As Zhang Wen departed, the alley quickly returned to its former silence. The moonlight, as if unwilling to witness the events that had transpired in the alley, quietly hid behind a cluster of clouds.
Melissa leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed blankly on the dark sky above, which held nothing but emptiness. On her face, which seemed lost in thought, expressions of both joy and sorrow flickered intermittently, clearly lost in memories of the past. Finally, she stood up and pulled out a rusty iron skewer from a pile of debris behind her.
Melissa’s face was somewhat pale, but her expression remained calm and resolute. The baroness gently ran her delicate fingers over the skewer, carefully removing the rust as though it were a cherished lover. Then, slowly, she pressed the sharp end of the skewer against her soft, tender chest.
However, just as Melissa took what she believed would be her final breath in her short life, her movement abruptly halted. To her shock, she noticed that Zhang Wen, who had just left, had actually returned.
“Thanks for coming back to take care of my body,” Melissa said bitterly with a faint smile, her tone devoid of any sarcasm. She genuinely appreciated Zhang Wen’s kindness in returning to take away her corpse, sparing her the indignity of dying naked in such a dark alley.
Just as Zhang Wen could understand Melissa’s motives for trying to manipulate him by any means necessary, Melissa also understood the predicament that prevented Zhang Wen from helping her.
Unlike Melissa, who was willing to die without implicating others, Zhang Wen had many friends in the hands of the Black Viscount. Even if Zhang Wen disregarded his own safety, he still had to consider the lives of his companions.
“No, you misunderstood. I didn’t come back to take care of your body. I just got lost because I’m not used to these messy alleys,” Zhang Wen scratched his head and blurted out a complaint, leaving Melissa speechless.
The previously heavy atmosphere in the alley instantly dissipated with Zhang Wen’s words. A moment later, Melissa couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, bending over as she did so.
“Hehe, just kidding,” Zhang Wen quickly dropped his deliberately feigned awkwardness, a slight smirk forming on his lips. “Now, let’s get down to business.”
“You changed your mind?” Melissa asked casually, not really expecting much.
“Yeah, you could say that,” Zhang Wen surprisingly agreed readily.
“What did you say?” Melissa was taken aback, almost unable to believe her ears.
“I’ve given it some serious thought. Actually, your request and my goals aren’t entirely conflicting. There’s still room for compatibility,” Zhang Wen said with a faint smile. “However, if you want my help, you’ll have to pay a sufficient price.”
With Zhang Wen’s departure, the alley quickly returned to silence. The moonlight, as if unwilling to witness the events in the alley, quietly hid behind a cloud. Melissa leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on the dark, empty sky. On the countess’s face, which seemed to be in a daze, expressions of joy and sorrow occasionally appeared, clearly lost in memories of the past. Finally, she stood up and pulled a rusty iron spike from a pile of debris behind her.
Melissa’s face was pale, but her expression was calm and resolute. The countess’s delicate hand gently caressed the iron spike, carefully cleaning off the rust as if it were a beloved lover. Then, Melissa slowly pressed the sharp spike against her soft chest.
However, just as Melissa took what she thought would be her last breath, her movement suddenly stopped. She was startled to find that Zhang Wen, who had just left, had turned back.
“Thank you for remembering to come back and collect my body,” Melissa said with a bitter smile, her tone devoid of any sarcasm. She was genuinely grateful that Zhang Wen had the kindness to return and take her body, sparing her the indignity of dying naked in such a dark alley.
Just as Zhang Wen could understand Melissa’s desperate reasons for wanting to use him, Melissa could also understand Zhang Wen’s reluctance to help.
Unlike Melissa, who wouldn’t burden others even in death, Zhang Wen had a group of friends held captive by the Black Viscount. Even if Zhang Wen didn’t consider his own safety, he had to think about the lives of his companions.
“No, you’ve got it wrong. I didn’t come back to collect your body. Actually, I just got lost in this messy alley,” Zhang Wen scratched his head and blurted out a complaint, leaving Melissa speechless.
The heavy atmosphere in the alley dissipated instantly with Zhang Wen’s words. Moments later, Melissa couldn’t help but laugh, tears streaming down her face as she bent over.
“Haha, just kidding,” Zhang Wen quickly dropped his deliberately awkward demeanor and smiled slightly. “Let’s get down to business.”
“Have you changed your mind?” Melissa asked casually, not holding out much hope.
“Yes, you could say that,” Zhang Wen surprisingly nodded with a smile.
“What… what did you say?” Melissa was stunned, almost unable to believe her ears.
“I’ve thought it over carefully. Actually, your request and my goals aren’t completely at odds. There are many areas where they can align,” Zhang Wen said with a faint smile. “But if you want my help, you’ll have to pay a sufficient price.”
“What do you want?” Melissa threw away the iron spike and opened her arms with a frank smile. “I’ve told you, I have nothing left except my body.”
“No problem. That’s exactly what I want,” Zhang Wen’s smile seemed to carry a hint of wickedness, causing Melissa to pause and instinctively raise her arms to cover her chest.
“Oh? Miss Melissa, didn’t you just say that if I agreed to help, you’d be mine?” Zhang Wen’s smile widened.
“I…” Melissa’s face quickly lost its color, becoming even paler than when she had resolved to end her life.
“Haha… When I refused to help, you thought nothing mattered, even if it meant trading your body. But now that I’ve agreed to help, you look down on my character, unwilling to let this despicable, opportunistic lecher defile you. Women, why are you always so contradictory?” Zhang Wen laughed helplessly, spreading his hands.
Caught off guard by Zhang Wen’s insight, Melissa’s face flushed with embarrassment. After a long while, she suddenly realized that her emotions had been subtly controlled by him! This discovery left her with mixed feelings.
She, a trained spy who had effortlessly navigated the circles of high-ranking officials and nobles since adulthood, had been easily manipulated by a man who seemed at least seven or eight years her junior! Not only were her emotions at his mercy, but even her life and death were willingly left in his hands!
Fate had sent this man, who seemed like her karmic nemesis, to her side at her lowest moment, and Melissa didn’t know whether to be happy or miserable.
