Ye Shaohua didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she calmly put her glasses back on.
In an instant, the brilliance that had radiated from her was smothered, replaced once more by that gloomy, unassuming aura.
But now, no one dared underestimate her.
That was Viper—the man who had forced the mafia and the FBI to join forces five years ago!
And yet, he had just deferred to a young woman like an old acquaintance?
Even Yun Nuo himself wouldn’t have gotten that kind of respect from Viper.
“Let’s go back first. If we don’t leave soon, the police will show up,” Ye Shaohua said, checking the time on her phone. She didn’t answer Ye Sinian’s question, only smiling slightly. “Besides, your boss can’t wait much longer.”
Bai Xuanmo and the others exchanged glances but didn’t argue. Whatever she said, they followed without question.
Ye Shaohua accompanied them to the military hospital.
Yun Nuo showed no visible injuries, but this was the real world, not some fantasy realm where she could peer into his body with spiritual senses.
She needed proper medical equipment to assess his condition.
Inside the car, Bai Xuanmo kept his gaze fixed on Ye Shaohua, though he didn’t ask anything further.
He already had his suspicions about her identity.
Ye Sinian glanced between Bai Xuanmo and Ye Shaohua, lips pressed tightly together, but remained silent.
Ignoring the stares, Ye Shaohua sat beside Yun Nuo and pulled out her phone.
The BT group chat was buzzing again.
[Mafia Boss] Jim: Viper actually failed? What heartbreaking news.
[FBI] Benji: Say that to Yun Nuo’s face, I dare you.
[Mafia’s Top Hacker] Nolan: He wouldn’t dare.
[Mafia Boss] Jim: Wait! Benji, you sneaky rat, you went to China without telling me?! No wonder Viper found you! You didn’t even invite me!
[FBI] Benji: Don’t come. I’m afraid China might explode if you do…
The group chat descended into chaos.
Then, a private message popped up—from Nolan.
Nolan: Someone’s looking for you.
Y: Who?
Nolan: Barney.
Barney? The name didn’t ring a bell. Since she was playing the role of an ordinary person, she hadn’t bothered memorizing every influential figure in the world.
The only reason she’d joined this elite group was because of Ye Sinian.
In the original storyline, Ye Cheng and Du Man had died at the hands of Ye Sinian’s enemies.
She needed the power to protect them.
Still, if this Barney had managed to reach her through Nolan, he couldn’t be a nobody. She sent Nolan her contact details.
By the time she finished, the car had arrived at the military hospital.
Even in the dead of night, the hospital was brightly lit. The director and a team of specialists stood outside, anxiously awaiting the convoy.
Ye Shaohua stepped out with the others.
“What happened to Captain Yun?” The director’s expression turned grave as he took in Yun Nuo’s unconscious form.
Bai Xuanmo quickly explained the situation.
The director frowned but didn’t comment, merely ordering Yun Nuo to be wheeled into a high-security operating room.
Ye Shaohua moved to follow, wanting to observe the examination, but the director shot her a sharp look.
“Who are you? How did you get in here?” His voice was stern. “This area is restricted. Civilians aren’t allowed—leave immediately!”
The entire hospital was under heavy guard, the surrounding streets already sealed off.
Bai Xuanmo and Ye Sinian’s group carried themselves like seasoned soldiers, their disciplined aura unmistakable.
But Ye Shaohua, with her thick glasses and unremarkable presence, stuck out like a sore thumb.
The director didn’t even consider that she might be with them.
With Yun Nuo’s safety at stake, there was no room for error.
Bai Xuanmo and the others rushed Yun Nuo into the operating room, leaving a security detail outside.
Only Ye Sinian and the director remained.
When the director demanded Ye Shaohua leave, Ye Sinian merely watched in silence, making no effort to explain their relationship.
Frowning, Ye Shaohua decided not to force the issue. Bai Xuanmo had her number—if anything happened to Yun Nuo, they’d call her.
With that, she turned and walked away.
When Bai Xuanmo emerged later, she was gone.
“Where is she?” he asked, puzzled.
Ye Sinian shrugged. “No idea.”
…..
Meanwhile, shocking news reached China’s highest authorities.
“What? Benji, the mafia, and former Assassins’ League members are all in Beijing?” A high-ranking military official paled. “Why would they come here? Isn’t the international scene exciting enough for them?”
These were global powerhouses—ruthless, untouchable forces.
One small African nation had been obliterated in the crossfire between the mafia and a rival faction, with no hope of retaliation.
And the Assassins’ League? Once you were on their list, escape was impossible.
Even the U.S. couldn’t rein in these lawless entities.
Now, not just Benji, but Viper and Jim—two of the world’s most wanted—were openly entering China without even bothering to hide.
The higher-ups were sweating bullets. “Find out why they’re here. Now.”
Within an hour, Ye Shaohua’s file landed on their desks.
Every top official wanted to meet her.
…..
Ye Shaohua spent the rest of the night at the company, overseeing the project’s progress.
“Ms. Ye, you’ve worked so hard.” Ever since learning that the MNC collaborator had tried poaching her, Manager Nan had stuck to her like glue, terrified of losing her.
Despite pulling an all-nighter, Ye Shaohua showed no signs of fatigue.
“It’s fine. My part’s mostly done now.” She examined the circuitry, pointing out a few optimizations before adding, “I’ll need three days off.”
“Take as much as you want!” Manager Nan had long abandoned any pretense of professionalism when it came to keeping her.
Her leave was for Ye Cheng’s sister—her nominal aunt.
“You… found Zhenzhen?” Ye Cheng’s voice trembled with disbelief.
For a moment, he didn’t even question how Ye Shaohua knew about Ye Zhen.
Nodding, Ye Shaohua produced three tickets. “She’s in S City now. Do you want to see her?”
Of course he did. This was his life’s greatest regret.
Tears welled in his eyes. “I failed her… I shouldn’t have left her behind when she was sick…”
Watching him, Ye Shaohua felt a pang of relief that she’d looked into Ye Zhen’s whereabouts.
“Can we go now?” Ye Cheng asked, almost afraid it was a dream.
With a quiet sigh, she nodded. Good thing she’d booked the tickets in advance. “Let’s go. I’ve got our flights.”
Ye Cheng was so overwhelmed he could barely function. He and Du Man hastily locked up their stall, not even changing out of their work clothes before rushing to the airport with Ye Shaohua.
Their departure wasn’t discreet. The entire building knew the family was heading to S City.
And so did those actively tracking Ye Shaohua.
…..
Meanwhile, at S City’s military headquarters:
“Priority alert from Beijing.” The regional commander, already on edge over Benji’s presence, snapped to attention.
He couldn’t fathom why these international heavyweights had descended on China.
The encrypted message decoded into a single line:
[Y’s identity confirmed. She is en route to S City via flight.]
Attached was Ye Shaohua’s profile.
The commander nearly collapsed into his chair. “Why are these people coming here?! Track her—now!”
Wiping sweat from his brow, he alerted S City’s top officials.
He’d personally oversee this. Beijing had stressed one thing above all:
Do not, under any circumstances, offend this woman.
