C14 Being Followed

Alone and vulnerable, Lee Bingqian knew the importance of taking protective measures. She couldn't shake the memory of how her innocence had been lost in such a confusing way.

The following morning, Lee Bingqian was roused by her alarm clock. As she opened her door, ready to freshen up, she noticed Huang Wenyu was already awake, engrossed in a conversation on his phone.

After quickly getting ready, she sat next to Huang Wenyu and inquired, "What's our next move?"

"We'll continue doing what you've been doing recently," Huang Wenyu answered, pocketing his phone.

"But I've been going door-to-door searching for Binglian these past few days, and it's incredibly inefficient. Surely you have some connections or a more effective strategy?" Lee Bingqian pressed, her eyes filled with a mix of urgency and skepticism.

Seeing her distress, Huang Wenyu reassured her, "I do have resources. Binglian is crucial to the intelligence agencies. Multiple departments are covertly involved in her disappearance, each with their own assignments. I can't disclose more to you, though. Since you're being watched, we shouldn't tip off the unknown party. For now, I'll pose as your boyfriend while we continue our thorough search in Vushor. Once we get a lead on Binglian, I can extract her."

Lee Bingqian, heartened by Huang Wenyu's confident tone, felt a wave of relief.

"Let's grab some breakfast first," he suggested.

"Sure," she agreed, nodding. They made their way to the hotel's second-floor restaurant, side by side.

In a corner of the restaurant, a man was voraciously stuffing bread into his mouth, licking his lips with satisfaction. As he took a big gulp of orange juice, his gaze landed on the pair entering hand in hand. His pupils dilated in disbelief at the sight of their clasped hands.

Xia Zhe choked on his juice, having swallowed too hastily. "Pfft! Cough, cough, cough!" he sputtered, his face turning red and tears streaming down his cheeks from the coughing fit.

Unfazed by the familiar sound of coughing, Huang Wenyu remained expressionless. He pulled out a chair for Lee Bingqian to sit, his every action as convincing as if it were genuine.

The cough that sounded as if it was his last drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Lee Bingqian sat down and curiously peered toward the source of the sound. Since Xia Zhe had turned his head to cough, she didn't catch a glimpse of his face.

"What would you like to eat?"

Lee Bingqian turned back to the menu and casually picked a set meal. Her mind was preoccupied with finding Lee Binglian; without locating her, she found herself without an appetite.

Huang Wenyu raised an eyebrow at Lee Bingqian's choice. "Drinking wine this early? Milk would be a better option."

Lee Bingqian glanced at Huang Wenyu, who had presumptuously switched her red wine for milk. She parted her lips to protest but remembered she had to follow Huang Wenyu's orders without question, so she reluctantly kept quiet and complied.

The waiter soon arrived with their breakfast, and the two engaged in stilted conversation.

In the corner, Xia Zhe, who had nearly coughed his lungs out, finally took a breather. He rubbed his eyes and looked over at Huang Wenyu once more.

What was happening? Had the captain had an epiphany overnight?

And the girl with the captain—why did she look so familiar? She reminded him of someone he had seen before.

As Xia Zhe's brain raced, he continued to shovel bread into his mouth. It didn't take long for him to recall the identity of the woman with his captain.

Wasn't she the female doctor who had argued with the captain back in Umiton? What was she doing here? And how had they gone from arguing to apparently being close?

Xia Zhe's mind was overwhelmed by his curiosity.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz."

The phone on the table vibrated. Xia Zhe sneaked a peek and saw it was a text from his captain. He quickly read the message.

It read: Stop staring at us. Remember, act like you don't know us.

Lee Bingqian, who had lost her appetite, nibbled at her food before setting down her utensils. She scanned the room with a heightened sense of awareness.

Huang Wenyu caught her searching gaze and inquired, "Is something the matter?"

"That feeling is back again. Someone is watching me." Lee Bingqian gracefully dabbed the corner of her mouth with a tissue, feigning interest in the hotel's decor while subtly scanning the surroundings.

"It's one of our own."

Lee Bingqian expressed mild surprise. "One of our own?"

"Yes, one of our own. Avert your eyes, don't look anymore!" Huang Wenyu said with a furrowed brow, glancing at the barely touched food in front of her. "Have you had enough?"

"I'm not really hungry; I can't eat much." Lee Bingqian shook her head.