As he gazed at Wen Qianyi's beautiful face so close to him, Li Yan felt a surge of impulse rising within.

Indeed, this was a very risky thing. Revealing his identity would have absolutely no benefits for him. Even if Wen Qianyi could keep the secret and wouldn't report him, she would surely keep her distance from him, and perhaps even advise Yu Xiaodi to stay away. Because being an assassin generally represents ruthlessness and death, and it's a path of no return!

Not many normal girls would want to marry an assassin. Perhaps it's fine to have one as a temporary boyfriend — some might even find it exciting, or cool, or believe he can help protect them — but they definitely wouldn't see him as a long-term partner.

However, right now he just wanted to take the risk, to impulsively verify it! He believed Wen Qianyi wouldn't broadcast his secret widely, nor would she tattletale or call the police. Otherwise, during the bombing incident, she already would have provided information. But whether she would leave him, that was something he had to gamble on.

"Speak up! From your eyes, I can see you want to say something," Wen Qianyi said softly.

"Actually, I'm an assassin," Li Yan whispered back.

The two of them spoke as if they were lovers sharing secrets, or good friends discussing a normal topic. Li Yan was surprised at how he managed to say it without obstacles.

"I suspected as much," Wen Qianyi wasn't too surprised. With her wit, and all the fragmented clues, since he denied being a terrorist, what else could it be? It was either the underworld or assassins.

The two sat in silence for a while.

"What do you think?"

"What do you mean, what do I think? I'm waiting to hear your story!"

"Uh... I thought you might find knowing this side of me frightening and would keep your distance. How are you still so calm?"

Wen Qianyi giggled, "Silly... my life isn't worth much. You're an assassin, would you kill someone at random? Back when I cursed at you and ordered you around for work, you didn't kill me after hours — why should I fear you now?"

Li Yan also laughed, a relaxed kind of laugh.

"Alright then, let me tell you... a part of it. Earlier I mentioned how you find the thrilling lifestyle novel and exciting, but we who actually live such lives envy your calm and stable existence..."

"Yes, like a fortress. Marriage is like a fortress, those inside want to get out and those outside want to get in. Life is the same," Wen Qianyi agreed deeply. She knew even if she sometimes felt bored, most of the time she was used to this kind of life.

"A bit over two years ago, I started looking for regular jobs in the city. I've worked many jobs, in different fields. This year, I joined Paradise Group, and up until now it's been eight or nine months, I think. It's my longest-held job and the longest I've stayed in one place."

"Do you live a wandering life? This time, is it because you owe someone a favor and can't easily switch jobs?"

"Wandering... In today's society, how many aren't wandering? In fact, in places like Si Country, some people move house several times in their life. How many people live in one place without moving? Of course, I know that's not what you mean, but... that's still too literary. For assassins, it's just a job, money, that's it!"

However, Li Yan couldn't simply do it just for money, because he wasn't an ordinary assassin.

"There are many reasons not to switch jobs this time. Mainly... because of added emotions, added ties. In the past, I completely separated myself from the workplace environment, nothing hard to part with. Now, I feel like I've integrated into this society, integrated into this identity."

Hearing this, Wen Qianyi's heartstrings were gently plucked. Added emotions and ties, was it because of me? Probably because of Yu Xiaodi!

"Would you change for someone else? Like for your girlfriend, quit being an assassin for her."

"Perhaps! Changes are bound to happen, it's just a matter of degree. But if I'm not an assassin, what else could I do? As you saw, I'm not cut out for business like you. What about you? If... I'm saying if your boyfriend were an assassin, what would you do, would you accept and change for him?"

Under his burning gaze, Wen Qianyi looked away, fixing her eyes once more on the ceiling, then spoke softly, "I don't know... perhaps when that time comes, I'll naturally accept it."

After a while, she added, "But I think accepting a boyfriend like that would be easier, while regular women wouldn't choose to marry an assassin. Because it's the ultimate playboy, and there's no turning back!"

Other wives worry if their husbands come home late, wondering if they've been unfaithful. But I worry if my husband comes home late, wondering if he's gone out to kill or been killed. Other wives fear mistresses tearing apart families and hurting children, but I fear the grim reaper above us, seeking revenge on the entire family. This kind of worry, unless you reach this point, ordinary people can't understand. When it comes to marriage, women tend to be more rational than in romance..."

