Chapter 91: The Smoldering Type – I Want to Touch You
Jiang Chenyan and Kai Lan had already rushed back to the secret base. The two of them were huddled in the small room, fiddling with parts on the table.
In Jiang Chenyan’s words, if there are no accidents now, there will be sooner or later.
Kai Lan leaned over and glanced at the parts in Jiang Chenyan’s hand. “What are you inventing now?”
“It’s quite simple,” Jiang Chenyan fiddled with it nimbly. “It’s hidden in a small wristband and can fire anesthetic needles or something in a crisis.”
“That’s pretty interesting.” Kai Lan picked up one of the wristbands to inspect it. “But your prototype is a bit large; it would be too eye-catching on the wrist. Let me help you adjust it smaller and optimize the firing device while I’m at it.”
With that, Kai Lan leaned over and rummaged through a drawer. He simply pulled out a heavy box. When opened, a silver-gray robotic dog lay inside, its eyes still flashing a weak blue light.
“By the way, this robotic dog seems to have been tuned. Let’s give it a name… let me think…”
Jiang Chenyan yawned and rubbed his somewhat dry eyes. “You take your time thinking. I’m going to shower and sleep for a bit. I’m exhausted after the day’s tossing and turning.”
Kai Lan didn’t even lift his head as he waved his hand and sat on a chair, acting incredibly serious.
“Go to sleep. I’ll bond with it for a bit.”
Jiang Chenyan nodded and returned to his room. He took his pajamas and walked into the bathroom. the warm water washed away his fatigue. When he came out, he was wearing a loose white bathrobe. His hair still held undried dampness, draped casually over his shoulders.
Lying on the bed, Jiang Chenyan turned over, his gaze falling on the light-brain screen.
He hadn’t contacted Shen Shiyue for a long time. He wondered how he had been lately.
He opened the chat with Shen Shiyue and stared at the other’s profile picture.
It was a very ordinary seascape. Jiang Chenyan’s fingers paused slightly. His heart inexplicably beat a few points faster. As if possessed, he wanted to dial the call, yet he felt a bit hesitant the moment his fingertip was about to fall.
Would he be busy?
Just as Jiang Chenyan was struggling with the thought, his hand jerked, and the call button on the screen was accidentally pressed.
Jiang Chenyan hurriedly tried to hang up, but before his finger could touch the screen, the familiar connection prompt sounded from the other side.
Too late.
In the next second, Shen Shiyue’s face jumped onto the screen. The other party had obviously just finished a shower as well. His black hair was damply clinging to his forehead, and water droplets slid along his well-defined jawline, vanishing into the collar of his open bathrobe.
the steam in the bathroom hadn’t fully dispersed yet, creating a hazy layer of mist around Shen Shiyue, making that already handsome face look even more refined.
Jiang Chenyan’s heart skipped a beat, and a wave of tingling numbness arose.
He hurriedly shifted his gaze, then forced himself to turn back. He simply took the initiative. “Shen Shiyue, are you intentionally seducing people?”
An unexpected sentence. Shen Shiyue couldn’t help but let out a low laugh, his voice coming through the receiver. “Why do I feel like you’re the one seducing me?”
“Then we are seducing each other. Neither of us loses.”
“Shen Shiyue.” His voice softened, carrying a bit of sentimentality. “I want to touch you.”
Anyway, since they were separated by a screen, Jiang Chenyan specialized in speaking “flirty words” (sāo huà). “If I remember correctly, your figure is quite good. Are your muscles very firm? Let me see.”
It was just casual teasing; he didn’t expect Shen Shiyue to actually agree. To his surprise, the person on the screen agreed and gave a light “mm.”
Without hesitation, Shen Shiyue’s fingers landed on the belt of his bathrobe and gave it a light pull.
the loose bathrobe slid from his shoulders, revealing a firm chest and clear collarbones. Water droplets still clung to his warm skin, sliding slowly down along the contours of his muscles.
“I only show it to my husband.”
He thought he was bold enough, but he didn’t expect Shen Shiyue to be more direct than him. At the word “Husband” (lǎo gōng), Jiang Chenyan admitted defeat and turned his face away, not daring to look at the screen anymore.
Shen Shiyue asked, “Why aren’t you looking?”
It pulled back Jiang Chenyan’s thoughts.
He remembered that sentence: If you open your eyes and look at me, I don’t believe your eyes would be empty.
The corner of Jiang Chenyan’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
He took a deep breath and intentionally put on a stern face, looking at the screen expressionlessly.
Fine, I’ll look. Who’s afraid?
On the screen, Shen Shiyue still maintained his previous posture. the bathrobe hung loosely on his shoulders, and the lines of his exposed chest were smooth and firm.
