The morning after the attack came with a different kind of silence.
It wasn't peaceful.
It was the silence that settled on a battlefield after blood had been washed away — when the stench lingered beneath lemon-scented cleaner, and no one dared speak of what they'd seen.
Li Tian stood at the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, whisking eggs like it was any other Sunday morning.
Yanyu sat across from him, half-glancing at her phone but not really reading the news.
Every few seconds, her eyes flicked to him — and back.
"Wife Affection +1" "Wife Curiosity +3"
Ding.
[Passive Skill Triggered: Sensory Awareness] You are being watched… lovingly. Bonus: +5% Agility for 60 minutes. Note: Stop being dense.
He smirked, just a little.
Not enough for her to notice — or so he thought.
"You're not going to ask about last night?" he finally said, sliding a plate of eggs and pan-seared vegetables toward her.
"I figured if I waited long enough, you'd tell me on your own." She picked up her fork and poked at the eggs like they might be laced with explosives.
"I used to be part of a black-ops unit," he said simply. "Before I became your 'trash' husband."
She blinked. "You're joking."
Li Tian tilted his head. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
"…No," she admitted, eyes narrowing.
"Wife Suspicion -2" "Wife Interest +5"
He sat across from her, eating calmly.
Fox's voice buzzed softly in his ear.
"Jinlong is quiet this morning. Too quiet. Either they're planning another hit, or… they're regrouping."
"Let them regroup," Li Tian whispered under his breath. "They'll wish they stayed underground."
Southern Alliance HQ, Jinlong DistrictWu Gang slammed his fists into his desk, papers scattering like confetti.
"Four men. Dead. Inside a tier-1 protected zone. Explain to me how that happens!"
Across from him, the assassin leader bowed low.
"We underestimated him. He's not who we thought—"
"No sh*t he's not," Wu Gang snapped. "I raised him like a dog and somehow he turned into a wolf."
The room fell silent.
A woman stepped out from the shadows — tight black suit, katana at her hip.
"We'll handle it," she said coldly. "I'll go myself."
Wu Gang turned to her. "Don't fail."
She smiled — a thin, bloodless curve.
"I never do."
Back in Li Tian's ApartmentDing.
[New Mission: Disgrace the Traitor] Objective: Publicly expose Wu Gang's criminal dealings within 72 hours. Reward: +5 System Points, unlock [Shadow Reputation] passive. Penalty: Trust with Yanyu -50 Optional Bonus: Involve wife in operation. +Affection, +Trust, +Potential Romance Route Unlock.
Li Tian stared at the mission window.
Romance route?
He turned toward Yanyu.
She was sipping tea, her fingers trembling just slightly. Still shaken. But her eyes held steel.
She would never ask for protection.
But that didn't mean she didn't want to fight.
"You ever wanted to bring down a criminal?" he asked casually.
She looked up. "What kind of criminal?"
"The kind hiding behind your father's desk."
Silence.
And then — "Tell me what you need me to do."
Ding.
"Wife Trust +15" New Tag Unlocked: Partner-in-Crime
Midnight – Inside the Wu Corporation ArchivesThey moved like shadows.
Yanyu wore black. No heels. No jewelry. No questions.
Li Tian used [Phantom Protocols] to disable cameras, bypass retinal scans, and open encrypted doors.
The deeper they went, the thicker the stench of lies became.
Rows of locked file cabinets. A hidden server. And finally — a sealed room.
Inside: Documents. Ledgers. Proof of weapons deals with foreign cells. Secret contracts tied to the Jinlong Group. And… a list of hits.
One of the targets: Yanyu Wu.
She froze.
Her fingers traced her name.
Then she looked at her husband.
"You saved my life. Again."
He shrugged. "It's becoming a habit."
She reached out — just for a second — and touched his hand.
Her fingers were cold. His were steady.
"Wife Affection +10" "New Emotional Milestone Unlocked: First Touch (Mutual)"
But before they could speak, alarms blared.
Someone was here.
Ding! [Alert: Hostile Entity Approaching – S-Rank Threat] Identity: Hei Mian (Southern Alliance Executioner)
"Stay behind me," Li Tian said calmly.
Yanyu didn't argue.
In the Hallway – The Woman in Black ArrivesHei Mian moved like a ghost — each step silent, her blade reflecting emergency lights.
"Li Tian," she purred. "I've waited a long time."
He stepped forward, coat billowing, eyes unreadable.
"You're late," he said. "The others screamed."
She smirked.
"I don't scream."
Her blade flashed.
So did his system.
Ding! [New Skill: Ghost Step – Activated] [Combat Reflex Boost – Stack x3] [Auto-Parry – On] [Blood Counter – Locked Until Damage Taken]
They clashed.
Steel met silence.
She slashed. He vanished.
She pivoted. He reappeared behind her, delivering a brutal elbow to her neck.
She staggered — only slightly.
"You've improved," she hissed.
"I'm not done."
In the End…It wasn't one move.
It was twelve.
[Ghost Step] let him dance. [Instant Kill] did the rest.
She collapsed in a heap, barely breathing.
Yanyu stared, breathless.
"She was an elite."
"She still is," Li Tian said. "I just don't lose."
He turned to her.
But before he could say anything—
Ding! [Bonus Objective Complete: Involved Wife in Operation] "Romance Route Progression: 27%" [Shadow Reputation] Unlocked New Title: The Ghost of Jinlong