“Alright, Miss Melissa, don’t be embarrassed. I’m not as despicable as you think,” Zhang Wen spoke again while Melissa was still grappling with how to handle him.
“What exactly do you want from me?” Melissa quickly gave up her feeble resistance and handed the decision back to Zhang Wen.
“In short, I can help you, but all the risks that come with it will be on you.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“No problem,” Zhang Wen smiled slightly. “As I said before, if the Black Viscount himself is a super-tier powerhouse, or if he’s constantly guarded by super-tier bodyguards, there’s no way I can handle it. But these are just my assumptions. There’s a slim chance that the Black Viscount isn’t that powerful, that the so-called super-tier bodyguards don’t exist, or that they’ve just stepped away. If your luck is truly that strong, I wouldn’t mind helping you take down the Black Viscount.”
Zhang Wen’s voice paused for a moment.
“However, you’d better think carefully. The scenario I just described is extremely unlikely. From your description of the Black Viscount, he seems like a very intelligent man. Generally, the smarter someone is, the more they value their life. Someone like the Black Viscount would never easily put himself in danger.”
“Understood. You’re saying that I should go alone to the Black Viscount’s possible lair and figure out how strong he really is. Additionally, no matter what I find out, you can still use me to create some chaos for the Black Viscount’s group, allowing you to take advantage of the confusion to rescue your companions. Right, Teacher Zhang?”
“Haha! Miss Melissa, it seems I underestimated you. My little trick was exposed so easily,” Zhang Wen feigned helplessness and shook his head with a bitter smile.
Although Melissa knew that Zhang Wen’s expression was likely more feigned than genuine, she couldn’t help but feel a small sense of triumph at finally gaining a small victory over the man who had always outsmarted her.
However, she soon realized that if Zhang Wen was deliberately putting on an act, then her feeling of triumph meant that he had once again manipulated her emotions.
If you’re happy, you lose! Melissa tried hard not to feel happy. But then she thought, who in the world doesn’t like to be happy and instead seeks out sadness like a masochist?
…In the dark alley, Countess Melissa experienced the most emotionally complex night of her life.
Of course, Countess Melissa was, after all, a qualified spy and an excellent diplomat. In a very short time, she set aside her labyrinthine emotions and refocused all her attention on the mission at hand.
“I accept your conditions!” After a moment of calm thought, Melissa nodded firmly at Zhang Wen. “I’m already a dead person. Even if the chance of crawling out of hell is only one in a thousand, what do I have to hesitate about? Besides, I still owe you a life-saving debt, so being used by you once is no big deal.”
“As long as you’re okay with it, let’s set off immediately. Where exactly is the Black Viscount’s lair?”
“Hey! No matter how urgent you are, you can’t expect me to go out on the street dressed like this, can you?” Seeing Zhang Wen stride out of the alley, Melissa hurriedly tugged at the remnants of her combat suit and chased after him, both angry and anxious.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to set off like this! I didn’t say we’re going after the Black Viscount right now. The first thing you need to do is follow me to the hotel,” Zhang Wen said with a deliberate smirk, his tone dripping with ambiguity.
This time, Zhang Wen’s joke didn’t fool Melissa. In fact, the reason Zhang Wen had been able to manipulate the countess so easily wasn’t because he was significantly smarter than her. It was simply because, compared to Zhang Wen, Melissa’s position had been too disadvantageous.
Zhang Wen had almost no demands from Melissa, while Melissa desperately needed his help. This had left Melissa powerless against Zhang Wen. Now that they had reached a cooperative agreement and Melissa truly saw hope, the wisdom of her dual roles as a diplomat and a spy quickly returned.
Hearing Zhang Wen’s ambiguous teasing, the countess didn’t blush in embarrassment as before. Instead, she gave him a flirtatious glance, her eyes sparkling with charm.
“Alright! Since Teacher Zhang has agreed to help me, how could I go back on my word? If you’re not worried about your legs going weak when we storm the Black Viscount’s lair later, I have no problem with having a little fun before we set off!” Melissa smiled at Zhang Wen, deliberately pressing her right arm down slightly.
As a result, the already alluring curves of the countess’s chest became even more pronounced, as if they might burst out from under her arm at any moment! The sensuality and allure were so intense that just a glance could make one’s heart skip a beat.
Melissa’s sharp counterattack made Zhang Wen realize that this beautiful diplomat had truly recovered from her despair. Zhang Wen immediately laughed and clasped his hands together in mock surrender. “Haha! I get it, I admit defeat. Countess, please spare me!”
“Hehe…” Melissa was amused by Zhang Wen’s comical words and actions. She also realized that Zhang Wen had been deliberately teasing her with ambiguity to clear the gloom from her heart and restore her to her best state.
Only then could Melissa seize that one-in-a-thousand chance. Otherwise, even if she did encounter that rare stroke of luck, she probably wouldn’t be able to complete her mission.
Silently continuing through the alley for a while, Melissa and Zhang Wen soon reached the exit facing the hotel.
“This is it,” Zhang Wen pointed to the building adorned with neon signs and stopped at the alley’s exit.
Although after Zhang Wen had exposed the identities of the TK group’s thugs who were monitoring him, they seemed to have quickly withdrawn from the area around the hotel, no one could guarantee that after the TK group’s headquarters was attacked, they wouldn’t send people back to monitor this hotel where their “dangerous person” was staying.
After carefully observing the surroundings and confirming that the TK group hadn’t sent anyone back, Zhang Wen nodded slightly and gestured for Melissa to follow him.
“Looks like there’s no problem… Hmm!” To Zhang Wen’s surprise, as soon as he turned around, a pair of soft lips suddenly pressed against his.
In that moment, Zhang Wen once again felt the warmth and unparalleled sensuality of Melissa’s body! And compared to their previous kiss, Melissa seemed to pour out the passion from her very soul this time. She actively entwined her tongue with Zhang Wen’s.
“Phew… What are you doing?” After their lips parted, Zhang Wen took a deep breath and looked at the panting Melissa in surprise.
Melissa gazed at Zhang Wen, her voice gentle but firm. “If we succeed this time, I’ll book a room on the top floor of this hotel and wait for you until tomorrow morning.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Zhang Wen shook his head with a smile. “Since I’ve agreed to help you, I’ll do my best. That’s my principle.”