Jiang Chenyan gave an objective evaluation: “Mm, your figure is decent.”
The smile in Shen Shiyue’s eyes deepened. “You’ve seen mine; now I want to see yours.”
Now it was Jiang Chenyan’s turn to be completely silent.
“Are you unwilling? Or is it because you’re too nervous?”
Shen Shiyue provoked him.
“I’m not.” Jiang Chenyan’s voice was a bit muffled, as if he were speaking with something in his mouth. His gaze instinctively drifted elsewhere. “I just don’t want to let you see.”
He was clearly the one who started the flirting; how did he end up being the one flirted with?
“I want to sleep. I’m a bit sleepy.” Jiang Chenyan simply found an excuse to escape.
Shen Shiyue’s smile could no longer be hidden. He didn’t tease Jiang Chenyan anymore and nodded lightly. “Alright. Then you go to sleep like a good boy. I won’t bother you.”
Jiang Chenyan almost scrambled to press the hang-up button. He let out a long sigh of relief, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his back.
His heart was still thumping wildly in his chest. Jiang Chenyan raised his hand to press against it.
“Truly… I’m done.” Jiang Chenyan cursed lowly and turned over, burying his face in the pillow.
Shen Shiyue was the “smoldering” type (mèn sāo).
…
The city deep in the night had long since fallen into slumber. the light in Shen Shiyue’s bedroom was still on. the light-brain screen lit up, and an emergency Alliance notice popped up. Shen Shiyue gave it only a glance before standing up and walking to the walk-in closet.
Even though it was late at night, the journey from home to the Alliance Headquarters wasn’t far, yet he still decided to go immediately.
The Headquarters was hidden deep underground in the suburbs. Walking down the stairs, the deeper they went, the larger the space became. the entire building was cast from reinforced concrete, with white lights hanging from the ceiling, capable of illuminating the entire hall.
the internal structure was complex, like a giant maze. the corridors crisscrossed, with multiple areas such as mission assignment rooms, training rooms, and armories distributed on both sides. Every hundred meters, guards in black uniforms patrolled.
Shen Shiyue walked to the designated position and scanned his face at the identifier. the heavy metal door slowly opened, revealing a brightly lit corridor inside.
On the day his identity and rank were exposed, Shen Shiyue did indeed cause a significant stir within the Alliance and the military academy. But as time passed, added to his multiple excellent completions of missions, the doubts and discussions gradually quieted down.
Walking down the stairs and into the mission assignment room, Ji Xuan was already waiting there. They had been assigned to the same mission this time.
“This mission: Annihilate the LE organization.” The person-in-charge’s voice echoed in the room.
Shen Shiyue’s gaze moved slightly. LE organization. He had a deep impression of this name.
Because this organization had some connection to Jiang Chenyan.
After the mission was accepted, Shen Shiyue turned and walked out of the room. Ji Xuan hesitated for a moment but still followed.
“Why did you choose me to enter the Alliance back then?” Ji Xuan called out to Shen Shiyue, his voice a bit heavy. He knew in his heart that his own strength wasn’t enough to enter the Alliance Headquarters; there must have been help from Shen Shiyue behind it.
Shen Shiyue paused his steps. He didn’t look back, only saying flatly: “I felt you were more reliable.”
Just because of that? Ji Xuan’s mood was a bit low. He had always thought Shen Shiyue chose him because he valued his potential or for some other more important reason. This answer was a bit perfunctory.
“I don’t want to replace Jiang Chenyan.”
Ji Xuan finally couldn’t help but speak out. He always felt like a substitute.
Only then did Shen Shiyue turn around. “You haven’t replaced him.”
And it’s impossible to replace him.
Of course, Shen Shiyue didn’t say that out loud.
Ji Xuan pulled the corner of his mouth into a bitter smile. He still couldn’t believe Jiang Chenyan was gone.
Clearly, just a few days ago, they were training together at the military academy, staying up late to polish tactics for the finals together… how did he turn into someone he could never see again in the blink of an eye?
Ji Xuan lowered his eyes, his fingertips curling slightly. His heart was gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making it stifle and dull.
“I miss him.”
What responded to him was Shen Shiyue’s long silence.
Shen Shiyue’s eyes were cold. Missing his wife?
He knew Ji Xuan had no ill intent and was just purely reminiscing, but—
“Stay away from me for the next few days.”
Ji Xuan gave a “huh,” not understanding why Shen Shiyue would suddenly get angry.
…
The corner of City District B.
On the surface, it was an unremarkable, ordinary restaurant. Once the door was pushed open, it was a different scene.
