Volume One, Chapter 78: Does He Like Your Sister?

“Really? You’re not lying to me, darling?” Jiang Chen’s hands, trembling with excitement, unconsciously reached for her chest. Fortunately, there wasn’t a soul nearby.
Su Yike gave a little huff. “Of course it’s true.”
Jiang Chen was impatient. “Then hurry and tell me.”
Su Yike narrowed her eyes, her delicate brows arching as she spoke, “I’ll tell you, but when you have time, you have to spend some with me. I know you’re busy, but you should still keep me company. I won’t fight with your other confidantes; I just want my own share.”
How could Jiang Chen not be moved by such sincerity from a girl? He replied earnestly, “No matter what happens in the future, as long as I’m alive and breathing, you’ll always have a place in my heart—a place that belongs to you alone, a place no one can take from you.”
Hearing his promise, Su Yike broke into a joyful smile.
“All right, I believe you. But I am a little jealous. After I tell you, you have to take me out for dinner, and you have to feed me!” With that, Su Yike’s long legs wrapped around Jiang Chen’s waist as she settled onto his lap, the two of them forming a rather suggestive tableau.
Jiang Chen felt a certain part of himself stand at attention. “Once you’re done, I’ll go with you.”
Su Yike slid off him, her tone serious. “These past few days I’ve been working as a special consultant for Institute 509. I’ve learned that besides us, several other countries have also caught wind of this operation. I hear they’ll be coming too. I think this is our chance.”
Jiang Chen gestured for her to continue. Su Yike nodded. “As everyone knows, there are many foreign agents lurking here. They’ll definitely make a move on that child. That will be our opportunity to act.”
An opportunity to make a move?
At this, Jiang Chen was puzzled. Where was the opportunity in that? They were in a passive position—even if they got their hands on the person, the final decision would still rest with the higher-ups, since all the information had come from them in the first place.
Sensing his concern, Su Yike said directly, “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not a problem. I know how to handle it.”
“Fish in troubled waters, seize the initiative.” With that, Su Yike stopped talking, but Jiang Chen already understood. The plan was nothing short of brilliant.
“I get it. So you’re saying, for now, all we need to do is wait and watch, right?” Jiang Chen leaned back, only to realize there wasn’t a chair behind him at all.
……

At Institute 509 in Qingcheng, Li Changsheng sat at the head of the table, reviewing the file with a look of surprise in his eyes.
“You’re saying this Jiang Chen is very strong—strong enough to be an ally?” Li Changsheng asked.
Fang Longcheng nodded. “Very strong. I’ve never met anyone stronger.”
Li Changsheng had met Fang Longcheng before—at a conference with many powerful figures. Although none had openly revealed their true strength, for Fang Longcheng, they were the highest echelons he’d ever seen.
“Interesting. I’d like to meet him. I enjoy befriending the strong. By the way, does he have any particular habits or hobbies? I’d like to bring him a gift,” Li Changsheng said, rubbing his hands in anticipation.
His sister, Li Nanqiu, who had accompanied him, rolled her eyes. “Brother, we’re here on official business. What are you doing? And no matter how strong this Jiang Chen is, he’s not one of us. Do you really think you can become friends with him just by meeting?”
“My dear sister, you don’t understand. I’m already twenty-three, and you’re twenty—you ought to find someone to marry. I think this Jiang fellow will do. Later, we’ll go find him and see if we can strike up a friendship,” Li Changsheng said, trying to reassure her.
Fang Longcheng hurried to interject, “Director Li, how about we focus on the mission first? After we finish, I can introduce you.”
Li Changsheng slapped his thigh. “Great! That’s settled. You go get ready—I’ll fetch him myself.”
Fang Longcheng sighed. “Actually, this boy is a bit rebellious. We’ve already tried to make contact, but he’s still refused to join us. Now, we need you to protect him and try to persuade him to join the organization.”
Li Changsheng was stunned. “Wait, am I hearing this right? Me, a contemporary swordmaster, the pride of Daxia’s younger generation—you’re telling me to babysit a kid? Are you out of your mind, or am I, or is it the whole world?”
Li Nanqiu said, “Brother, that’s just how it is. You never read the mission briefs—serves you right! You agreed without even looking.”
Li Changsheng instantly deflated. If you asked him to kill someone, he’d draw his sword without hesitation, but looking after a seventeen-year-old rebellious teenager? That was as torturous as a death sentence. He’d rather be sent to kill two people just for the fun of it.
Li Nanqiu said, “How about this: the two of us will try to become friends with him first. Maybe things will go more smoothly then.”
It seemed the only option they had, as no other ideas presented themselves.
Fang Longcheng reminded them, “You’ll need to move fast. If foreign spies get wind of this, they’ll make their move as well. We don’t have much time.”

Meanwhile, in Class Eight of Qingcheng No.1 High School—
“Everyone, let’s give a warm welcome to our new classmate, Jiang Chen!” the homeroom teacher, Li Nan, announced enthusiastically.
Jiang Chen, dressed in the school uniform with a fresh haircut, truly looked the part of a high school student. Having never actually attended high school himself, he found the experience quite novel.
“Oh my gosh, he’s so handsome.”
“If the college entrance exams weren’t so close, I’d totally ask him out.”
“Who said Qingcheng No.1 High doesn’t have any good-looking guys? This place is amazing!”
With a smile, Jiang Chen nodded in greeting to his new classmates. The teacher said, “Jiang Chen, there are two empty seats left—take your pick.”
Jiang Chen glanced at his target, Lin Mo, but saw that someone was already seated beside him. Left with no choice, he turned his attention to the other available spot.
“Teacher, I’ll sit here,” Jiang Chen said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder as he walked to the seat beside a girl.
The teacher nodded, and Jiang Chen sat down with a nonchalant air.
The girl next to him wore her hair in a high ponytail. Her features were exquisite, her posture graceful. The oversized black-and-white uniform fit her perfectly, highlighting her dainty lips and fair teeth—her lips a soft pink, incredibly cute.
“Hello, I’m Jiang Chen.”
“Hi, I’m Lin Ning.”
Not far behind them, a chubby boy whispered, “Lin Mo, he’s sitting next to your sister—maybe he’s interested in her.”