Yinlin froze upon hearing the familiar voice: "Lucian!?"
"Why are you here?"
Lucian, unable to let go of Yinlin's delicate thigh, said fondly, "It must be fate from the heavens that brought us together here."
Yinlin felt the warm touch on her thigh and let out a cold snort. She had no idea why Lucian was here.
But that cheeky voice and tone were something she could never forget in this lifetime.
"Could it be that you couldn't stand the loneliness and came looking for me?"
"Haven't all the women around you satisfied you?"
Lucian picked up a high-heeled shoe, gently holding Yinlin's exquisite foot to put it on for her. "Are you working?"
Seeing no danger around, Yinlin changed back into her Exiles outfit.
"Of course. I'm not as carefree as you are."
"Help me?" Yinlin scoffed, clearly unconvinced. She knew what kind of person Lucian was—why would he show up here out of nowhere?
And the Azure Camel Gang's camp was well-hidden. How could he know her location?
Plus, Lucian had mentioned going to the Black Shores earlier. Why would he suddenly appear here?
"Spill it. What's going on that brought you here?"
"Did all your women out there ditch you?"
Lucian's expression turned serious, "Can't it just be that I missed you and came to see you?"
Yinlin pursed her lips, "Someone drowning in affection wouldn't think of me out of the blue. Something must've happened to force you here."
As an undercover investigator, Yinlin's logical thinking was sharp, but she hadn't yet considered she was in a dream.
Aside from Lucian's sudden appearance, she hadn't noticed anything amiss.
And she wasn't surprised he was by her side—Lucian always had strange tricks up his sleeve.
Lucian didn't respond, quietly taking her soft, boneless hand and gazing at her profile, sighing, "I'm craving fried rice."
Yinlin's cheeks flushed. Back then, she'd been the one to keep him at her place and even made her signature fried rice afterward. She hadn't expected him to remember.
"Are you sure it's fried rice you're craving?" Yinlin said with a cold smile.
"Of course. It was the most delicious fried rice I've ever had," Lucian said softly.
"The rice and sauce blended perfectly, weaving a symphony of flavors, layering pleasure upon pleasure, delivering a soul-shaking impact, overwhelming the senses with fleeting disorientation and ultimate release!"
"The lingering aftertaste of such a fragrant, flavorful dish soothes the body and dispels loneliness…"
Lucian whispered into Yinlin's elfin ear, making her feel a bit hot.
His words sparked wild thoughts, and as her body grew warmer, she quickly covered his mouth.
"Stop talking!"
"I'm impressed. You can make even a bowl of fried rice sound so… perverse."
Lucian feigned confusion, "I was just talking about fried rice. What were you thinking?"
Yinlin's expression cooled, "Don't think I don't know what you're implying."
Lucian shook his head, disappointed, "Yinlin, what's in your heart shapes what you see."
"In psychology, this is called the projection effect."
Yinlin, incredulous, said, "So this is somehow my fault?"
Lucian nodded slightly, "Don't worry, Yinlin. I won't dislike you over a small flaw."
Yinlin: "…"
Rubbing her forehead, she felt a headache coming on. Now she understood what it meant for the one wronging you to know exactly how wronged you are.
Good thing no one was around, or her reputation would be ruined.
Soon, Yinlin looked ahead at a figure, "I need to deliver the transaction data first."
Lucian, puzzled, looked forward, seeing only a white silhouette.
He mused—perhaps in Yinlin's eyes, it was a solid figure?
"Didn't I tell you not to come to me directly?"
"And… who's this?"
Vermilion Blossom looked at Lucian. Yinlin covered, "He's new."
Lucian nodded slightly, "My codename is 'Scar.'"
Vermilion Blossom: "…"
"Pick another one. That codename's bad luck."
Lucian nearly laughed. So Vermilion Blossom knew of Scar?
But she didn't suspect him despite the name, which surprised him.
"There was a hiccup on the way. Something's off… It's safer to hand the data to you directly."
Yinlin presented the transaction data.
Vermilion Blossom glanced at it, pondering, "What is this?"
Yinlin raised an eyebrow, sensing trouble, "The Azure Camel Gang's transaction data."
Vermilion Blossom snorted, "I never asked you to retrieve any data."
"You got fake intel!"
Her tone was harsh, filled with anger.
Yinlin frowned. Fake intel?
What was going on?
Was someone impersonating Vermilion Blossom to issue the mission, or was the intel itself fake?
Vermilion Blossom exhaled, "Yinlin, you can't even tell real from fake missions now? You've disappointed me!"
Seeing her harsh tone, Lucian stood with hands on hips, "Setting aside the facts, don't you bear any responsibility?"
Vermilion Blossom: "?"
Pointing at Lucian, she fumed, "So this is the newbie you brought?"
"Scar, huh? I'll remember you."
Yinlin stayed silent. When there was no danger, Lucian was the biggest danger.
But even at the risk of exposing her identity, she'd stand by him.
Vermilion Blossom vanished, leaving a glowing white gate.
Yinlin shook her head, confused about what was happening.
From receiving the mission to the Patrollers' interception to Lucian's sudden appearance—everything felt abrupt.
Lucian, wanting to find the source of Yinlin's nightmare, suggested, "Shall we go in and see?"
Yinlin touched his cheek, feeling a sense of unreality.
Seeing this, Lucian wrapped an arm around her waist, nibbling her ear, "You might be confused now, but I believe you'll soon find the truth."
Yinlin responded softly, gripping his hand tightly as they stepped into the gate.