FBI Agent Burke.
A name known to practically everyone in international circles.
After narrowly escaping a major arms trafficking case years ago, he had sustained severe injuries—particularly to his throat, leaving his voice unmistakably distinct.
Even though Bai Xuanmo had only interacted with Burke a handful of times, he recognized that voice instantly.
After all, Burke was the kind of figure whose mere presence could send shockwaves across borders. Bai Xuanmo had studied every available dossier on him.
“That’s just Shaohua’s online friend,” Ye Cheng chimed in, having answered a call from the same person yesterday. “You know she studies physics, right? She found some freelance work online. That’s her client.”
He couldn’t help but puff up with pride. “She even transferred me 2,000 yuan yesterday.”
It was the first time Ye Shaohua had ever earned her own money. Though the amount was modest, Ye Cheng and Du Man had been overjoyed. For the past year, neighbors had whispered that Ye Shaohua would leech off her parents forever.
Now that she was contributing, they wanted the whole world to know.
Seeing Bai Xuanmo, Ye Cheng couldn’t resist boasting a little.
Meanwhile, Ye Shaohua was still on the phone. “Alright, see you tomorrow.”
Hanging up, she overheard her father’s proud declaration and—for the first time in a long while—felt a pang of secondhand embarrassment.
Two thousand yuan?
That was the smallest sum she had ever handed them.
Truthfully, her offshore account had received an astronomical deposit half a month ago. But fearing it might give her parents a heart attack, she’d only withdrawn a tiny fraction.
Who knew even that would send them into a frenzy?
Ye Shaohua pressed her phone to her forehead, sighing internally.
Across the room, Ye Sinian barely suppressed an eye-roll.
Two thousand yuan and they’re this excited? If they knew my old account had twenty million, they’d lose their minds.
She smirked but said nothing.
She had never revealed her true identity to the Ye family—afraid it might “overwhelm” them.
Still, she’d been considering moving out. Her missions were growing riskier, and staying here would only complicate things.
Bai Xuanmo, meanwhile, had snapped out of his momentary shock.
Burke? Meeting Ye Shaohua so casually?
The idea was laughable.
He must’ve been out of his mind to even entertain the thought.
With the Ye family now home, further discussion was off the table.
“Dad, I’ve received orders from the Yun Military District,” Ye Sinian announced, subtly glancing at Ye Shaohua.
Her sister’s expression didn’t flicker.
Of course not. Civilians wouldn’t know what the Yun District even means.
Ye Cheng, however, stiffened. “You got into the Yun District?”
Though stunned by the news, he couldn’t hide his concern. The Yun District was notoriously selective—only the elite made the cut.
But it also meant real combat drills and life-threatening missions.
Ye Sinian savored their reactions—Ye Cheng’s shock, Ye Shaohua’s clueless blankness—before following Bai Xuanmo to the Bai residence.
…..
“Sinain, eat more! You’re too thin,” Madam Bai urged, having served as an army entertainer in her youth. She’d taken an instant liking to Ye Sinian.
General Bai, however, frowned at his son. “Why didn’t you invite Old Ye and Shaohua? They’ve never visited.”
Bai Xuanmo set down his chopsticks. “Another time.”
In truth, he had no such intention.
His focus was solely on the arms dealer case—and Ye Sinian’s uncanny skills.
Her counter-surveillance techniques, combat reflexes, and knowledge of underground networks screamed trained operative.
If not for her lack of raw strength, she’d be a perfect recruit.
Compared to the lazy, unremarkable Ye Shaohua, Ye Sinian was everything a soldier should be.
After dinner, the two retreated upstairs to strategize.
General Bai didn’t press further. He knew his son was handling a critical operation.
“Stop bringing up Shaohua in front of him,” Madam Bai muttered. “I looked into her. She does nothing but laze around at home. I won’t have a daughter-in-law like that.”
Bai Xuanmo needed a partner, not a liability.
“But Sinian—” Her face lit up. “I visited the base today. Even Chief Yun praised her! Said she might even qualify for Unit One. Your old comrade really raised exceptional daughters.”
“Enough,” General Bai grumbled. “I’ll invite Shaohua and Old Ye over soon. That girl’s a sharpshooter.”
Madam Bai scoffed.
Bai Xuanmo had taken Ye Sinian to the capital’s military district, where she’d earned Chief Yun’s approval—solidifying Madam Bai’s favor.
General Bai, too, was proud.
Though Bai Xuanmo’s exact role was classified, he knew his son belonged to Unit One—an elite task force under Yun Nuo.
The man who, alongside the leaders of FBI and the Mafia, maintained global equilibrium.
Two of the most formidable organizations in existence.
Bai Xuanmo’s membership in Unit One was General Bai’s greatest pride.
…..
“Tell me you’re not Y.”
At Nightfall Bar, a pair of piercing blue eyes stared at Ye Shaohua in rare astonishment.
She removed her black-framed glasses, revealing eyes so sharp they seemed to cut through the dim lighting.
Her face, now unobscured, was striking—almost unnervingly so.
With a lazy flick of her wrist, she tossed a sheet of paper onto the table.
“See for yourself.”
Burke picked it up—a flawless schematic.
But he was no longer in a hurry.
Ye Shaohua’s youthful face and smooth, unmarked hands made her seem harmless.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take this and arrest you?” He smirked. “These designs are highly illegal—”
A silver pistol pressed against his forehead.
“My parents are waiting for me at home,” Ye Shaohua said flatly. “So let’s skip the games.”
Burke’s hand flew to his waist—empty.
His blood ran cold.
When did she—?
“If I came alone, I can leave alone,” she said, tossing the gun back. “Hurry up. I’m on a schedule.”
Burke masked his shock.
As a top FBI agent—one who stood toe-to-toe with legends like Yun Nuo—he was no pushover.
Yet she’d disarmed him without a sound.
Not even Yun Nuo could’ve done that.
“Ever considered joining the FBI—”
“No. Pass. Busy. Pay me.” She rapped her knuckles on the table impatiently.
System 008: […]
Taking the offered card, Ye Shaohua slid her glasses back on, her intimidating aura vanishing instantly.
Head slightly bowed, she shuffled toward the exit, texting Ye Cheng:
“Got the soy sauce. On my way back.”
008, handing her a bottle of soy sauce from its inventory:
Do you ever feel guilty for lying to your parents like this?
Just then, a group of well-dressed young socialites strode in.
One woman in the center spotted Ye Shaohua’s retreating figure and smirked.
“Lin Hua, Su Xue—isn’t that Ye Shaohua?”
Lin Hua—the ex who’d cheated on the original host.
Su Xue—the daughter of Starlight Media’s CEO, the “other woman.”
Fate had a funny way of crossing paths.
