Chapter 6: Predicament

Dao Yan walked toward the interrogation chair step by step, staring down at Zhao Xuan with an overbearing intensity, as if she would not let him walk out of the room on his own two feet unless he provided an explanation that satisfied her.

Within the interrogation room, Dao Yan’s presence was overwhelming. Zhou Mei and the others dared not even breathe, watching this extraordinary couple with extreme tension.

(Dao Yan: Hmph, I’d like to see what kind of story you can come up with today.)

Zhao Xuan raised his head, looking straight into Dao Yan’s eyes with an expressionless face. His tone remained calm, devoid of any emotion as he said:

“Fine, Section Chief Dao.”

“It’s simply because you look down on me and don’t trust me, isn’t it?”

“I was wondering why Aunt Liu would suddenly offer to order flowers for me. It turns out it was a trap from the very beginning.”

Saying this, Zhao Xuan looked at Zhou Mei, who was standing beside Dao Yan:

“You just said that I arrived at the meeting location at the so-called meeting time, and entered with the target?”

Zhou Mei was at a loss for words. From what Zhao Xuan had just revealed—that ordering the flowers wasn't his own doing—she had been filled with questions from the start. But faced with this direct challenge, she could only bite the bullet and confirm it.

“Then I’m sorry, it is my regret to inform you that if I hadn't taken an extra nap this afternoon, I would have definitely gone to the flower shop early to pick up the flowers and then picked up Dao Ya on my way home.”

“Therefore, your claim that I arrived at the meeting location at the meeting time can only be a coincidence.”

Zhou Mei’s heart skipped a beat. If he had arrived at the flower shop early, that would have lined up perfectly with the actual meeting time. She didn't know how to refute this; could she admit that she had been bluffing, and that the true meeting time was exactly what he had just described?

Watching the silent Zhou Mei and the grim-faced Dao Yan, Zhao Xuan continued, finding the situation amusing:

“In summary, without Aunt Liu ordering those flowers, I would not have gone to that shop; I would have simply picked up Dao Ya and gone straight home.”

“So!”

*Bang!*

Zhao Xuan clenched his fist and slammed it against the wooden board connecting the arms of the interrogation chair. The sudden noise startled Dao Yan.

“Section Chief Dao, it’s one thing for you to suspect me and set a trap for me to walk into, but to plot against your own sister? Are you even fit to be a sister?”

“Today, Dao Ya and I nearly died at that flower shop. Is this what you wanted? If so, congratulations—your goal was achieved!”

Dao Yan’s face was now as dark as a gathering storm. She was terrified by today’s events; just thinking about it made her body tremble slightly. Zhao Xuan was right. If Aunt Liu hadn’t ordered the flowers, he wouldn’t have gone to the shop. If he hadn’t overslept, he would have entered the shop at the exact time of the meeting. It was all a calculated scheme, yet those calculations had almost killed Dao Ya—the sister she cherished most!

Dao Yan took a deep breath, swept her trench coat aside, and turned toward the door of the interrogation room.

“Zhou Mei, come with me.”

“As for you all, let him go!”

***

At the office of the Director of the No. 76 Secret Service Headquarters, Ding Moqun finished reading the report submitted by Dao Yan and nodded with a smile.

“So, A-Xuan performed well today. At a critical moment, he actually dared to hold that grenade steady for Xiao Ya.”

After speaking, Ding Moqun looked at the bitter smile on Dao Yan’s face.

“What is it? Are you still worried? Two months, twelve screenings—this level of scrutiny is truly unprecedented.”

“If you didn't think much of the young man, you shouldn't have agreed to the marriage in the first place. Since you did, and you are now husband and wife, there should be more trust between you.”

In front of Ding Moqun, Dao Yan was no longer the icy, frost-faced woman. She pouted, speaking with a hint of spoiled petulance:

“Uncle, if it weren't for the fact that my mother spoke of this marriage before she passed away, I would never have agreed to it.”

“Fine, we’ll consider him cleared. But is his personality really suited for work here at No. 76?”

Ding Moqun smiled, teasing her:

“I’ve heard that you insist on using titles while on duty!”

Dao Yan felt embarrassed and stepped up to the desk.

“Uncle, you!”

“Hahaha, alright, alright. You two are really something. If it were me, I’d be driven to anger. It would be a pity, considering A-Xuan even ordered flowers for you.”

Dao Yan curled her lip, speechless.

“Uncle, Aunt Liu ordered those flowers. He doesn't know the first thing about romance. Don't joke about him ordering flowers.”

As Ding Moqun had the screening report sent for filing, he looked at Dao Yan with newfound seriousness.

“Sit down properly. I have an idea regarding A-Xuan. The fact that he could clarify the relationships from your own words shows that he has a real talent for intelligence analysis. I intend to place him in the Intelligence Division.”

Dao Yan nodded.

“Fine. As long as you recognize his ability, Uncle, as long as it’s not in my Telecommunications Division, that’s fine by me!”

Ding Moqun could only shake his head helplessly. How could this couple seem more like mortal enemies every time he looked at them?

***

On Jisi Feier Road, a car dispatched by No. 76 drove Zhao Xuan and Dao Ya home. In the backseat, Dao Ya kept stealing glances at Zhao Xuan.

When he saved her today, Dao Ya realized she had been holding a grenade in her hand, and she had nearly been scared to death. In the end, it was Zhao Xuan who encouraged her, helping her relax her grip until the grenade was safely in his hands. This scene replayed in her mind, over and over.

Zhao Xuan looked out the car window. Although he sensed Dao Ya’s gaze, he ignored it. With his "dialysis mode" active, he was becoming desensitized to the girl’s internal monologue. Her mind was constantly racing, one thought after another.

When they reached home, Zhao Xuan didn't wait for Dao Ya and strode ahead.

(Tsk, I suddenly realized my brother-in-law is actually quite handsome. Maybe he isn't entirely unworthy of my sister after all.)

Zhao Xuan, walking in front, almost wanted to turn off his mental perception. Fortunately, Aunt Liu was waiting at the gate. Seeing them return, she hurried over.

“Sir, Miss, why are you back so late?”

“We were held up by something.”

Giving a curt reply, Zhao Xuan walked past Aunt Liu and entered the house.

In the living room, Zhao Xuan sat by the coffee table, reading the newspaper while waiting for Ding Moqun and Dao Yan to return. Dinner usually didn't start until they arrived; for the past two months, this had been his routine.

However, today was a bit different. Usually, Dao Ya would go straight to her room until dinner. But today, she sat down on the sofa not far from Zhao Xuan, sipping coffee and sneaking glances at him.

Unfortunately, Zhao Xuan had no time to spare for her, nor did he intend to. He was currently trapped in a dilemma. Zhou Mei had defected, the Painted Thrush cell could be exposed at any moment, and Li Mingzhu was still not truly out of danger.