In a foreign place, when you encounter a familiar face, most people tend to take a few more glances to see if it's a friend they know. If the other person also finds you familiar, you both might exchange a few more looks and then greet each other as if you recognized each other.

However, Li Yan didn't have such thoughts. He came here alone, and his purpose was not leisure. Encountering anyone familiar was something he needed to avoid. Moreover, he would even become suspicious!

So when he saw someone who seemed familiar, Li Yan looked down, diverting his gaze to the usher leading him. They wore cheongsams, and as they walked, the pantyhose-wrapped thighs occasionally showed and disappeared, attracting quite a few men's glances. Naturally, this was so common that even those interested would pretend to be a bit classy. But for someone like him, staring outright from behind, it seemed a bit uncouth.

With this distraction, Li Yan tried to recall where he had seen the person. It was a young man in his early twenties, definitely someone he had seen in S City, but they hadn't had any official interactions, so it didn't come to him immediately.

The few people ahead were heading out, while Li Yan was walking in. As he looked down, taking in the scenery, he quickly brushed past them. The familiar-faced guy didn't even notice him; perhaps he didn't remember him at all.

"...Our Shengshi Dynasty operates in many areas, but we never stray from our roots. Although this is a restaurant, we actually deal in real estate; this building is ours too, hehe..."

Hearing that person's loud chatter, combined with mentioning Shengshi Dynasty, reminded Li Yan of something. This person should be He Haibin, whom he had met before at the Prince Hotel.

'My father is He Yuan of Shengshi Dynasty, my name is He Haibin, and this is my brother, He Wei. He always thinks he's humorous but often ends up with cold jokes, so don't mind him. And this is…'

Thinking about this, he chuckled to himself. It seemed like a coincidence, and it was normal for Shengshi Dynasty to have business in H City.

"Will you sit at this table?"

The usher brought him to a small table by the window. The sequence of small tables was followed by larger ones meant for more guests. By now, Li Yan had broadly observed the restaurant layout. It seemed there weren't many private rooms, and all were occupied. Julian and the others were just sitting at a large table. He was quite satisfied with his table as it wasn't too close, but he could still observe them.

"A booth? Isn't that inappropriate... I prefer you just telling me to sit at this table." Li Yan quipped.

The usher blushed slightly and said, "That's what I meant. Would you like some tea?"

"Chrysanthemum, please!"

Li Yan sat down and watched as the usher, slightly red-faced, agreed, making him sweat a bit. This girl isn't so innocent after all. "Cough... I meant chrysanthemum tea, miss. Don't let your imagination run wild..."

Having just briefly scanned the whole situation earlier, Li Yan now began cautiously observing the occupants at each table. – The assassination agents dispatched by Si Country might not all be Celestial Continent or Western Continent people, but could also be East Continent or Yun Country people, making them hard to identify among the crowd.

At this moment, at a small table in front of him, a guest who had been sitting with their back to him—a long-haired girl—suddenly turned around and stared at him intensely.

Li Yan was stunned, wondering if flirting with the usher just now had made someone perceive him as a rogue?

Yet, he didn't shy away. Are you kidding? Outside his usual life circle, he wasn't afraid of being looked down upon. He smiled showing his teeth, "Hey beautiful, alone? How about we dine together? No need to order so many dishes!"

Li Yan waved the menu, and unexpectedly, the long-haired girl agreed, "Sure, come over!"

His eyes widened instantly!

Whether it was a stranger's invite, provocation, or sarcasm, none were enough to surprise him, but what shocked him was the voice!

In fact, seeing the girl's face, he already felt some familiarity. He generally remembered beautiful women more clearly than men, and he was certain he didn't know this girl, even in S City, so he was not cautious. But upon hearing that voice and seeing her vaguely familiar face, he matched the identity successfully.

"What? Not recognizing me after less than three weeks?" the long-haired girl pouted teasingly.

Li Yan gave a wry smile, "Come on, you knew it's been less than three weeks? A few months ago, your hair was just this long. In a few weeks, it's grown this long! I almost thought I'd seen a ghost."