“I know! Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to use this method to make you do your best,” Melissa hugged Zhang Wen tightly, her breath brushing against his ear. “You’ve won me over, you jerk!”
With that, Melissa suddenly pushed Zhang Wen away.
“But let’s be clear, I’ll only wait until nine o’clock tomorrow morning. If you miss the time because you’re busy saving your friends, don’t blame me. You should know, a woman’s heart is always fickle,” Melissa said, giving Zhang Wen a flirtatious glance.
“Hey! It’s you who’s won over, isn’t it? Why are you setting a time limit for me to arrive?” Zhang Wen rolled his eyes at Melissa.
“Tch! Do you think I can’t tell? Your interest in me is no less than mine! Besides, are you really sure you want to argue with a woman about who’s won over whom?” Melissa immediately returned Zhang Wen’s eye roll.
“No problem. That’s exactly what I want,” Zhang Wen’s smile seemed to carry a hint of mischief, causing Melissa to startle again. Instinctively, she raised her arms to cover her chest.
“Oh? Miss Melissa, weren’t you the one who said just now that if I agreed to help, you’d be mine?” Zhang Wen’s smile deepened.
“I…” Melissa’s face rapidly lost its color, her expression even paler than when she had resolved to take her own life.
“Hehe… When I refused you, you felt like it didn’t matter, that it was worth the exchange even if it meant offering your body. But now that I’ve agreed to help you, you look down on my character, unwilling to let me, this vile, despicable opportunist, taint you. Women, why are you always so contradictory?” Zhang Wen laughed helplessly as he spread his arms wide.
Caught off guard by Zhang Wen’s words, Melissa immediately felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. It was a long time before she suddenly realized that, without even noticing, her emotions had been controlled by him all along! This realization left Melissa with a complex mix of feelings.
She, a secret agent of the Alliance who had been trained for years and effortlessly navigated among high officials and nobles since coming of age, had been effortlessly manipulated by a man who appeared at least seven or eight years her junior! Not only had she allowed her emotions to be toyed with at his whim, but she had also willingly placed her life and death in his hands!
Fate had sent her such a man, a natural nemesis, at her most unfortunate time. Melissa didn’t know whether she should feel happy or pained.
“Alright, Miss Melissa, don’t be embarrassed. I’m not as vulgar as you imagine,” Zhang Wen spoke again before Melissa could dwell further on how to deal with him.
“What exactly do you want me to do?” Melissa quickly gave up her feeble resistance, once again handing over the decision-making to Zhang Wen.
“Simple. I can help you, but you have to bear all the risks that come with it.”
“Go on.”
With Zhang Wen’s departure, the alley quickly returned to silence. The moonlight, as if unwilling to witness the events in the alley, quietly hid behind a cloud. Melissa leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on the dark, empty sky. On the countess’s face, which seemed to be in a daze, expressions of joy and sorrow alternated, clearly lost in memories of the past. Finally, she stood up and pulled a rusty iron spike from a pile of debris behind her.
Melissa’s face was pale, but her expression was calm and resolute. The countess’s delicate hand gently caressed the iron spike, carefully removing the rust as if treating a beloved. Then, Melissa slowly pressed the sharp spike against her soft chest.
However, just as Melissa took what she thought would be her last breath, her movement suddenly stopped. To her astonishment, Zhang Wen, who had just left, had returned.
“Thank you for remembering to come back and collect my body,” Melissa said with a bitter smile, her tone devoid of any sarcasm. She was genuinely grateful that Zhang Wen had returned to take her body, sparing her the indignity of dying naked in such a dark alley.
Just as Zhang Wen could understand Melissa’s desperate need to use him, Melissa could also understand Zhang Wen’s reluctance to help. Unlike Melissa, who wouldn’t burden others even in death, Zhang Wen had many friends in the hands of the Black Viscount. Even if Zhang Wen didn’t consider his own safety, he had to think about his companions’ lives.
“No, you’ve got it wrong. I didn’t come back to collect your body. Actually, I just got lost in this messy alley,” Zhang Wen scratched his head, his casual complaint leaving Melissa speechless.
The heavy atmosphere in the alley dissipated instantly with Zhang Wen’s words. Moments later, Melissa couldn’t help but laugh, tears streaming down her face.
“Just kidding,” Zhang Wen quickly dropped his feigned awkwardness and smiled slightly. “Let’s get down to business.”
“Have you changed your mind?” Melissa asked casually, not holding out much hope.
“Yes, you could say that,” Zhang Wen surprisingly nodded in agreement.
“What… what did you say?” Melissa was stunned, almost unable to believe her ears.
“I’ve thought it over carefully. Actually, your request and my goal aren’t completely at odds. There’s a lot of room for compatibility,” Zhang Wen said with a faint smile. “But if you want my help, you’ll have to pay a sufficient price.”
“What do you want?” Melissa threw away the iron spike and opened her arms with a frank smile. “I’ve told you, I have nothing left except my body.”
“No problem. That’s exactly what I want,” Zhang Wen’s smile took on a slightly sinister tone, making Melissa pause and instinctively cover her chest.
“Oh? Miss Melissa, didn’t you just say that if I agreed to help, you’d be mine?” Zhang Wen’s smile widened.
“I…” Melissa’s face quickly lost its color, turning even paler than when she had decided to end her life.
“Ha… When I refused to help, you thought nothing mattered, even if it meant trading your body. But now that I’ve agreed to help, you look down on my character, unwilling to let this despicable, opportunistic lecher taint you. Women, why are you always so contradictory?” Zhang Wen spread his hands helplessly.
Caught off guard by Zhang Wen’s insight, Melissa’s face flushed with embarrassment. After a long while, she suddenly realized that her emotions had been subtly controlled by him! This discovery left her with mixed feelings.
She, a trained spy who had effortlessly navigated the circles of high-ranking officials and nobles since adulthood, had been easily manipulated by a man who seemed at least seven or eight years her junior! Not only were her emotions at his mercy, but even her life and death seemed to be in his hands!
