'If a direct approach won't work, I'll have to play it by ear and do whatever it takes. The bottom line is, this mission must be completed.'
Jiang Yunnuan's mind was consumed by the mission. She got up and walked toward the door, completely ignoring Jun Yao, not even sparing him a glance.
The moment she stepped out of the room, several pairs of eyes locked onto her. The three men were still in the living room, their expressions anything but friendly.
"Don't you guys have anything better to do? Why are you all staring at me?"
Her eyelid twitched as she spoke, a tight, humorless smile on her face.
Seeing her completely unharmed, Si Xie sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Tsk, now isn't this a surprise. Jun Yao didn't tear you to shreds?"
'His inner core was dug out, yet he can still tolerate having this woman around. Jun Yao must have the patience of a saint.'
Jiang Yunnuan was speechless.
'This guy really can't stand to see me doing well for even a second.'
She gave a faint smile and said in a tone designed to be infuriating, "Well, Jun Yao isn't savage and short-tempered like you. Truly capable men are refined, humble, and steady. Not hot-headed and impatient like you. It's obvious you'll never amount to anything."
"Y-y-you! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Si Xie looked ready to explode. Seeing things were about to go south, Jiang Yunnuan darted behind Fu Yuan for protection, then peeked her head out to continue her death-defying provocations.
"Lies don't hurt, but the truth cuts deep. You're only this angry because I'm right!"
Her words only enraged Si Xie further. His fists clenched, and a blazing fury ignited in his eyes. With his lips pressed into a thin line and an overwhelming aura of hostility, he advanced on her, looking utterly terrifying.
At the sight, Jiang Yunnuan shuddered and ducked behind Fu Yuan, her fingers gripping his clothes tightly.
"Er, Fu Yuan, he's lost it! You have to protect me! Don't forget, if anything happens to me, according to the Protection Law, you'll be held responsible and won't get off easy. You'll be free in just three months. You don't want to get dragged into this now, do you?"
Fu Yuan was speechless.
'This damn woman,' he thought. 'She just had to run her mouth and provoke Si Xie until he went berserk. Now she's scared? What was she thinking before?'
'If she'd just said a few words less, would Si Xie be this furious?'
Despite his complaints and dissatisfaction with her, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
She was right. If anything happened to her, he wouldn't get off lightly either. He only had to endure for three more months to gain his freedom. He absolutely couldn't let Si Xie ruin that.
Looking at the man who was so enraged he'd nearly lost all reason, Fu Yuan softened his voice to persuade him.
"Si Xie, calm down. It was just a few thoughtless words. Why lower yourself to her level?"
"Get out of the way!!!"
He wasn't hearing a single word of it. His bloodshot eyes glared at Fu Yuan as he let out a furious growl. He looked so enraged it seemed like his hair was on fire, posturing as if he'd take them both on if Fu Yuan didn't move.
At this, Fu Yuan's brow twitched violently. His head was starting to throb.
'Sometimes,' he thought, 'that damn woman has a point. Si Xie's temper is just too explosive. He's so irritable, and his fuse is so short he's like a lit firecracker. He's like a little kid with zero self-control.'
"If you want a fight, I'll give you one. Let's go outside so we don't demolish the house. If you can beat me, you can do whatever you want with her."
Hearing this, Jiang Yunnuan couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude.
'That Fu Yuan... when there's trouble, he really steps up. When there's a fight, he really throws down. Even though he's only protecting me so staunchly because of the contract, I'm definitely reaping the benefits.'
'But he's still injured. Can he really win against Si Xie?'
"You're really going to fight me over that damn woman? Don't forget, you're still injured."
Si Xie narrowed his eyes, taking in the wounds on Fu Yuan's body. He had just returned from a mission and gotten pretty banged up this time. Though the injuries were minor and not life-threatening, they wouldn't hold up to another rough-and-tumble.
"Enough talk. Let's go."
"Fine by me. Don't expect me to go easy on you."
Si Xie retorted angrily, then spun around and stalked outside. Fu Yuan pried Jiang Yunnuan's hand off his clothes and followed him.
Watching their retreating backs, Jiang Yunnuan was struck by a wave of regret. She regretted running her mouth and provoking Si Xie. If she hadn't said those things, this wouldn't be happening.
'What if they lose control and something serious happens?'
The thought made her start to panic. She was debating whether to follow them when her peripheral vision caught sight of the man on the sofa, sitting as still as a meditating monk and completely oblivious to the world around him.
'Oh, right. There's still one more here.'
As her mind juggled thoughts of the two who had gone outside, she couldn't help but remember her mission.
'Tsk, what a golden opportunity.'
A smile played on her lips, and a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. She walked over and sat down next to Ming Ye.
"Hey, aren't you worried something will happen to them?"
"You're the one who caused this mess. What does it have to do with me?"
Hearing her, Ming Ye lifted his eyelids and replied icily.
Jiang Yunnuan was speechless.
'So cold, so heartless! Completely inhuman!'
'We're all supposed to be a family, how could this have nothing to do with him?'
"Hmph, now you're going too far. I'm your Contract Master, so isn't my business your business? Stop slacking off. I want you to go out there and break up the fight. Don't let them get hurt."
"Not going."
Ming Ye refused, curt and absolute. He got up and started walking toward his room.
He had been on missions for four days straight, killing countless members of the Insect Race. He was exhausted and just wanted to rest in peace. He had no desire to get involved in this mess.
"I'm your Contract Master! How can you disobey me? Are you trying to rebel? I'm warning you, if you don't go out there and break up the fight today, I'll have to punish you. I'll extend your Contract Termination by another month."
"Everyone else gets their Contract Termination in three months, but yours will be four. On top of that, I'll go to the government and file a false domestic abuse report against you. They'll send you to mine ore on some abandoned planet. I mean what I say. So, are you going or not?"
Jiang Yunnuan shot up and chased after him, her demeanor full of bluster.
'No matter what, I have to get him out of the way today. If I don't, there's no way I'll be able to set foot in his room. How am I supposed to complete the check-in mission then?'
At her words, a flash of killing intent crossed the man's phantom purple eyes. He clenched his fists and stopped dead in his tracks. Jiang Yunnuan, not paying attention, ran right into him. Her nose slammed into what felt like a wall of solid steel, and the pain almost brought tears to her eyes.
"I'll go!"
The man gritted his teeth, forcing out two chilling words. He shot her one last icy glare over his shoulder, then stalked outside.
Seeing this, the knot of anxiety in Jiang Yunnuan's chest finally loosened.
She wasn't afraid of his anger. She was afraid he would be completely immune to her threats. If that had happened, she really wouldn't have known what to do.
'Good thing he has a weakness, after all.'
Once he was gone, Jiang Yunnuan took a breath and tried to push open his door.
"Apologies. Iris scan failed. Door cannot be opened."