In his mind, he cursed: seen a ghost!

Because that somewhat familiar long-haired girl turned out to be the usually short-haired Li Jie!

Seeing Li Jie didn't put him in a good mood—not that he disliked her—but... What's Li Jie's occupation? Bodyguard! When she protected Yu Xiaodi, what did she like? Disguises! Her present demeanor, Li Yan could almost be sure it had something to do with protecting Julian. This left him speechless: why didn't she stay in S City? Why was fate so tied between them? When he got to know Yu Xiaodi, she temporarily protected her; when meeting the Future group, she also protected them... Uh, not counting that, he only met Shinohara Mirai and Matsushima Kui because of their company; but for Nian Yufei, was that counted? And here she came again!

If he didn't have some understanding of her and hadn't faced challenges together, Li Yan might've really questioned her background.

He couldn't help but scan around, worried that another guy he had met coincidentally several times—mysterious martial arts janitor Chen Junwei—might also appear.

If that guy started working here again, everyone would probably collapse!

Li Jie said calmly, "What's wrong with adding a bit of ladylike demeanor by wearing a wig? And you, flirting with an usher, that's too much. I should tell Xiaodi!"

Li Yan smiled, her relationship with Yu Xiaodi stemmed from her period of close protection. For Yu Xiaodi, gratitude and trust towards her would be as lingering as for Wen Qianyi, reminding them for quite a while; but for Li Jie, it was just part of her routine work, something soon forgotten in the face of numerous similar assignments and clients, much like it was when Wen Qianyi first met Yu Xiaodi.

"Sis, being ladylike isn't about wearing a wig for long hair; it requires cultivation inside out." As the usher brought the tea, Li Yan asked, "Are you really alone? Then how about joining tables?"

"Hmph! I already asked you over. Talking to you like this, shouldn't you think twice about boasting your demeanor?"

She was originally sitting with her back to Li Yan, facing Julian's table. Li Yan chose this seating not just for coincidence. If sharing a table, just two persons, they'd have to sit opposite, rather than side-by-side, making Li Yan's back turn towards Julian's group.

Li Yan liked to keep all surroundings within his control, turning back to a target was not his style.

But… Li Jie wasn't simple; her watch was in no danger either. Moreover, why always watch the target? This time isn't about targeting anyone but those targeting killers, who would also watch the target. So it works out perfectly!

He quickly moved across from Li Jie, instructed the usher to merge tables, and started ordering dishes.

After ordering, dismissing the usher, Li Jie lowered her voice slightly, seriously asking, "Why are you here?"

Just as Li Yan thought she was seeing a ghost, she too had same thoughts and doubts about him!

Why is this guy such a fateful companion? When protecting Yu Xiaodi, he appeared beside her, assisting me;

Facing Beihai Country clients, he appeared in our company and helped me;

While protecting Nian Yufei, he showed up at the concert, saving my life!

Even when we were flying to Beihai Country, he was on the same flight… Now, I'm in H City, and he also turns up! What a coincidence!

This is dangerous; once again, is he here to help or save me?

Why is he doing it? Who is he really?

Li Yan knew what she was probing for, but his classic response was, "Because I'm hungry."

Li Jie scoffed, unimpressed, "You think I'll buy that? You think I'll believe you're just hungry? You could solve that for one with a simple dish!"

"Don't worry, come, taste this…" Li Yan smiled as he poured her a cup of chrysanthemum tea.

Seeing her roll her eyes, Li Yan said defensively, "Taste the chrysanthemum tea, will you..."

"Don't try to dodge this!" Li Jie knew he was being deliberately evasive.

He added with a grin, "Girl, adopting a bit of ladylike air isn't just about wearing longer hair, you need to cultivate it from inside out."

(600 monthly pass bonus update, there will be another 620 bonus update tonight. Currently, there are 648 monthly passes, can we reach 700 in August?) (To be continued, to find out how the story unfolds, please stay tuned.)

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