Fate had sent this man, who seemed like her nemesis, to her side at her lowest moment. Melissa didn’t know whether to be happy or miserable.
“Alright, Miss Melissa, don’t be embarrassed. I’m not as despicable as you think,” Zhang Wen spoke again while Melissa was still grappling with how to treat him.
“What exactly do you want me to do?” Melissa quickly gave up her feeble resistance and handed the decision back to Zhang Wen.
“In short, I can help you, but all the risks that come with it will be on you.”
“Go on.”
“Alright,” Zhang Wen smiled slightly. “As I said before, if the Black Viscount is a super-tier powerhouse or has super-tier bodyguards with him at all times, there’s no way I can handle it. But these are just my assumptions. There’s a slim chance that the Black Viscount isn’t that powerful, the super-tier bodyguards don’t exist, or they’re temporarily away. If your luck is really that good, I wouldn’t mind helping you take down the Black Viscount.”
Zhang Wen paused for a moment.
“However, you’d better think carefully. The scenario I just described is extremely unlikely. From your description of the Black Viscount, he seems like a very intelligent man. Generally, the smarter someone is, the more they value their life. Someone like the Black Viscount would never easily put himself in danger.”
“I see. You’re saying that I should go to the Black Viscount’s possible lair alone and figure out how strong he really is. Additionally, no matter what I find out, you can still use me to create some chaos for the Black Viscount’s group, allowing you to take advantage of the confusion and rescue your companions. Right, Mr. Zhang Wen?”
“Ha! Miss Melissa, it seems I underestimated you. My little trick was exposed so easily,” Zhang Wen feigned helplessness and shook his head with a bitter smile.
Although Melissa knew that Zhang Wen’s expression was likely more feigned than genuine, she couldn’t help but feel a small sense of triumph at finally outsmarting him.
However, she soon realized that if Zhang Wen was deliberately putting on an act, then her feeling of triumph meant he was still manipulating her emotions.
If you’re happy, you lose! Melissa tried hard not to feel happy. But then she couldn’t help but laugh at the thought—who in the world doesn’t like to be happy, instead seeking out sadness like a masochist?
…In the dark alley, Countess Melissa experienced the most emotionally complex night of her life.
Of course, Countess Melissa was, after all, a qualified spy and an excellent diplomat. In a very short time, she put aside her labyrinthine emotions and refocused entirely on her mission.
“I accept your conditions!” After a moment of calm thought, Melissa nodded firmly at Zhang Wen. “I’m already a dead person. Even if there’s only a one in a thousand chance of crawling out of hell, why should I hesitate? Besides, I still owe you a life debt. Being used by you once isn’t a big deal.”
“If you’re okay with it, let’s set off immediately. Where is the Black Viscount’s lair?”
“Hey! No matter how urgent you are, you can’t expect me to go out like this, can you?” Seeing Zhang Wen stride out of the alley, Melissa hurriedly tugged at the remnants of her combat suit and chased after him, both angry and anxious.
“Of course not! I didn’t say we’re going to the Black Viscount right now. The first thing you need to do is follow me to the hotel,” Zhang Wen deliberately added a mischievous smile, speaking in a suggestive tone.
This time, Zhang Wen’s joke didn’t fool Melissa. In fact, Zhang Wen’s ability to manipulate the countess wasn’t because he was significantly smarter than her. It was simply because, compared to Zhang Wen, Melissa was in a much more disadvantageous position.
Zhang Wen had almost no demands from Melissa, while Melissa desperately needed his help. This made Melissa powerless against Zhang Wen. Once they reached a cooperative agreement and Melissa saw real hope, her intelligence as a diplomat and spy quickly returned.
Hearing Zhang Wen’s suggestive teasing, the countess didn’t blush in embarrassment as before. Instead, she gave Zhang Wen a flirtatious glance.
“Alright! Since Mr. Zhang Wen has agreed to help me, how could I go back on my word? If you’re not worried about your legs going weak when we storm the Black Viscount’s lair later, I wouldn’t mind having a little fun before we set off!” Melissa smiled at Zhang Wen, deliberately pressing her right arm down slightly.
As a result, the already full and alluring curves of her chest became even more pronounced, as if they might burst out from under her arm at any moment! The sensuality was so intense that just a glance could make one’s heart skip a beat.
Melissa’s sharp counterattack made Zhang Wen realize that this beautiful diplomat had truly recovered from her despair. Zhang Wen immediately laughed and clasped his hands in mock surrender. “Haha! I get it, I concede. Countess, please spare me!”
“Hehe…” Melissa was amused by Zhang Wen’s playful words and actions. She also realized that Zhang Wen had been deliberately teasing her with suggestive remarks to clear the gloom from her heart and restore her to her best state.
Only then could Melissa grasp that last one in a thousand chance. Otherwise, even if she did encounter that rare stroke of luck, she probably wouldn’t be able to complete her mission.
After silently walking through the alley for a while, Melissa and Zhang Wen soon reached the exit facing the hotel.
“This is it,” Zhang Wen pointed to the building adorned with neon signs and stopped at the alley’s exit.
Although after Zhang Wen exposed the identities of the TK group’s thugs who had been monitoring him, they seemed to have quickly withdrawn from the area around the hotel, no one could guarantee that after the TK group’s headquarters was attacked, they wouldn’t send people back to monitor the hotel where this “dangerous person” was staying.
After carefully observing the surroundings and confirming that the TK group hadn’t sent anyone back, Zhang Wen nodded slightly and motioned for Melissa to follow him.
“Looks like there’s no problem… Mmm!” To Zhang Wen’s surprise, as soon as he turned around, a pair of soft lips suddenly pressed against his.
Immediately, Zhang Wen once again felt the warmth of Melissa’s body and her unparalleled sensuality! And compared to their previous kiss, Melissa seemed to pour out the passion from her very soul this time. She actively entwined her tongue with Zhang Wen’s.
“Phew… What are you doing?” After their lips parted, Zhang Wen took a deep breath and looked at Melissa, who was panting, with surprise.
Melissa gazed at Zhang Wen, her voice gentle but firm. “If we really succeed this time, I’ll book a room on the top floor of this hotel and wait for you until tomorrow morning.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Zhang Wen shook his head with a smile. “Since I’ve agreed to help you, I’ll do my best. That’s my principle.”