Li Yan opened his mouth, wanting to say 'I'm already married.' But he couldn't say it. Could this even be considered marriage? It's nominal, shaky at best. Perhaps once they truly become husband and wife, it won't be long before they split. And all of this is hidden from Yurong. If he told her, she might deeply despise him and break up immediately.

"You're right... Thinking about it, I shouldn't drag Xiao Di down. She's just a young girl, willing to risk everything purely for love. I'm not suitable for her..."

Wen Qianyi's words made Li Yan feel a bit disappointed. It showed not only her decision knowing the truth but also the decision most women would make. Wen Qianyi was relatively easygoing and sensible, and she had a good impression of him. If it were Zhang Yurong, what would she decide?

"Haha, thanks for your honesty. I've never told anyone about this identity before. You're the first. Keep the secret for me, okay? If you let it slip, I'll have no choice but to run away."

Li Yan said, sitting up and then directly getting up to leave.

...

Watching Li Yan's back, Wen Qianyi, who also sat up, opened her mouth but didn't know what to say to keep or comfort him.

She knew she was speaking the truth. She also knew that the truth is often the most hurtful.

Assassin... He's actually an assassin!

An assassin, yet he became her partner, subordinate, and friend. Wen Qianyi smiled bitterly to herself; this really was something quite unusual, right?

'I'm not a good person.'

'Knowing too much really doesn't do you any good.'

'Envious of your peaceful and stable life.'

'As for the work environment, I'm completely detached, not clinging to it. Now I feel like I've integrated into this society, into this identity.'

Recalling and mulling over Li Yan's words, Wen Qianyi was a little dazed. She always thought this guy was too lazy, too unambitious, but now she realized that the most ordinary, most mundane life was exactly what he yearned for. His inaction, to him, was pursuit, was ambition! She always thought he was carefree, almost thirty yet still not serious. She never imagined such pressure lay beneath that exterior.

Perhaps, for him, an environment like that of the Paradise Group's business department was already the best, the one where he could peacefully stay. But in the business department, the only person genuinely good to him might be another clerk, Huang Ying, while others behind his back looked down on him. This poor guy, does he even know? He asks so little from life, but what about love?

Is it because of this identity that he's held back, never daring to pursue girls proactively? No wonder then that when Yu Xiao Di made the first move, he found it hard to let go despite knowing they were mismatched in many ways. Who can say misfortune isn't a blessing? As Li Weng doesn't even have a horse to lose, naturally, he must cherish it.

But... what about me?

For the first time, Wen Qianyi formally asked herself.

According to Yu Xiao Di's previous words, he's been secretly in love with her; based on how he reacted at the Nian Yufei concert, he does have feelings for her; and from his vague hints, it's clear his feelings are genuine, he just doesn't dare to express them outright...

The more Wen Qianyi thought, the more tangled she became. She couldn't determine if she liked Li Yan. If she did, wouldn't that bring a lot of trouble? But she was already past the age to indulge recklessly in love and didn't want a convoluted, tumultuous love life!

Forget it, don't think about it. Li Yan, after all, is not a bad person, maybe like he said, it's just a job. A rather unique job. Moreover, although he takes money to kill, he's done good deeds. Like at the Prince Hotel, it was a sudden event, and his intervention surely wasn't for money but for all the hostages. Essentially, he saved so many people. Today's incident too, he rescued Shiroyama Gou using his abilities and connections.

Even assassins can be good people.

There's no substitute for a returning prodigal son, and Li Yan, this assassin brother, clearly desires to turn over a new leaf and has persevered for two years. Why hit him when he's down? Pushing him back into that world will lead to despair, eventually losing his life!

Wen Qianyi immediately got up and went to Li Yan's guest room to comfort him. Because she was in a hurry, she didn't knock, just opened the door and entered. But then she saw inside the room...

(This is the eighth update! This is the most updates since Mixed began, achieved after feeling unwell from heatstroke yesterday, and then persisting for 17 hours from 7 a.m. today. The challenge has pushed me to the limit, and I'm nearly exhausted. I'm really worried that once I fall asleep, I won't wake up until around noon tomorrow... Finally, thank you to the brothers who subscribe, reward, and vote. Further support is welcome, whether it's subscribing, rewarding with spare cash, or supporting with monthly passes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!) (To be continued, to find out what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com for more chapters, and support the author, support genuine reading!)

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