The Operation

After changing into casual clothes, Luo Shiyi climbed down from the window under the cover of darkness, where someone was waiting to assist her.

"Team Leader, you're so slow," complained 221.

"Less chatter, let's move," Luo Shiyi responded, giving him a light flick on the forehead. She hadn't sacrificed her sleep to come out and fool around.

"Got it," 221 replied, rubbing his forehead and quickly following Luo Shiyi's lead.

Luo Shiyi got into the Shadow Dragon's specialized vehicle and pressed the partition button, skillfully changing her clothes inside the car.

221 drove as if he were in a high-speed chase, causing Luo Shiyi in the back seat to yell while changing, "221, can't you drive a little steadier?"

"Team Leader, this is the smoothest I can manage," 221 replied innocently.

Luo Shiyi didn't believe a word of it.

She slipped into a fiery red tight dress, removing the clothes she had on underneath. Then, she put on a golden, wavy wig and adjusted it. Looking at herself in the mirror, she blew herself a kiss.

"Screech!"

The car came to a halt outside the Drunken Dreams club with a sharp screech of brakes.

Neon lights flashed incessantly as Luo Shiyi stepped out of the car, her ten-centimeter red high heels clicking against the pavement. Her appearance immediately drew the attention of many. Men looked at her with admiration and interest, while most women eyed her with envy.

Ignoring the gazes around her, Luo Shiyi flipped her hair and walked straight toward the entrance.

The bouncers at the door were momentarily stunned by her presence, only snapping back to reality as she approached. One of them extended a hand to stop her. "Miss, you'll need a membership card to enter."

"How disappointing," Luo Shiyi pouted, acting displeased. She then took out a card from her purse. "See this?"

The bouncers caught a glimpse of the membership card, but before they could get a clear look, Luo Shiyi had already put it away.

"Can I go in now?"

"Of course."

The bouncers had no reason to stop her further and allowed her to enter.

Once inside, Luo Shiyi began scanning the room for her target. However, her striking appearance made her the center of attention, and within minutes, several men had approached her.

After rejecting yet another suitor, Luo Shiyi was starting to feel impatient.

Just as her target appeared within sight, a drunk man bumped into her. The man began cursing, and Luo Shiyi initially ignored him, focused on chasing her target. But the man stubbornly grabbed her arm. "Hold on, you're not going anywhere until we settle this."

He acted as though he wanted to confront Luo Shiyi, but upon seeing her face, his expression changed. "Hey, beautiful, how about a drink?"

Luo Shiyi's eyes turned cold. She was about to teach him a lesson when another hand rested on her shoulder. A familiar scent enveloped her, and soon she was pulled into a strong embrace. The man freed her arm from the drunk's grasp and held her firmly.

Luo Shiyi stiffened, not expecting to run into Shen Xiuyi here. She discreetly touched her face, relieved that she had applied heavy makeup. Shen Xiuyi shouldn't recognize her.

Despite reassuring herself, Luo Shiyi didn't dare look back.

Shen Xiuyi's icy gaze fell on the drunk man. With a single word, he commanded, "Leave."

The drunk man, initially ready to explode, shrank back upon meeting Shen Xiuyi's cold stare. Without a word, he scurried away.

Once he was gone, Luo Shiyi felt Shen Xiuyi's presence even more strongly.

His hand remained tightly around her waist, his lips close to her ear. His breath brushed against her skin, creating a strangely intimate atmosphere.

Luo Shiyi felt extremely uncomfortable. "Thank you, sir, for helping me out. But isn't it time to let me go?"

Shen Xiuyi didn't budge, his gaze lingering on her fair earlobe and neck.

Feeling his intense stare, Luo Shiyi frowned.

Seeing her target slip away, Luo Shiyi snapped, "Sir, he's gone now. Can you let me go?"

In that moment, countless thoughts raced through Luo Shiyi's mind. Her mission had brought her to Drunken Dreams, and now Shen Xiuyi was here too. Just like last time, the coincidence seemed too striking.

"Sir, you—"

"Shh, be quiet," Shen Xiuyi's deep, magnetic voice murmured in her ear.

Luo Shiyi rolled her eyes. She wouldn't argue if only he'd let her go!

"What's your name?" Shen Xiuyi asked, his arms still around her waist.

Luo Shiyi could only watch helplessly as her target disappeared from sight. She couldn't afford to slip up in front of Shen Xiuyi, and it was incredibly frustrating.

"We're just passing strangers. No need to know names."

"Are you sure we're just passing strangers?"

Luo Shiyi's internal alarms went off. "If we're not, then where else have we met?"

She remained calm on the surface, but her heart was racing.

What did Shen Xiuyi mean by that?

Had he recognized her?

But she was completely unrecognizable with all this makeup. Could he really see through it?

"Hmm."

A low chuckle came from behind her, and Luo Shiyi felt the urge to flee. Her instincts told her that if she didn't escape now, things would get complicated.

"How do you know we haven't met before?"

"Sir, let's be honest, your pickup line is outdated. You just want my number, right? Let me go, and I'll give it to you."

Luo Shiyi played dumb. Last time, her makeup had smeared so badly. There was no way Shen Xiuyi could recognize her. Stay calm; he's just trying to trick you.

She kept reassuring herself while trying to figure a way out.

Today really wasn't her day. First, Shen Xiuqi caught her trying to sneak into Shen Xiuyi's room, and now Shen Xiuyi showed up during her mission, causing her target to escape.

It seemed like everything was tied to Shen Xiuyi. Could he be her jinx?

"Not admitting it?"

"Want me to jog your memory?"

With that, Shen Xiuyi released his hold slightly. Luo Shiyi tried to make a break for it but found herself trapped between Shen Xiuyi's body and the wall, his arm firmly around her waist, leaving her with no escape.