Chapter 141: Failure Is Not an Option
Meng Die gently patted Lin Chuyue's back. "It's okay, it's okay... You must have seen it wrong."
"No way! That was definitely a human face."
Just as Lin Chuyue had entered the stall, she had seen a face pressed against the small window.
The shocking terror of that moment made her tremble uncontrollably even now.
"You must have seen it wrong. Trust me, don't be scared." Meng Die handed Lin Chuyue over to Xiao Ye, then walked toward the stall herself.
Xiao Ye put his arm around Lin Chuyue and took a small step back, but he said, "Let me go instead."
"You're a man. I'll go."
Meng Die continued to approach.
She cautiously opened the stall door.
Suddenly, a cold light flashed past.
A lock of hair by Meng Die's ear was sliced clean off, scattering in the air.
She seemed terrified, standing frozen to the spot.
Xiao Ye had to pull her away. "Quick, let's go! It's dangerous here!"
Xiao Ye glanced inside the stall. There was indeed a small, square window, but no one was there.
The three of them left the restroom, and Lin Chuyue didn't relax until they were completely out of the mall.
She supported Meng Die, asking softly, "Meng Die, are you okay? You must have been terrified. Don't worry, Xiao Ye is here. He'll definitely be able to keep us safe."
Meng Die's face was pale. It took her a moment to reply. "I'm fine... I was definitely scared, but I've even been in a shooting when I was abroad, so this wasn't quite as terrifying."
The words had barely left her lips.
Suddenly, a motorcycle shot out from a side alley, speeding directly toward the three of them.
Xiao Ye reacted first, about to push Lin Chuyue out of the way.
To his surprise, Meng Die had already pulled her to the ground, and they rolled out of the way.
Xiao Ye didn't hold back. He flung a silver needle, piercing the tire.
Amid the screams of onlookers, the motorcycle crashed through the guardrail and plunged into the river.
Lin Chuyue, still shaken, clung tightly to Meng Die. "I owe you my life. If it weren't for you... I might have been killed!"
Meng Die patted her on the back, reassuring her, "Don't be scared. If anything like this happens again, I'll definitely protect you."
"There are a lot of snatch thieves on motorcycles abroad. I'm used to it."
This neatly explained her lightning-fast reflexes just a moment ago.
Anyone else would have likely been frozen with fear, their legs turning to jelly.
Xiao Ye pulled Lin Chuyue to her feet. "Let's go. We're done for today."
The three returned to Jiangpan Villa.
Xiao Ye suddenly turned his head and looked at Meng Die. "What are you trying to do?"
Meng Die blinked, a confused look on her face. "What do you mean?"
The killing intent from a moment ago vanished instantly, as if it had never been there at all.
Xiao Ye looked at her and gave a knowing smile. "It's nothing. I must have been mistaken."
He turned and went back to his room.
Meng Die thought she was hiding her intentions well, but she had no idea that Xiao Ye had seen through her long ago.
Every time she was about to make a move, a flicker of killing intent would emerge.
It only lasted for an instant, but Xiao Ye hailed from the orthodox Taoist School and was a one-in-a-million genius. Of course he could sense it.
Therefore, no matter how many opportunities Meng Die created, she would never succeed.
Not unless she could learn to conceal her killing intent, a feat very few could accomplish.
「A week passed in the blink of an eye.」
In a lavishly decorated guest room.
Meng Die switched on a signal jammer, then used a satellite phone to dial a three-digit number.
A woman's voice soon came from the other end—deep and authoritative. "Silver Fox, have you succeeded?"
Meng Die sighed. "No. That guy is too slippery. I've tried everything, but I can't find an opening. Every time I'm about to make a move, he evades it."
"I'm starting to suspect he might have already figured me out."
The person on the other end immediately replied, "Impossible. Based on the intelligence we've gathered..."
"If he had found you out, he would never allow you to stay. He would have exposed your true identity by now!"
"He won't allow anyone to harm Lin Chuyue."
Meng Die paused for a moment. "I understand. I'll be careful."
"Remember, this mission must succeed. Failure is not an option! And you only have one week left."
With that, the person on the other end hung up.
Meng Die packed her equipment away, walked out of the room, and put her charming smile back on.
She went to the dining room and, seeing the table laden with delicious food, said with a smile, "Chuyue, I've really been a bother these past few days."
"Not at all! You saved my life today, of course I have to thank you."
Xiao Ye remained impassive, eating his meal in silence.
Suddenly, he felt a soft touch on his leg.
Xiao Ye looked across the table.
Meng Die was still talking to Lin Chuyue, but her leg was stretched out under the table, her silk-stockinged foot playfully caressing Xiao Ye's calf.
Xiao Ye neither stopped her nor acknowledged it, pretending nothing was happening.
A glint flashed in Meng Die's eyes before quickly vanishing.
She hadn't wanted to resort to seduction; in her eyes, it was a tactic of last resort.
But she had no choice. Xiao Ye was impossibly slippery, and she couldn't find any other opening.
But fortunately, this tactic was working!
'Just as I thought. Men are all trash. There's no cat in this world that won't sneak a taste of fish!'
'No matter how perfect the woman at home is, she can't compare to a bit of excitement on the side!'
After dinner, Lin Chuyue went to the study.
Xiao Ye returned to his room on the first floor. He had barely been inside for a moment when there was a knock on the door.
He opened the door to find Meng Die standing there charmingly, holding a plate of fruit.
Her V-neck silk nightgown revealed a deep cleavage and a pair of long, straight legs.
Her smooth, delicate skin looked even fairer under the light.
"I washed some fruit and brought it especially for you to try."
As Meng Die walked into the room, her fragrance wafted over him.
She lowered her voice, her breath sweet as she whispered, "I like powerful men."
Xiao Ye immediately took a step back. "What are you doing? Chuyue is your friend."
"Of course, we're friends. But as long as you don't say anything, and I don't say anything..."
"When I go abroad, this little fling will be completely over. No one will ever know, right?"
Meng Die's smile was bewitching, her eyes alluring. "You probably don't know this, but in Country A, where I studied..."
"...a lot of people don't care about so-called partners. They just like to have fun, look for flings everywhere, and enjoy a night of passion."
Xiao Ye pressed his lips together but said nothing.
Sometimes, silence is the best answer.
Meng Die reached out, her hand gliding across Xiao Ye's chest. "I know Chuyue wouldn't agree to it. Otherwise, I'd really love to share you with her. That would be even better, don't you think?"
Most men would probably be unable to resist such a temptation.
Xiao Ye scoffed inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged.
He took another step back. "Get out!"
Meng Die wasn't worried. 'A man's defenses always crumble bit by bit, just like this.'
She was extremely confident in her looks and figure.
Besides, her attempts at seduction had never once failed.
「The next day.」
Lin Chuyue was busy with work and didn't come downstairs.
Only Xiao Ye and Meng Die were in the dining room.