Walking down the narrow stairs, the light in the basement floor corridor was dim. the wall lamps emitted a weak, ghostly glow, stretching the shadows of the two Alpha bodyguards at the door.
“I want to talk to Walter.”
Mo Qingyu’s nails almost dug into his palms, his voice carrying an undetectable tremor.
The two Alpha bodyguards exchanged a meaningful glance, and then one of them raised his hand to knock on the door. Only after getting permission from inside did they step aside to make way.
The room was terrifyingly quiet, with only the light sound of paper being flipped.
Walter was sitting behind a large office desk. His gold-rimmed glasses reflected the light from the desk lamp, hiding the emotions in his eyes. Those signature golden eyes were focused on the materials in his hand. Even when he heard footsteps, he didn’t look up.
In the entire organization, no one besides Mo Qingyu would dare to come find him at a time like this to demand accountability.
“Why did you send them to their deaths?”
It was likely Jiang Chenyan’s death, combined with the Betas who had been sacrificed as shields in the previous missions. Mo Qingyu’s emotions were somewhat out of control. the rage and grief he had suppressed for many days exploded at this moment.
Walter finally looked up. His golden eyes looked at Mo Qingyu calmly. Thinking himself benevolent, he chose to forgive Mo Qingyu’s insolence this time and spoke flatly: “Isn’t it normal for there to be sacrifices?”
Mo Qingyu’s throat was blocked, and he was momentarily speechless.
It truly is normal for there to be sacrifices.
This was DNA carved into everyone’s bones since the organization was founded.
But the sacrifices these past few times were abnormally cold-hearted. To fish out an opponent hiding in the dark, Walter had repeatedly made jokes of the members’ lives. And the ones chosen were always Betas with relatively weaker combat strength. Not a single Alpha had been sent to perform those near-certain-death missions.
He had to suspect whether Walter was using these Betas to conduct some shady dealings.
Walter slowly stood up and approached. His tall frame almost enveloped Mo Qingyu in shadow.
He leaned in slightly and asked Mo Qingyu, “Are you angry?”
Seeing Mo Qingyu purse his lips and remain silent, Walter changed the subject. “I feel the death of that Jiang Chenyan makes you even sadder. Was your relationship very good?”
“Don’t mention him.” Mo Qingyu lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes hiding the surging sadness and pain in his gaze.
Jiang Chenyan had helped him.
Mo Qingyu would never forget it in his life.
Walter’s gaze darkened abruptly. His fingertips felt cool as he suddenly reached toward Mo Qingyu’s cheek.
Mo Qingyu was as if burned. He slammed his hand away. “Don’t touch me!”
He was both angry and annoyed, not wanting to stay in this suffocating place any longer. He turned to leave.
“The death of that Omega is indeed a pity.” Walter’s voice sounded behind Mo Qingyu, sounding mostly perfunctory. “I know you’re sad, but it’s been so long since it happened…”
Mo Qingyu’s steps paused, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably. He didn’t look back, gritting his teeth hard.
Just then, there was a light knock on the door.
One of the Alpha bodyguards pushed the door open and walked in, whispering something into Walter’s ear.
After hearing the bodyguard’s words, Walter grew interested. “Then let him in.”
Mo Qingyu frowned. Who would come to see Walter at a time like this?
A thin youth walked in following the bodyguard. the youth didn’t look very old, wearing a simple white shirt. His frame was so thin it seemed as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
Mo Qingyu scrutinized this person, certain he had never seen him in the organization before.
“Do you know who we are? Bursting in so recklessly.” Walter leaned against the desk, looking at the youth below with great interest.
the youth’s expression was exceptionally cold, as if he didn’t care at all about everything before him.
He let out a light laugh. “I know. Didn’t I say it? I have a secret to tell you.”
Mo Qingyu frowned, wanting to stay and hear what the youth had to say, but his shoulder was gently pressed by the Alpha bodyguard beside him.
“Mr. Mo, please head out first.”
Mo Qingyu let out a helpless sigh. Walter was suspicious by nature and never let anyone know his thoughts or secrets, even those he trusted most.
Before leaving, Mo Qingyu couldn’t help but give the youth another glance before turning to walk out of the room.
the door was closed gently, isolating the noise inside.
Walter looked at the thin youth before him, the smile on his face deepening: “Is it convenient to ask what your name is?”
“Bai Ning.”
the youth stood in place expressionlessly, a faint chill enveloping him.
His eyes were very quiet. Beneath the calm was a trace of an undetectable sense of madness.
It was an obsession that disregarded everything and one’s own safety—a vine quietly growing in the dark night, hidden and crazed.
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