Wang Yu placed the last dish on the table with a cheerful smile and said, "I originally wanted to be a cook in the army, but they wouldn't let me."He had indeed never officially served as a cook, but during his time working undercover, he had posed as a chef—and that was when he honed his skills.
"You were never a cook and your culinary skills are this good?" Liu Yunyun was stunned. She picked up a pair of chopsticks and tasted a bite."Mm, delicious! Uncle, Auntie, come sit down!" Liu Yunyun called out excitedly.
"We were just waiting for you. Let's eat," Wang Yu said as he beckoned, "Mom, Dad, come sit closer. I'll get you some rice.""I'll serve the rice!" Liu Yunyun rushed to grab the bowls and started dishing out rice for everyone.
The whole family then enjoyed a hearty lunch together.It had been a long time since Wang Yu's parents had eaten meat. They devoured the food, their mouths glistening with oil. The large plates of food were cleaned out, leaving both Wang Yu and Liu Yunyun surprised and deeply moved. Life had clearly been hard on the elderly couple all these years.
After the meal, they began moving. There wasn't much to take—just a few plastic bags tossed into the van and they were done."Wang Yu, where's the new place?" Liu Yunyun asked as everyone settled into the vehicle. She sat behind the wheel, ready to drive.
"South side of the city, Guangming District," Wang Yu replied.
"No way! That's where our company is too. Awesome! That means I'll get to eat your cooking every day!" Liu Yunyun was thrilled at the thought.
"Your company's there too? What company?" Wang Yu asked curiously.
Liu Yunyun answered while driving, "Daqiong Group.""What?" Wang Yu froze. "You work at Daqiong Group?"
Why was Wang Yu so surprised to hear that name? Because his very first undercover mission had been to infiltrate that group.
"Yeah," Liu Yunyun said proudly. "Daqiong Group was founded the year you joined the army. In just five short years, it's become the biggest company in Yunzhou, and one of the top firms in all of Western China. Impressive, right? Not just anyone can get in. Oh right—since you've retired, give me your discharge certificate. I'll ask HR this afternoon if they can hire you as a security guard."
Wang Yu's heart skipped a beat. Discharge certificate? He didn't have one—he was still an active-duty soldier. He hadn't come back to retire; he was here on a mission.
Wang Yu's father turned to Liu Yunyun and said, "Thank you, dear. If Wang Yu can get a job, we'll be at ease."They just wanted their son to have a stable life—maybe find a girlfriend and settle down. They couldn't bear the thought of him turning out like Wang Qiang, their disappointing elder son.
No stable job, wandering the streets… they were terrified that Wang Yu might fall down the same dark path. Wang Qiang had already scared them enough.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee anything. After all, I'm not the boss," Liu Yunyun said honestly.
"Liu Yunyun, do you know someone named Qin Yu?" Wang Yu suddenly asked.That name—Qin Yu—wasn't just any name. She was the mission target. She was also the same woman he ran into at the train station yesterday.
"Qin Yu?" Liu Yunyun was surprised. "How do you know her?""Is it that strange that I know her?" Wang Yu countered."We only met her this morning, and you already know her—that's not strange?" Liu Yunyun shot back. "Have you met before?""Yeah, yesterday at the train station," Wang Yu answered reluctantly.
Why had Luo Xiaoyong marked Qin Yu as a priority surveillance target? Could it be that this seemingly kind and innocent woman was actually dangerous?
To be honest, Wang Yu had met more criminals than he could count over the years as an undercover agent. But Qin Yu gave him a completely different feeling—she seemed genuinely kind and pure.If all that was just an act… then this woman was terrifying.
"Oh, so you two have met," Liu Yunyun said, suddenly understanding. "She's the new manager in our business department—just arrived this morning. Honestly, I still can't believe it. She's so young and already a manager. Incredible. And she's really beautiful. Totally a knockout."Speaking of her looks, Liu Yunyun couldn't hide her envy. "Since she arrived, all the men in the company have gone nuts. The business department has become the hottest place in the whole company."Wang Yu understood—he had seen Qin Yu's beauty for himself. She was indeed captivating. Winning her over would mean competing against a swarm of men.
Thinking about that made Wang Yu smile bitterly. In all his years undercover, this was the first mission of its kind.
…
Not long after Wang Yu's family left, two black Audi sedans followed by three SUVs sped down the narrow road and screeched to a stop in front of the shabby wooden shack.
Bang bang!Doors flung open, and over thirty tattooed thugs jumped out. Cigarettes dangling from lips, chewing gum, faces full of menace.They were armed to the teeth—metal rods, water pipes, chains, fire axes, machetes—ready for war.
From the front Audi, a long-haired youth in the passenger seat turned toward the back and said, "Young Master Chu, we're here."
Chu Haowen looked mild-mannered, but in reality, he was one of the most feared figures in Ximen District.
A subordinate rushed to open his car door and shield him from the sun with an umbrella.Chu Haowen stepped out slowly, his cold gaze settling on the wooden shack. He frowned slightly.
He Wei also got out, clutching his stomach and hunched over. After all, he was still suffering from the internal injuries Wang Yu had given him yesterday—he could barely stand upright.
"He Wei, this is where Wang Qiang's parents live?" Chu Haowen asked, eyes fixed on the shack.
"Yes, Young Master Chu," He Wei replied quickly, bowing as he spoke. "After selling their house, the