“I know! Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to use this to make you do your best,” Melissa hugged Zhang Wen tightly, her breath brushing against his ear. “You’ve moved me, you jerk!”
With that, Melissa suddenly pushed Zhang Wen away.
“But let’s make it clear, I’ll only wait until nine tomorrow morning. If you’re late because you’re saving your friends, don’t blame me. You know, a woman’s heart is always fickle,” Melissa said, giving Zhang Wen a flirtatious glance.
“Hey! You’re the one who’s moved, right? Why are you setting a time limit for me to arrive?” Zhang Wen rolled his eyes at Melissa.
“Tch! Do you think I can’t tell? You’re just as interested in me as I am in you! Besides, are you really sure you want to argue with a woman about who’s moved?” Melissa immediately returned Zhang Wen’s eye roll.
As he spoke, Zhang Wen paused slightly.
“Still, you’d better think carefully. The scenario I just described is extremely unlikely. From your previous description of the Black Viscount, he seems to be a very intelligent person. Generally speaking, the smarter a person is, the more they value their own life. Someone like the Black Viscount would never recklessly put themselves in danger.”
“I understand. You mean for me to go alone to the possible hideout of the Black Viscount to help you figure out exactly how strong he is. Also, no matter what I find out, you can still use me to create some chaos for the Black Viscount’s group, giving you the chance to rescue your companions amidst the confusion. Right, Teacher Zhang Wen?”
“Hehe! Miss Melissa, it seems I underestimated you a bit. I barely came up with this little trick, and you saw right through it,” Zhang Wen feigned helplessness with a bitter smile and a shake of his head.
Although Melissa was well aware that Zhang Wen’s expression of helplessness likely contained more pretense than sincerity, the fact that she had managed to score a small victory over Zhang Wen, who had consistently outmaneuvered her, made the baroness unable to suppress a bit of satisfaction from rising in her heart.
However, soon Melissa realized that since Zhang Wen was deliberately putting on a show, if she really felt pleased, wouldn’t she be manipulated by Zhang Wen’s emotions again?
If you’re happy, you lose! Melissa tried hard to stop herself from feeling happy. But then she couldn’t help but think with a wry smile, who in this world doesn’t like being happy and instead deliberately seeks out sadness?
…In the pitch-black alley, Baroness Melissa experienced the most emotionally complex night of her life.
Of course, Baroness Melissa was ultimately a competent secret agent and an excellent diplomat. In a short time, she managed to push aside the labyrinthine emotions and refocused her entire attention on the mission at hand.
“I accept your conditions!” Melissa, having regained her composure, nodded firmly at Zhang Wen after a moment of thought. “After all, I’m already a dead woman. If there’s even a one in a thousand chance of crawling back from hell, what do I have to hesitate about? Besides, I still owe you for saving my life. Being used by you once isn’t a big deal.”
“As long as you’re fine with it, we’ll set off immediately. Where exactly is the Black Viscount’s lair?”
“Hey! No matter how eager you are, you can’t let me go out like this, can you?” Seeing Zhang Wen walk decisively out of the alley, Melissa hurriedly tugged at the remains of her half-finished combat suit and chased after him, exasperated and anxious.
“Of course not! I didn’t say we should go looking for the Black Viscount right now. The first thing you need to do now is follow me to the inn,” Zhang Wen deliberately wore a mischievous smile and said in a very ambiguous tone.
This time, Melissa wasn’t fooled by Zhang Wen’s joke. In fact, Zhang Wen’s previous ability to manipulate the baroness wasn’t because his intelligence was truly superior to hers. It was simply because compared to Zhang Wen, Melissa’s position at that time had been extremely disadvantageous.
Zhang Wen had almost nothing to ask of Melissa, while Melissa desperately needed his help, which left her powerless to resist him. But now that they had reached a cooperative agreement and Melissa had truly seen hope, the wisdom of the female diplomat and Alliance secret agent in her head quickly returned.
Listening to Zhang Wen’s ambiguous teasing, the baroness not only didn’t blush as she had before but instead gave him a flirtatious glance with her eyes, exuding charm.
“Fine! Since Teacher Zhang has agreed to help me, how can I go back on my word? If you’re not worried about your legs giving way when you rush into the Black Viscount’s lair later, even if you want to have a little fun before we set off, I’m totally okay with it!” Melissa smiled sweetly at Zhang Wen, deliberately lowering her right arm slightly.
As a result, the already full and enticing curves on her chest became even more pronounced, as if they were about to burst forth from under her arm at any moment, just like before! The intimacy and sensuality were so intense that one couldn’t help but feel their heartbeat stop just from a single glance.
Melissa’s sharp counterattack made Zhang Wen realize that this beautiful female diplomat had truly recovered from her despair. Zhang Wen immediately burst into laughter and repeatedly bowed his hands: “Haha! I understand now. I admit defeat. Your Lordship, please have mercy on me!”
“Hehe…” Melissa was amused by Zhang Wen’s comical words and actions. She also realized that the reason Zhang Wen had been teasing her deliberately from the start was to dispel the gloom in her heart and help her regain her best condition.
Only in this way could Melissa possibly seize that final one-in-a-thousand chance. Otherwise, even if she did encounter such a rare stroke of luck, she probably wouldn’t be able to complete her mission.
After silently continuing through the alley for a while, Melissa and Zhang Wen soon arrived at the exit facing the inn.
“This is it,” Zhang Wen smiled and pointed to the neon-lit building in front of them, then stopped at the alley’s exit.
Although after Zhang Wen uncovered the identities of the few henchmen from the TK Group who were assigned to monitor him, those men seemed to quickly withdraw from around the inn, no one could be sure whether they would send new people to monitor this hotel housing such a “dangerous individual” after their headquarters were attacked.
Carefully observing the surroundings and confirming that the TK Group had not sent any new personnel, Zhang Wen nodded slightly and turned back to signal Melissa to follow him.
“It seems there’s no problem…” Zhang Wen began, but before he could finish, he felt two soft lips suddenly press against his.
