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“Blue Fields Villa,” Gu Ci hadn’t slept a wink all night. There had been a sudden incident in the underworld last night, with three members mysteriously disappearing. Gu Ci had ordered Jiang Junlin’s close guards to track them, but there had been no word since.

She spent the entire night praying, hoping that no one had died. After all, it was her command, and she had to take responsibility. Unlike Jiang Junlin, who had a heart of stone, she was feeling a bit tired after staying up all night.

“Work is never-ending. Don’t you need to review for your final exams at the medical school?” Qin Wan asked.

“My foundation is strong, so I don’t need last-minute cramming. I should be fine, aiming for second place.”

“Impressive!” Qin Wan shook her head. “In our National Defense Information Academy, finals are like a battleground. If you perform well, you can directly choose a department. Otherwise, you wait for departments to pick you.”

“Do you all have uniform placements upon graduation?”

“Usually, for Ph.D. graduates, departments compete to get them. It’s their choice. For undergraduates, it’s less competitive. If you don’t want to be transferred, you find a job yourself,” Qin Wan explained. “Wherever we go from our department, we’re in high demand, with annual salaries starting at a million. Some people don’t want to join the regular workforce and earn over ten thousand a month.”

“Why did you choose National Defense Information, then?”

“The Master chose it,” Qin Wan shrugged. “I followed the transfer.”

“The Master?” Gu Ci chuckled and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you like it?”

“It doesn’t matter!” Qin Wan said casually. “In our line of work, life is short, so it doesn’t matter what you choose. Liking something is a luxury; I go where I’m needed!”

Because of Dr. North, Gu Ci felt close to Qin Wan. “Why do you say it’s short? You’re in the shadows and don’t show your face.”

Qin Wan covered her mouth and smiled, her fair appearance particularly charming when she did so. “Gu Ci, the Master’s trusted agents don’t live long. That’s why he likes to choose some desperate characters.”

Coincidentally, she was a typical desperate character!

“Why are you willing, then?”

“I have no parents, no siblings, no close friends or lovers. I have nothing tying me down. Living passionately for a while is enough,” she blinked her eyes, lively and radiant. “Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are in the heavens. There’s no need to worry too much.”

Gu Ci chuckled, “You haven’t changed much from your previous life.”

“What?”

Gu Ci shook her head. “Never mind, I’m really tired after staying up all night.”

“Can you sleep?”

Gu Ci shook her head; she had to wait for news, so she definitely couldn’t sleep.

“I can’t sleep either. Let’s go play basketball together, get some exercise!” They were young and full of energy, so despite the fatigue of staying up all night, they were far from listless.

Gu Ci also had the same idea; she hadn’t exercised in a month.

She picked up her phone and sent a text to Lu Zhiyuan.

Gu Ci: Third brother, I’m really busy today. I have final exams to prepare for. I’ll come see you tomorrow!

After putting down her phone, she grabbed a basketball and went out with Qin Wan. This basketball had been a gift from Lu Zhiyuan to Gu Ziyu. There was a basketball court in the neighborhood, but the kids were all still sleeping, and there was no one around.

Gu Ci and Qin Wan played basketball energetically. Qin Wan was a secret agent trained in covert operations, receiving specialized training every summer and winter vacation. Despite her delicate appearance, she had the strength and agility of a true powerhouse.

They both had skills, and on the basketball court, they played with great enthusiasm.

A beautiful three-point shot, and Gu Ci whistled.

Qin Wan gave her a thumbs-up.

One person shot, the other defended, and they played back and forth, reluctant to part. Sometimes they high-fived mid-jump, and other times they clapped and praised each other, becoming a delightful sight in the neighborhood.

Lu Zhiyuan stood silently by the basketball court, watching Gu Ci.

Final exams? Busy? Is this what she called busy?

He stood here, watching her play basketball for half an hour, her smile radiant, full of youthful vitality. She seemed calm and composed in front of him but also had a touch of a tsundere personality.

He had never seen Gu Ci smile so brightly before, like an ordinary college student playing basketball with her best friend on a sunny morning, carefree, sunny, and radiant.

Li Jiang stood by, keeping a close watch, not daring to say a word of nonsense. In his heart, he silently begged, “Miss Gu Ci, please look back and see that Third Master has been standing here for half an hour. Is this what you call studying?”

“Cici, Third Master has been standing by the basketball court, watching you for half an hour!” Qin Wan said with a smile after a beautiful three-point shot from Gu Ci.

Gu Ci turned her head and saw Lu Zhiyuan leaning against a tree, watching her. They were at some distance, and there were people in the neighborhood watching as well. Gu Ci glanced over but didn’t pay much attention, failing to recognize that it was Lu Zhiyuan.

Mainly because, in her memory, Lu Zhiyuan was still bedridden due to his injuries. How could he be up and about like this?

“Lu Zhiyuan…” Gu Ci was so happy that she forgot her own lie. Like a cheerful bird, she ran towards Lu Zhiyuan and looked at him with excitement. “You… you can get out of bed?”

Lu Zhiyuan wore a white sweater, covered by a black coat, and wrapped in a scarf. His complexion was still somewhat pale, unable to hide the signs of illness, but he stood steadily.

He looked at Gu Ci, who was running towards him, and all the unpleasant moments disappeared. Her eyes were filled with the light of winter, so bright that he seemed to be her only focus.

In that moment, Lu Zhiyuan heard the sound of his own heart beating.

He pulled Gu Ci towards him, pressed her against a tree trunk, and suddenly kissed her. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on them, like a beautiful painting.

In the distance, someone whistled!

Li Jiang was dumbfounded. Third Master had actually kissed Miss Gu Ci so eagerly in front of everyone? What happened to the carefully constructed image? He couldn’t believe it, no matter what!

Third Young Master’s image was definitely not like this.

Gu Ci didn’t expect Lu Zhiyuan to kiss her, but she was enjoying the long-lost intimacy. She felt his intense emotions, and his hand gently caressed her neck, carrying a strong implication. Gu Ci couldn’t help but lean closer to him.

A high school boy on a skateboard passed by not far away and whistled. Li Jiang coughed violently, almost like he had tuberculosis. Lu Zhiyuan reluctantly released Gu Ci, his eyes slightly red from desire.

Gu Ci’s eyes were misty, reflecting the lingering and romantic scenes of spring flowers and autumn moon. Lu Zhiyuan’s ears were burning again, turning red enough to drip blood as he stared at Gu Ci’s swollen lips, wanting to kiss her again.

He held her hand and led her back to Blue Fields Villa. His steps were somewhat hurried as if he had something urgent to do. Gu Ci asked a few times if he had eaten breakfast, but Lu Zhiyuan didn’t respond.

“Where’s Ziyu?” Lu Zhiyuan’s voice was hoarse.

“He went to Chen Liangdong’s house for the weekend.”

Lu Zhiyuan nodded with a grunt and didn’t say anything more. After entering Blue Fields Villa, he slammed the door shut, leaving Li Jiang outside.

Li Jiang was dumbfounded.

Inside the door, Lu Zhiyuan pressed Gu Ci against the entrance and kissed her again..