If possible, staying the night seemed like no big deal.
Wen Du and Ji Tingxi had plenty of opportunities to meet. At the Guard Institute, if both of them wanted it, they could see each other every day.
But even when they met, smooth information exchange was impossible, so neither was satisfied. After work, they often made plans to meet up anyway.
On September 8th, they had arranged to meet in Ji Tingxi’s car. The rendezvous was especially casual, and Wen Du offhandedly suggested, “Let’s go watch the sunset.” Without a second thought, Ji Tingxi drove home, switched cars, and took her straight to North County Port.
The buildings in North County City sat at a relatively low average elevation, so catching the sunset wasn’t difficult. But Ji Tingxi wasn’t content with a simple view from a distant window. Since this was Miss Wen’s wish, she had to make it a high-spec experience.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she drove toward the nearest dock.
At North County Port, yachts and boats moved slowly along the shore. As the sky darkened, they returned to the harbor to rest.
By the time they clocked out, the horizon had already taken on a hint of dusk. Now, after a half-hour drive, the sun was dipping westward, casting shimmering ripples across the water like a glowing carpet that sank lower bit by bit.
Ji Tingxi unbuckled her seatbelt and turned sideways to gaze at the horizon. “Quick, come with me. We should make it to the observation deck before it sets.”
Just before she got out of the car, Wen Du reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. That light touch instantly quieted her. Ji Tingxi leaned back in her seat, turned her head, and patiently waited for the woman beside her to speak.
“It’s fine. Let’s just stay here. This is beautiful too.”
Wen Du’s eyes looked at her, and at the sunset behind her. Now crimson clouds filled the sky, and the water gleamed with reflected light.
Ji Tingxi’s hand, which had reached for the car door, moved instead to the window button. The glass slid down slowly, bringing the distant splendor into sharp focus.
Their car was parked on the harbor embankment. They sat together inside it, with returning yachts nearby and the expansive glow of sunset in the distance. Highlights and silhouettes intertwined, etching postcard-perfect memories into their eyes.
In Wen Du’s gaze, the waterfront dusk wasn’t alone. There was also the silhouette of the woman beside her. Ji Tingxi’s hair spilled loosely, nearly black in the dim interior of the car. The curve of her ear was half-visible, like the outline of a boat’s hull—shape without details. Fading into the shadows along with it was her face, which could rival the sunset itself.
“I’ve gotten word that next Friday—September 15th—they’ll be sending Zi Qin and Zi Cen back to Meisi.”
Wen Du opened her mouth, about to feign surprise, but she quickly realized this had been building for a while. It wasn’t sudden at all.
The Zi Qin sisters should have been returned to Meisi once they were no longer useful. But it coincided with the attack on Merle Guard Institute, and the East District was in turmoil. For safety, their escort was delayed. The Investigation Section at the Guard Institute took temporary custody of Zi Qin and Zi Cen.
Later, the North District Guard Investigation Station issued an order to transfer the two prisoners to North County Labor Camp. But en route, they ran into interference from Gailie Country forces. To play it safe, they were sent back to the Guard Institute for holding, and no further risks were taken.
Now, the sisters had no further value. Bai Zhuo feared taking responsibility, Ji Tingxi had her own selfish reasons, and she’d been pushing the prisoner processing issue. With the East District situation stabilizing, it made sense—both emotionally and logically—to return them now.
Still, Wen Du couldn’t help worrying.
“Are you going alone?”
“Yes, I’m the main person in charge, with a few subordinates just handling the execution.”
“We’ve always suspected the Zi Qin sisters were sent to a secret base, not the labor camp. Maybe this time, you can use the trip to look into it.”
They couldn’t yet penetrate North County’s base, but if their suspicions were right and Meisi had a similar one, this was a prime chance to scout.
“True,” Ji Tingxi said, turning her head. Backlit, her face remained a vague shadow. “But don’t you want to use this chance to rescue them?”
Wen Du’s heart skipped a beat. How could she not have thought of that? The idea had tempted her endlessly, but she’d suppressed it out of fear of endangering Ji Tingxi. Now, hearing Ji Tingxi suggest it herself stirred a completely different feeling.
“To be honest, I do. But the risk is too high.”
“High risk, high reward, right? Those two girls held firm under interrogation, never betraying you. And they might know secrets about the Meisi base. Rescuing them could yield incalculable intelligence.”
“Has Miss Ji already made preparations?”
“Yes, but we’ll need action on your end. I’ll cooperate fully.”
Wen Du’s eyes had adjusted to the bright outside and dim interior. She could now see every nuance in Ji Tingxi’s expression—the relaxed brows, the steady pupils. Everything felt at ease, and utterly serious.
Previously, Wen Du had considered hijacking Zi Qin and Zi Cen to rescue her compatriots and gain intel, even if it meant disregarding Ji Tingxi’s life.
That thought reignited now, but Ji Tingxi had lit the spark herself. It burned fiercely, laced with complex emotions.
Since their cooperation agreement, Wen Du had held a slight disadvantage with her leverage in Ji Tingxi’s hands. She’d stayed cautious and alert, revealing little, avoiding over-reliance, maintaining her value while keeping an exit ready.
If Ji Tingxi needed her, Wen Du could provide value and cooperate appropriately. But if Ji Tingxi reneged and targeted Giel, Wen Du could defend herself and eliminate her.