Then, Zhang Wen once again experienced the fiery warmth of Melissa’s body and her incomparable sensuality! Compared to their previous kiss, Melissa this time seemed to pour out the passion from her very soul. She actively extended her tongue, entwining it with Zhang Wen’s.
“Phew… What are you doing now?” After their lips parted, Zhang Wen took a deep breath, looking at Melissa, who was panting.
Melissa gazed at Zhang Wen, her voice gentle yet firm. “If we really succeed this time, I’ll book a room on the top floor of this inn and wait for you until tomorrow morning.”
“You don’t have to do this,” Zhang Wen smiled and shook his head. “Now that I’ve promised to help you, I’ll definitely do my best. That’s my principle.”
“I know! Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to make you try harder by doing this,” Melissa hugged Zhang Wen tightly, her breath tickling his earlobe. “You’ve made me fall for you, you bastard!”
With that, Melissa suddenly pushed Zhang Wen away.
“But I’ll only wait until nine tomorrow morning. If you miss the deadline because you’re rescuing your friends, don’t blame me. You have to understand, a woman’s heart is always fickle,” Melissa said with a flirtatious glance.
“Hey! Isn’t it you who’s fallen for me?” Zhang Wen rolled his eyes at Melissa, exasperated.
“Tsk! Do you think I can’t tell? Your interest in me is no less than mine in you! Besides, are you really going to argue with a woman about who fell first?” Melissa immediately returned the eye-roll to Zhang Wen.
“Alright! I’ll definitely arrive before the deadline. Of course, if I don’t show up, maybe I’ve just been held back by another woman.” Zhang Wen awkwardly rubbed his nose, then added with a teasing grin.
Melissa immediately shot Zhang Wen a fierce glare: “Bastard! If you dare not come, just wait and see! Do you have any idea how much courage it takes for a thirty-year-old woman to say something like this to a man at least five years younger than her?”
Melissa’s sharp retort made Zhang Wen suddenly realize that once she regained her composure, he was actually somewhat outmatched when trying to banter with her. He hastily coughed twice and quickly changed the subject.
“We’re wasting time! Let’s get down to business first. My friends are still in Black Viscount’s hands, and you wouldn’t want that guy to escape, right?”
“Of course not.” Mentioning the Black Viscount instantly made Melissa serious.
Soon after, two shadowy figures darted out from a dark alley. Melissa closely followed behind Zhang Wen, using his body to shield her half-naked form.
At this time, Linwei Street had yet to recover from the chaos caused by the attack on TK Group’s headquarters. There were almost no pedestrians on the street, and the hotel lobby was equally empty. Zhang Wen and Melissa returned to the door of the room where he had locked Vicky away without being noticed by anyone.
As soon as he entered the room, Zhang Wen’s first instinct was to look toward the large bed on the left side of the room. However, his expression quickly changed dramatically. Vicky, whom he had left bound on the bed before leaving, had completely vanished without a trace! Only the scraps of cloth scattered around the bed indicated that a terrifying female assassin had once been tied there!
In an instant, Zhang Wen turned around, grabbed Melissa tightly, and leapt out of the room with all his might. He feared that Vicky might have broken free and was now hiding somewhere in the room using her terrifying abilities. If that were the case, once the door was shut again, both he and Melissa would be doomed against that ghost-like female assassin!
After landing and steadying himself in the hallway, a still-shaken Zhang Wen hastily used the corridor light to inspect the room. However, he saw no sign of the terrifying female assassin, which eased his anxiety somewhat, though his face still showed lingering tension.
“What’s wrong?” Melissa also noticed Zhang Wen’s unusual behavior and hurriedly asked.
“Hurry up and get dressed! We need to leave here right away. I’ll explain later!” Zhang Wen slightly frowned, quickly dragging Melissa to the room of the previous female bounty fighter and tossing her a set of casual clothes.
Then, without even staying in the room to admire Melissa changing, he rushed back into the hallway and started checking each of the bounty fighters’ rooms one by one.
Melissa knew Zhang Wen would never act without reason. She immediately focused intently, quickly stripping off her combat suit. Ignoring the fact that the casual outfit’s chest size was slightly too small, squeezing her ample bosom uncomfortably, she dressed as quickly as she could and stepped out of the room.
“Let’s go!” After checking the last of the bounty fighters’ rooms with no results, Zhang Wen’s expression grew even more serious. Without hesitation, he signaled to Melissa and hurriedly left the hotel with her.
※※※
In the conference room on the first floor of TK Group’s headquarters, a sexy beauty with dazzling golden hair covering half her face was sitting in the spacious chair at the head of the table, her long legs elegantly crossed.
Beside the blonde beauty stood a black-haired girl who appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. Unlike the blonde’s alluring beauty, the black-haired girl had a delicate, ethereal face that seemed untouched by the mundane world. She wore an elaborate yet thin evening gown that accentuated her voluptuous figure, which seemed oddly mature for her age.
However, the black-haired girl looked as though she were enduring some kind of pain, her brows tightly furrowed. But if someone were to notice the girl’s feet hidden in the shadows, they would immediately understand the source of her discomfort.
On the girl’s feet were extremely high-heeled shoes usually worn only by noblewomen at imperial parties. Clearly, the black-haired girl was not accustomed to these shoes, specifically designed to showcase the wearers’ long, slender legs. The experience of walking long distances in them was even more agonizing for her.
Opposite the blonde beauty and the black-haired girl stood a circle of TK Group’s henchmen. Ironically, in front of these two alluring beauties—one sexy and mature, the other youthful and delicate—all the fierce-looking henchmen trembled like mice in front of a cat. Several of the toughest-looking men nearest to the blonde were already soaked in sweat.
“Alright, talk! Where did that guy go after he jumped down from there?” The blonde impatiently asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Th-This…” The henchmen trembled even more violently under the blonde’s icy gaze, almost begging as they replied, “Please, have mercy on us! We really only saw them run into the alley across the street. We truly don’t know where they went after that!”
“What a bunch of useless trash!” The blonde exhaled sharply, suddenly erupting with a brilliant white flame.
The arc-shaped flame instantly expanded to the henchmen’s sides, and upon contact with their bodies, flung the burly men around like toys.
