right hand, the doctor was relieved to find it was nothing serious. 

At first, the doctor had assumed the heavily bandaged hand was a severe injury, but it turned out to be a slightly worse-than-usual superficial wound. After reapplying medication and rebandaging it, the doctor assured him he'd be fully functional in a few days. 

Recognizing that these weren't ordinary patients, the doctor personally handled the treatment without involving the nurses. His careful and attentive manner rivaled any nurse's. 

This gesture clearly won An Xin's approval. Though she had promised not to indulge in petty jealousy anymore, she still felt uneasy. Seeing the doctor's discretion in not calling a nurse made her quite satisfied. 

Xiang Ri was also pleased. His newly bandaged hand felt light and unburdened. Instead of being tightly wrapped like a paw, the bandaging was neat and functional, resembling a white glove. Even the first two joints of his fingers were left exposed, allowing for flexibility. With a slight movement, he found his hand was almost back to normal. 

Their satisfaction culminated in a generous red envelope for the doctor, who couldn't help but praise his foresight. Had he been less attentive, he might have missed out on such a hefty "tip." 

Leaving the hospital, Xiang Ri couldn't contain his excitement. His right hand had finally been freed from its confinement. Testing its strength, he flexed it in the air, finding it only slightly less agile than his left. 

Thinking about how long it had been since his hand had enjoyed the feel of soft, smooth skin, Xiang Ri's gaze naturally shifted to Miss An by his side. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he thought, *Tonight, she'll be my first target.* 

"What are you smiling about? You look so perverted!" An Xin scolded, feeling uneasy at the sight of his expression. 

"Nothing," Xiang Ri replied nonchalantly, then reached out with his newly bandaged hand to clasp her soft, delicate fingers. Relishing the cool, smooth texture, he smirked wickedly and said, "An An, are you sleeping with me tonight?" 

An Xin's cheeks flushed instantly. She hadn't expected him to speak so brazenly in public. Thankfully, no one nearby seemed to notice, but she still shot him a glare and muttered, "Hmph! You're always touching me and keeping me up all night. No, I'm not sleeping with you tonight!" 

"Then I'll sleep with you," Xiang Ri retorted cheekily, twisting her words while keeping the same meaning. 

"Scoundrel!" An Xin's blush deepened, but she didn't object further. She whispered, "But what if Chuchu comes home tonight...?" 

"Don't worry. She won't," Xiang Ri said confidently, his grin growing more triumphant. "Tonight... heh heh... you're all mine!" 

He wasn't baseless in his assertion. Based on how reluctant his future mother-in-law had seemed to let her daughter leave that morning, it was clear Chuchu wouldn't be coming back tonight. 

As Anxin watched the man's increasingly mischievous smile, she couldn't help but clench her delicate hand in annoyance. Xiang Ri immediately let out a dramatic cry of pain.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Though her intention was to punish him lightly, the pitiful way he reacted tugged at Anxin's heart.

"Luckily, no bones were broken," Xiang Ri replied, half-seriously, before adopting a pitiful tone. "Anxin, even though my hand isn't in grave condition, as the one responsible for my suffering, shouldn't you offer some form of compensation?"

"And how exactly should I compensate you?" Anxin asked, oblivious to the cunning gleam in his eyes.

"Heh heh…" Xiang Ri's gaze roamed toward her chest. "Well, since you hurt my hand, how about using the softest part of your body to give me a massage tonight? That might speed up the recovery."

"Xiang Ri!" Before he could finish, Anxin had already taken several steps back. Hmph, this man's thoughts were always so improper. Tonight, she resolved to kick him off the bed!

Back home, Xiang Ri decided it was time to take care of some serious matters. After all, acquiring that particular item seemed quite challenging. The sooner it was resolved, the better—it wasn't something he wanted to mess up tomorrow, especially in front of a certain flamboyant brother.

After exchanging quick greetings with Anxin, who was cozily nestled on the sofa with her disciple Shi Qing watching TV, Xiang Ri slipped into his room, claiming it was for a "nap."

In truth, he wanted to contact General Chen to help him secure a limited-edition Rolls-Royce.

The moment he was alone, he dialed the number. "Hello, General Chen?"

"It's me! What surprise do you have for me this time?" The familiar authoritative voice carried an unusual hint of cheer, as if something good had just happened.

Xiang Ri inwardly rolled his eyes. Surprise? Did he think advanced weaponry was as common as cabbages? Still, he replied politely, "No surprises this time, but I do need your assistance with something."

"Oh?" The general sounded intrigued but promptly added, "Go on, tell me. If it's within my capability, I'll help."

"Well…" Xiang Ri chose his words carefully. "I was hoping you could help me acquire a car."

"A car? If I recall correctly, you've got at least 20 billion in your account. Is there any car you can't buy? Don't tell me you're after a tank?" The general's tone was exaggerated.

"General Chen, you jest," Xiang Ri muttered internally. I'd love a tank, but where would I dare drive it?