Ji Tingxi had sensed this wariness. To put her at ease, she’d approached with greater openness—like now, knowing Wen Du wanted to save her people, she boldly proposed it, forging deeper collaboration despite the risks she herself would bear.
Suddenly, Wen Du felt ashamed. In terms of cooperation, Ji Tingxi was more honest, bolder, and better at leveraging resources.
Outside the window, the sun had sunk halfway, painting the entire water surface red in a gradient that rippled to the shore.
The lingering sky hues blazed in the same vibrant shades, echoing the water.
The world felt like a vast light show enveloping them both. But this perfect twilight failed to draw Wen Du’s eyes. Her gaze stayed fixed on the woman beside her, unwavering.
“Alright. I’ll go back and plan carefully, minimizing the risks.”
…
Following the incident escorting Cheng Yiqing across the border, Wen Du and Ji Tingxi—or rather, Giel and the Libo Faction—embarked on another collaboration.
This one ramped up the difficulty and risks, testing both sides’ abilities and rapport to the extreme.
These past few days, Wen Du had personally coordinated with the dessert shop nonstop, ordering batch after batch of sweets. She reviewed the plans over and over.
She’d eaten too many desserts lately, but her weight didn’t budge. Her brain burned calories as fast as she took them in—balanced intake and output, even a deficit. Director Wen was growing thinner by the day.
But Wen Du’s workload wasn’t limited to after hours. Work brought unexpected extras too.
On September 11th, He De summoned her and assigned a tricky task with a relaxed demeanor.
“Next week, Chief Ji heads to the East District again. To avoid Gailie Forces tailing her, we need cover.
“I’ve planned a decoy trip with Chief Ji: she’ll pretend to go on a business trip to Lisi City, muddying the waters.
“For secrecy, this op’s info stays ultra-tight. You’re old partners with Chief Ji, and friends—we trust you most.
“So, prep falls to you. By afternoon, draft an invitation notice inviting the Lisi Guard Institute head to North County for a joint probe on some transient Libo suspects, then hand them back to Lisi Guard Institute.”
“Will Lisi really cooperate?”
“Yes, it’s a legit joint task. Even if Gailie Forces are watching, they won’t tell real from fake right away.”
Wen Du hesitated briefly. Ji Tingxi’s mission was highly sensitive, demanding strict secrecy. She hadn’t expected He De to loop her in as a key insider.
Once informed, refusal wasn’t an option.
“Got it!”
…
On the morning of September 12th, Yin Chen arrived at the Joyful Intent Lilac Street branch. As a corporate exec, she paid special attention to this location, dropping by two or three days a week to oversee operations and service. Sometimes on a whim, she’d head to the kitchen and whip up desserts herself.
By comparison, it was like this branch was her own flesh and blood, while the others and HQ were mere foster children.
That day, she settled at the office desk, reviewing recent sales stats. A staffer brought in a simple tray: sandwich and coffee, plus some heavy news.
“Boss Yin, Miss Wen needs you to set things up. Leak info to the Jili Organization: a shipment of military supplies will go from North County to Meisi this Friday.”
Yin Chen sipped her coffee. “Did Miss Wen tell you this in person?”
“Yes. She wants us to draw Jili’s attention early, focus them on the North County-to-Meisi convoy. Best if they leave obvious traces, alerting the Guard Investigation Institute that they’re watching.”
“Understood.”
Yin Chen set down her cup, tapped the keyboard to close the stats, and opened an online platform. She posted a product launch notice.
…
September 14th.
The escort transfer prep was complete, ready for departure.
The night before, Ji Tingxi drove Wen Du home again. They chatted idly as usual, but with big events looming, even the casual talk carried hidden depths—secrets only they understood.
“Did you pack the food I prepared?”
“I did. I trust your taste.” Ji Tingxi lightly turned the wheel.
“No worries if you finish it en route. There should be similar stores out there—easy to spot and buy from.”
She’d coordinated with Yin Chen: Members in Meisi would handle the Zi Qin sisters’ rescue, disguised as Jili Organization to deflect suspicion from both sides.
“You’re too thoughtful, Miss Wen. But the more you know, the more you worry. I hate seeing you worry.”
The words started sweet, but ended on a sigh. Wen Du got it—like He De said, keep insiders minimal. Now that she was one, if the prisoners got snatched, she’d come under suspicion too.
“It’s fine. For Miss Ji’s sake, how could it be worry? It’s only natural.” Wen Du smiled brightly, tilting her chin toward Ji Tingxi for emphasis.
Ji Tingxi laughed, her lips curving up despite herself.
Now they shared risks evenly, advancing and retreating together—bound tighter than ever. That was the alliance they sought: in life and death.
Time alone was short. The car entered Wutong Street and pulled up to the villa gate. Seeing the courtyard lights on, Ji Tingxi let her smile fade.
“It’s late, Miss Wen. Get some good rest tonight.”
The streetlights cast an orange glow, bleeding into the car.
Inside and out, a hazy veil settled. Yet they could clearly sense each other’s faces, tracing the subtlest outlines.
Ji Tingxi noticed Wen Du’s faint hesitation and couldn’t resist asking.
“What’s wrong, Miss Wen?”
Wen Du sat in the shadows, gazing silently at her.
Suddenly, an impulse surged: She wanted to invite Ji Tingxi inside, just like she’d once invited Wen Du. To talk more, steal one more look.
If possible, staying the night seemed like no big deal.