After a cacophony of crashing sounds, the TK henchmen were scattered all over the floor in disarray. However, none of them made a sound—not even a groan of pain—as if everyone had fainted after receiving the blonde’s blow.
“Hmph!” Glancing at the henchmen sprawled on the floor, unsure whether they were truly unconscious or just pretending, the blonde angrily snorted and abruptly stood up from her seat. “Vicky, we won’t get anything useful from these trash. It looks like we’ll have to find that audacious bastard ourselves!”
“Yes.” The black-haired girl softly replied, limping behind the blonde on the painful high heels.
Undoubtedly, the two bold beauties who had brazenly stormed into the TK Group headquarters, knocked down a bunch of henchmen, and left them too terrified to utter a sound were none other than the infamous Terror Queen Leika and her capable assistant, Vicky.
About half an hour earlier, Leika had arrived at the hotel where Xiu Luo was staying and discovered Vicky, bound tightly to the bed by Zhang Wen, unable to move. When Leika arrived, Vicky had already struggled fruitlessly several times, leaving her disheveled and panting, as if she had just been taken advantage of.
Seeing Vicky in that state, Leika nearly tore the hotel apart in rage. It wasn’t until she learned the truth from Vicky that she realized her beloved little assistant hadn’t actually been harmed. Leika, half-amused and half-exasperated, realized she had been tricked by her cute little assistant.
“Alright! I’ll definitely make it within the time limit. Of course, if I don’t show up, it might be because I got held up by another woman,” Zhang Wen awkwardly wiped his nose and then joked with a smile.
Melissa immediately glared at Zhang Wen fiercely: “Bastard! If you dare not come, you’ll regret it! Do you know how much determination it takes for a thirty-year-old woman to say such things to a man at least five years younger than her?”
Melissa’s sharp retort made Zhang Wen suddenly realize that once this woman recovered, he felt somewhat powerless in their banter! He quickly coughed twice and steered the conversation elsewhere.
“Time is precious! Let’s focus on the task at hand. My friends are still in Black Earl’s hands, and you wouldn’t want that guy to escape, would you?”
“Of course not,” Melissa instantly became serious at the mention of Black Earl.
Soon, two ghostly figures dashed out from a dark alley. Melissa followed closely behind Zhang Wen, using his body to shield her half-naked figure.
At this moment, Linwei Street hadn’t yet recovered from the chaos caused by the attack on TK Group’s headquarters. There were hardly any pedestrians on the street, and the hotel lobby was equally deserted. Until Zhang Wen brought Melissa back to the room where he had left Vicky, no one noticed them.
Upon entering the room, Zhang Wen’s first reaction was to look at the most conspicuous large bed on the left side of the room. However, as soon as his gaze shifted, his expression changed drastically. On the comfortable and soft bed, Vicky, whom Zhang Wen had left in the room before departing, had vanished without a trace! Only scattered strips of cloth on the floor indicated that a terrifying female assassin had once been bound there!
In the next moment, Zhang Wen suddenly turned around, grabbed Melissa, and leaped out of the room with all his might. Zhang Wen feared that Vicky had freed herself and was now hiding in the room using her terrifying abilities! If that were the case, once the door was closed again, both Zhang Wen and Melissa would be doomed in the face of that ghostly female assassin!
Landing back in the corridor, the shaken Zhang Wen quickly surveyed the room under the corridor lights. However, he didn’t spot the terrifying female assassin, which eased his mind a bit, but the tension on his face hadn’t completely faded.
“What’s going on?” Melissa also noticed Zhang Wen’s unusual behavior and asked anxiously.
“Hurry up and get dressed! We need to leave here immediately. I’ll explain later!” Zhang Wen frowned slightly, quickly pulling Melissa to the room of the previous female bounty hunter, grabbing a set of casual clothes and tossing them to Melissa.
Then, without even staying to admire Melissa’s beauty as she changed, Zhang Wen rushed back into the corridor and began checking each bounty hunter’s room one by one.
Melissa knew Zhang Wen wouldn’t act without reason. She immediately became serious, quickly removing her combat suit, not minding that the casual clothes were slightly tight around her ample chest, and swiftly put them on before stepping out of the room.
“Let’s go!” After checking the last bounty hunter’s room and finding nothing, Zhang Wen’s expression grew even more serious. Without hesitation, he gestured to Melissa and hurriedly left the hotel with her.
※※※
In the meeting room on the first floor of TK Group’s headquarters, a sexy beauty with dazzling golden hair covering half her face sat with her long legs crossed in the large chairman’s seat.
Beside the golden-haired beauty stood a black-haired girl who appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old. Unlike the golden-haired beauty’s striking allure, the black-haired girl possessed a delicate and refined face that seemed untouched by the mortal world. She wore a luxurious yet thin evening gown that accentuated her mature figure, which was incongruent with her age.
However, the black-haired girl seemed to be enduring some pain, frowning intensely. If anyone noticed the black-haired girl’s feet hidden in the shadows, they would immediately understand the source of her pain.
On her feet, she wore a pair of super high heels, the kind only worn by imperial socialites at banquets. The black-haired girl was clearly not accustomed to these shoes designed to showcase long legs. The experience of wearing them for a long journey only added to her suffering.
Opposite the golden-haired beauty and the black-haired girl stood a circle of TK Group thugs. Ironically, in front of this sexy golden-haired beauty and the youthful black-haired girl, these fierce TK Group thugs trembled like mice encountering a cat. Several of the most formidable men closest to the golden-haired beauty were drenched in sweat!
“Speak, where did that guy go after jumping down from above?” the golden-haired beauty asked impatiently, crossing her arms.
“This… this…” The golden-haired beauty’s icy gaze made the thugs tremble even more, and they almost begged, “Please spare us. We really only know they ran into the alley across the street. Where they went after that, we truly don’t know!”
“A bunch of useless fools!” The golden-haired beauty exhaled heavily, and a dazzling white flame suddenly erupted from her body.
The arc of white flame instantly expanded to the thugs, tossing them aside like toys upon contact.
After a series of clattering noises, the TK Group thugs were scattered all over the floor. However, none of the fallen thugs made a sound, not even a groan of pain, as if they had all fainted after being struck by the golden-haired beauty.