"It's like this," Xiang Ri explained, proceeding to describe the luxury Rolls-Royce from his memory—the one he had totaled. 

"A top-tier luxury car, indeed!" the general remarked, clearly impressed. Being well-informed, he knew such cars weren't easy to procure. Coincidentally, one of his relatives owned the same model, so he understood its rarity.

"Do you need it for something important?" General Chen inquired, wanting to ensure the effort was justified.

"Something like that," Xiang Ri replied vaguely, hesitant to admit it was a matter of pride. "If it's too troublesome, I'll think of another way."

This tactful response gave the impression that the car was vital, prompting the general to take it seriously. After a brief pause, he said, "It's not impossible. Leave it to me. When do you need it?"

"Is tomorrow possible? Ideally, it could be delivered directly to my place. I assume you know where I live," Xiang Ri ventured.

"Tomorrow?" The general hesitated briefly before deciding. "Alright, though it'll probably be in the afternoon."

"Thank you, General Chen," Xiang Ri said earnestly.

"It's me who should thank you. Last time, you didn't just help me—you helped the entire nation. This is nothing in comparison. Just remember, if you come across similar opportunities in the future, let me know. The country will not forget your contributions." 

Xiang Ri assured him, "Of course, of course." Though he doubted he'd ever stumble upon another "blue notebook" treasure unless he broke into a national secret base.

"By the way," the general suddenly added in a mysterious tone, "that thing you handed over last time, we've made some significant progress in our research."

"Congratulations!" Xiang Ri replied, surprised at the swift development. Though the general had downplayed it as "some progress," Xiang Ri knew it likely meant a major breakthrough.

The general's tone grew serious. "One thing—you must tell me honestly. You didn't keep a copy of that data, did you?"

"I can guarantee I didn't," Xiang Ri replied with equal gravity. "After sending it to you, I destroyed everything."

"Good. You must understand, that data in the wrong hands could be as dangerous as an atomic bomb."

Far away in a secluded military lab, a middle-aged man with a square jaw finally let out a sigh of relief. After a few parting words, he hung up the call.

However, the phone rang again almost immediately. Assuming it was Xiang Ri with additional questions, the man picked it up, only to see a different, unforgettable, and terrifying number displayed on the screen. His expression stiffened. Why was that old maniac calling?

He answered cautiously, "Hello, sir. Is there something you need?"

"Of course! Do you think I have time to make idle calls?" The voice on the other end was sharp and menacing. "I want to know—did you assign someone to protect a kid with the surname Xiang?"

However, the person on the other end clearly had a habit of interrupting others mid-sentence. "I don't care what that kid's connection to you is. Withdraw your people immediately—he doesn't need any protection!"

"What? No protection? Sir, how can you say that? You must know he has made significant contributions to the nation," Chen Guodong responded, his surprise evident, yet he still stood his ground.

After all, that young man was a national hero. While it was possible he had offended this inhumanly ruthless old man, Chen still felt obliged to safeguard him.

"Spare me the lofty rhetoric. That kid doesn't need protection. Let me ask you—has a small fish slipped through the net at that place recently?" The old man's sinister tone carried a hint of disdain.

"Yes, sir," Chen replied cautiously, wondering how the old man knew. "But we've already cast the net again; it won't be long before we reel it back in."

Chen couldn't help but speculate—how could he possibly know about such classified matters? The situation shouldn't have escalated to the point of requiring his intervention. Was the old man losing his grip on reality? After all, a fugitive "fish" escaping had no connection to whether the young man required protection.

But it didn't take long for the reason to reveal itself.

"Net, my foot! Your fishermen are all a bunch of incompetent fools. If it weren't for that kid taking care of that fish, not even a scale would have been left behind!" The old man's temper flared with full force.

"What?" Chen was utterly stunned—no, thoroughly astonished. In disbelief, he asked, "Sir, are you certain? Is he really that capable?"

"Are you spouting nonsense? I'm telling you, that fish was taken down by him—barehanded!" With that, the old man slammed the phone down with a resounding clatter.

Chen Guodong shook his head with a bitter smile. At last, he understood why the old man was so angry—it was likely because he hadn't introduced this extraordinary young man to him.

But how could Chen have known the kid was that formidable? Could he also be an ability user? That would make sense—only an ability user could have retrieved that classified information.

Yet, even so, it didn't seem necessary for the old man, who held ability users in utter contempt, to go out of his way to question him over the phone.

As he mulled over this, Chen suddenly froze, recalling the old man's last emphasis: "barehanded." In other words, no abilities were involved. Could it be that this young man, like the old man, relied solely on his physical body to defeat a host of ability users?

If that were the case, it would explain the old man's fury. Sending ability users to protect someone with such unparalleled physical prowess was, in his eyes, an insult. After all, the old man firmly believed that true strength lay in the physical body—everything else was mere parlor tricks meant to dazzle the eye.

It all began to make sense.