“Hmph!” Glancing at the thugs who might be genuinely unconscious or faking it, the golden-haired beauty angrily snorted and abruptly stood up from her seat. “Vicky, we can’t get any useful information from these useless fools! It seems we’ll have to find that audacious bastard ourselves!”
“Yes,” the black-haired girl softly replied, limping behind the golden-haired beauty in her painful high heels.
Undoubtedly, the two beauties who so arrogantly stormed into TK Group, knocked down the thugs, and left them too scared to make a sound were none other than the infamous Terror Queen Leka and her capable assistant Vicky.
About half an hour earlier, Leka, who had set out from the arena, discovered Vicky tied up and immobilized on the bed in the hotel where Zhang Wen was staying. When Leka arrived, Vicky was disheveled and panting from her struggles, as if she had been taken advantage of.
Seeing Vicky’s state, the furious Leka almost tore down the hotel. Only after hearing the truth from Vicky did she realize her adorable assistant hadn’t been harmed. Amused and exasperated, Leka felt she had been tricked by her cute little assistant.
However, Vicky’s pitiful and adorable expression, like a lost kitten returning to its owner’s warm home, completely dissipated Leka’s anger.
Of course, the Terror Queen’s dignity couldn’t be discarded so easily. Moreover, Vicky’s failure against Zhang Wen had also embarrassed Leka. Therefore, Leka decided that her beloved Vicky needed a small lesson.
When Leka learned from Vicky that the audacious bastard who had repeatedly embarrassed the Terror Queen might have gone to TK Group’s headquarters, she quickly made a decision. Leka had Vicky continue wearing the outfit Zhang Wen had forced her into and walked with her to TK Group’s headquarters to inquire about Zhang Wen.
Unfortunately, Leka and Vicky didn’t find Zhang Wen at TK Group’s headquarters. Thus, Leka immediately summoned everyone in TK Group who had seen Zhang Wen to question them about his whereabouts.
The previous scene unfolded accordingly.
Leka left TK Group’s headquarters in a rage. Meanwhile, Vicky, completely unaccustomed to the high heels, had to tiptoe higher and higher, almost standing on her aching toes to keep up with Leka’s pace.
“Ha ha ha ha!” Outside TK Group’s headquarters, Leka turned back and saw the usually cold Vicky’s adorable, bewildered expression, immediately bursting into hearty laughter, her anger completely dissipating.
“That audacious bastard is truly an interesting guy. The trick he played on my little Vicky is absolutely brilliant!” Leka laughed, teasing Vicky, “Why don’t you keep wearing this outfit from now on? I guarantee any man who sees my little Vicky will be utterly captivated.”
“If I keep wearing these, I won’t be able to perform my duties,” Vicky frowned, replying in a monotone voice.
“Ah! Don’t always think about duties and tasks. Vicky, you’re a lovely girl. You should learn to enjoy life more,” Leka lovingly stroked Vicky’s hair. “Someday, you’ll meet someone you like. If you don’t learn these things, it’ll be tough then!”
“I want to stay with Sister Leka forever,” Vicky’s eyes glazed over as she clung to Leka like a kitten enjoying its owner’s affection.
“Of course! I don’t want to leave my little Vicky either! Whoever my little Vicky fancies in the future, I’ll capture them and make them your slave,” Leka laughed, patting Vicky’s cheek. She adjusted her slightly disheveled coat, her gaze instantly sharpening.
“Now let’s find a place to change out of these troublesome clothes! Game time is over. Anyone daring to oppose me, even if they turn this city upside down, must be found!”
Of course, the Terror Queen couldn’t just let her dignity be trampled like that. Plus, Vicky’s failure against Zhang Wen had also cost Leika face. Therefore, Leika still believed that her beloved Vicky needed a little lesson.
When Leika learned from Vicky that the audacious bastard who had repeatedly embarrassed the Terror Queen might have gone to TK Group’s headquarters, she quickly made a decision. Leika made Vicky continue wearing the outfit Zhang Wen had forced her into and walked with her to TK Group’s headquarters to inquire about Zhang Wen’s whereabouts.
Unfortunately, Leika and Vicky didn’t find Zhang Wen at TK Group’s headquarters. Thus, Leika immediately gathered every TK member who had seen Zhang Wen and interrogated them about his whereabouts.
The scene described earlier then unfolded.
Leika stormed out of TK Group’s headquarters in anger. Meanwhile, Vicky had no idea how to deal with the high heels on her feet. She could only strain to rise up on her tiptoes, eventually walking almost entirely on her aching toes just to keep up with Leika’s pace.
“Hahahaha!” Upon reaching the TK Group headquarters’ entrance, Leika turned around and saw Vicky’s usually cold demeanor replaced by an awkward cuteness, instantly bursting into a hearty laugh that dispelled her anger completely.
“That audacious bastard may be bold, but he’s actually quite an interesting guy. The way he used this on my little Vicky was brilliant!” Leika teased, laughing as she said to Vicky, “Maybe from now on, you should just keep wearing this outfit. Guaranteed to make every guy’s eyes pop out when they see my little Vicky.”
“If I keep wearing these, I won’t be able to carry out missions,” Vicky frowned, replying in a calm, emotionless tone.
“Oh! Don’t always think about missions. Vicky, you’re a very cute girl. You should also learn to enjoy life,” Leika lovingly caressed Vicky’s hair. “One day, you’ll meet someone you truly like. If you don’t learn these things, it’ll be really tough for you then.”
“I want to stay with Sister Leika forever,” Vicky said with a dreamy look in her eyes, hugging Leika like a little cat enjoying its owner’s affection.
“Of course! I don’t want to leave my little Vicky either! If my little Vicky ever sets her eyes on someone in the future, I’ll capture him and make him your slave,” Leika laughed, gently patting Vicky’s cheek. She shook off her windbreaker, which had become slightly disheveled from Vicky’s affectionate embrace, and her gaze instantly sharpened.
“Now, let’s find a place to change out of these annoying things on you! The game is over. Whoever dares to oppose me will be dug out, even if we have to turn this entire city upside down!”
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